The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop In Retrospect, I should have kept an I-6 in it...

Well, if you want to smoke BOTH tires, you will need a posi rear end.

I would also suggest a large displacement stovebolt engine. Then you will want to shave the heads for maybe about 9:1 compression if you keep the iron head, or 10:1 with an aftermarket aluminum head.

Definitely will want to upgrade to a more modern cam grind, with duration probably around 200 to 210 degrees @ 0.050" so that you can get the revs up a little.

You want to make sure to get new aluminum pistons, and may want to consider a set of forged small block Chevy rods as long as you can get them. Check me on this, but aren't they available in 6.8" length? I was told by my machinist that the stovebolt has the same big end diameter as a Chevy small block V8. But talk to your machinist for better details.

The mains are 2-bolt. But you can stud the mains and then have a metal bar across the studs for extra strength. Buy Leo Sanducci's book on hotrodding the stovebolt.

Leo did a cool thing. He bought a pair of aluminum SBC heads and cut the end cylinders off of each, and then heliarc welded them together to make a single aluminum crossflow head. If you're capable of that, that is ultra-cool. But I know there is a straight six aftermarket head available.

Multiple carburetion is probably your best bet, for the best fuel distribution. But a 4bbl carb will work well too. If you do go with multiple carburetion, consider not using the Rochesters. They don't really work that well and are very dated. I'd suggest going to Langdon's Stovebolt and buy either the Holley/Webber or Holley/Carter carbs. Buy his adapters and linkages too. And maybe also his air filters.

You also will want to get either Fenton headers, or check out Speedway Motors, who have tubular headers for this engine.

So go shopping for the biggest straight six you can find. Then go shopping for a good automotive machinist who can advise you on the build, and can even build it up for you.

I'm thinking built right, it would be sweet to get one of these things to spin 5000 rpm. I really think they could put out some power if you do a good job.