V8 Chevy Rebuild

[Keep it stiff]

One of the things I did last weekend was to make wooden templates of the brackets I needed to connect the engine mounts to the chassis. I dropped these off at a local workshop and picked up the brackets on Thursday, a quick coat of paint and they were ready to fit today. I'm pretty pleased with the outcome, it took a bit of fine tuning with the grinder and I needed to add a spacing plate on one side and they are now fitted. For the first time I have the engine self-supported, not a block of wood or trolley jack in sight, a good milestone!

I spoke this week to a few potential suppliers of made-to-measure manifolds, next step is to visit with the car to see what can be done.

[Keep it stiff]

Engine now rebuilt and back in the car, new heads, new cam, electronic ignition, racing sump and a Holley. The dashboard needs to come out to get the dizzy cap on!

[Keep it stiff]

It is a while since I updated. The Gilbern Chevy GT is now finished, now fitted with a 350, I don't know what it will put out but it should be enough. There have been a few bumps along the way, the first time I tried to start it the starter motor stripped teeth off the ring-gear and with that problem solved I took it to a track day only to find that the clutch plates would not separate. I should be able to put some test miles on it this week and I have it's debut race entry at Donington in a few weeks.

It has been a challenge and I'm sure there will still be a few to come!

[Keep it stiff]

The week before, All Stars race on the 5th.

[Keep it stiff]

With thanks to those who gave me advice, this is a picture of the finished car. My debut with it was at Donington in May, almost exactly 59 years to the day since it's first outing. Unfortunately over-heating and brake problems meant that I had to pull off the grid. With a new rad (core size increased by 50%), new pump and bigger fan (moved to engine side of the rad) I was back at Donington a couple of weeks ago. Temp was under control, it was running at around 80 degrees, but brakes still awful. I completed the race but came in last of the finishers, my lap time was considerably slower than my other Gilbern. I need to resolve the brakes and I can then move on to the handling, all part of the learning curve for what is an unique 1965 race car. The next time out is likely to be the Autumn Classic at Castle Combe in September.