Our initial distributor offered a very neat low profile, but the large diameter of the head made installation impossible due to a lack of intake plenum clearance, so I switched out to a smaller-diameter-head MSD. The MSD Pro-Billet distributor (P/N 85501) provided the intake manifold plenum clearance that we needed. Our MSD distributor features a [...]
CARBURETOR/FUEL PLUMBING Our big-gulp carb is Holley’s Ultra Dominator (P/N 0-80673), an 1,150 cfm race carb that features billet metering blocks, three-circuit metering, mechanical secondaries and oversized sight windows for easy float adjustment. Recommended fuel pressure is 5-7.5 psi. The anodized billet metering blocks feature changeable idle feed restrictors for easier tuning of the idle [...]
VALVE COVERS The 1/4-inch x 20 x 3.5-inch socket head cap screws supplied with the Moroso valve covers are fine, and function perfectly. But, being the anal dolt that I am, I wanted to dress things up a bit more. I installed stainless-steel 1/4-inch x 20 x 4-inch studs into the heads (purchased from McMaster-Carr [...]
PROJECT 632 PART 6:DELIVERANCE With assembly complete, it was time to light the candle. by Mike Mavrigian all photos by author Well, the motor was final-assembled and run on the dyno. Although we didn’t hit our hoped-for 1,200 horsepower, we did manage a 1,115 horsepower run. With further tuning, we know the potential is there. [...]
The upper intake manifold plenum box gasket is stainless-steel reinforced and provided a perfect fit. The upper plenum box is secured with 1/4″ x 20 x 3/4″ stainless socket head cap screws. I applied a dab of moly to the threads prior to installation. I tightened all screws to 60 in-lbs using a criss-cross pattern. [...]
Using my Goodson 1.8″ – 2.6″ valve spring height gauge, we set final spring installed height at 2.150″. The original valve guides protruded a tad too high for adequate retainer-to-guide-seal clearance. Using a 1/2″ guide cutter and an 11/32″ pilot, I cut the guides down by 0.147″. During intake manifold and gasket test fitting, I [...]
Our chromoly Manton pushrods feature extended lifter tips and hardened rocker tips. Our order consisted of three different lengths. All exhaust pushrods are 1/2” diameter x 11.124”, while intakes were 7/16” tapered in lengths of 10.953” and 10.805”. Here you can clearly see the length differences. From left to right: 11.124” exhaust pushrod, 10.953” intake [...]
WATER PUMP Installing the Meziere Enterprises electric water pump P/N wp300 was a breeze. With gaskets lightly coated with UltraCopper RTV, I snugged the four ARP 3/8″ x 16 x 1.250″ stainless bolts to a specified value of 25 ft-lbs (Meziere supplies socket head cap screws, but I opted for the ARP polished stainless just [...]
CLAMPING OUR HEADS Using ARP moly lube on our stud threads and nuts (and on both sides of each washer), all nuts were tightened to a value of 65 ft-lbs, with the exception of the four special inboard (lifter valley side) studs, which were tightened to 45 ft-lbs. Note: Because the four lower outboard studs [...]
632 Part 5: THE ASSEMBLY CONTINUES by Mike Mavrigian photos by author In this article installment, we deal with a few minor challenges during the final fitting phase, but nothing too daunting. The details are provided here PUSHRODS In order to handle the demands of this engine, I ordered a set of extra-beefy custom pushrods [...]
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