To Tell the Truth

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dan

The 1968 '340 GTS' Darts were rolling off the Los Angeles assembly line in August 1967.

So it was not suprising to see one running at one of the drag strips in
D/S or D/SA in 1967, before the NHRA re-factored them to 310 HP
for 1968, and re-set the stock classes.

Same thing with the 383 Road Runner and Super Bee,
as they started showing up in late-October 1967.
They fell into the 1967 class of B/S or B/SA.
1968 found them in E/S or E/SA, same class as the 340 GTS Darts and
340 Barracuda's.

pc

[HEMIDARTDAVE]

A few years ago I remember seeing a graph of the actual in-house Chrysler HP numbers for the 440 6 packs in '69. The 390 HP rating was taken at a mid-high rpm, and I think it topped out @ 440-450 HP at the peak HP/RPM range, I seem to remember a 444 HP run. I'll see if I can find it and post it.

[Alex Denysenko]

My picks not counting those that are already posted.

Over rated.

Nash 66 to 69 290-225 more like 200

Buick 67 GS 340-260 more like 220

Chevy 58 to 60 348-280 more like 250
Chevy 63 to 65 409-340 more like 300
Chevy 63 to 65 327-365 more like 320
Chevy 67 to 69 427-400 more like 370

Mopar 65 to 67 273-235 Commando more like 200

Ford 63.5 to 67 289-271 more like 240
Ford 65 to 67 289-225 more like 200
Ford 66 to 67 390-325 more like 300 (the real ones without NHRA aluminum PI intake and CJ carb)
Ford 69 351W-290 more like 250

Oldsmobile 64 to 67 330-310 more like 250

Pontiac 67 326 HO 280 more like 250
Pontiac 67 to 69 428 pick one, they were all dogs when new

Underated

Most have been already mentioned so far except for these few

Nash 69 SS 390-340 more like 425

Ford 66 Shelby GT-350S 289-390 more like 430 (the original 1000 foot dump during road magazine road test 14.00 @ 92 MPH)

Pontiac 400 RA in any Firebird at least 25 shy

[Paul Ceasrine]

Alex,

I like the way you think,,,,,,,,

That 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400/340 HP Ram Air,,,,,
an easy 360 horsepower.

The 69' Pontiac GTO 400/370 HP Ram Air IV,,,,,,
they were kiling everyone one in D/S and/or D/SA in 1969.

That #3500 lb. GTO should have been re-factored to 390 Horsepower, and
classed in C/S and/or C/SA.

[k.pascoe]

Ok my turn.

Ford
69-71 429ci-360 hp more like 300hp
69-71 460ci-365 hp more like 320hp (gobs of torque though)
Any year any version 390ci hp overrated!! The '66 352 ran better!

A past editor at Car and Driver worked as an powerplant engineer for Mopar or GM (not sure) wrote a couple times none of the engines back then made close to the power after installed in the car. They would super tune the engines on the dyno; open headers, no power acc. drag. He said they would loose up 50 to 75 horse after installed in the car.

[Paul Ceasrine]

I wouldn't comletely discount the 1966 390/335 HP engine.

They did a pretty good job in 1966, classed in C/S and/or C/SA.
Especially the 'factory/dealership' backed Mercury Comet Cyclone GT's.

The 'Factory/Dealership' backed C/S cars, were running 13.00's..

And some of the 'Top' C/SA cars could run 13.20's.

Currently the 335 HP seems out-of-line, but back in the day they were 'runners'.
They could compete in C/S and C/SA classes, but were just a notch below the
GTO's and 4-4-2's.

[k.pascoe]

Paul,

Man back in the mid to late 70's seamed like all of us poor Ford hot roders had a 390 powered something and other that running smooth and being reliable as a hammer, they were all butt slow. When I think about it though one of my buddies had a worn out '67 GTA Fairlane.

Messing with the 390 is what sold me on the 429/460. Seamed like you can just check the oil on these engines and they would make more power.

[Hemi Moose]

Speaking of Ford motors I was wondering which was the best out of these three motors...the 427 - 428 CJ - 429 CJ or SCJ.

[k.pascoe]

Moose, I love the 429cj and scj /460 to death. But the best from the factory by far was the 427. Engineered and built as a race engine.

[Paul Ceasrine]

K,

The 66' Ford 390/335 HP was the 'best of the bunch',
Holley Carburetor and nice 'bumpy' camshaft.

The 67' Ford 390/320 HP, a 'de-tuned' version, with Autolite Carburetor
and mild camshaft.

But the 67' 390/320 HP was good enough to win a couple of class championships
at the 1968 Winternationals.

F/S,,,,,,1967 Mercury Comet Cyclone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,13.18 @ 106.64 MPH
G/SA,,,1967 Ford Fairlane GTA (convertible),,,,13.59 @ 102.05 MPH

Very respectable times.

.On the Ford Big-Blocks,,,,,,,,,the 427 (a.k.a. '427 Wedge'),,,,,the best,