Jesel valvetrain

[Moridin]

I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the Jesel shaft valvetrain. I find it pretty interesting and am considering the setup for a sbc (If I ever get a chance to build it). Also does anyone know if these would work with a set of Trick Flow heads. I've checked their catalouge, but they seem to only have stuff for Vortec, AFR, etc... Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Oh, and one more dumb question. Is the only difference between a 350 block and a 400 block the cylinder size. I know this seems simple for many, but seeing the search being on and off all the time I just decided to ask.

 

Thanks a lot for any help you can provide.

[Mike C]

I have known several people who have run Jesel shaft rockers and timing belts. All in max effort drag cars. (3000#+ cars running low to mid 8's with big block chevys)Good products. Too much money IMO for a street car. Unless you run over .600 lift and operate at high rpms for and extended period of time (NASCAR, Road Race, Silver State) I don't see the need.7/16" studs and stud girdles are very effective with roller rockers.

The 400 is a siamese cylinder block meaning the insed of each cylinder is connected to the outside of the next. Water does no flow between them necessitating steam holes in the deck of the block and correspondingly in the heads. Most can be identified by 3 frost plugs in the side, but there are some made with just 2. From 70-72 they were all 4 bolt main, mostly 2 bolts after that. Two bolts with the addition of aftermarket splayed main caps are considered more durable.

[Guest Anonymous]

In addition to the siamesed cylinder walls, the 400 block also has larger main bearings.

[Guest Thurem]

Flatlander has Dart blocks with 400 bore and 350 mains from 1669 $. looks like a cool setup, you could stick in a 327 crank and some superlong rods for a cool 350 motor. Somebody did a writeup on a similar combination with an easy 400 hp, with a mild cam.

Thure