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  •  » Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

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    4/28/2021 9:44 AM  #1

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,258

    Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Al picked up his new 408 from me today.  It is built with a 1994 351w roller cam truck block, all Scat forged internals and Twisted Wedge 205 heads.  Cam is Howards 272 fairly mild.  Built for long highway cruises with plenty of power but reasonable drivability and economy.

    Wish him luck to get it in the car before the bash.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    4/28/2021 10:28 AM  #2

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Looking forward to Al posting on the installation, should be a great cruising engine.
    What trans and gearing will be behind what sounds like a real torque monster.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    4/28/2021 4:12 PM  #3

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    T5
    3.25 TL

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/28/2021 6:06 PM  #4

    Steve69
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    What rocker arms did you use?

     

    4/28/2021 7:17 PM  #5

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs.  Same as on my 427.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/28/2021 7:20 PM  #6

    BILLY WALTON from GEORGIA
    Carrollton, GA Bash Host

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    From: CARROLLTON GEORGIA
    Registered: 4/14/2013
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Sounds awesome

    Its really me....I fixed my caps lock .
     

    4/29/2021 11:05 AM  #7

    Glens 1965 50
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Steve,  What 351 conversion headers do you recommend for that 408?  What do you run on the 65 car?

     

    4/29/2021 11:55 AM  #8

    rpm
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs.  Same as on my 427.

    Good to know they fit under the classic shorter valve covers.

    Bob. 69 Mach 1, 393W, SMOD Toploader, Armstrong  steering, factory AC.
     

    4/29/2021 4:31 PM  #9

    MS
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Bearing Bob wrote:

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs.  Same as on my 427.

    Good to know they fit under the classic shorter valve covers.

    They DO NOT fit under early style valve covers.  I modified the 65 Cobra valve covers by adding a 1/2” billet aluminum spacer blended so it looks like the valve cover flange, then also had to percussion engineer the baffle just a tad to clear the rocker arm locknuts.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/29/2021 4:34 PM  #10

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Glens 1965 50 wrote:

    Steve,  What 351 conversion headers do you recommend for that 408?  What do you run on the 65 car?

    JBA headers fit great. Shorties are on my 427.   I think Al has same ones on his car.

    AVOID Hedmans.  They are a real pain. 

    With the JBA, you can almost get a socket on all header flange bolts.  A long box end wrench fits easily.   And plugs are easy to get to.   And they have ball/socket collectors that seal well.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/29/2021 5:40 PM  #11

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Don’t they have 2 versions of the shorties Steve?

    One is compatible with the cable clutch.

     

    4/29/2021 6:11 PM  #12

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    We both have the cable clutch version.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/30/2021 5:14 AM  #13

    kardad
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    From: Lexington Ky
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    I look forward to getting some reports as to how this motor performs and acts on the road. I have a 97 351w truck roller motor in the shed that I am itching to build. I had planned to just go with a 393 and use the stock rods and 5.0 pistons, but stepping up to the 408 should be comparable in cost if I replace the rods either way.

    My 331 is great, but I love the lower RPM torque that a 393/408 would provide.

     

    4/30/2021 2:43 PM  #14

    Steve69
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs. Same as on my 427.

      I used the 190 twisted wedge heads on my sons 351 and I had clearance issues with the scorpion rocker arms.  I had to use the trick flow rocker arms and they had plenty of clearance.  Every camshaft is little bit different and that could of been some of my issue too. 

    Steve69
     

     

    4/30/2021 2:45 PM  #15

    Steve69
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    MS wrote:

    Bearing Bob wrote:

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs. Same as on my 427.

    Good to know they fit under the classic shorter valve covers.

    They DO NOT fit under early style valve covers. I modified the 65 Cobra valve covers by adding a 1/2” billet aluminum spacer blended so it looks like the valve cover flange, then also had to percussion engineer the baffle just a tad to clear the rocker arm locknuts.

      Had to do the same on my son's engine with the baffle too. 
     

     

    4/30/2021 6:33 PM  #16

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Steve69 wrote:

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs. Same as on my 427.

      I used the 190 twisted wedge heads on my sons 351 and I had clearance issues with the scorpion rocker arms.  I had to use the trick flow rocker arms and they had plenty of clearance.  Every camshaft is little bit different and that could of been some of my issue too. 

    Steve69
     

    Interesting
    What was the lift on your cam?   These heads are set up a little different for a .600 lift cam

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    4/30/2021 9:06 PM  #17

    Steve69
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    MS wrote:

    Steve69 wrote:

    MS wrote:

    Comp Cams chromoly 1.6:1 full roller for 7/16” studs. Same as on my 427.

      I used the 190 twisted wedge heads on my sons 351 and I had clearance issues with the scorpion rocker arms.  I had to use the trick flow rocker arms and they had plenty of clearance.  Every camshaft is little bit different and that could of been some of my issue too. 

    Steve69
     

    Interesting
    What was the lift on your cam?   These heads are set up a little different for a .600 lift cam

    It’s a 603 lift FTI camshaft.  The springs are good for 650 lift.

     

    5/01/2021 4:09 PM  #18

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    This cam is more of a mild street grind with 272 duration and only .544 lift.   Same as in my 427.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    5/01/2021 4:21 PM  #19

    Steve-G
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    From: Glen Rose,TX
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    What happened to the motor that was in Al's car.

     

    5/01/2021 4:47 PM  #20

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    The builder of that engine apparently did not understand gapping piston rings.  The ring gap was near zero and the first time Al got on it real hard, it blew the top off a piston.  Hypereutectic Keith Black pistons require an expanded top ring gap.  Failure to set that properly makes things go BOOM!.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    5/10/2021 4:45 PM  #21

    Steve-G
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    From: Glen Rose,TX
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Hope to see the new one at the bash.

     

    5/10/2021 4:49 PM  #22

    MS
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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Al, Prof, Gaba and Cougarman put in a huge effort and Al is now on the road again!

    I am trying to talk him and Don into driving to Waco to meet me on the way to the Bash Thursday 20th.  And anyone else from North Texas that wants to put some BASH MILES on their car.  I will be heading northbound on I-35.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
       •Thread Starter
     

    5/10/2021 5:35 PM  #23

    almcgee
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    From: Fairview, Texas
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    The 408 is installed with some effort.  12 miles on the engine driving it home from Prof's garage which has a much needed lift.  I accidentlally pulled away from a stop at a stop light in 3rd. gear.  It was amazing how smooth the engine pulled up to 45 mph from a stand still.  I will be at the Bash thanks to Paul, Gaba, and even Brian Taylor who pitched in.

    Mustang Steve Bash in Gruene, Texas September29-30, 2023
     

    5/10/2021 8:25 PM  #24

    Bolted to Floor
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Fantastic Al, Glad to hear it’s rolling on it’s own again.

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    5/11/2021 6:33 AM  #25

    Bullet Bob
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    Re: Al and his new 408 are on the way back to Dallas

    Good news, Al.  See ya soon.

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

     

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