We just took second place in our class at world of wheels nostalgia drag racecar category in FEB. The 40 chevy gets shown at lots of goodguys events. There is a weekly show in lemont that we used to go to but they changed the location and the day the show was and we arent able to attend now. If yoiu guys want more information on old school racing Midwest Gassers Association has a nice webpage and thats the club we belong to and race with. Thanks for the kind words and by my background you now know why I fell in love with the HHR. My dad already has plans for it He wants to jam a blown 454 into it, which i'm not against but this car was bought as my every day comuter... Guess i'll have to buy another one for that purpose.

As far as engine the 37 has a 427 dart block custom built localy by an engine builder to accomidate the Mooneyham 671 blower on it. The car runs 9.21 at 146 MPH with the blower slightly overdriven. This year however we are done breaking in the engine and will be overdriving the blower by a great deal more than last year. We are hoping for 8.80 runs at 160 MPH

We started it tonight to show my visiting uncle the car. Every time that car starts i get a smile from ear to ear.

 

3 1/4 Race cam in it. ????? You must mean a 3/4 cam. aka 75% track, 25% street.

Cause there is no such thing as a 3 1/4 race cam

 

Dude, I'm not a doctor in this stuff. If it were a 3/4 cam, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to drive it on the street. I know enough to get by, So please forgive me if I mislabel something.

I should clarify; It sounds like it has a 3/4 cam. That doesn't mean it does. The previous owner said he installed a different cam, But he didn't get into specifics, But I don't care, Because it runs. That's all I care about. Going back to stock in a bit though. Don't ask me for specifics on that cam.

 

I just assumed he meant a 325 cam.

 

I was working on the 52 Chevy today took a 350 motor and trans out of a 86 camaro, and then took the engine down to the block. We also took out the steering colum as wheel man im tired!

 

Dude- don't freak-out, I only commented because you also said "you didn't have enough vacuum", typical sign of a CAM w/much overlap...3/4 cam classic symptoms....
Used to be that's how cams were called 3/4, etc.. Today they are labeled in thousandths of Lift, & degrees of duration that the valves are open @ .050" & above. ..

So yes indeed a 3/4 cam can surely be used on the street. I have built many street motors using a 3/4 cams....... It will have a lumpy idle (loping) from valve overlap, w/diminished idle vacuum for the power brakes..But you can add a different style (electric) vacuum booster to correct this.
But sounds like you're changing the cam anyhow, probably BEST to push that big Pontiac, more TORQUE..

 

Well I can certainly understand THAT~! I just went through the link you posted and was showing my hubby the photos. He just started laughing SO HARD -- because he's a 3D modeler/designer at Mattel and he just finished some cars for a line called GASSERS - (Hot Wheels, I guess). He did a Chevy Nomad, which I will knock people over to get hold of of course. These cars are based from older model cars and the engines are all open headers and huge sticking up and is really going to be cool. Hey, don't laugh -- these are the fancy cars we CAN afford - I can't believe the way those cars can STAND UP for themselves - what a kick!

 

The best I remember, this is all good info. But, could you also have a vacuum leak someplace. Listen good under the hood, which might be difficult with the lack of exhaust system. Any "hissing".....might be hard to locate though??

 

Hey, Sorry 'bout that, Must be that time of the month again...

But yeah, The vacuum is crap for the cruise. I didn't know the vacuum would effect my brakes though... This is news to me. That explains why the damn brake light won't go out.

 

Nate- if my first response offended you, I apologize, that was not my intent..

Vacuum is what gives "Power Brakes" their boost..Right outta the intake manifold. Highest vacuum is generally always at idle..

Snoopy had a great suggestion as well.. If you have or can borrow a "vacuum tester" you will be able to test to know for sure in short order if you have a vac leak....


Chris'sHHR- I've always been a Big Gasser Fan !!!! My dream gasser would be a '41 Willy's w/Blown Hemi (& I'm a hard-core chevy guy !!!!)

The '37 Chevy GASSER sounds loaded, & surely looks to be too...
LONG LIVE THE GASSERS