Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Although not a bubble-pack solution, one can enhance the strength of the bottom end of a two-bolt block with a little thought and inexpensive parts.Using 7/8" keystock and milling the caps so they are flat on top......The pic speaks for this simple solution. Stronger than after market 2 bolt caps. Either method requires checking and align honing. Thus far the pic represents approx $30 spent for all the caps 1-4 and keystock. Not align honed yet.



I encourage cost effective and logical alternatives.



Sorry for the hijack.....;)


Regards,
HB2
Dissident:)

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I don't really have any money in it, maybe a few hundred dollars. There's no way I'm the only guy that's running a stock block. Especially since I had a two bolt with stock main cap bolts to begin with.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Agree 100 %, you're having terrible luck putting together one of the greatest readily available V8 engines ever designed. An aftermarket block at this level while desirable is not necessary. How many hundreds of Stock/Superstockers have belted out thousands of stout runs before there were aftermarket blocks.Yes many of the OE blocks are getting old but many are still available that have sat idle under a work bench or on a rack in a machine shop somewhere. It is great of you to share your journey with us and equally nice that so many have chimed in with suggestions. I just feel that sometimes we tend to hit the overkill button. No offence but you are building a Stocker SB not a 11000 rpm Comp engine. We are all hoping you turn the page on this horrible luck and I wouldn't have the courage to post publicly like you have done. Hats off to you,Todd and Amber.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Tim, I built this in the late 80's, it was my street car. DOT M&H's and mufflers 3700lbs 383 with a stock non filled 2 bolt block it would run high 9's@140+ and I beat it weekly with that stock block.
https://i.imgur.com/Z0NcwSm.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Ring seal is extremely important in a stocker or for anything that you want to make as much power as possible. How much will you spend prepping the oem block

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I have to buy main studs and hard block, I'm also paying to try this rust stripping deal, so probably $300.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Using an OEM block is fine, just not optimum. My point was not to waste your money on aftermarket main caps and the labor to install them.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Once I get to the point of machining, if the caps are an issue they'll be replaced but I don't expect to.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Uh, please pardon the off-top question, but PLEEAAZZE tell us that you still have that '57 2-door long top in your garage!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

No I do not, but it does have a story. I bought that car from a guy (Darrel Heuberger) I went to high school with (he drove it to prom, it was the coolest), I paid $150 for the body, we pulled his tunnel rammed small block with a muncie and a v-gate shifter out (Mid 80s in high school, I remember it like it was yesterday) and off I went. I played with it for a few years, back half with an 8 3/4 rear, super stock leafs and a pinion snubber. In about 1991 I took the car to a local chassis shop and had it backhalfed with a dana and ladder bars. It was my weekend street toy and my Saturday morning test-n-tune date. Unfortunately Darrel was killed in a local car accident late 90's. He had three very small boys and a wife left behind. We had a local nostalgia race so I put a tunnel ram on it, a muncie with a v-gate, just how I always remember when Darrel owned it. We went to the local nostalgia drags and gave rides down the strip for donations to his family. Shortly after, his parents contacted me and wanted to try to get the car back, well, I all but gave the car to them with the understanding that the car would be theirs or mine. I'm happy to report that My friend Darrel Heuberger is watching his sons, race HIS car, today...
https://i.imgur.com/qt9qhKkh.jpg