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View Full Version : Coincidence or just plain luck?


Tom Kochtanek
06-09-2008, 01:37 PM
Stroker 348 with tripower

Got my 1960 FA block (348 tripower with 280 horses) back from the shop after a clean up and initial bore. She was standard going in, cleaned up a 4.181. That's .056 over stock. Then CPG has these forged 348 pistons for .060" with his design on Ebay for a bargain price. Is this coincidence of just plain luck? Or maybe even destiny :).

So Aubrey and I made the deal (plus rings) and the pistons are heading my way. I hope to cull some camshaft secrets out of him when the time comes :).

So the block needs to be fitted for these .060" pistons. This setup is for the 409 crank with BBC rods. Should be quite a stout bottom end.

The original heads were 379s (280 horses) but since I've got a set of 1147s already assembled with almost the same date codes, I thought that might be a nice upgrade. I slipped the bigger 690 intake valves in place on those heads.

Don't know the cam configuration as yet (I've been doing solid lifter stuff for previous 409 builds). Have roller rockers up top.

Even have date-matching tripower setup that I rebuilt about two years ago.

Now I need a pile of dollars to finish the frame-off I started some 5 years ago on my 1961 Belair Sport Coupe. Frame is done (dismantled, sand blasted, sealed and new suspension added). Body sits on rolling frame. Needs full pans. Quarters are solid, rockers are solid, trunk and body mounts are solid. I actually stripped all the paint off what remains of the body two or three years ago, then primered her. Front clip is toast (damaged by contact) as is rear trunk. Have 4 door donor Belair for those parts. Doors are OK but will need ding repair.

After I get done roughing out the 1961 Bonneville Sport Coupe, I think I need to get started back on this project. I just need more space, a big bag of money to drop out of the sky, and some time. That will be a coincidence :).

Cheers!
TomK

skipxt4
06-09-2008, 04:08 PM
" a big bag of money to drop out of the sky. " Tom; Has that ever happened?:dunno Kidding aside. I know that feeling. I finally rebuilt my 09 in 2006, after 35 years of inactivity. Now it's sitting, waiting for me to finish the car.:doh Next Year, I hope. Skip:)

Ronnie Russell
06-09-2008, 04:39 PM
TomK, That will certainly be a fun cruiser. And good lookin' too. Glad things are working out. Destiny for sure. Right parts showing up at the right time. Wear a hard hat,,, the money might fall out of the sky at any time. ;)

wrench
06-09-2008, 07:30 PM
Ya mean this sad smile is on the upturn?

Also, have you been following Skim's work at http://www.impalas.net/forums/

BTW, if you need a geille....let me know....

Tom Kochtanek
06-09-2008, 09:39 PM
Wrench:

That's the one taken about 5-6 years ago. It's the vehicle that started me on the quest for "W" parts. I didn't know it at the time, but those hood and trunk emblems indicate the 348 was once under the hood. I asked the owner (his brother purchased it new) and he confirmed that it was a 348 with a single four barrel. 250 horse variety. Three speed on the column. Trans and engine missing.

So I started looking for a 348, came upon this site (back in the Yahoo days) and got stoked about "W"s :). That lead to a serious Jones' for these engines and the cars they reside in.

The car has since been dismantled and stripped of paint and then sealed. Then I got into the '62 SS and, well, the rest is history. Always wanted to get back to this one. I now know how much work and how many dollars everything takes...

Cheers!
TomK

WENGINE
06-09-2008, 10:18 PM
Great car my fav. of the early 60s cars. I go to the car shows and see what everbody is doing to get the motivation to get on my projects once you get that motivation and get it bad you'll find that bag of money your looking for. The tricky part is convincing the wife that you need to be in the garage for an extended period of time instead of at the beach or shopping? or who knows what else with her. Good luck with that prodject don't let anything stop you. As for those pistons just who on EBay has them?

Tom Kochtanek
06-09-2008, 10:31 PM
Bought the custom forged Ross pistons from Aubrey Bruneau, a member herein.

As for the big bag of money, anybody in the market for a nice residential lot or two in an upscale lake community? Each sale goes to the restoration of a fine American classic :) :).

Cheers!
TomK

dq409
06-10-2008, 01:03 PM
As for the big bag of money, anybody in the market for a nice residential lot or two in an upscale lake community? Each sale goes to the restoration of a fine American classic :) :).

Cheers!
TomK

:rofl:rofl I got the same thing going,,,, house with two extra lots !!!
Motivated seller !! Make me an offer !!! Trade? :D