|
Register | Album Gallery | Thread Gallery | FAQ | Community | Calendar | Become a Paid Member | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Another engine swap outside. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Cool valve cover with Dick Harrell crest. Car Craft Dec 70. |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
(Part 2)The valve cover with harrell crest.
|
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Cool pictures!
But...what is with all of these people stabbing their engines OUTSIDE?! Better light, or just better advertisement?! [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Probably for a better light for a better advertisement [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
Its typical to Magazine cover in 1970 and today Just for the show. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Super pics! Wonder what other sb conversions Dick performed? Wonder how the emblem was attached to the intake? [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Thanks Ken
SB conversion? is for small body or small block, or small body with small block conversion.Probably not many. Thanks for the info about the emblem on the intake. I had not seen it [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
You knew it had to happen, right? Chevrolet answers the consumer demand for a practical, economical subcompact by introducing their docile,innocent little Vega, only to have some power-crazed performance nut-bail .go and stuff a small-block V8 :engine into it. Well power-crazed nut-ball performance fans, we're here to tell you how to do it. Originally we were planning to drop the 350 cubic inch LT-1 engine (which was slated for our Econo-Rail and awaiting chassis construction) into the Vega which we were drag testing; But when we heard that Kansas City Supercar King Dick Harrell was going to drop a warmed-over 400 cubic inch small-block into a Vega for one of his customers,we figured we'd follow him along rather than doing it ourselves. As it turned out, the engine Dick is plunking into his customer's Vega is a 400 cubic incher equipped with TRW's new high compression pistons for the 4, 1.25-inch bore block. ActualIy,the pistons corne in a choice of either 11:1 or 12;5:1 compression ratios, and Harrell chose the 11:1 models (TRW part number 2311)since the engine was intended for street. use. The camshaft is the stock solid lifter Chevy unit (part number 3972178) from a 1970 1/2 LT-1 350 cubic inch Z/28 engine. The induction system consists of an Offenhauser manifold sporting a 1000 cfm Carter Thermo-Quad, fed by a Carter fuel pump. A Poweready ignition system completes the other-than-stock engine equipment. Essentially it's the same basic power plant as used in the Teach Your New Dog Old Tricks story (October, 1970, Car Craft.) upon first glance, the Vega's engine compartment seems to be a natural resting place for a small-block Chevy engine. Perhaps this is only an illusion created by the fact that the stock 2300cc in-Iine four is an extremely narrow engine. However,early XP-887 (Vega) development had the conventional small-block V8 as one of the possible power sources.Despite the, fact that whenever we talked with Chevy engineers and told them of our plans to stuff a small-block into the Vega they ali coughed and clutched at their throats, we persisted that the idea was possible, if not entirely practical.The maih bone of contention from the Chevy engineers concerned the fact that the Vega drivetrain components would not be able to withstand the torque of a V8 engine. For openers, the 6 1/2-inch diameter ring gear rear end with toothpick sized axles is intended strictly for the production four-cylinder engine. In addition to replacing the rear- housing and drive-shaft, the stock Vega four-speed transmission will have to be ousted because of this anemic dimension ,Harrell plans to install a Turbohydro in its place. While there is sufficient width in the engine compartment to hold a small-block Chevy engine when you try lowering the V-8 into the engine bay you will encounter oil pan to front K-cross member and steering interference.Harrell circumvented this problem by removing the K-member and reworking the steering.The steering bracket on the right side of the chassis was removed downward about 2 1/2 inches and repositioned,while the steering arm on the left side of the chassis was lengthened a like amount by cuttingyhe arm and adding in an additional piece of metal (see photo). Once the engine is monted in place,Harrell plans to fabricate a new cross-member to replace the K-member they extracted.Chevrolet engineers felt that because the front of the Vega body/chassis was designed to support a 330 -pound aluminium 4-cylinder,dumping in a cast iron V8 of about twice that weight might require some sortof additional subframe assembly to support the engine bay laterally,for fear that the inner fender panels,and the front of the car for that matter, might begin to spread with age.Harrell,however,decided to try the conversion without said subframe fabrication. Regarding the spindly rear end assembly, the stock housing was ousted and is being replaced with an 8 7/8- inch ring gear rear end from a Chevy Il. Because the tread width of the Vega rear is slightly smaller than that of the Chevy II, the beefier rear housing and axles will, have to be narrowed about 2 inches on each side.The rear will be mounted in a fashion similar to the stock assembly, but new stronger coil springs will be needed for both the front and rear because of the increased engine weight and the fact that gobs of torque will be applied to the rear. (Part 1)(1) V8 your Vega (Car Craft Dec 70) [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/cool.gif[/img] |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
I spoke with Dave L.(worked for Dick Harrell Perf.)at the reunion about Vegas.More specificly one in a drag photo I have.His answer to me was,"We only built one Vega,with a 400ci motor".I would bet this is the car.I think he said it was a Yellow car.......
Steve |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Same Harrell Vega Pics,but with stripes.
(Car Craft Jan 1971) |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Re: 1971 Harrell Vega 400 Pics (Part 1)
Another pic
|
|
|