393 Stroker Balance

[Jim Downard]

Hey Don,
I saw the motor you were speaking of the week before the spring fling IV. It must have been a rather interesting sound. KaBang! Anyway, my motor survived the idiots construction long enough for me to get it rebuilt properly. With the cam selection you gave me, I'm making 360 rwhp at about 5750 rpm, and 398 ft. lb. torque from 2750-4750. It has a very linear powerband and is easy to drive. Now if I could just get that off idle lean spot ironed out. I contacted Edelbrock and they told me to put the silver (8 in. hg.) springs in the needles. They already are. It appears that at initial step in, the vacume is pulling the needles down and causing a lean spot. It's the Edelbrock 1411 carb (700-750 cfm) with electric choke. Looks like I'll be finding a new carb.
Jim

[Double Venom]

Jim,
For what it's worth...I could just remove my post about ' hearing good things, about Indy Jim', since now it is quite the contrar! I, (we) have now personally seen some of his work. I'd repeat what Don says. To me anyway, for what I have seen is way across the border of legal and fraud.

I do hope it all worked out for you.
Ed 'DV' Combs

[Jim Downard]

Yea Ed,
Things didn't work out too bad for me. I knew going in that the price I paid for the complete motor was less than what I would have in parts if I converted my own 351w over to a 393. I was just lucky enough to had not had an explosion ruining what I had purchased before getting it fixed right. I added about another $1200 to the purchase price for the corrective machine shop work and few additional parts I needed. Indy Mustange did at least send me replacement bearings. He didn't offer to pay me back for the flywheel he screwed up or to send new piston rings or gasket sets. The motor runs strong now for what is inside the motor. Dirty Harry emailed me once to see about what could be done to stop this guy, and I suggested finding as many people who had a bad experience with him and compile information. I kept my old parts, and paperwork on the work performed on the motor should he ever seek to exercise legal action against me for slander or libel. That would be a mistake on his part.

How'd that 460 that was in the Everett Morrison car ever turn out. I remember you saying that it was built by Indy and that you were nervous about it.

I just tore down my 1966 289 that I paid $250 for. Looks like it will definitly need a bore job, but I mic'd the journals and they're only about .0002" under standard. I'm thinking a low mile engine. Just don't know whether to go with Webbers or Stack fuel injection. I'm definitly converting it to a roller motor. My MDA GT40 should be on the boat by Monday or Tuesday, then the next build will begin. It's the first MDA in the United States. Might make a cool selling point if I can let it go long enough to build a Mk II version. Hope all is going well in Michigan.

Jim Downard

[dscott]

Jim, I'm glad everything worked out ok for you. The $1200 extra was probably closer to what you would have paid anyway for a good build. I've never had a problem with the Edelbrock carbs. I would check the accelerator pump and make sure it's working properly. That will definitely cause a lean spot. Timing can also cause the same type problem. Most of the strokers like about 32 or 33 degrees full advance. Good luck with the new engine. What a sad way of doing business with Indy Mustang. What happened to the days of a business standing behind what they build.
Don

[Jim Downard]

Don, The accelerator pump is working and I've stepped it up to the max setting, also timing is set at 32 degrees full advance. I'm using the MSD ignition and distributor. I've set up the dist. to give a max of, and I can't remember for certain now, 20-25 degrees max advance, and it all comes in by 2500 rpm.
Jim

[dscott]

Jim, I would give Edelbrock a call again. Maybe they can come up with something else. Sounds like everything else is set ok. 360rwh is pretty good. That should give well over 400hp at the flywheel. I bet the car is a rocket!
Don

[Jim Downard]

Don,

YEP!

Jim Downard