Midwest lifer

M

Motorhead

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Hello. I am a fan of mainly American Iron. GM in the auto/truck world. Lowered & Retro Pro Street. Street Freaks are fine as well. Presently the herd includes a 1961 Bubble Top that has a major transformation this Spring. A 2 inch per side Narrowed 9", 434 sbc, beefed 350 turbo. All work done by Clint Cambell at C & L Engine & Machine. A pair of old 16x8.5 5 spoke mags for the rear. 4 wheel disc brakes. The previous cruiser motor was a .060 307/350 turbo open 3.08 rear. Next up 1977 short bed Chevy that has the leaf springs inboard so that the biggest Mickey Thompson Sportsmans fit. A 1972 Oldsmobile 455 was stone stock for 10 years. Now said motor was built top to bottom by Clint^^. +.30 decked/line honed/balanced. 10-1 comp, Brand new Aluminum heads were blueprinted (guides so tight he said maybe 2000 miles) shaved, custom ground Clay Smith cam (flat tappet) roller rockers. The intent of this motor was air/cruise/tilt all day interstate. An 1982 2WD Blazer (Swiss cheesed floor boards) waits in the wings as well. Beater-cruiser is the intent. Another old days type motor was built by Clint. 383 budgeted by shaving 882 head & 2.02 valves, cast stroker kit because RPMS are not for this one. Nor the HP heads. What brought me here was researching the 'net for BBC builds & this place would pop up every time. I am ready to start a 454 old days build using 049s. A stroker kit will bring up the torque. Goal 500 horse 600 torque flat solid tappet.
 
Welcome Motorhead. '61 Bubbletop - we need pictures. Sounds like some nice builds. You should like it here.
 
one of the guys I went too college with, had a black version of that 1961 bubble top,
we installed a 409 and 4 speed in it the car in my first year of college ,1969 ,
he had the complete interior redone in what I felt was a huge mistake...
blood red roll and pleat, plastic metal flake interior.
the combo of blood red metal flake interior ,
redflake.jpg

lots of chrome and shiny black exterior made the car stand out,
thats for sure!

yes a 454 BBC build will noticeably boost performance.
 
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IMG_6150.JPG This was an old class racer from the late '60's in the Tulsa OK area. It was then put back on the street as a serious Midnight Drags bandit. I scored it in 1984 from benath an Oak tree, no motor trans, rear end. A 325 hp 396 w/a Crane cam, Hedman headers/400 turbo/10 bolt camaro posi went in. drove it for year.
 
Motorhead said:
View attachment 11567 This was an old class racer from the late '60's in the Tulsa OK area. It was then put back on the street as a serious Midnight Drags bandit. I scored it in 1984 from benath an Oak tree, no motor trans, rear end. A 325 hp 396 w/a Crane cam, Hedman headers/400 turbo/10 bolt camaro posi went in. drove it for year.
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I Love Old Race Cars & Vintage Gassers, original & modern day builds !
 
IMG_3802.JPG This is an unrestored unit from the '60s. I buffed glazed, sealed the paint & polished the metal durning an all night deal. It had been in a small collection in WA & a former roommate from TX/OK purchased it. All running gear, interior, glass, paint, decals, ect are original. Just the wheel tires are new. It had not been polished for like 40 or more years. They were on their way to the East Coast for a gathering of Jr Stock Reunion. Back 5 years or so.
 
love the photos and details!!
Ive worked on dozens of the 1955-57 chevy's ,
I love the old muscle car engine compartment's room around the engines.
compared to the newer cars they (the 1955-about 1973 muscle cars)are pleasure to work on!
 
IMG_3817.JPG More detail pix. She runs very well. They were able to wire weld the old OG headers pine holes. He put in new ball joints last summer, and spliced a couple of floor board holes up. The dash paint (no pix) rubbed out quickly. They were floored when the came back the next morning. 6:30 PM-8AM. '50' is not the new 40 for worker bee's. .
 
IMG_3834.JPG The panel that makes them (most) sedan deliveries had a very fine art work depicting the swinging '60's psychedelic vibe. It was the same color as the 'Hustlin Hoosier' on the quarter panels. Time weathered it away. The top is paper thin showing a hint of grey lacquer primer & I only hand rubbed several wet layers of #7 Meguiars. Sweat like a slave in the fields of August.!
 
IMG_3693.JPG The 455 Olds for the Blue '77 in previous post. The aftermarket has finally made mid length headers for these motors the past year.
 
Motorhead said:
View attachment 11585 The 455 Olds for the Blue '77 in previous post. The aftermarket has finally made mid length headers for these motors the past year.
Click to expand...
They are Good Runners Olds 455's.
So are the Olds 425's Super Rocket V8s.
Not modern High Hp. They can be with money spent.
They are Fantastic Torque engines that stay together.
Love the Olds 425 I have.
 
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