Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

First want to say thanks for a great site!! Just thought I'd start my first post with a picture of our current project at hand. Its an old "late 80's" C/M 215" RED that originally ran C/ED with a SBC and glide back in the day. It was last bracket raced with a SBC and still has current 7.50 sportsman certs. My ignorant attempt is to go comp racing for under 10k. Just went through all the chassis updates, and motors are in progress. We are going to attempt to run E/ED with it. We are building a six in a row, 240" Ford inline with a glide, Stock production head, and 2-660 carbs. Hoping for 400hp out of the first effort engine and try to crack at least the 8.80 Index at 1500lbs. If anyone is interested I'll keep ya posted! -Mark

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Welcome! It's good to see someone else building a six - even if it is a Ford.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Looks good, and I'm a big 6 cylinder fan...keep us posted!!!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Looking forward to updates on this, I love comp!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I never thought you could use the words "low budget" and NHRA Comp Elim" in the same sentence.Good luck from a former 6 cylinder Stock Elim racer.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Trust me, I didn't either.. And until actually racing again, that will remain questionable, but I'm dumb enough to believe this may be possible.. I looked at every class in comp. Dragster & Altered classes very close, and being a V8 Chevy guy by nature. It was a tough question to figure. I have raced door cars and altereds in the past, before taking about 10 yrs. off form the sport. Now, nothing against the bracket and .90 racers but its just not my cup of tea. I'd honestly rather do something else if that's what I had to do. But that's just me.. Again, on a low budget, I looked at all the comp classes, and naturally any class you could run a door car was out, do to the great expense of what a good used roller would cost. Of course building a chassis from ground out was out, because that would cost twice the money.. Its the right way for a competitive build, but I'm not kidding myself to start on an optimum build that I will just run out of cash less than half way through, and never see my goal of racing again! Starting looking at altereds, but again, your subject in racing against half million dollar ex-pro-stocks, maybe even in your same class! So dragster decision it was! Now to pick the class.. I mulled over a C/ED, was my first choice, I love a 10k rpm small CID SBC!! But damn.. With the record near 6.90, and the index pretty much slammed, you would need I est. around 25K for a engine build. Thought about just doing an old school stock block 283 punched +125 for an old 301, some good alumn. 23deg heads, prob. a little over 500hp, yeah I would be racing, but the car would not even crack nowhere's near the index.. (I had some parts lying around, and through together last year just to get a feel for the car, see pic below) I knew we had to go (econo) even though nothing is really econo, but wanted to run a glide, so regular gas dragster classes were out. Looked at the V6 classes, Whoa!! Those engines cost more to build than a V8!! And the 4-banger classes.. well new millennium technology has taken that over that pretty good too.. I also wanted something on the slower side, let them run me down, and with E/ED inline 6, my chassis doesn't need no more than a sportsman tag. Low buck again. I picked E/ED because right now I feel the index is manageable. Just hope it stays that way until I get there! And its the last class where you still need to run stock production style cylinder head. (non-cross flow) After looking over every convievable 6-in-a-row core, I felt the 240 Ford, at a cool 4" bore-3" stroke, was by far the best choice than any other stock junk yard core- inline engines. So, fast forward to now, I have about 5k in the roller, complete with shorty glide. I'm halfway through the first engine, and have not spent 2k in it yet.. We shall see, If I can finish it and at least crack the index with the first engine, it will be under 10k spent, and maybe, just maybe be "econo" after all telling me there is no such thing anymore!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Interesting, yes we would like to follow along. Also have you visited www.insidecompracing.com there is a ton of Comp racers that will do anything they can to help. I love all the comp classes, along with all the .90, stk, superstock, etc...

If there is anything any of us can do to help let us know. There are some folks over there running in some of the econo classes with 5 cylinder trailblazer motors, Glen Treadwell is one that comes to mind

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Another member that would like to follow your journey. It will be nice to see how the project runs. Best of luck.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

This is really cool! Stuff like this is why Comp Eliminator is my favorite class. There are just so many different interesting engine combinations out there that no one besides a comp racer would think to run. I hope you're successful with your goals, keep us posted (with lots of pictures)!

Where will you be racing the car?

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Treadwell ran 300ford built to around 220-240''if remember from ''about winning car''articles
in ND back before he went to trailblazer engines,I believe they use the 6 cyl version though and not the 5cyl. I think when looked @ was 6 cyl. trailblazer engine.
That engine is same family as Ecotec 4 cyl. I believe 4,5,and 6 use many of same parts.

Keep us updated on your progress.
There are several comp guys that race on low budget ,by comp standards, they build there own unique combos that you can't buy parts for,I like seeing that stuff run good.

Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Treadwell still runs one car, I think his daughter car, with the 6cyl ford engine. The roadster does have the trailblazer engine in it. His place is called GT Automotive somewhere near Mt. Dora, Florida. Get in contact with him, he really knows those combos.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I did'nt know if Treadwell still ran his fords any or not.

No offense to Mountain View Tire Team,but I loved it when he beat the mountain motor vette to win Indy, I had some friends that were there,they are Quick8,Top Sportsman,Pro mod fans/racers they did'nt like it and don't know anything about comp and complained it was'nt right that the six cyl could beat the mountain motor vette, I replied they knew before they went to staging lanes they were beat,unless Treadwell broke or screwed up badly. I remember reading results w/mov comments give amount of time and distance,I think it was 60+ feet or as Alan says in The Hangover 3 "You just got schooled son''

Mike Taylor3601

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I am building a FED and plan on a 300 six Ford just a bracket car would like some info on a mild build on this engine. Keep us posted I like different! Good luck with it!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Go to inliners.org. There are several very active boards, including hi performance and bench racing. You'll get a lot of info about Ford 300s. One guy there, screen name Frenchtown Flyer, runs a Ford 300 in an altered.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I have talked to French town flyer nice guy and very helpfull!

Thanks!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I know its been a little while, but we are still plugging away for the 2014 season opener. This is where we are at, tight now. Car is ready, rebuilt 3rd member, stepped up the gear, new motor plate, switching from the sbc to sbf, (which is the same as my little inline Ford. Just finished boring the block tonight, I bored all cylinders +.150 to accept these steel Massey Ferguson sleeves I purchased off eBay for $8.00 each, sleeved all 6, so my final bore is going to be 4.00 and will be the stock 240-cid displacement. The main reason for this was the use of the 2-sets of std. bore 351-w domed pistons I bought for $150- TRW forged, old heavyweights.. I'm in the process of lightening them up on my old Bridgeport, then I will re-work the dome a little, and gas port. The cylinder head is a stock 240 at the moment. I bought 3-240 motors at a semi local junkyard for $100 a piece. Cleaned all the heads, and now ready to start porting. With the big 2.02 int-1.60 ex. chevy valves, and a little milling, I'm coming up with right at 12.1cr. not very high, but with the .225 small dome 351w piston flame travel should be fair. The stock 351W compression height is something like 1.765, and a connecting rod out of a Ford 5.4 Mod engine fits perfectly once cutting the crank rod journals -.020. For around $300 they make a H-beam rod to replace the stock 5.4 mod rod, but I purchased a brand new stock set with bearings for $125.. they were left over at a local Ford dealers parts counter for a 5.4 Triton truck motor rebuild that never happened. The valves in the picture are high$$ Manley Titanium pieces for an SB-2- guy bent one and only had 7- got those on Ebay for $50 cutdown the stems a little reface and they will be right on! Again, the old Clifford 2-4bbl intake, an $90 Ebay find, going to heilarc some 2" spacers and rework for 2-660 center squirters I have had for about 20 years on the shelf. The cam is a special Mech-flat-tappet that my cam grinder donated for promising to run a couple of his decals. Stock 289/302 solid lifters. Shortly glide case I just cut the bell off. Going to use a J&W bolt on Ultrabell. I still have a few parts and pieces I'm scrounging. Bought a set of 14 BBC 1.7 SS-Comp Cams roller rockers for $75 in the picture of Racingjunk, I will be using those to start out. I'm sure alot of people would disagree how I'm doing this. But being on a dead nothing budget in the high dollar world of Comp, whats to lose?? The engine? I may have $2500 in the whole engine when done. Just making sure I have a good sportsman diaper! lol. I know better to think this will be a record breaker, but that is not the goal for the first engine. I feel, at the 240"cid-6.00 lbs per cube, we have to weight around 1450lbs. Hell, if this time bomb can make close to 400hp we should be able to crack the index, or be close at least. If so I'll have ambition to build a better piece. Trying to go at this like they did in Comp back in the 1970's using what you can get at junkyards and for low cost. I've been told I'm wasting my time, and should call Gurus like Ambrose-Arnold-Treadwell, that have already done this successfully. and don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for those guys. I'm sure I'll end up contacting them for advice at some point. But for now, I just want to see what this hodgepodge mixed concoction of junk coming out of my backyard garage will do without spending much money.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

This build is what Hot-Rodding AND DragRacing are all about!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Great looking build! Cant wait to hear the results. Will you build your own headers? Any chance of a dyno session?

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Awesome, thanks for sharing!

Man, those pistons look heavy!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Thanks guys, yes we are building a homemade header, with a thick port spacer plate to get the intake out farther so the primaries can have a little straight shot before being bent. I'm on the fence however if I should do two 3 into 1 with 2-3" collectors or 6 into 1 3-1/2 collector. The engines don't scavenge well so I would think the 6 into 1 may be the ticket unless we get some pulse reversion? Maybe build both and see what works better. I'll take it to a local speed shop chassis dyno so I can play with the carbs, they only charge $100 for 2-hrs play. And yes, the pistons are your typical TRW-Speed pro heavy weights, but I have removed a bunch off the pin bosses, and with the rods I'm using they will be coming out the hole about .100 so we will mill the heads down around the dome, bring the ring pack up a little. Like I said earlier, this is the first effort, if all goes well I have plans for a homemade solid roller set up and fab up a better intake. The goal is High 8.90's/.8.80's with the first effort.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

What design constraints will you be using to build your rocker arms?

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I'm just using std. 1.7 BBC rocker arms

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Very cool build. Maybe you'll get to pit on asphalt all the time or at least high and dry.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I've been kicking around the idea of pairing cylinders, going 3 two into one, then three into one collecter.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I gotcha, I though you may have been doing a clean sheet design of some. Was hoping to get some ideal stiffness, stress, and mass numbers.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

This is an idea I got from Tom Langdon. Pair the 1 and 6, 2 and 5, and 3 and 4. The idea is to increase the mid-range torque.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Way too much thought put into that. Just run zoomies!:D
Good luck on your build, Micro, I applaud your courage trying to run comp on a budget! I love looking at all of the wild engine combos guys run in that class.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Couple of new pics from last couple weeks up to today.. Need to get my ***** in gear if we are so make our goal to the gators.. Cutting the tops of the sleeves on the Bridgeport, Made a little fixture and final decked it today! Hurray! Might go out in the garage tonight and set up the final bore operation 4.00. Picked up this little Jewel (crank grinder) this past Thursday at an auction. I think I'm the only one in the neighborhood with one! 5.4 "stock" Triton-mod-motor rods ready to go!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

rods..

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Cam showed up today.. $225!:mad: This was the most expensive part so far.. I thought he was going to cut me a break to run his decal, but that didn't happen Oh well. Solid flat-tappet, .610 lift, 270 @ .050, 106 lc. My projected budget was around $1500/$1700 on the motor ready to run, I'm already up to $1500, so looks like its going to be more like a $2500 build when all said and done. Need to finish the crank work, gas port the pistons, and we are ready to start assembling the short block. I'll post up some more pics when I have some better progress photos to show. -Mark

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Well the holidays are here and progress has slowed down some. Was out in the garage last night for a couple hours trying to lighten up these lead slugs a little more. down to 600g. flat. still real heavy by today's stds., but it is what it is. I think I can get another 15-20g's out of the pin though!;) Block is sitting in my manual labor hone, LOL. waiting for me to finish the home-made tq. plate up. Torched it out today, as you can see the rough shape, a couple more evenings on the mill and I'll have all the head bolt holes in and surface it. Made it out of 1-1/2 thick A-36. Maybe get block finally finish honed by the weekend if I can complete the torque plate between all the family Christmas festivities. Merry Christmas to all board members!!

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I all for you, so good to see someone doing it the way it used to be done.

Have you ported your cylinder head yet?

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Thanks! I just started on the cylinder Head, I actually have 3-cores. I will do one the best I can myself, then when I get a few extra bucks this spring I'm going to send another out to Sissel or Valley Cyl. head for a pro-port job and compare results. Finally finished the TQ plate, got the carb adapters on the intake. Going tomorrow to use a buddy's flow bench for some pre-lim data. Also picked up 2-donated holley 500 cfm 2-bbls. Going to try them on the dyno first, along with 2-450 mech. sec. 4-bbls- than finally the 2-660 center squirts. Project moving a little slow at the moment, but nevertheless is moving..

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Any more progress or updates?

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

What's Up with MICROMACHINE72? Did he pass away ? Get Divorced! Or maybe he just went fishin???

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

I saw an ad and it appeared that he has everything for sale.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Still kickin' over here. Yes, sort of gave up on the 6 project, first motor did not make the HP I was hopeful for. Played with it a little longer, and as money and time was wearing thin I ended up putting a sbc back in the car for now.. Yes, I had advertised some stuff for sale, nobody with any real interest even just about giving it all away, I'll just sit on the stuff for now.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Where did the motor tap out? Where do you think the combo was lacking most? Also, how much power were you looking for? I've been told that the majority of power is in the heads and valvetrain. Anyway, just curious of the final results, really sorry your build didn't go as expected. Just like you, I want to build essentially a junkyard motor and build around most of the OEM parts but it will be a while before I get to that point.

Re: Hi all! New Guy here, Low Buck Comp build, E/ED
 

Definitely heads and intake. first motor with a very flat power curve gave up at 367 hp.. only 6500-rpm. I needed at least another 100-125hp to make it even fee sable. The 5.4 mod con rods could not take the heavy TRW slugs either. even with max lightening, piston-pin. Motor needs custom pistons, big dome, big$$$ and alumn. rods, no doubt, I new that going in.. I think the flat tappet cams would have worked, but needed a much better head than my home ported 240 stocker. I may revist this some day, but I was itching to go racing, and a $1500 355 sbc with Killer Rons toilet on alky makes 550+hp. too easy and cheap to go much faster for now!