[transam1972]

does not the 455 H.O. have,out of the crate more potential and a better running engine than the RA IV?

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by transam1972

does not the 455 H.O. have,out of the crate more potential and a better running engine than the RA IV?

No, to answer the "more potential", not with stock internals & stock flowing heads.

[transam1972]

so stock to stock, a RA IV will beat a 455 H.O.

[4birds]

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what color it is.......

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by 4birds

Maybe, maybe not. Depends on what color it is.......

LOL!

Glen, what many of us are saying is the RAIV has a higher potential in race engine form.
Bone stock for bone stock with the lousy stock '70-72 F-body rear exhaust system, both the '70 RAIV T/A & similar equipped '71 HO T/A were near dead heat.

[transam1972]

I know, tell me though Ol Pinion,..should I pull a head and check the piston for wear on my engine?...I do want to do everything right for this motor

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by transam1972

I know, tell me though Ol Pinion,..should I pull a head and check the piston for wear on my engine?...I do want to do everything right for this motor

If you are going to make a carrer of drag racing you need to go through it.....but if your engine is still in good shape...compression,oil pressure,etc...it will likely be OK for the occasional pass down the quarter,as long as you don't ask it to do more than it was designed to...

[brians]

Personally got to go with the RAIV as purchased, but believe the 455HO has more potential as a street engine.

Most of my TA’s are gone now, but here is what the early ones ran:

1972 – All original but was an auto with a 3.08 gear. Best was a 14.52 @95

1973 – Original with 30K miles - base 455 4sp with 3.42. Best was a 14.40 @ 97
Changed the M21 to a M20, put in a 744 cam. True duels with manifolds.
Best 13.89 @ 102

(Switched to 400 4X heads and put the 72 HO intake and carb on it. Best 13.20 @ 105)


1970 RAIV – Auto with 3.73. Never drove it all the years I had it (really stupid mistake)
Was in it before I bought it - Best was a 13.98 @ 102 and an ugly 60ft

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by transam1972

so stock to stock, a RA IV will beat a 455 H.O.

Beat it doing what??
1/4 mile, maybe..
TEXAS mile, NO WAY..
can this ever end??

[Jack Ferris]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Beat it doing what??
1/4 mile, maybe..
TEXAS mile, NO WAY..
can this ever end??

It will end if you explain to us city slickers what a TEXAS mile is. Is it like a TEXAS 5th?

[The Boss]

Originally Posted by Jack Ferris

It will end if you explain to us city slickers what a TEXAS mile is. Is it like a TEXAS 5th?

http://www.texasmile.net/

[transam1972]

I get it,,,although I prefer a Texas steak