WE BUILD AN LS ENGINE ON A BUDGET AND TRANSFORM THE MODERN ENGINE INTO A RETRO MOTOR THAT HARKS BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS IN THE PROCESS. BASICALLY, WE’RE BUILDING A CARBURETED 327 CID LS ENGINE, WITH CUSTOM TOUCHES THAT REMIND US OF AN EARLY 1960′S SMALLBLOCK CHEVY We started with an [...]
The engineering team at Crane Cams® has developed a new Pro-Race fiber optics-based racing distributor that’s proven to function flawlessly in today’s ultra-high underhood temperatures.
The side relief design provides additional clearance for the crank’s reluctor wheel. Without this added clearance, No. 8 piston would hit the reluctor wheel. Here’s an underside view that clearly illustrates the side relief/short pin design. Naturally, this also reduces reciprocating weight as a bonus. As you can see, the compression height resulted in the [...]
CHOOSING THE RIGHT OIL FOR FLAT TAPPET CAM BREAK-IN All oils are not created equal. by Mike Mavrigian photos by author Avoiding flat tappet cam failure can be as simple as using the correct oil during break-in. Chances are you’ve run into this problem first-hand, or know a builder who has shared his horror stories. [...]
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 [...]
Our Dart Big Chief II cylinder heads came equipped with Dart 1.625T 330 lb. @2.100″/0.910″ max Comp 948 triple valve springs, but since our Crane custom billet cam specifically calls for their 928 lb. springs, we performed a spring swap. Our Victory titanium intake valves measured 2.470″, while the exhaust valves measured 1.800″. Our Crane [...]
PROJECT 632, PART 3 SHORTBLOCK ASSEMBLY Our shafts rotate and the slugs run up ‘n down. Life is good. by Mike Mavrigian photos by author Clevite coated main and rod bearings were used for pre-fitting and final assembly. Building a stroker bad boy isn’t a walk in the park, as anyone who has been down [...]
Dart 11-Degree Big Chief Cylinder Head Specs P/N………………………18500000 Material…………………355T6 aluminum alloy Comb. Chambers……….56cc (70cc also available) Intake valve dia…………2.470″ Intake port dim. …………1.815″ x 2.725″ w/3/4″ radius Intake port volume………FP CNC – 497cc Intake port location……..Raised 1.500″ spread ports Exhaust valve dia………1.800″ Exhaust port volume……185cc Exhaust port dim………..2.020″w x 1.780″h Exhaust port location……angled & raised [...]
We build a big, big block drag mill just for the sheer hell of it. by Mike Mavrigian photos by author Some folks love to claim that bigger is not always better. While that may be true in some cases, let’s face it…when the conversation turns to displacement, well, bigger cain’t never hurt. After all, [...]
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