Mopar Blasts From The Past

Bill Rolik · 12-09-2008, 07:19 PM

Bill,

There were no Valiant post sedans in 70, because that was the first year that the Duster was introduced. With no side marker lamps, the Seligmann/Kenney car is a 67 Valiant 100 with most likely the 273/235. There was no 318 available in an A-Body car in 67, but it was in 68-69 only.

Bill Rolik

bill dedman · 12-09-2008, 08:05 PM

Bill,

You are, of course, 1000-percent keyrect on all counts!

I had completely forgotten that the "Commando" 273 was available in the 3rd-generation Valiants.

NHRA has recently de-factored that engine from its OEM rating of 235 down to 210, and it looks like some of them might be viable contenders in K/SA once again. Bill Bushmaker's daughter is running one in Div. VI and has run nearly a second under with a minimum of testing. 12.0s's at two different tracks for her '65 Valiant 2-door post. It's a natural J/SA car ballasted to K/SA.

Thanks a LOT for the quick and accurate reply!

Bill

Bill Rolik · 12-09-2008, 09:59 PM

Yes, I have noticed the performance of the Bushmaker car. Very strong considering that you can probably get more air through a Burger King straw than you can through the ports and valves of 273 heads.

And if you have ever seen original super-skinny 273 rods, you would never think they would last in ANY race motor. I am not sure if anyone is gambling by running these pieces in a 318 or 340 currently, but they sure are light!

Bill Rolik

bill dedman · 12-09-2008, 11:40 PM

Bill,
Don't bet too heavily on that... LOL!

As you're probably aware, the head with the casting number ending in "302" (actually,4323302) is now legal on a 273. I think that was a 318 head introduced around 1986, with the same size valves, but supposedly better-flowing ports and a high-swirl combustion chamber... allegedly worth something.

Still, 12-flat is moving for a 273/automatic car in (K/SA) at 2,900 pounds. I THINK Larry Hollums does that motor, so, that explains a lot.. LOL! Anybody remember the SS/IA car of Winter/Esslinger (another Hollums effort)???
'nuf sed.

Bill

jim powers · 12-10-2008, 09:54 AM

thanks for some great memories, do you still have the super stock duster???was a bad *** car,i knew you when you ran the duster and worked at the truck leasing company in elizabeth,i was your ups driver back then and ran a 72 duster at thetime myself

Bill Rolik · 12-10-2008, 11:09 AM

Jim,

After 26 years of ownership, the Duster was sold in 97 (home purchase), and my GT/GA Shadow is now campaigned by Ken Etter in CA.

The plan is to revive the 71 340 Cuda owned by Bill Meerholz for SS/KA, especially since the HP factor has been dropped to 283. It will also be used as a marketing tool for the musclecar parts businesses we are both in with separate product lines. The second engine option is to install a low compression 340 for GT/JA. The car needs numerous upgrades (wheelie bars, complete fuel system, electronics, yada, yada, yada), but the biggest single issue is the heads and valve gear. The car last ran (with Dave Weber power, quite well I might add) BEFORE porting was permitted. Some contacts have been made, and sponsor proposals are being drawn up now, but this is no slam dunk. Life has ""gotten in the way" (as it does for everyone in a costly sport like this) for many years, so some outside assistance will more than likely be needed to bring everything to fruition. There is no specific timetable, but we are going to push to make it happen.

Bill Rolik

12-09-2008, 07:19 PM	#1
Bill Rolik Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 122 Likes: 1 Liked 47 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past Bill, There were no Valiant post sedans in 70, because that was the first year that the Duster was introduced. With no side marker lamps, the Seligmann/Kenney car is a 67 Valiant 100 with most likely the 273/235. There was no 318 available in an A-Body car in 67, but it was in 68-69 only. Bill Rolik Last edited by Bill Rolik; 12-09-2008 at 07:24 PM.

12-09-2008, 08:05 PM	#2
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past Bill, You are, of course, 1000-percent keyrect on all counts! I had completely forgotten that the "Commando" 273 was available in the 3rd-generation Valiants. NHRA has recently de-factored that engine from its OEM rating of 235 down to 210, and it looks like some of them might be viable contenders in K/SA once again. Bill Bushmaker's daughter is running one in Div. VI and has run nearly a second under with a minimum of testing. 12.0s's at two different tracks for her '65 Valiant 2-door post. It's a natural J/SA car ballasted to K/SA. Thanks a LOT for the quick and accurate reply! Bill __________________ Bill Last edited by bill dedman; 12-09-2008 at 08:12 PM.

12-09-2008, 09:59 PM	#3
Bill Rolik Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 122 Likes: 1 Liked 47 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past Yes, I have noticed the performance of the Bushmaker car. Very strong considering that you can probably get more air through a Burger King straw than you can through the ports and valves of 273 heads. And if you have ever seen original super-skinny 273 rods, you would never think they would last in ANY race motor. I am not sure if anyone is gambling by running these pieces in a 318 or 340 currently, but they sure are light! Bill Rolik

12-09-2008, 11:40 PM	#4
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past Bill, Don't bet too heavily on that... LOL! As you're probably aware, the head with the casting number ending in "302" (actually,4323302) is now legal on a 273. I think that was a 318 head introduced around 1986, with the same size valves, but supposedly better-flowing ports and a high-swirl combustion chamber... allegedly worth something. Still, 12-flat is moving for a 273/automatic car in (K/SA) at 2,900 pounds. I THINK Larry Hollums does that motor, so, that explains a lot.. LOL! Anybody remember the SS/IA car of Winter/Esslinger (another Hollums effort)??? 'nuf sed. Bill __________________ Bill Last edited by bill dedman; 12-10-2008 at 03:53 PM.

12-10-2008, 09:54 AM	#5
jim powers Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: manville nj Posts: 359 Likes: 198 Liked 13 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past thanks for some great memories, do you still have the super stock duster???was a bad *** car,i knew you when you ran the duster and worked at the truck leasing company in elizabeth,i was your ups driver back then and ran a 72 duster at thetime myself

12-10-2008, 11:09 AM	#6
Bill Rolik Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Hasbrouck Heights, NJ Posts: 122 Likes: 1 Liked 47 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Mopar Blasts From The Past Jim, After 26 years of ownership, the Duster was sold in 97 (home purchase), and my GT/GA Shadow is now campaigned by Ken Etter in CA. The plan is to revive the 71 340 Cuda owned by Bill Meerholz for SS/KA, especially since the HP factor has been dropped to 283. It will also be used as a marketing tool for the musclecar parts businesses we are both in with separate product lines. The second engine option is to install a low compression 340 for GT/JA. The car needs numerous upgrades (wheelie bars, complete fuel system, electronics, yada, yada, yada), but the biggest single issue is the heads and valve gear. The car last ran (with Dave Weber power, quite well I might add) BEFORE porting was permitted. Some contacts have been made, and sponsor proposals are being drawn up now, but this is no slam dunk. Life has ""gotten in the way" (as it does for everyone in a costly sport like this) for many years, so some outside assistance will more than likely be needed to bring everything to fruition. There is no specific timetable, but we are going to push to make it happen. Bill Rolik