Article Preview: Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 - MailTribune.com - Medford, OR

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2015-04-29

Document text

3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation  |  Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 10 things to know for Wednesday Emergency services 10 things to know for Tuesday Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services Charlie's hat case linked to earlier east Medford break-ins Butte Falls man shot at brother over dispute involving guns, documents claim Thieves steal disabled veteran's $20,000 wheelchair Medford man charged with attempted murder in domestic assault Politics and Elections Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Education Medford School Board, Position 7: Lilia Caballero, Kevin Christiansen and Don Libby Medford School Board, Position 5: Kim Wallan vs. Michael Campbell Medford School Board, Position 6: Curt Ankerberg vs. Janet Lightheart Ashland, Scenic win Brain Bowl competitions Needs improvement Environment Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Residents say armed mine supporters sully Josephine County's reputation Armed protesters gather at Medford BLM office over Sugar Pine Mine dispute Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste State News Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales Oregon considers gun control bill targeting domestic abusers New bill may curb Oregon medical marijuana growing operations 'Louie Louie' singer Jack Ely dies at 71 in Oregon Municipal officials object to proposed Oregon public records measure Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Kenneth Lee Barger Tanner Pascoe Helen Caster Death Notices James Bortvit Eike Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Third time’s a charm Crater crushes Ashland in MWL tilt Varsity 541 College Sports Oregon coaches, players ready to ‘split up and play’ Donahue, Beavers down USC at home King's single lifts OSU over No. 10 USC Emmert, Silver not on same page with one-and-dones Addison gets back into rhythm with Ducks Pro Sports Spurs edge Clips on late call Bumgarner outduels Kershaw as Giants win Nats' huge rally overtakes Braves Dolphins’ Jordan caught again, suspended for year Cavs' Love not expected to return for playoffs Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories Comcast deal dropped along with Pac-12 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Real Estate News Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house GREEN ACRES: Southern Oregon provides escape from the maddening crowd Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical People In Business Transportation Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Opinion Latest Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Letters to the Editor, April 29 Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Letters to the Editor, April 28 Editorials Our View: Don't wait on public records reform Our View: Yes to faster speeds, no to lane splitting Our View: Sensation and sensibility: a balancing act Other Views: UO president search happened in the dark Our View: Buildings belong with the Jackson County Library District Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 29 Letters to the Editor, April 28 Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 26 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Columns Kathleen Parker: Comedy, tragedy and fear of free speech Michael Gerson: Weighing the baggage Hillary brings With a song in prisoners' hearts George Will: A Graham candidacy's fun factor Dana Milbank: The TPP is an abomination Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Guest Opinion: This Earth Day, we celebrate the Northwest Forest Plan The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Lifestyle Latest stories Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Lost in Suburbia: Tie a yellow ribbon ‘round the old oak bathroom Wry & Ginger: Birds of a feather flock and talk together Food Food for Thought: Grill up a storm as the weather gets warm Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Prudence Hilburn: Funnel cakes range from sweet to savory Prudence Hilburn: Mayo now used as binding agent in baking Community blog: 'Good' sushi may be more rare than real wasabi Home and Garden Dear Monty: 10 tips to avoid tenant complaints Home Help: Upgrade your entryway with simple DIY projects Costa Living: Basking in flower power Garden Cameos: Spring is time for azaleas in the garden Dear Monty: Seven costly mistakes of new real estate investors Health 'Game changer' for heart patients Health Watch: Tips for protecting your eyes Dr. Jeff Hersh: Could severe cramping mean endometriosis? Dr. Murray Feingold: Is pre-op testing for cataract surgery necessary? Community blog: What about Lucy? Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Milestones and Achievements ENGAGEMENT: Sellers-James Witham's birthday bash draws hundreds for 1950s prices Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 5 picks for live entertainment this week A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Theater Thanks for the Memories stages 'Company' one night only Camelot Theatre presents 'Arsenic and Old Lace' 'Secret Love' playwright Stan Lai appears in Ashland REVIEW: 'Secret Love' strikes comical, poignant balance Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director Music Maria Muldaur at the Unitarian Fellowship Genticorum at Paschal Winery Southern Oregon Repertory Singers Live Music in Local Clubs The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music Community Events A Taste of Ashland pairs food and wine at galleries Rogue Valley Earth Day 2015 Foreign language film festival set at SOU Regional brewers, distillers, winemakers at Harry & David Field Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Movies Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Reader Review: 'Danny Collins' a sentimental and funny tribute to John Lennon Reader Review: 'Birdman' for the birds Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Dining Set a table from your local farmers market Let's do brunch! Restaurant inspections: April 26, 2015 Island Grindz serves up Hawaiian specialties Have you wandered down the Bear Creek Wine Trail yet? Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED   » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW   Our View: Don't wait on public records reform       ...       Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales       ...       Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is)       ...       Our View: Don't wait on public records reform       ...       Oregon Senate backs ban on ivory sales       ...       Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is)       ...           Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod's 1966 Chevelle 396 By Greg Zyla More Content Now MailTribune.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 9:41 am By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 9:41 am »  Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Q: Hi Greg. I had a 1966 Chevelle 396 with 360 horsepower. It had a 4-speed and thanks to your articles I now know what a “138” Chevelle is. Prior to your columns, I didn’t know that a Chevelle vehicle identification number starting with 138 meant it came with a 396 engine from the factory. Back in my hot rod days, there were GTOs, 383 and 426 Hemi Roadrunners, GT Mustangs, 440 Magnum RTs and GTXs, and the Pontiac GTO Judge and more. I ran a lot of these cars with my ’66 Chevelle, and regardless of what the articles said on paper, I could beat them all. Then, I would be asked how I could beat the cars with more horsepower and bigger engines, so I would hop into the car I just beat and we would do a re-run. The result? I would win again and beat my own Chevelle 396. I guess the saying goes “once a hot rod, always a hot rod,” and today I have a 1936 Ford five-window coupe and it is super fun. I’ll be waiting to see your articles as I really enjoy them. Have a super day, Merle “Tink” L., a long time hot rodder from Mechanicsburg, Pa. A: “Tink,” thanks so much for your letter as it sure brings back memories for me, too. That ’66 Chevelle you had was one of three SS 396 Chevelle offerings that year, specifically in 325, 360 or 375 horse dress. I had a 375 horse version in 1968 in my Camaro, and they were way faster than the 325 horse version. But your 360 was what everyone said was the perfect medium, as it did not have a solid lifter camshaft that required weekly valve adjustments and usually, if you ran it on the street like we did, bi-weekly spark plug changes. The 1966 Chevelle engines were RPO L35 at 325 horsepower; RPO L34 rated at 360 horsepower and RPO L78, rated 375 horsepower. The 360 came with a cast iron intake manifold, 600 CFM Holley 4 barrel carb, 10.25 to 1 compression and hotter hydraulic cam which delivered the fuel mixture via closed chamber oval port heads. The 375 featured an aluminum intake, 800 CFM Holley, 11 to 1 compression, and a much hotter solid lifter cam that fed fuel through big, rectangular port heads with bigger valves. As for your driving and winning, drag racing has a lot to do with driver ability, which is why you were able to take a friend’s car and beat your own. Knowing how to leave the starting line, cut a good reaction time and then shifting at the proper RPM points meant the difference between winning and losing. You knew this back then, and were ahead of the curve when it came to race driving skills. Too many “drag racers” back then thought the higher the RPM, the better. But in reality, all you got when you would over-rev the engine were broken valves or worse. Thanks much for your letter, and in reminiscing I spent every Friday night from 1982 through 1990 at Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pa. as part of the “Dirt Trackin’” TV Sprint Car Racing show. I would think much of your racing took place at the former York US 30 Dragway, which isn’t that far from you. Thanks much for your letter and kind remarks. (Greg Zyla writes weekly for More Content Now and other GateHouse Media publications. He welcomes reader questions or comments on old cars, muscle cars and old time racing at 303 Roosevelt St., Sayre, Pa. 18840 or email [email protected]). By Greg Zyla More Content Now MailTribune.com By Greg Zyla More Content Now Posted Apr. 27, 2015 @ 9:41 am » Comment or view comments   /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ »  STAY INFORMED   Email NewsLetter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed   Email newsletter   Sign Up Today   Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.    Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service  |  Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501