1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build

Lyn Smith · 10-17-2021, 09:08 PM

Just got back from the Season ending Indy fall classic and had lot of fun with the 55 Q/SA .Love talking to the other racers who come up and tell me their 55 Chevy stories. Got to try out a lot of new parts and everyone of them lived up to expectations. The 55 is officially a legit Stocker now, as it went under the index for the first time, and even collected a couple win lights. Installed my Mark Yacavone built metric trans along with the new 8 inch convertor. First time run on saturday netted a 13.70 at 93 mph. Under the 13.80 index for the first time ,and a pick up of at least 15 hundreds from previous runs. Run felt great and for the first time the car didn't feel sluggish in the top of first gear. Pulled hard to the 2nd gear shift, and the 60 showed it as it improved by a tenth at 1.77. Next came the test I was really looking forward to as Dean Oliver fixed me up with a rebuild on one of my WCFB cores. I was telling everyone that if the carb performs as good as it looks I was going to be in for a treat. And I wasn't disappointed. The next run was just a 1/8 mile shot as I was entered in the bracket program to get a extra time run. New carb picked me up .08 in the eighth and one mph, and knocked 2 numbers off of the 60. Next run was the final Stocker time run and would be 1/4 mile. Car ran its best run yet at a 13.54 at 93mph. Cant believe how consistent the car is. The ets at the 1/8th for the last 6 runs after the carb change only ranged from 8.392 to 8.396! That was between 2 different days. Got to the 3rd round of the eliminator on some luck and should have won the 3rd if I had just left the dial alone. It was great to get the first win light for the car. Thanks to Deano for the quick service and the great carb, and to Mark Yacavone for the affordable metric trans. Will work on the motor over the winter, and looking to pick up the performance with some new heads.PS I wish someone could have gotten a picture of this. As I pulled out of the staging lanes and under the tower for my last time run all of the COPO and Factory Stock Camaros that were pitted on the east side pulled out at the same time.There I was surrounded by 8 to 10 of GMs newest and fastest muscle cars. Felt pretty out of place for sure. I stood a "roof" above them all though. LOL

Glenn Hayes · 10-17-2021, 09:30 PM

Congratulations Lyn !

Al Wilson · 10-18-2021, 05:28 PM

Good Job! We need more Q cars. Can't believe I was the only one at the US Nationals.

Lyn Smith · 10-18-2021, 06:05 PM

Al as I have said before I would love to run the 55 in class at Indy. I do not think a 55 has been entered there for over 50 years! Got to get her running a little better and we will see.

Frank Castros · 10-18-2021, 08:17 PM

Lyn,
OMG you're having a blast with your 55 and we're so happy for you!
Frank

doglover44 · 10-18-2021, 08:37 PM

Glad the outing went well what's your 2022 plans ?

Lyn Smith · 10-20-2021, 01:17 PM

A pic of the 55 from it's first NHRA race earlier in the year. Thanks Alkey Alex for the use of the photo. You might be able to put a .030 feeler gauge under that left front tire. LOL. Looking forward to next year with the car. Hoping my local track Rt 66 is going to be back open and will test and bracket race there. As I have said numerous times I would love to take the car to a NHRA National event especially Indy or Columbus but the ol 265 is going to have to pick up about 5 tenths to do be able to do that.

Lyn Smith · 10-24-2021, 05:19 PM

Did some 1/8 th mile testing over the weekend and had a little match race with another Jr. Stocker looking racecar. Went a 1/8th mile best of 8.33 at 78 mph with a 1.677 60ft. Wasn't enough to hold off Barry Wallner's 57 sedan delivery with his 270 hp 283 built by LAW Automotive. He ran a best of 8.03. Great fun on a cool fall day. Tried some 28" tall M/T radials and it helped the 60.

Frank Castros · 04-06-2022, 09:31 PM

Lyn,
Please provide an update with the 55.
Frank

Lyn Smith · 04-09-2022, 09:29 PM

Currently waiting on some parts to update the engine. As I have explained in the engine build up since the 55 265 is limited to flat top pistons there is not much valve to piston clearance. Cams with more than about 230 degrees duration do not have enough clearance. So in talks with a couple of engine builders with knowledge of this situation I have been told that heads with more angle mill to them will give you a little more clearance. Hope to to get those heads in the next month or so and will test them, and a new cam . Also waiting on a #2 carb from Deano with some different jetting. First one really perked up the engine. Thanks for the interest. Lyn

10-17-2021, 09:08 PM	#1
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 282 Liked 963 Times in 193 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Just got back from the Season ending Indy fall classic and had lot of fun with the 55 Q/SA .Love talking to the other racers who come up and tell me their 55 Chevy stories. Got to try out a lot of new parts and everyone of them lived up to expectations. The 55 is officially a legit Stocker now, as it went under the index for the first time, and even collected a couple win lights. Installed my Mark Yacavone built metric trans along with the new 8 inch convertor. First time run on saturday netted a 13.70 at 93 mph. Under the 13.80 index for the first time ,and a pick up of at least 15 hundreds from previous runs. Run felt great and for the first time the car didn't feel sluggish in the top of first gear. Pulled hard to the 2nd gear shift, and the 60 showed it as it improved by a tenth at 1.77. Next came the test I was really looking forward to as Dean Oliver fixed me up with a rebuild on one of my WCFB cores. I was telling everyone that if the carb performs as good as it looks I was going to be in for a treat. And I wasn't disappointed. The next run was just a 1/8 mile shot as I was entered in the bracket program to get a extra time run. New carb picked me up .08 in the eighth and one mph, and knocked 2 numbers off of the 60. Next run was the final Stocker time run and would be 1/4 mile. Car ran its best run yet at a 13.54 at 93mph. Cant believe how consistent the car is. The ets at the 1/8th for the last 6 runs after the carb change only ranged from 8.392 to 8.396! That was between 2 different days. Got to the 3rd round of the eliminator on some luck and should have won the 3rd if I had just left the dial alone. It was great to get the first win light for the car. Thanks to Deano for the quick service and the great carb, and to Mark Yacavone for the affordable metric trans. Will work on the motor over the winter, and looking to pick up the performance with some new heads.PS I wish someone could have gotten a picture of this. As I pulled out of the staging lanes and under the tower for my last time run all of the COPO and Factory Stock Camaros that were pitted on the east side pulled out at the same time.There I was surrounded by 8 to 10 of GMs newest and fastest muscle cars. Felt pretty out of place for sure. I stood a "roof" above them all though. LOL Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Lyn Smith; 10-19-2021 at 12:34 PM.

10-18-2021, 05:28 PM	#3
Al Wilson Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Dunnellon, FL Posts: 75 Likes: 158 Liked 109 Times in 38 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Good Job! We need more Q cars. Can't believe I was the only one at the US Nationals. __________________ Al Wilson NSS 7160 W201 stock

10-18-2021, 06:05 PM	#4
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 282 Liked 963 Times in 193 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Al as I have said before I would love to run the 55 in class at Indy. I do not think a 55 has been entered there for over 50 years! Got to get her running a little better and we will see.

10-18-2021, 08:17 PM	#5
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,962 Likes: 2,552 Liked 2,706 Times in 953 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Lyn, OMG you're having a blast with your 55 and we're so happy for you! Frank

10-18-2021, 08:37 PM	#6
doglover44 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Carlisle OH Posts: 1,386 Likes: 4 Liked 489 Times in 227 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Glad the outing went well what's your 2022 plans ? __________________ Jake Biermann

10-17-2021, 09:30 PM	#2
Glenn Hayes Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weeki Wachee, Florida Posts: 348 Likes: 416 Liked 18 Times in 12 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Congratulations Lyn ! __________________ "Real Race Cars Have Tailgates"

10-20-2021, 01:17 PM	#7
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 282 Liked 963 Times in 193 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build A pic of the 55 from it's first NHRA race earlier in the year. Thanks Alkey Alex for the use of the photo. You might be able to put a .030 feeler gauge under that left front tire. LOL. Looking forward to next year with the car. Hoping my local track Rt 66 is going to be back open and will test and bracket race there. As I have said numerous times I would love to take the car to a NHRA National event especially Indy or Columbus but the ol 265 is going to have to pick up about 5 tenths to do be able to do that. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Lyn Smith; 10-20-2021 at 01:27 PM.

10-24-2021, 05:19 PM	#8
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 282 Liked 963 Times in 193 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Did some 1/8 th mile testing over the weekend and had a little match race with another Jr. Stocker looking racecar. Went a 1/8th mile best of 8.33 at 78 mph with a 1.677 60ft. Wasn't enough to hold off Barry Wallner's 57 sedan delivery with his 270 hp 283 built by LAW Automotive. He ran a best of 8.03. Great fun on a cool fall day. Tried some 28" tall M/T radials and it helped the 60. Attached Thumbnails

04-06-2022, 09:31 PM	#9
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,962 Likes: 2,552 Liked 2,706 Times in 953 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Lyn, Please provide an update with the 55. Frank

04-09-2022, 09:29 PM	#10
Lyn Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pontiac,il. Posts: 1,198 Likes: 282 Liked 963 Times in 193 Posts	Re: 1955 Chevrolet Q/SA Build Currently waiting on some parts to update the engine. As I have explained in the engine build up since the 55 265 is limited to flat top pistons there is not much valve to piston clearance. Cams with more than about 230 degrees duration do not have enough clearance. So in talks with a couple of engine builders with knowledge of this situation I have been told that heads with more angle mill to them will give you a little more clearance. Hope to to get those heads in the next month or so and will test them, and a new cam . Also waiting on a #2 carb from Deano with some different jetting. First one really perked up the engine. Thanks for the interest. Lyn