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Regarding a "383" SBC, I was just trying to clarify some information I received from H&M in Richmond. I was kind of turned off when they told me their "383" was subject to more rapid wear on the cylinder sides due to "short rods", yet their advertisement on the Internet says "A 350 engine built with 400 C.I. longer stroke crank and 400 C.I. Connecting Rods" ($1433 with 4-bolt exchange). Thus they ARE selling a 383 although they use a 0.040" overbore which makes the actual displacement a little more than 384 cu. in. However on page 150 of David Vizard's "How to Build Max Performance Chevy Small Blocks on a Budget" a buildup of a 383 in includes a recommendation for SCAT 6" rods. Thus the stock rods are shorter than the SCAT rods, the question is are the longer rods really necessay or just a luxury?
This is the second time they have given me some misleading/conflicting information since they told me a Comp Cam XE250 could not be used with high compression heads due to detonation, while I have learned from Tech1 and the Speed-O-Motive web site that low deck height and/or thin gasket will provide squish/quench to permit higher than 9.0 C.R. That is why I continue to blab on this site so I can get several points of view to compare to make my own judgement based on more than one source. Soooo, is there more cylinder wear in a "383" or is this just hype? Just trying to learn the facts before I lay my green on the counter (soon). I am starting to think I will stay conservative and not depart from the specs for a Corvette 300HP-350 very much.
Since this is the "tools" thread, I found an old open end wrench with Ford script on it in my Dad's tool box but I do not know what car it came from/with, but it does show there were Ford wrenches with some models. Dad owned a Model T and I have seen pictures of tool kits with the Model T; I believe he had a '26 T.

Don Shillady

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Is it just me or did your last statement not make any sense at all? I don't get what you are trying to get at.

Olds is dead. GM decided to discontinue the brand about 5 years ago..the last car, an alero, rolled on the assembly line in April. Read about that one in car and driver i beleve, the new issue.

the last bit, was a slam about Olds...if they be so great, how do you explain the Alero - as Oldf100fordman said, performance of an old Superbeetle, but the beetle was more fun to drive

GM, moreso than other companies, is into 'badge engineering' - the new GTO is an example. They bought Saab, now 1/3 of Saabs are subarus, 1/3 will be GM-US cars (trailblazer for one) and 1/3 'true' saab. GM has since about 72 (earlier on some cars) made one chassis and changed the name (badge) and some minor stylling alterations and sold the car under 4 or 5 names.

And lastly, GM makes a Saturn - using a HONDA V6! How could the General have sunk so low.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by screamer63_1979


the last bit, was a slam about Olds...if they be so great, how do you explain the Alero -


Maybe someone can explain the Alero if you can explain the PINTO

Pinto - Fords answer to the Vega
Neither car was exaclty a a world beater, now was it?
but compared to the Gremlin...
Or the MUCH better replacement, the PACER
http://www.amcpacer.com/stories/delo...on-wheels.html

And my pinto, a 74 'sedan' had the external glove box, er trunk the manual called it. My basic 10" wide craftsman toolbox would NOT fit in there!

external glove box

There is no accounting for taste...
http://www.fordpinto.com/
and the trunk...


I don't find as many fans of the vega though...
http://www.cardomain.com/member_page...let&model=Vega

Then you have this site..scary
http://www.chevettes.com/
complete with POLKA MUSIC even!

About the Olds.... I like those 49-52's with chop tops and dropped real low where you can't even see the rear tires.... That is the only Olds I really like.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
About the Olds.... I like those 49-52's with chop tops and dropped real low where you can't even see the rear tires.... That is the only Olds I really like.

Some one needs to take you for a ride in stout 442. Then maybe you'll appreciate what Olds was at one time.

Reply to Tech1 regarding 383 rods:

Thank you very much, I get it now. The 400 rods ARE SHORTER and there would be some piston rocking and that probably leads to some scuffing more than with longer rods. Of course whether this is really a difference that would be noticeable in 25,000 miles or not may be debateable. One consideration is that while dragster crews can and must rebuild engines between runs, a street rod/car should last a few years between rebuilds. My apology to H&M, they are correct but how much of a difference it makes may not be known easily. It is great to have Tech1 as a reference source!
To those who find Fix-Or-Repair-Daily a problem I recommend you try to maintain an MG as a daily driver and you will appreciate the FORD better! Over a four year period running an MG daily I not only carried wrenches, I also carried a book with phone numbers of local tow trucks. Admittedly I started from a Midget that had a tree growing up through the floor, but after replacing just about every part except the radiator and the differential, things still needed very frequent repair. Should we talk about Lucas ignition systems? No! Solex side-draft carbs? Interesting toys! MGs are indeed beautiful to look at and the early TC and TD models look a bit like Model A Fords in "cuteness" but they need a LOT of TLC, much more than the FORD maladies, I hope Chevies are as good as some of you say!
Among the flotsum and jetsom on this site, there are some real gems of information and I thank Tech1 for his valuable info; especially as I try to reenter the world of U.S. cars.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Originally posted by Oldf100fordman
Some one needs to take you for a ride in stout 442. Then maybe you'll appreciate what Olds was at one time.

Well if you wan't to give me one to take a ride in then I will surely take you up on that offer but other than that I won't know how it is until I ride and drive one. Got any pictures of one? I like those cars and I have a few pictures on my wall of them that are all fixed up and everything, kick ass cars.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Well if you wan't to give me one to take a ride in then I will surely take you up on that offer but other than that I won't know how it is until I ride and drive one. Got any pictures of one? I like those cars and I have a few pictures on my wall of them that are all fixed up and everything, kick ass cars.

What is your fasination with pictures. You can't feel the kick in the seat of your pants with a picure. Yeah I've got old time pictures of the three I owned, but got no way to scan them in.

Pictures will never replace the experience.

I don't have a fasination with pics, I just wan't to see what the one your talking about looks like.

What one? Anyone would do Just as long as it's a real 442 (72 or earlier, not one of the late 70's-early80's tape stripe ones). I am beginning to think it's time for the IGGY button.

Originally posted by Oldf100fordman
What one? Anyone would do Just as long as it's a real 442 (72 or earlier, not one of the late 70's-early80's tape stripe ones). .

a 442 from about 73-on was not exactly award winning. However, it still was a 442. But remember, there was 455s after the muscle car era ended in Cutlasses and 442s too. In fact there were 455s in 76. So to those who Naysay the Oldsmobiles of the world, I have this to say....

Enjoy this car, cause there wont be many left in the world after the ricer invasion!