This is what happens when you run an 8-71 blower 28% overdriven on alcohol, but on a 1958 (yes, thats the year) Chrysler 392 Hemi block in an AA/A altered. Nostalgia is nice, but will only take you so far. I was testing the car at Speedworld in arizona 2 saturdays ago to take it to the March Meet in Famosa Ca. this past weekend. We were just doing some 100ft low gear launches off the trans brake and testing an air shifter we just put in. This happened somewhere after the 1st launch or after the 2nd burnout. It was smoking out the valve covers like crazy after the 2nd burnout, so we shut it down. Lucky i didn't make a full blown pass 2nd time around. You can see why. Needless to say, our go car turned into just a show car for the weekend.

Piston #2


Number 2&4 cyl.


Cyl 4


Cyl4&6


Cyl6&8


8 was cracked like 2, 4 and 6, but the sleeve just hadn't cracked yet. The cracks went all the way down to the oil pan. We think it was a combination of just a really old block and also we had some machining issues with the 1st machine shop the block was at. We had to have a 2nd machine shop fix the errors the 1st shop made during the sleeving process. Just though i'd share the carnage because everyone likes engine carnage pics....

Ken R.

 

looks nice
what kinda power were you guys pushin?

 

hotness...

 

Somewhere north of 1000hp depending on the tune we have in it. We're on the conservative side since i'm still learning to get a handle on the car. Here's the car. At least its easier to work on then my camaro.




Ken R.

 

Wow pretty sweet car bet it goes like hell! Sorry to see about a classic hemi block thats scrap

Jay

 

Is that a empty fiberglass radiator shroud that says "Ford" on it?

 

You know, that block would make a GREAT coffee table!! Something similar to what they have on Top Gear.

 

We were thinking the mob may want it. That way they won't have to wait so long for the concrete to dry....

Ken R.

 

I'd like to hear more on the root cause of the failure. Thin cylinder walls on one bank (are the cracks on the thrust side?)

Great looking car.

Thanks,

 

Ken-
Maybe try one of these instead of that old hemi motor:
Just kidding



My Altered (although a old picture now):



You have a nice looking car there, sorry about the bad luck!

 

I love carnage photos!

 

Did you get any feedback on the damage at the March Meet? Should have been a wealth of knowledge on these old hemi motors there? I talked to Garlits for some time over old pictures I took of him and Swamp Rat in 1963. These old timers are a gold mine of info if you can get them to spend some time talking.