The Big Bang

At least that was the sound from my car today on the track at SAAC-33 followed by a BIG puff of smoke. Car is now at my buddy's shop awaiting further diagnosis. Engine will have to come out.

That's how it goes. You put a car on the track, you take a risk. Updates later as we take things apart. My guess is I dropped a valve and put a hole through the piston of my 427. Its only money, its only money, its only money... And time.

I'll post pictures as they become available.

 

Thanks Patty. It is just part of the game. Anyway, the car is at Perogie Enterprises for engine removal and diagnosis. I've known these guys for about thirty years and they have helped me out of some tight situations in the past. Like I said before, it is only time and money and I expect to be running again by the next AFN at Carlisle in June, 2009.

I also have some other big block experts near me, 422 Motorsports. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting advise or work done.

Here is a picture of the car on the hook (thanks Dominick and Diane). The number on the side of the car is 40. You can see a better redering in the user gallery. More pictures as they become available.


Sorry I missed you at T-Bolt Raceway. I didn't have any way to contact you.

 

Joe,

The address you have should be still be good as I haven't changed any in years.I don't recall seeing it come through however. It could have gotten caught in the spam filter by accident.

 

Hi Rich, good to hear from you.

I'd love to see any video you have of the car. Let me know if there is a way you can send it to me. Thanks!

Fortunately, the "mishap" happened at the end of the session so everyone got their alotted time on the track. I'm not sure about the "D" group that came after us. They may have had a delayed start. One of the more unhappy things is that I had paid for four sessions and only got to use one. Guess I should have bought a registry instead of those other three sessions. As for the white smoke, I'll find out what caused that when I take the engine apart. That is at least a couple of weeks away.

 

Well we finally know what caused the "Big Bang". As suspected, I sucked a valve. Here are the first shots of the damage:


Broken Valve Spring, No. 4 Cylinder - 427 MR


Hole in Piston, No. 4 Cylinder - 427 MR (Note how piston is twisted in bore.)


Right Side Cylinder Head, - 427 MR

I'll have more after I take the short block apart tomorrow (I hope).

 

Haven't seen it yet, but reports are that it will need a sleeve. I'll take pictures tomorrow.

 

I think the main cause was a spring. The valves were Manleys. Don't think I'll be able to pony up for a 427 long block. This one will probably have to be sleeved. I'll know more when I see the engine in person later today. Still, I have visions of aluminum heads dancing in my head. Don't know if I'll be able to do that though.

 

OK, it's been more than a year since my last post on this subject. A lot has happened in the intervening time. The engine as been rebuilt and is on the dyno cart. We should test next week. Here is a quick run down as to what was done:
Sleeved No. 4 cylinder
Overbored block by .017 to 4.25
pistons - Diamond Racing
heads - Shelby aluminum 427 MR w/ Manley valves and associated hardware
roller camshaft - Bullet Racing Cams
new intake - Blue Thunder reproduction C7ZX w/ CJ ports



The paint is not that light in color, just looks that way in the picture. The headers will have to be recoated.

Here is what a Shelby aluminum 427 MR head looks like.



And the Blue Thunder C7ZX-9425-A intake.



More information to come...

 

Been planing on that. Anyone want to take a guess at how much it will make? The winner get a ride.

 

OK, here goes.

CR should be about 10.5:1.



Sorry, not such a great picture.

Cam specs:

Duration @ .050: Int - 252, Ext - 262
Lift: Int - .638, Ext - .624

Heads flow:
Int - 280 cfm @ 28 in H2O
Ext - 185 cfm @ 28 in H2O
Intake valve diameter is 2.25 in., exhaust is 1.75 in.