27th Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 4

Here is a great ’57 Chevy that was so well done, I had to take some video.

 

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posted with vodpod

 

 

 

  

posted with vodpod

 

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posted with vodpod

 

 

posted with vodpod

This was a fantastic Car!!!

Thanks for reading
Tim

27th Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 3 – The Trucks

Next up…The trucks.

There were some beautiful and well done trucks at this show. Check them out!!

This pick-up was off in a corner of the lot...

There was a window crank between the two front windows for opening them up.

More coming up.

Thanks for reading.

Tim

27 Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 2 – Corvette Action

Here is Part 2  this is the Corvette action.

First I really liked this striping on this ’77 Vette.

 

Look closely at the next few photos the stripe moves from dark to almost white.

 

 

 

Oh...and the stance on this is just extraordinary!

 

One more 77 .

One on looker called this a plain jane Vette, I told him there's no such thing!!!

 

Here are the 50’s era Vettes.

 

A little video clip…I didn’t add the music.

 

 

And the 60’s Vettes.  The silver 63 is Steve Fagan’s.  Owner of Hot Rods and Classics, located here in Tucson.  They do great work including a lot of my engine work for the Mustang, which helped me win my First Car Show Trophy!!  His Corvette has taken two trophies in the last two shows.

Steve Fagan's 64

Little more of Steve’s StingRay

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Steve’s, posted with vodpod

The driver in the red Vette caused a few nervous moments as it took her a few tries to get into that parking spot.

Here’s another shot of the 60’s Vettes

1960's

Coming up next -the trucks!!!

Thanks for reading.

Tim

 

 

27 Annual Chevy Showdown, Tucson, AZ Part 1

27 Annual Chevy Showdown sponsored by Classic Chevy Club of Tucson and held at  Catalina Foothills High School.

So for the next few posts, sit back and enjoy the show. (Ok…no whining about some of the Videos….  (:^))

I loved the collection of Corvairs.  Oh…and wait until you see the one with the V8 shoved inside.

The Corvairs:

Yenko Stinger 1

Yenko Stinger Engine Compartment Cover (rear hood?) Love the vents.

WHAT!!?!?!?!? YES!!!!!

Yenko!!

Corvair - Drop Top

Chromed!!!

The Yenko and a late arrival.

Are you ready for this?   Next two videos – the Corvair with the V8.

Thanks for reading.  More coming up.

Tim

It’s Spring Time….and Beehives are the Buzz Part 2

Resistance

If there is one challenge to the beehive revolution, it’s the perception of the masses. While most engine builders and performance enthusiasts know that the beehive works to improve their engines, many don’t realize the true benefits. Some established enthusiasts are confused and concerned that the smaller valve retainer and single spring used in the beehive system are capable of handling the same high performance loads carried by the conventional spring with two coils.

Beehive springs are a precision component just like any part you select for your engine. Using a tech line expert to help find just the right Beehive springs is critical to your engine’s ultimate performance and durability.

“There are some very knowledgeable engine builders who don’t understand how a single coil spring can be better than a dual conventional spring,” stated Thomas Griffin Head valve spring engineer for COMP Cams.

“The fact is the beehive springs, by virtue of the ovate spring shape and a variety of internal upgrades is compatible with virtually any application where a dual spring is used. That includes some engines with mechanical roller camshafts. The key is to review the required camshaft load and assess the aggressiveness of the camshaft.”

The key profile consideration of a camshaft can be denoted in the camshaft profile section. By reviewing the duration specs for your potential camshaft at 0.050-inch lift and again at 0.200-inch lift, the shape of the lobe can be projected. These are the key figures engineers use to determine beehive spring compatibility. Currently beehive springs for camshafts measuring up to 0.750-inch lift are available.

COMP Cams engineers used a Spintron machine to determine exactly what happens with valve spring dynamics at all levels of engine rpm. This high tech sensor was installed after cutting the cylinder head to make room. The Spintron data noted improved performance at reduced valve seat pressures, among other benefits previously mentioned.

It’s Spring Time….and Beehives are the Buzz Part 1

No this isn’t going to be one of those talks and no we aren’t going to run out and hung a tree, ok…if you must…go ahead I’ll wait…..(insert bored whistling)……(more bored whistling)…..Ok…are you done?!!

As I get closer to getting the heads on the Mustang, I’m going to have to begin picking any changes I want made to the CJ heads. While cruising the web checking out options, I ran across this piece (Corvette related but springs are springs as far as an engine is concerned) and there are some good tips here.

Good reading.

Beehive Springs Sound Great, But Will They Work For You?

by on April 18, 20

Quick! What the fastest moving component in your engine? If you’ve taken a hint from the title of this article, you probably guessed correctly – it’s your valve springs, those tight little bundles of joy that open and close your engine’s valves.

Beehive springs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The benefits of moving to Beehive springs where possible (and today few situations are not Beehive compatible) are many.

Beehive springs, such as those offered by COMP Cams, offer a huge number of benefits over stock-style cylindrical springs; reduced valve spring mass, faster valve acceleration, increased valve train rigidity, reduced valve train component stress and a whole laundry list of other positives.

Best of all, the word has gotten out and folks all over the country are using them for a wide variety of applications from street performance to extreme racing endeavors. That’s a really good thing.

Along with their success has come some confusion over exactly which beehive is right to purchase. Currently there are over a dozen beehive spring styles out there, each offering some unique take, be it in the seat pocket diameter, ovate wiring diameter, pitch or internal spring “frequency.” Regardless increased selection has bred some minor confusion, albeit easily cured.

Beehive springs are conical shaped springs that employ this powerful shape in the creation of a spring that can deliver both excellent performance and lowered seat pressures. With lower seat pressure, valve train components (especially the pushrods, rockers and lifters) are less stressed to perform the same work.

This beehive spring weights in at 99 grams, while a comparable conventional spring is 121 grams.

The difference between beehive and conventional cylindrical springs is obvious especially when you compare them in this manner. Note the dramatic difference in retainer diameter equating to less valve train weight.

According to COMP, effective beehive springs can support an additional 700rpm over stock cylindrical springs. How? It just stands to reason that the smaller coils at the top of the spring don’t require as much force to get the valve moving quickly, much quicker than conventional style springs. The higher rpm potential equates to better durability and performance.

There are some very knowledgeable engine builders who don’t understand how a single coil spring can be better than a dual conventional spring.

“Its like watching a race car running 60-foot elapsed times on the drag strip,” stated Bill Godbold, Chief Engineer for COMP Cams. “For example, take two identical cars with equivalent 500 hp engines.

“One has stock suspension and the other a sophisticated racing suspension. The car with the race suspension will get going more quickly and achieves better 60-foot time. The same principle works with beehive spring mechanics.”

 

Thanks for reading.  Part II coming up.

Tim

Taking the Vette project for a test drive.

image

You know the feeling.  When you JUST have to take ‘her’ out for a spin – no matter the condition.

You can’t see in this pic, but there’s no hood, no t-tops and lots of body work to be done….. but great looking rims and new meat (tires)…it was running a bit rough but still sounded good!!!

Got an unfinished project but still take it for a spin.  Post up  a note and a pic.

Tim

Pics Vette and Mustang

Sometimes you just can’t pass up a pic.  This one was from

Rudy Morganti over on Corvette Pals
Being a Mustang and Vette owner..this one I appreciate

Own Two Muscle Cars? Tell me about them.

 

Own Two Muscle Cars? Tell me about them.

Tim