Pre '60 Stockers

[Chad E532]

My Father put his 1956 2 door post Bel Air together in 1971 for stock eliminator racing. Now 40 years later it looks like he is going to give it another go.
The combo was a 225hp 3 speed running M/S, but this time we are going with a glide behind the 225 hp 265 to run in N/SA. Back in 1971 he was running low 13's with the stick (and far different camshaft rules) but given today's technology and rulebook is it feasible to get this car down into the 12.20-30 range?
Here is a picture of the car now in Pro ET brackets.

[Jim Cimarolli]

Originally Posted by Chad E532

My Father put his 1956 2 door post Bel Air together in 1971 for stock eliminator racing. Now 40 years later it looks like he is going to give it another go.
The combo was a 225hp 3 speed running M/S, but this time we are going with a glide behind the 225 hp 265 to run in N/SA. Back in 1971 he was running low 13's with the stick (and far different camshaft rules) but given today's technology and rulebook is it feasible to get this car down into the 12.20-30 range?
Here is a picture of the car now in Pro ET brackets.

If NHRA lets the older cars run that good single 4 manifold that originally came on the 327-300 horse motors,(sorry), I'd forget about running the 2X4's, that manifold sucks.

[Larry Fulton]

Originally Posted by Jim Cimarolli

If NHRA lets the older cars run that good single 4 manifold that originally came on the 327-300 horse motors,(sorry), I'd forget about running the 2X4's, that manifold sucks.

Jim, did you see any intake numbers listed on the '55, '56 or '57 Chevy engine spec sheets?

I didn't, so I'd say yes the #459 Intake should be the accepted piece...
What the heck they're legal on later 283"s, so they might as well be on all 283" and now the 265"s as well.

(those Tri-Power Chieftains were pretty awesome in their time )

[Jim Cimarolli]

Larry,
No, I haven't looked at any of the specs. I was just doing a comparison in my head on the difference between the 2X4 motor vs. the single 4 motor. Seems like the early 283-220 motor is rated @215, and the 2X4 motor is 245. The carb is smaller on the early engine and it has less compression than the mid-60's version. I feel that the 215 is the best combo for a '57 Chevy. That manifold on the 245 motor is pretty bad IMO.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Larry Fulton

Jim, did you see any intake numbers listed on the '55, '56 or '57 Chevy engine spec sheets?

I didn't, so I'd say yes the #459 Intake should be the accepted piece...
What the heck they're legal on later 283"s, so they might as well be on all 283" and now the 265"s as well.

(those Tri-Power Chieftains were pretty awesome in their time )

FWIW, No modern automatic trans bolts to that 370 block.

[Sam Murray]

The 4 BBL intake number for the 55 265 is 3711348. Happy hunting!

[Adger Smith]

Woodro,
I think I have a 60's or early 70's red book.
Cimo,
Looks like you did a restoration on your wagon about 1 year too early!!
Still, a very nice street ride!!

[Larry Fulton]

Originally Posted by Sam Murray

The 4 BBL intake number for the 55 265 is 3711348. Happy hunting!

Sam, I don't dispute that this might be the correct intake casting for '55, but I don't see any intake numbers published on the NHRA Engine Blueprint Specs. for 55-6-7, so I'd run the 459 until told to take it off.

I think with NHRA that's how stuff gets accepted... Just Do It until told differently!!