[Verdoro 68]

Things are moving slowly so I've been taking my time and doing my homework in prep for this build.

I'm awaiting a 4.25" stroker kit from Butler. Cylinders will just require a clean up with the estimated final bore being 4.17. That will put this build at 464ci.

Awaiting the custom dished pistons (9.5 comp ratio) to do the work. I ordered the kit in early March and there's a 12-14 week backlog on the pistons, hoping the kit will be here this month. Went with a cast crank at their recommendation since this is a pretty mild build but stepped up to their best bearings. I have a set of Durabond bearings for the cam. Spent the $ on a Butler blueprinted oil pump, a hardened drive shaft and a drilled oil galley plug to make sure everything gets oil.

I sold the 224/230 roller and Lunati (Morel) lifters I purchased for the build when it was going to be a 400 and moved up to 230/236, .510/.521, 114 hydraulic roller with a set Johnson lifters. Still intending on using the PRW 1.5 roller rockers I got from Kauffmann. Simms made me a really nice timing set to tie the bottom end and top end together.

The RA II heads are getting the once over at the same shop the block is at. Nothing special - stainless valves, new guides, seals, hardened exhaust seats, Comp springs/retainers for the roller cam. The shop is taking their sweet time, but they're really detail oriented and that's alright with me. These will be tied to repro round port Ram Air manifolds with 2.5 outlets.

'68 Q-Jet is with Ray Klemm for a refresh. I've got a repro RA IV intake I'm planning on massaging the ports as required. The quality and alignment is much better than I expected. There are pics in an old post somewhere. I already modified the carb base Cliff-style.

Since this has gotten expensive, I tabled my plans for an OD auto and had a '68 TH400 rebuilt at a local performance-oriented trans shop. I'm going to give my old 13" Continential a whirl and see how it works behind the 464.

Stripped and repainted the engine bay, rebuilt the suspension and steering. It's all dressed up with nowhere to go.

I'm planning on assembling the engine myself and will be taking my time so expect more questions as I get into it.