Billet's nice and smooth. I'm not sure all that grinding would ever be considered "traditional". On the other hand, no one would ever claim a smoothed motor to be an "r-rod". I appreciate all the work, just not for me.
If I had an engine bay that was open to the world that would be bad ***, but under a hood not so much. 40 hrs?...I can think of 10 other things I could get done on my truck in that amount of time. Looks awesome though!!!
buddy of mine and his partner used to gind there sbc's to shave weight on there dragster back in the mid 60's, they used to grind off 80 lbs!. their rail set the nhra national record for a/d 4X and they won the nationals 2x with that rail. they didn't do it for looks just speed Paul
Whoa! I agree with both sides. Sounded kind of dumb and a waste of time to me until I saw this. I could see that being worth 40 hours. I have wasted 40 hours on a lot less compelling things, that's for sure. edit: Whoa, WHOA!! how the hell did it get so big? Sorry about that, but looks even better bigger.
I've always felt that a dressed out Y block was one of the best looking engines around and the gold one above is at the top of the heap. I've got a 396 block and heads that I have a few hours in going for the smooth look that I wanted for the 48. It will probably be semi smooth and in a 66 Elkie one of these days. For a full on show car I'd say that it was one of those detail things that will bring extra points. For a street driver it might be overkill.
I did one awhile back, these guys are right, it takes friggin forever. And most of the engine isn't really that visible. So why did I do it to the transmission in my Jeep?
If you have ever seen those grinding stones that are mounted on a shaft that will fit in a drill,usually quite cheap, they will do a real decent job as long as you have good control of the drill...they work fast and leave a good finish, way better than what was there before...
These have been on here before, in a how-to I did on smoothing and painting an engine. The Kopper Kart's 235 Vette insprired engine.
www.diversstreetrods.com a couple year old ferarri in all is ground, painted, cut and buffed glory in the rambler
In the process of doing mine right now....twas a serious commitment issue...bout halfway done and in it for 30 hours...no pics cause I'm a slack***... Its a PIA, and judging by the pics it'll pay off in the end
Hard to tell because of the ****py photo, but my father smoothed two blocks for his Ardun (then proceeded to paint the one that was built-up with some goofy brushed-on paint). I've smoothed a pair of 348 heads and eventually plan on doing the corresponding block, and will also do the same for my own Ardun. I simply think it looks better and easier to clean.
I started to do it on the 350 for my 57. Got smart and realized you cant see 80% of the motor once its in the car, so just did up the part thats visible. still ahve about 20 hours in it
I've done a couple of 440's for my stuff.One is painted a tri coat orange pearl.Block is the only painted part of the engine.The rest is chromed or polished aluminum.
I was thinking of doing my Baby Hemi the same smooth & Gold treatment for the '36, anyone have a "code or formula" for the Gold?????????
I like it... looks like billet. LOL. If engine paint can't cover it up, it should stay the way mother Detroit made it. Gary
man that flathead all smoothed out and done up was so sharp my thought processes shut down for a minute and i went into a trance and the engine in front of the f100 should be displayed as art work great job on those mills
Smoothed all the internal surfaces of a 351-C Ford that we raced... doubt if I'd live long enough to polish the outside. I don't even buy green bananas anymore...
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