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#18253 01/09/2002 4:56 PM
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'Bolter
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Is there a way to estimate the horsepower of my engine? Here's what I have, 235 originally from a 56 sedan w/powerglide now in my 46 1/2 ton with stock 3spd. It is totaly rebuilt bored out 0.060 with 0.050 shaved off the head, howard mild cam, fenton headers, offy intake with dual rochesters. The original engine had around 140 hp I was just curious about what it may be now. Anyone have a guess, or is there an easy to checkit?

#18254 01/09/2002 5:39 PM
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How about with that Desk Top Dyno Program?


Joe
#18255 01/09/2002 9:16 PM
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Desktop Dyno, I've got it, but I wouldn't trust it for stovebolts. Mine says you ought to be pushing about 170 hp with a stock 235 and we know this is not the case.

Chris

#18256 01/09/2002 9:54 PM
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Patrick Dykes, the guy who sells 235/262/GMC parts , said he has seen many 235/261 engines run on dynos .According to him, a typical 235 with 2 carbs, cam and more compression makes 150-160 actual HP.The best he ever saw on a 235 with a cast iron head was 200 hp on an all out racer.The stockers have 120 or so actual hp.

#18257 01/09/2002 10:19 PM
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Our Dyno guy has done a few but not a lot and says about the same thing for the 235/261.(he also talked me out of getin a 261 he said i see very little gain on the pump)He said 110-125 stock and the most he has seen is 205 normally 235/261 with a slight cam tuned correctly 140-180.Interestingly he said he has seen 2 daul carb 235's that he did not put together pull 95-100 HP ,the guy that built them was really embarrassed as he bought the latest greatest inline parts on the market and had done something wrong.Who really cares about HP with these little lawn mower engines anyway.Its the milage and how smooth they are (plus they run dirt cheap)that has sold me.I want to know who all the dummys are that would bother to pay 350 for a cell to put one on a dyno. eek

#18258 01/10/2002 12:07 AM
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inverse121: The DeskTop Dyno formula's do
not work in reality. Here's why:

1.The theoretical engine effciency is based
on 100%.

In reality this just does not pan out. Heat and friction losses that are "uneven" in the engine cycle, and impossible to measure, or calibrate instruments to read.

2.Problems and limits of combustion. The
"volumetric efficiency" of any engine
is never 100%.

Poor air flow, incomplete combustion, amount of intake overlap, and
atmospheric "pressure, density and conditions" all play into the formula. Out
here in the "real world" any engine will
never perform as well as one in a lab at
sea level and under exacting conditions.
Engine wear, state of tune and elevation all
play into this.

3.Mixture formulation, and the combustion
process.

The fuel your engine burns, is never stable. The octane rating as well as HC content varies from pump to pump. The condition of the engine's ignition system is never working at 100% level. As soon as you start and run the engine, the spark plugs
as well as the timing will vary and slowly
fade from "new parts and just timed state".
This applies no matter what kind of fuel
delivery system is used.

4. All the other variables that aid/deminish
complete combustion. Fuel delivery, uneven
fuel pump pressure, carb adjustments, fuel
injection pressure differentials and so on.
Air flow, into and out of, the head being the
single biggest issue here.(uneven, and not
balanced).

As with anything mechanical, any engine will
have heat and friction losses. Also the more
moving parts it has, the more complex the
problem becomes.

One cylinder will always lead (have more complete combustion) than all the others, hence it's trying to pull them along at it's pace and the others are trying to slow it down.

One rod/main bearing will always be tighter (more friction losses) than all the rest.
It's trying to slow them all down.

You get the picture...


Think Chevy! :rolleyes: wink smile


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#18259 01/10/2002 3:30 PM
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How about hooking your rig to a bunch of horses and keep adding them until you drag them backwards! eek grin


There is enough good in the worst of us and enough bad in the best of us that it does not behoove any of us to criticize the rest of us.
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Be yourself. If you are ever lost, It will be much easier to find yourself if you know who you are!
#18260 01/10/2002 4:40 PM
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Chevyman, I got the software as a gift and it is fun to toy with and that's about it.

On the other hand, the desktop dyno software for harley v twin engines is pretty darn accurate, but I think they made it with empirical data and then interpolate your engine into their matrix.

Saw a kid that built his 54 235 in autoshop put it on the dyno and pull 145 with single rochester, corvette cam and split exhaust. It's nice to see a kid build this engine instead of a V8.

Chris

[ 01-10-2002: Message edited by: inverse121 ]

#18261 01/10/2002 5:04 PM
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Thanks guys, some interesting posts. I was guessing around 150-160 it sure has plenty of poop. It will be an even better driver when I put in the 3.55 rear.

Thanks again
George


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