Been a while . . . Turbo/EFI '67

[Brn N Rubr]

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on here. Back in January I got the car running again. Got it on the dyno and all seemed well. The car made 460/514 on 12lbs with the mods in my sig. Well, that same night the car blew it's second set of Cometic head gaskets. I'm pretty sure the stock E7s were to blame for that. Since that night, the car has pretty much sat untouched. I pretty much lost all motivation to work on the car. Well, thanks to my awesome girlfriend, she rekindled my spirits and gave me a quick kick in the ass to get it going again! Thanks, babe! So, here's what the plan is.

My brand new 0 mile 347 stroker is on the stand waiting for all the goodies to be attached to it. It's a fully forged rotating assembly in a stock block (that's the only crap part about the whole motor - more on that later). Already installed in the motor when I bought it is a Comp XFI hydraulic roller that specs out at .608 int/exh, 304/314 adv, 248/258@.050, on a 114 LSA. Comp said it will work reasonably well with the turbo. I'm not too worried about it. I think I'll make enough power with any cam to break the block. I decided to buck up and finally get a good set of heads. AFR 185s should do the trick! They are currently on order and will be shipped on August 5th. Due to the flat top pistons I went with the 72cc combustion chamber and a .051 compressed Cometic head gasket to bring the compression down. Should be right around 9.2ish all said and done. A set of Harland Sharp 1.6 roller rockers round out the valve train. On the top end I ditched the Performer 5.0 and Cobra throttle body and went with a Holley Systemax and Accufab throttle body. All in all the motor should be pretty stout NA. I'd guess 400hp or so at the flywheel.

I decided that the .68 P-trim turbine housing would now be a little small for the 347 and aluminum heads. After a little research and few phone calls I ordered a Master Power T76 with a .96 Q-trim turbine. I think it will compliment my set up quite nicely.

My goal for this motor was to make good NA power so I could keep the boost low and make some great numbers while keeping the block in one piece and never having to worry about anything. Also, the turbo will allow me to grow very easily when I upgrade to a good block.

I found out that my 15" Racestars for my '07 GT fit quite nicely on the back of the ol' girl. I plan on getting a set of the 17" front skinnies as well. I'll have a set of skinnies/fatties for both cars with on set of wheels! How awesome is that!?

Hopefully with the sticky tires I can pull a 10.9xx out of her. That would be enough to keep me off the track for a while . . . with my lack of a cage and all. Hope you guys like! I think as a dyno queen she should throw out 500-550rwhp pretty easy on low boost What do you think?

[SScott]

Awesome! Big props to your girl for the clarity!!! I look forward to seeing it progress.

[Brn N Rubr]

Trying to clean up the motor as much as I can while I'm at it. Having some stuff powder coated! Lookin' good!

[10secgoal]

Wondered where you went. That hp goal you'll only need about 10-12, maybe 12 at the most I think.

[Brn N Rubr]

I'm going to run it off the waste gate at 7lbs first and see where that gets me. Should be interesting! Can't wait!

[slingblade]

a female that wants you to work on and spend money on a car where did you find that and are there more of them?

[Brn N Rubr]

She is the best. I taught her how to drag race in my cammed and bolt-on '07 GT with a stick. She's only .6 seconds off of my personal best...and that was her first time out.

[Brn N Rubr]

Well, only a small update for today. About 10 minutes before I left for work yesterday my turbo showed up! I'm surprised at how much larger it is than the T70.The 1.00 divided turbine housing is HUGE compared to the hold .68. Can't wait to see how she spools! Head gaskets showed up at the same time!

Goal for today is to get the oil pan on. I have to pull it off of the other motor, with it still in the car (piece of cake in a '67), clean it up and transfer it to the new motor. I also need to figure out what's going on with the harmonic balancer. It's being a pain to go on. Also, mocking up the water pump real quick reveals that, although the balancer isn't fully seated, the crank pulley is already too far back. I'm going to double check that I have the correct water pump and then go from there.

[10secgoal]

Aftermarket balancers often require spacers, no biggie.

[Brn N Rubr]

Made a little more progress today . . . I suppose. After spending about an hour "restoring" my original oil pan, I went for a test fit on the new motor and it wouldn't fit. The #5 main studs and the front of the main girdle where it kicks out around the oil pump are the culprits. A few minutes "massaging" it to try and make it fit didn't go well. After a little research I found a good deal on a decent looking Moroso pan and ordered it up. I also ordered my Detroit Locker and Strange 31 spline axles. To make dropping the motor in a little easier I ordered Ron Morris Performance drop motor mounts. They seem to be the only people making drop motor mounts for the early cars. They're a little pricey at $210, but the homemade ones I fabbed up didn't work quite as well as I would have liked. That's it for today. More to come later.

[ThomasWPT]

You probably don't want to hear this, but here I go. You have a sweet collectible car. I do not understand spending all this money on these good parts without a good block as a base. If money is tight a stock engine with a turbo will get you to 500 hp. If the block splits it's not a tragedy. A good aftermarket block such as a Dart will increase the value of your vehicle many times more than the cost of the block, and you don't have to worry about it splitting and damaging your good internals or heads. Sorry for my rant. Thumbs up for having a cool supportive girlfriend.

[brianj5600]

Good point if you plan on selling in the near future.

[Brn N Rubr]

I assure you, I am fully aware of the limits of my stock block. I don't like it, but that's how it's going to have to be for now. I'm going to keep the boost down and power reasonable to keep it living long enough to afford a good block. I've owned the car for 9 years and don't ever plan on selling the car. I was crazy for even thinking of that possibility in the past.

I really appreciate the advice. That's what makes this site great.

[Brn N Rubr]

Well, I've made as much progress as I can until my heads get here.I tried buttoning up the bottom on the motor and quickly found out that my stock oil pan wouldn't clear the main studs or girdle. After attempting to "clearance" the stock pan it became quite obvious that I needed to order a new one. I decided to go with a Moroso pan. Fair price and its deeper than stock. I'm having a -10 male nipple welded in as I type.

My oil drain before just consisted of a metal tube with a rubber hose. I decided to go ahead and go with a braided line and fittings. Also, I thought that I originally have a -4 feed line. I had it made at Napa many years ago when I first put the turbo on. Turns out it was a -5 line. I think that's where my constant oil smoke was coming from. I picked up some -4 as well to remedy that.

I came across a good deal on some fabricated valve covers so I said why not. The ones I had powder coated are going up for sale. These should make my street car feel a little more racey. lol

Finally after YEARS I got my 3.50 gears installed in my 9". I had a Detroit Locker installed at the same time and decided to go with some Strange 31 spline axles. I can't believe how much more beefy they are over the stock axles. I was impressed to say the least when I opened the box.

I also picked up a set of the Ron Morris Performance 1/2 drop motor mounts. They were a little pricey at $210, but I think they will be well worth it. The mounts I made didn't work as well as I would have liked. At least I had fun doing it. lol

I guess that's about it for now. I still need to mount the radiator and fans. I think I'm going to bleed the brakes and tidy up a few things inside the car. I'm pretty much on hold until my heads get here. According to Jeg's they should ship tomorrow! Fingers crossed for that.

[Brn N Rubr]

So I spent ALL day yesterday working on the car. I finished building the motor and installed it! I got some of the little things buttoned up, but I still have quite the list to go. There are definitely all sorts of little eccentricities with this engine compared to the old motor. That's what makes this stuff fun. I hope to fire it up this coming weekend. Wish me luck!

[70 5.0Merc]

Good luck. Everything is looking good. Do you have any plans for a cage? I have wavy quarterpanels from chassis flex, yours will be much more.

[Brn N Rubr]

Well, I made some more progress. i got the radiator all mounted up and I actually fired her up! Still need to hook up the coolant hoses and build the downpipe. Hopefully I'll be posting a driving video of it on Sunday! Wish me luck!

Idle video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goEiYXT6Qy8

[brianj5600]

Looking good.  I'll be in town from 9/4-11 and would like to check it out.

[Brn N Rubr]

Sounds good to me. Maybe this time I'll actually be able to take you for a ride. Lol. I live in a new place now. Are you familiar with the Burleson area?

[brianj5600]

I am not too familiar with it.  I have been in TN for 20 years now and a lot has changed.  I forgot a lot too.  I hope to spend a little time at Kennedale with my nephews 1931 Chevy twin 70mm rat rod.

[Brn N Rubr]

Kennedale isn't far at all. Burleson is about 20 minutes south of downtown Fort Worth straight down 35.

[Brn N Rubr]

Oh, and another update on the car. Got it all buttoned up and ready for a drive today. Only one problem. Some how there was a mix up when I ordered my Strange axles. They sent me 1.20" spline diameter 31 spline axles when I really need 1.32". I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what I can get worked out.

[Brn N Rubr]

Talked to Strange this morning. They accidentally sent me 28 spline axles instead of 31. They have arranged for UPS to pick my old ones up tomorrow and are shipping my new ones out today. They are even pressing the bearings /tgfr5on for me this time. They are taking care of me at absolutely no cost to me and no questions asked. That's what I call good customer service. Thanks, Strange!!