Projects Gene (Moonlighter) Cromer's A/G Willys Resurrection

Is it me or is the Moonlighter getting faster and faster every event? I don't know if Gene and Melvin are tinkering with her or Gene is just getting back in the groove.

 

I think so Pudge87, I didnt make steel in motion but was at greer in april. He seemed alot fast on top end!!

 

Gene and Melvin did make a few changes. The Moonlighter has a spool for the 1st time ever and some new gears in the old 9 inch, 5.14's.

 

lol figured the competitive side would start coming out. Wasn't another engine talked about before?

 

In my conversation with Gene he is trying to get use to the rear axle. HRP

 

I would like to see Gene build a FE 468 cid tunnel port for the Willys. If I'm not mistaken, that was the best combination for the Willys back in the day. It would probably get into the high 5's. Buy he doesn't have to anything to prove, because he has already accomplished everything most of us can only dream about.

 

Gene used to run a 468, that's why you see 468 on his car. He has said he would like to build a tunnel port, but I'm hoping for a cammer. Who knows, he might just build one. Even a 468 would be very small compared to some that he runs against.

 

Frank, does he have the stuff to build a cammer?

 

He has most of the parts. Last year, he said he needed some pistons.

 

That would be nice to see in the Moonlighter. Pretty rare piece.

I was really surprised this weekend when Gene came around Avenger on the big end. The Avenger was sounding real healthy this go around.

 

Yes, Gene and the Moonlighter were looking and running good this weekend. Pudge87 you are correct sir, when Gene came around the Avenger it surprised a lot of us because believe me....the Avenger has got some serious power!! I shot this photo on his first run at Steel in Motion.

 

Great shot.

Amazing how much power it has w/o modern parts. (I'm not aware of any modern performance parts anyway)

 

No modern parts, real 427 cid high riser with old mechanical roller lifters and cam he had in his shop. Hilborn injection he bought in 1965. He's hangin' pretty good with the "mountain motors".

 

You want to see it with a cammer, here it is. I've been wanting to try out posting a picture since the site remodel.

 

You can thank Quain for that.
Not taking anything away from Gene or the FE. I love FE'S BUT....
Gene and the night stalker are the only real gassers from that era running. Everyone else are just wanna bees including myself when I get there.
Quain has had some critics but he is trying to keep the cars fairly equal through the suspension. Throw all the horse power you want at them. The non tunable suspension will only take so much.
Its what made the gasser class so exciting.

 

Just got my copy of Rodders Journal, What a cool write up on the Moonlighter and Gene.

 

Amen on the cool write up in RJ!

 

Do you know where that picture was taken Frank? Almost looks like a car show.

 

I believe Gene said it was a car show in Greenville, SC.

 

I've already promised Gene I'd make him some CP Pistons (for the cammer (or any other FE pistons he needs), even if I gotta pay for em myself.
I believe Genes car weighs around 2400 lbs. So that Hi Riser is probably only making 500-550HP. With some modern internals that stock stroke 427, can make 650-700 no problem. My good friend Robert Pond races a 67 Fairlane in Stock Eliminator @ 3400 lbs. (1000 lbs. More), his NHRA legal medium riser with 2 4bbl tunnel wedge & .520 lift flat tappet that makes 680HP(650HP with the single 4bbl setup & sidewinder int.), and runs 9.60's @ 140 with 2 x 4 set up & 9.80's @ 136 with the single 4bbl. Take a 1000 lbs away, and your look'n at a mid/upper 8 second car. There is DEFINITELY the ability to use Genes parts with a few modern upgrades, and give the other guys some school'n.

 

Robert Pond's motor probably displaces close to 450 cid taking the NHRA blueprint specs on bore and stroke to the max. I would think the biggest difference performance wise between Robert's and Gene's motors lies in the valve event timing area. Gene should have a bit of an advantage in the cylinder heads & induction. I suspect a modern bumpstick should equalize the 50 years of FE stocker science evolution handily. Of course, Gene may not want to spend a ton of money and get penalized by running under the Southeastern Gassers Index.

--- Steve ---

 

You own CP Panneton?

 

Just received my Rodder's Journal featuring the continuing saga of Gene Cromer and The Moonlighter. The HAMB secret is now known worldwide. Couldn't happen to a greater group of people. Outstanding!!

 

Gene used to run a FE bored and stroked to 468. I'll wager that Gene would love to run under the index at least 1 time. I'll have to ask him about that, I'm sure it will get a big grin.

 

Nope, just one of the gear heads that works there. If Genes old Venolias are carrying.031 Dykes x 1/16 x 1/8 rings, I'll wager the CP's & modern rings pick him up 15-20HP. If he has 5/64 x 5/64 x 3/16 standard tension rings, I'm saying 35+HP with modern pistons /rings. Could be an easy 25-50HP with a modern cam & valve train. If he's running old .062-.080 wall push rods, he could be giving up .050-.075 of valve lift, or more (another 5-15HP). Even with his current rings, if he's running less end gap on the second ring, than the top (as used to be the norm), there's power to be had there, just opening the second ring gap up. There is 15HP in a good crank wiper. You could take his Hi Riser he's running now, and pick up 50-100HP fairly easy I think. Let me say, I am in no way slamming Gene in any way, I have nothing but respect for the man & love that he's a brother in Christ to boot! I just know there is some pretty good HP to be had with modern internals, that would take nothing away from the engines external appearance, and I'm willing to help anyway I can. The cammer would be the ultimate, & I could help in several ways on that one too.

 

436.5" (.7854 x 4.300 x 4.300 x 3.763 x 8)

 

The article is a great read,I absolutely love the early photos especially the one of Gene & Ruth ridding a 1950 Harley! HRP

 

Our local Books A Million store carries the Rodder's Journal. Going to pick up my copy this weekend ... woo hoo !!

--- Steve ---

 

I'll agree. Amazing what a set of thin piston rings will do. Whats the limits on a stock FE block?

 

Gene actually got 468 ci with a std. bore and a +.375 stroke. You could bore it .06 (need to sonic test) and get 480 ci.