Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Have been himming and hawwwing and not driving the 66 much since I finished the ElCamino project. Put new DOT's on the rear and and swapped the old 6" rod higher end 383 short block for the rather mild short block that has been in there for 5 years or so. It developed a blowby issue that I didn't expect (didn't have that bad of leak-down when I stored the shortblock anywys) but it's pressurizing the crankcase and pushing oil out.


soooooooooo. The Nova's backup 434 is going into the 66.

http://www.small-block-chevy.com/436sbc.JPG


Will have to build a set of headers, and I suspect the trans will eventually also get swapped, will have to cut the cage out and build it right,,, and find a way to bring the rear struts out the window (still can't bring myself to hack the back of the cab)

Super73,, or anybody have a 60-67 with a cage / bar and get the rear struts out the (small) rear window?

My only option is to put it on a throttle stop to keep ETs below 11.5 and MPH under 130. I REALLY hate that idea!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Sweet Marv! That should wake up the program. You might want to look at my cage. Its really nice. I can't wait to hear what yours runs with the new bullet.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

awesome!!!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Sounds like fun Marv!
The cage in my truck has the rear down bars coming out lower than the top edges of the bedsides. I did this because I didn't want to hack the top half of the cab and because I wanted to try to keep the cage somewhat out of sight. I'll have to see if I can find some pics of it. If I can find some, I'll post them.
Glad to hear you're putting that big motor in the truck!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

My bad Marv.
I reread your post and caught the part about wanting to run the down bars through the back glass. Mine actually goes through the lower part of the cab, below the bedsides, not through the glass like you're wanting to do.
Good luck with it though!!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Yeah mine comes off the back brace and through the cab / bed below the bed line too. I wanted to keep it all out of site but tech here is all hung up on that rear braces being within 6" of the top of the main hoop. I'll have a lot of reconfiguring of the cage to meet tech. The maximum 30° angle for the rear bars has me thinking about running a horizontal bar 6" below the top of the hoop. JUST to connect the rear bars to. I think then I could come through the window with a couple of mild bends without hacking the cab,. I don't know.... might be easier and cheaper to just say screw-it and cut the cab.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Sounds like what you have in mind would work. If you were to add another bar just below the top of the main hoop, you should be able to sneak the down bars thru the small back glass and maintain the correct angle.
Keep us up to date on the progress, if ya don't mind!! Really sounds like a cool upgrade to the truck!!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Ouch, this little mild upgrade is getting into the racing budget pretty big.

1-7/8" to 2 stepped headers with slip fit collector $1000 even if I build them myself
New cage $650
change the TH350 to the spare TH400 with a brake I have... $ 400 for a new drive shaft and yokes)
Will have to get a new flexplate and trans shiels (expires while sitting onthe dam shelf!!!) $275
Converter may be a little tight, but it will work for now $0
Replumb the fuel system with -8 $400
Really need to dump the locker and put a spool in it, but will wait till the locker explodes $0
Just put new DOT tires on her, and 5.14 gears. Will have to get a pass and see, but I suspect it will need gears again ($375)

I'd spend over $2k and this is a 'free' 660HP motor I have sitting around. Sheeeeeeeze I think I need to attend a 'meeting' or something!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Sounds sweet. Maybe you can sell some of the old stuff to help fund the upgrades.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Cant wait to see the truck run now...

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Ah it's only the banks money I always say! ;-)
Both of my cages in my street stocks went through the top of my cab down the the axle housing area of the frame I guess roundy rounders are built different...

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Not a lot of visible progress

Have the 434 ready to set in,
http://www.small-block-chevy.com/images/434x2x4a.JPG

Spent a week deciding,,,,,,,, the Hughes TH400 is ready. Ordered a Cheeta shifter and Dedenbear Co2 solenoid for it. WTF,,, going to put the throttle on a linkage stop anyways to keep it under the bar tech. Might as well use the Co2 to make it a 'consistent' 11.501 truck LOL. I can't believe I'm going throttle stop racing. I HATE throttle stop cars. But,, 90% of the cars I race in Pro-ET are running a stop, cross over delay, starting line controllers, using the box for a top end controller. It's hard to be competitive with all those electronics when you run flat out one end to the other!!

So this is going to be an exercise in keeping my cool. LITERALLY. If I keep it slower than 11.50 all I need this summer is a 3.2A jacket and helmet. I can forgo the firesuit, neck collar and all that BS that makes sitting in the Nova in 115° weather MISERABLE. So plan is to launch hard, sit o the stop for a few seconds, then run it out the back door keeping it under 135 (11.49 and 135mph being the threshold for a bar) . Ought to be harder for all those big long 7second piles of pipe I race with to judge the stripe when the ol truck just keeps pulling.

Have the stock steel floor and will keep it slow so the expired SFI shields are no issue.
ordered a but-load of electronics, including what crap I need to re-wire / re-plumb the truck. The 'bowl of spaghetti' under the dash has bothered me for years it's about to get 'done right'.

Still have this header issue to contend with, but can't do much of anything till I fit the motor plate and build the new crossmember brackets (That Alston cross member is the BERRIES!!! Love it when it comes time to move things around :) )

That's the update for now.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Good luck Marv.

Looks like one helluva nice setup.

Hope all works out well for ya!

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Marv have you seen this guys stuff? Its pretty neat and reasonably priced.


http://www.yellowbullet.com/forum/sh...d.php?t=146727

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Wow, that does look like it is worth checking in to. Pretty neat package he has put together there. Thanks Kevin

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

I must hear this thing run...Awsome motor marv.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

Don't know how I missed this.. Marv, I haven't done anything yet as far as a cage in the truck. Being broke sucks!! Going back to school as well right now. So time and money are both tight..

I do like your idea though of a bar 6" bellow the top of the main hoop and passing the rear bars through the window. I'll ask my buddy Joe who has done a lot of cages if there is anything about that that would not work. If so, I may just do mine that way when I can afford to do it.

Re: Well,,, I think I'm going to do it..
 

For right now Super I have the answer.... :(

http://static.summitracing.com/globa...ded-ts30_w.jpg

but it's KILLING me. I've been measuring, checking roadster and full body tech and trying to 'squeeze' things into place to run on the floor one end to the other. I have one other possibility I'm checking in to. Rule says rear bars have to attach within 5" of the main hoop. And the main hoop has to be 6" above drivers helmet. Nothing saying I can't lower the seat till the stinking rules allow the rear supports to go through the window. Ya know,, I ought to just forget it and cut the damn holes in the cab and be done with it. But it would be soooo much easier on the heart and soul to put holes in a piece of lexan that can be easily un-done.

But, if you can get any feedback from Joe would be GREATLY appreciated!!!