First ride

[Subfixer]

With everything put together, I was able to take the 64 with the 365 dressed/LT-1 cammed 327 out for a quick 5 minute ride yesterday.

What a difference from the 300hp configuration! With the M20 trans and 3.36 rear, the car takes off effortlessly. Once on the gas, the difference was nothing short of amazing. Great power throughout the RPM range. About scared myself when I opened it up. First, I thought I was slipping the clutch during the 1-2 shift only to figure out it was the tires spinning. Then came the 2-3 shift when the car went completely sideways. :eek Guess my rudimentary alignment needs some professional help. After a couple of runs up and down the street (back road, no kids), I put it away before I hurt myself.

Power steering worked perfectly, brakes whoa'd me down without any pulling, rode real smooth with the new Bilstein HD's.

A couple of small things to finish it up, and should be 100% roadworthy by next weekend. :bang

Yup, I'm a happy camper....

 

[BarryK]

congrats on your first drive and kudo's for all your work.
glad to hear everything worked well. you must be thrilled

 

[BarryK]

oh, meant to ask you.........

with the LT-1 cam, how is your power below 3500rpm's?
i have a 327/365 in my '65 with the M20 (i think it's a M20) and a 4:11 rear. from start until about 3500rpm mine feels very sluggish - i'd almost say it feels like grandma's car, but once you hit 3500rpm hang on........
i love my car but really wished it had better low-end torque. i understand the LT-1 cam helps somewhat with that while only losing very little at the top end. i'm rarely ever at 6000-6500 rpm so would easily give up some top end power for more low-end torgue.

 

[Subfixer]

I would say there is very little difference in the way it feels at low rpms between what I remember with the 300hp setup and now with the LT-1 cam (it's been about 20 months). I had no issues with sluggishness. I think the lower first gear of the M20 vs M21 helps that. I really didn't notice a real "rush" come on at any rpm. It just pulled like gangbusters all the way to 6000 rpm and got there a lot quicker than it used to. The new carb (stock 2818) is so smooth that I couldn't even feel the secondaries open.

BTW, the car runs this good on 87 octane. No pinging or hesitation at all. Pistons are .060 over 10.25 cr. I spent a lot of time going over the timing as outlined in posts by SWC Duke and Lars. I think that has a lot to do with how well the engine is running. Initial timing 10* BTDC. All centrifical advance in by 2500 rpm. Using a Napa VC1810 vacuum can.

 

[ctjackster]

oh, meant to ask you.........

with the LT-1 cam, how is your power below 3500rpm's?
i have a 327/365 in my '65 with the M20 (i think it's a M20) and a 4:11 rear. from start until about 3500rpm mine feels very sluggish - i'd almost say it feels like grandma's car, but once you hit 3500rpm hang on........
i love my car but really wished it had better low-end torque. i understand the LT-1 cam helps somewhat with that while only losing very little at the top end. i'm rarely ever at 6000-6500 rpm so would easily give up some top end power for more low-end torgue.

I'll let Sub answer, but I have to say, even with the well known "not a torque monster at low revs" L76, it should NOT feel like granny's car up to 3500 rpm, especially with your 4.11 rear - I have the exact same set up (as you know) and I can still play stop light drag wars (against ricers with fart cans) with the sort of confidence that granny's ride would not allow. And I don't even think mine is running at its full potential. You might want to have the dwell/timing checked, and then the mech advance system checked (weights moving freely, appropriate springs) but that is just one man's opinion.

 

[Sting Ray]

Congrats on the first ride, sounds like tires might be one of the whileima****, at least after you burn them of


Tom M

 

[BarryK]

hi ct

you are probably correct. even after having the distributor completely rebuilt last year i continued to have isuues getting dwell and timing correct. i've never been happy with the low end power and i agree that the timing issues are most likely the cause. i've had two highly recommended mechanics work on it (one was so bad i wouldn't go to him again if he was the last mechanic on earth). both were old hotrodders/ racers and supppose to be excellent but even after the distributor rebuild i felt the car just wasn't where it should be. when i can drive again i'll have to find someone else to try to solve that timing mystery.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Subfixer,

I'm real happy for you. What a great way to start the early summer. Enjoy!


(More photos please. )

 

[Subfixer]

Barry, If you are all healed up by August, maybe we can help tune that baby up at Carlisle.

 

[BarryK]

that sounds great sub!
as soon as i heard the dr. say it was broken and it would be 8 weeks i started counting out the time until carlise.
i should be able to start driving her end of july so carlisle event is still on for me at least. yeah!
i'll take you up on your offer if it's still good by the time we get there thanks!!

 

[paul67]

Congratulations on the first drive. Irene Cara (Flashdance) - "What a Feeling!".

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

Heh Congrats Paul,
Glad to hear everything is cool. Maybe it would make for a nice ride down for my Body Drop Party.....Eeeehh??

In a email from Barry K ..it sounds like he's up to something...he might be coming to the Body Drop with his car. Also heard from "Kid_Again" who might show up with his fresh BB Crate 454 Sweet Thunder Vert.

John Lolli will be coming over.....weather or not he'll bring his BB Cp or not is anyones guess. But I think he will as long as the weather's good ..and Rob has plenty of wooded off street parking. Bruce is coming in his Rat Wagon 62. :L So it sounds like the BS artist's are lining up for a Corvette BS Body drop party.

Maybe will see you their........

 

[1KULC7]

Congrads...many more safe and happy miles...

 

[IH2LOSE]

What A great feat,If I understand last year there were concrens of you being able to safely drive you car away from a tuning day because of a rotten frame?

Great job. put a few miles on it and then get back under it and check everything again.

it may sound silly because you just completed building it,But saftey first check check and recheck

 

[4WDVETTE]

Way to go Paul. With the progress you have made, I think all you must be doing is work on vette, go to real job, work on vette, go to real job - oh yeah - sleep some time. Wish you could make it to VNV's body drop. We could critique and eat Mark's food all day.


Steve.

 

[Subfixer]

All this and I'm in the middle of a complete first floor remodel of my house too. Replacing 14 windows next week.

Still won't be able to make it to VNV's. A good friend is retiring from the Navy and his ceremony is Friday 3 June and party on Saturday the 4th.

Hope everyone has as much fun as the last time.

 

[Viet Nam Vett]

All this and I'm in the middle of a complete first floor remodel of my house too. Replacing 14 windows next week.

Still won't be able to make it to VNV's. A good friend is retiring from the Navy and his ceremony is Friday 3 June and party on Saturday the 4th.

Hope everyone has as much fun as the last time.

Well ..we'll drink a few beers for you. In fact will let Steve drink yours.

This won't be as big a deal as the tranny party. That was an all day event. We should only have about 1 1/2 hours worth of work to drop the body on and clean up a few things.

 

[4WDVETTE]

I don't even clean up after myself at home - just ask my wife. So, just what are we 'cleaning up'?

 

[Z28Canuck]

Congratulations, great news! . The pace you guys set for yourselves! Unbearable! What an accomplishment to get to this point and still have the whole summer ahead of you to enjoy. Good luck with all the work on the house too. Hope you get some "spare" time for cruising.