justaZcarguy

I am ready to beat my head against the wall. Can someone give me some advice on the wiring problem that I may have.... Voltage regulator has always been questionable, the needle has been bouncy from day one. Was always going to replace the regulator and never did... Funny thing is, the tach has allways read high also. Driving along last week I noticed that the amp guage was acting weird and suddenly the gauge dropped to the middle and lights dimmed slightly, no increase when revved. AND the tach read normal. NOW we can get no charging out of the system. Have replaced the alternator and the voltage regulator and still no charge. It's acting as if a relay is not activating the alternator. I've traced wires and nothing seems out of wack. Am I missing something??????? '73 is the year here. Also, have checked all the fuses. I swear there is one hiding somewhere. Please help, I am ready to go to the padded room over this. Thanks, Brian

These are the numbers on the top of the piston, P86 50. Anyone recognize this? I have nit measured the bore yet, the pistons have a silver dollar sized raised portion on the passenger side of the piston as well... Ideas? I was told they were some sort of european racing piston made by nissan... Thanks for any info..... Bri

You know how a sponge feels, right? Actually, the last few days have been cloud free and it's gonna last thru Sunday!! Woooohooooo!!!:classic: Too bad the fast one is not driveable..... I wonder if I know the friend that moved here.... Bri

Mine stayed where it was, did you replace the pin? I'm thinking that would be a smart move. B

Hey Zed, My cam just moved on the pin a few days ago, took out some valves... Don't feel alone. I posted the experience under "well here's the damage" So, Clutchdust, hang in there, I just took the head off, if you need any advice, feel free to call me at 503.357.9776. Have a good day, and look at it this way, it's repairable and at least you'll know what the inside looks like... Brian

If your voltage regualtor goes out, will the alternator read as if it is not charging? I think that my voltage reg went out, it has been showing signs for a while now. The alternator is new and suddenly it shows no activity... Thanks! Brian

Yea, I like the scotch pads also, the pitting does not surprise me much, this car sat for almost two years before I had it... I need to find a source for the valves, I was told that NAPA is repackaging the stockers....funny, the emblem on the stock valves looks like a chevy bowtie.... Bri

That's the thing, I didn't see ANY locktite on the blasted thing, and that suprises me because the rest of the job seems really professional... But thanks sir, any advice on head gaskets? RIP Bambi, Brian.

Below you will see the results of the cam gear bolt backing itself off. I've been told that this is not such an uncommon problem, espically in a motor that has been put together recently. This is a strange sich because this engine has about 20k since being built. So do yourself a favor and check that bolt!!! Anyway, lucky that I was only doing around 40 and not running 'er hard, the end result as you will see is a bit of contact between the valves and the pistons. The pistons came through ok, they are forged. It has actually been an ok experience tearing this motor down, I really wanted to know what was inside. Turns out the cam is a Schneider Racing cam, which I never have heard of... Now it's time to take out the bent valves and look over the head.... Everything so far looks ok wear wise, cam looks good and the cylinders look great... Anyone have any suggestions at this point? The head is allready polished and ported. I also need pointers on head gasket purchase, I have heard that Felpro has dropped in quality.... I hope this experience saves someone else the heartache, check that bolt!!! Have a great day! Brian

Thanks Mudge, that's EXACTLY what I needed.... Hope things in the Bay Area are treating you well!!! Brian

Can anyone tell me the stock cam specs for a n42 head? Looking for duration, lift, etc.... Thanks!! Brian

Thanks Carl, I think it's a shot of bad luck, I am almost sure that a few valves are bent, I'm not sure how they could not be, the pistons are forged so I would be surprised if they took on much damage... I'll be tearing it down later this afternoon... Yippe. Brian.

Hey, And happy new year, mine is not off to a very good start. Was traveling down the highway tonite around 40 mph or so, not running it hard, suddenly the motor kind lurched and shut down. After getting it home and pulling the valve cover off it was discovered that the cam sproket bolt had backed off and allowed the pin to slip out of the sproket and stop turning... And while I was pulling off the cam gear, the chain tensioner expanded before I could get the screw driver inbetween the chains. I did get them spred apart...is that gonna be good enough or do I have to take the front of the motor off???? And when the motor was turning over in the garage to evaluate what was going on there were no major noises. This is the built motor with the tall cam. I plan on pulling off the head to check the valves... Any advice on the tensioner or the possible damage to look for? This suks, I just had that car running awesome from the damn Chevron crap. I'm about to give up. Do yourself a favor, check that bolt. Bri

I can't believe three pages over the red button!!! You guys are the best, thanks for the info and have a great New Year!!! Brian

sorry to hear 'bout it, but at least now I know what a prang and bits are... Have a safer new year!! Brian

Thanks Carl! And I looove that avatar!! B

HO HO HOLY COW. Someone wanna tell me how to hook up an after market tach to this mess? It's a Mallory system, the red tab on the coil is positive.... Good luck and enjoy the new year!!

The mallory dual point system with the mallory coil would have stock adjustment on the points, right? Merry Ho Ho, Bri

Thanks 2Many!! I printed it out, have you done this swap?

Merry Xmas all!! I have the mallory dual point ign. in the '74. This is the car with the stroker, would I be better off putting the electric ign from my old 280 in? I've never done the swap, is it hard? Ideas, suggestions? Thanks, have a great holiday!! Brian

So I am running a compression check on the '74 that has been Chevroned and it occoured to me that I have never held the throttle open when cranking the engine over. Well hey Elvis, now my compression is where the previous owner said that it was.... 210 holy cow. And straight across the board, this reading is after five revolutions on the cranking... So, why does it make a difference holding the throttle open? And anyone else out there have any idea what the compresion ratio may be with that kind of reading? (Ballpark ofcourse...) Thanks all, hope the holidays is treating you well. Wish me luck, I battle Chevron tomorrow on the gas thing.... Bri

yes Mike, It beckons all who gaze upon it. B

That is tooooo funny. My Dane wouldn't fit into the box tho.... Brian

I know that this is off the subject but I found a great Speed Racer theme for your computer at www.themeworld.com . Saw your avatar and thought you'd enjoy.... Brian