Ravenswood Featured Project Vehicle

Second Generation Sixologist

by Mike Barile

I can remember as if it was yesterday at the young age of 7, quietly staring down the valve cover of the Chevy 292 six sitting between the rails of my dad's 217" Woody Gillmore front motor dragster. Was it genetics, or just the everlasting sound of the buzzin half-a-dozen that hooked me in? Whatever the case, it has sparked an interest that will never end. Some time back in 1986, with all my good friends knowing where my dreams were, my good friend Lenny Worth in south Georgia found a 1967 327 powered Camero. The body was rust-free and straight as an arrow. It was a perfect specimen with a controversial steering system. We knew the side draft Webbers would fit with room to spare and at this time the 250 six-powered, Quarter Pounder was created!

We had several goals from the start. Set up for the 1/4 mile drags only. The body must stay all metal so that it will accept a show quality paint job with a perfect fit and everything must be detailed to the max. Working as the production manager at Ravenswood Paint and Body, the family owned and operated business, we took care of all the details. With my dad's drag experience and the help of race engine builder Gregg Kramer, we managed to build a very fast and reliable combination.

After many years of "just for fun" bracket racing and car shows, we hooked up to the Inliners International Club. At the time we set our new goal on the B/altered coupe 1/4 mile club record. With the guidance of Leo Santucci and master head work from Mike Kirby at Sissell's Automotive, and four years of hard work, the record was achieved. Much thatnks to my mom and dad's understanding and financial help. In the past fifteen years we have shared much fun and progress testing the Blue Racer; 1967 250 six-powered Camero, "The Quarter Pounder".

P.S. As my son just turned 16 years young, I can't help but wonder if it will live on, another generation to study in "Sixology"! Only time will tell. My goal/dream is the Ravenswood Racing team participating at all Nostalgic events in the south east. Everyone would see the three generation race team of Chris, Mike, and Mike Junior Barile, all in record setting Chevrolet six cylinder powered cars.

Body: 1967 all steel Chevy Camero - race ready weight 2575 + driver

Moter: Gregg Kramer Racing blue-printed .060" over 250

Pistons: J&E custom forged with Speed pro rings, total compression 11.8 to 1

Aluminum stock size Super Rods

Stock full counter-weighted cast crank with pro balance job

7 1/4" Fluid damper used to tune out the bad harmonics

Crower 1.75 stainless steel roller rockers

Crane Cam solid type with 260 degree duration and .636" lift

Three box stock DCOE 45 side draft Weber carburetors mounted to jet-coated Jack Clifford manifold

Ignition: MSD 6AL control box with a blaster coil kit

Thanks to Mike Kirby who prepped the super flow. Sissell's lump port large chamber head with Comp Cams' 3/8 pushrods & guide plates. A custom-made Mike Kirby sheet metal valve cover is used to clear the big block titanium retainers & springs. The power goes through a TCI 7" custom 5000 stall torque converter and the competition-prepared Bill Smith Turbo 350 manual valve body, race transmission with all TCI internal full-race components. In the rear we have a 5.14 pro ring and pinion on a Strange Engineering pro light spool with 33-spline, heavy-duty axles to turn the 29X9 Goodyear Eagle dragway special slicks on 8" welded wheels. Wilwood drag lites disc brakes are used on all four corners & have no problem slowing it all down.

Best performance as of November 3, 2001 at sea-level 1/4/ mile ET 12.18, 109.38 mph with a 1.63 60 foot time.

Thanks Jack Halton for following the pursuit for speed and perfection!

Last updated 3/29/03

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