Custom-built,
fully-welded, mandrel-bent exhaust: 3"x18" collectors with
cutouts welded in, followed by 2-1/2" tubing all the
way to the bumper incorporating my old Thrush California Turbo
mufflers. I also welded bungs into each header collector
for oxygen sensors to help me determine my air-fuel ratio
for tuning purposes but I haven't hooked them up yet. For more info and pics on the
exhaust, click here.
New
Holley 750 carb, MSD Pro Billet distributor, and MSD
Blaster 3 coil
New
graphite-impregnated leaf spring eye bushings
New
Herb Adams 3-way adjustable rear shocks with extenders. These stiffer
shocks prevent the tires from rubbing in almost all
situations, not to mention a slight improvement in handling and response.
New (to me) iron Bow Tie heads (#034) along with Crane Gold full-roller
rockers
Summary:
After
a couple weeks of testing (with all going well), I drove it
860 miles in one day to
Kentucky for the 2nd Annual Nova List
Gathering. When I got there my clattering rocker arms reminded me that
I hadn't done a final
valve adjustment. I did that the next day but in doing so I found that two
pushrods and two rocker arms didn't care for each other and were
toast. I got socked at a Chevy dealership for $43 for two rockers
and two pushrods. About a month later I completely broke a rocker
arm, I think due to inadequate rocker stud clearance.
I bought
another new rocker, clearanced it more than before, and all was well.
Now I've got the Bow Tie heads and roller rockers, so it's no longer an issue.
I didn't make the 12s in the
quarter as I had hoped, I only got down to
13.32@103.21 with the cutout
caps removed, but I guess I'm okay with that. I just needed a
looser converter and some nicer weather (it was about 83 degrees
with 100% humidity) to run the number. At least that's my theory. I'll find out
if I was right in 2001.
I put about 7500 miles on the new motor in 2000 and except for the duration of
the head swap and winter, it's my daily driver ever since I got it running well
in early June. What could be better?
Here are the final 2000
specs for my car:
My Engine:
'73 350 block from a Nova SS, align-honed, decked, and
bored .030" over
MSD Pro Billet distributor and Blaster 3 Power Tower coil
Hooker Competition 1-5/8" headers
Mandrel-bent 2-1/2" dual exhaust all the way to the rear bumper with collector extensions, cutouts, oxygen sensors (not installed yet), and Thrush California Turbo mufflers
The Rest of the Driveline:
TH 350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit (which I highly
recommend!)
