pit tools

[noslin]

Other then basic hand tools, wrench's, feeler gauges, allen wrenches, sockets etc.  what other tools should i get for pit use.  what do most ppl use for pit trays to hold tools while working on their rig.  running meth, so is hydrometer needed?  on blown alky setup, need 1/2" ratchet wrench to back down (if its something that needs to be done).   just trying to get some ideas so i can start gathering these things.



ty
dean

[dreracecar]

Hydrometer is not needed for straight alc, just pour into tank and go.
Ran for years with a simple tool tray that set on top the injector and carried up to the start.
consisted of between round maintenence tools
Spark plug wrench
turn over ratchet
main jet wrench (along with a brick of jets)
valve cover speed handle
small cresent wrench for fittings
medium blade screwdriver
long needle nose pliers
dzus wrench
3/8 combo (injection jamb nuts)
7/16 deep socket and ratchet (ign timing)
.020 feeler gage (plugs and valves)
Rocker adj tool
ty-raps and extra dzus buttons
If you cant fix a problem with those, you dont have time to fix it and head back to the pits
Be sure to carry 2 chute packing strings on the back of the car, just in case it pops in staging.
No need to outfit the trailer like you are selling snap-on tools either. just the tools needed to put the car take apart and put together. Bought just the special socket needed to do the job at hand and not the whole rack, IE one 3/4-12pt for the converter bolts, one deep 1/2-12pt for the heads, 15/16 did the idler adjust bolt and the wheel nuts, using the turn-over ratchet, just the allen sockets needed for what is on the car, if nothing uses a size you have, leave it home

[noslin]

Thank you

[noslin]

how long of a turn-over ratchet to get?   like a breaker bar, 24" or so?

[dreracecar]

18" works fine , you want a ratchet type so you can rotate the engine to set timing, run valves besides backing the motor down

[gregm784]

Bruce is spot on.  I carry the same tools pretty much.

Once a year i go thru my trailer tool box and remove duplicates, unneeded stuff.  Helps keep the weight down too.  

I took a simple craftsman 1/2" ratchet, and a piece of 1" DOM and made my turn over bar.  It's too long, one day i'll cut it down.  it's been 10 years.  i'm not rushing into it.

[denverflatheader]

Dean – precision low-pressure measuring device is helpful.  Alan

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BIKE-MASTER-DIAL-TIRE-GAUGE-0-15-PSI-AIR-LOW-PRESSURE-SWIVEL-ANGLE-ATV-MX-MC-UTV-/292167262153?epid=655458448&hash=item4406869fc9:g:snsAAOSwwvZZVTnT&vxp=mtr

[gregm784]

I have two low pressure gauges, verified they read the same thing.  I have one high pressure gauge (front tires get checked daily)

[dreracecar]

You need 2 tire gages one for the rears and one for the fronts. I carry my low pressure one with me to prevent someone from borrowing it to check their fronts or liners and blowing the needle around.
Since I back up the car, I carry with me, 3/8" wrench for idle adj, a adjust fitting wrench with a dzus driver on the end, and my Kestral weather station. In the back of the tow , there should also be a can of windsheild de-ice to shoot the injector blades when its real humid or cold

[noslin]

aweseome, appreciate the input.

i have intercomp 0-30 psi gauge.  ill get 0-15.   thx Alan for the link.

what kind of air pressure are you guys putting on the front tires. 

i ordered off ebay a 24" 1/2" drive ratchet drive;  was like 40 bucks.  i think same as lowes 1/2" ratchet.

started looking at weather stations, how elaborate does a person need to get?  i imagine most tracks has the info accessible with smart phone (general location)?  i want to get one, ill look at the kestral. 

a adjust fitting wrench with a dzus driver on the end

   is this something you made Bruce.  welded dzus driver to adjustable wrench?

looks like ill have to get in.lb. torque wrench for PG band adjustment.  sears usually has them on sale as christmas.

ty
dean

[JrFuel Hayden]

Ty I suggest min of 35lbs, 40 if you have a heavy front end, like 400 lbs, and more if you have a effective front wing. I had to replace a front runner tire on a Heritage Top Fuel car because it was chunking, I told him at least 50 lbs because he had a good size wing.
 Tires are made and destroyed by heat, under-inflated front tires will cause the sidewalls to flex = build up heat and start to come apart.
Big show TF with their 2000+ lbs front wings run 80-100 lbs, and that is with 4" wide front runners.
Oh Ya ALWAYS use valve stem caps, at speed the valve stem core can depress and let air out. Yes I've seen that a few times.
Just use common sense.

Jon

[gregm784]

Oh Ya ALWAYS use valve stem caps, at speed the valve stem core can depress and let air out.

And it is a helluva ride in the shutdown.  I did it ONCE.  lol

[dreracecar]

Specialty Fasteners has the AN cresent wrench with the Dzus tip,
Swap meets are a good place to find In/lbs torque wrenches cheap, or you can come down to my shop and buy the one I have (havent used it in like 10 years) $45

[Van]

 Always keep a fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle & a fire resistant treated blanket also helps. We keep ours in the back ready to grab if needed.

[glofria]

God forbid anything should happen but keep the driver health insurance info and list of medical conditions in the tow vehicle in case there is a accident and they are incapacitated.

Recently I've scene and bought Dzus Fasteners with a hex receiver instead of a screwdriver slot and I highly recommend buying them.

Regarding weather stations, this is what we have and has perform flawlessly for more than 10 years now.

http://www.altronicsinc.com/racing-weather-stations/handheld-racing-weather-stations/performaire-eclipse-1.html