"ScSilverdak" <scsilverdak@hotmail.com> wrote:
: With that Swinger needing CAM2 racing fuel, I'd say that car may be more
: than you want to get into.
: It'll require frequent tuning and valve lash setting, and at 12.5:1
: compression it'll be a hand full on the street.
I haven't checked to see what is available in this regard, but it
may be possible to drop the compression down enough to run normal gas
with some deck shims or thicker head gaskets. On a 440, every .010
you raise the head will drop the compression about a quarter of a point.
If the car has aluminum heads (and it sounds like it doesn't if it needs
racing fuel at only 12.5:1) then you could probably get away with 11-11.5:1.
(I run 92-93 octane in my 10.4:1 440 with aluminum heads. Before I installed
the aluminum heads, I was running just a hair over 10:1 on the iron heads
with 93-94 octane, which is about the max I would probably go with pump
gas and iron heads.) To drop the 12.5:1 engine to the 11-11.5:1 level would
require .040 to .060 of shim. (.10 to go to 10:1) Because this will also
"widen" the intake valley, it might be necessary to use some corresponding
shims on the intake manifold, or just double up the gaskets. I'm not sure
what the acceptable limit is but I'm sure it can be over-done. :-)
You could install aluminum heads of course, but that's more time and
expense and as I discovered, you can't count on them being a "bolt-on"
even if the box says so. :-) (Especially on a modified engine.)
Plus, with either of those options, you will be pulling the heads,
which can't be much fun in a big block A body engine bay!
Another option might be to sell the current engine and buy or build
a milder big block. If you bought the car for $7500 or whatever, and
managed to sell this motor for $4000, you'd have a $3500 dart and
$4,000 will make for a decent 383 or 440 which is still streetable.
---Jon-
.---- Jon Steiger ------ jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com ------. | I'm the: AOPA, DoD, EAA, NMA, NRA, SPA, USUA. Rec & UL Pilot - SEL | | 70 Cuda, 90 Dak 'vert, 92 Ram 4x4, 96 Dak, 96 Intruder 1400, 96 FireFly | `------------------------------------------ http://www.jonsteiger.com ----'
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