Ask the Expert
On this page, we hosted a feature whereby hot rodders could ask a personal question of our Expert of the Month via e-mail. The Expert, most often a pioneer, would answer the question over the telephone to us, and we would then post an audio clip on this page (see below). Unfortunately, we have had to end the feature, primarily because most of the pioneers did not want to answer a question “off the cuff”, but wanted instead to think it through, write it out, and then read it. We felt we were asking too much of them. In addition, many questions we received were not about hot rod history or traditional builds, but more about a muscle car or street rod (or even a question better put to Click and Clack!). So we were forever writing e-mails to say, “sorry, we can’t ask them that one.”
At any rate, we now have a nice archive of questions, many answered by the pioneers themselves, and we hope you will find this fun and useful.
Thanks to all rodders who participated in Ask the Expert!
Browse our Q & A Archives
Latest Postings
QUESTION
I am building a Model A Roadster with a 354cid Chrysler Hemi. The heads have been smoothed and blended but not ported. I am using stock sized valves, 10.5:1 pistons, and an old "u-Fab" intake with 6 strombergs. I'll be running a 4spd and 3.73 gears with 31" tall tires. My question is this: to try to prevent any engine problems and hopefully help reliability, would I be better off running a big cam to match my other components, or running a smaller cam and risk starving things? I'm not all that concerned about road manners, and I can't bring myself to cut off any of the carbs, I'm just hoping to have this car on the road more than on the rack. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanx, Norrie
ANSWER
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QUESTION
My son and I picked up a 1976 marine chevy 350 that we want to make a 383 stroker. It will have 400 crank, 9.5 to 1 flat tops, Holl 750 dbl on a Eld. Performer, Eld. Vlum. Victor Jr. 76cc heads. This will be a Street machine with light weekly driving on pump gas (w.additive?). What hydralic cam should I use to get best HP results ? A Lunati #07103 has been suggested (295/295, .534/.534)?? What do YOU think?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Mr. Iskendirian I recently talked to you on the phone about Eddie Edmunds and you said you would look and see if you perhaps had any information about him. I was wondering if you have had a chance? I recently talked to Glen Volz from Salem Speed Shop and he said to say hello..... Thank You
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Greetings- I have a 1940 ford coupe with a 383 stroker chevy in her. I purchased the car for the body but the engine only has 10,000 miles on it. It idles at about 900RPMs because of the radical cam. I want to keep the engine, but I want to cruise, not race. What type of cam would give me a good cruising engine yet also a little lumpy sound/ (Engine has a new Holley carb with a standard distributor and Sanderson headers.) Thanks for you expertise- Rick
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Mr. Iskenderian, I was pleasently surprised to find your name listed here when I came looking for the answer to my question. I actually spoke to you by phone about a year ago about a similar issue. I have an original, unstamped, brass, Isky Cam data tag I want to have stamped with my Isky Cam info for my '41 plymouth hot rod. I originally wanted to send the tag to Isky to be stamped, but you informed me that the stamping would have been done by the cam installer/engine builder. However, since I've never seen another tag, I was hoping to find a picture of what the racers/engine builders would have been doing during the '50's & '60's for accuracy. Second, I host a carshow every year to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This year we're hoping to raise $5,000. As part of the fund raising efforts this year we will be raffling off some autographed apparel from some of the hobbies well known providers. We have already got items signed by the Edelbrocks, Chip Foose, Sal Perez, and others. We would be greatly appreciative if you could provide us with your signature on any item you see fit. I would gladly cover any expense involved for the item, shipping etc. Thank-you for your time in this matter, Marty Lindsley
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I have seen and heard a lot of you guys lately with the TV references and such. I know that exposure is obviously a good thing, but how do you handle something like that? Have you guys had to compromise anything to be more mainstream? How do you combine what you want to do with what people will want to buy?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Hello there from Texas. I saw that a while back you guys got the task of restoring the Ala Cart. I have only seen one picture of the effort. When can I see more?
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QUESTION
Did your generous use of small block Ford power come about based upon personal preference, familiarity with these powerplants on your part, or to take advantage of some aspect relative to the Ford small block engines? Or....was it simply the result of a working relationship between you and Ford?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Looking for wishbones of year span 1927-1929 from old ford cars. Is there a difference in length in relation to year and Ive noticed that some people are mounting spring perches in the bones and I want to know how reliable is this considering the bones are in good condition . Will bones from a truck be larger and of heavier gauge metal?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Bill, I remember you in Monrovia then on Lorina and olympic in L.A. I had a Packard Powered Oldsmobile with a flamethrower. best damn thing I ever ran. I know it went to Grant. My Question, is it still in production or has anyone built anything similar that ran at half speed. Jim
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Bill, I own what I would call a 2nd generation? Spalding SBC Ignition. Mine has the Bakelite side covers. I have always been amazed by these things, can you tell us about the development, theories and the why behind your Flamethrowers? Also, how would you coach a 30something that owns one of these into setting it up? Thank you very much for fueling the fire!
ANSWER
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QUESTION
How does a person safely use 35 ford wires over juice brake drums? Are there spacers that you make/buy? Thank you for your consideration. bobh
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Hello Louis. What year(s) did Ansen manufacture the aluminum "Apollo" wheels? These were the wheels that had a Knock-off hub adapter and aluminum spinner knock-offs for left and right. The wheels were 5.5 bolt circle and the knock-off hub adapter had pins and bolted to 4.75 bolt circle (chevy). Were these also called "Titanium Wheels"? I sure would like to find a couple of those adapters. Any info would be great. Thanks for your time, Mike
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I'm curious as to how you got the name Jocko. I got it from my dad and most paople for the last 20 or so years don't even know my real name (Laurence). I've read quite a bit about your exploits in early drag racing as well as land speed racing. It's an honor to meet you and thanks in advance.
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Can you guys grind an "inverse-flank" on a billet profile these days? Are any of your cam grinders small enough?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I believe that Tom Senter used a cam in his Ardun engine that was labeled as being a long-duration Bigalow. Was this cam used because of the blower on that engine? I'm putting together an Ardun, but have yet not decided whether or not to use a blower. If I do, advice on which cam to use would be very much appreciated.
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I just wanted to know more about your T. The famous Isky T. I was wondering if you Z'd the frame in the rear? I know I read that, it has, I believe a 57 chevy rear end with the spring in front of the axle. I'd just like to know as much about the car's chassis as possible. I am building my first hot rod, a steel 22 T roadster and would love to have a similar look. Thank you, -mike
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I was just looking at a shot of you taking the corvette of one of your early trailers/trucks for your dragsters. It must have been about twenty feet up and the tracks looked a bit rickety. Ever get spooked taking it down (or putting it up) after a long night?
ANSWER
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QUESTION
I'm curious to know what combinationsyou had the best luck with... Bore and stroke and what cams you where running... Porting that helped and what didn't work. Many thank's Stevie G
ANSWER
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QUESTION
Tommy, you are still my favorite racer, new or old. My question is pretty simple... who was the first person to give you the nickname "T.V."? We know how you got it, but who gave it to you?
ANSWER
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