Hi, Bernhard it is a 1969 455 + .040 JM 18-20 engle cam, valve lift in 488 ex 496 running duration in 260 ex 266 duration at .050 in 216 ex 226 KA heads coen 2600 to 2800 stahl 9.0 compression, 3x2 bbl standard ignition points, tubo 400 short tail trans, b&m shift kit, no street mile really what so ever just go out with it test it out for whatever we have done to it, really only looking for like a 13 flat ca that's all iam looking for, i think from the opinions i have gotten from above it lacks a camshaft... thanks for looking john...

 

What are you running for exhaust ?

Are you running a MSD or other multi spark box?

Like others said lite front rims but even more important is that they are skinny 15 x 4 front runners easy et

 

For what its worth if you want some lighter rims I will be selling my jegs brand spike wheels soon that I added bullet caps and bullet lug nuts to. Obviously at a discount since they are used.

 

Hi, just regular exhaust manifolds for 69-72 w-30 with cut outs, just standard points !! john..

 

Nothing wrong with points are car picked up with MSD 6AL with points.
I would install full length quality header before any other modification and tune.

 

Bernhard thanks for your information !! john.............

 

Absolutely, just out of curiosity I ran your best mph through a performance calculator. It figures out the perfect pass based on actual mph.

60 Foot 1.84

330 Foot 5.31

660 Foot 8.34

660 MPH 81.48

1000 Foot 10.97

1/4 Mile ET 13.22

1/4 Mile MPH 100.22

I think that says it all, that 13.34 was a phenomenal pass.


Now look at my ideal number based on my peak mph. Keep in mind that last pass was just about flawless for me.

1/4 Mile ET 14.79

1/4 Mile MPH 89.59

This screams my car is missing something (gears). Your car is missing nothing...



http://www.wallaceracing.com/etcalc.php


I'm thinking those tires are gonna hurt performance all other things being equal.

26 inch hoosiers 18 lbs
28 inch hoosiers 21 lbs
27 inch mickeys 26 lbs

Trying to wring out more from the 3.91 gear / 28 inch tire combo may pay off in better weather. Your last sessions temps were ok but humidity was high.


Music to my ears.

 

The only problem I see with a points distributor is sourcing good quality points.
In a world of off shore ....... good parts are hard to come by.

 

69CSHC boy your spot on !! i really don't want to get into this whole camshaft thing cuz like you said its really pretty much a stock motor i have done cams before but to me as of now my brother told me lets go back and find you some GM 3.42 gears for it we can put them in on his lift, to much gear not enough ponies !! i was more than happy with it before with the 3.31 in it the 3.42 will be just fine, who knows i have the red inner fenders for it i might just might go the OAI route with the car, ?? thanks really for all your checking i hope you find what your looking for on your hot rod also !! john...............

 

I would be in no rush to swap the gears.
Do you not want to run headers?

 

Bernhard no i have new aluminized exhaust and have cut outs welded in there really don't want to rip into that, john...

 

This because your rpm will come in quicker. Which will leave you in the power band longer. Should have better ET.

 

I would still not give up on the 390 gears.
There are lots of little gains you can make that will get you to your goal.
For example our car always ran best running NGK plugs small gain
quality ignition wire set and points small gain
We picked when we went manual steering electric fuel pump loose alternator/water pump belt
ice on the intake before a run
Exhaust heat cross over blocked with ss steel plates.
The car picked up with light wheels and front runners
When we removed weight, power brake booster, front sway bar,just enough fuel in the tank for the day
quality large air filter
fall air
tuning and more tuning we indexed our plugs small details add up
fresh fuel

I like your idea of the ram air cool looking and should be worth something.
Good luck and keep us posted on what worked and what did not.

 

X2 with Bernhard . there is lots ofnlittle things you can do . im cheap so I always do all the little things first that dont cost alot. The ram air pan was worth 2 mph on the top end . I ran an open x pipe which made the car run 2 tenths faster. Vs through mufflers and open headers will run 1 tenth faster. Open headers are 12.0 to 11.90 open x pipe is 12.1 to 12.15 and through the mufflers is 12.38 for me. Comparing all my runs.

 

It's a lot of fun chipping away at the ET its old school hot rodding.
We tried a field cutoff for the alternator and we did not pick up over the loose belt.
There are so many things one can try stiction reduction is a another area to explore.
Copper I have enjoyed your build and the cars transformation.

 

Well olds gang here goes finally after 2 years we made the change over this year and got down there yesterday 9/22/19 to rock falls raceway, were to start here goes, the car ran consistent 13.44 13.45 best 13.34 at 100.22 with the 3.31 in it, 60 foot times were 1.85 to 1.90 With the 3.91 in it yesterday first run 13.75 at 98.75 2nd run 13.85 at 98.95 3rd run 13.71 at 99.22 first round elimination 13.71 at 99.28 second round elimination 13.67 at 99.69 final round 13.65 99.92 60 foot times were 2.010 2.100 with the 3.31 i use to cross at 4500 rpm with the 3.91 it was 5000 rpm i had on a brand new set of 28/9/15 hossier slicks, my brother was watching no wheel spin !! i was shifting the car at 5000 rpm it was really done there i went to 5200 that's when it ran that 13.85 iam not an expert on this but long long time ago we had a 67 442 that had 3.90 in it its like the motor cant rev that fast so we put 3.55 in it and got its torque back went like a bat out of you know what !! that 455 motor back then was a stock 1970 455 4bbl out of a 98 no work done to it, no special converter no nothing, i have a 488/496 lift 260/268 duration cam a 2600-2800 coen converter 3x2 bbl i wasn't looking to set the track record but a couple of tenths and 2 miles an hour would of been nice, i just thought this would be the ticket looks like i was wrong, anyway we had a great time !! i would like to hear some of the olds gangs opinion on all this cuz iam left with a big i just don't get it, thanks guys john !!!!!
The DA was in the 2100ft range that day.Every inch in tire height is .16 effective gear change. 2" more tire would be .32 less effective gear.Looks like the 60ft was the real problem IMHO.

 

Jharken, my thoughts are even if it ran a 1.85 to 1.90 60 ft time like before its only a 2 tenths difference that would put me from my best run there that day to 13.45 the car ran a 13.34 before so i do think it was a step in the wrong direction !! JMO also !! thanks for chiming in john ..

 

You effectively picked up with tire change .28 gear or 3.31+.28=3.59 ratio....... but 60 ft slowed? Should of 60ft better. Launch rpm the same? 60ft is moving around a lot for a car that doesn't spin.
Imho

 

Funny thing is, the car out here sure felt faster on the country roads !! it picked up 500 rpm also when i crossed the 1/4 before it was 4500 rpm now it was 5000 rpm maybe she just don't have the HP !! john..

 

I ran a 13.89 @97 mph with a 2.56 gear on a 27" tall tire going through the traps in second gear. I'd say something isn't set up right because you should be doing much better than you are.

Quick edit...This was a Stock J headed 455 with TRW 2323.030 pistons and an Erson JB100 cam. .504/.504 228/235 @.050 lift. Should have been a torker intake and Edelbrock 1407 carb.

 

The car seems to like to run right at around 100 mph even after the gear change, i do believe there is a point where you can hurt yourself by going to much gear and not enough HP. we had a stock 1970 olds 455 with a 3.90 gear in it its like the motor lost its low end torque, we stuck a 3.55 in it and the car really came to life never track tested, my stepfather had a 1970 Chevelle the car ran right around 11.60 to 11.70 at 114 mph with 4.10 rear, he went and put some 4.56 in it it ran slower, 11.90 to 12 flat !! at 112 mph, i think the 3.91 for me would be a great choice if i had 425 hp our more, JMO john...........

 

I was thinking about this today. You made a big change from a 3.31 to a 3.91. Perhaps your engine cant rev fast enough but..... I know this from experience detuning a engine that was in a car with a 3,73 gear to a car that had a 2.41 ! Perhaps the engine needs some tuning. a looser valve preload helps an engine rev. I gained a few hundred RPM going from .040 preload to .010 and it idled smoother albeit it was a bigger cam. The other thing to think about is when is your timing coming in. With that 3.91 now you can bring the total timing in sooner.

I had to serverly cut back timing to detune an engine when I stuck one of my old 350's into my dad's 77 Pontiac Bonneville with a 2.41 rear gear. I eventually went to a 3.08 and I had to change the timing curve and the fuel shot as I had also changed all that.

Just a thought.

 

Thanks coppercutlass any input is most appreciated john !!!