I bought a copy of "Engine masters" at the news stand last evening. The way I'd interpret the rules is exactly as Ted has. You must use an engine that was originally 300 inches or greater. you cannot swap a crankshaft from one displacement into another. No 292 crank in a 312 block. And the bearing sizes must be as original to the engine, minus clean up or rebuilding machining. In other word no offset grinding and no 292 mains on a 312 crank. The part that will hurt will be the no aftermarket head availability. Every one else will have the advantage of current flow technology.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Custom pistons will not be an issue but I'm open to other options.  It would be pure luck getting a production piston that would be suitable regarding pin location, pin size, dome configuration, ring package, etc.  No matter how I do the math, a dome of some fashion will be required to get to the 10½:1 compression.  At this point, I'm considering just using a set of prepped truck rods to keep within the rules constraints on the journal sizes.  This simplies matters by just staying with a 0.912" pin. 

I'm only stuck on the 3.810-3.814" bore size as that is the bore size for which I can easily obtain low drag thin rings in almost any configuration.  If someone can get similar rings in the 3.830" bore, that would allow me to use some of the 312 blocks I have on hand in the event the 292 main size is disallowed.

MoonShadow(3/13/2007)

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Casting numbers are the same. I'm sure these "experts" couldnt tell the difference as long as the basic CID is over 312.

Y block Billy(3/13/2007)

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I just thought of one more thing, Many blocks came as a 292 or 312, how will they know what it was originally?

I'm not concerned about block casting numbers.  Aftermarket blocks are permitted so the blocks themselves are not an issue.  I'll get something in writing from the rules committee about the main journal sizes before committing to using the 292 mains in the 312 combination.  There is just too much expense involved (engine and traveling) in these buildups to just arbitrarily put the combination together with a 'quirk' in the bearing sizes and then get disallowed.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted,

          How about V6 buick? Can you get unmachined pistons?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Dove didn't come up in the conversation.  I did touch base with Earl but got the same story that they've been too busy to really look at the Y heads and make them happen.  This has been the same story for quite a while now.

yalincoln (3/12/2007)

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Say Ted, would the rings for the 283-307 at 3.875 be an alternative

Wayne.  The limit for the bore for the competition would be 3.835" which rules out the larger bore sizes.  But on a sidenote, do you have a source for the 3.875" bore rings in the thinner widths (ie. 1/16"or less).

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Say Ted, Would the rings for the 283-307 at 3.875 be an alternative, Thanks, Wayne.

 lincoln/merc. y-blocks &mel's                                                               bucyrus, ohio.

Ted,

          So he's not worried about Dove?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

John.  I touched base with Richard last week and He did mention that He had the Y parts out and looking at them but was still concerned about someone else jumping into the head market.  He wasn't as concerned about the existing core boxes as He was with John Mummert jumping into the fray.  And you're right about being too late.  If something was to happen with some aftermarket heads in time for the Challenge, then the heads should be just about ready now and not in the planning stages.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted:

The guy that you and I were once talking to, have you heard anything beyond his being in limbo over core boxes?  He is a flow conscious guy.  He made Cad 500 ci heads for the Engine Masters Challenge, maybe Old or Buick also.  Probably too late to start on a head project for this years' challenge anyway.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Jim.  Thanks for getting with Earl at Dove.  Maybe this will help to put a rush on doing something with heads.  I'll also give him a call and touch base with him and let him know what kind of time line We are dealing with in the event a Y is accepted into the competition.  The timeline for a new set of heads would require them being available much more quickly than just working over OEM iron heads so that teething issues and development could take place in a timely manner.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Ted,
I spent some time on the phone with Earl at Dove yesterday. The flow figures he gave me on the protoype Y-Block heads they did would sure help in the challenge. They are not into production yet as you know. This could be the reason to get them to move this project to the front burner. It would help you with the Challenge and give them HUGH EXPOSER for the new product.
I told them to gear up and I would buy a set. Earl told me that you and Mummert were first in line.
Give them a call and work your magic..................maybe we can get them to at least supply you with a pair of protoypes for the competition.

Jim

  Jim Rowe Elkhorn, NE