FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum
Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: Sidewinder on July 22, 2014, 08:55:05 AM
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Hello Guys:) Have been busy for a while:) The Sidewinder have been out twice this year With some improvements.
After last years season, we desided to update the pulley system as we wanted to gir for more OD, now we have 52% OD:)
At the same time we raised the CR. to about 9.3:1. The engine sounds very different;) more agressive.
We have managed to set a New PB, 9.89 sec ET and a speed of 211 km/t. On the latest race we got a better 1/8 mile et and higher speed, 5,9 sec and 180 km/t. But on this run we broke the blower axle just after the 1/8th mile.
Everything is fixed now, and got a ETC limiter too. Hope we will get it Down in the mid 9 sec ET's:)?
K
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K – into the 9s with a fh and only one broken part, not accomplished by many... well done! Breaking something provides opportunity to make it better. I see mid 9s in your future : ) What prompted selecting 9.3:1 ratio… DF
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Thanks DF:) Yes, knock on Wood, we have fin Lucky so far:) But it has taken a while to get there. We are really hoping to cut about 1/2 sec. by this season;) Here are a couple of videos from the last race. One is really Nice edited, and we have hired him for the Next race:)
K
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtWGTs9nna4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFBwZglfVO4
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K - enjoyed seeing your videos. I saw "Lightning" in the first one "so very cool" and to top it off, you(?) ending the second long video, I agree, professional done video "1st class" keep up the good work! DF
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Nice video thanks for sharing :)
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Thanks guys;) Everything looked good this weekend setting a better PB, 9.79 sec ET. But one cylinder gave up;( So now it will take some time and Money to get back;/
/K
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That Sucks Kjell ,, Do you have another block to start over with? Tim Jones
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Yes Sucks big time:( We will see if we can sleeve all 8;/
/K
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Ouch.
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K – 9.79 and PB, yes A+ for going faster! Don’t be discouraged, and absolutely don’t give up, it’s only metal. Weakest link broke. Earned yourself some time for planning new approach. Once you solve why it broke, solution easy (and you’ll know if a repeat in the other cylinders possible). DF
p.s. ten years from now, this be fond memory : )
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DF, you are absolutely right:) The plan is to sleeve all 8 cylinders with 0.125 thick sleeves. And fill the block up with either epoxy or block-rock. This will solve a lot of week links, cylinders will be better, no more leaking studs, can open up the exhaust and itake ports even more, also supporting the lower end even more:) Then we can lower the CR even more, for higher cylinder pressure. MORE POWER:):)
PS! The cracked parts have been investigated by my NDT controller, an he says that it's due to an old crack;/
Any advice on sleeve quality?
/K
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I’ve never had a drag engine with a sleeve so not sure for your question.
The early ford fh v8s had factory sleeves by design. 3-3/16” bore with a 1/16” thick sleeve for 3-1/16” piston diameter by 3-3/4” stroke for 221ci. Ford’s idea on rebuild was install new sleeves and reuse pistons. That was back in the latter 1930s. Then in the 1940s and 1950s, ford just left the sleeves out and kept the 3-3/16 bore for 239ci. Sleeve quality and how to install properly surely has improved since the 1930s???
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Sorry to hear about that Kjell, but i know you will get it fixed in some way before next season.
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K - a clubmember has a 59 merc block (bare) with a sleeve. I'll pick it up next week and take a look at it and find out any information on the block and sleeve and how it worked, and let you know... DF
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Thanks DF:) I'll take all the information I can get:) Need to fix the Block, to many hours on it;)
I have done alot of calculations, and the Sidewinder should be good for low 9 sec. ET's:)
/K
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Taildragger&fenderless
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Kjell , Not sure if you talked to Carl yet, Here's where he gets his sleeves from,, http://www.lasleeve.com/ Tim Jones
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K – here’s unconventional and maybe controversial suggestion for repairing/sleeving cylinder #8 in your fh drag engine to help it survive.
First off, a sleeve in a fh is okay, the closer to stock cylinder bore, the better (e.g. a sleeve set for 3-3/16” piston diameter more desirable than 3-3/8”). Increasing piston diameter reduces both cylinder wall and important casting connection top and bottom (makes fh engine block more fragile).
Not sure of your current French fh engine bore, I’m guessing it’s not stock and possibly 3-5/16? To help your engine survive more abuse (6000+ rpm), you may consider putting a smaller 3-3/16” custom piston in cylinder #8. That minimizes material removal for your 0.125” thick sleeve and helps maintain more of original block casting strength. You’re thrashing engine for only seconds (should work).
Avoid sleeving the other 7 cylinders if not needed. Factory casting is better foundation to have with your fh drag engine. More factory casting remaining in critical locations, the stronger your engine block (so protect what you have).
I found out sleeve in merc block (59 style) worked fine in a street engine. However, the sleeve was installed improperly (top edge below the deck) and still worked trouble-free for many many years/miles. Merc engine was finally replaced when it developed a water leak not related to the sleeve. Based on this observation, sleeve okay with me... DF
p.s. one nonconforming piston rare, strengthwise “provocative”
p.p.s. Tim – that website useful.