Eastside Cruisers

Found an old photo tonight.. this is a real blast from the past.

Here's my beast arriving at Mount Hotham after a 5 hour road trip with 2 of my high-school buddies who are in the photo. This would have been 1998, when we were 18 year olds...

I can't believe I fitted roof racks to my car!!!! Never again



After a weekend of skiing, we set off for home again. I remember coming back down the mountain and turning the engine off to save fuel...we kept coasting, then I'd pull a gear and pop the clutch and have massive backfires and no doubt flames out the ass end! hahaha, the stupid things we do when we're young.

PS. Anyone who knows how uncomfortable the back seat of a Torana is - well you'd feel sorry for my mate Leigh then who copped 5 hours straight in there. He could barely walk when we finally got out Great stuff indeed!!!

HAHA! Love them!!!!

Great story there, wish i had a few more of them with my car!

Long overdue update...

Got the donk out. Ripped the sump off. Besides the huge hole in the bore, the shattered missing piston, and slightly damaged conrod, there is no other damage to the bottom end components. Pulled the big end cap off from the dead cylinder, and the bearing is still in tact and looks mint. Showed my engine machinist, and he agreed it looks fine, and says there were no oil problems there.

So the blow-up had nothing to do with low oil pressure, hurt bearings, or me neglecting the car. It's all top-end. Either a valve broke, or stayed open too long due to lazy valve springs, or a tight valve guide. It's nice to finally have an answer.

Nothing changes the fact the block is still junk. But I reckon the crank can be used again in another build. It's old-school though (externally balanced 400 crank). So I still just plan to throw a standard 350 bottom end together for now.

What size pots does the 350 have??
You know a standard 350 has 5.7 rods, A cheap piston change, use the factory rods and your 400 crank say hello to a budget 383 and you will have the compression you want too. " Just an idea"

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CHEV-383-PISTONS ... 41562f3799

Yeah I've thought about that too. My stroker used 6" rods. But I would happily build the next one with 5.7" rods.

Besides buying new pistons (I guess anywhere from $200 - $500 for cheapies), I would also need to stroker clearance the block, and have everything balanced (approx $280). It's definitely worth considering. Like you said, it solves the comp issue. I also then get to re-use my 400 TCI driveplate and Romac balancer.

PS. The 350 is 0.060" up already. Which is apparently not a good thing

This is what happens after sitting in a carport for nearly a year:

I probably shouldn't post these for fear of being kicked off the forums for car abuse!!!







She's a sad site, but the local neighbourhood cats have taken a liking to it...

You can wash a car that doesn't run you know lol at least lxchev has lots of pussy action going on


I've got a spare car cover if you want it

great photo of you and your mate arriving at Mt Hotham - Hot Tub Time Machine!!!

Oh Brett, that is sooooo sad!

Glad to hear that the engine is now out though and some progress might happen on it!

I think you should push it out and get some of that dust off it!