JohnG

Hey Zach, I'm curious....how will switching to a fuel cell keep exhaust fumes from getting into the cockpit? --John G.

Yes, a "406" is a Chevy 400, bored 0.030" over. On a 400, anything more than 0.030" is risky due to the inherent siamesed-cylinder construction. The bore of a 400 is 4.126". The overbore takes it to 4.156" Do the math with me....radius is 2.078", squared is 4.3181, times pi equals 13.5656 sq.in. for the area of one cylinder. Multiply by the 3.75" stroke equals 50.871 cu.in. for one cylinder X 8 cyl. = 406.97 CID. So, it's actually a "407" "She's like heaven, my 407". But no, over the years, it's become known as a 406. Mucho torque, for sure. I have one in my hybrid Z, and am glad I went this route. --JohnG

Can't make it...too much to do around the house this weekend. Got my new coilovers on...nice difference!! Thanks, Mike SCCA. Anything else going on for western PA hybrid Z enthusiasts for remainder of 2002? --JohnG

When we installed my 406 a couple years ago, I got a nice set of jet-coat block-huggers from a rod shop in eastern-Ohio, with 1.3/4" primaries. They wouldn't fit, to my chagrin. Had to settle for 1.5/8" primaries, which fit good. Don't know how much performance hit I took. Oh well. --JohnG

Tom & Jeremy, I enjoyed meeting you both. Thanks for your kind words about my ride...I got a kick out of showing it off and watching all the "double-takes" by guys who noticed the V8. Yeah, Tom, I would have fired it up for you...never thought about it. The car's getting new coilover suspension installed this week. Keith, where were you? --JohnG

Hey Comeandzpa, Hope you can make it. To enter/register your car will cost $20 this year, but you get both days for that plus a program and dash plaque. You sure are correct about it taking beaucoups money and time, and, I should add, passion and determination, to properly "complete" a hybrid Z. They are never actually complete as any of us will admit. There's always something more you need or want, but that first day you drive it makes it all worthwhile. True supercar performance. Z-ya there!!! --JohnG

Yes. Had the same problem, due to incorrect geometry of the stock Holley carb linkage. I solved it with a Sonnax corrector plate that bolts onto your linkage and gives the correct geometry for the TV cable. Go to www.sonnax.com, and use the search function to find part # AS2-02K "Throttle Valve Corrector for Holley Carb". Cost around $30 delivered.

When I registered, they told me they'd be parking me in the Japanese car section, whatever that is. I plan to get there early. Looking forward to meeting you, Tom. How about you other western Pa, eastern Ohio, northern Md. hybrid guys? JohnG

Well, I'm pre-registering today for the weekend. I'll have my '71 red 240Z Hybrid parked in the Japanese car section. Hope we can all get together somewhere at noon on Saturday. Looking forward to it. --JohnG

That's a dual-plane, isn't it? I'd recommend you ask Grumpy or one of the other engine guys before investing in a 770 CFM carb for your 355. A common mistake is to over-carburete an engine. --JohnG

I just installed a new Holley 770 Street Avenger with vacuum secondaries and electric choke on my '71 hybrid Z, and I love it. 'course I'm running a 406 sbc, with a Vic Jr. single plane intake and a 1" spacer. Your 355 may be happier with 670 CFM. What intake do you run? --JohnG

A tip for you guys running a GM auto tranny, such as the 700R4, which uses a throttle valve cable (TV cable), and running a Holley carb. The stock linkage on the Holley gives improper geometry for proper TV cable operation. The cable detent is pulled out of adjustment at WOT. Sonnax has part number AS2-02K which corrects this geometry and allows proper TV cable operation. Can order this part online at www.powerglide.com. I just learned about this and decided to share. There's a similar part for you Edelbrock guys.

I just hope they weren't DIESEL Chevettes. Yikes!!

Mike, It's a hydraulic cam, flat tappet, 231 deg.intake, 236 deg.exh, .512" lift intake, .505" exh, 112 deg. LSA. Roller rockers are 1.6:1 ratio. I also run a port-matched Vic Jr. intake. --JohnG

Hey Grumpy, I hope those vettes you modified were CORvettes and not CHEvettes (hee, hee, hee). Seriously, I am a soon-to-be retired engineer, and I've built one engine...the 406 sbc that's in my '71 hybrid Z-car. I also wish we had the nice Florida climate up here, that you must enjoy down there. I enjoy reading your posts and replys, and wish I knew 10% of what you do about engines. --JohnG

Tom, I never thought of the Pgh. Vintage Car races, but your idea's a good one. At least all of us hybridZ guys could meet each other. July 20 at Schenley Park, right? On the grass. A 383 is a super choice for an engine. But why not a 406...same size, same weight, 6% more cubes, more torque (all else being equal), and does NOT overheat if cooled properly. Use the 5.7" rods out of a 350, not the shorter 400 rods. Good 400 blocks are disappearing fast, though. --JohnG

Hold on....we got two different events going on here. The 9/7/02 bash in Fredricksburg, Va, of course. Then a separate event for western Pa hybrids, right? Who's putting that one together? When and where?

I just got done replacing my Speed Demon 750 double pumper with a new Holley Street Avenger 770 on my 406 SBC. The new carb uses vacuum secondaries. It's smoother in the transition off-idle...no stumbling. Something about the cam I'm running. Don't get me wrong...the Demon is a great unit, well built, lots of adjustability. It just wasn't the best carb for my particular engine. It's for sale if anybody wants it. --JohnG CraZ after all these years!

TJ, Hey, come up and check it out. Pete's coming up in July, I believe. What engine are you thinking of stuffing in that '75? --JohnG

And Motorsports Auto sells the even cooler "European" version of these close-fitting bumpers which are chromed all the way, no rubber strips or holes for the strips. I put these on my '71 hybrid last summer.

Yep, Mike C is right...the May/June Summit catalog has a Hamburger's pan that is only 7" deep at the sump. Ed Hamburger started his oil pan outfit in the Cleveland area a number of years ago. But this pan is still 7-qt. capacity, so in reducing depth, the width had to increase substantially, which probably means interference issues with the collectors on my block-huggers. It's worth a phone call, anyhow. Thanks, Mike.

Yeah, I had the same problem with my '71 until I removed the two vent grills just below the hatch glass and put several layers of black electrical tape over the openings, then reinstalled the grills. No more exhaust smell with the windows up. On '72 and later Zs, round vents behind the small side windows replaced these long rectangular grills, but they could be blocked in a similar way. --JohnG

OK. Thanks anyhow Mike and good luck getting the rotating assembly balanced. That's important, for sure. Maybe I'll go ahead with the Canton pan. Already poked a hole thru my 7-qt. Moroso on a tire dealer's rack and had to have it welded up ($100). Scared of speedbumps, humps, manholes, driveways, etc. and gotta do something. --JohnG

Hey, all you Hybrid guys...what's the best way to sell my old drivetrain? She wants it outta the garage and I really have no more need for it. Great condition, 70,000 miles. Engine, 4-speed, R180, driveshaft, radiator, etc. --John

Thanks Tim, Hawk & Aaron. Yes, Ross C. is guiding me to a solution. Coilover is the way to go. Just gotta nail the details. Hawk, I'm not into braggin', that's why I'm building a sleeper. But that 406 growl keeps giving me away! --JohnG