Running the Street Stock

We were pleased that we finished the first race and everything seemed to be running. I did finish the first race and we had lots of fun. The second race we had changed tires to some 205/60 's and I found a marked improvement in handling. We had also taken the exhaust off and put on a straight pipe muffler and it had more power. I was able to almost keep up with some of the competitors before, but then maybe my driving experience is a little lacking at this point too. The 301 was working fine but did not have the pull out of the corners. I had to stay on it late to try to keep up with others. Again we finished and had lots of fun but did not place. I decided it was time to find more power with a bigger motor. I started checking the junk yard for engines. I don't have a big budget and the yard will let you pull one for $99. so I started hunting.

Well running around the junk yard can be fun and I spent a couple days trying to determine which motors were what. Didn't find any SB Chev but a lot of SB Olds & Pontiac. I decided that since we were supposed to be running any stock engine I might as well get a big one. I found a 403 Olds and with a little hired help I was able to pull it in about 2 hours. I got it home and cleaned it up. Then decided to try it out. So we test started it on the stand and it runs......

We went ahead and pulled the 301 and started resetting motormounts and such. Finally we did get the 403 to slide in and it seems to fit fine. I was having a little trouble finding a 2bbl for it so I took the 2 bbl dualjet off the 301 and modified the mounting plate to match the 4 bbl manifold. When I was pouring the water in the radiator I found it running out the water pump so I was off to buy a new water pump. Then it was fine. Then engine started and ran OK but not quite as good as I expected. It was running so I decided to give it a try any way. first a couple laps on my little side street we live on. I felt more power than the 301 had. But still not getting the RPM that I wanted. Checked timing and carb adjustments and loaded up for the track. It didn't even make the 2nd lap...oil light came on and I guess the oil pump not working right or plugged up. Engine seized and I coasted to the trailer and loaded her back up.

So I decided to give it one more chance, I rebuilt the 403 with parts from it and a second 403 from the junk yard for replacement parts. I did get new main and rod bearings since I was trading cranks from one engine to the other but I used the same rings and did a valve job myself on it. I did have the block boiled out but not the heads. I cleaned them up myself. It took some work but I had more time than money so I made do. I did get a good 2bll from Auto Depot for $100 and put it all together. I started it on the engine stand and it purred..... So we are back to the track again, only the 403 had a bad overheating problem. We put on a 3 core radiator, trans-cooler and tried various thermostats or no thermostat...still overheating after running 20 or more laps.. It was running pretty well at the end as it hit the wall.

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