Since Hot Rod left Studebacker this is what I dug up on Google, too much to copy all of, click the link to read it all--That Jack Vines guy is on Speedtalk and he owns-runs a engine shop and was around in the 1960's building engines, so he knows a few things...this is good stuff here
Yes, that is a lot of good info. Thank for posting that.
The best thing about the Stude V8 is/was that it was a bald-faced copy of as Cadillac, and was way over-built for its size. EIGHTEEN head bolts!!!
That, alone, should make it the darling of the forced-induction set...
My 360 has to get by with only ten (per side.)
Insofar as comparing the small-block Chevy with the small-block Mopar, I had a long-winded discussion with an ex-buddy about the various design parameters of those two engines and came up with this:
Chevy advantages:
Lighter valve train
Lighter rods, pistons, and crank
Generally, better-flowing heads (more on that, later.)
Slightly smaller external dimensions.
Smaller diameter valve stems.
Shorter stroke on MOST engines.
One bell housing bolt pattern fits ALL engines.
Higher RPM potential because of the generally shorter stroke and lighter valve train.
More head bolts.
Mopar advantages:
Bigger block with higher cam placement allowing longer strokes.
Larger bore center spacing (4.44" vs 4.40")
Valves centered in combustion chamber for larger potential diameter and less shrouding.
Stronger (heavier) pistons and rods.
Longer rods.
Superior, shaft mounted rocker arm assembly.
Larger diameter lifters
Intake manifold removal without removing the distributor.
Better-designed, spread-bore intake manifolding.
Thermo-quad cool-fuel carburetor.
Earlier electronic ignition availability (1972.)
No "pushrod" to deal with on fuel pump.
3-speed automatic transmission legality in virtually ALL NHRA Stock Elim. cars.
Double roller timing chain on high performance models (340s etc...)
The superiority of stock small-block Mopars' performance potential vs. their Chevy counterparts is proven in the NHRA's "factored" horsepower specs; the 340s carry MORE horsepower Stock, than ANY of the 350 Chevys. Those numbers are based on
actual performances at drag strips everywhere (in North America) and don't lie.
Where Ma made a mistake was, in not including set of W-2 heads on every 340 that went out the door. That would have changed the street scene dramatically...
Anyone who thinks that a small block Chevy motor is easier to work on than a small-block Mopar hasn't worked on both.
