The Floyd Brothers 68 Barracuda Fastback

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Mon Mar 09, 09 7:50 am

TyreFryer wrote: Are you ready for some headers yet Stu?

As it happens, just about are, yes Mate!

Anytime that's good for you?

Will update in the next couple of days, been workshop building and waiting for parts.

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Mar 11, 09 3:32 pm

Thank's to Miles for getting our new cam and lifters to Essex and Ivor for picking them (and a nice ali rad from Mr Wiseman) up!

Feel much better today as a load of parts turned up on the doorstep! Postie abandoned the new timing gear on the doorstep (signed for, recorded delivery, my arse

) for me to trip over as I answered the door to a courier from Real Steel with the rings and bearings.

Game on!

Been depressing not being able to crack on with it, just seeing it all sitting there.

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Wed Mar 11, 09 6:10 pm

Amost seems a shame to get 'em all dirty

Stu · Post by **Stu** » Wed Mar 11, 09 6:14 pm

RobTwin wrote: Stu - you sure that's trans fluid? Looks like stigmata to me

Only just copped this.

I might be a good catholic boy, Rob, but I think he picks more deserving subjects.

Milesnmiles wrote:Amost seems a shame to get 'em all dirty

Almost... But naaaaaaah!

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Mar 24, 09 12:06 pm

Another weekend come and gone, and a little more progress on the engine though not as much as we had hoped.

I drove up to sunny Shropshire on saturday morning to find that Stu had already got the heads stripped and checked. Sadly we ran into the first problem of the day when the valve seats turned out to be cracked. Not a serious problem though as we just happened to have ended up with a second pair of heads

So with the second set of heads stripped for inspection, yes, you guessed it we discovered that these had knackered seats too

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Mar 24, 09 12:17 pm

Gareth, I've got valve seat cutters, if you want to see if you can save those valve seats...assuming the crack doesn't go too far...

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Mar 24, 09 12:29 pm

Ivor, i'm not sure how far "too far" is to be honest. We have a couple of seats with cracks though one is noticably deeper than the other.
Here's another photo. This one is the finer of the two cracks.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Mar 24, 09 12:41 pm

hmm, I think the only option is a couple of inserts, though it may be cheaper to find a couple of sound heads...I can't remember would a pair of 340 heads do you?

Post by **TyreFryer** » Tue Mar 24, 09 12:52 pm

Headers are now ready for pickup whenever you like Stu/Gareth.

Gareth · Post by **Gareth** » Tue Mar 24, 09 2:09 pm

Ivor wrote:hmm, I think the only option is a couple of inserts, though it may be cheaper to find a couple of sound heads...I can't remember would a pair of 340 heads do you?

You are probably right Ivor, in that it may be cheaper to source another pair of heads. Are 340 heads the same as 360 heads ? If so wouldn't the larger ports lower compression and probably not benefit our engine ? We have only basic mods planned including cam, eddy performer intake, 4bbl carb and headers. I still haven't quite got my head around which smallblock heads fit what. I'll have to break the books out again.

TyreFryer wrote:Headers are now ready for pickup whenever you like Stu/Gareth.

Cheers Martin, will PM you to arrange pickup.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Tue Mar 24, 09 2:32 pm

340/360 heads are usually the same. Fitting them to a 318 works well as far as I know? I am sure people often do that. You will not loose compression. The chambers will be about the same size and the bigger ports and valves will help flow.

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Tue Mar 24, 09 3:45 pm

A far as i have read and discussed with various small block guys. 360 heads on a 318 will lower compression as 360 heads have 72-74cc chamber and 318 heads have 62-64cc chambers so the 360 heads need to be skimmed heavily and so will the inlet manifold to match the heads.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Mar 24, 09 4:09 pm

There may be an extra specially economical Floyd Brothers second favourite price 340 heads available...and if Anton is right, you could even run the car on Paraffin!

MilesnMiles · Post by **MilesnMiles** » Tue Mar 24, 09 4:22 pm

360 head chambers can cc up to 78. General view is that 318 compression is often lower than stated, add 360 heads and compression will hurt. Can skim heads a lot but then you have to skim inlet and its a whole bunch of cash.
I have 2 spare 318 heads for free but i'm not going to ship them. If anyone is down my way and wants to collect them they are very welcome.

Ivor · Post by **Ivor** » Tue Mar 24, 09 4:31 pm

Thanks Anton and Miles...good info, looks like the 340 heads will remain on the shelf!