Lifelong Mopar Guy Confesses His Secret Love For The Chevy Rat Motor

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  • Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
  • Over the years each of the American car manufacturers has turned out exceptional engines, and some of those have developed cult followings by those loyal to the various brands.
    But regardless of personal tastes, one engine family has proven itself to be the undisputed king of naturally aspirated performance, with versatility and ruggedness to match.
    Here is one lifelong Mopar purists views on the Big Block Chevy, and why it's always been the engine to beat.
    #automobile #classiccars #engine
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 606

  • @zilksmooth
    @zilksmooth Місяць тому +20

    I don’t think it’s at all odd that a Mopar guy likes Chevys. What I don’t understand is why old school Mopar guys don’t like new Mopars. Don’t see that with Ford and Chevy guys.

    • @UncleTonysGarage
      @UncleTonysGarage  Місяць тому +28

      Well, I obviously can't speak for all Mopar guys, but my brand loyalty is centered around the engineering and design language of that 1955-75ish era.
      The modern era Mopars are completely foreign cars to me. No difference between Dodge or Mazda or Hyundai or Tesla for that matter.
      NOT saying that they are not good, or interesting cars, just that there is no sense of kinship from me.

    • @MattsRageFitGarage
      @MattsRageFitGarage Місяць тому +5

      I guess I'm what you could consider a Ford guy, even though I could really care less about brand loyalty and think the people running these car companies are total POS, because they are. I will say I could absolutely care less about new Ford's or even most anything they made in the last 25 years, I guess most any vehicle regardless of brand made within the last 25 years I don't care about either. A coworker of mine has a 2018 daytona charger, and that thing is badass and has a surprising amount of room under the hood. I'd take that over any newer Ford the most part. Unfortunately, seen WAY too many lemon GM's in my family over the years to want to buy one. Coming from a guy who drove a Dodge B200 to his drivers license test.

    • @stevenbean9706
      @stevenbean9706 Місяць тому

      @@UncleTonysGaragecarlos tvares said it all when he said why should we build cars for americans when were no longer an american company! yet they want us to bail them out cause nobody wants a souped up fiat ! its all gotta come back here in order for us to fix what they have destroyed

    • @michaelgiglio1571
      @michaelgiglio1571 Місяць тому

      YES, MOPAR GUYS LIKE SHIT 😂

    • @aprules2
      @aprules2 Місяць тому +2

      @zilksmooth I'm not a die hard brand loyalist. That being said I do enjoy building Olds and Pontiacs, and I'm dabbling with Fords lately. There was great looking cars and good engineering through the 50s-early 80s. Somewhere in the early 90s I felt a disconnect with the cars. They became more like the toaster on the counter in my kitchen. Just disposable garbage. Maybe they're made better, I don't know. But they lack the personality old cars did. I haven't ever been interested in new cars because of it, and yes I tried. I have a 98 Mark VIII that I've been trying to build on and off and as much as I like it, it just feels like transportation.

  • @davidcat1455
    @davidcat1455 Місяць тому +92

    🇦🇺🇺🇸Lived in America for 10 years in the 1980s. Absolutely loved it. Great place. Good people. Every time I watch a UTG video I want to move back there. I’m 70 years old now, so it’s too damn late, but I still drive a Camaro. I guess that counts for something😃👍

    • @andypdq
      @andypdq Місяць тому +3

      Move back and prepare your wallet for expensive groceries, property tax and the big one, healthcare. But you get cheap gasoline.

    • @davidcat1455
      @davidcat1455 Місяць тому

      @@andypdq
      Cheers👍🇺🇸🇦🇺

    • @edwardwood3622
      @edwardwood3622 Місяць тому +1

      You don’t want to move back there.

    • @richdiscoveries
      @richdiscoveries Місяць тому +5

      I live in the USA and I do not drive a camaro, so I guess your doing pretty good. 😁
      God Bless my friend

    • @BastardX13
      @BastardX13 Місяць тому +3

      Touch the key and hear "The Heart Beat Of America." That America is gone. Drive fast, drive long.

  • @hansosl
    @hansosl Місяць тому +71

    Tony's unconditional love for BBC

  • @aprules2
    @aprules2 Місяць тому +37

    Tony being a Olds and Pontiac guy I was always jealous of the Chevy guys because you could afford their parts.

    • @Averagegunenthusiast
      @Averagegunenthusiast Місяць тому +4

      I only became a Chevy guy because I was broke and could afford parts with Chevy.

    • @aprules2
      @aprules2 Місяць тому +2

      @Averagegunenthusiast I beleive it. I could build 2 Chevys to an Olds

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +3

      I started with Pontiac, then Oldsmobile, but money goes Alot farther with Chevy engines. Alot more choices too.

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому

      I still build the occasional Pontiac and Oldsmobile engines tho. Alot more Chevys these days.

    • @johntperko
      @johntperko Місяць тому

      i love olds and pontiac

  • @jamesgullo8240
    @jamesgullo8240 Місяць тому +18

    Lifelong Mopar guy here. I admire the L78. I wish Plymouth had green lighted the Special high Performance 383 in late 68. Chevy had 3 versions of the 396. We needed an optional 383... solid cam, headers in the trunk, Holley 780, DP4B intake, proper valve springs.

  • @buildingracingvideos4714
    @buildingracingvideos4714 Місяць тому +24

    BBC, the king of drag and drive. I can't think of another engine that can make a sub 6 second 1/4 mile pass and then drive 200 miles down the highway later that day.

    • @RacingRon47
      @RacingRon47 Місяць тому

      Uh, plenty can do that dumbass. BBF easily, probably a Cry hemi, and a coyote is about to do that anyday now in the snot rocket. BBC is nothing special, BBF does eveything it does , but better

    • @johntperko
      @johntperko Місяць тому +2

      cant do that with a mopar

    • @buildingracingvideos4714
      @buildingracingvideos4714 Місяць тому +2

      @johntperko they have gen 2 hemis that will do it better, but only people like Elon can afford them

    • @Ron_Presley
      @Ron_Presley Місяць тому +1

      And live another day too.

  • @edwardpate6128
    @edwardpate6128 Місяць тому +7

    I am a guy who grew up in a GM family and was all about GM but I also loved Mopar so kind of the reverse. Just retired from GM earlier this year so it was kind of the fulfillment of a dream working there going back to the mid 1980's. As the old valve cover sticker said, Tonawanda the #1 Team.

    • @jaydurych
      @jaydurych Місяць тому

      The numbers-matching 350 in my 1969 Chevelle Malibu is a Tonawanda engine. 👍🏻 It has never been rebuilt and it still runs great!

  • @michaelsullivan2361
    @michaelsullivan2361 Місяць тому +26

    Ford guy here, and I agree with you.
    BBC was so good, Ford used the canted architecture on their final small block and big block designs of the 60’s/70’s.
    It’s too bad they were about 3 years late to the party, as the 335/385 series would have been dominant.
    The thing I always admired about Chevys, is the fact that all their parts could be bolted on to the basic block Even the high performance stuff was mass produced and could be found in any local wrecking yard!

    • @karlsracing8422
      @karlsracing8422 Місяць тому +4

      They all got it from the Poly 318

    • @richardleary9085
      @richardleary9085 Місяць тому +1

      ​@karlsracing8422 Yeah ok. Lol

    • @tl5108
      @tl5108 Місяць тому

      @@richardleary9085yeah there were plenty of canted valve engines before the big block chevy

    • @jnljnl8485
      @jnljnl8485 Місяць тому +1

      @@michaelsullivan2361 the big block ford was just too heavy for any real performance application. Even in 4x4 trucks you need a big tire to keep one afloat on soft ground. But that's just the price you pay for a crankcase that will swallow a 5 inch stroke crank .

  • @SamDancing-s2p
    @SamDancing-s2p Місяць тому +23

    Watching from Texas. Still driving my 1966 big block Chevelle that I've had since 1975.

    • @blueshoes8481
      @blueshoes8481 Місяць тому

      Wish I still had my 66 SS 396 Chevelle I built as a teenager. You are much smarter to keep yours.

    • @Ron_Presley
      @Ron_Presley Місяць тому

      Wish I still had my 69 Chevelle SS with 396 that in high school as a sophomore I brought it in to work on it at my school auto shop class in 1973. It had been somewhat neglected so I pulled the whole front end apart and the 375 hp motor and went through it all. Stripped and repainted the two sub frame rails and the same to the swing arms and everything else then rebuilt the motor and sent it out to have it balanced and put a came and headers,manifold and Holley carb. Cut the spring front and rear and put as big a tire out back that fit inside the fender wheels and it was low and looked and sat more like a pro stock car off today. Took it once to Orange County Raceway but did put a posi rearend in it before so it just spun the one tire the whole 1/4 so it only ran a 15 second run. But it was a cool fun car then a friend from school kept bugging me hard to sell it to him on payments and I never got a dime from him. Kept trying to get ahold of him and obviously Scott Holmes from Costa Mesa ripped me off and I messed up and signed the pink over when he picked it up not thinking he was going to screw me over. So couldn’t report it stolen. I was young and dumb. Now I’m old and dumb. lol

  • @DarkFlamage
    @DarkFlamage Місяць тому +59

    Teens start to grow up the day they realise the Big Three all copied, stole, & learned from each other. None would have been as good without the competition.

    • @bob8776
      @bob8776 Місяць тому +1

      If only Chevy had learned to put the distributor up where I can reach it with climbing halfway across the truck 😂

    • @MrChevelle83
      @MrChevelle83 Місяць тому +1

      yea but in off road world rear mounted is better

    • @bob8776
      @bob8776 Місяць тому

      @@MrChevelle83why is that?

    • @MrChevelle83
      @MrChevelle83 Місяць тому +1

      @@bob8776 when the engines fan catch any dirt mud or water the first thing that gets covered is the distributor.

    • @bob8776
      @bob8776 Місяць тому

      @@MrChevelle83that makes a lot of sense and had never occurred to me before

  • @JimmyMakingitwork
    @JimmyMakingitwork Місяць тому +20

    Even as a GM guy I can appreciate a strong Mopar engine, just not nearly as good looking as a small or especially the Big Chevy. The endless combinations and interchangeability helps a lot as well. :)

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому

      Nothing looks as good as a properly built Bigblock Chevy.

    • @AsswipeGarage
      @AsswipeGarage Місяць тому

      NOTHING looks as bitchin' as a Hemi, especially with an 8-71! But I love a tunnel rammed B/RB motor too!

  • @igokarts4510
    @igokarts4510 Місяць тому +13

    I ❤️ Mopar's, Porsche 917 flat 12, Predator 212's, SBC's, 2 strokes, rotary's, turbo's, superchargers, etc. nothing to be ashamed of UT. Your just a gear head

  • @MickyC0601
    @MickyC0601 Місяць тому +6

    Tony, remember people like ME are learning so much in your videos that we have to watch sections three times (sometimes more) to grasp what you are telling use.
    Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and experiences with us.
    I'm building a gen 1 350 and my friends are asking me where I learned the things I'm doing.
    I started in1986/87 working in a Super Shops in Huntsville Alabama
    Over the years I loved to hang out in peoples shops while the built engines, suspensions, transmissions and so on. Watching your videos is the equivalent of that now.
    Thanks for what you do
    Micky

  • @themanwithnoname7576
    @themanwithnoname7576 Місяць тому +24

    Aluminum Headed BBCs are a thing of beauty.

  • @jasonruetz2306
    @jasonruetz2306 Місяць тому +17

    The title. 😆 Man if someone is so brand loyal they won't play with other cool sh*t, it's their loss.

  • @thewoodsman5261
    @thewoodsman5261 Місяць тому +17

    I'm a Chevy guy through and through but enjoy the words and videos of a Mopar guy.

  • @Plateaufab1
    @Plateaufab1 Місяць тому +14

    In the mid-late 70’s,my mother had a 68 roadrunner with a built hemi and the two offset 4bbl carburetors. It was an automatic trans car. She acquired it from a well known local mopar guy. The only car that could touch it was a 73 z28 with a 4spd and a hot dz 302 sbc. The Z was also geared. He got her off the line every time but she would be running him down but could never catch him in a 1/4 mile race. Seen lot of photos and heard many stories about the car. Unfortunately it was sold when she was pregnant with me in late 79 😢

    • @arrowhead455
      @arrowhead455 15 днів тому +1

      Must be a typo, could’ve sworn I’m reading 302. Or it least that’s what he said it was.
      My dad was a Mopar guy, but he bought a new yellow/black int 73 Z28 with the 350. With headers he was running mid 13s. He really loved that car

    • @Plateaufab1
      @Plateaufab1 15 днів тому +1

      @ no typo. It was a legit dz 302 sbc from a 69 Z28. Being a high winding engine with standard transmission and 4:11 rear,he could leave and stay in powerband vs a heavy roadrunner with highway gears,automatic transmission and stock torque converter. He would get a nice head start and although the hemi would be reeling him in,could never catch him in the 1/4 mile

  • @Husslin_Hillbilly67
    @Husslin_Hillbilly67 Місяць тому +15

    Thank you, Tony! Really enjoy BBC content and your bench racing. Good content 👍👍

  • @glennnickerson8438
    @glennnickerson8438 Місяць тому +11

    "If you love it so much why don't you marry it..." At least that was the comeback we had when were 12!😆

  • @jimlerum
    @jimlerum Місяць тому +3

    So many of us are on the backside of life, 2/3’s gone. I’ll take anything that is sincere that is somewhat relative while I enjoy or hobby. Make has little to do with it! Thank you UTG!

  • @gabrielback5615
    @gabrielback5615 Місяць тому +16

    I am 100% with you on the not wanting a chevy cause they are everywhere, like you said, a dime a dozen. Thats part of what made me a mopar fan(64 now). Chrysler started going the right way with the poly head way back when, actually had canted valve heads before chevy I think.

  • @JimmyLoose
    @JimmyLoose Місяць тому +21

    I'm a Mopar guy, but I cut my teeth on Chevys and I have nothing negative about Chevys. Ford on the other hand.... I often think, "What were they thinking?' when dealing with them..

    • @hamishfullerton7309
      @hamishfullerton7309 Місяць тому +1

      They we're thinking the 351cleveland, what's wrong that motor

    • @stevenbean9706
      @stevenbean9706 Місяць тому +1

      they were thinking mass production whats the easiest simplesst way to produce them faster than anyone else they didnt care about afterwards

  • @renchjeep
    @renchjeep Місяць тому +4

    Good stuff, Uncle Tony! Keep sharing your stories and your knowledge and discoveries, man! It's awesome to hear you reminisce about the good ol days. They were good ol days for most of us as well, I am sure. Take care, and stay cool, bro!

  • @JaredBostron
    @JaredBostron Місяць тому +5

    I’ve been watching UTG for quite sometime now the past few years. What I really like about the approach and overall tone is just how much information and explanation of the physics and operations of whatever subject you’re covering . It’s so detailed and understandable. I dig it and thanks for sharing all of this with people on the web man! It’s good stuff…I get surprised by how many people out there who just don’t understand the simplest of mechanical or electrical concepts? I guess there just isn’t as many people who like to build, create or modify cars anymore. I guess it doesn’t help that cars are getting so expensive and almost made to not be able to modify or improve upon? Anyhow I’m not going to rambling but I hope you keep this good stuff coming everyone’s way man! It’s educational and informative and fun…👍

  • @conrailfan6277
    @conrailfan6277 Місяць тому +2

    Great video Tony!! Buick 455 fan here, I had a 455 with a Turbo 400 in my 79 Buick Regal, the heads on that block
    was ridiculously heavy, so much so I scrounged a set of
    front springs from the junkyard
    for a 70s 454 equipped Monte
    Carlo to keep my front end up
    on bumps!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

  • @phildo39645
    @phildo39645 Місяць тому +109

    Cracks me up people think big blocks won’t rpm.. we took a 396 crank stuck it in a 454 block, bought 427 12:5.1 pistons used stock rods/crank with arp bolts full roller everything balanced rotating assembly and a set of old cast iron square ports and mud raced it for years turning up to 9200 Regularly. Never came apart and was sold years later still running. Check out the pulling truck videos out there.. a lot of near stock bottom ends turning in excess of 8000 all the way down the track. They were very stout in stock form.👍🏻

    • @MrJohnnyDistortion
      @MrJohnnyDistortion Місяць тому +8

      Seriously? 9,200 rpm?

    • @StabyMcStabsFace
      @StabyMcStabsFace Місяць тому

      And yet there's 481X that hit a literal rpm wall so hard they shred the blower belt.

    • @bigdbandit64
      @bigdbandit64 Місяць тому +7

      What kind of oiling system do you have? That supported 9000 rpm because I don’t think the cylinders get oiled properly at that piston speed

    • @kelsycunningham8452
      @kelsycunningham8452 Місяць тому +6

      Yours was the only big chev to ever rev past 6500 max. But, congratulations 👏

    • @Joesmusclecargarage
      @Joesmusclecargarage Місяць тому +2

      @@kelsycunningham8452Along with every L78, L71, L89, LS6, L88, and ZL1.

  • @RCredneck85
    @RCredneck85 Місяць тому +1

    I wish my dad was still alive to watch your videos. He was a huge mopar guy. Born in 1946 and passed in 2013. He would’ve love your videos. His 74 cuda he had when I was a kid in the 90’s is what made me fall in love with cars. The cuda has made it back to my hometown and I think about how to get it back in the family all the time. I enjoy your videos keep on keeping on!

  • @Born_Stellar
    @Born_Stellar Місяць тому +1

    my grandpa liked chevys, my dad did as well and now I'm building a couple chevys. Went though japanese cars, german cars, but nothing beats the cost, simplicity and ease of finding parts like old chevys. Got hooked after driving a 2000 astro van with the 6cyl vortec and 4l60e.

  • @scottvantassel2212
    @scottvantassel2212 Місяць тому +5

    Gaylord was a local guy here, he approached me to build the body for this dragster. a unique individual is a understatement. his old Woody Gilmore FED the "Brewmaster" resides about 3 miles from my shop. this is too funny me and my buddy were just talking about Gaylord at lunch yesterday.

  • @SquidwardhatesEVs
    @SquidwardhatesEVs Місяць тому +14

    Great video Tony my man, keep up the good work.

  • @nhra7110
    @nhra7110 Місяць тому +9

    agree - Big Block Chevy on nitro sound the best - hard to describe unless you've experienced it

  • @MegaDrewsdad
    @MegaDrewsdad Місяць тому +2

    im super happy that you as a mopar guy will make this video! love all your videos and they have taught me so much. yes i am a chevy fan. i have a built 350 daily driver and a super 454 with tunnel ram and 2 holley 600 on it way w3ay tooooo much but it is also capable of daily driving. great motors all around but i dont ever count out mopar and that hemi! great motor that will go down in history! thanks tony for all your videos!!!

  • @cest7343
    @cest7343 Місяць тому +11

    A treasure trove of deep knowledge!

  • @johnbossems2849
    @johnbossems2849 Місяць тому +21

    As a Mopar guy I’m not going to dispute this one. Wedge heads only go so far, but unfortunately not far enough. But I still love to watch a big block Mopar take down a Rat motor.

  • @RampantSGV
    @RampantSGV Місяць тому +9

    Great video Unc! Keep up the good work 👍

  • @whatyoumakeofit6635
    @whatyoumakeofit6635 Місяць тому +5

    Man tony. Your discovery of the short rod vs long rod and echaust valve opening having direct effect on the sound / noise level of a nitro engine is absolutely brilliant. To rhink how deep you were into these engines to start picking up on this is awe inspiring. Its been so long simce ive had my brain buried in these thimgs that i can barely remember the feelimg you get when you realize you just came across something significant such as this.
    This is a great video tony.

  • @Rick-i4u
    @Rick-i4u Місяць тому +4

    These old stories are awesome Uncle T. 💪👍🔥

  • @deanstevenson6527
    @deanstevenson6527 Місяць тому +7

    UTG 🥕Sprout IVth
    The canted valve BBC gave Ford access to cheaper sled fulcrums, rocker stampings for the Cleveland's and Lima's ...Thanks Chevy, fir carrying the cists...and then the Ferd guys took the Mark IV Mystery engine design, and improved on the BBC's greatness. The tall and short deck BBC's have the best aftermarket support of just about any engine. Thanks Chevrolet. 🥝✔️

  • @SavingChevys73
    @SavingChevys73 Місяць тому +1

    I genuinely enjoy these long, rambling videos. I'm finally building a big block chevy. Inspired by "hemi on a shoestring". I hope to do it all on my channel.

  • @johnd4273
    @johnd4273 Місяць тому +4

    Love your experiences and detail. Great videos and in my favourites list to go to. The more chat the better.

  • @cameronboyce4695
    @cameronboyce4695 Місяць тому +3

    With modern machining technology like multi axis mills and rapid prototype 3D printing for casting operations. I am surprised that no one has made an attempt to create aftermarket Chrysler Ball Stud heads for the plethora of junkyard 440's.

  • @TJ-oi5qe
    @TJ-oi5qe Місяць тому +6

    I love story time with Uncle Tony.

  • @superrodder2002
    @superrodder2002 Місяць тому +25

    I've had a few big block Chevys but I always go back to the small blocks, especially the 327. There is nothing like a 327 when its screaming its guts out.

    • @chrishensley6745
      @chrishensley6745 Місяць тому +6

      Same hear even down to the 327 part...still run 2 with both 4-speeds.....Nothing like a high revving/4-speed 327 man!

    • @bigblockjalopy
      @bigblockjalopy Місяць тому +1

      Same rod ratio as the 383 Mopar 👍

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +4

      I have both. Love my bigblock Chevys, but also love my SBCs. And Pontiacs & Oldsmobile engines too.

    • @superrodder2002
      @superrodder2002 Місяць тому +3

      @@bigblockjalopy But the rotational mass of the 383 doesn't let it rev as fast or as high an rpm as a 327. I was having trouble with a 4 speed which made me keep missing shift into 2nd gear and nailed the tach to the high side of 10,000 on a bunch of occasions and the 327 doesn't care.

    • @karlsracing8422
      @karlsracing8422 Місяць тому +1

      And only makes power to 6,500 😂

  • @Stonehopper1067HMG
    @Stonehopper1067HMG Місяць тому +3

    I’m a big Chevy fan but I have a soft spot for anything Mopar.

  • @elijah2078
    @elijah2078 Місяць тому +1

    I really like the overall strength and power potential of a big block Mopar and that big block Mopar sound is music to my ears!! And besides that, everybody else has a Chevy.

  • @will7its
    @will7its Місяць тому +8

    My wife keeps saying she wants to go to Ding Dong Province .....😸

    • @0004612
      @0004612 Місяць тому +3

      That’s good…at least she doesn’t want to go to Poon Tang Province.😊

    • @will7its
      @will7its Місяць тому

      @@0004612 That's where I tell her I want to go.....😋

    • @will7its
      @will7its Місяць тому +4

      @@0004612 But I do.......😋

  • @daveranger2826
    @daveranger2826 Місяць тому +2

    I'm so proud of you for opening that closet door '
    You're the best Tony !

  • @thereluctantgearhead4544
    @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +10

    That head is actually a "Quantico" head. Numerous companies sell it. Pro Comp had a different casting, although they also sell the Quantico castings. Its the same head as the AFR Enforcer, KMJ Assault and Skip White Bravo heads. They actually flow quite a bit and can make alot of power. Throw the valvesprings and valves away. Best to buy bare. The imported shit has gotten better.

    • @chrishensley6745
      @chrishensley6745 Місяць тому +3

      I watch your Shit man/Love your living room man.

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +1

      ​@chrishensley6745Haha! Thanks man. Gotta stay busy, we ain't getting any younger.

  • @capttom7772
    @capttom7772 Місяць тому +6

    Tony, @15:46, the way you picked up that big block head and held it while talking ... Looks like you are holding your new wife on your wedding night❗😂

  • @blarson8111
    @blarson8111 Місяць тому +3

    Thanks Tony. Thoroughly enjoyed this episode.

  • @GorhamWorks
    @GorhamWorks Місяць тому

    Enjoyed this. Fell in love with big block Chevy myself when I got my first one in my 69 c10. It wasn’t fancy, 396 ci truck motor, but dreamed one day it could do some things. Thanks to all the magazines I read as a kid. I was corrupted. Put a ton of miles on that truck motor. When it was time to swap it out. I put in 540 ci block NA, the thing is animal. Really love the sounds and power characteristics. I have to restrain myself when thinking about other project not to big block everything. I’d def say the big block Chevy is my favorite, but acknowledge there are other great motors out there too.

  • @69dodgecharger440
    @69dodgecharger440 Місяць тому +1

    Love your show! ❤ Please talk all you want! Love 454! So Cool to Learn Things I don’t know about! Show made my night! Thanks Uncle Tony! #1 🇺🇸

  • @MrChevelle83
    @MrChevelle83 Місяць тому

    we used afr 265 heads on our latest 454 build. a fully assembled 454 with aluminum heads weighs almost the same as an iron head small block. big block chevy heads are massive and going aluminum is a major savings to get some weight off the nose.

  • @HipstersAndHippies
    @HipstersAndHippies Місяць тому

    Thank you, patlrtial because of what you taught me on youtube, it left me with all the knowledge to fully understand all of that.
    At least one guy has been literally listening and understands you... On every level.
    Hopefully we meet one day. Because this long distance apprenticeship sucks.

  • @sski
    @sski Місяць тому +14

    You can talk all you want, Uncle Tony. I have no fear of learning. Some do, I guess.

  • @RickH428
    @RickH428 Місяць тому

    I was able to enter 6 drag racing events at Spokane Raceway Park 1991, when I lived in Coeur d Alene, ID.
    69 Chevelle 4 door, (no window posts) that was my Grandma's. Won 3 of the events, red lite on 2 events, {1 was final round) and lost in the first round, on the other.
    Built 350 Chevy myself, 505, 262 Herbert cam, close chamber heads from 60s vette. Edelbrock intake w/750 carb. 383 posi rear end. T400 with stage II shift kit. I wired a switch to the solenoid to control transmission shifting time, used only when racing, mainly. Tires would chirp from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to Drive.
    Just memories to me now at 65.
    And I just made a rhyme.

  • @DS-dq5zb
    @DS-dq5zb Місяць тому

    Your video was so good i watched it twice. Please make your videos longer. Thanks, Uncle Tony, I learn something new from every video.

  • @robertjohnson4401
    @robertjohnson4401 Місяць тому +1

    Going back to about 1979. At a regional drag racing event. The winners of the race brackets were all Chevys. The modified class winner was a Chevy Vega with a 454. I believe it ran in the low 9s at about 145mph. It had a two speed Powerglide. Chevys had an advantage of lower weight over Chryslers.

  • @derekhobbs1102
    @derekhobbs1102 Місяць тому +2

    I stumbled across Jay's videos about the valve bodies, and started watching his channel since then.

  • @rs6637
    @rs6637 Місяць тому +1

    tony you are the man your knowledge is incredible you are needed in this world thank you

  • @MikeInBendOregon
    @MikeInBendOregon Місяць тому +4

    Don't you feel like a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders now that you have
    come out of the big block Chevy closet LOL...
    I bought my first car when I was 15 years old, in 1976. It was a 69 Chevelle SS396
    that had a 4-speed and a 4.11 posi 12 bolt. Loved that car.
    Since then, I've always had a weakness for the BBC's. A couple were a 67 Corvette
    with a wild 427, and a 70 SS454 El Camino with the original LS-6 454 with an M-22
    Muncie and 4.11 posi. The El Camino was special ordered by the original owner,
    and it was still bone stock when I got it...
    I have always been a Chevy guy, but there are some Mopars that I absolutely love.
    The 70 Cudas, the 70 Challenger R/T and the 69 Road Runner are my favorites.
    There is no denying that the Hemi is a very cool engine, and it's also a huge part of
    automotive history in production cars and racing, and let's be honest, it is probably
    the coolest looking engine ever made.

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому

      Bigblock Chevys been king for a long time. Hard to beat a well built unit with any other brand. And they do look cool for sure. Big massive badass powerplant fills engine compartments up. Wall to wall engine. Could drop a complete Mopar 440 head in a bigblock Chevy valvecover.

  • @Merylstreep1949
    @Merylstreep1949 Місяць тому +1

    Jungle Jim's Nova funnycar: best use of a BB
    C in drag racing ❤

  • @jimredding8315
    @jimredding8315 Місяць тому +17

    having loved drag racing from mid 60's thru the 80's (racing and watching), I can relate. Money ruins everything.

    • @geraldscott4302
      @geraldscott4302 Місяць тому

      Professional drag racing is no longer for the common person. Fortunately my local drag strip (1/4 mile, I don't relate to this 1/8 mile stuff) still has run what you brung Friday nights. If you want to watch real drag racing, check out SEGA (Southeast Gassers Association) They don't allow any cars or technology newer than 1967. So it's all real cars. No computers allowed.

  • @IowaBudgetRCBashers
    @IowaBudgetRCBashers Місяць тому +3

    Keep on talking UT. You’re a wealth of knowledge. And a Rat motor is a bamf

  • @MrTheHillfolk
    @MrTheHillfolk Місяць тому +1

    11:00
    only 51 but i remember going down the automotive aisle in the Grand Union grocery store with Ma and seeing Chevy 350 valve cover gaskets for sale.
    Pepperidge farms remembers too.

  • @rustybrowneye
    @rustybrowneye Місяць тому +1

    One of my old timer friends is a mopar guy now. Back in the day probably around the 80s he was a chevy guy. Particularly a big block chevy guy. He said he switched because he got tired of blowing them up every month. He didn't see to many 440s getting scattered at the track.

    • @bigboreracing356
      @bigboreracing356 Місяць тому

      Most 440s could not make enough power nor turn the rpm to blow up.
      Your friend did not know how to make a big block Chevy live.

  • @yodawunn6700
    @yodawunn6700 Місяць тому +1

    I grew up a Pontiac guy so I get it. We lusted after the RA round port stuff and SD rods, Armasteel cranks, but that stuff was, andcstill is rare. Aftermarket, I think Howards had aluminum rods that would live for a time but we couldn't afford those either. The blocks wouldn't hold up to big rpm's either so if we were going to win, the 60ft was critical. Now with all the aftermarket support, guys like Big Chief are out there slaying with high rpm Pontiac based engines.

  • @gregmarsden2009
    @gregmarsden2009 Місяць тому

    A good motor is great, a great motor is not always good 😂, it's all about best bang for buck, and reliability combined with usable horses, the true engine gurus all built engines of multiple manufacturers, and learner the science DNA of each, and how to get the best outcomes for all types of motors by understanding the inherent strength and weakness within them all. Those days are long gone now, but I do enjoy old blokes getting so excited about reminiscing on all the simple stuff they learner the hardest way, by trial and error, and countless hours.i was one too, but I appreciate the simple joy of rebuilding modern engines also, where the emphasis can be on a quality build, rather than trying to correct factory design faults and limitations.good work Tony, great to see you still get so excited about this old stuff.

  • @wheelstandr
    @wheelstandr Місяць тому

    I’m a Chevy guy that loves Mopars. I was always jealous that even the most pedestrian cars came with the awesome axles with Posi traction, steel forged cranks and awesome connecting rods. I also like that the designers were allowed what I call magic mushrooms, in the break room. Pistol grips, flip up air grabbers, super birds, panther pink, side exit exhaust, shark gills. Chevy was so establishment. You guys also stick together. When I had a Mopar in 1991, people were willing to do anything or all but give you the parts you needed. It was literally free love compared to the dog eat dog Chevy guys. Everyone wants to kill each other figuratively speaking. Fords hate me and I hate them. Ford people are great to me because I respect the tenacity it takes to build a nice ford. I still only build big block Mopars and Chevys. P.S. I have always been super frustrated with the intake port size of the BBM wedge heads. Why couldn’t they come out with a big oval port at least to have a midsize head?

  • @jessebrandt452
    @jessebrandt452 Місяць тому

    Love the long rambles, it's the same sort of thoughts I have throughout a day...😂 Can't wait to see more on the Butane Belvedere

  • @howardkeil1526
    @howardkeil1526 Місяць тому +4

    Mid late 70s my friends dad ran a top fuel car and Camaro funny car. Drums of nitro and methanol filled their garage. In winter we filled the tires on the top fuel car and pushed it out in the snow to work on our dirt bikes. 8 71 blowers stacked around etc. Thinking they ran Donovan engines. Their hauler was top of the line. A new 454 chevy Dualie pulling a huge enclosed trailer. Wish I'd paid more attention. Was going to buy his SS 3 396 4spd cowl induction el camno shop truck. My dad shut that down at 16.

  • @mross302
    @mross302 Місяць тому +1

    As a chevy guy, who grew up with small blocks and ls engines, I can say, there is truth to what you said, most sbc guys just followthe recipe and can't work with anything else!

  • @erikturner5073
    @erikturner5073 Місяць тому +2

    As a ford guy who now likes them all, I have to admit that before the LS came into the picture, GM guys, and Chevy guys in particular seemed more united regardless of motor choice, than any other group. They could be total strangers and they would support each other as if they were friends for years. Nowadays it seems no matter the brand if it's not modern (Coyote, LS, or Hemi), it's considered junk among the younger enthusiast. Culture wise, the modern car hobby is lacking big time.

  • @danhealyeverythingoutdoors7105
    @danhealyeverythingoutdoors7105 Місяць тому +2

    You're not alone Tony !

  • @waynebuzzell2483
    @waynebuzzell2483 Місяць тому +1

    Love the deep dive advanced history classes Tony.

  • @billkendy4442
    @billkendy4442 Місяць тому +1

    Thanks for another great video Tony.

  • @randallmckinney-739
    @randallmckinney-739 Місяць тому +1

    you are a great guy unkie Tony and I could talk with ya for days I know now you had a GM heart I like old Mopars to they are very pretty muscle cars I'm a GM man with a Mopar heart.

  • @gophergamers2125
    @gophergamers2125 Місяць тому

    I love Ford Engines of the muscle car area. Cleveland head style engines in particular. No wonder I am a closet admirer of the Big Block Chevy. Canted valve heads are the perfect balance between the expensive Hemi, and the massively common inline valve heads.

  • @Geoduck.
    @Geoduck. Місяць тому +1

    When Tony talks too much I make some coffee and listen. Love it!
    The audio in that room sounds a bit "hard" for lack of a better word.

  • @kentearly805
    @kentearly805 Місяць тому

    Used to build small block Chevy's with 6 inch Oldsmobile rods because the rods were there and cheap compared to 6 inch aftermarket rods. It worked great! A 6 inch compared to 5.7 inch made a difference. Rod length matters!

  • @jedclampett6466
    @jedclampett6466 Місяць тому +8

    Tony, I mentioned in comment to you a couple of years ago that I've been running a BBC in my '71 F-250 highboy since 1979... absolutely love it....

    • @ryurc3033
      @ryurc3033 Місяць тому

      I always wanted a truck with pieces from every manufacturer.
      Like a 78 Dodge body on a Ford f250 frame with a big block Chevy motor.....
      Call the truck cuzmaw
      (Ozarks speak for your cousin becoming your step Mom.......)

  • @rixkafer56
    @rixkafer56 Місяць тому

    My older brother and cousin have been BBC guys since the late 70s... guys still talk about them being the fastest in our town back then... good times

  • @BBBILLY86
    @BBBILLY86 Місяць тому +1

    1970 Nova with a '65 396 in it. Lots of compression, big cam, 4.10 gears, so it's a spicy driver.

  • @thereluctantgearhead4544
    @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +6

    Big block Chevys are hard to beat. I started as a Pontiac, then Oldsmobile guy, but im also a realist. The bigblock Chevy was invented to kick ass. Factory racing engine.

    • @bigblockjalopy
      @bigblockjalopy Місяць тому +1

      Lol, with a 1.50ish rod ratio.....

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому

      ​@@bigblockjalopyThey do make longer rods for them. Running 6.535 long rods in my 439ci unit. 4.310x3.760. It'll turn 8000rpm like it ain't shit.

    • @bigblockjalopy
      @bigblockjalopy Місяць тому

      @@thereluctantgearhead4544 you can rev about anything to 8k, how Long it lasts is another question, also it is not a Y Block, like the Mopar. The Mopar has a way stronger bottom end and they make longer rods for them too. Not without a reason, they added deck height to the original BBC in later versions. Lol, he original BBC (396-454) has less deck height than the Mopar low deck (Baby) big Block....

    • @67L-88
      @67L-88 Місяць тому

      @@bigblockjalopy So I guess the Mopar is the Betamax of engines? Better in many ways, more expensive, but just never had the mass following?

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому

      ​@@bigblockjalopyWhatever hoss, you ain't convincing me. Been building bigblock Chevys for over 35yrs. Smoked plenty of guys like you. Proof in the fuckin pooding

  • @mytmousemalibu
    @mytmousemalibu Місяць тому +1

    Rick Santos struck me like this running a small block in Top Alcohol. That and guy with 55' Belair with a tiny cubic inch SBC with a Doug Nash 4spd that left the tree on the chip at 10,000 or 11,000rpm, just absolutely screaming! Made your brain itch but man it sounded glorious! Dry hops, banging gears and wheelies! Look up 12,000rpm Nova, you'll understand!

    • @UncleTonysGarage
      @UncleTonysGarage  Місяць тому +2

      I'm from the era of those last generation gassers, and I remember them like it was yesterday. Those C and D/Gas
      SB's were otherworldly. 270 cubic inches, 6.17 gears, 12,000 rpm clutch drops and second gear passing the tree with the wheels up....and valvesprings that lasted 3 runs...

    • @mytmousemalibu
      @mytmousemalibu Місяць тому

      @UncleTonysGarage Yup! Very unassuming looking old Belair as I recall back in the early 90's. I want to say it was 255ci SBC, with a tunnel ram. Did a bunch of dry hops! Yes, grabbing 2nd at the tree! We hung out with a couple guys that ran stick shift stuff back then, like Ozark Mountain Super Shifters. If Southeast Gassers played in my neck of the woods, I'd be all over that!

  • @paulsblocks8441
    @paulsblocks8441 Місяць тому +1

    I bet we're gonna get a video on the ball stud now. I'm excited

  • @tonyb3864
    @tonyb3864 Місяць тому

    I own a Challenger. Camaro and Mustang. I love them all.

  • @johnbrown-sc8in
    @johnbrown-sc8in Місяць тому +1

    Good work brother..always learning from your channel

  • @daxtonbrown
    @daxtonbrown Місяць тому +1

    There were still guys from World War II hanging around in the 1970s/ Those guys, like my dad, could turn a wrench in a different way. Few youngsters have a clue how resilient those guys were.

  • @deanstevenson6527
    @deanstevenson6527 Місяць тому +6

    Chevrolet decided to use the 9.8 inch deck block and 6.135 rods, not the 10.2 " truck block, so its got a tiny 1.53:1 rod ratio, with huge leverage, not the soft leverageof the 1.8:1 rod ratio tall deck hemi. Huge difference. Thats where you hear it.

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +1

      I have a 439ci Rat built on a 10.20 block, prepped stock forged crank, 6.535 long H-beam rods, 4.310x3.760 bore & stroke. Used Icon lightweight pistons for a .060 over 427 9.8 deck block. It turn 8000rpm pretty quick. Make 750+HP with a single 1050 Dominator.

    • @thereluctantgearhead4544
      @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +1

      Street engine.....

  • @rondpert5167
    @rondpert5167 Місяць тому

    Back in the late 60's (?) before the Hemi took over Top Fuel and several other engines were used; I read in one magazine about a dyno test between the BBC and a Hemi. The Chevy actually pulled a higher HP peak but the Hemi had a larger and flatter HP range with more torque.
    In the Northeast we had Hemis around, but they were seldom seen. Someone would buy one, drive it around for a couple of months and then it stayed in the garage (awaiting some improvement to go faster). The real reason was the Hemi needed constant wrenching to keep in tune. I later determined that these were people with more money than ability. And the cars sat. 440s were the fast Mopars on the street. It seems the guys in the Midwest were better at keeping their Hemis running.

  • @edwardpate6128
    @edwardpate6128 Місяць тому

    You know now that I am getting ready to turn 65 being in my 70's doesn't seem that old! LOL

  • @yurimodin7333
    @yurimodin7333 Місяць тому +1

    I love mopars but I also have a classic Lincoln and am currently building a 350 chevy for my street rod........hot rodders unite!

  • @MrJohnnyDistortion
    @MrJohnnyDistortion Місяць тому +1

    I always love hearing what UT has to transmit. No editing. 😘🤣

  • @thereluctantgearhead4544
    @thereluctantgearhead4544 Місяць тому +4

    Use extra long 1.300 long shank ARP studs on the exhaust side. Standard length on the intake. Trust me. Those heads need at least a .650 lift solid roller cam to utilize the available flow. And a Big single plane intake like a Super Victor to match the runners. About a 48-50cc dome needed to get some real compression too. That head has a 122cc chamber. 335cc intake runner, 140cc exhaust runner. Its a big head for a 454, but with radical shit, itll work good. Need a 454 shortblock thatll turn 7500rpm or so.

  • @scottmihalsky3612
    @scottmihalsky3612 Місяць тому

    Another great show uncle T thanks

  • @ericuncapher9922
    @ericuncapher9922 Місяць тому +1

    Great video!! I watched the whole thing learning..thx

  • @sodiorne2
    @sodiorne2 Місяць тому

    Loved all the info and stories!!

  • @peterl2017
    @peterl2017 26 днів тому

    Tony's doctor :" I can't figure out why your right arm, wrist and hand are developed so much more than your left?" 😂😂
    Tony:"Have you ever watched my videos?"

  • @stickman-1
    @stickman-1 Місяць тому +20

    If you like the BBC, you should be LOVING the Ford Clevelands. (351C-4v, 351C-2V, Boss 302, Boss 351 and 351HO.) Best heads ever of the era. BTW, as a Ford guy, I have always respected Mopar. The body styles, the engines, etc. In fact the first car I hotrodded was a 318 something.)

    • @chrishensley6745
      @chrishensley6745 Місяць тому

      Too small cubes....most that I knew years ago on street/unibody tangs had to run the screen intake gasket to help on torque....even with a no frame car....Killer engines on a light weight Pinto for sure.

    • @MrJohnnyDistortion
      @MrJohnnyDistortion Місяць тому +2

      Those 318 somethings were something else. I couldn't help myself. 😃😆🤣👉🏽👍🏽🫵🏽

    • @jasoncronk9674
      @jasoncronk9674 Місяць тому

      I agree, canted valve Cleveland engines are great. I had a 4v 351c in a car with 3.00 gears and I put a AOD in it. Would lug along at 1250 rpm at 60mph and it did great. I don't know why everyone claims you can't use the 4v on the street. Just awesome engine. I had a Crane cam that may have helped it out some

    • @kevin2960
      @kevin2960 Місяць тому

      Generally I can't stand ford. That being said I have love for Cleveland's and FE engines, I'm currently building a MEL for a friend.

    • @stickman-1
      @stickman-1 Місяць тому

      @@jasoncronk9674 I went the other way. Started with 2V heads and built the engine around it. Al. rods, roller cam, full cage, etc. It was a screamer.