Hello

[CFster]

Hello, I've been posting over at Moparts and BigBlockDart for a while but I'm new here. We've been working on this '64 Polara 500 for a few years now.

First we had the factory 383 rebuilt with Eddys, forged pistons, about 9.25:1 comp - here is the dyno sheet:

http://members.cox.net/cfster/pics/mopar383HP.jpg

Then we installed one of Bill Reilly's AlterKtions:

It also has a Tremec TKO-600 5spd with hydraulic clutch and a fresh Suregrip 3.55 rear. Four wheel disc brakes. TTI headers and X-pipe system.

 

[rumblefish360]

OH! WOW! Very cool, really nice.

Welcome aboard!

 

[old tired rebel]

OH! WOW! Very cool, really nice.

Welcome aboard!

X2 that is a sweet car. Welcome

 

[CFster]

Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun to put together, and is finally a nice driver after a bit of a nightmare with Keisler.

 

[Pastortom1]

GOOOOd Grief............That is a gorgeous car!!!!!!!:grin::grin::grin:

 

[Mopardudetn]

Sweet Ride

Thanks guys! It was a lot of fun to put together, and is finally a nice driver after a bit of a nightmare with Keisler.

The car looks great... Was the Keisler the last part of the aftermarket parts you installed into the car?

Gene
Keisler Engineering
865.609.8187 ext 211
1# Tremec Dealer in the World.

 

[CFster]

That's a loaded question.

Well yes it was the last aftermarket item, and actually you guys installed it. At the time, I had a big problem with the transmission fitment not even being close. Fortunately I didn't cut the hole for the shifter from the supplied template before I tried installing the trans - it wasn't even close. And the clutch Z-bar? Forget it. After going round and round on Moparts, Shafi called me directly and offered to install the transmission down at your old place. This had to be about five years ago. The hydraulic clutch setup you now offer is a direct result of the R&D done on my car. I suspect the offset shifter is as well.

While I appreciate everything Shafi did for me, unfortunately there were many problems with your install.

First of all the brake pedal interfered with your clutch linkage.

Secondly, to get the transmission in meant mounting it too far down and cocked over to the driver's side of the car - which consequently bent the passenger motor mount on the AlterKtion towards the rear. I figure somebody had to work to make that happen...

Thirdly (and this is the big one), the driveshaft you guys installed was too small of a diameter for it's length. The car had a horrible vibration over 60mph and we couldn't figure it out for YEARS. Finally we discovered the shaft itself was flexing in the middle. The vibration was so bad it actually cracked the transmission case around one of the mounting ears to the bellhousing. We now have a different TKO trans installed and a larger diameter driveshaft - problem solved.

Hey, you asked. :yes:

 

[alleyoopmgv]

nice car!

 

[daredevil]

love at first sight. Polara,s are to cool

 

[Mopardudetn]

That's a loaded question.

Well yes it was the last aftermarket item, and actually you guys installed it. At the time, I had a big problem with the transmission fitment not even being close. Fortunately I didn't cut the hole for the shifter from the supplied template before I tried installing the trans - it wasn't even close. And the clutch Z-bar? Forget it. After going round and round on Moparts, Shafi called me directly and offered to install the transmission down at your old place. This had to be about five years ago. The hydraulic clutch setup you now offer is a direct result of the R&D done on my car. I suspect the offset shifter is as well.

While I appreciate everything Shafi did for me, unfortunately there were many problems with your install.

First of all the brake pedal interfered with your clutch linkage.

Secondly, to get the transmission in meant mounting it too far down and cocked over to the driver's side of the car - which consequently bent the passenger motor mount on the AlterKtion towards the rear. I figure somebody had to work to make that happen...

Thirdly (and this is the big one), the driveshaft you guys installed was too small of a diameter for it's length. The car had a horrible vibration over 60mph and we couldn't figure it out for YEARS. Finally we discovered the shaft itself was flexing in the middle. The vibration was so bad it actually cracked the transmission case around one of the mounting ears to the bellhousing. We now have a different TKO trans installed and a larger diameter driveshaft - problem solved.

Hey, you asked. :yes:

Your correct I did ask.. So you replaced your old TKO with new one? The pic shows a newer design. The orginal one you had was one of the 1st early TKO's correct?

Gene

 

[CFster]

No actually that pic is of the original TKO. The one I replaced it with was used.

 

[daredevil]

i see builds like this and i got to ask . are you a mechanic? im just a hobbiest and i dont know if i could ever build a car as sweet as yours but im doing my best. just wondering. its like im a weekend card player sitting at the table with world of poker players.

 

[CFster]

Yes, I'm a mechanic. Well actually I was, now I'm the service manager.

This car was a learning process that's for sure (used to be a Chevy guy!). I was fortunate in that it was sort of a shop project, so we had some money to make mistakes. I can tell you a lot of research went into parts and such online - I joined several boards and asked a lot of questions. I must have had a hundred parts sites and tech pages bookmarked. Really, researching and choosing the right parts was the hardest part. After that it was just bolting things together.

For the most part I chose good guys to deal with (again mostly from feedback on message boards), such as Bill Reilly and his fabulous AlterKtion front end --> http://www.reillymotorsports.com/ and Gary at Larry's Power for the engine build --> http://www.larryspower.com/index.html . Also Don at FBO systems for ignition and Demon carburetion --> http://www.4secondsflat.com/

 

[69 Runner]

Sweet. Welcome

 

[Pistol Pete]

Very clean, welcome aboard.

 

[1badstroker]

Sweet Ride!! Welcome from the Midwest.

 

[GTXperience]

Welcome to FBBO CF!

 

[Moose]

Like it a lot and I feel for ya about all the painful trial and error. I am in the midst of it myself !!

 

[CFster]

Recently "upgraded" to 15" Torque Thrust "D"s.

Even Bill Reilly who sold me the AlterKtion was surprised the 15" rims fit over the 12.19" Wilwoods.

Tires sizes were very limited for the 16" rims. Going down to a 15" opened my choices up and made for a more authentic look for the car.

Front 225/60r15
Rear 275/60r15

If I trim the inside corner of the front fender I think I can get 235/60r15s on the front.

 

[Propwash]

Great looking car, welcome