Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!

[Dennis P Chapman]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

I've always wanted to build a Stocker as completely as I could off of E-Bay!

Hey Billy
Remember the blue sundance I built had less them 2800.00 in it got
a lot of parts of ebay. That car went 1.16 under old index.

[kdanner]

I'd hate to tear it down but I think a 96-97 Thunderbird 4.6L might be considered a "dime rocket". Really don't think the 96-98 Mustang 4.6L 2V would be too bad either.

[Dwight Southerland]

Okay, bargain hunters! Ready for an off-the-wall challenge today? Today's entry for consideration is a

71-72 AMC Ambassador 304/210/180 for U/SA

Much the same characteristics as the 305 2-bbl Chevy except for the funky body. When compared to the Chevy, some similarities are:
Slightly bigger bore and shorter stroke.
A bit more compression.
Similar sized carb, though a Motorcraft rather than a Rochester.
Better flowing heads.
Longer intake runner; maybe beneficial for more torque.
Generous camshaft.
Better rod-stroke ratio (if that matters, but it sounds good).
904 Torqueflite.
Adequate rear end - 8 7/8" ring gear AMC 20.
Cheap pistons available.

I know that a similar one was raced a few years ago, but it was a '76 station wagon which does not have as good motor pieces and could not get within 300 lbs of minimum weight. Even so, that car ran .3-.4 under.

[Billy Nees]

Dwight, you beat me to the keyboard this morning! I wanted to do the 304 (think spoiled brat stamping his feet)!
I'm going to guess that my next one could be done within our budget but I will probably have to go to Mark for a final thumbs up.
Lew Becker and I ran across one of these cars at an auction and I actually had Lew bidding on it. It was very clean and didn't go for any real money.
76 Buick Century with 2V 350/205 or put the 4V on it. It makes Q/R/T with 2V or swap intake and make O/P/Q.
1.250 Venturi 2g flows around 350 cfm, great heads, small cam, medium valves but at 205 HP it's 25 HP less than a 350 2V Chevy that does work.
Only real down side that I could see is the big, heavy body that it has to go in unless it were in a Skylark for P. But it is a 6 class car with an intake change!
Marky Mark, can it be under the index on our budget?

[Dwight Southerland]

Billy -
The Buick is on my list, too! If you consider the 4-bbl version at 240, the same spec engine is listed for 76-79 which gives more options.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Dwight, you beat me to the keyboard this morning! I wanted to do the 304 (think spoiled brat stamping his feet)!
I'm going to guess that my next one could be done within our budget but I will probably have to go to Mark for a final thumbs up.
Lew Becker and I ran across one of these cars at an auction and I actually had Lew bidding on it. It was very clean and didn't go for any real money.
76 Buick Century with 2V 350/205 or put the 4V on it. It makes Q/R/T with 2V or swap intake and make O/P/Q.
1.250 Venturi 2g flows around 350 cfm, great heads, small cam, medium valves but at 205 HP it's 25 HP less than a 350 2V Chevy that does work.
Only real down side that I could see is the big, heavy body that it has to go in unless it were in a Skylark for P. But it is a 6 class car with an intake change!
Marky Mark, can it be under the index on our budget?

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.