Old Chevelles
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- Thread starter KwikSS
- Start date
One of my projects is my peanut port engine project, while this BBC had been a great learning experience with those little port heads I have stepped it up with a set of ported L-29 Vortec heads to try and see if they or the Peanut Ports are better. My other project is my junk 355 SBC project engine with a pile of mis-matched parts to show that with a little work old discarded race parts can really work well together.
Hi Dan,
First, sorry to hear about your brother. My Dad was the oldest of 6 brothers, but I'm the only son my parents had. I still have my older Sister, but we lost two Sisters many years ago....one was 'still born', the other had Leukemia and only lived 6 months or so (both were lost in the 40's). When you get into your 70's we all look back, and I consider that very normal remembering good times as well as the not-so-good ones.
As you may know, I have been on a journey for about a year & a half researching and collecting parts (mostly period correct and dated) for my 1967 396 (bored over .030") L78 Engine Build. I am probably about 85% there as far as parts goes, but currently I am struggling with which flywheel & clutch kit to go with and I've been trying really, REALLY hard to find a nice 6223 crankshaft. I may just go for a new after market crank (e.g. Eagle or SCAT), but I am still researching/looking.
My next move will be connecting with a good engine builder who will work with me closely on my build. I'm very hands on, so I need a builder who understands an owner who has some knowledge and knows what he wants! I had a builder not far from me all lined up (initially anyway) but the guy was horrible with communicating with me, so that turned me off. I think his wife wants him to retire from engine building as he's about 75 or so. So, finding an engine builder who knows big block Chevy engines is paramount right now. I do have one lead to follow up on. I have had tons of help from fellow Chevy enthusiasts all over the country & Canada with my build info.....very helpful, and I really appreciate it!
I have a set of Hooker Competition Headers to use for my build and the dyno runs. Then, when the engine goes into a car (I'm yet to find that special '67) I plan to have a set of Mickey Thompson Super Scavenger Headers custom built for me, so the clone of my old '67 Chevelle SS will be as close as possible to the way my old car was when I sold it in 1970. That "sound" of the L78 engine with those headers was something I will never forget...not "loud" just very mechanical and sweet!
I may start a build thread once the engine build actually begins, hopefully this summer sometime.
All the best,
John
First, sorry to hear about your brother. My Dad was the oldest of 6 brothers, but I'm the only son my parents had. I still have my older Sister, but we lost two Sisters many years ago....one was 'still born', the other had Leukemia and only lived 6 months or so (both were lost in the 40's). When you get into your 70's we all look back, and I consider that very normal remembering good times as well as the not-so-good ones.
As you may know, I have been on a journey for about a year & a half researching and collecting parts (mostly period correct and dated) for my 1967 396 (bored over .030") L78 Engine Build. I am probably about 85% there as far as parts goes, but currently I am struggling with which flywheel & clutch kit to go with and I've been trying really, REALLY hard to find a nice 6223 crankshaft. I may just go for a new after market crank (e.g. Eagle or SCAT), but I am still researching/looking.
My next move will be connecting with a good engine builder who will work with me closely on my build. I'm very hands on, so I need a builder who understands an owner who has some knowledge and knows what he wants! I had a builder not far from me all lined up (initially anyway) but the guy was horrible with communicating with me, so that turned me off. I think his wife wants him to retire from engine building as he's about 75 or so. So, finding an engine builder who knows big block Chevy engines is paramount right now. I do have one lead to follow up on. I have had tons of help from fellow Chevy enthusiasts all over the country & Canada with my build info.....very helpful, and I really appreciate it!
I have a set of Hooker Competition Headers to use for my build and the dyno runs. Then, when the engine goes into a car (I'm yet to find that special '67) I plan to have a set of Mickey Thompson Super Scavenger Headers custom built for me, so the clone of my old '67 Chevelle SS will be as close as possible to the way my old car was when I sold it in 1970. That "sound" of the L78 engine with those headers was something I will never forget...not "loud" just very mechanical and sweet!
I may start a build thread once the engine build actually begins, hopefully this summer sometime.
All the best,
John
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If it wasn't for that Malibu emblem on the grill, that could have been off my old car! LOL! Nice project! I'd love to do that but my wall space is limited.
Man, that's something that I've always wanted to do! Even have an inverter set up to wire 120v. Would make a great shop outdoor light with motion sensor.
Here's what's keeping me busy......holley port injection changover for the jeep. Always had it in the plans, but the fresh resurrection had too much "new" stuff to hassle with and didn't want a programmable system on a fresh engine. So, here I go again doing things twice. 4 wheelers really benefit from this upgrade since they typically run at crazy angles at low rpms.
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Derek69SS
Veteran Member
I'm doing a full chronology of my Chevelle build here: https://oldchevelles.com/index.php?threads/1745/
I did it a year ago on Facebook, and decided that I should have it all saved in more than one place in case of an account hack or getting put in FB jail or something like that, and also in case I decide to leave that platform... So, as each post comes up in my FB "memories" I'm adding it here.
I did it a year ago on Facebook, and decided that I should have it all saved in more than one place in case of an account hack or getting put in FB jail or something like that, and also in case I decide to leave that platform... So, as each post comes up in my FB "memories" I'm adding it here.
Certainly appreciate the responses, keep 'em coming. Love to see passion stirred up in the performance section. If you guys make it to a track, post up your times and mph. No Chevelle is too slow and we can all help one another from time to time.
Yes, being well into my 70's does present aches and pains.
Yes, being well into my 70's does present aches and pains.
I'm hoping to crack the 12 second barrier with a manual trans in my 67. The trans is a TKX 5 speed close ratio with 3:73 rear gears in a Strange S60 with a helical posi (strac, like a tru-trac).
The engine is a 489 with edelbrock heads, an 850 holley/performer rpm and a zz502 cam (224/234 @ 110, .527/.540 lift). I heard I need bias ply slicks with the manual trans
The engine is a 489 with edelbrock heads, an 850 holley/performer rpm and a zz502 cam (224/234 @ 110, .527/.540 lift). I heard I need bias ply slicks with the manual trans
For a flywheel, Jody Haag at Jody's Transmissions told me to get a neutral balance 24 pound flywheel. He said the lighter weight helps it rev faster yet it is heavy enough for a street car.
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That's why I ran the 10 or 10.5 " clutches back in the day with my 4 speeds lighter weight always revved quicker. My buddy has a 2000 SS Camaro with a light flywheel in it. That sucker hits 6500 super quick.For a flywheel, Jody Haag at Jody's Transmissions told me to get a neutral balance 24 pound flywheel. He said the lighter weight helps it rev faster yet it is heavy enough for a street car.
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Free Shipping - McLeod Steel Flywheels with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Flywheels at Summit Racing.www.summitracing.com
But this is where I still struggle. My original L78 was a high reving engine and sooooo easy to drive. It was ridiculously quick and reved to the moon! Yet, unless someone tells me different for certain, I believe that engine came from GM with a nodular iron flywheel and a very basic clutch kit. I am still looking for the specifications on those original parts.
Once I know what my old car had from the factory I will feel more confident what to buy for my L78 build. It’s not about having the latest and greatest, but just what I know works from personal experience.
Once I know what my old car had from the factory I will feel more confident what to buy for my L78 build. It’s not about having the latest and greatest, but just what I know works from personal experience.
Alwhite00
Well-Known Member
I looked for 2 years to find a suitable "donor" I had to pay probably more than it was worth but you only live once. Lol
Aren't you worried a little about safety running a nodular iron flywheel ? I use an aluminum 621 bellhousing, so I want a forged flywheel to make sure it doesn't explode on me.
Sure, it bothers me but I know for certain that some nodular iron flywheels are perfectly fine for street use and the price is reasonable. I will likely go with a billet steel flywheel but I'd feel better knowing what was the correct flywheel for the L78 in 1967.....nobody seems to know or care!...and I cannot find the specifications in any of the data I have. I too have the 621 aluminum bellhousing....just don't know the specs of the flywheel & clutch. I did find something on the clutch in my GM Specifications but no part number or much specifics...can't find anything on the flywheel. It matters because as you might know, the prices of this stuff can get ridiculous real fast....I just will not spend $1,000 for a flywheel and clutch kit. That's insane to me! And believe me I have plenty of $$$ in this build, especially since I have mostly date correct parts to be compatible with my block. It's not about being cheap...it's about being reasonable.
This is what Bill K. said to me on TC back in early December last year:
"Not sure exactly what specs you are looking for but the stock flywheel was surely a cast iron one. Any aftermarket street type flywheel and clutch combination will be light years better than the factory stuff was. Don't remember exactly which one I was using but I used to kill Corvette clutches with my small block back in the early 70's. They were fine on the street but would only last a couple of weekends at the drag strip.
If you are looking at Hayes then just get their clutch too."
I'm probably worrying for nothing....I'd just feel better knowing what I had in 1967 versus what I am putting in my 1967 L78 build in 2022!
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I decided to go with a RAM billet steel flywheel and the LuK clutch kit. I did find the basic specifications of my original 1967 396 L78 engine re flywheel & clutch, and my current selection is way better than what was stock back in the day, yet it won't break the bank either!
I’m too old school, and my ‘67 had a Muncie 4-speed from the factory.....for an L78 you couldn’t even get an automatic if you wanted one. There’s a reason for that, and as long as my left leg works I’ll stick with the stick!
The th400 was an option in 1967 but perhaps not for a 375hp car. That was a serious mistake on the part of Chevrolet. At that point the performance development was scarce for the automatic however, it would have been a perfect match for the car. When I was young the thought of not having a 4 speed was ridiculous but time has proven that thought to beI’m too old school, and my ‘67 had a Muncie 4-speed from the factory.....for an L78 you couldn’t even get an automatic if you wanted one. There’s a reason for that, and as long as my left leg works I’ll stick with the stick!
archaic. In today's times I can manually shift my th400 while driving around in traffic but on the track I simply program the grid for various shift points and that allows me to focus on
driving. Hell, it even programs launch rpm's for various track conditions. That takes away nothing from the driving experience yet is your friend where consistency is preferred. I killed enough Muncies to try something different. That said. I do understand the old school mindset.