Getting there.... I got a new Torker II to replace the hard to find Weiand Xlerator (however it's spelled) that I sold to a friend in 1990. New repop chrome valve covers should be here tomorrow. I still need to take the two TH400s that I have apart, and combine them to get good guts and case combined with the valve body I like and the switch pitch front pump. And I need to clean the engine bay, it's gotten kind of dirty in the last 10 years since I had it all apart and cleaned things up.
It now has an oil filter, oil to the rockers, valve covers on, and I picked out a carb to use on it--a 650 double pumper that when new, was installed on top of the blower (along with another just like it) on the LS-7. I took apart the transmission, and also took apart another transmission that was kind of flaky, but had the Switch Pitch converter setup. This is a different front pump and input shaft, as well as an orifice in the case. I wasn't too sure about the other case and valve body, so I made a new orifice to put in the transmission I'm using, and installed it. It's a cup shaped plug that's press fit in a 1/4" hole, and has an .030" orifice. I got the transmission partly back together, I will also do some more modification to the valve body, as it was shifting a bit soft into second, although the clutch plates were fine. I'll increase the clutch feed hole size, and maybe play with the springs for the 1-2 shift valve, which Trans-Go includes in their #2 kit.
My favorite engine, 350hp 396. I put one in a 1969 Chevy C10, in the late 70's. Was a lot of engine for the sto ck th350.
anyways....all back together now. Took some fiddling to get it to run right. The open intake needed more timing at lower rpm, so I ended up putting a Mallory dual point in. I also played with a few carbs before I figured that out, I have the Holley 650 DP on it now, but I'm going to put the Carter 750 back on it and see how it does. Just need to get the hood back on. Oh...and replace that upper radiator hose again, it has a nagging bulge in it at the bottom. And get the cruise control back on, once I finalize the carb.
Dang Jim, is there anything you can't do? You've done extensive fab work, body and paint building Plan II and Almost Funny, you rebuild your own engines and transmissions, the only thing I can't remember you ever posting is interior work! Devin
I did some interior work on a Model T, and made a top for an MG. It's not good enough to share pictures, though
You’re right,,,,there’s almost nothing that he can’t do . I’ve always felt that he was probably in close proximity to the NASA program,,,,or maybe involved with the Skunk works out at Lockheed,,,,,who knows for sure,,,,he’s an enigma ! Jim Forbes,,,,,,Renaissance man ! Tommy
Lol,,,,,,Jim is a modest ,,unassuming engineer,,,,hot rodder . That’s why he always garners my respect when he post anything here . He doesn’t gloat or do a victory dance,,,,,just a simple smile to himself knowing he was right . ( I’m assuming the part about the smile,,,,I’ve never met Jim ) . Tommy
And Jim can do all of that stuff because he’s not afraid to try. Have to do it to learn how to do it…
I've been within 20 feet of Jim but let him be just like when I see someone famous from TV and Movies. There's nothing I feel I can say without looking like a teenage girl at a Beatles concert back in the 60's. And yes, he does smile.
Lol,,,,,,I understand,,,,,,I’m intimidated just reading his posts,,,,,LoL . Not too long ago,,,,he actually liked a few of my replies on some threads ,,,,,high praise indeed ! Tommy
I’ve not met Jim either, but I always find his posts interesting. He is one of the first guys I started following when I got here. I hope to meet him this year at Drag Week, but I also feel like Johnny Gee. What could I possibly say other than Hi, nice to meet you.
But what I found out of this world, was driving the Chevy across country a few years back, doing drag week where he couldn’t lift the hood. Did a blower RandR as I recall?
I've met him, he's a good guy. We had a decent talk about nothing in particular, just things like hot rods, and nixie tube watches....
The Jalopy Journal
