Good Combo

[tubbed55]

I am building a 1955 Chevy Truck Prostreet. The truck has a Ford 9" 4.11 gears with 31X18.5X15 tires and a 400 Trans. With maybe a 2800-3000 stall? I will use the truck manly for driving to the meets and shows with very little track time. I want a nasty idle and good power. I am gathering all my parts for my motor build. Here is what I was thinking and would appreciate any input on what to add or change. I am using a 454 40 over block, stock stroke, stock rod size. I will shoot for 10.0 to 10.5 compression, I have a set of Merlin 320 CC iron rect port heads with 2.30/1.88 valves, A Weiland Team G dual plane intake and was planning on using a Mighty Demon 825 carb DS or VAC? I want to use a Roller Hyd camshaft. I was looking into the Comp Cams Magnum 304HR 244/244 @50 621/621 Lift 110 LC. Thanks, Ronnie

[nxtruck]

I'm not a big block guy, so don't be too hard on me. To me, everything looks good with the exception of the heads. A 320cc rect. port head seems a bit overkill on a 10.5 comp., hyd. valvetrain street driver. I know that the LS6 bbcs had a pretty big head on them, too, but this truck would benefit from a bit smaller head that would bump the torque up. If you could find a good oval port factory casting, in my opinion, you'd be money and torque ahead.
If you already have the heads but not a crank, why don't you put a 4.25 stroke crank in it and have yourself a 496? The extra cubes would tolerate the bigger heads better, and a 496 would have that much more torque than the 4.00 stroke motor. Just some ideas...

[joeys66pickup]

Im building the exact same thing but using a 12bolt truck rear and a 396ci to start off with and I would go with NXtruck, the torque will get you moving alot better i had thought these year trucks were lighter WRONG!!!! pretty much the same if not for alittle better looking in my opinion(probably traded for off aerodynamics though) I went with some old closed chamber oval ports with 2.19 1.88(might be .72 have to check) really nice to get er' goin but run out of steam upstairs thats why i go max 6000rpm with em

[Super73]

Just food for thought.. Based on the cam being installed straight up and not degreed:

10.49 static compression would net you 7.42 dynamic compression.

10.99 SCR would net you 7.76 DCR

11.5 SCR would net you 8.11 DCR

12.0 SCR would net you 8.44 DCR.


You should be ok running up to 8.5 DCR with pump gas. With doing that, you are going to gain a bit of bottom end and also a little more up top. Just make sure your tune is solid.

[tubbed55]

I have the crank, rods, already so would just rather use them instead of buying a stroker kit. I got a great deal from a friend on the rect intake and rect heads that are already freshed up and ready to install. I have a set of 049 factory oval ports but them will need everything rebuilt$$$$. All I need is the pistons, cam, carb and the major parts are had. Thanks for everyones input so far. Super 73 so when piston shopping I should look for a 11.5 to 12.0 compression ratio, install the cam straight up and should be good. I had a friend suggest a Lunati Hyd roller cam with 241/249 625 lift on 110 LC.

[Alex1]

The heads will be fine - use them. But they would work better with a 496! That team G intake, I thought it was a single plane? The combo doesn't look that bad actually - I would use a Holley 850cfm.

[tubbed55]

I thought all the Team G intakes were single plane also. My buddy had this inatke in his shop and said it is a dual plane. He said he believes Weiland made dual plane Team G's before they changed the name to "stealth" or "action plus". Here is a picture of the intake. Is the Holly carb a personal preference or is one better then the other? Was unsure if a 825 or 850 mighty deamon or 850 Holly would be better. Was told by several people the idle ease of th edemaon was a great thing.

[joeys66pickup]

just realized something.....Wheres pictures of said 55'? me want to see bad

[tubbed55]

Still a work in progress. This is the most recent pic I have. I have since replaced the front end with a Mustang II front. The doors have been installed and the cab is almost ready for paint.

[Alex1]

I've only used Holley I'm sure the demon carb is OK -I've just heard of nightmares with 'em. The Holley will idle fine as well.

I guess you were right that team G is a dual plane.

Good luck with the build.

[joeys66pickup]

I LOVE YOUR WHEEL COMBO!!!! holy crap that is awesome looking

[Super73]

Originally Posted by tubbed55

Super 73 so when piston shopping I should look for a 11.5 to 12.0 compression ratio, install the cam straight up and should be good. I had a friend suggest a Lunati Hyd roller cam with 241/249 625 lift on 110 LC.

Well, yes you should consider that but also keep in mind head gasket thickness. I'm not sure if anyone can help you on optimal quench for that head design, but if you can figure that out first, then select the piston. But I would think a .035-.045 gasket would put you pretty close to proper quench.

Do you know the CC's of the head chambers?

[tubbed55]

119 cc..

[dragula]

The only thing I would probably change is the intake. I would go with the Edelbrock Victor 454-R, MSD billet dist. 6AL box would make for a good combo!!

[tubbed55]

I have decided to go with the Erson 238/246 @050 621/621 lc 108 I have a friend that is going to give me a set of headers that will fit the frame wells of my truck. I am sure they are not the best for my application but they were given to me. They were bolted to a motor but never started. They are ceramic coated "Rewarder" brand block huggers. When I measure them they have 1-3/4" primaries and 2-1/2" collectors. I am measureing the collector inside diameter? Will these at least work for me or should I just wait and save money for another set? Unsure If I use them and they suck then I would not be able to sell as much as if they were on a unstarted car.