Thread: For Don Shilady

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Good to hear from you 34-40! I have been busy making a little money over the summer but had to spend some of it already on the billet flex plate fiasco. How is your coupe running?

Best Wishes,
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Originally Posted by Don Shillady

Good to hear from you 34-40! How is your coupe running? Best Wishes, Don Shillady Retired Scientist/teen rodder

My coupe has been good, did a run with some Model A guys early in the season.. but other than that just some short trips goofin' off.

Here's to hopin' yours is finally done eating starters!

And thanks again for the update, it's good to hear from you!

Jerry and NTFDAY,
Thanks for your interest. I am at the mercy of others for answers to your questions. I originally purchased the used 1976 Corvette engine from a guy who replaced it with a 383 and the serial number on the block checked out to 1976 and I assumed it was an L48 with an iron intake and a quadrajet carb but for sure it does not have a boss on the side of the block for a starter bracket. Then I have to rely on Bruce Orlandi who has a 706 cu in Cavalier funny car for my repairs since he has a clean shop with several lifts. All I can say is that the present crank in my engine was resized at rebuild time by a former circle track racer (Joe Butler of Ashland Va) and is from the Corvette engine. I wish I did have a way to mount a starter bracket! I used to stay close to any repairs from under the lift but have been encouraged to let the mechanic do the work without interference so I did not see the flex plate installation either time. Bruce did show me the "oil can" flex of the recent plate and it seemed to be a displacement of about 1/8" from the center, perhaps enough to slide out the bendix gear which is slightly tapered anyway. I can only hope the billet plate will not have the same problem. The flex plate is supposed to have some hard grease on the gear teeth but maybe regular servicing should add chassis lube on the ring gear teeth from time to time???

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder