anyone building a big block powered T-bucket?

grumpyvette

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
Ive always been rather amazed that there seems to be far more SBC powered t-buckets than almost all the other engine choices COMBINED
yes you occasionally see a few 426 HEMIs, LS and the new hemis
but they seem to be far rarer,
and a couple big block chevys , occasionally
when I was younger, hell one guy I had classes with in engineering school had a t-bucket with a CHRYSLER SLANT 6 with a push button automatic trans
I remember far more guys building the T-buckets (KITS WERE CHEAP AND MOST OF THE GUYS COULD BUY ECONOLINE VAN FRONT STRAIT AXLES AND FORD 9" or BUICK REAR DIFFERENTIALS with a much more varied list of ,
power plant and drive train choices
bben1.png

bben2.jpg

the Buick 455,
caddy 500,
Pontiac 389-455
Chrysler 383-440 wedge
Chrysler 354-392 hemis
and ford 429-460 engines
were hardly rare choices
keep in mind most guys had fairly easy access to larger car power plants and drive train components back in the 1960s-1980s but I still find the lack of variation rather odd?
Id also add that most of the guys would not even consider use of anything but a 4 speed manual transmission when I was younger, but I have to admit that by the mid 80s or so most of the guys I knew had swapped to built up automatics with a high stall converter and there were far more guys who had upgraded to DISC BRAKES, while when I was in high school back in the mid 1960s the large aluminum drum brakes from the fords and buicks were seemingly the hot ticket, especially if you had the large aluminum drum brakes of the buicks

buickdr4.jpg

buickdr1.jpg

buickdr2.jpg

are you working to a set of blue-print style plans, assembling a kit from some supplier, with matching components, or just winging the construction of the tee bucket?
NOW don,t get me wrong, theres not a thing wrong with "WINGING IT" provided you have extensive experience building those cars,
but if not your FAR BETTER OFF following a well designed set of plans, or selecting a prepackaged kit, as purchasing components and assembling them from different sources can pose some problems with parts that won,t fit together easily
a few t-bucket frame and related linked info

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/chassi...notching-rails-from-art-morrison-enterprises/

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Tribute-T-Bucket-Kit-Car,46194.html

http://www.up22.com/t_bucket.htm

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Deluxe-1927-T-Bucket-Frame-Kit,24789.html

http://www.tbucketplans.com/t-bucket-kits/

http://www.welderseries.com/hardcopy/webcatalog.pdf

https://www.olddogstreetrods.com/Chassis.pdf

http://www.hotrod.com/cars/featured/0707sr-1923-ford-t-bucket/

www.tbuckets.com

www.spiritindustries.com

www.speedwaymotors.com

www.californiacustomroadsters.com
http://www.tbucketplans.com/the-youngster-free-t-bucket-frame-plans/

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Nosta...0&cadevice=c&gclid=CKD64pa31McCFQyoaQod0s4AFg

http://www.tbucketplans.com/t-bucket-kits/

http://www.tbucketplans.com/

http://www.streetrodplans.com/91-2/

tepl1.jpg

tepl2.jpg


tlpl3.jpg


When the Mark IV was installed in production vehicles for the first time in 1965, it carried the Turbo-Jet name on the air cleaner, displaced 396 cubic inches, and was rated at a maximum of 425 horsepower in the Corvettes.

Here’s a quick look at milestones in the big-block’s expanding and contracting history of displacement:

396 cid – introduced in 1965, with 4.094-in. x 3.760-in. bore and stroke (first production Mark IV engine).

427 cid – introduced in 1966, with 4.250-in. x 3.760-in. bore and stroke (aluminum versions used in COPO supercars).

366 cid – introduced in 1968, with 3.935-in. x 3.760-in. bore and stroke (tall-deck; used in truck applications).

402 cid – introduced in 1970, with 4.125-in. x 3.760-in. bore and stroke (advertised as 396 cid).

454 cid – introduced in 1970, with 4.250-in. x 4.000-in. bore and stroke.

502 cid – introduced in 1988, with 4.466-in. x 4.000-in. bore and stroke (Gen V block, originally developed for non-automotive applications; adapted later by Chevrolet Performance).

572 cid – introduced in 2003, with 4.560-in. x 4.375-in. bore and stroke (developed by Chevrolet Performance; no production vehicle applications).

dialborega.png

http://www.tooltopia.com/fowler-72-646-300.aspx


 
Last edited by a moderator:
There aren't many T Buckets around here, but a few have small block Fords. I get nailed for not having a Ford engine in a Ford a lot.

My Idea of a hot rod is an engine swap to get things started. There is a Cadillac (early 70's) convertible not far from my house. Hasn't run for a few years but these TV shows have people expecting unrealistic prices for old cars today.

Sure would like to get a hold of that engine . I'm thinking it is 470 or 500. That would SMOKE THE TIRES AT WILL,FROM A 60 MPH ROLLING START in a T Bucket.
 
There are just a Few hardcore racer type of guys left Grumpy.
My thoughts tonight.

Thinking most are content with SBC power & its dirt cheap to build.
BBC is pretty much unknown to today's younger generation.
Really its just LS-1 - LSx.
We see that every day on Digital Corvette, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, & C7.

The Baby Boomer Gen has aged Grumpy. Only You are still HP & Race happy Proud.
Rest want creature comforts & vintage Air A/C. Immediate giveaway they will never ever drag race let alone street race.

My Generation at 45 years old ........Its Just Me & '70 Bird man.
Pontiac V8 power. & I like BBC.

Phils Gen..........Race anything if they can find and afford it.
 
Only one way to bring back the Glory in Full Grumpy.
GO DRAG RACING .
Unfortunately the Bar has been raised so high by Warbirds Hellcats most are not interested.
Just Myself, Phil, & You Grumpy.

The Worst that ever happened to this Hobby is that Pro Touring Movement .
Turned the bunch into a wanna B's.
Cars are the Furthest from what's needed to Win Drag Racing.

Corvette has lost to the Hellcats.

Not My 1970-1/2 TA. STILL FULL RACE.
 
I am currently building my T with a 454 from a 78 dually. As of this writing it is bone stock with the 791 heads removed. If the rotating assembly checks out I will leave it alone and just put a street friendly cam in it (possibly the smallest thumpr cam) and rebuild the heads. I have a Weiand Stealth intake for it already.
 
Last edited:
there are FAR better cams than the CC THUMPR SERIES
I build a good many big block engines and you DO have other choices that will produce better power

BTW if your 496 -540 displacement BBC combo you build ,
includes an engine with at least 10:1 compression and a cam with at least 240 duration at .050 lift, and oval port heads, youll almost always find a single plane intake has some advantages over a dual plane intake.
https://www.holley.com/products/intakes/single_plane_manifolds/parts/7620
7620_2[583x].jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I agree. That's the first one that came to mind. I have built several small blocks but this will be my first bigblock.
 
I’m building a T Bucket with a Vortech 454. It will have a very long wheelbase (think front engine dragster) and yes, it will be supercharged!
 
I don't care for the look of the LS engines, and I think I would puke if I saw one in a T bucket.
 
JohnHancock said:
I’m building a T Bucket with a Vortech 454. It will have a very long wheelbase (think front engine dragster) and yes, it will be supercharged!
Click to expand...
Good to see you back on the forum John, don't stay away so long this time !!!;)

Tell us more about your plans for this TBucket
 
Russell I could be wrong here,but it would seem like your not all that concerned with making the most of that BBC 454, engine power potential, thats fine.
if your just looking to build the engine for its visual impact., a set of tall cast or chrome valve covers and your choice of several intake manifolds,
careful paint work, on the block,and impressive headers, can potential give you that "LOOK" without having to invest much in parts

JohnHancock once we know more about your intended power range and budget limits we can surely suggest some component choices,
but keep in mind if the intention is to drive the car on the street, you'll want to think carefully about power/rpm range & durability
most components that are designed for 1/4 mile racing won,t work on a car that might be used for taking a couple hundred mile cruise at highway speeds.
you could easily build a low 10, or even a mid 9 second big block car with a mildly improved 454-540 BBC,that would be useful for trips and street drive-able.
but the drive train suspension and tires, brakes , engine and transmission fluid,cooling and transmission durability and shift points will be more critical than,
the getting the max potential power from the engine in that light weight car.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-calculators-and-basic-math.10705/#post-72061

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/another-496bbc.5123/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/picking-a-cam-for-street-strip-496-bbc.13384/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-car-craft-magazine-big-bang-big-block.10830/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/striders-540bbc.1356/
 
I built my avatar in 1972 and drove it for over 100,000 miles in a 9 year period. I had a 588 cu.in. Dragster that ran 7.50@175 so speed I’d not my goal. I’m now 72 so my power is not my goal. I just love the front engine dragster look so that is my motavation for this build. Hanging with Indy Cars will make me have to step up my game!!
 
Guys, the more I poke around this site the more I find out how much I don’t know! When I started my build I thought I would just stick a blower on a stock Vortech 454 and drive on down the road. Not really needing more power than that would give me. Now I’m starting to reconsider that train of thought! You guys are going to cost me MONEY! Lol
 
yeah, but were also not going to have you sitting on the side of the road wondering why you spent $4K-$6K on a project that blew up a week or two, after the engine was assembled
 
JohnHancock said:
Now I’m starting to reconsider that train of thought! You guys are going to cost me MONEY! Lol
Click to expand...

Cool !!!

So lets get started planning, what are going for 600-700 or maybe 800 HP?? How radical
cam are you think? Yada yada yada ???
 
Testing to see if I can post a picture. This is a car I built from a stock ‘32 Ford about 25 years ago.
index.php
 

Attachments

  • 4D3ECC64-1C1F-4971-9276-6348F0620CCE.jpeg
    4D3ECC64-1C1F-4971-9276-6348F0620CCE.jpeg
    175.8 KB · Views: 66
Yep, you got the magic touch with pics! Nice car, guess you sold it to fund another project?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top