451" build --- need some input please

[brads70]

are you running the stage vi chapman heads with this combo?

No I have the semi finished castings, no holes or seats for the valves.

[brads70]

Hey brad just curious but what made you go with a 451 stroker rather than stroking a 440 to 500+ cid? I hear different things in terms of which is better.

Well I just want a cruiser with some balls? I'm just selling a car with way to much power, it was no fun to drive. I know, I know weird talk from a "car guy"    In reality the car will most likley never see a drag strip, or have slicks on it. I chose the 451 over a 512 because , I just don't need a maximum power engine, I really like RPM, and the 451 combo is lighter and shorter. I want to be able to get in it and drive it any where. I'm also looking at the overdrive set up from Keisler ( Gm tranny -4 speed OD) I have already
( half way through summer) blown over $1000 in gas , so the OD would make it more drivable on long hauls and pay for it's self in time too?

[brads70]

I have been dealing with Eric @ Muscle motors for years
No issues great to deal with .
Tell him I sent you

I will ! Thanks Neil!

[brads70]

get heads done first then get a solid roller! dunno why people complain about lash setting  Brad I would get a custom roller done and it aint really that much more money! does your car have an auto? cant remember... as far as lash setting I have a bump button under my hood and use EOIC to set lash and it dont take no time at all! 

Thanks for your input too Jason!
Newbie question .... what's EOIC?  I've never had a solid lifter engine before, after how many miles would one have to adjust the valves? Again I'm wanting something that I can get in and drive anywhere, with no overheating or other headaches. I don't nessesarily need/want maximum power output.

[brads70]

Sold the Buick?  Good for you and now you got some extra $$$ for the Snot Rod!

Tom

Ya, I have mixed feelings about it but I'll comfort myself with a new engine! 

[brads70]

the TF series cam are  on page 185 , For Chry & AMC only with wider .906 lifters

Thanks for that Neil!  What kind of "street maners" does this cam have? Like would I be able to get in it and drive 800 miles and deal with traffic with no problems?

 I'm curoius what cam you used with the engine you talked about that got great mileage? It would be nice to have " my cake and eat it too" as much as possible?

[BB73Challenger]

I chose the 451 over a 512 because , I just don't need a maximum power engine, I really like RPM, and the 451 combo is lighter and shorter.

I'm lovin the extra room in the engine bay... not a ton but now I can change plugs without too much hassle and the headers aren't so tight they knock the shock towers!

Plus, I kept as much from the 440 to transfer to the 400/500... the distributor was NOT one of them. Also, watch your alternator bracket mounting height changes. A couple of minor things in the grand scheme of things!!

ALSO!! My Lunati solid lifter cam makes enough vacuum to power my brakes and I am having no "street manners" issues with it so far... It's really fun to be cruising along in second, build up some RPMs while doing 35 and stomp the gas and smoke the tires... as you get into the cams "happy zone" the motor REALLY comes alive!

Lunati Voodoo solid 3 bolt cam
Part number 60342

Thinking about it again makes me do my little evil laugh 

[brads70]

I'm lovin the extra room in the engine bay... not a ton but now I can change plugs without too much hassle and the headers aren't so tight they knock the shock towers!

Plus, I kept as much from the 440 to transfer to the 400/500... the distributor was NOT one of them. Also, watch your alternator bracket mounting height changes. A couple of minor things in the grand scheme of things!!

Hi Jeff!  Have you had yours all up and running yet? What cam did you go with? How do you like it? I'm thinking I can re-ue my distributor as I can re-use the 440 intake on the stage 6 heads.
 Missed you at Carlisle this year, maybe next year!

[BB73Challenger]

Hi Jeff!  Have you had yours all up and running yet? What cam did you go with? How do you like it? I'm thinking I can re-ue my distributor as I can re-use the 440 intake on the stage 6 heads.
 Missed you at Carlisle this year, maybe next year!

Yeah next year for sure!!
Remember the dizzy sits in the block & is shorter ( hence the 440 being a RB for raised block ) and I had to get a 383-400 intake because again the heads are "closer" together due to the block being shorter.

Believe me, I was dying to use my 440's distrib.. It's a Mopar perf. piece with the adjustable mech. advance. The shaft that rides in the oil pump drive is just too long.

[brads70]

Yeah next year for sure!!
Remember the dizzy sits in the block & is shorter ( hence the 440 being a RB for raised block ) and I had to get a 383-400 intake because again the heads are "closer" together due to the block being shorter.

Believe me, I was dying to use my 440's distrib.. It's a Mopar perf. piece with the adjustable mech. advance. The shaft that rides in the oil pump drive is just too long.

Your right I forgot that!    too many chevy's in my life! 
I know the 440 intake will fit though, that's one of the reasons I went with that head.

[BB73Challenger]

Ohh and yes... I'm back to being able to spike my head with the hood latch. The hood's back on and ready to do some driving
I liked having it off but the authorities frown on it being off here. Made the work & tuning easy.

As far as running, I'm figuring I have some tuning ahead of me, but seems to be running well.

Makes gobs of power from idle to (have not reved high at all) and my street tires can't hold on... especially when the clutch gets dumped.

[BB73Challenger]

I know the 440 intake will fit though, that's one of the reasons I went with that head.

your right with the right equipment you can do it... I do remember that when picking my intake I had a few options. I have the Dominator too, just mine is the 383-400 version. I like it 

[brads70]

Ohh and yes... I'm back to being able to spike my head with the hood latch. The hood's back on and ready to do some driving
I liked having it off but the authorities frown on it being off here. Made the work & tuning easy.

As far as running, I'm figuring I have some tuning ahead of me, but seems to be running well.

Makes gobs of power from idle to (have not reved high at all) and my street tires can't hold on... especially when the clutch gets dumped.

LOL I can't remember how many times I gouged my head on that too before I switched to the T\A hood.   Sure makes ya cuss huh?
Do you remeber what cam you have?

[BB73Challenger]

ALSO!! My Lunati solid lifter cam makes enough vacuum to power my brakes and I am having no "street manners" issues with it so far... It's really fun to be cruising along in second, build up some RPMs while doing 35 and stomp the gas and smoke the tires... as you get into the cams "happy zone" the motor REALLY comes alive!

Lunati Voodoo solid 3 bolt cam
Part number 60342

Thinking about it again makes me do my little evil laugh 

I stuck it in an earlier post... must have went back too far 
2 things.. I'm not an engine builder and I believe by reading it's specs would NOT have picked this cam, I have always run really mild cams.
But after having it, I''m really starting to like it a lot.

[brads70]

I stuck it in an earlier post... must have went back too far 
2 things.. I'm not an engine builder and I believe by reading it's specs would NOT have picked this cam, I have always run really mild cams.
But after having it, I''m really starting to like it a lot.

( oops I missed that) Thanks for your input!   Ya I hear that about not picking this cam .... me too I usually like to keep things under .500" lift....darn Chevy stuff again! LOL