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52 Articles

THE PROFESSIONALS:

Not just teachers — but, dedicated instructors educating men the professional way. Spartan offers you a complete program of aviation training … “ a comprehensive curriculum in both the Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Instrument Maintenance Schools with training on operative equipment … and in the Flight School, ratings from private through multi-engine. Every phase of Spartan training thoroughly prepares you to graduate as a sought-after, specialized professional. G.l. Bill benefits are available on most all courses. Qualified veterans can defer up to 90% of Flight training costs until VA payments arrive. Also available for Aviation Maintenance and Flight training are National Vocational Loans. Spartan’s own Extended Payment Plan is available for all courses. At Spartan, you learn with the professionals … and graduate as one of them.…

THE PROFESSIONALS:

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

Hello there; I’m back again. I thought my hot rodding days were over when I wrote my farewell in this column last October, but here I am assuming the publisher’s duties again for Hot Rod as well as Motor Trend. It turned out this way because one of the real talents in this automotive journalism field, Jim McFarland, decided to change his career. Strictly personal reasons were behind this decision, but hopefully we’ll get him back some day on a contributing basis. Good luck, Jim. So on with the show and what’s in the future for Hot Rod. With all the activity that has taken place in Detroit within recent years, you’d almost think they would be ready to run out of gas. Don’t worry; as the old carnival hawker used…

PUBLISHER’S MEMO

NEEDS HELP Dear Sirs: I would like to ask you if it would be possible to print this letter, or at least some of it, in your excellent magazine, to which I am a subscriber. Most Americans may not realize what the drag racing situation in Great Britain is like at the present moment. True, it has caught on to a certain extent in the South and Midlands of England, but in the North, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, very few people outside motoring circles have even heard of drag racing. At the present moment, in northeast England, which tends to be a negative area so far as our sport is concerned, the few real enthusiasts who are here are trying to form a club, the Newcastle and District Timing Association, for those interested…

VW CUSTOM WHEELS Pacer Performance Products has introduced two new VW custom wheels for ’68’69 four-bolt models: the SS500 — a one-piece, fully polished magnesium — and the 4155CR (pictured), an addition to Pacer’s “Silverstreak” line of deep-dish chrome reverse wheels. The company also manufactures a complete line of five-bolt wheels and wheel accessories for VW’s. Contact: Pacer Performance Products, Dept. HR, 5345 San Fernando Road West, Los Angeles, California 90039. ALUMINUM BELT GUARDS The new polished aluminum belt guards from G&D Enterprises (No. VWA8-101-A) have universal mounting bracket that fits solidly on all but Variant VW engines to protect against bodily injury. Units come complete and ready for easy installation. Further information can be obtained by contacting: G&D Enterprises, Dept. HR, 701 Rye Avenue, La Habra, California 90631. SPLIT EXHAUST SYSTEM New from Mitchell,…

MIGHTY TOUGH HORSE

Y’ all gonna see some gettin’ on with some gettin’ on when Hubert Platt (“the mouth of the South”) and Ed Terry start campaigning the 429 Mustang early this spring. Seems that Ford’s new NASCAR engine (mentioned as the “twisted hemi” in June ’68 HRM) will shortly become a production engine and thus will be eligible to run the NASCAR circuit along with the stock car classes of NHRA and AHRA. You can look for a small fleet of the Mustang 429’s to be launched at about the same time Platt and Terry begin taking those very quick trips down the quarter-mile. How quick? Who knows? Probably Ford. But they’re not saying. We’ll guesstimate low tens. If we went below that you wouldn’t believe it, but don’t be surprised. What sort…

MIGHTY TOUGH HORSE

It’s doubtful that I’d ever want a hemi-engined Dodge Charger 500 for W my street machine, but if I did, it would be an assembly-line copy of the kind of car used in — 17.4 NASCAR action. If it was a tunnel-port 427 Torino that interested me, I’d still be searching for one. You’ve got to hand it to the Chrysler guys; if they race it, they also sell it. That really doesn’t make them heroes, but it does help promote the image of stock car racing. When you can buy your race car, or at least the basics of one, through a dealership, you’re a lot closer to racing real stock cars. Charger 500’s are specially outfitted models of Charger R/T’s. The differences lie in the same body revisions that…

People write to PENNZOIL

Oil Electric? I’ve been using 30-weight automobile motor oil in my electric motor bearings. Is motor oil harmful to electric motors? M.G.Z., Aiken, South Carolina Not at all. The use of an SAE 30 motor oil when the motor is lubricated by either a ring oil system or a waste pack system should be entirely satisfactory. Dirty Brown. The oil in my 1960 car gets dirty brown in only a few hundred miles. The dipstick gets rusty at the top, and rusty water drips from the breather and oil filler cap … even after a long run. Both are unrestricted, and the coolant stays full and clean. Can you solve this moisture problem? A. P. R., Springfield, Ohio The condition you’ve described is due to an abnormal amount of engine condensation and is most directly involved with…

People write to PENNZOIL

batteries and a salt

batteries and a salt

“Backyarding” the 396 Chevy…

A street-driven, 11-second, rat-motored Camaro is not beyond the realm of possibility; it’s a fact, and steps to achieve this goal are explained in the following text. They are simple and require no special skill — just the will to learn by doing the work yourself. Total cash outlay to prepare your killer-car is relatively low, depending upon the extent you wish to go to with chassis, tires, etc. In an honest effort to keep this expenditure to a minimum, we set out to talk with Paul Althouse, of Paul’s Automotive in Monrovia, California. Paul has set up many street/strip-type big-inch Chevys that hold their own at the weekly drags. Our main thought was to come up with a winning combination the first time around and eliminate the “doesn’t work, we’ll…

“Backyarding” the 396 Chevy…

OLD “POISON IVY” GOES JR. STOCK SCRATCHIN’

After Randall and Ernie Jones gave up /I street racing because it was “dangerous and expensive,” they went through a succession of cycles and cars, until they ended up with their present J/Stock Chevy wagon, “Poison Ivy.” They’ve never held a National Record, but while competing in the toughest field ever present at the ’68 Indy Nationals, Randall came through the J/Stock ranks by finishing the week as runner-up. He had also posted low e.t. (13.22) and top time (103.88) in class during the week. Their best run ever, at Tulsa, is 104.42 in 13.20. At this writing, the NHRA class record is 105.50 mph with a 13.14 e.t. The Jones Brothers goal for ’69: both ends of the record. The meat of this article is in how these dedicated racers…

OLD “POISON IVY” GOES JR. STOCK SCRATCHIN’

Drag fans! Remember the batch of Friendly Chevrolets that used to be campaigned by Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin down in Burlington, North Carolina? Then there was that hard-chargin’ ’64 Brinsfield Comet, the one with which they captured the ’64 NHRA Factory Stock Eliminator title. Those were the good old days. But what a lot of guys don’t realize is that there were a few years before those days that this pair of amicable guys were doing a lot of hard racing on their own, before making their name on the national scene. No one turns hero overnight. Just ask the “heroes.” Sure, they are now into their fourth year of racing for Plymouth Division of Chrysler Corporation, and have become a smashing success both on the drag strip and…

the Harley-Davidson out-performers

No matter how you measure performance, you’ll find it here. In miles per hour and miles per gallon. Hot power-to-weight ratios. Brake horsepower. Breathless acceleration. Competitive results on track, salt and strip. Or maybe you’re looking for price, reliability, dealer service and resale value. They’ve got all that, too. In motorcycles, performance means Harley-Davidson. Every one of these new 1969 models has engineering excellence you can see, hear and feel. Look over the lineup. You’ll find quick 65 cc sportcycles; a brash 125 cc scrambler; the record-breaking Sprint with a hot new 350 cc engine; the 900 cc Sportster, the world’s fastest stock motorcycle; and the Cadillac of cycling: Electra Glide. But don’t stop here. There are 17 new 1969 models and almost as many ways to finance them. At…

the Harley-Davidson out-performers

“RACY” BOLT-ON

Easy to bolt on, these custom exhausts by Trendsetter Products of Detroit, Michigan, are the latest styling treatment. Unlike phony pipes, these units actually connect into your manifolds. Everything is included in the kit — head pipes, chambered mufflers, chrome tips, trim caps, and bright-dipped, slotted, anodized covers. They fit GTO’s, Camaros, Chargers, Mustangs, Cougars, Chevelles, Corvettes, and many other swingin’ makes. Cost per kit is about $170.00, slightly higher for ’Vettes.…

289 + MGB = Sum Fun

Yep, it was the second time around for TV and movie actor Monte Markam when he showed up at Skyline Automotive in Van Nuys, California, with his little British MGB roadster. Although the car was already fitted with a 260 cubic inch Ford engine and narrowed Fairlane rear end, Monte wanted something more from his “hot rod.” And this something more came in two packages: custom body work and paint to give the car a little individuality, and a healthier engine. Right now we’ll content ourselves with the engine swap. The first thing the owners of Skyline, Max Thumma and Troyce “Curly” Upshaw, did was to order a high-performance 289 engine from Holman-Moody Marine in nearby Long Beach. After pulling the smaller version Ford engine, they cleaned up the engine compartment…

289 + MGB = Sum Fun

Baja the second time around

With a subtle grace and subdued energy born of competitive spirit and nurtured by hundreds of hours of wailing through the deserts of Southern California, Larry Berquist and Gary Preston managed to drive from Ensenada to La Paz faster than anyone ever has before. Though their win was impressive and richly deserved, Berquist and Preston did not run away and hide from the troops. Not by a long shot. Competition was extremely keen in this, the biggest off-road race held so far. Careful study of the two charts will yield some insight as to how much this young sport has developed since the inaugural running of the Mexican 1000 last year, when everyone oh’d and oh’d after Mangels and Wilson set a record of 26:08 on the same course; but a…

Baja the second time around

Dial-Indicating

“Hey, what’s that little instrument thing that fella is usin’ on the engine?” “Dial indicator.” “What’s it do?” “Tells him where top dead center is.” “That all?” “Yeah.” “Ah reckon Ah can do without that thing.” Get a good dial indicator, learn to use the instrument properly, and chances are that you’ll start reaching for that little jewel every time you put an engine together — and for a lot more than trying to locate top dead center. Before he even started to think about it, one of the top engine builders on the West Coast, Dave Zeuschel, quickly showed us eight ways to use a dial indicator. Rest assured that with consistent practice you’ll develop your own little tricks and shortcuts to take some of the guesswork out of maintenance on a performance automobile. First, what is…

Dial-Indicating

Control That Roll!

In recent months there has been a tremendous demand for Hurst’s Line/Loc (also known as Roll Control) for automatic-equipped stockers and family-type street vehicles. And for stick-shift cars in hilly areas, the unit is a tremendous clutch-saver, mainly because it’s capable of holding the vehicle to any slope, even when the clutch is engaged. But most of all, the Line/Loc has become a favorite for automatic-equipped stock-type drag machines, and due to this current popularity, we decided to question Hurst’s West Coast “shifty doctor” and disc brake specialist, Dick Goold, on correct installation procedures and any other know-how that might come in handy. Dick informed us that it has always been a problem to really spin (or heat up) the tires on an automatic, and as a result, full advantage has not…

Control That Roll!

CAR OF THE YEAR

Look what Plymouth’s up to now Well, there we were, all set to announce the results of our latest Road Runner acceleration tests, and—Zap!—Motor Trend up and names it Car of the Year. Needless to say, we were extremely pleased at the news. Not surprised particularly, but pleased. For some time now we’ve asserted that we, Plymouth, build the best high-performance cars in the industry. The Car of the Year award confirms the fact. If anything, though, the Motor Trend award advances an even broader theory than our own—that, for the price, Road Runner is the most outstanding car in the industry, period. In that case, Motor Trend appears to be recommending it to vast legions of the Establishment—doctors, lawyers, bankers, Sunday school teachers, undertakers, librarians, bird watchers, dowager aunts. (Ah, we…

CAR OF THE YEAR

“T-BUCKET” BANDIT

With a record of 27 trophies in 5 shows, “trophy-stealing bandit” is really an unfair name for this little jewel. This dream car began as the brainchild of Bill Arrington; after two years of tender loving care Bill sold the car to its present owner Jack Boothe. The two have since worked together to complete Bill’s dream car, and are to be congratulated on their almost fanatic attention to detail. Those trophies weren’t stolen; they were well-earned. Chrome radiator hoses; that’s real class. The roadster bucket is an original ’22 ‘T’ Ford body — no fiberglass imitation here. John Knox applied 90 coats of Royal Blue Metalflake lacquer to achieve that beautiful finish. Tubular front axle is from a ’37 Plymouth with ’32 Ford spindles and springs. Brakes are Buick.…

“T-BUCKET” BANDIT

The first American sports car for under $3,500 since 1957

The last of the two-seater T-Birds was priced at $4,015.1 It was 1957, the same year that Corvette listed at $3, 465.1 In the 10 years that followed, Corvette was the only remaining American sports car, and it got progressively more costly. Then, in 1968, along came the AMX. We introduced it with dual exhausts, fiberglass belted wide-profile tires, energy absorbing steering column, heavy-duty springs and shocks, a short throw allsynchromesh 4-on-the-floor. A standard 290 CID engine, and optional 343 and high performance 390 CID’s. Now, though the AMX isn’t quite a year old, we have some changes to report: A 140 m.p.h. speedometer and a big new tach are standard for 1969. Leather upholstery is available as an option. So are new dealer installed rear axle ’ ratios from 3.73:1 up to 5.00:1. Famous names are making custom…

The first American sports car for under $3,500 since 1957

TRAVELIN’ JAVELIN … and with batches of class, it homes in on its mark

Less than 3 years ago, Gary Crane wandered into California from Alberta, Canada, to pursue a career in professional drag racing. After 4 months and $13,000, his pursuit ship was on the line. It consists of a Ron Scrima (Exhibition Engineering) chassis of 4130 chrome moly tubing (1.5-in.-o.d. ×.049-in.-thick) with a 117.5-in. wheelbase. Scrima front axle mounts P&S spindles, Halibrand mag wheels, and Pirelli 135 SR 15 ’ es at a 55-inch tread width. The ’62 Pontiac rear housing has been narrowed 8 in. and uses Henry’s axles and Airheart disc brakes. Rear mags are also Halibrand with M&H 13.00 x 16 slicks. Heart of Gary’s one-ton stormer is a 1969 AMC experimental engine featuring 426 cubes (4.25in. bore x 3.75-in. stroke). Internal goodies include an Engle F-32 cam with.550-in.…

TRAVELIN’ JAVELIN … and with batches of class, it homes in on its mark

Deuce Of A Deuce

Even though Ray Dalki has owned several out of-the-ordinary sedans and even a show bike, this is his first hot rod, and thus … his first luv! In typical fashion, Ray has lavished most of his time and money on her — 3 1/2 years and $3600, to be precise. Enhancing the natural lines of the classic 3-window is a 3-inch chopped top, which was done some time before Ray acquired the car. The filled Deuce radiator shell is the only other “custom” touch, aside from the Chrome Yellow lacquer finish applied by the Fontana Body Shop in Fontana, Calif. Not so the engine compartment, however. A fuel-injected, 283 cubic inch ’57 Chevy mill, sporting a Chrome Yellow and chrome finish and Hedman headers, has taken up residence in front…

Deuce Of A Deuce

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL C-6!!!

When more than a normal amount of horsepower is funneled through a Ford C-6 automatic V transmission (a natural occurrence with a high-performance engine), chances are the case will fail sooner or later. The car owner can lose in more ways than one should this occur. First of all, he must replace the entire trans. If it’s been modified, he loses again. And what if he was on a big run for bucks when it blew? Yep, one more loss. The reason the C-6 is prone to breakage when backing bighorse mills is that the case flexes. B & M Automotive of Van Nuys, California, discovered this during extensive testing undertaken to disclose the reason why so many C-6’s suffered from erratic shifting and blown cases. They learned that a heavy…

HELP SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL C-6!!!

owners: Snelson & Sims Anchorage, Alaska car: Anglia Altered The “Mouse House” Anglia, running out of United Auto in Anchorage, is probably one of the most traveled of race cars. Owned by mechanic Darry Snelson and salesman/big-game guide Bill Sims, the little red racer is usually brought down to the lower 48 every winter by driver Dale Snelson. Powered by a 301-inch Chevy, the combination B/Gas machine and C/Altered runs consistent 135’s and trips the lights at 10.19. Speed equipment includes TRW pistons, Romeo moly rings, an Erson 990C cam, Hilborn injector, Mondello heads, Jardine headers, Schiefer aluminum ’wheel and clutch, and Milodon oil pickup. TRW valves and oil pump are also featured. A Borg-Warner T-10 is Hurst-equipped and backs up a Lakewood bellhousing. A Don Long tube axle mounts Anglia…

Something For Everybody

The background scenes for Riverside International Raceway’s Second Annual Rex Mays 300 USAC Championship race began over a year ago, when the race date and sanction were j granted. The 300-mile road course event was put at the end of the list, and subsequently became — and is — the most important event on the USAC calendar. * Indianapolis is undoubtedly important I too, from the prestige and money to be gained there; but as the season pro| gresses after Indy, a “500” winner still has to work hard to make a good showing at year’s end. The 1967 Rex Mays proved how important it was to be, as ’ both Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt came into the thing with equal chances of winning. A.J.’s Indy-winning points had been…

Something For Everybody

GEEE METER… A Dyno on your Dash

One of the most elusive yet important aspects of our drag sport is this peculiar business of finding the best rpm for shifting. Years ago it became obvious that a good shift point for one guy was poison for somebody else. The problem is that each of us must know at exactly what rpm to shift for each different gear. In this article we’ll explain how the solution may be found. For too long we’ve been propagandized with “horsepower” figures alone. It is “twistpower” (torque) measured in ft-lbs that does the real hauling. The immense value of actual rotational energy (torque) should be appreciated. So we’ll now involve ourselves with viewing the overall torque output of the car over the full 1320 feet. For purposes of explanation, we won’t consider engine-flywheel…

GEEE METER… A Dyno on your Dash

SPARK PLUG TROUBLE SHOOTING

Modern automotive engines, especially the high-performance factory versions, require spark plug care to keep them running efficiently. Initially, choosing the proper plug reach and heat range is very important, but what about their care after they’re in service? Assuming that your engine is in good condition — strong compression, proper fuel/air ratio, good ignition components, etc., firing of the charge, or lack of it, may occur in one of several different ways … A. Normal Ignition. This occurs when a spark of sufficient energy is delivered at the correct instant across the electrode gap. Normal ignition requires spark plugs in good condition and an ignition system proper output. This condition will assure you of maximum power and economy. B. Tracking Ignition. This happens when the spark jumps from one deposit to another and ignites…

6-Pack …to go

There’s more than one way to enter the fuel dragster ranks. For example, Dave Malcolm chose a D class fueler. However, the hair is still there, ’cause the nitro-burning ’58 Chevy six runs the quarter in the 10’s at 146 mph. Bored to 303 cubes, the mill features Jahns pistons on stock boxed rods, a Chet Herbert roller cam, and Scott Engineering injectors mounted on a homemade adapter. Fuel pump is a Hilborn double-bypass type. Ported and polished head was milled.125-inch, giving a 13:1 compression ratio. A Hunt magneto supplies the spark. Headers are by Dave LaNear of Albuquerque. A late model Chevy 3-speed trans sandwiches the 11-inch Schiefer clutch, pressure plate and flywheel. Malcolm machined the tailshaft to mate a shortened ’48 Ford torque tube. A Halibrand rear housing with…

RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS

Because of their small size and relatively low placement, the stock bumpers on a Volkswagen usually come out second-best when put to the test. Part of the problem comes from a slightly higher bumper overriding the VW bumper when the two should chance to meet. A set of four hard-rubber and steel bumper guards goes a long way toward staving off bends and breaks in the fender area. Superior Industries of Van Nuys, California, manufactures the product illustrated here. They are made for the ’68 and later VW sedans — which brings up a point. Make certain, when buying accessory bumper guards for a VW, that you acquire the set which will fit the intended bumpers. VW bumpers come in several different shapes, and those designed to fit the 68’s-and-later won’t…

RUBBER BABY BUGGY BUMPERS

Filtering The V-Dub

With the constant changes and improvements made on the Volkswagen, you’d think that long before now one of “der elves” at Wolfsburg would have come up with a trick little oil filter for the VW — kinda like the one Fram offers. We understand the kit has been sold in Europe for some time and is now available in the United States. Our introduction to the product came from Dean Lowry, who showed us in about three minutes how the filter kit can be installed in any of the forty-horse and newer cases. No drilling, no tapping — just bolt and unbolt; boy, is this thing keen! Remove the fan belt and unstrap the generator from the cast stand upon which it rests. Then unbolt the stand. With the stand off,…

Filtering The V-Dub

Italian sidewinder

The big bike revival has hit hard; almost every major motorcycle manufacturer has a super road-burner either in the street or on the drawing board; and Moto Guzzi, pioneer bike builder from Italy, is no exception. Although you, like me, may quarrel with the bulbous front-end styling of their 700cc V-twin, this is one of the most pleasurable and smoothest of the big tourers that I’ve yet to encounter — absolutely silken at 80 mph. By all means, don’t overlook it in your quest for a large cruiser. The engine really isn’t that large in displacement; in fact, it is undersized at 43 cubic inches for the weight of the bike, precisely 539 pounds gassed to the brim. But despite the overweight, the Guzzi V7 is still excitingly fleet of foot,…

Italian sidewinder

Jetting with Know-How

Graphs and chart courtesy of K & D Accessories Company Today’s Stock Eliminator racing has come a long way since the hit-or miss, “I’ll get ’em next week” type of tuning. The majority of cars competing in this category are highly competitive, with many cars capable of running under the existing National Record. The stiff competition of today compels one to stay on his toes if he has intentions of winning, and who hasn’t? Many stocker drivers have traveled considerable distances to compete in various Eliminator races, and more than one has found that tuning his car to unfamiliar weather conditions presents its problems. Just like many racers still learning to tune their cars, he’ll arrive early at the strip, adjust his car’s carburetion to the morning’s weather conditions, and proceed…

Jetting with Know-How

Like we said last month, talk of the Mexican 1000 will continue right up I to the time the flag is dropped for the next one. We’ll keep a little of the fire going here with a few random thoughts on a couple of random subjects. Like Gatorade. That random enough? Gatorade is packaged by Stokely (the food people) and was developed for athletes in order to speed up moisture absorption by the body. Tasting somewhere between a very bad marguerita and a passable glass of lemon-lime Kool-Aid, Gatorade quenches thirst in short order and ranks as one of the top “tricks” of this year’s race. We don’t intend for this to become a new products column, but that stuff has got to be a life saver. At this writing, some…

Good Rods Never Die

A big stroker, high-lift cam, lots of compression, and the like will count for naught if your connecting rods can’t keep up with everything else. What good is that high winder if the rods get tired on top end and fold up on you, or a nut on the cap fatigues and the big end opens up? Maybe a minute forging line on the rod will become the source of a crack that started because of the tremendous stresses involved in that engine of yours. We’re not vying for the title of “nation’s number one pessimist"; we’re trying to get the point across that connecting rods take a beating, and that unless they’re designed just right, you’re liable to lose a complete engine (unless of course you already have, and…

Good Rods Never Die

RODDIN’ AT RANDOM

IMAGINE CHARTERING 21 AMERICAN AIRLINE JETS for one day to bring all your friends in for a party. Sound like something Howard Hughes might do? Well, this time it was American Motors. Each of their dealers was informed to be waiting at his hometown airport on a certain morning for a chartered flight, and that he would return that evening. That’s all he was told. En route, the dealers were served meals and drinks and were shown a 45-minute color film presentation of the ’69 AM products. By the time the 2400-plus dealers were shuttled to Los Angeles (they were informed of their destination shortly before landing), it was almost midday, and one of the wildest ever new-car presentations was in full swing. The automotive press, which includes us, was on hand…

RODDIN’ AT RANDOM

Dan Gurney says:

“The real potential of these Ford engines using Gurney-Eagle heads has never really been tapped and I hope that you Ford lovers take up the challenge. “If you are the man who wants something for the street that has outstanding performance, but is not so radical or objectionable that it grates on your nerves when you’re driving around normally, then you want these heads on your car if it’s a 289, 302, or 351 engine with a single 4-barrel carburetor. “I know there are a lot of us who have a soft spot in our hearts for the smaller family of Ford engines and, believe me, if you do, this is the way to go. The single 4-throat carburetor version has had limited development at this point in time. The first ordinary…

THE ROUNDY-ROUND CORNER

We attended a “rainout” at Charlotte Motor Speedway a few months ago. It was our third in NASCAR racing for ’68, and we’re not going to tell anyone how many there were for the full year. A record like that could get a guy on the “never invite him” list real quick. Anyway, while the conversation was good, the coffee warm, and the people the greatest, we didn’t get to see much racing. Having both a G.T. (the final) and a Grand National postponed a week put us on a plane headed west. It turned out the G.T. got rained out the following week too (which makes my record look better), and the final run never did materialize. Tiny Lund, who was leading the points race at that point, was…

THE ROUNDY-ROUND CORNER

STRICTLY FOR STOCKS

If you will recall, in our introductory column we stated that we were going to cover many areas concerning preparation, engineering developments, and numerous other subjects pertaining to Jr. stockers, modified production, and street-type cars. With that thought in mind, here is a three-part shop-type series covering the basic fundamentals for checking cams, degreeing of intake centerlines, and comparison of cam lobes. In the stocker ranks, it’s important to know if the regrind cam selected for a given engine will pass tech inspection; that is, fall within the cam’s allowable specifications. This is also true with off-the-shelf factory cams. Even with the correct casting numbers on the camshaft, there is no guarantee that the grind is correct. Regrind cams can be a few degrees long on duration; bear in mind that…

STRICTLY FOR STOCKS

Up On Two Wheels

Shades of Buck Rogers — the real stuff’s on the way! Triples and four-bangers and all sorts of groovy machinery are coming down the chute. And now that we cyclists are about to hit the engineering jackpot, it’s hard, to say who really kicked the whole program into gear: Honda with their revolutionary DOHC 450, Suzuki and their “they-said-it-couldn’t-be-done” 500 two-stroke, or Triumph and their recently announced 750 triple. Nevertheless, Honda’s about to rip the calm once more with an SOHC four. And just to make sure that it doesn’t get the same cold shoulder their 450 received at first, they’ve bumped engine displacement to the traditional American standard of 45 cubic inches (750cc). Although we’re going to have to venture an educated guess on the price (hopefully about $1500), the…

Up On Two Wheels

Boat racers have long been plagued with the problem of trying to get carburetors to work well under the adverse conditions of cornering and the bouncing around usually encountered in racing and general high-speed performance. The best solution to this problem has always been to go to injectors, but what do you do when the engine cost in your class is limited to $1660, as is the case with the cracker boxes? This puts various injectors and Weber carbs out of the funds-limited engine builder’s range. Don Nowell of Granada Hills, a newcomer to the engine-building business, recently succeeded in raising the APBA cracker box flying kilo record to 95.170 mph with one of his 272 cubic inch Chevy engines in Tom Patterson’s boat. With a beginner’s fresh approach, Don has…

SHOW SCHEDULES INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA Rod & Custom World of Cars, June 6-8, Forum. Custom Show Headquarters, P.O. Box 400, Maywood, California 90270. LOS ANGELES. CALIFORNIA International Custom Car & Motorcycle Show, April 24-27, Memorial Sports Arena. Tridents Car Club, P.O. Box 400, Maywood, California 90270. OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA Grand National Roadster Show, February 14-23. Coliseum. Al Slonaker, 8208 East Meadowbrook, Scottsdale, Arizona 85251. TAMPA, FLORIDA Motorama & Sports Car Show, March 28-30, Curtis Hixon Convention Center. Custom Enterprises of Florida, 2316 Carroll Place, Tampa, Florida 33612. WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA Custom Auto Show, April 4-6, West Palm Beach Auditorium. Alice Anne Holz, 2170 West Ridge Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603, (717) 872-5802. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Custom Auto Show, March 7-9, Navy Pier. International Productions, 2170 West Ridge Drive, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603, (717) 872-5802. ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS Auto Speed and Sport Show, March 7-9, Armory. National Custom Auto…

“NAKED” RECORD

Overshadowed by the American Land Speed Record for motorcycles (245 mph by Bob Leppan’s dual Triumph streamliner) is another speed hurdle of equal prestige and challenge but one that has been given little or no publicity — namely, who will be the first man to make a two-way average of over 200 mph with an unstreamlined motorcycle? The American teams of Boris Murray and Martinez-McEvoy are both knocking at the door with naked dual-engine Triumphs, but meanwhile a man in England is threatening to beat them to it. Outstanding British reporter and photographer Graham Forsdyke unfolds the plot from across the sea. — Bob Greene Setting high speed records in Britain is next to impossible because of the shortage of room. It’s been said that if a rider started getting up…

A WEN CATALOG: Well-illustrated, 16-page catalog features a complete line of 1OO°/o American-made, industrially-rated, and U.L.-listed electric power tools and soldering guns for the professional or home craftsman. Free from Wen Products, Marketing Dept., Dept. HR, Chicago, Illinois 60631. B J. C. WHITNEY CATALOG: A great selection of money-saving replacement parts, accessories, and high-performance items is listed — everything to maintain and improve all foreign cars and trucks. Free from J. C. Whitney & Co., Dept. HR, 1917 Archer Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60616. C AIRBORNE SALES CATALOG: 1969 issue contains thousands of U.S. Government Surplus items and many other bargains in hydraulics, marine and automotive items, and much more. Hundreds of illustrations. Send 25^ to Airborne Sales Co., Dept. HR, Box 2727, Culver City, California 90230. D EMPI CATALOG: This 130-page, fully-illustrated “motoring guide” contains a full…

RIDGE RUNNER RAM MANIFOLD

Those old boys in the heart of Texas know how to do things up right. Take a gander at these dual quad-equipped Chevy blocks. A little precision machine work knocked the tops from Chevy fuel injection units, which were replaced with adapter plates designed for dual quads. A close look will reveal that one of the guys has his carbs mounted sideways, utilizing a unique bellcrank arrangement. This same setup features a homemade cold-air package, ducting air from the grille into a metal box shrouding the carb tops. The other unit features standard bell-mounted stacks. Goes to show you what a little ingenuity can do.…

RIDGE RUNNER RAM MANIFOLD

John Peters of the twin-engined “Freight Train” dragster gets credit for this one. John cuts four slots and drills eight holes in a piece of bar stock to fit over the rocker studs on a small-block Chevrolet. When this fit is worked out, four holes are drilled through the edge of the stock and threaded for small Allen head bolts. Thus with the bar in place over all the rocker studs, the Allen head bolts are tightened down. Sure, but what’s it for? The device stabilizes the rocker studs, since they are known to do some fancy flexing under high rpm loading. Thus the valve lash measurement walks up and down the scale. Keep the studs from moving and — presto! — constant valve lash.…

CHEVY CROSSMEMBER

The majority of home-built rods seem to be Chevy-powered, and the latest trend is to install a late model running gear along with the late model powerplant. Shown here is a neat and inexpensive method of rigging a crossmember for use in supporting a Chevy-mated gearbox. The tubular crossmember shown here is a ’68 SS 396 Chevelle, and it illustrates how much width there is on each side of the trans. This is important, as it can be narrowed quite a bit for use in a small-width chassis. The ’member is also bent up and around exhaust pipes on each side, at a point very near the transmission. That leaves a lot of ’member that can be removed without disturbing mounting holes for transmission or exhaust pipe routing. There are several…

CHEVY CROSSMEMBER

BASIC CAMS, VALVES AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS

At last there’s a book that explains simply the complicated mystery of how an internal combustion engine is designed and how it operates! It’s just a matter of breathing. That’s the theme of “Basic Cams, Valves and Exhaust Systems” (which is what it’s all about) — the third book in Petersen Publishing Company’s basic automotive technical series. Like the first two — “Basic Carburetion and Fuel Systems” and “Basic Clutches and Transmissions” — this latest 192-page volume analyzes the critical interrelationship of automotive systems … this time cams and valves, intake and exhaust systems. If you’ve ever felt that you wanted to learn more about camshafts, how valves/lifters/rockers work together, the secrets of tuned intake manifolds and exhaust headers — this is the place. Divided into three primary sections — Cams, Valves,…

BASIC CAMS, VALVES AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS

TWIN TUBE AXLES?

Not necessarily. But that reinforcing under the regular tube axle is added insurance that the axle isn’t going to collapse from the pounding received from doing wheelies (provided, of course, that the axle is of sufficient wall thickness to begin with). A lot of money has gone down the tube because a different tube couldn’t take the abuse. So why gamble? You can select a really heavy wall axle and do wheelies day and night, with nary a worry. Or you can go to a lighter wall tubing, one that is still strong (heavy enough to support your car) under normal conditions, and then reinforce the bottom side similar to this one. In this way, you’ll gain the additional strength without going to a super-heavy wall thickness.…

TWIN TUBE AXLES?

It’s a common practice with guys running carbureted engines to retain the air cleaner support plate(s), as the contention is that it offers an ideal air entrance to the carb. A narrow strap is usually affixed to the plate to keep it in place, but this measure leaves the entire carburetor exposed to whatever may pass over the venturis. The owner of this Holley-carbed Chevy wants his engine to breathe deeply too but, to avoid nasal congestion, he utilizes a piece of perforated metal screen over the carb top. Air, yes; anything else, no.…

FLOW FIGURES Dear Jim: What’s the air-flow capacity difference between a 3410 Holley and a 2953 Holley? I think these are Holley parts numbers. Steve Ramsey Oakland, California The 3410 flows 780 cfm and the 2953 passes 850. But before you get the notion that more air flow always means more horsepower, don’t forget that the limiting factors (generally) are camshaft profile design, intake and exhaust port patterns, valve sizes, and exhaust system capabilities. You can easily over-carburet an engine and lose more horsepower than that which can possibly be gained through the addition of a larger carburetor. Among numerous performance enthusiasts, this is often the rule and not the exception. TRUCKIN’ UP A SIX Dear Jim: Isn’t there a truck-type crank assembly that can be adapted to the basic 240-inch Ford six? What I’m looking for is…

HOT ROD MART Requirements: 25 word limit per ad, not including name and address. We reserve right to edit copy or refuse ads. While not responsible for accuracy of description, we will reject misleading statements. No ads from commercial firms. Only one car may be listed in any one ad; this limitation not to apply to parts or equipment, however. $10 per ad must accompany each insertion. When photo is included, the rate is increased to $15 per insertion. Due to normal publication schedule, allow at least two months from time ad is received until it is printed. SELL — ’23 ’T’ Bucket street machine. Blue with black I interior. 400-hp 327, B&M hydro. Built legal for street I use. Runs 11-sec. e.t. bracket. Girl not included. Dave I Miller, 815 North…

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