[Chris65LeMans]

My iron-headed 435 stroker finally died, so I'm having a new engine built. I'm buying some new parts in preparation for the build, and am looking for some recommendations on:

1. A clutch that will work well behind a 400 stroked to 461 and 500 hp, 560 lb tq. If possible, I'd like it to be easy to drive. (Not like the leg press at the gym.)
2. A blow proof bellhousing.
3. A driveshaft loop.
4. Engine Mounts.
5. Battery cables. The shop that restored my car specialized in Chevy A bodies and put my battery on the passenger side (with a 15 foot positive cable). I'm going to move it back to the driver side.
6. Headers that will fit good in a '65. (Currently probably buying Doug's.)

Thanks!

[i82much]

if you aren't racing, i think any good organic clutch is the best bet. street tires will help your clutch last. i've got 2500 miles on a RAM organic street disc and their HD pressure plate without problems. With a stroker pontiac it is so easy to light up the rear tires, you don't need to drop the clutch or do any such foolishness. Just let the clutch engage fully before you hammer it and you won't have any problems.

dougs round ports fit well in my 65. mcleod bell works fine but is huge, if quick time had been available when i built mine i'd have gotten it instead.

[Chris65LeMans]

Originally Posted by i82much

if you aren't racing, i think any good organic clutch is the best bet. street tires will help your clutch last. i've got 2500 miles on a RAM organic street disc and their HD pressure plate without problems. With a stroker pontiac it is so easy to light up the rear tires, you don't need to drop the clutch or do any such foolishness. Just let the clutch engage fully before you hammer it and you won't have any problems.

dougs round ports fit well in my 65. mcleod bell works fine but is huge, if quick time had been available when i built mine i'd have gotten it instead.

Forgot to mention - the new engine will have KRE D Ports. Transmission is an M21 and rear end is a Chevy 12 bolt with 3.73s.

You're right about the stroker engines - on street tires; dropping the clutch is for showing off, not going fast.

[77 TRASHCAN]

In years gone by, a couple friends had knee buster cluster clutches initially installed...Both reverted to Hays clutch setups, both were happy with the Hays setups, although I have no specifics on which Hays clutches they used...

Some parts stores can make nice cables, different gauges...
I've read too much craziness to give a nod to one type of motor mount. Might check with parts tore to start with, just to see, go from there. Same with drive shaft loop...many opinions on them...

[Scott65]

I can vouch for the Doug's ROUND PORT headers being a great fit on my 65, with an automatic. I have heard complaints about the d ports here on the forums. FWIW. Have you considered a hydraulic throw out bearing for your clutch? They're nice.

[tempest1964]

Our host has a new lifetime guarantee motor mount. Might be worth looking at. N242A

[67Fbird]

unfortunate on the M21 status..... for a 3700 car with 3.73....... a M20 would be such a better choice for street driving..... yeah ask me WHY i know this. My 81 TA with a M21 , 373 400 ...SUX.... with 4.56 gears...YAY all the way up to like 60 mph. Put in the TH400 and 3.42 gears...oh HELL yeah. And time slips tel the difference...its NOT just a BUTT meter.
The 2.20 first gear absolutely sux in a heavy car. (anything over 2200)

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

Our host has a new lifetime guarantee motor mount. Might be worth looking at. N242A

I bought those for my '66. Haven't installed them yet, but they appear to be very high quality. Ames claims they are the strongest rubber mounts ever made for Pontiacs. Also, for those who are interested, they measure exactly 1-9/16" from the centerline of the frame bolt hole to the bottom side of the bracket above. Or 1-3/4" to the top side of the bracket.

[Chris65LeMans]

Originally Posted by 67Fbird

unfortunate on the M21 status..... for a 3700 car with 3.73....... a M20 would be such a better choice for street driving..... yeah ask me WHY i know this. My 81 TA with a M21 , 373 400 ...SUX.... with 4.56 gears...YAY all the way up to like 60 mph. Put in the TH400 and 3.42 gears...oh HELL yeah. And time slips tel the difference...its NOT just a BUTT meter.
The 2.20 first gear absolutely sux in a heavy car. (anything over 2200)

Haven’t noticed any problems. 3,700 lbs with 4 adults in the car, maybe.

[i82much]

many years ago I had a chevy 350 in my GTO. i went through diaphragm clutches left and right, dropping the clutch and doing burnouts. switched to a borg and beck style and did not have another problem.

these days my RAM diaphragm clutch holds up just fine behind my 505 Pontiac. Some of that is what I said earlier - no need to do any crazy clutch drops with all that power on tap. But the new RAM setup is probably much better quality than the parts house reman stuff I was using back in the day, plus I just don’t drive it as hard any more in general.

If I started losing clutches I’d probably look into the Borg and Beck deal again though, but so far I can’t see any reason not to just use a quality diaphragm unit.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Originally Posted by 67Fbird

unfortunate on the M21 status..... for a 3700 car with 3.73....... a M20 would be such a better choice for street driving..... yeah ask me WHY i know this. My 81 TA with a M21 , 373 400 ...SUX.... with 4.56 gears...YAY all the way up to like 60 mph. Put in the TH400 and 3.42 gears...oh HELL yeah. And time slips tel the difference...its NOT just a BUTT meter.
The 2.20 first gear absolutely sux in a heavy car. (anything over 2200)

The 3.73 gear likely helps with this car. Definitely would not go to a 3.08 gear with that trans...

[Chris65LeMans]

When I bought my car, it had a 3.31 rear end. (That failed spectacularly.) Like i82much said, the power from the stroker engine takes care of a lot of things - stop and go traffic was a little tough. The addition of 3.73s and good tires really woke things up.

Here's what I have ordered so far:

1. Clutch: McLeod 75321
2. A blow proof bellhousing: Lakewood
3. A driveshaft loop. UMI
4. Engine Mounts. As suggested, stock replacements from Ames.
5. Battery cables: Painless 1 guage
6. Headers that will fit good in a '65: Doug's D Ports.

[Chris65LeMans]

OK - I have a couple of new questions:

RE: Stock engine mounts from our sponsor: My engine builder says "sure - those will work. IF you have a chain to keep the engine from moving."

Q: Are there any "Heavy Duty" mounts that eliminate the need for a chain?


Also - I just discovered that I need to buy a flywheel, too.

Q: Any recommendations on a flywheel for a 561 stroker with 500hp 550 tq and the clutch listed below?

Thanks again!

[ZeGermanHam]

Originally Posted by Chris65LeMans

OK - I have a couple of new questions:

RE: Stock engine mounts from our sponsor: My engine builder says "sure - those will work. IF you have a chain to keep the engine from moving."

Q: Are there any "Heavy Duty" mounts that eliminate the need for a chain?

Buy the new "Torq Lok" mounts mentioned & shown above. Part number N242A, p.235 in the Ames G37 catalogue. Shouldn't need a chain. They are not the stock mounts.