Dan:
Here's what I've done:
Two years ago, I bought a '66 B that had an engine rebuild at 64,000 miles.
Had 74,000 when I bought it. (Just turned 98,000 few weeks ago.) During
the rebuild, a 292 degree cam was installed & the head was "shaved." I
don't know what brand cam it was as this work was done 12 years ago in
Colorado for PO two owners back . Nor do I know how much was taken off the
head. In the same rebuild, they bored the cylinders 0.020" over.
Performance was good, but not "WOW!" Cam comes on at about 3,000 rpm's.
Since I've owned it, I added a Crane electronic ignition with Lucas 40M volt
coil. (Minor improvement in performance.)
When it needed an exhaust I installed an ANSA header & rear muffler - just
pipe between. It's a little louder than I like. But, it's tolerable. And,
I don't scrape the middle muffler on high spots. (A little more punch.)
K&N filters in original air filter cannisters added a wee bit more pep.
While I didn't do timed 0 to 60's, or timed laps at Lime Rock, all these
mods combined have resulted in a reasonably quick old B.
Next on tap: Just had Sasco Motorsports mill, port, polish & cc a head with
modified valves. When that is installed, I'll go to more carburation -
perhaps a Weber. That way, the intake, combustion and exhaust will all be
more efficient and allow more volume. More volume with more efficiency
means more power.
Under consideration for future mods: high-ratio roller rocker assembly,
Supertrapp exhaust, cold-air box, close ratio trans, & limited slip. What
hasn't & won't be done until next out-of-car rebuild is static & dynamic
balancing & careful blueprinting.
To handle the additional power (as little as it is) I've installed
cross-drilled rotors, s/s brake hoses, new calipers & brake cylinders with
semi-metallic pads & shoes. A later-model dual master cylinder & s/s lines
is next. (Don't forget, stopping fast is as important as going fast.)
Also, a super-duty front sway bar is now in.
Performance costs $$. How fast do you want to go?
Norm Sippel
'66 B
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