ATTN. RICHARD PETTY GUYS!! post-1971 426 WEDGE (after Hemi was removed from NASCAR)

[autoxcuda]

I was mistaken. The '74 does not show a picture of the wedge block. Just a part number.

 

[Photon440]

In 1966 they penalized the Hemi and limited the CID. You'll see 404 ci on the hoods of some cars.

View attachment 1796716

The NASCAR rule book of the time had different engine sizes for different car weights.

Standard Class: 119" WB, 430" limit, 4000 pound minimum
Intermediate Class: 115" WB, 430" limit, 4000 pound minimum OR 405" with 3500 pound minimum.

It applied to all makes; Donnie Allison was running a 396" powered Ford at this time.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I find the PETTY ENT stampings odd, and a bit too perfect.
Why would they need to mark their own heads?

 

[vance.dykes]

I find the PETTY ENT stampings odd, and a bit too perfect.
Why would they need to mark their own heads?

maybe they rented to other teams .

 

[j-c-c-62]

In 1966 they penalized the Hemi and limited the CID. You'll see 404 ci on the hoods of some cars.

View attachment 1796716

Those were the days, all the trim/chrome/door handles, treaded tires.
Looks like Lee is asking Richard to pick up a gallon of milk before next pit stop.

 

[j-c-c-62]

I wonder if the Pettys have any records of this stuff.

I suspect Maurice would be the best source, and no longer with us.


Maurice Petty - Wikipedia

 

[dvw]

In 1966 they penalized the Hemi and limited the CID. You'll see 404 ci on the hoods of some cars.

View attachment 1796716

Funny I was talking to Al Adam from Chysler the other day about the 404. He said they even tried a 366. But the rpm it required led to failures. The 404 made about the same power as the 426. Said it was a very good combo.
Doug

 

[j-c-c-62]

maybe they rented to other teams .

Find it odd they would be renting out such a key hp custom component in such a competitive environment in those days.
With all the other reports of fake vin cars etc over the years, I could also see a bad actor stamping Petty on anything to gain automatic value.
I could see Chrysler properly marking the heads for identification as shown if they were sent to them for evaluation/testing.
Seems there should be other examples of this marking method to prove a pattern from that era.