R.I.P. Ed Iskenderian

[Nessism1]

Once upon a time, I rebuilt a 396 big block Chevy L78 engine. Original in my '68 El Camino. This engine came stock with a solid lifter cam, 11:1 pistons, rectangular port heads, a Holley carb, etc. Realizing 11:1 is a no go with modern gas, led me down a path towards a strong, but streetable build. I tried hard to fit Isky parts into this build, but it seemed their BB cams were all quite aggressive...or weak. I wanted something in the middle, but Isky didn't have what I wanted. I did buy valve springs from them. My last Isky purchase...

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Once upon a time, I rebuilt a 396 big block Chevy L78 engine. Original in my '68 El Camino. This engine came stock with a solid lifter cam, 11:1 pistons, rectangular port heads, a Holley carb, etc. Realizing 11:1 is a no go with modern gas, led me down a path towards a strong, but streetable build. I tried hard to fit Isky parts into this build, but it seemed their BB cams were all quite aggressive...or weak. I wanted something in the middle, but Isky didn't have what I wanted. I did buy valve springs from them. My last Isky purchase...

What parts/brands did you end up going with? The younger me always dreamed of getting my hands on one of those 396s. NOT just any, but the same L78 engine like you had. We had a guy in the neighborhood a few years older than me who owned a bronze / copper color 68 Chevelle SS that came with the lower horse 396 and he managed somehow and made a deal for that same engine you built. He used to lay a trail of smokin rubber in the streets for a long ways when he took off with that thing. I had one ride in it and needed to change pants after he got thru showing it off to me.

 

[zhaarnak02]

Another automotive legend gone from us. He made a lot of young men very happy thru his work and the high performance products he made available to so many of us young auto geeks back in the muscle car era and beyond.

I have memories, as a young lad, of adding his products to my many wish lists as I meandered through "The Book" (PAW Catalog)...... HEAVY Sigh.

 

[PontiacHO]

Isky had some strong beliefs regarding dual pattern vs single pattern camshafts with his preference being the single pattern for earlier torque production. There’s far less single pattern camshafts sold these days but who could possibly argue this with the likes of Ed Iskenderian?? Loved the old Isky 280 camshafts in street engines. Very choppy idle with a tight LSA but low RPM torque did make this an explosive combination if the engine had at least 10:1 compression and supporting intake, carburetor, exhaust, and curved ignition timing.
Mr Iskenderian is the pioneer of high performance engines building.
RIP

 

[Nessism1]

What parts/brands did you end up going with? The younger me always dreamed of getting my hands on one of those 396s. NOT just any, but the same L78 engine like you had. We had a guy in the neighborhood a few years older than me who owned a bronze / copper color 68 Chevelle SS that came with the lower horse 396 and he managed somehow and made a deal for that same engine you built. He used to lay a trail of smokin rubber in the streets for a long ways when he took off with that thing. I had one ride in it and needed to change pants after he got thru showing it off to me.

My memory is foggy, but I remember having the block bored for some forged TRW pistons. Mid compression ratio. The recommended clearance was quite tight. The block was also align bored and the crank polished. Used a Herbert street/torque cam. They were also local in So Calif, but not as close as Isky.

Right after getting the engine running, I accepted a job transfer to NE Ohio. The company moved the car for me. Said car was being prepped for paint, with no windshield, delivered to the office where I worked. A short time later, I bought a house and needed to move the car. I donned a pair of sun glasses, and blasted off down the road, for the 10 mile trip home. That was fun! Tried to vary the rpm, and load the rings, but not too hard. This vehicle had a 4 speed, and spinning the tires sent the rear end jacking up and down. They sold rear diff "snubbers" to help that situation, but didn't get around to installing them. Got engaged, and the El Camino was sold for the ring.

 

[Langanobob]

Didn`t he have a grind called the 5 cycle? Maybe back in the 60`s.

I remember his magazine ads with the parrot for “Polydyne Profile” cams.

 

[RooflessVW]

****. Had an Isky in my 280ZXT

 

[Pablo]

RIP. Absolute legend.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

My memory is foggy, but I remember having the block bored for some forged TRW pistons. Mid compression ratio. The recommended clearance was quite tight. The block was also align bored and the crank polished. Used a Herbert street/torque cam. They were also local in So Calif, but not as close as Isky.

Right after getting the engine running, I accepted a job transfer to NE Ohio. The company moved the car for me. Said car was being prepped for paint, with no windshield, delivered to the office where I worked. A short time later, I bought a house and needed to move the car. I donned a pair of sun glasses, and blasted off down the road, for the 10 mile trip home. That was fun! Tried to vary the rpm, and load the rings, but not too hard. This vehicle had a 4 speed, and spinning the tires sent the rear end jacking up and down. They sold rear diff "snubbers" to help that situation, but didn't get around to installing them. Got engaged, and the El Camino was sold for the ring.

Yep. Lots of those muscle cars (mine too) went to other owners when we got responsible! It was just what we had to do.

I have recently been having regrets for letting my last Chevelle , a 76 S3 - 400cui small block (not a muscle machine - more a show car) go to another home in 2019. I was having a lot of health issues, facing several surgeries and had not moved it for many years. It was covered in dust in my shop behind the house.

YET, I never stop cruising the internet "classic / muscle car" web pages thinking I might yet have another go round owning one. Only issue is I can not work on hardly anything these days with all the fibromyalgia, chronic pain, pinched nerves, arthritis , spine, neck, shoulder, knees....... etc.... Probably easier for me to list what is not giving me trouble these days. At 69 some days it can feel like I am 99! I did make a major accomplishment though. I started walking several miles a day and that is helping me some with the neuropathy pains.

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Didn`t he have a grind called the 5 cycle? Maybe back in the 60`s.

WoW! YES. You have a great memory to come out with that one! Anyone into those old muscle car days would really enjoy the story I recently read about the founding of one of my favorite add ons..... Hedman Hedders. I started out with Blackjacks, then Hookers and ended up with some Hedman's in the late 70s. That company and the founder has actually been credited with giving them the name "hedders" way back when guys were making their own.

 

[OVERKILL]

Truly a legend of the hot rodding world, but one heck of a run at 104. That's a life well lived.