Blew up the 350....here comes the 455 econo build

Here is the timing table I used. 37 degrees may be pushing it? Compression likely only 8.1 to 1 tops. This is an example of the table you can generate with the Progression distributor. You can edit individual cells as well

 

Just curious and know this is about the 455 build now, but want failed on the 350?
I blew up a 350 way back in my teens. And as I could tell back then when I didn’t have a total grasp on engine building let alone what could have happened. It looked like the front of the cam had broken off and sent everything all over. By memory and thinking back it also snapped a rod…don’t remember. What I do remember is fire flashed from under the hood into the windshield from the cowl area. It was at night. Stock 350

 

Don’t remember now if it snapped a rod. That was 40+ years ago! But clearly remember the end of the cam.

 

Guy,
The 350 revved past 5,000 for a few seconds…….was modifying tranni governor, engine started making a clattering sound so made my way home….couple miles oil pressure light came on….parked it, moved onto the budget 455 build. I assume I spun a rod bearing. Never took it apart. It’s in storage as it is the numbers matching engine to the car.

 

What’s the left column? Can you explain the data?

 

Left column is vacuum in kpa, would be more clear if it was hg, but you get used to it. The bottom line is rpm, the cells are timing. Its light years ahead of springs and weights. Too bad the Progression Ignition has dropped providing Buick distributors due to lack of demand.

 

Lose a 1/10th. It all sounds good having the power. The driveline and chassis upgrades are another story. For street cars won’t make a hill a difference.
Heck I’m waiting to hear about aluminum heads availability.
Someone’s gotta have some.

 

Front sway bar on?
If so, loosen drivers side 1/2 way and passenger near end.
Afco makes some great 80/20 shocks. Very street able too. Speedway sells them. I’ve used multiple sets to mid to low 9 sec cars.
Set radials for 17-18 cold. Then don’t touchem.

 

No front sway bar. Removed it a while back, its not a corner carver, so really dont miss it. Afco shocks - thanks
Last run - 13.82 i was using 19.5 lbs in the MT’s.

 

I like the Hoosier tires. Lighter w nylon belts and hook great.

 

Maybe a little more RPM at launch to quell the bog?

 

Ive spoken to Cliff Ruggles, im going to try a slower choke pull off. This will slow down the opening of the air door on the secondaries. Street legals at the track on July 15th.