At what point do you need to get a fancy aftermarket ($$$) dampner? I can see the SFI stuff if you're really spinning the motor to the moon. Do they really help the motor live longer? This is for a 331 SBF with a roller cam, Trick Flow heads, etc. I dont plan on spinning it much past 6000rpm. It is a daily driver that will see the drapstrip a few times a year.
At the point you enter the NHRA tech inspection line. I'm sure you're aware that prices for SFI dampeners are fairly wide-ranging.
AFX You dont need a SFI balancer until you go 10.99 or faster.Sounds like you already have a potent SBF that you havnt taken any shortcuts with.Yes a stock balancer will work, but the aftermarket ones are more crank and bearing friendly.Im thinkin you havnt balanced this motor yet if your choosing a balancer now.The aftermarket ones have there advantages with a broad range of timing marks. Also you get rid of the rubber connection between the hub and balancer.If you do go above 6000 rpm thy also dampen better.I use a Fluidamper on My racecar and everytime I pulled the motor down to freshen it up the bearings looked like new.I would reccomend You get one cause YOU know you will spin it up.B&J makes a good one for sbf that is fair priced I have heard all good about them.--Feder
This will only be a 12 or 13 sec car. The cam in the 289 ate itself. I think it was too much endplay. So I got a 5.0 roller block. The crank was a little scored, so you might as well stroke it, right? This will be a all new rotating****embly, so it will all be balenced together. If I was going to get a new dampner, now would be the time. feder, can you tell me more about B&J? I havent heard of them, and I didnt find much by doing a Google search. Only that a few people sell their driveline couplers and 2 speed transmissions. Nothing about dampners.
AFX, punch up ford balancer on ebay. I saw a seller with a non-SFI unit that sold for about $70. It also cames with spacer rings to get the right pulley alignment. I've seen these ads many times. You are going to have the 331 balanced are'nt you?
If you got the money ATI super dampers rule..... Its good insurance, but if you don't have the money it ain't going to make you faster.......... LUKESTER
AFX Sorry its B-H-J Dynamics. they have a website but I dont know how to post it so u can clic.I found it by searching BHJ it was on top.---Feder
[ QUOTE ] Well, I wouldn't worry about getting a Fluidampner (SP?) they filed bankruptcy I hear [/ QUOTE ] thats to bad, they make great doorstops
Found a couple on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33616&item=2451560189 , http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33616&item=2452027086 . Anyone ever used dampners from these companies??? I found the BHJ website. The price list wasnt working, so I'll call them Monday. [ QUOTE ] You are going to have the 331 balanced are'nt you? [/ QUOTE ] Of course I am, this aint a farm truck . While I have all of your attention, I need to consider my rocker stud size. I have ARP 3/8" studs with my Trick Flow roller rockers (they have been on the 289 that was in the car, for a couple years). The camshaft specs are going to be (my favorite so far): Cam Research hyd roller 224 228 @ .050" .536" .536" 108 lsa valvespring specs: 1.470 in. diameter single with damper 110 lbs at 1.800 in. installed height Open Pressures: 290 lbs at .500 in. lift and 305 lbs. at .540 in. lift giving 360 pounds per inch spring rate .540 in. max valve lift Will they hold up alright? Or do I need to get 7/16" studs/rockers (more$$$)?
3/8 ARP are more than enough for those cam specs those dampners are professional products. i have used a few of them and they seem to be a decent dampner for the money
What brand farm truck you putting this bad boy in? I meant no disrespect by asking if you would balance the engine. A Diamond T pickup would be my choice. I'm building a 351W 393 stroker for a 63 Falcon Sprint that I'll be racing at a new drag strip in my area. And yes, I will balance it.
Its for my '64 Comet. What are you doing to the 393? That was always my plan down the road, but I wussed out and went for the 331 What headers are you planning on using? Are you going to trim the shock towers a bit? I dont think I have ever really seen anyone do fenderwall headers on one of those. Those would be neat
I would reccommend the ATI super dampner. Many of the other dampners on the market have silicone(fluidampner) or moving parts(TCI rattler), how can you balance something with a moving part attached to it? I have seen vibration printouts from engines on dynos and the balancers that have moving parts in them work on a more sparatic basis, work great at one RPM and poor at another. Also the balancers with moving parts aren't able to controll vibrations at higher RPM's as well.
At 1st I'm gonna try to keep it as stock looking as possible. I have a narrowed 9" 4.11. 10" drag radials, will use the stock spring with my own homemade cal-tracs, 4-speed toploader, (keeps the stock Sprint interior with floor shifter), 12 lb aluminum flywheel, Lakewood can. 393 is***** crank, 351W truck rods, Keith Black flatops, 11.0 compression, 351W DOOE heads ported by me, ch#@y 1.94 intakes, 1.60 exhausts, roller rockers, guideplates, gear drive, an old Ford part # camshaft C7FE-6250-A, 252 duration at .050, .528 lift, 107 overlap. Ford springs 135 seat, 320 open. I have a set of Bob Glidden headers that he claimed would fit the Falcon with a 351W. I also have about 6 other sets I can try. I hear the******* 6901 will fit. I don't want to mess with the spring towers unless I have to. I plan on running the car in the low 12s and let everyone chase me down. And at this level I don't need all the expensive safety stuff. If the car and I have fun I may step up to quicker. Than I would Mustang II the frontend and do away with the shock towers.......I have this bad**** 460 with a Doug Nash 4-speed. I am not doing all of this to be competitive but to have fun. I have never et raced in my life. But as you know used to run dragsters and funnies, gassers and just plain hotrods. I'm a hot rodder. I dislike the way NHRA is run now. But I LOVE SPEED! ;
Fastcat- that makes sense. Pigiron- What is the story on that camshaft? Those are pretty wild numbers for that old of a part number. Its a solid flat tappet? Bob Glidden used to make commercial headers? or is that just a one-off set that he made for himself? That thing better at least be in the low 12s .
The cam is a Ford part that was under a Lemans Ford racing deal. You can still buy new ones from Federal Mogul/TRW. Glidden used to sell race parts under his name made by other folks in the late 80s. The car is rustfree in great shape. Never been undercoated or damaged. I used to dragrace a 64 Sprint in 64-5 in stock class, now I can cheat!
i've had very good luck with ATI but just for your guys info fluidamper is under new management and has been back up and shipping product again for a while now
Is it worth the money to replace the dampner on an early style? Mine is just a chunk of round steel...no o-rings etc.
Root, are there any timing marks on your dampner? If not you have lost the outter ring and insulater (o-ring). You do need to replace it with a new dampner. Also Walt I forgot to say yes the cam is a mechanical flat tappet.
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