Barn raising

[Mike Bradbury]

Just a few of the upgrades going in.



I was tempted to buy the other half of the catalog but I ran out of money





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[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Does anyone sell aftermarket mounts like that? I don't have the fab skills, but I do like the look!

I knew I had seen this type before but did not know where. I just saw them today in the Truck Shop on line catalog. I like mine better because it has a better bushing system
http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/674...c2pjq21oie1bts
Pg. 93

[slick copper]

Nice! Hope you get it back together soon!

[hgs_notes]

Nice stuff there. It's really going to rumble.

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

Nice stuff there. It's really going to rumble.

Thanks, haven't been to my build thread in a while, nice to see that some are still along for the ride. I have been too busy scattering parts all over my garage. I did get the core support and inner fenders back from powder coat, and I must say I am really excited to get them back in the truck, they came out awesome.
I have been distracted creating my own version of billet hood hinges and swapping in a '97 mustang rack and pinion system.

[hgs_notes]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I have been distracted creating my own version of billet hood hinges and swapping in a '97 mustang rack and pinion system.

Those are things I really want some details on.

[Mike Bradbury]

I dont want to start posting on them too soon because I am still prototyping them. These will be one of a kind but some what of a knock off of the Eddie Motor Sports version. Eddie's are very cool but way outside my price range but not outside my ability to fab. I am using the vintage mounting plate that bolts to the fender and the shaped piece of angle iron that bolts to the hood. What I am making are the three arms that bolt to that to make the hinge. The prototype is pretty sweet and should be done soon. The only issue that is holding me back is the fact that the front clip is in pieces in my garage and I cannot trial fit it just yet. But the action is smooth and ballanced.

[Heavy Evy]

sweet sweet build man! I usually don't like raised white letters but yours are dope and the motor mounts are sweet as well.

[Mike Bradbury]

Thanks Heavy, progress is slow but still having fun. Yeah when it is running I get questioned at stop lights all the time by people asking "where I got those tires?"

[mcbassin]

Your engine looks Great! Sorry to hear the cam shelled the old engine.

[VDOG]

I can see at Brothers 2012, your not going to have any problems.

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Your engine looks Great! Sorry to hear the cam shelled the old engine.

Old engine? I only had 14,000 on it I was seriously bummed to go down this road but in the end I know it is better than it ever was, and I am glad that I did it.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

Old engine? I only had 14,000 on it I was seriously bummed to go down this road but in the end I know it is better than it ever was, and I am glad that I did it.

Yeah, I remember that now. It was a low mile motor. That should never happen. it was the sythetic oil right?

I remember building an old 350 in the back of my tailgate one time. New standard size rings, bearings and new oil pump. Drove that thing hard for 3 years put about 40k miles on it and sold it still runing strong. Quaker state 10w-30. This was early to mid 90s. spent about $250 on that build.

[Mike Bradbury]

I think it was the oil but others disagree. I think it was a combination of the oil and the way I drive it. High revs and low zinc make a bad combination. Mild driving and low zinc might be ok and the engine may last for a long time.
I talked to a guy who used to work at the Chevy factory and he said that one year some of the cams would completely miss heat treat and were flattening before they left the factory as they were driving them off the line, quality control might be a factor also. Since there is still a shread of doubt as to what caused it, I decided to upgrade to remove any question. Plus the tech at Crower said that I could see as much as 25 additional HP with a roller valve train because there is that much less friction plus the .30 over bore and flat top pistons should give me a nice boost of power over bone stock.

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I think it was the oil but others disagree. I think it was a combination of the oil and the way I drive it. High revs and low zinc make a bad combination. Mild driving and low zinc might be ok and the engine may last for a long time.
I talked to a guy who used to work at the Chevy factory and he said that one year some of the cams would completely miss heat treat and were flattening before they left the factory as they were driving them off the line, quality control might be a factor also. Since there is still a shread of doubt as to what caused it, I decided to upgrade to remove any question. Plus the tech at Crower said that I could see as much as 25 additional HP with a roller valve train because there is that much less friction plus the .30 over bore and flat top pistons should give me a nice boost of power over bone stock.

Hey, if you can't drive it hard put it up wet...... why have one?

I thought that's what these old trucks/motors are for?

This setup you got should be near bullet proof if you break it in right.
You can't beat a full roller setup. Looking forward to a new video.

[hgs_notes]

Should hold up to serious abuse.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Nice mike..

If you dont mind whats the rough cost of the roller cam (everything id need to convert)? And what IS the specs on that cam lol

[Mike Bradbury]

I converted everything as you can see. All the components cost $1700 that is the springs, push rods, rockers, lifters, & cam. I spent about $300 having the machine shop pull the rocker studs and mill the bosses down for guide plates. With the springs I chose there was a possibilty that I might pull the pressed in studs, so I had the work done to be safe. The cam is a mild performance cam that will give a slight lope at idle, but will not put my MPG in the gutter. I wanted something very streetable but fun at stop lights if I need it to be. I have a 355 rear gear and 2200 stall converter, I have talked to Bow Tie Overdrives and Crower if this combo will work together and they said it would be fine. The cam needs a 2200 to 2400 stall so mine will be on the low end but will be fine.
The specs are;

[slick copper]

Nice progress! That engine's gonna be rock solid!

[70LonghornCST]

Cool thread! Subscribed.

[67cheby]

nice job

[FrankieD]

With all that money in the engine are you going to run break in oil? The shop that did mine recommended Joe Gibbs oil
( http://joegibbsdriven.com/products/breakin/index.html ) it is about $8 a qt but I figured it would be cheap protection. Nice work you are doing!

[litew8]

Don't think you need break in oil with a roller setup.
Great job on your build, I hate to be the one to say - I think you're breaking all kinds of copyright laws by doing the lettering on your tires.
The look is cool though, I looked into maybe getting Firehawks. I think there was a large letter version discontinued.




There are Eagle Nascar tires avail., not huge lettering though -

[oldblue1968chevy]

i have the ones pictured top

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by litew8

Don't think you need break in oil with a roller setup.
Great job on your build, I hate to be the one to say - I think you're breaking all kinds of copyright laws by doing the lettering on your tires.
The look is cool though, I looked into maybe getting Firehawks. I think there was a large letter version discontinued.

Yeah, I saw the Good Year version but the were not jumbo enough for the design I had in mind. I actually purchased a "one time use" right for the logo. But since I am not marketing them and it is only for personal use and not for sale I think I am fine.