Hello Everyone:
I'm getting close to installing my "new" engine and headers and 5 speed
in my '66 Tiger and I'm thinking of maybe changing from my LAT valve
covers to stock valve covers for one reason: spark plug changes.
I changed my plugs before going to Grants Pass for Tigers United and it
took about four hours and lost skin and blood to get those @#$%(*&^
plugs in and out, especially on the driver's side. I'd forgotten how
much fun that job is. I do remember, on my last Tiger, before I
installed the LAT covers, it was much easier to get to the plugs with
the stock valve covers. Has anyone figured an "easy" way to change the
plugs with LAT valve covers? I tried different extensions, wrenches,
etc., but no matter what I tried, especially on #7 & #8, it was
miserable. Maybe there are some particular tools that would solve this
so I can keep my LAT's.
I also remember that it's also almost impossible (or maybe it is
impossible???) to get the LAT covers off with the engine in the car. I
remember getting the stock valve covers off, with the motor in, without
too much pain.
One more question for the list: The motor that's going in is a genuine
hi-po 289 bottom, with stock 289 heads (heavy duty valve springs), and a
cam that's just a bit "bigger" on the exhaust side than an Edlebrok
Performer cam. I currently have an LAT Tiger lo-rise manifold on my
260. The consensus of people I've talked to so far about this is that my
LAT manifold is comparable to an Edlebrok Performer manifold and will
give me a strong power curve up to 4500 RPM, and then trail off, with my
new engine. Since my 260 runs out of energy around 3700 RPM or so,
that's an improvement, especially since I'll also be gaining 100 HP or
more with the new motor. Will I gain that much by dumping the LAT
manifold and going to a Performer RPM manifold? I'm still a bit confused
as to whether the "RPM" manifold, which is supposed to allow power up to
5500 RPM will accomplish this at the cost of low and mid range
acceleration. I have a stock 2:88 differential in the car now. This is
my everday street car so I don't "necessarily" have to go 150 MPH that
often, but getting up to 70, 80 or 90 pretty quickly on occassion is a
more likely scenario.
Thanks for any forthcoming insults or advice!
Steve Sage
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