Crate Motor Class

[KEN BUGAJ]

Xx

[goinbroke2]

Stocker:
Aftermarket rods, pistons, crank, cam, chain, lifters, roller rockers, valves, retainers and locks, headers, waterpump, damper, elec fan, batt...should I go on?

Crate:
Aftermarket rods, pistons, crank, cam, chain, lifters, roller rockers, valves, retainers and locks, headers, waterpump, damper, elec fan, batt

The difference? Crate motors have a different # on the intake/carb. The head is still a specific number and needs to fit those specs.

I have the parts for a M/CM if I ever get around to building it, but I'm also keeping an eye out for parts to build it as a U/SA. (of course one of those contentious 302 2bbls lol)

There are NO older cars/parts here in the rust belt. I had to drive 2 hr's to meet a guy at a truck stop to get my GT40P heads!
79 302 heads/intake and carb? Are you kidding me??? That's ebay or ordering from the States. And cast iron heads and intake ordered on line?? no postal fees there huh?

[Chris1529]

I believe that Crate Motor Cars that run in IHRA are built with the "spirit" of building a traditional stocker. I think the rules allow 10.5" tires, but I don't know of too may folks who use more than a 9" although I have never looked very close.

While it is true the bottom ends and valve train are after market for most stockers, I don't think anyone would disagree that it is considerably "easier" to use a new aluminum intake and new carburetor as opposed to scouring through junkyards looking for intakes, head castings, and carburetors. I would wager that most who have what is considered a fast traditional carbureted stocker have piles of intakes, heads, and carbs not to mention the time and effort of testing to find out which pieces actually work the best.
Some would argue that crate motor guys could or actually do the same thing, but I would bet most really don't compared with someone who has used what Mr. Hill calls a "little factory iron".

Crate Motor stockers fulfill a niche that IHRA needs, but its pretty clear to me that in most parts of the country, NHRA does not need them.

[goinbroke2]

Chris, I agree but I would add this for clarity;
If we could wander through the junk yards and u-picks and find parts for a pre 1996 car here, then it would work fine. Buy four or five intake/heads/carbs to see what flows the best etc. Problem is, its just not out there. Travel west or south a couple thousand miles and buy a truck load of parts to bring home I suppose.

What about building a newer car? Lots of post 1996 cars in the junk yards right?
Well, for ford you have the option of running a mustang...or a mustang...or possibly a mustang.

Nobody said it was easy or should be easy etc. Got it. That's not the point though. If you want new blood in the sport (who aren't retired) then don't make it such an exclusive club that only people with $$$ can play. Crate motors are not as popular out west or way down south, wonder why? (love to hit a junkyard down there someday)

I was on kijiji and saw a 64 Galaxie for sale, problem is, it doesn't have the original 352. So, either build it as a crate engine car or forget it as there's no hope in hell of ever finding the correct parts, let alone "several sets to see what's the best".
Instead, another "not feasible" car doesn't go to the track.

Anyway, those that hate will keep on hating, those that accept them will keep on building/racing them. Whatever, I just want to race and I see a crate engine as a easier/quicker/cheaper way to get there.

[Rory McNeil]

Sorry goingbroke, but thats a bit of a cop out. When I started building my 85 Mustang for M/Stock, I needed to find the correct 1 year only cylinder heads, and an intake manifold that was only used in 84 & 85, and the correct 4180 Holley carb. It did not take me long at all to obtain 6 pairs of cylinder heads, 3 intake manifolds, and 6 carbs. And none of this was thru EBay, or any internet forums, just some junkyard and swap meet scrounging, and putting out the word to Ford enthusiasts. I actually enjoyed the hunting for the needed pieces, met some interesting people and made some good contacts. Just because the local wrecking yard is not full of 30, 40 or 50 year old cars does NOT mean there is nothing available, just takes a bit of digging. I am sure with forums such as this, and Ebay, I could find dozens of these "unobtainables" in fairly short order. If the guys running 50+ year old cars that were sold in very limited numbers, (like 413 & 426 Max Wedge MoPars, 427 Fords, Hemis, 302 Z/28s etc) can find that stuff, finding much newer, and more common production stuff should be a breeze. Just takes a bit of effort. Class racing is NOT SUPPOSED to be so easy that anybody can do it. Frankly, I wish that NHRA had never allowed anywhere near as much superseded/approved stuff into Stock as they have, I would hate to see the class more diluted than it already is.