Hello from a new member, The AzPatriot

Hello to all,

I am totally new to not only this forum but, to all forums. I have never done this so I request a little guidance and consideration if I make bonehead mistakes.

A little about me is I am a born and raised Rebel from the Blue Ridge mountains of VA but, for the last 45 years I have lived in sunny AZ. I am the new owner of a 1923 T Bucket with a small block Chevy 350. It also has a 400 transmission. The reason I have come here is it's been so long since I worked on engines I have forgotten most of what I knew. I like the engine on my T-Bucket but it just doesn't sound as nice as I want. This is what brings me here. I have a 350 block with 4 bolt mains, a set of double bumper heads and a new Eagle 383 Stroker crank. What I want to know is what is the best and least expensive way to get to 425-450 hp with a nice sounding cam that I can set on my Bucket and not only draw attention which is what we all want anyway but, also have a bit of kick when I get on it. The T-Bucket has 21" MTs on the rear and due to the light weight they brake loose rather easily. I really want the rod to sound bad ass with not necessarily being bad ass. I look forward to your suggestions. Thank you. Wayne

double bumper heads? Boy it has been a long time. How about heads with double humps? Smile, you should hear some of the things that come out of my mouth.
You got the components to make it run except for the heads and a proper roller cam. Changing those per suggestions on this site already existing is the best way to go.
If you are a noise in the pants only fellow, use a Thumper cam. You will go slow but sound mean.

Welcome to CHR Wayne. As light as the bucket is probably all your going to do is smoke the tires. Not real sure what you want. Noise or speed.

Welcome to CHR, Wayne. Scooting nailed it, keep what you've got, add a cam and some nice aluminum heads to let you keep the SCR you've probably got built in, and maybe upgrade the intake, depending on what's there. Look at your ignition as a system and see if it's up to snuff. You've made it sound like you're a strong candidate for a poser cam, the kind that the kids flock to so they will impress their buddies with the lope and jerk around the square as opposed to picking the cam for performance and efficiency. Nothing wrong with that if it's what you want, but most here will advise you that the cam is the most important decision you'll make towards more power, and that if you buy right the sound will take care of itself. If you're into the poser approach the "Thumper" or "Mother Thumper" is your easy pick.

Post some pictures of your new baby when you get a chance! Everyone here loves pictures!!

Welcome aboard, and chalk me up as another vote to use a different head. Those double hump or camel hump heads were the cat's ass for a 283 or 327 back when, and for guys doing muscle restorations and period hot rods they're still desirable. In fact, if they're in good shape you might be able to sell them and have enough to get some iron Vortec heads that make a 350 perk right up. The aluminum heads are nice too, but a bit more spendy so you makes yur choices.

Also the boys are right about the Thumpers................they're like most politicians..............lots of noise, little performance, and hard to keep running honest.

Welcome to CHR! Put me in with the votes for a nice pair of aluminum heads and a hydraulic roller cam that will "work" with the rest of the engine and not fight it!!!!

So if you use the heads you have and the Comp Cam above,crank up your speakers and give this a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWx-4jS9Vg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JeffB2

So if you use the heads you have and the Comp Cam above,crank up your speakers and give this a listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzWx-4jS9Vg

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It sounds mean! Do they have the saying, "....all hat, no cattle" in AZ too? ;)

Welcome to the group!

Yes, they do have that saying and at 65 years old I guess that's what I really want for my T-Bucket. I listened to your engine running and as soon as it ended I need a cigarette and a shower. Damn that sounds exactly the way I want my engine to sound. I have a local friend here who just finished his Stroker and his engine sounds like yours as well. I am really leaning to do the Stroker because with 1,800 lbs or so in weight I guess all I have to do is hold on, pray and try and figure some way to remove this silly grin from my face. Thanks for the feedback.

Wayne

Hello Dave,

Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning to do exactly what you said. For now I am just trying to figure out a good reason to do anything different than what I already have. I guess it's that 2 minutes at arrival time when all eyes are on you pulling in. The car looks bad ass and it's running almost as smooth as a lawnmower. Seems like a contrast if you know what I mean.

I agree the different heads is a good idea but, I sure hate to shell out that grand. However, that old saying "you get what you pay for" is dead on in this industry. As far as the Vortec heads go, which ones do you recommend? There seems to be about a hundred different sets to choose from?

Good question, noise or speed. I guess it's like the guy who has the nicest set of guns in the world. He takes them out, cleans them, rubs the metal until they shine just right and puts it back in the cabinet. With my T-Bucket it's kind of the same thing. I like to have the power whether or not I use it or not. I suspect it's a pride thing. T-Buckets being what they are most owners never have them over 50 or so due to those front wheels shaking. But, as I said to the other fellow, it's that first 2-3 minutes pulling in when all eyes are on you and everyone is listening to your roadster. I want it to sound as bad ass as it looks. I am going to try and find out how to post a picture so I can show the T-Bucket to everyone. Then you good folks can see what I'm talking about.

Patriot, here's a link that explains some of the ways to do pictures - http://www.clubhotrod.com/shop-talk/...es-thread.html

As for your engine, the point that several of us are making is that if you use the information about your engine, the static compression, dynamic compression, displacement, induction system, ignition system, etc and pick the right cam to maximize your torque, horsepower and efficiency the sound will take care of itself. Comp's Thumper, Mother Thumper, and other cams in that line are cut to provide noise without regard for what they do to performance, designed for the young bucks who don't know any better IMO. Comp is smiling on the way to the bank, because as many of those who buy that product line realize their error they'll be buying another cam later, again, IMO. This is exactly what Dave said up in Post #6 in lots less words, but you didn't seem to get the "works together" part.

Anything you do is going to be OK with such a light weight car, but why not do it right?

Basicly what the guys are saying is if you want thumpity thump thump, get a motha thumpa cam, stick it in your engine. But to have everything right build a different engine to have the sound with the performance to match using parts that work with each other etc.

I have come to believe exactly what you are saying. Just yesterday I was leaning on an old Chevy pickup that this young fellow who really knows his engines built a 383 Stroker and man that thing had it all. He definitely built it right and the sound sure did take care of itself. I presently have 2 engines so why not build it right this time and let the chips fall where they may.

Now for a cam that sounds good and makes power it hard to beat good old Isky "The Camfather" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HWNaSRjAe4