[Ramairnacho]

Thanks my car did come with spaces saver option ,I'll locate one but wish they just sold a new 14 inch space saver tire. Thanks. I'll hunt one down and a jack if possible. Thanks for input.

[SD455DJ]

The Bad News, RAIII in the Formula has a slight, but deep, audible knock, so we are thinking one of the rod bearings isn't too happy. It came on after the maiden cruise down to last years TA Nationals, though the oil pressure was good (20 psi at idle and 65-70 psi at any rpm over 2000) and the running temps at 185-190 degrees during the hot muggy 90+ weather during that time of year, we don't want to push it.

The Good News is we caught it before anything really bad happened and, well, I have to rebuild the original, never been apart, RAIII. We're going to pull the engine this fall and do the usual routine (in the same spirit as the XV 400 in the '70 Tempest) with new Icon custom forged pistons (.010" - .020" over hopefully) with a slight dish, Eagle H-beam rods, and new Ferrea 1-piece valves and new dual springs in the #12 heads. We'll cut the head surfaces just enough to ensure they are flat and true. The block will be decked the absolute minimum to ensure reasonable 'squareness' and keep the pistons in the hole about .005" and set the quench at .040" with the head gaskets to get the compression to 9.9 (it Whistled at a true 10.5 compression). If the original 068 cam and lifters still are good, they'll be reinstalled. If not, then a 2801 cam with the 1.50 rocker arms. It will be dyno'd to see how it compares to other RAIII 400's in the past. We'll keep you informed as to our progress, but that will be no sooner than October after the dust settles from the Pure Stock Drags.

Dennis

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

The Bad News, RAIII in the Formula has a slight, but deep, audible knock, so we are thinking one of the rod bearings isn't too happy. It came on after the maiden cruise down to last years TA Nationals, though the oil pressure was good (20 psi at idle and 65-70 psi at any rpm over 2000) and the running temps at 185-190 degrees during the hot muggy 90+ weather during that time of year, we don't want to push it.

The Good News is we caught it before anything really bad happened and, well, I have to rebuild the original, never been apart, RAIII. We're going to pull the engine this fall and do the usual routine (in the same spirit as the XV 400 in the '70 Tempest) with new Icon custom forged pistons (.010" - .020" over hopefully) with a slight dish, Eagle H-beam rods, and new Ferrea 1-piece valves and new dual springs in the #12 heads. We'll cut the head surfaces just enough to ensure they are flat and true. The block will be decked the absolute minimum to ensure reasonable 'squareness' and keep the pistons in the hole about .005" and set the quench at .040" with the head gaskets to get the compression to 9.9 (it Whistled at a true 10.5 compression). If the original 068 cam and lifters still are good, they'll be reinstalled. If not, then a 2801 cam with the 1.50 rocker arms. It will be dyno'd to see how it compares to other RAIII 400's in the past. We'll keep you informed as to our progress, but that will be no sooner than October after the dust settles from the Pure Stock Drags.

Dennis

Yes please keep us informed.my engine rebuilt about 30 years ago and sat installed, I put my car on back burner and built a daily driver. I have #13 heads completely rebuilt and compression in close to 10 also the correct 12 that I might reinstall but will set back some money's but might be correct way to go. I like stock but was told the roller built is very good too so I'm very Interested

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

The Bad News, RAIII in the Formula has a slight, but deep, audible knock, so we are thinking one of the rod bearings isn't too happy. It came on after the maiden cruise down to last years TA Nationals, though the oil pressure was good (20 psi at idle and 65-70 psi at any rpm over 2000) and the running temps at 185-190 degrees during the hot muggy 90+ weather during that time of year, we don't want to push it.

The Good News is we caught it before anything really bad happened and, well, I have to rebuild the original, never been apart, RAIII. We're going to pull the engine this fall and do the usual routine (in the same spirit as the XV 400 in the '70 Tempest) with new Icon custom forged pistons (.010" - .020" over hopefully) with a slight dish, Eagle H-beam rods, and new Ferrea 1-piece valves and new dual springs in the #12 heads. We'll cut the head surfaces just enough to ensure they are flat and true. The block will be decked the absolute minimum to ensure reasonable 'squareness' and keep the pistons in the hole about .005" and set the quench at .040" with the head gaskets to get the compression to 9.9 (it Whistled at a true 10.5 compression). If the original 068 cam and lifters still are good, they'll be reinstalled. If not, then a 2801 cam with the 1.50 rocker arms. It will be dyno'd to see how it compares to other RAIII 400's in the past. We'll keep you informed as to our progress, but that will be no sooner than October after the dust settles from the Pure Stock Drags.

Dennis

Looks like you'll be forced to run 93 octane fuel.. sound's great if that's your mission.
Really cant compare it to a 1970 RA III as todays racing fuel, and oil and bearing material are much improved. Curious to see the "old" rod bearings too.

[Formulajones]

Originally Posted by SD455DJ

The Bad News, RAIII in the Formula has a slight, but deep, audible knock, so we are thinking one of the rod bearings isn't too happy. It came on after the maiden cruise down to last years TA Nationals, though the oil pressure was good (20 psi at idle and 65-70 psi at any rpm over 2000) and the running temps at 185-190 degrees during the hot muggy 90+ weather during that time of year, we don't want to push it.

The Good News is we caught it before anything really bad happened and, well, I have to rebuild the original, never been apart, RAIII. We're going to pull the engine this fall and do the usual routine (in the same spirit as the XV 400 in the '70 Tempest) with new Icon custom forged pistons (.010" - .020" over hopefully) with a slight dish, Eagle H-beam rods, and new Ferrea 1-piece valves and new dual springs in the #12 heads. We'll cut the head surfaces just enough to ensure they are flat and true. The block will be decked the absolute minimum to ensure reasonable 'squareness' and keep the pistons in the hole about .005" and set the quench at .040" with the head gaskets to get the compression to 9.9 (it Whistled at a true 10.5 compression). If the original 068 cam and lifters still are good, they'll be reinstalled. If not, then a 2801 cam with the 1.50 rocker arms. It will be dyno'd to see how it compares to other RAIII 400's in the past. We'll keep you informed as to our progress, but that will be no sooner than October after the dust settles from the Pure Stock Drags.

Dennis

Dennis, that is very close to how I built mine. I ended up with 10.13:1 compression. Been running nice on 91 octane for years now and I run the snot out of it. Will be cool to see this go together and put on the dyno

[SD455DJ]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Dennis, that is very close to how I built mine. I ended up with 10.13:1 compression. Been running nice on 91 octane for years now and I run the snot out of it. Will be cool to see this go together and put on the dyno

Bruce, what cam did you use in your rebuild?

Dennis

[SD455DJ]

The engine rebuild is on-hold as a certain '69 Custom S got in the way and sucked all the funds from this project. Hopefully, it can get back on track this fall.

In the meantime, I need to find a 'new' padded dash to replace the original warped and cracking pad. I see that OER may make a run of a reproduction dash for the 2nd Gen firebird, but I haven't heard anything about these. Have they made any and run out of stock? Anyone have any knowledge on these?

Sorry if this has been discussed before...

Thanks, Dennis