Under the index for under a grand!

[Billy Nees]

It's time for me to talk about the engine. It's a 301 2V factored to 155 hp. The car has to weight 3270 for U/SA and it's auto only.
When I first started playing with 301s I found an 80 GP 4V 310 to take to the track and abuse and learn from. When my buddies found out that I was playing with them they started looking for parts for me. One of the parts that turned up was a "Jasper rebuilt" shortblock that was bought for a job by a N.J. shop and the job never got done. It sat under a bench for years open and basically being a garbage can. A buddie saw it sitting there and asked about it, heard the story and asked if it could be bought. $200 later, it was mine. It had to be completely disassembled (which should be done with any engine, IMHO), cleaned out and checked out. It is .030 over, has NHRA approved pistons in it(Silvolite), .010/.010 crank and good old cast iron rebuilders rings in it. I didn't deck the block or turn around pistons or anything like that, I just wanted a good sealing, sound shortblock to learn the combo. It has fit the bill very well.
For this project, it got "cleaned out" one more time, reassembled with the original parts and made ready to go again.
I selected a cam that is rather different from my 4V 301s in that it is smaller @ .050 to try and build more cylinder pressure and try and make more torque at a lower rpm. One of my "failure" cams was sent out to be reground and that bill came to $80. I've already talked about the heads so with some help from an eagle eyed friend, some dirty work, a reground, preowned cam and a $45 gasket set (dime rocket tip!!! don't buy gaskets seperately, buy an engine set!), I've got a shortblock.
There are lighty used and unused shortblocks out there! They just need to be found. Just looking on e-bay in doing some research, I was able to find 302 Fords and V6 Buicks for under $500. The thing that you will want to check is just what piston is in them. Is it NHRA approved? If not, how much can you buy a cast, legal piston for? And if you do buy, always disassemble and inspect!
OBTW, one more "Dime Rocket" tip, I don't know how long this is good but "NAPA $19.99 synthetic oil change AND filter". 5 qts. of NAPA synthetic oil(Valvoline) and NAPA Silver filter(Wix). You can't beat that for under $20! Just don't forget the zinc additive.

[cicero819]

Best affordable engineered award.

[Billy Nees]

"The Budget";
trans and converter $80
rear $100
wheels and tires $35
tach and gauges $64
driveshaft loop $8
fan $10
fuel system $55
electrical system $37
brake system $10
engine assy $423
total $822
I didn't include sparkplugs or fluids as they would be needed for anything that you would be racing or driving. If you feel the need to then plug in a number. I also didn't itemize, I'm not an accountant.
Next time, "The Payoff".

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

"The Budget";
trans and converter $80
total $822

I did manage to drive the car around in the rain on Sunday with the new converter and I can say that it's definitely "different". Although it is a 10" converter, it seems to hit like a tight 8" converter. I guess that I'll find out on Friday.
Time for a budget update, the new converter was originally quoted to me at $250-$275. Picked up at the door price, $200! I've gotta love that!
total $822
-$80
=$742
+$200
=$942
I'm still under but not by much! Fingers crossed, heading for The Grove!

[Eddies66]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I did manage to drive the car around in the rain on Sunday with the new converter and I can say that it's definitely "different". Although it is a 10" converter, it seems to hit like a tight 8" converter. I guess that I'll find out on Friday.
Time for a budget update, the new converter was originally quoted to me at $250-$275. Picked up at the door price, $200! I've gotta love that!
total $822
-$80
=$742
+$200
=$942
I'm still under but not by much! Fingers crossed, heading for The Grove!

You are definitely an inspiration to all and good thank.

[Mark Yacavone]

Not hedging my bets, but my prediction was for The Beav.

Good luck, Billy

[Michael Beard]

What kind of oil pressure are you seeing? Do you have a way to restrict it?

[Todd Boyer]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I did manage to drive the car around in the rain on Sunday with the new converter and I can say that it's definitely "different". Although it is a 10" converter, it seems to hit like a tight 8" converter. I guess that I'll find out on Friday.
Time for a budget update, the new converter was originally quoted to me at $250-$275. Picked up at the door price, $200! I've gotta love that!
total $822
-$80
=$742
+$200
=$942
I'm still under but not by much! Fingers crossed, heading for The Grove!

So when you remove a part that doesn't work, the cost of said part is removed from 'the budget' and the cost of the new part is added ?? Makes sense to me !!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Todd Boyer

So when you remove a part that doesn't work, the cost of said part is removed from 'the budget' and the cost of the new part is added ?? Makes sense to me !!

Why not? It was my bad. The car can only have one converter in it at a time.
Speaking of the car, it got a "Bonami" wash and it's on the trailer ready to go to The Grove!

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Why not? It was my bad. The car can only have one converter in it at a time.
Speaking of the car, it got a "Bonami" wash and it's on the trailer ready to go to The Grove!

Got to love that Bonami.