What did you do on your Front Engine Dragster TODAY?

[Foot Feed]

 

[Dolmetsch]

Today I started working on the tunnel ram again for the sr dragster . I have the headers to finish and the carbs to overhaul and set. Today I set the manifold up on the VW gasser engine. I hope you wont misunderstqnd . It isn he dragsters manifold , not the gassers but the slant six is mounted and easily worked on in the gasser so it is just like an engine stand for me. Anything that fits the gasser will fit the rail since the rail is 8 inches wider between the frame rails and has no mount in the way on the drivers side as that side in the rail is front mounted. Header primary needs to be 38 inches for my rails set up. These beautiful long swooping almost mandral bends are availably at your Lowes building supplier in several sizes. These happen to accept the exhaust valve |I use inside which is my criteria for header primary size for normal length headers. Each of the front three pipes must be 4 inches difference in out vrs back so the ends will come out even at the proper length. Here is one tacked up. I wont do anymore on that today so I wont get in a rush.  Work, stop and think seems to work well for me. Amazing what pops into you head when you are sawing logs.
Don

[buickfed]

got the new ignition module installed today. buick day Saturday at the valley. hopefully it will run..........

[Dolmetsch]

I installed another pipe today. The third is made and fitted but will have to be welded in when the manifold is on the bench. All three pipes end at the same spot + or - an inch. They are all 27 inches now. Three straight sections of 11 inches will complete the primary section of the header . Next week I will do the rear three around the starter. It looks like it will be  a bit easier but we will see.
Don
Again sorry to be doing the mock up on the gasser engine. This manifold though is made specifically for the rail. You will notice the slight angle difference between the plenum and the runners. That is because the engine in the rail sits more upright then the stock slant six. Oil pan especially trans pan are different also for this reason. As I said before this is basically an engine stand and not where the manifold will wind up.
Don again

[buickfed]

went to the valley today with the new ign module. didn't get far. that one died too. john also bought one. installed that one too. grrrrr. ended up back on the trailer to home. installed an old gm hei and it runs 100 times better than the Mallory.

[Dolmetsch]

Back when we were racing to win before we discovered how to have fun I did several back to back tests of ignition systems since I always equipped all mopar car running out of my shop, mine or customers with a back up plain ignition module should the exotic one fail which by the way which was far more often then it should have been. Several times  over the last 30 years I have had to unplug the exotic and plug in the normal LX101 ignition box so customer uld complete his day. Not once not ever did it ever hurt the time and on more then one occasion I was told it improved it slightly. Having a two step and certainly having a stutter box or launch chip is a great help but I have come to the conclusion in most cases all the other stuff is just smoke and mirrors. I also have used a recuved HEI well into the eight second range on a BBchev RED I supplied power for. They changed it to a Bell industries fancy dancy system but it ran the best time it ever ran on my recurved HEI.Ignition is no longer a mystery for me. I am now unmoved by any exotic claims. Some say I stubborn. I like to say bulletproof. Anyway my experiences are no different then what you have just described.  Much of the stuff is flat out unreliable. 
Don

[coupemerc]

Brought my block to Charlie Weston's shop in NJ for final machining and installation of lifter bushings.

[masracingtd1167]

He did my lifter bores and cam tunnel also . Some pretty nice equipment in his shop.

[wideopen231]

I finished actual nose piece. Not really ready for it but had materials and had to be done some time .Hey ats one step closer.

[Dolmetsch]

Somedays are diamonds , some are stones. Today was a stone. Although I did get no 4 pipe made and tacked in no 5 was too much for todays heat. Welder was being stupid , GFI outlet in the shop puked so everything was out for a while. Finally had enuf and turned to my ham radio hobby for a bit.(VE3LYX) But tomorrow is another day!
Don

[Tim Jones]

I finished actual nose piece. Not really ready for it but had materials and had to be done some time .Hey ats one step closer.

Nose piece came out nice , did you change the depth of the V or leave it the same?   Tim Jones

[wideopen231]

left it or ended up the  same lots of bondo and sanding Im not sure. Dang body work makes a mess.

[coupemerc]

Today I finished figuring out which of my cam lobes need to be narrowed and by how much. My head nearly exploded.

[Dolmetsch]

Went back at the headers which are by necessity part of the tunnel ram set up. Got No5 made and tacked in finally. Also started on No6 . Need another manderal bend so it is off to Lowes building store for some more EMT. Wonderful stuff and at six and a half bucks a bend  a real bargin.
Don

[masracingtd1167]

Today I finished figuring out which of my cam lobes need to be narrowed and by how much. My head nearly exploded.

I have seen that with some of Billy's stuff . did you get your block back from Charlie . He is one of the best!