The Ranchero Returns Part 2! Alaska or Bust, the Sequel

On this episode of Roadkill, the 14-month dream of ice racing in Alaska comes true! More than a year ago, on Episode 2 of Roadkill, Freiburger and Finnegan hit the road in a '68 Ford Ranchero with a wild goal: to drive 3,600 miles from Los Angeles, California, to Big Lake, Alaska, to go ice racing. Somehow, they instead found themselves in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. You really need to check out Episode 2 to understand the level of fail that has chased these guys. The most recent Roadkill, Episode 13, told the first half of the story of Freiburger and Finnegan's second attempt-and this time, on Episode 14, you can bask in the suffering and victory as they finally reach the goal. But how with their 45-year-old muscle car fare in an ice race with the Alaska Sports Car Club? Watch to find out. For those interested in tech specs, the '68 Ranchero is powered by a 363ci small-block Ford that's based on a big-bore Dart SHP block; the bore and stroke is 4.125x3.400. It has 9.3:1 compression, Dart 195cc heads, and a hydraulic roller cam with 232/244 duration at 0.050, .565/.580 lift, and a 114-degree LSA. The engine made 471 hp at 6,200 rpm and 451 lb-ft at 4,500. The trans is a Gearstar C4. The car's biggest problem is the 2.80:1 gears in the 8-inch rearend. That's too high for a heavily loaded car with a big cam, but they were used to keep rpm down during the trip to Alaska.