rod7515
Well-Known Member
When I bought my 66 Dart it had a 273 2 barrel carb. I knew I wouldnt be keeping it so I sold it right away, then the question was what engine do I put in it. The engine shop owner/builder is a big block person. He had ready to go a stroked 400 but after doing some research on headers I decided on a small block. He also had a 360 block that a prior customer had bored and decked then changed directions and never paid for it so I bought the block. Decided on doing a 408 stroker, and bought a skat crank kit and a comp cam solid roller kit in November. My first mistake was telling the machine shop I was in no hurry. So here it is the middle of July and its not done yet. Now Im not even close to being ready but everytime we try to get something moving on the project we run into a wall. First issue was the oiling in the lifter bore, the cam lift lift pushed the lifter up and the area between the roller and lifter skirt exposed the oil galley. Set cam back 2 times to reduce the base circle but with todays softer cores it couldnt be reduced far enough. Thanks goodness for MRL lifters as with the reduced roller size my problem was solved. Since comp didnt have lifters that would work I couldnt return them for any credit so I ended up selling them at a lose. Next issue, ARP main bolts, the set I got had bad threads on the longer windage tray studs so I had to buy another set and send these back for credit. Now last night the engine builder tells me that the comp kit valve springs didnt have enough pressure at opening for his liking. They are at 385 at opening and he wants to see 500+. So today I call back to comp and talk to them about this. I was told that if i was going to race it at all I should have springs that are 500+. So why would their kit not have them in it. Its a solid roller with a .590 lift. Even if I never raced it anyone that buys a cam with a .590 lift is going to run it pretty hard. Just doesnt make sense to me. I ask if the extra spring pressure would hurt the cam and was told no because it was a billet core, so why not have the correct springs with the kit. Well I had to order new springs and retainers because the springs are larger diameter. Yes I had to front more money for the new parts but will be given a credit once I send the other springs/retainers back. Now I am sure that the heads will need to have some additional work done to fit a different spring and I am hoping that the rockers wont need any mods.
I dont know what might be next but between the issues I have run into and the slow speed at which the engine is getting addressed I am very frustrated with this build.
Once I get the engine done I plan on dropping it in to the Dart and seeing what mods need done to fit the headers and exhaust then pulling back out so I can paint the engine compartment.
Thanks for letting me rant. I think I feel better now!
Rod
I dont know what might be next but between the issues I have run into and the slow speed at which the engine is getting addressed I am very frustrated with this build.
Once I get the engine done I plan on dropping it in to the Dart and seeing what mods need done to fit the headers and exhaust then pulling back out so I can paint the engine compartment.
Thanks for letting me rant. I think I feel better now!
Rod
