Some "Dime Rockets" for the 4TH!

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Joe Toller

The bones for that one could be had in my neck of the woods for $500!

How about this one for cheapest overall from scratch build? 79 Impala 4dr 305, natural U at 20.04, could buy a used converter, cam, and gear and some street headers and be on track for no more than $1500? These grannymobiles are everywhere!

Joe, I'd have to put my eyeballs on that one. Every 79 305/2V that I ever saw had a Dual-jet carb, not a 2G. I guess that it's possible but I'd call it a 78.

[Joe Toller]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Joe, I'd have to put my eyeballs on that one. Every 79 305/2V that I ever saw had a Dual-jet carb, not a 2G. I guess that it's possible but I'd call it a 78.

There is a 79 in my local wrecking yard; it has a 2G on it, but who knows?

78 looks like a natural R, could be a T, still doable?

I just wanna see more oddballs in U!

[Joe Toller]

I picture those Caprice/Impalas as being our generations 55-57 cars?

Here's one, it would need weight removed, but on the plus you could race in rich, corinthian leather: 77-78 Cordoba 318. Very plentiful in my neck of the woods, 8 1/4 rear (B-body 8 3/4 will fit), sturdy and cheap (demo derby guys LOVE them), they come in at 21.19, (3900 lbs!) but I know firsthand they are loaded with unnecessary lean-burn emissions crap and sound deadener, so getting some weight out wouldn't be as daunting as one might think. It also looks like, though maybe a deal breaker, the Edelbrock heads are allowed?

[Paul Wong]

Originally Posted by Joe Toller

I picture those Caprice/Impalas as being our generations 55-57 cars?

Here's one, it would need weight removed, but on the plus you could race in rich, corinthian leather: 77-78 Cordoba 318. Very plentiful in my neck of the woods, 8 1/4 rear (B-body 8 3/4 will fit), sturdy and cheap (demo derby guys LOVE them), they come in at 21.19, (3900 lbs!) but I know firsthand they are loaded with unnecessary lean-burn emissions crap and sound deadener, so getting some weight out wouldn't be as daunting as one might think. It also looks like, though maybe a deal breaker, the Edelbrock heads are allowed?

The edelbrock heads will take 4000 to 6000 to make work and would defeat the dime rocket theory. The limiting factor which is the carburetor won't need the aluminum heads anyway.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Joe Toller

There is a 79 in my local wrecking yard; it has a 2G on it, but who knows?

78 looks like a natural R, could be a T, still doable?

I just wanna see more oddballs in U!

Joe, if the car that you're looking at has the correct number intake and carb, it's good to go. Just not for you!

Now focus, focus, deep breathing, finish Comet.

[Joe Toller]

No worries Billy, just killing time. Right now the straight temp is -14, and the car is in the carport. I am way too close on this thing to stop now!

[Billy Nees]

The Caprice would probably be the easiest body to find and definitely the least expensive but the Camaro/Firebird would be the better car.

And at this point in time, it won't come close to running with the 302s.

[Dwight Southerland]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

Joe, I'd have to put my eyeballs on that one. Every 79 305/2V that I ever saw had a Dual-jet carb, not a 2G. I guess that it's possible but I'd call it a 78.

I had a 79 Monza V8 that I bought new and it had a 2GC. However, the intake manifold number was 373598 like is listed for the '78 engines. I have also seen 79 Caprices, a 79 Firebird, a 79 Skylark and recently a 79 Nova with 2GCs, never a DualJet.

If you look at NHRA's sheets, they list the same intake manifold for the 267 with a DualJet and the 305 with the 2GC; is that possible? (I am not familiar with DualJets, other than they look like the front of a Qjet.) Also, is either of the 79 intake manifolds (14007372 & 14007374) aluminum?

The 78 alt intake 346260 is also used on the 76 and 77 305s, and the 75 and 76 350 2bbl. (Probably the 74 also; the tech sheet says 346266 but that could be a typo.)

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

And at this point in time, it won't come close to running with the 302s.

Agreed.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Dwight Southerland

If you look at NHRA's sheets, they list the same intake manifold for the 267 with a DualJet and the 305 with the 2GC; is that possible?

No. The dual-jet and the 2GC have a different bolt pattern. I've had a 79 Caprice and a 79 Camaro, 305s both that had dual-jets on them. I wouldn't doubt that it has something to do with where the cars were built and what plant supplied the engines.

[Dwight Southerland]

I did a bit of research last night and found that the two intake manifolds listed on the 79 tech sheet are both for DualJet. In fact, I physically inspected a 14007372 number which is cast iron. I'm going to chase down the carb numbers next. Billy, I think you are probably right about supply and model usage; maybe it has to do with timing in the production year, too. My Monza was ordered in September 1978 and delivered in October.