My buddy and I went in on a couple engines.
$1500 (the seller badly needed it for a clutch and some other stuff coming COD Monday) for a 300 horse 327 with 15 min run time at the speed shop for break-in and a 406 described below. He gets the 327. I get the 406

The 406 was in a 72 Nova for about 2000 miles and the guy went with an alcohol injected big block instead. This is what I do know about it.

5.7 rods
TRW 10.5:1 pistons
Cam - Lunati 40146 mechanical
Duration@.050 - 249° 254°
Lobe lift .362", .368"
106° Sep 102° Int C/L
Opens/closes @.050
23° BTC 45° ABC
--
57° BBC 17° ATC
Valve lash .018", .020"
Gross duration 288° 293°
Gross lift .543" INT - .552" EXH
Rough idle. Works well in hobby dirt car or bracket race car. Have very good mid range power. Power range 3400-7000

Camel hump heads- no porting Manley 2.02-1.60's, 7/16 studs and Lunati 1.5 roller rockers
Intake manifold- Dart II Sportsman
Carb- an 888? not too familiar with carbs, anyone know what this is? It wasn't on when I picked it up, but he said he'll let me use it until I get something else, or he'll just sell it to me because he tried 4 different carbs and this one ran better than the Dominator on this engine.
I got other stuff with it: carter fuel pump, flexplate, aftermarket starter, blah blah

He also used all MSD ignition components, none of which I have.

Anyway, he said he ran 11.36 in his Nova with a 3000 stall on a Turbo 350, shifting at 6500 rpm. I pulled the plugs and they look nice and golden brown.

What do you all think? I lost my desktop dyno disk, but what power levels do you guys think it puts out?
The heads are pretty good flowing for stockers, I've heard. Would some bowl work and a valve job really wake these up, or should I just wait until I get some aftermarket heads? Also, no accessory holes sucks. How do you guys running these heads get around that? Should I just get them drilled and tapped, or do I need to? All I need is the alternator and power steering, so can I mount the alternator lower? The A/c will be ripped out and the smog pump is long gone.


What would I need for an exhaust system for this application? He was running 1 5/8" headers with straight pipes. What do you guys recommend? I want a rear exit exhaust like it is now.

Cooling: I have an aluminum radiator out of my 68 (it's not really using it right now) so that will help with that problem, but what fan setup should I go with? Any other ideas on keeping it cool?


Also anything I haven't addressed (stall, gears,etc..) please feel free to comment. Any additional input, opinions or suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.




[This message has been edited by 89ragtop (edited March 03, 2001).]

 

that cam is collasal, i don't think you would be very happy with that on the street unless you just drive it on weekends and to the track. i'm guessing that this nova was gutted and set up for drag racing. 11.36 is damn fast on that motor. i would change the cam to a xtreme comp hydraulic 284 like mine and get some aftermarket heads. i would suggest ironeagle 200s, but just because that is what i have and i know they work well. my cam is 240/246 @ .050 and .507/.510 with 1.5 rockers. a tci streetfighter converter would work well for this motor, again, i only know because that is what i have. it stalls at a rated 2800-3200.

exhaust wise, 1 5/8 headers are good, but a lot of people say that is too small. it works good on my truck as you can see from my sig, so it is up to you.

i run 3.42 gears and i think that is a good compomise with no overdrive.

dual electric fans should do a good job keeping that thing cool. flexalite 212's

all this advice is my opinion coming from what has worked on my 406. make sure you use 93 octane.

------------------
88 S10
Dropped 3/4
18" Boyd Coddington Timeless 5s
Dart equipped 406
12.20 @ 115.25 mph

 

Yea, it had a tube chassis and a really good suspension setup, he said he had to take it easy on the gas launching because he was running a 9 in tire. It did have a full interior though. He had a Ford 9 in rear as well, another thing I have to look at. I was contemplating putting a 4th gen rear in to fit some bigger meats in back, and I heard Richmond gears will take some abuse, but how much? I really don't want to go to a Ford 9 in.

I also don't think I would be happy with this cam. My cousin has ridden in this car and said it's pretty lumpy, but the guy drove it around town cruising all summer. But I am going to go smaller. This will be mostly a street car with the occasional run at the track. Put it this way. Two years ago, I put 2200 miles on my car. Last year it was less than 500. I drive the car usually only on weekends, weather permitting. Once I put this motor in, I will take it to the track, occasionally, but the primary use will be cruising. So I'm definitely going to put in a smaller cam. I am also contemplating a head change as well. I was thinking of either the Dart heads or Canfield and getting some port work done. But I can't do that right away.

Yes, this motor was not exactly 100% what I wanted, but the price was too good to pass up for both motors. I can always use these heads on the 400 block I have for my '68 (no money for it right now, but my cousin got a job a a body shop, and he hates his fat girlfriend, so he likes working after hours, and it looks like he might be able to bring it next week because business is slow, SWEET!).

Also, My friend has a Turbo 350 that was rebuilt pretty tough that he isn't using right now. Do these use the same crossmember as the 700R4, or is it different? Also the driveshaft length would have to be a little different as well, right? I used to know this crap, but I can't think of it off the top of my head. I never really planned on putting a TH350 in my ride, but I don't want to waste a perfectly good 700R4 behind this thing. But maybe I will, I've got a spare. I guess that will also be a determining factor on the rear end ratio.

 

They way I see it the double hump heads have already DEtuned the motor if you go to Iron eagles, even the 200's they will flow more air, and create more HP. I would suggest pretty much the same as the s10. I certainly agree that the cam is way too big for the street. You can look at my cam, I have been told it is too small for my motor. But I dont want to change my Tq convertor, Three within one year is not my idea of fun. My cam is a melling cut, They reccommend 3.73 gears, and 2600 stall min. I'm guessing 3600 and 4.11 min for that cam.
Any way change cams leave the heads, and have fun. Leaving all the fords you come across in your wake.
Later
John

------------------
82 Firebird,355,Cam 224/234, .466/.488,TH350 Tranny,650 HolleyDP,Hooker Headers(I.E. POS) Manual steering
Best 8th et 8.62@80mph.
NEW for 01
A 408,dart iron eagle heads,street dominator intake, 750 SD,cam 229/239, .497/.520, Also a big hole in the hood.
Shooting for low 12's.
Check out my birds new home. It isn't much to look at but give me a couple years.
Http://www.geocities.com/spuds82firebird

[This message has been edited by spud (edited March 07, 2001).]