Ray Allen versus Jack Werst '1970 SS/EA Showdown'

[BadBanana]

I remember the shop that Ralph, Tommy and Jerry were in in Piscataway (spelling?) before they moved up on rte 22 .........was it rte.22? can't remember the number now but I remember the place.

One thing about Ralph and the Chevelle that hasn't been said. One of Ralph's great abilities, and something he very much enjoyed, was researching classes and what best fits where. He knew that the hp rating for the Chevelle was NOT the best in relation to the hp it could make in SS trim - it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. The thing about it was that there wasn't much, at the time, that was good in the class; and it took that body and that higher compression engine to favorably make the class. He knew, for example that the 425 hp 454 was a better motor in relation to what it would make but they wanted to run that particular class.
I'm not sure about this but I think there was at least a question of whether or not the street Hemi was ever really available in a convertible from your local dealer. Of course when Chrysler wanted to go after the Chevelle, they made sure it was available. At the time they built the Chevelle I don't think there were any Hemi convertibles running in the class.

[SSDA Hemi]

Yes, it was route 22 in Greenbrook. I was never at their shop when they were in Piscataway where Weston is Currently. Never knew they were there until this thread...

Hoffmans old shop is still standing, actually vacant and up for sale. They painted the building a few years back and I wish I took a picture before they took the name off the door. I'd rather remember it the way it was.

And Richie, Where you ever at Westons shop when he was in Edison on Talmage rd? Now that was wall to wall machines. Very small shop,but top notch work, even back then, lol!

[Frank Castros]

I recall reading somewhere that Weston does block prep for some of the Pro Stock NASCAR teams .
Can anyone verify that?

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by Frank Castros

I recall reading somewhere that Weston does block prep for some of the Pro Stock NASCAR teams .
Can anyone verify that?

Frank I don;t know about today but that was true some years back. Charlie ahd a Jumbo sized Bridgeport type mill and it could accomodate any block.

The CNC machine he bought was able to do many block operations....

He did lightening and lifter bore machining as well as other machine operations for various blocks......I think he also was doing the LS type aluminum blocks. Sleeves for bigger bores and that from what I know is a fairly complicated deal to do properly...and not cheap....

[TOM KASCH]

N.Y. Times story of T-K

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...et/#more-28567

Went to Truppi in 76 and had him build us a 325-396, took it to the winternationals,
spun a cam bearing while testing at IRwindale, call with the cam #and found out Clauide put the wrong cam in.

[SSDA Hemi]

Frank, I was down at westons dropping my new block off for his cnc about a month ago, and the pile of blocks there is like a who's who of NHRA. Didn't really look at all the names as we were searching for his aluminum Hemi caps and spacers. Also had to marvel at his aluminum mega inch billet block, before and after. A BIG chunk of aluminum to start.

I'm sure if he had any Nascar blocks there that they would be covered as Charlie is very secretive about customers combinations.

I know Larry Perkins told me that Warren Johnson calls him the "MichaelAngelo of cast Iron", LOL! If he does WJ's blocks, that is saying something right there!

And Rich, he had a very small shop in Edison before he moved to Piscataway. Wall to wall machines and no space to even walk, but neat and organized and not a chip on the floor!!, had to be 25 years ago. And the last time I was in Hoffmans shop, Terry who has been at Jesel's fab shop forever, was still working for him. Time Flies...

This thread brings back some good memories of people and class racing....

[Rich Biebel]

Mr....SS/DAHemi.....

Since there are really not many '70 Hemi Cudas out there racing and you are from NJ.......

Do you know Matt S. from Greenbrook......

He was telling me about someone who had a Hemi Cuda and I can't quite recall who it was..... a neigbor or a relative?

We both work for the same company....

[davidhuff]

Originally Posted by TOM KASCH

N.Y. Times story of T-K

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009...et/#more-28567

Went to Truppi in 76 and had him build us a 325-396, took it to the winternationals,
spun a cam bearing while testing at IRwindale, call with the cam #and found out Clauide put the wrong cam in.

Great story.

[Bob Pagano]

Here is a bit of T/K flap some mite not remember. When Tommy left and went to Garfield Bernie Agaman bought in and when that did not pan out Claude bought in. He rubbed a lot of folks the wrong way and T/K went into a slump. If it had not been for Jerry Stinner the place would have been in deep trouble. Ralph seemed to be on over load when ever we spoke. I think this is the time that his illness showed up also. Jerry took on a heavy work load working two jobs and he was the glue that held T/K together.

[Rich Biebel]

Originally Posted by SSDA Hemi

Yes, it was route 22 in Greenbrook. I was never at their shop when they were in Piscataway where Weston is Currently. Never knew they were there until this thread...

Hoffmans old shop is still standing, actually vacant and up for sale. They painted the building a few years back and I wish I took a picture before they took the name off the door. I'd rather remember it the way it was.

And Richie, Where you ever at Westons shop when he was in Edison on Talmage rd? Now that was wall to wall machines. Very small shop,but top notch work, even back then, lol!

Best I can recall I was only at Charlie's shop in Piscataway.......and yes it is where T/K was when they had the Chevelle......We installed out engine in our '68 Chevy II H/S 'er there in 1970.

I was at Hoffmans at least once but don;t recall where that was.

I was always told Hoffman owned some of the T/K buildings....Maybe owned the Piscatawy shop.....Maybe the shop on Rt 22......Don't really know...

Ralph was in a Sunoco gas station on Rt 22 east the first time I visited him.
I was wanting to build a '58 Pontiac Stocker and Ralph may have already had some experience with those cars......It's tough to recall details from that long ago......

I did like and respect Ralph very much.....He did love to pour thru the NHRA books looking for good combos to run and he is directly responsible for so many of the cars that were built back then.....It was all him.....He could be tough to deal with but I am sure it is because of his very high intellegence and lack of patience for excuses or poor performance.....He was a very talented man and the records his engines set prove it....