My new stock stroke 400 build

[qkcuda]

Since we're not driving to Carlisle this year I guess I had to make my Roadkill repair at home

 

[qkcuda]

We put the hood on the car this morning and I headed out to the car cruise. I stopped and washed off the layers of dust accumulated during the winter and made it right on time. Nobody believed it wasn't even running at 7:00 last night!

 

[PRHeads]

What? No driving impressions update?

 

[qkcuda]

Fair question, but I was holding back on reporting until I had more of a chance to test it. Since I had not even moved it off the hoist before I left for the car show, I was busy watching gauges and listening for issues. I did kick it into passing gear and while it pulled well, I didn't think it felt that much different from a roll than the 361. The real test will be trying it from a standing start, which is where the 361/tight converter/2.94 gear combo fell on it's nose. I also feel the response from the 600 Holley is kind of soft. I may end up putting the Street Demon back on. As I said all of those are only first impressions, without any serious testing yet. For now the good news is both the engine and transmission are working well and there are no leaks or strange noises.

 

[qkcuda]

My neighbour who helped me install the hood Sunday morning did mention it sounded more like a muscle car now, thanks to the 10 degrees extra cam duration and the new Dynomax super turbo mufflers. It does have a nice rumble going down the road.

 

[qkcuda]

Bad day today. I was making several small adjustments before taking the car for a proper test drive. The last adjustment was to bring the torsion bars up only about 1/2 inch. Drivers side went fine, but when I was adjusting the passenger side there was a loud bang which blew the socket out of my hand. Not sure exactly what let go, but I think it was the threaded block the adjuster threads into. It tore the palm of my left hand wide open. Four and a half hours in the emergency room. Bottom line, no broken bones or severed tendons but 12 stitches. Both the car and I will be out of commission for a while.

 

[dadsbee]

Jesus.... you weren't cranking it loaded were you? OE or aftermarket junk?

 

[T2R9]

Damn that sucks. Get better the car can wait.

 

[qkcuda]

Yes it was loaded. Hard lesson learned I guess. Original equipment.

 

[RemCharger]

Sorry to hear that!

 

[Don Frelier]

Ohh that's bad Dave.
Hope it heals quickly for you.

 

[hunt2elk]

Yes it was loaded. Hard lesson learned I guess. Original equipment.

I made that same mistake years ago as well. Figured turning the adjuster just 1/2 turn in didn't warrant getting the weight off the front end. I figured wrong, the threads on the oem adjuster block pulled. Big BOOM, and she came down, scaring the crap out of me. Luckily no damage to me or the car, but I sure learned a valuable lesson.

 

[Dave6T4]

Damn, Dave! Sorry to hear it. Heal up soon. I was hoping to see you at Sparta next week.

 

[BSB67]

Sorry to hear this.

 

[qkcuda]

This is half of the damage. I will get some pictures of the damage on the car later today.

 

[padam]

Dang, that looks all swollen. Here I was whining yesterday about burning my thumb on the headers. I hope. It heals up soon.

 

[Dave6T4]

This is half of the damage. I will get some pictures of the damage on the car later today.

View attachment 1865188

Oh man, Dave. It hurts just to see that. Take care of yourself.

 

[T2R9]

Ouch! Can feel it from here. Take care of it.

 

[eldubb440]

Holy Crap Dave......no major damage and the stiches will heal.......but please be careful!

 

[qkcuda]

I'll find out when the dressing comes off, but I'm pretty sure it was a three pointed split. Maybe I'll have a fratzog scar.