Thread: Moving ahead rebuilding my '27 roadster.

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Finally got around to doing some work on my 27 this weekend. The only thing keeping it from being a roller was for me to install the new center section in the rear end, slide in the axles, and rebuild the back brakes. Got all that done and it is now officially a roller. I pushed it forward and back a couple of times just to make sure it would really move................hasn't gone that far in 9 years.

Now I can start building the engine. I spoke to a tech guy at Scat this past week and picked his brain on 331 stroker kits vs 347 stroker kits. At the end of that discussion, plus what I have been researching on line, I called Summit and ordered the 331 kit. I really didn't need those 16 extra cubes, and some people say the 347's have a shorter life and can use a little more oil. Don't know if that is true, but I went with one that should still run great and maybe live just a little longer on the street. Supposedly the compression with my 58 cc heads should be about 10.5 - 11. I thought that would be high for the street, but the guy at Scat says it will be fine.

The kit should show up on Tuesday. Then I have to start figuring out the rest of the components I want to use. I am pretty set on a Motorsport X303 cam, Comp cam one piece pushrods, and Comp Cam roller rockers. I have Harlan Sharp roller rockers for my 460 and they are nice, but I have read some good things about the Comp Cams rockers, so I am going to give them a try.

For a couple of reasons I am going to reuse the 69-70 DOOE B heads I ran on the 302 in the 27. I called my machinist and explained I was on the fence on using these vs some aluminum heads. He is a Ford fanatic and really knows his stuff, and his feelings were to go with the Ford heads, but do some reworking on them. Aside from bigger intake valves he is going to install guide plates and screw in studs. I think I am going to use Comp Cams springs and retainers too. Later on, once my wallet recovers, I can always add a set of aluminum heads if I want to. I think the HP this one will make will be plenty for me..........should be much more fun to drive than the 302 I ran for years in it.

My time goal is to have the motor put together and in the car by the end of September. Maybe even fired up for the first time by then. Then I can concentrate on getting the body prepped and painted.

Here are some shots from tonight of how the car now sits. It will drop down a lot once the motor and body are on it.

Don