Just bought a pile of parts from Bondobob.

Some day once I get the car fitted for the R5P7 combo and make new headers I can get the engine back together. Looks like I have something to do this winter.

After a two year break it will be good to have a car back together. A 358 wasn't exactly what I was looking for but it should get me back to racing and the local cruise ins.

Leon

PS picks to come

Good luck with it.

Is it the combo that dropped a valve? Building it for spray?

Yes, it is the engine that dropped a valve.

The heads were repaired and new pistons ready to go in. Fixing the engine should be fairly easy. Hope I am not hitting the eight ball saying that.

If I had a later A-body this would be a breeze. But, no the headers are in the frame rail. So I am going to have to start that over. My tranny needs to move up due to a pan clearance issue with the rack. This is not a huge problem but I needed to raise the tranny anyway. So this means redoing the transmission tunnel and raising it up. My engine compartment is much smaller. The frame rails are two inches narrower and the radiater sits four inches closer to the firewall. So mounting the drysump tank is a little difficult and using any of the old plumbing is going to be a real stretch.

Like anything you do there is always issues. The reason this particular engine was so appealing was the heads are larger than any I have seen. A custom oil pan, and headers that fit. Not to mention Bob had done a lot of homework on making the engine more drag race freindly. But, that is part of what killed the valvesprings and broke the valve. Bob fixed the small valve stem issue and now all it needs is a valve spring that can do the job.

A 358 NA screamer was the last thing I had on my dream list to put in my car. But, I just could not afford to start from scratch right now. I really would like a 440 cube shortblock ready for tons of spray. I acquired a nice fogger and plate setup in the deal but there is no way in He.. this engine can take a regular dose of spray. Not saying it will never happen but highly unlikely as a 5.90 index only requires about 700 HP and this little engine can make a lot more than that NA.

But, you never know both Bob and Josh want me to run in the heads up Mopar deal. I took a butter knife to a gunfight for years and competed in KOS. I took a single shot saturday night pistol in the later years and won a lot of races. I have not forgot how to win. It takes money and/or a lot of work. I have a lot on my plate and no where near as much energy as in the old days. We will just have to see how this goes.

If my kids can get more familiar with what goes on and can help more we could be a very hard competitor. That just take time and pateince. I have little of both these days.

Leon

Now you have two new babies! Leon, can you pm me your phone number? I lost it and would like to give you a shout. Thanks buddy!

After getting well rested. I moved some things around. The headers fit with absolutely no room to spare. Some mods to the firewall and a new tunnel. Raise the tranny to fix the driveshaft.

And this is what she will look like.

Leon

I told you the headers are close. A match book will not fit between #7 and the frame rail. This will get some adjusting.

I can't wait!!

Rod

If you know the details you can see I can't wait either. After I know everything fits then the real work begins. Gotta love learning a new engine. I know absuletly nothing about these engines. And this one still needs some fixing. Just so releived the headers are gonna work. Bob had already done the worst of the repairs. So should not be much trouble. Can't wait to hurt some feelings.

Leon

Damn, that thing`s mean lookin...........

Thanks for posting the pics, it's confirmed one thing for me, my master cylinder isn't going to fit in my junk when I do the same conversion!
Keep us posted on how you go!

Don't let the picture mislead you. I was going to have to really change things around. With the engine in original location. The dry sum was going to have to be reconfigured to move the pulley back. Was going to have to redo the drive pulley setup and move the water pump. And the nice headers Bob had made were not even close to fitting.

My tranny has been in a funky position for years. With the tall rear tires the driveshaft was really uphill in the car. So I raised the tail shaft and then started shoving the engine back until I had the room up front. Had not done this before as I was using a firewall mounted master cylinder when the old engine was mocked up. I had a huge cap on the stock distributer and could not move the engine back.

All this means is I have to rework the firewall opening and make a new transmission tunnel. But, this is easier than making headers. This oil pan is a Charlies custom Bob had done for his Demon and it has a step in the first section to clear the rack and K-member. I would like to have more step in the pan but it is just gonna have to work where it is. I have enough to do as it stands.

Leon

Engine definetly looks impressive between the frame rails. It was good talking to you today Leon and I'll take a look in my notes for those specs. Talk to you soon..

Mike, you wouldn't happen to have a 50" 1350 driveshaft you wanna part with would ya. I hate to send the one I have off to get shortened.

Leon

Looks good! I Can't wait to see some time slips! I hope it runs better and last longer than it did in Bobs car. Keep us posted and good luck.

looks awesome

what size header tubes?

Steve, Bob shifted at 6,600 way below the power range and ran a 5.80. So I have no complaint on it's speed.

Bob was on the way to making a lot of changes on this engine after the valve broke. IMO he went in the right direction. Should not have any future trouble.

The headers tubes are small. They are stepped and tri Y. I think they are 1 5/8 when they come off the cylinder head. But, to be honest have not measured to see.

Leon

x2. looks impressive.

Thanks for the compliments

Good thing I have all winter to get this done.