455 A body build ideas.
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 314
455 A body build ideas.
I have a 1971 442 stock convertible with factory cast iron headers, H heads, stock cam, carb and pistons , 400 transmission, HEI ignition, 255/70/15 rear tires (29 inch tall) with a 3.08 rear end.Outside Air Intake.
I like to run on 87 octane low lead and want a strong power band from 1,000-5,000 rpm. It revs out sometimes but basically the car is set up like a power glide with an overdrive third gear.
- Do I need to do any oiling mods such as Toro/ Milodon oil pans ,restrictors?
-Cast or forged pistons?
-Compression ratio?
-Keep the stock cam or ....?
-Apparently the heads are worth something and would like to keep them or maybe sell them and get aluminium heads?
-What's the tightest quench I can use or don't bother?
-Keep the stock cast iron 4bbl manifold or....?
Thanks in Advance
joepenoso
I like to run on 87 octane low lead and want a strong power band from 1,000-5,000 rpm. It revs out sometimes but basically the car is set up like a power glide with an overdrive third gear.
- Do I need to do any oiling mods such as Toro/ Milodon oil pans ,restrictors?
-Cast or forged pistons?
-Compression ratio?
-Keep the stock cam or ....?
-Apparently the heads are worth something and would like to keep them or maybe sell them and get aluminium heads?
-What's the tightest quench I can use or don't bother?
-Keep the stock cast iron 4bbl manifold or....?
Thanks in Advance
joepenoso
Last edited by joepenoso; Oct 26, 2011 at 08:07 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,814
From: Erie,PA
Did a guy named Don own that 71 442 convertible?I think his name was Don.
I would do some sort of resto/sleeper engine.Make it as stock appearing as possible.
The block,crank,and rods can be reused.The Keith Black pistons would be fine for what you are doing.I would aim for 9:5:1 compression.You don't need any special oiling gadgets.A stock pan with a Melling pump,and matching pickup will be all you need.Get a modern cam grind.You could do the factory intake,with a Q-jet,or you can go aftermarket,depending on what your goals are with the car.It sounds like you just want a good cruiser,with more power than stock,which is not hard to do.As far as the heads go,you could keep them,and do a 71 W30-appearing engine,and get a repop W30 aluminum intake,or sell them and go another route.You could also do a set of correct 71 G-heads,with the iron intake.If you go with aluminum heads,then definitely get an aftermarket intake,like a Performer,Torker,or Performer RPM air-gap.You have a 3:08 gear,and a taller tire,that will lessen your ratio,so run a 11" converter with no more than 2,000 stall.
I would do some sort of resto/sleeper engine.Make it as stock appearing as possible.
The block,crank,and rods can be reused.The Keith Black pistons would be fine for what you are doing.I would aim for 9:5:1 compression.You don't need any special oiling gadgets.A stock pan with a Melling pump,and matching pickup will be all you need.Get a modern cam grind.You could do the factory intake,with a Q-jet,or you can go aftermarket,depending on what your goals are with the car.It sounds like you just want a good cruiser,with more power than stock,which is not hard to do.As far as the heads go,you could keep them,and do a 71 W30-appearing engine,and get a repop W30 aluminum intake,or sell them and go another route.You could also do a set of correct 71 G-heads,with the iron intake.If you go with aluminum heads,then definitely get an aftermarket intake,like a Performer,Torker,or Performer RPM air-gap.You have a 3:08 gear,and a taller tire,that will lessen your ratio,so run a 11" converter with no more than 2,000 stall.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 314
Did a guy named Don own that 71 442 convertible?I think his name was Don.
I only know the previous owner, haven't checked out the history yet
I would do some sort of resto/sleeper engine.Make it as stock appearing as possible.
Sounds good
The block,crank,and rods can be reused.
"F" block
The Keith Black pistons would be fine for what you are doing.
Forged cast or hyper ?
I would aim for 9:5:1 compression.
Will it run on 87 regular still?
You don't need any special oiling gadgets.A stock pan with a Melling pump,and matching pickup will be all you need.
Got it
Get a modern cam grind.
Any suggestions?
You could do the factory intake,with a Q-jet,or you can go aftermarket,depending on what your goals are with the car.It sounds like you just want a good cruiser,with more power than stock,which is not hard to do.As far as the heads go,you could keep them,and do a 71 W30-appearing engine,and get a repop W30 aluminum intake,or sell them and go another route.
You could also do a set of correct 71 G-heads,with the iron intake.
I thought the "H" heads were correct for 1971?
If you go with aluminum heads,then definitely get an aftermarket intake,like a Performer,Torker,or Performer RPM air-gap.You have a 3:08 gear,and a taller tire,that will lessen your ratio,so run a 11" converter with no more than 2,000 stall.
I only know the previous owner, haven't checked out the history yet
I would do some sort of resto/sleeper engine.Make it as stock appearing as possible.
Sounds good
The block,crank,and rods can be reused.
"F" block
The Keith Black pistons would be fine for what you are doing.
Forged cast or hyper ?
I would aim for 9:5:1 compression.
Will it run on 87 regular still?
You don't need any special oiling gadgets.A stock pan with a Melling pump,and matching pickup will be all you need.
Got it
Get a modern cam grind.
Any suggestions?
You could do the factory intake,with a Q-jet,or you can go aftermarket,depending on what your goals are with the car.It sounds like you just want a good cruiser,with more power than stock,which is not hard to do.As far as the heads go,you could keep them,and do a 71 W30-appearing engine,and get a repop W30 aluminum intake,or sell them and go another route.
You could also do a set of correct 71 G-heads,with the iron intake.
I thought the "H" heads were correct for 1971?
If you go with aluminum heads,then definitely get an aftermarket intake,like a Performer,Torker,or Performer RPM air-gap.You have a 3:08 gear,and a taller tire,that will lessen your ratio,so run a 11" converter with no more than 2,000 stall.
joepenoso
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,814
From: Erie,PA
You could use a hyper or forged piston.
The cam can be chosen,once some of the other variables are in place,like compresion.You can run iron heads with 9:5:1 compression on 87 with the right grind.
The H-heads were used on all of the 71 W30 engines.The G-heads were used on the regular 71 442's,and all other 71 455's.
The cam can be chosen,once some of the other variables are in place,like compresion.You can run iron heads with 9:5:1 compression on 87 with the right grind.
The H-heads were used on all of the 71 W30 engines.The G-heads were used on the regular 71 442's,and all other 71 455's.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,477
From: Central Fl
Running 9.5:1 on 87 will be a challenge, especially with a 3.08 gear and tall tire. I'd go no more than 9.0:1 with good squish, .045 or so. Smooth out the combustion chambers and a mild cam and you should be fine, maybe a single pattern or something with very little duration stagger but enough off the seat time, not a fast ramp.
Jmo.
Jmo.
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