Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

stock up on head gaskets and do something with the valve seats (they like to fall out)
btw, there's some special tools that you'll need....

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Late 70's 305 2bbl SBC? I had really overlooked this as a viable combination.

My 79 Firebird body is setting in the corner of the garage with the nose off. If there is no real difference in the tail lights, I need to replace the fenders and hood anyway. Finding a complete front clip for a 78 Formula might be a tall order?

I'd need to know the correct the correct carbuerator. What about head numbers, correct intake(s). Would this combo be a flat top or dish piston motor. With the 2bbl and small cam, this thing would be real limited on rpm, what 6000-6200 max? Scarey thought but, you could almost get away with stock press fit pistons with this.

Neat thing is, all I'd need to do is tie the sub frames, do the front end, take the 10 bolt to Moser. I wouldn't even need to put the roll bar in for this low a class! Better yet, I could run the Indy Points meet, less than an hour from my house!

You guys serious, I'd offer the car for a corroboration effort. I already have the Hooker super comp headers, Moroso springs, sub frame connectors, Cal-tracs and mono leaf springs, a torque converter and wheels. Just tossing something out there. It could be the first Class Racer special?

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

You can use any rochester 2g carb with a 1.18 venturi size. Reread the first post in this thread and substitute 305 Chevy for 302 Ford. Don't waste your time putting in the subframe connectors. You don't need them and it's weight in the wrong place. your headers are probably too big but they're a good place to start.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

On this deal, I'd say, as fast as Bert Morgan goes, running under the index with a budget deal seems possible. We ran a second plus under the old indexes with a .060 over, Silva lite cast piston short block.
I wouldn't classify a 350 Buick V8 as a cheap or easy car to build though.
The oiling system needs some additional expense, that you wouldn't have with a SBC or Pontiac.
They have great torque potential but it doesn't seem to be very broad. You can't hardly shift out of 1st gear soon enough. Remember, they have the same stroke as a 460 Ford
I think you would want the heaviest combo there is , index wise.
I don't know about the 2 bbl...Not in this part of the world.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

The fenders and hood are the same till 81 (Formula). The nose piece is different, as is the rear fascia and bumper cover. License plate is between the taillights 77-78

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

I LOVE this thread! Had/lost a 82GT intake damn it. Been looking ever since. I'm a little leary on 86 fuelie 302's though as that was an "oddball" year with unique flat top pistons and bad flowing heads with "swirl dams" built in. The 87 and later fuelie 302's obviously work much better.
That said 162hp 2bbl 302 or 200hp fuelie;

162 hp, .419/.448 lift, hyd cam, 67cc head, 1.21 carb (I think)
200hp, .445/.445 lift, roller cam, 62cc head, 2.3" throttle

Is the roller cam, more lift, smaller chamber and higher flowing intake side worth 38hp???

Other note I guess is I like the look of the 82 but not the 86 LOL!

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Oh, can I add one please? 91 ranger 2.3 4cyl auto.
Not a killer as it's heavy for JT/SA but....
2.3 @ 105hp
10:1 comp 57cc head
1.73/1.5 valves
.254 lift (ohc)
25.86 factor making it 2715 lb's where JT/SA is 22.0 and over.
The 2.3 ford has a HUGE fan base/knowledge in roundy round and rally trucks and 4cyl rangers are given away with a box of strawberries around here.
Index of 16.75...thoughts?

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Happy July 4th! One more "popper"!
77-83 Mopar 2V 225/140
This is probably the "Dime Rocket" with the most pop for the dime but you gotta like slow, not pretty (IMHO) cars.
Small Carter 2V carb beats any other inline 6 (except AMCs).
.410/.419 cam
6 real intake ports (that ain't bad) and the manifold is better than it looks.
Valves are small but not too small for the cylinder.
Long stroke and not alot of compression but hey, 140 HP with 2v carb.
Bodies are still plentiful as are rears and engines for not alot of $$$.
Low gear 6 cyl case 904s can be found.
Early no frills Volare could be made light enough to fit U. It seems like all of the other bodies would have to lose wt. to fit V.
Might have to "copple up" some truck headers but they're around.
Good scrounge could do this one really cheap!

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

Or run NHRA W/SA @ 24 lbs. Now it ain't so heavy.

Re: Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!
 

There`s one of these out of Nebraska that just recently went nearly one second under the new index/altitude factor in Denver a few weeks ago. That`s 1.48 under the old index in V/SA!