Posted by Vaughn [162.158.175.22] on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 10:38:59 :
Well, I pretty well have all the bugs worked out on my SBC V8 conversion. Engine runs a cool 170 degrees in 90 degree weather, oil pressure is good, I'm using Valvoline SR1 W40 racing oil very high contents of ZDDP or zinc and a bottle of my favorite STP. Engine starts right up, static timing set at 14 degrees BTDC which gives good torque right off idle, hydro throw-out bearing works very nice for the clutch release, the firewall heat block pad keeps the cab very cool, and the SM420 whines just like a big rig taking off much like the spur gear tranny which I'm ok with. Others on the net say the same thing. The only problem was exhaust noise, too much! I didn't apply any sound deadening, material or spray-on, in the cab, so I went with muffler armor which is a material in aluminum covering. This does two things: keeps heat in for better savaging of the exhaust and keeps the noise in. It gives a nice sound taking off and now the noise in the cab is very quite cruising down the road, I'm very pleased with the results. Next project is to replace the 5.83 pumpkin with a 4.89 in the front, and I'm also kicking around going to 4.30 gears.
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