jbeech

No. 400sbc engines are externally balanced. Sorry, you got the wrong part, don't try it.

Got myself a cold one and am chilling. Sorry guys. I'm also in he midst of purchasing a motor for my car so I have my head in Bill's place, but as has been pointed out, there's perhaps more to the story and Bill being on the spot likely knows exactly what he's doing. Mmmmph, let me get my foot out of my mouth. Bill, I'm sorry, I meant no offense. I have been somewhat uptight recently and it comes through in my writing. For what it's worth, I just sent off a certified check for a motor in CA which I've only been able to view via pictures and through the trust engendered by association with the crew at HybridZ. I pray I'm not screwed in this deal - and yeah, that has a bit to do with my being uptight about engines right now. Not an excuse (there is none), just an explanation.

Yeah, the beer helped a LOT. By the way Jim, I actually started to buy the book twice (I loaned it to a pal and hadn't gotten it back) when out of the blue (after six or eight months or so), my pal found the book again and mailed it back to me. FWIW, I'm "funny" about not asking for something back after I've loaned it (I expect someone to have the same interest in returning what's mine as they had when they asked for it). Hence, I instead simply never loan someone who screws me over anything ever again. In any case, I was prepared to make another purchase and the memory, in part, set me off. I hope you realize I wasn't railing against you for asking to borrow, instead I was aghast at the idea someone would seriously propose ripping off someone's work here in our forum. I pray it was just a momentary brain fart on that fellow's part. We're all a little cheap, but theft isn't within the legitimate realm of being a cheapskate, it's just plain theft. By the way, in buy/sell/trade someone is offering a JTR book: http://hybridz.org/nuke/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=32274

Oh common "dot" (and others) yes it 'is' reference material for this board - it's likely why someone went to the trouble of creating that manual. But to suggest posting the whole book? I am amazed that otherwise serious citizens (we hope) would chat up defrauding someone who has gone to the trouble to create a resource for Z-conversions . . . as if 'that' were a big money maker! Is it because you figure he's ripping you off? Is it because you only need a few of the pages? Is it because you bought it once? That's specious reasoning. I misplaced 10 bucks the other day, should the government give me my 10 bucks back because I was careless and didn't keep up with it? In fact, the post puts me in mind of the old joke where the guy asks the gal if she's do it for a million bucks and when she says yes quickly asks if she'd do it for 10 bucks. I.e. this discussion is measuring the level at which someone would become a thief (as the girl was judged to be a hooker). Grow up! Folks, there's no such thing as a free lunch and this discussion demeans the entire Hybrid-Z experience. It's one thing if someone wants to trust that fellow by loaning him their book - there's ample precedence for this as fair use, but to suggest posting the entire book (or otherwise circumventing the law by posting a link) . . . well, that goes too far. I bought the book even though my car has a Scarab conversion for the simple reason I wanted to learn something. Many folks here have bought it and then created an entirely different method of installing their engine!

Jeez, what do you want for a kilobuck???? A little paint coming off the block is no big deal, wired secondaries? People do dumb things all the time. Someone didn't notice the bit off the coil wire got left in the distributor cap . . . carelessness? What's that got to do with anything? I think you should get someone who can find their ass with either hand to look the motor over for you as perhaps you don't have enough experience to recognize a deal (not saying it really is one mind you) when it's in your face. You did mention it came with accessories (distributor, starter, alternator, brackets, water pump, etc.) didn't you? This all adds to the worth. As for the crank being cast or steel? Look at the part line, if it's sharp the crank is cast and if it's about 1/4" wide it's forged. Look at the end where the flywheel bolts up to I.D. whether it's a 327 or a 350 crank, etc. There are plenty of books and websites with pictures to help you. Common fella, being picky is smart, but what you cited for reasons don't make good sense! I mean you make a sweeping statement about having miles racked up because the thing was built in the 80s? Sheesh, I put about 3-4k miles on my hot rods cars a year (at best) and my use isn't that atypical . . . that motor might only have 20-30k miles on it (if that much) and it's good for 100,000 or more! You might be letting a great deal get past you just through a lack of experience.

This is likely the wrong place for this, but History International has a special program about the Z-car running right now (Eastern Time) and it comes back on again tomorrow mnorning at 7 AM

So I was thinking of upgrading to the Toyota 4x4 calipers but the fellow who was offering them to me sent me to http://www.jskinnovations.com for a set of spacers. While there I see where Juan is offering a set of Wilwood Ultralites IIs - which with his brackets work out to a tad under 600 bucks (for the complete fronts). So now I'm wondering if the reduced unsprung weight is worthwhile (I'm thinking yes), but I'm also wondering how suitable the Wilwoods are for street use. Any thought folks?

Hey Dot, at some point you want another project (or a wife, or something)and will want cash for your ride. I know, you've heard it before. In any case, if/when you are ready, keep me in mind as I'm a serious buyer. John 910-938-3371

So how happy are you with that Jag V12? How much more than a SBC does it weigh?

the_dj signs - Heads, cam, intake, full exhaust, and two extra cylinders . . . which got me laughing so much my sides hurt! But hey the_dj, what's you definition of a hot cam?

I got family in Grapevine - all I know is when next we visit, I'm gonna look you up for a ride to see how an LS1 compares to the old-tech SBC in my GTO! I'm getting antsy to install my downdraft Webers but have to find time to get a few other bits done first (like relocate the motor aft from the Scarab location). I just ordered my T-56 bellhousing kit from Mcleod and my buddy TrickZ has a pedal assembly for me and that TH350 is gonna be history! My first V-8 Z-car/GTO had a Doug-Nash 5-speed - what's called Richmond Gear nowadays.

Hey denny411, did you make a cardboard templATE FOR YOUR FRONT PLATE OR DOES SOMEBODY HAVE ONE AVAILABLE? Damn - caps locks! Anyway why don't you go ahead and show folks a picture of your setup? I notice nobody said boo when you mentioned it. My pal Lloyd (who has TTed his SBC install into an S130 chassis) did his with a front plate too. It's a sweet setup!

Hey 250z, is there a picture somewheres on the web of the leather straps for the hood - I presume you offer the pair for US$50 - right?

Thanks Speedracer, I didn't know about the personal gallery. That V-12 is nifty Staledale. As for the bonnet, the hood I presume, 250Z might look at my GTO's hood which is considerably shorter than others I've seen. Eyeball it at http://www.modelsport.com/gto

So I'm about to get around to registering my Z-car based GTO kit car and I'm having nightmares about it's title saying 74 Datsun 260Z? Why? Well, say it's stolen - so I report it and the cops put out an APB for a Z-car and the nightmare plays out as a RPC sitting at an intersection sees this cool looking Ferrari drive by and don't even blink . . . and just like that, it's gone - maybe forever! So, how do you have your kit registered?

Chelle, hi again - Lynn and I will be in Chicago for one of my trade shows (flying in Wednesday the 10th of September and flying out Saturday the 13th), is this our time to meet? John 910-938-3371

How do "I" get to that gallery?

That's certainly a fine example of workmanship, but it's not what I refer to. The automobile I refer to is a reproduction which was listed on eBay and didn't meet reserve (about $135k as I recall). Thanks anyway.

On Feb 27th someone posted a link to a Ferrari replica made of metal. That link points to a gambling site now, does anybody know how to find the site with the original article?

Oh God, Spiirit resorts to toilet humor - you crack me up! In any case, the combination of Ex-Lax and a lack of underwear combine to create a forseeable problem. Fortunately, the solution is both easy and beneficial because you lose a bit more weight by cutting a set of closely aligned holes (both in the seat of the car and the floorboard) thereby allowing for the escape of problematic solids (or are they liquids at that point?). Said solids might otherwise tend to accumulate in the seating area thereby decreasing potential ETs.

Gee Grumpy, I like the whole notion of a 427ci SBC, but why screw with things by adding nitro? Seems like plenty enough power for all kinds of trouble as is :>) Me? I like your ideas of 383 = plenty HP and cheap to boot (relatively). I've already experienced too many ponies in my Z-car (for what I really wanted) and have subsequently pulled horses out. The current incarnation at about 275 horses is too tame and she's gonna get a new motor. Likely that 383 we spoke of. Then again, I probably wouldn't have listened either - the first time . . . when I was still young and stupid. I now have a few gray hairs, so a real 350-375 horse is good enough for me. Asides from that, I occasionally take Lulu out just for the fun, i.e. when going to the post office or the bank - perish the thought at 450 horses! Pictures of Lulu at http://www.modelsport.com/gto

My SBC GTO conversion needs a new fuel pump (it runs out of gas pretty quickly right now) which is likely good as it has a stock type oil pan still. Grumpy sent me a suggestion for a pan (for my road-race style of desires) and that's in the works though I just recently ordered one of the Ford Taurus fans from some online vendor that one of the guys here added a link to in a recent post on cooling (my English teacher is rolling in her grave over that run on sentence, but what the heck). Then my Webers get installed (once the engine is setback and the T-56 gets installed) and then . . . boy it never ends. I guess what I'm saying is, we all have a list of projects. Be glad you have a car, a place to work on it, that it's rust-free, that you have some free labor, etc. Life is good - the alternative sucks! See my work in progress at . . . http://www.modelsport.com/gto

Yee-hah (as they say out your way)! Congrats. I'm especially interested in the weights when you get around to posting the data. Me, I'm not a prospect for an LS1, but I've enjoyed the updates.

Hey Charlie, they look awesome. Who is MSA and how does the engine sit compared to the JTR mounts? I'm kinda wanting to lower and set my engine back some as I have a T-56 to replace the TH350 currently in mine and since I recently bought a set of Weber 48 IDA carbs, lower would be better not just for better CG but for clearance issues too. Tghough I suspect ultimately I'll have to cut my hood, hope springs eternal. There are two measurements I'm most interested in, first, the bellhousing to crankcase mating line in relation to the firewall, and then, the vertical height from the flat surface of the crankcase where the intake manifold sits (before it angles up to meet the heads) to the imaginary line if you laid a straight edge across the front strut towers, i.e. 8", 8 1/2", 9", or? Thanks for your time. JB

Heh-heh, I sure hope 944LT1 comes back and says it was in gear - talk about a no-buck fix :>)