What did you do on your Front Engine Dragster TODAY?

[Supercat]

We went to Bowling Green last week for our Buick GS Nationals not the Reunion this year.
 We ran a 8.18 @169 right out of the trailer. We chased the fuel tune around a bit early in the week. I ran down to Nashville Saturday morning to Mikes(Alky Digger) to get some smaller Enderle jets. The best run to this point had been the 8.18@169. We kept everything the same but went down 1 jet size at the ports. The first pass was a 7.96@ 171mph.  No time after that pass to adjust anything as we were called to the lanes for RD.#1 of Bracket 1. We put a 7.90 on the card. The next 4 rounds of racing we won. The semi final rd we got the bye run.... The final was next and we were still in it and running strong. I had the trans-brake depressed started to bring up the revs and the car launched(red-.050) I made the pass anyway as I was on the track and there to have fun.
We ran a 7.82 @ 171+ When I turned onto the return road the trans was making a lot of noise and the smoke. When I got out of the car the tranny was BOILING I had not had that happen before. The trans is damaged pretty well and is being removed this week and opened up. The trans brake released on the line for whatever reason also. Curious to know what went on inside.

I do have some videos and GoPro's to upload in the next few days.

[masracingtd1167]

Sounds like your living in the 7 second zone ! Nice going !

[Supercat]

Thanks Bill I think we are in the 7's to stay .
Yesterday we pulled the trans and found part of the problem. Looks like both seals on the input shaft are toast. The front seal is melted on the shaft....
The fluid was very dark and smelled terrible, not much shiny metal or clutch material though. I'll drop off the trans Monday at JW on my lunch break. We are going to have FTI Converters raise the stall of the converter about 300 rpm and look for any damage also this week.
Trans temp had been 160-180 all day and on the last pass the temps went past 300F.

The starter is a little noisy also so that is getting rebuilt this week.
When we checked the plugs yesterday we also noticed things to be a little lean so we will richen things up for the next time out.
We are also looking for a Ford 9" center section with 35 spline spool and 4:30 -4:57 gears ready to go, if anyone has one sitting around that they are not using.

Here are 2 pictures and 1 video of our slowest pass (8.48@165mph) from the event

[GlennLever]

Very nice!

Race with us.

This is copied for a post by Troy over on the NDRL forum.

Nostalgia Nationals Return to Beech Bend

It was officially confirmed today that the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association are making a return to vintage drag racing here in the midwest. Scenic Beech Bend Raceway, regarded as the midwest home of nostalgia racing, will host the 4th annual Nostalgia Nationals September 18-20. The Goodguys will be returning where they left off with a full weekend of vintage drag racing, car show, swap meet, and autocross.

Also confirmed was that the Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) will be using this as the fifth and final points event for the 2015 season. “Goodguys and the NDRL reached an agreement to use the four NDRL classes, rules, and payout structure for this event and we could not be happier,” exclaimed Troy Wilson, NDRL Staff. “Dave Mullin and the Goodguys staff worked hard on putting this together and it is great news for the drag racers who attend these events”.

More details will be forthcoming and will be available at: www.good-guys.com and www.nostalgiadragleague.com

[Supercat]

Glen we plan to next season.
We should be running in the low 7 range so I need to find out what the class ET's are for the different groups.
Give me a call when you make your way down to Florida soon.

[masracingtd1167]

Seems kind of funny why you would wipe out the input seals like that . Do you run a bushing in the stator support . If you do not then the converter needs one . When you send the converter out ask them about that . 

[Supercat]

Bill thanks for the info, I'll check with JW and FTI to see exactly how our trans and converter are set up.

Thanks again

[GlennLever]

There is a resource here also that you could ask.

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den
http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/index.php?board=36.0

[afaulk]

It wasn't today but we did finally try the dragster again. Certainly didn't set any records but had fun. I just had to try a 3.55 gear, a mistake i guess. Did a high gear launch and ran a 5.51  (1/8) lifting at about 500 ft. when it spun and wiggled. I guess it's taking too long to get it up on the tire (staring in low) of course, starting in high is like beating a dead mule, 1.25 60".  Helpful comments will be appreciated.

[grapro]

I'm getting close all wiring done, waiting for my trans to come back from the builder and I'm ready to fire. Next starting on the body. Took me a lot longer than I thought. Just a bout a whole year passed by.

[Supercat]

No other issues in the trans were found other than the Teflon seals were weak...
Different seals are now installed. I pick up the trans tomorrow at some point.
The converter is getting looked at this week and cut open to adjust a bit and see what things look like on the inside.
 The new fuel engine is getting closer also ...........Should be here in December
As for today I did touch the car and worked on some changes to the trailer as it was cool today @ about 69-70 degrees

[FEDNV]

Not just today but after the HRR started tearing the dragster down as I had broke the spool and one thing led to another so now I am in the process of powder coating the chassis, repainting the body (new nose piece redo), new 3rd member and axles, complete rewiring, upholster the seat and misc changes/updates.

[wideopen231]

what that big fat thing parked in garage next to your  racecar? That stuff belongs out side not next to a racecar.

[gasserx]

Just bought an engine to put into my FED 

[masracingtd1167]

Spent the last few days taking my motor apart to freshen it up . It has about 100 runs on it so I am going to put a set of rods in it ,rings and bearings . Every thing looks really good exept the coating on my piston skirts . I will send them out to be re coated . What's every one else up too ?