First time here and wishing all are doing well.
I have just purchased a 1966 88 coupe. It has the 425 4 bl
I have read a lot of post stating descriptions of aircleaners.
Mine says high compression and starfire, use high octane fuel.
Was wondering what the starfire represents if anything.
Thanks in advance for any assistance .
Sincerely, jerry

 

Newbie here, my true love in life is classics. Collection includes 70 442 pace car
69 Chevy c10 short bed factory 396 68 imperial 70 superb 440 six pack
And newest addition is 66 delta 88 coupe. Looking forward to visiting this site.

 

Newbie here, my true love in life is classics. Collection includes 70 442 pace car
69 Chevy c10 short bed factory 396 68 imperial 70 superb 440 six pack
And newest addition is 66 delta 88 coupe. Looking forward to visiting this site.

 

Welcome. For the 1966 model year, the Starfire V8 was the standard engine in the Starfire model and an optional engine in the Olds Eighty Eight and Ninety Eight lines. It was factory rated at 375 HP and 470 ft-lbs of torque with a 10.25:1 compression ratio. Here's the page from the 1966 brochure that describes the different engines and the models that they were available in.

 

Thanks Joe, seems like that is a plus for this like new coupe.

 

If indeed you have the optional Sfire engine with dual exhaust your Delta is quite rare. Someone could have just switched air cleaners or pie plate. The snout on the Sfire air cleaner was longer than the 4bbl one. Post pictures as that is a cool car! I believe the Dynamic 88 Police Option also got the Sfire 425 engine but I dont think the general public could get one.

 

It does have dual exhaust. Will post pics when time is available. Protectoplate
Matches numbers on head. I purchased from estate of original owner.

 

It does have dual exhaust. Will post pics when time is available. Protectoplate
Matches numbers on head. I purchased from estate of original owner.

 

For 1967 the Starfire was an upgraded 425 which added more horsepower and included dual exhausts according to all the factory lit I have. Not sure if its different for 66. Its definitely a plus.

 

Did you by chance buy this car at an estate auction in Snow Camp NC last weekend?

I debated whether to go check that one out but there is a Thunderbird on my back burner and waiting to see how that turns out.

The Starfire 425 is a smooth and very powerful and torquey engine. Your worst problem is going to be finding food for it, but if you're used to feeding a 70 455 and a 69 396 I daresay you have a handle on feeding high-compression beasts. Cam and valves are different on the Starfire engines, is where the extra HP came from.

Where are you in Vajenya?

 

Smith mtn lake and yes to snowcamp. Car sat in barn 18 years. Started up regular so they said. I put
Fifty bucks in gas in her and drove her home 100 miles. Smooth is so right. What an automobile. Figure 11 miles a gallon. Believe it or not my 70 pacecar had a motor change early in life. Yep a 1967 425 HP motor.5 1/2 mile to gallon in that one.

 

Actually it is a misnomer that the Sfire had bigger valves than the standard 425. Only the 442 and Toronado had the bigger intake valves in 1966. The cam was the same as the Police Apprehender and added more performance. My 66 DElta HC 425 was way ballzier than my pop's 68 Delta with the HC 455

 

The 425 transplant in my 70 442 has the larger lifters. Therefore it has shorter pushrods.

 

Not bigger diameter valves- the Starfire engine's intake and exhaust valve stems are .030 longer than the other engines, for a "little" extra valve lift. Sneaky, no?

 

I emailed the auctioneer last week trying to get some particulars about the car but never heard anything back, so I decided against making the hour trip down there. Had I known it had a Starfire engine you or I one might have ended up paying too much for it!

Glad to hear it has a good home with car people, because I was afraid it was gonna end up with some of the big wheels crowd.

 

Seems strange as the cam was already "bigger" but I think I have heard that before about the valve length and did not know the reason.

 

Hey rockettraider, what would u consider too much if it where a very nice car.

 

This is an awesome sight. Thank you to all the founders.

 

The larger DIAMETER lifters (0.921" vs 0.842") have no affect on pushrod length. On the other hand, lifter BANK ANGLE (45 deg vs 39 deg) WILL change pushrod length.

 

I was prepared to go as much as $4500-5000 on the car if it were in nice shape and everything checked out. If you got it for less you did well.

Pictures on auctionzip looked good but I wanted to inspect it closer before committing to the trip and didn't want to have to make a quick decision on buying that morning. After the auction company didn't reply I decided to pass.

I was impressed with the condition of the seats. Here's the car-

http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1559533/fp1.cgi

http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1559533/fp291.cgi

http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1559533/fp82.cgi

http://www.auctionzip.com/Full-Image/1559533/fp87.cgi

Find a set of 1966 3-bar spinner wire caps for it and you'll be riding in style. This car proves they're still out there hiding in barns.