GRYPHIN

Owned by John and Pansy Comer a.k.a. Gryphin Racing Team

[(Griffin): Creature of mythology having head, forequarters and wings of an eagle and hind quarters of a lion.]

To see our picture gallery, click Gryphpic.

This is a basic setup for Gryphin. Depending upon which type of event we are competing in, we will vary components such as transmission or suspension modifiers.  For the story of how Gryphin was conceived and evolved, click here Evolution .

TYPES OF COMPETITION:

• Four Wheel Drive Ice Races, Pulls and Mud Races
• Quarter Mile Drag Races and Sand Drags
• Future Possibilities: Pike's Peak Hill Climb and Gravelrama!
• If you organize it, we will come!

ENGINE:

• 1974 Chevrolet, 454 c.i.d., Balanced and Blueprinted
• Bored +.60 = 468 c.i.d., Stroke 4"
• Main Caps drilled for dowel pins and Cam Thrust Bearing added
• Crankshaft:: Steel, cross drilled and Nitrite treated
• Connecting Rods: Reconditioned, Flash ground and shotpeened
• Bearings: Clevite 77 +.020 Rods and Mains
• Pistons: Speed Pro, P70, 13.7 compression
• Heads: Chevrolet "781" castings
• Valves: Manley Street Flow, Stainless, One Piece
• Valve Springs: Isky
• Push Rods: 3/8"
• Rocker Arms: Cam Dynamics Roller, 1.7:1 ratio
• Lifters: Isky Mechanical
• Lifter valley, Windage and Crank Windage trays: Moroso
• Valve Covers: Moroso Tall Blue
• Intake Manifold: Edelbrock Torquer 2
• Camshaft: Isky Z-33 Flat tappet
• Carburetor: Holly #4779 (750 Double Pumper) with 1" custom spacer block
• Air Cleaner: K & N 5" x 14" with K & N Stub Stack inside
• Ignition: Jacob's Ultra Team
• Headers: Cyclone 1972 Corvette, custom modified
• Exhaust: 3 1/2" x 18" Hooker Collector Extensions
• Nitrous: N O S Power Shot system
• Internal engine machine work, match porting and balancing by Verle Stevens Enterprises and MPG Head Service
• R.P.M. red line: 7,000 +
• Estimated H.P: 750 + (NOS 125 HP System) -- Chassis Dyno test at 8,000 feet elevation.
• Engine set back 11 inches

FRAME AND BODY:

• 1968 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER SCOUT 800 - originally equipped with a 266 V8 and B.W. T-90 3-speed
• Tilt front end

TRANSMISSION:

• 1965 Chevrolet TH 400
• Transgo "Manual Pack" Conversion
• Gear Ratios: 1st - 3.00 to 1, 2nd - 1.57 to 1, 3rd - 1.00 to 1
• Torque Converter: Neil Chance, 10" Bolt-together, Race Special (3,500 stall)
• Shifter: B + M Quick Click
• External cooler: IH Pickup, Auxiliary

TRANSFER CASE:

• Stock: Scout II Dana 20
• Custom Moly drive shafts from Englewood Drive Shaft

SUSPENSION:

• Power Steering: 1976 Scout II with External Cooler
• Axles: 4.27:1 Ratio
• Front Axle: 1976 Scout II (Dana 44) - Drum brakes from 1972 Scout II (Dana 30)
• Rear Axle: 1972 Scout II (Dana 44) - Power Lock limited slip
• Springs - Front: 10 Leaf with Rebound Leaf - (Thanks to Mel, Western Spring, circa 1981)
• Springs - Rear: Stock with Bottoming Leaf added
• Shocks: Gabriel Striders (8)
• Anti-Sway Bar - Front: 1973 Travelall two wheel drive (1 1/16 inch)
• Anti-Sway Bar - Rear: 1973 Ford 1 Ton (1 1/8 inch)

OTHER VITAL STATISTICS:

• Custom Paint by H & H Auto Body
• Lettering and Graphics by Lyle Smith (Flair Design)
• All conversion and mechanical work performed by owners unless otherwise noted
• Approximate Investments (over many years of evolution): Dollars: $20,500.00, Time Investment: 5,000 man hours

TROPHIES AND AWARDS

At last count, Gryphin has earned over 150 trophies and awards. Although Gryphin was built strictly for ice racing, we have found that he is also very competitive in 4x4 pulls, sand drags, mud races and "Fun Day" events. Gryphin does not generally fit into "show" categories, but we do exhibit frequently at shows around Colorado and throughout the country. Listed below is a summary of our favorite awards.

SHOWS

• 1990, 1996 and 1997 1st Place Competition Class Scout Nationals, Springfield, Ohio
• 1994, 1995 and 1996 1st Place Competition Class Rocky Mountain IH Rendezvous, Bailey, Colorado

Of course, these awards are our pride and joy. To be recognized and awarded 1st Place by other Scout owners is by far the greatest honor of all.

ICE RACING

• 1989 Thunder on Ice Men's Overall Champion 1989 Thunder on Ice Women's Overall Champion
• 1990 through 1995 1st - 5th Place Trophies Men's Division -- Bare Rubber, Pro Studs and Cheater classes Women's Division -- Bare Rubber, Pro Studs and Cheater classes

4x4 PULLS

• 1991 - 1997 1st Place Outlaw Division - Big Thompson 4 Wheelers
• 1991 2nd Place Jeep© Division - Truck Pullers Association of Colorado
• 1994 1st Place Jeep© Division - Colorado Truck & Tractor Pullers Assoc.

MUD RACES

• 1993 1st Place -- Jeep© Jamboree - Pueblo, Colorado

THANKS!!!

• Kirby Smith for introducing us to ice racing
• Orville Miler (Dad) for some VERY custom machine work
• John Glancy and all the folks at SUPER SCOUT SPECIALISTS
• Bill Thebert and THE BINDER BULLETIN

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