Hi Gus, I am butting in here, there was also a recent thread on this with some very good images.
1961 Biscayne project in Fargo ND
- Thread starter real61ss
- Start date
The other week i had the car at the track and she just did not seem right 
So we did a leak down test and sure enough three cylinders where low :eek
so out came the engine and come to find out what was happening was
The two screws in the lockdown for the advance on the distributor came out so the timing was jumping all over and detonation was happing and wiped out the rings
. So a quick rebuild and back to life and even picked up a few HP
So we did a leak down test and sure enough three cylinders where low :eekso out came the engine and come to find out what was happening wasThe two screws in the lockdown for the advance on the distributor came out so the timing was jumping all over and detonation was happing and wiped out the rings
. So a quick rebuild and back to life and even picked up a few HP
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Hp increases all the way to 7500 rpm, I have not seen that too often. Brian what is your redline, 8500
Can't wait to see you run it in September.
I’m going to keep the rev limiter set at 7600rpm
Hp increases all the way to 7500 rpm, I have not seen that too often. Brian what is your redline, 8500
Can't wait to see you run it in September.
just not too sure how much this original 409 block can handle! They were never designed to handle this kind power and stress back then
I'm glad to hear it was nothing serious.....and that ya'll caught it before it turned serious. The extra HP you found is icing on the cake. Everyone likes cake!
holy $hit she hit the scale at 3565LB with me in the car No wonder I can’t getter moving any faster time for diet! Or more HP
So the tare weight is about 3380. That's not bad, but I bet you can shave off a little more.
. That's not bad, but I bet you can shave off a little more.
I would have thought it would be a little lighter, but not much. I'd have guessed around 3250 (without driver) with all the weight you've already pulled. What does your '62 weigh in comparison?
The old saying goes: Instead of looking for places to remove a pound, look for 16 places to remove an ounce.
Or even as the Bible tells us - Lay aside the weights that so easily beset us.
If I can find an extra pair of doors (that aren't so nice I'd feel guilty) then I plan on cutting some pounds of the inner away. The door panels will cover it up. VFN makes fiberglass valence panels if you're not already using them. I've thought about Lexan side windows before, but only if I could get them to look stock. Everyone installs them in a "fixed" position these days screwed or riveted to a frame, but I was thinking maybe more like Mopar did back in the days......you know the ones that used a seat belt to pull the windows up. I just don't see why you couldn't mount Lexan in the factory window regulators and have it look stock?
For the 9" - aluminum center section, aluminum spool, gun drilled axles with "starred" flanges.
Stuff sure can get expensive but I guess if you plan for the least weight when you're first buying parts it wouldn't be as bad as replacing heavy parts you already bought.
I know I have about 15 or 20 pounds of DRIVER weight I need to lose.
You're already going a lot quicker/faster than I ever want to go!!! It is awesome seeing what some of ya'll are accomplishing. I sure enjoy showing results and build thread pictures to some of the guys at work who think you have to build a turbo'd import or LSx powered / EFI car to go fast.
The old saying goes: Instead of looking for places to remove a pound, look for 16 places to remove an ounce.
Or even as the Bible tells us - Lay aside the weights that so easily beset us.
If I can find an extra pair of doors (that aren't so nice I'd feel guilty) then I plan on cutting some pounds of the inner away. The door panels will cover it up. VFN makes fiberglass valence panels if you're not already using them. I've thought about Lexan side windows before, but only if I could get them to look stock. Everyone installs them in a "fixed" position these days screwed or riveted to a frame, but I was thinking maybe more like Mopar did back in the days......you know the ones that used a seat belt to pull the windows up. I just don't see why you couldn't mount Lexan in the factory window regulators and have it look stock?
For the 9" - aluminum center section, aluminum spool, gun drilled axles with "starred" flanges.
Stuff sure can get expensive but I guess if you plan for the least weight when you're first buying parts it wouldn't be as bad as replacing heavy parts you already bought.
I know I have about 15 or 20 pounds of DRIVER weight I need to lose.
You're already going a lot quicker/faster than I ever want to go!!! It is awesome seeing what some of ya'll are accomplishing. I sure enjoy showing results and build thread pictures to some of the guys at work who think you have to build a turbo'd import or LSx powered / EFI car to go fast.
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Well after some more mishaps the other week with the MSD distributor locking up and shearing off a few teeth it has been one thing after another with this 61 build this year but I did get a few passes in last night with air temp at 77 and the track prep was $hit
and going through the traps at only 6900rpm thinking I might need to go back to the 4.88
but I did get a few passes in last night with air temp at 77 and the track prep was $hit and going through the traps at only 6900rpm thinking I might need to go back to the 4.88
140 mph ? You have the power, Brian. You are a full tenth slow on the 60 ft. time. Maybe track prep . Maybe some more tweeking on rear suspension. Shock settings, etc. Hang in there, just a few more test and tunes to get it all ironed out.
Nothin's lighter then a hole! 
Looking good Brian.
There is weight to be saved by drilling holes.
Here is some of the work we did on the Pontiac.
I just knew those pictures were going to be showing up soon Jim. Swiss cheese hinges.
I have seen aluminum hinges on Ebay before as well......labeled Z11. I've never read anything that says the Z11 actually had aluminum door hinges, but either way they seem pretty cool. Pricey though $$$$
Brian, That is huge. What are you using for a clutch? I bet there are several tenths you can pick up with the right clutch.
My SS was 4010 and could 60 ft a 1.46 with the 5.14. With the torque you're making, I bet you''l see low 1.30's
My SS was 4010 and could 60 ft a 1.46 with the 5.14. With the torque you're making, I bet you''l see low 1.30's