Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

Though I'm sure much better products are available nowdays, I still use, and have never had a problem with Aluminum spray paint on shim or fibre gaskets. Chrysler recommended this for NASCAR teams in the 60's, and generally for several years thereafter, and it works perfectly at even very high compr...

I read this thread over a couple times as I wasn't sure I correctly understood the question. Please correct me if I missed something. I've worked on several pairs of counter rotating marine engines, and in every make I have ever seen, the rear seal is identical on both as the crank seal surface scal...

To answer your original question, cranking compression can not tell you exactly what the static compression ratio actually is, but it is the most important "target" specification of all (in my opinion), and should be the number that dictates final assembly and parts purchases after you hav...

Wife's old '98 Mercedes went about 240,000 miles before she sold it. And that was with a factory supercharger. Ran great when we got rid of it. I wonder what rings that had in it. ---- I've driven a lot of cars. Can't tell the ring size by pressing the accelerator... :D ---- [/b] I can't disagree m...

From your build description I would think the 590 would be about as good as it gets for a flat tappet cam, especially if longevity is a concern. You could probably build a bit more power with with a "fast ramp" (more modern) cam, but the 590 is an amazingly good cam for a max wedge port, 6...

I'm not really clear on exactly which parts you have bought already, but it sounds like you already have the 383, have had a 440 crank machined to clear the low deck block and increase the stroke to 3.92+-, purchased rods for the combo, bought pistons (flat top - dished - domed)? You also state that...

I've had a link saved for years on my computers dealing with this. Unfortunately, all the graphs, tables, and everything but the synopsis (link below) are now PAID access ... Welcome to capitalism 101 I guess. --- Link from an oil company funded research on engine wear VS. temperature. not based on ...

I could give you a several first hand stories of big block Mopars surviving long periods of time (as much as 38 minutes), with no cooling system whatsoever, and winning, or at least placing, in demo derbies. Not that big block Mopars have anything over anything else, it's just that the big Chrysler ...

Belgian: First off you (actually your supplier), have about as much chance of getting sued as those pins had of holding up! Even though the laws are different between our countries, one thing is universal. That is that attorneys want to get paid, and since there is no possibility of punitive damage...

As a true "Gear Head", I find it interesting (and surprising) that anyone still watches or follows NASCAR, or considers it as anything other than low brow entertainment (a.k.a. Pro Wrestling). God forbid that they actually change back to "STOCK"! ... Whats next! roller cams and c...

Mopar doesn't make the blocks, currently World does. I can't answer if they commonly need line hone/boring, but it is what it is! I'm just happy that they (or any performance part) exist at all in todays world.

Are you aware that you are talking about roughly 1 horsepower or possibly less?

If any power or ET gain can be had from cutting out the alternator, There is a problem somewhere else.

It's a matter of physics, not opinion.

Several factors can contribute to your problem. As already pointed out, fuel blends get changed from summer to winter, but I'm guessing that it's a combination of much lower humidity than summer, and normal carbon build-up in your previously new engine (which creates hot spots). I would be intereste...

I can't see how drilling a hole at the back of the block could hurt anything, but even more-so, I can't see how it would help anything (as you said, maybe an ounce of oil). Just look at the front of the block, there is NO webbing there, and I have yet to see a block fail in the lifter valley area. I...

It's sounds like you are looking for stock replacement rods for a 440. If so, why worry about the finite details of the steel? The stock rods if rebuilt with good bolts, will not be the weak link, and virtually any of the aftermarket rods will be infinitely stronger than the stockers. I use the &quo...