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Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: phil_long on May 11 2020, 11:21:00 AM

Title: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 11 2020, 11:21:00 AM
Good morning gents, I'm in the process of putting together something fun, and I was in need of some assistance on a few parts. Specifically, I'm checking to see if Earl is still selling those front covers. In addition, since it's been a while since I've stopped through here, I'm having a fellow buick member local to me, Scott Keller, assemble the block for me.


Just for starters, I'm leaning towards the roller cam to avoid having to add zinc. I'm also going with aluminum heads as well. The details will be added to this thread here in the near future for the entire build. I miss you guys and I hope that all is well!!  :rock:
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Steve Wood on May 11 2020, 11:36:36 AM
There are plenty of oils out there with enough zinc in them to eliminate having to add anything to them.  But, most people are opting for roller cams these days, and that avoids any problems on break-in.

I am sure Scott will do a good job on the assembly for you and you will have a great engine to drop in.

I don't think Earl builds anything anymore.  He has become a full time salesman LOL

Might be easier to find him on FB in the buick groups.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on May 11 2020, 11:55:05 AM
Earl rarely posts on the other board which makes me think he's gone to FB. I'm sure he would do a cover for you. You may have to supply him with one tho.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 11 2020, 02:06:29 PM
Thank you all so much with the responses! I'll update you with detail on this build. If I can't get in contact with him, will my front cover work just fine?
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Steve Wood on May 11 2020, 02:15:51 PM
I'm sure Scott can look at it and tell you if it is badly worn or any other problems.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 11 2020, 02:43:10 PM
Ok cool. Here is what I'm working with so far. I don't know what much of this means, but by the end of this thread I'm hoping to have a good running car. Lol


stock 109 block, bored .20 over with a deck plate. New TA grooved cam bearings, new ARP main studs, #2 and #3 Pro-Gram billet main caps, and block has been lined honed. New JE pistons, new Scat stock length forged rods, stock crank that has been magnafluxed and turned .010/.010. Also new brass freeze plugs. 
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on May 11 2020, 04:04:06 PM

It won't hold together any longer than a stock short block when it sees KR. Stock short blocks will hang all day into the bottoms 10's with zero KR. Bison has pounded several minutes of 9 second power through the stock short block in his blue car.


It all depends on one's ability to tune...and these ain't NA engines. The learning curve can be steep for forced induction engines. I beat the piss out of stock short blocks over the years. The difference is, I know how to tune.


Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Steve Wood on May 11 2020, 05:35:29 PM
I'm trying to find Earl for you :)
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: daveismissing on May 11 2020, 06:07:43 PM
There is always the TA cover if Earl doesn't bite.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 12 2020, 09:06:57 AM
I didn't even check to see if anyone else made front covers. Lol
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 12 2020, 09:16:51 AM
Scoobum, naturally every smart TR owner wants to avoid KR. Turbo Buicks are like Superman and KR literally means KRyptonite. :rofl:  I've been around long enough to learn quite a bit from all of you. Bringing up Bison and his accolades doesn't help me much. I talk to you more than Bison, so when it's all put together and highway ready, I'm bringing to you so you can tune it.  :cheers: Wish me luck and I will keep you all posted. Unfortunately I'm not on FB, so getting in contact with Earl just became that much more difficult. Lol
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on May 12 2020, 10:27:29 AM

Tuning is easy. I can show anyone in 5 minutes with PL...they don't need me. If you tell Eric your exact combo and desired boost, and if you leave Julios alky kit on default, you can pound 23 lbs of boost through it no problem...as long as the fuel system is up to the task. Go into the alky section on the other board...Julio has a link up for his alky kit and takes you completely through it. He's dumbed it down so everyone can understand it. If you have 6.1 then make sure you the NB and WB sensors are mint and you've chosen thye correct WB sensor form the drop down box as I see Eric mentioning this a lot on the other board. I have vids on my channel how to adjust Erics 5.7 chip. Buy a cheapass thermometer/barometer and write down the temp/humidity for each pass. when I was bracket racing my car it would pick up 2.3 tenths on a 15% humidity drop...which means it leaned out. You HAVE to watch temp/humidity like a hawk. Humidity trumps temperature.


PS. Tell Eric you're gonna run 25 PSI...he'll add plenty of fuel in the chip.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 12 2020, 02:07:12 PM
That's awesome advice. Thanks! My biggest worry is the track side of it, seeing that I didn't intend to go there. Lol. I'm afraid of getting addicted.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: daveismissing on May 12 2020, 10:38:08 PM
Are you on ebay?

https://www.ebay.com/str/earlbrownracing
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 13 2020, 08:44:00 AM
I am on ebay yes! Thank you sir
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Top Speed on May 13 2020, 01:21:01 PM
That's a good link to have!  I already see some stuff I need.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on May 13 2020, 01:27:32 PM
Those bolt kits are pure sex.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: daveismissing on May 13 2020, 06:05:01 PM
Quote from: Top Speed
That's a good link to have!  I already see some stuff I need.
Hey Earl, commission? . Nah, Earls been very fair with me, be surprise at any complaints.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: ss/gn on May 14 2020, 06:35:04 AM
With everything else you have done a T/A cover would be a good idea. Better than a stocker or even a modded stocker. 
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Steve Wood on May 14 2020, 09:13:31 AM
I would not bet it being better than a modified stocker :D

Last one I saw used a HV gear set and no one can convince me that a HV gear set is not at best a kluge for a improperly built engine or at worst, a band-aid that is not only trying to cover up for an oiling deficiency but is also putting unneeded wear on the front cam bearing and unneeded strain on the cam sensor drive  which never comes to a good end.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on May 14 2020, 05:27:06 PM
I still have yet to check out the T/A cover. Brb. Lol
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: daveismissing on May 15 2020, 06:15:16 PM
I just have the Melling plate with my TA cover?
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 07 2020, 11:24:13 PM
You'd be right Steve.  I'd run a modified GM cover that I found at the bottom on the lake over a new T/A (silver seal) chinese cover.   I still haven't put any of my covers on a CMM so I can look at casting my own with the mods already done.     At this point in time, I can't image it'd be worth it.  With something like a minimum production run of 200 or so, I'd probably be buried with some of them.

  Years ago, when they first came out someone posted a picture of the gear pocket  on the other board and I just about fell over when I notice a serious design flaw on their porting.   Luckily, those covers most likely don't land on cars that are DDs anymore and rack up miles.   In that case, there would be some cars losing engines from just normal use.

I've still got a stack of NOS 14 and 20 bolt covers but honestly I think I've ported one in the last few years.     And the one I can think of is for a PIA engine build I was working on.


...and right when I address the last hurdle on getting the stupid thing built (billet main caps) the owner buys a complete stroker off the other board.    So, honestly I'm probably going to play with my jetboat  and my NASCAR this summer.    (and if there's time, put my TVR back on the road).


...and porn of course. :)
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: phil_long on June 23 2020, 05:19:21 PM
So good front covers available. Got it. It's good to see you Earl! Enjoy the scenes!!
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Grumpy on June 24 2020, 10:23:12 AM
Quote from: earlbrown
 NASCAR this summer. . (http://www.ihadav8.com/forum/Smileys/default/001.gif)
You out protesting in your BLM T shirt ? After the "Noose" thing @ Talladaga... ahh never mind ;-)
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on June 24 2020, 04:13:38 PM
NASCAR needs to apologize to what's left of it's fans for getting suckered into this noose hoax and for giving into lefties for banning the Confederate flag at the races. And let's hope Petty Enterprises doesn't resign this bum at the end of the season.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIbedyErUGI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIbedyErUGI)




Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: TexasT on June 25 2020, 08:30:21 AM
Nascar getting sucked in? They probably orcastrated the whole thing to get the publicity. Nascar is dying a slow death. And they are alienating their fan base while doing it. If they did t have such a warchest of capital they would have already closed up shop. 
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Scoobum on June 26 2020, 08:36:56 AM
Bubba Lies Matter!!!!
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 28 2020, 10:07:15 AM
Quote from: "Grumpy"
<blockquote>You out protesting in your BLM T shirt ? After the "Noose" thing @ Talladaga... ahh never mind ;-)


</blockquote>  NOPE.

I actually have a life.


YELLOW LIVES MATTER!!!
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 28 2020, 10:08:32 AM
Oh, and NECKCAR sucks.  It's sucked for decades.

They had a chance to finally make some money again during the plandemic being the only 'sports' on TV....      just to fuck it up on purpose.


Idiots.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: daveismissing on June 28 2020, 10:19:05 AM
Hey Earl, whats the actual plan for this cool beast? Driving in circles somewhere?
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 28 2020, 10:50:55 AM
Oh god no.   'Racing' around in a circle makes as much sense and thinking a dog can win chasing its tail.

I'm going to put it on the street and clean out all the slim trailer park girls.   The prepnecks in their jacked up trucks on 20's (that's never seen mud) will be pissed.

I got a 3v mod engine in it now and GOOD GOD those stupid things are huge! I got it so high it almost hits the hood (removed the 'factory' air filter/ ram air box) and the pan still hangs 3" below the 'crossmember'.   Which is bad because the frame is only a few inches off the ground at rest.    And the front frame brace won't fit no matter what.


...and I've just about convinced myself to build a 351 for it and sell the Mustang engine/trans.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Tim Hensley on June 28 2020, 12:44:29 PM
So cool I vote 351. You going to put it on the street? My uncle had a 60 or 61 Pontiac numbers and all he drove on the street. It was a blast climbing in the window.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Tim Hensley on June 28 2020, 12:49:57 PM
Whoops got sidetracked forgot why I cam here.
I just got a 87 turbo engine with about 50 k. Should I stash the front cover away it looks good.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: Steve Wood on June 28 2020, 03:43:20 PM
Yes
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 28 2020, 05:02:02 PM
Quote from: Tim Hensley
So cool I vote 351. You going to put it on the street? My uncle had a 60 or 61 Pontiac numbers and all he drove on the street. It was a blast climbing in the window.
The problem isn't the engine so much as the transmission.   The cost to put a strong manual behind a conventional engine is damn near (or possibly) more than I paid for the car.
   The reason I went with the mod motor was the modern trannys (not to be confused with Bruce Jenner).   If they would have used a SBC bell housing pattern on the mods, it's would already be running.    But what I've learned about Ford and how they do thing with their wiring, computer boxes, tunes, anti-theft, and whatknot..    I would have sucked it up and spent a fortune or just bought a weak ass T5.
   I've got a bunch of 460's I scored a year ago, but I don't think I can put that much weight on the front and sleep at night.
  It would be nice if I knew what each corner actually weighed minus all the ballast and shit.
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: earlbrown on June 28 2020, 05:02:32 PM
Quote from: Tim Hensley
Whoops got sidetracked forgot why I cam here.
I just got a 87 turbo engine with about 50 k. Should I stash the front cover away it looks good.
Packrat all the parts that aren't made anymore.


(sorta like all my NOS covers)
Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: nocooler on June 28 2020, 06:39:04 PM
Earl look at QuickTime bellhousings - they aren’t cheap but they have adapters for putting the Chevy style manuals behind ferds.
Something like https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/ford/parts/RM-6066 (https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/ford/parts/RM-6066)


Title: Re: Is Earl still making front covers?
Post by: nocooler on June 28 2020, 06:39:33 PM
https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/ford/parts/RM-6082 (https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/ford/parts/RM-6082) - for mod engines
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