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

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Wow! Todd, if there ever was a mulligan for letting a car like that get way, that would be it.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Ordered some parts this week, Hardblok, Racepak stuff, head gaskets, main studs, head bolts and a crankshaft. Pretty sure I wont get the block tomorrow but I'll call to check just in case.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Its not, if you start with the right core and know what to do with it. And you should have more than 400 HP if you get it right.
I know of at least one S/S that runs extremely well with a production block, its all about the core and the prep.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Not sure if I have the right one and not sure if I'm doing it right but I'm doing it. The learning curve... it is steep.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

One of our 275 327 E stick engines is a .040 over stock block. Probably well north of 500 runs on it. ( been freshened several times) it has been 10.70’s in decent air. We call it super street because it will run at least 10.90 in any conditions.

I think the key is that it hasn’t been bored bigger. We even coated the Pistons to help the sizing over time.

We had a 327 once that we filled and ran .060 over. My preference to to not run a filled block if I can avoid it. Either a thick enough stocker or an aftermarket

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Made a new "wavy washer" today and got the Racepak bulkhead in, made some templates for brackets, moved some carpet for cables and made a new hole for the switch panel ribbon cable, looked like crap running across the firewall.
https://i.imgur.com/ntTNW1gh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/tXPC01dh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rPX1SN6h.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I didn't get much accomplished this weekend, dragging my rear. Sunday I worked on the trans. getting the Racepak stuff started.
https://i.imgur.com/oZTKw4Zh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Will the Race Pac be affected being that close to the coil? Car is looking good!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Racepak said as long as the box isn't near it should be good so I hope not.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Parts. And these bearings didn't come loose in a carboard box.
https://i.imgur.com/Es8LRHJh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got a call today and I should be able to pick the block up tomorrow if the weather holds. I'm excited to see how this de-rusting process works out. Crankshaft also came in yesterday, here's a picture :D:D now this isn't mine but since mines boring I figured this would be cooler.
https://i.imgur.com/zk5UlM1.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Good morning Sir.
I've have followed this thread since you started it and have completely

enjoyed each and every comment especially the constructive ones. I also lament your frustration(the name of my 1st race car in 1968), and keep cheering you on from a distance. I'm no expert by any stretch, and I actually figured someone else would chime in on the firewall picture on page 126. But seeing how no one has, I'll mention it. Maybe the picture is for reference which would explain the lack of rubber/plastic grommets on the holes to protect the lines that go through those holes from wear due to vibration etc. 1 less thing to have to chase down later if you know what I mean. Keep fighting the good fight. I know you and Amber will succeed.
Walt

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

That's far to nice to hide inside an engine

Needs to be on display at the sales counter

If its really going inside an engine, well that's just sick.....

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Nice welding table. C/W are on the small side hence the 4 pieces of heavy metal in the 2 counterweights. The butterfly wings in the middle are cute.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Walt, we will absolutely grommet that hole, not 100% sure we have all the wire and cables figured out yet. Thanks for watching along!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Exactly how I felt about it. I said "can I just make a lamp out of it?" Going in a nitrous 632.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Block is back, I think it came out real nice.
https://i.imgur.com/rUxfIN5h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/2br4Ho4h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/J2khzoEh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

That block is "Mr. Clean" !

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Glenn, took it to a guy in Wauchula, 122 Auto Restorations. Strip tank then "de-rust."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QysIhvkskHE

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

What did they charge for that? I have learned a lot about humidity in the south since moving to TN. I have 10 rusty 340's and a car body I want to strip. Is that the place in NC?
If I could read I would have seen location on the video.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Rod, he charged me $150 to go in a strip tank for the paint and de-rust tank for the rust. Most cars can sit for 2 weeks with no flash rust, blocks will rust sooner due to their heavy iron content I assume.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Freeze plugs in, did some grinding on the block and filled one side.
https://i.imgur.com/RQKNobVh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/D15bzDXh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ZIfrMaPh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xBcs1mch.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

So, after pouring the first side of the block yesterday we definitely learned a couple things. We poured the second side today and it was a breeze. Tall funnels... No good. Make sure the consistency will lend itself to a nice flow. And fill a little at a time, as you can go back and fourth a few times for a perfect fill. Balancing is the next thing we're learning to do, so today we weighed everything, setup bob weights then set everything up in the balancer. I can't believe the education we've recieved so far.
https://i.imgur.com/NQd6IAF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fkqZqrW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eKuYyjE.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TYeGhCU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/8psaqXr.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Love the vibration assistance. :) -Al

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

That thing worked like a champ!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got a cool gift on Fathers Day from the kids. #1 I really like signage for some reason and I occasionally build some signs for fun (I'll add pics of one). When I was very young my mom worked at a Chevy dealer in the small town I was from, I don't know why but I have always loved the old "OK Used Cars" logo from that era seen at the GM dealers, so they got me a 24"x24" neon version I thought was super cool.
https://i.imgur.com/lS3H1ubh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ZmxYe5bh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/d4V80uch.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Whats the piston to wall clearance going to be?

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

With the coating that's on them, it can be near zero. I'm going to confer with L2L coatings tomorrow.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Got the crankshaft balancing done today, just need to chamfer the holes we drilled and it's ready.
https://i.imgur.com/IVmCs2Hh.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IrBN7t-Fvo

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I remember those "OK Used Cars" signs, too. Funny, today just "OK" wouldn't be good enough, and hey, it's "Pre-owned", The world is nuts, but I'm "OK".