Messages

1

Tow Vehicles / Re: Alcohol Engine with No Water

« on: November 28, 2018, 08:33:52 AM »

Thanks for the experienced replies...

Greggm: open it is, no freeze plugs and let the air circulate through... that's what I hoped to hear.

Wide Open: I agree... it's a wash, but the scales tip toward no water because it's so much simpler.

Duster Dave: you'll always be a drag racer... use that money to buy a nice driver to work on, something fun to get you to the races as a spectator, make an occasional pass.  Evolution... not end.

2

Tow Vehicles / Alcohol Engine with No Water

« on: November 26, 2018, 03:03:24 PM »

I’m running an alcohol altered, Dart 400 iron block and iron heads.  What I’ve read in various posts is that lots of guys run the cooling system dry, but I’d like a bit more information on that.  Should I leave the intake manifold water connections open, or plug them?  What about pressure buildup if plugged?  Should freeze plugs be removed? 

I’m not running a filled block, not big horsepower or big temperatures, always tow back.

3

Tow Vehicles / Re: Towing in the pits

« on: November 26, 2018, 02:58:50 PM »

I had the same problem as Frenchtown Flyer (tow vehicle driver with no experience) so I rigged a push bar for my alcohol altered.  Got a 6 foot pipe from plumbing supply, two "top link" ends from Tractor Supply and welded them into the pipe.  On the front of my 4-wheeler I have a standard receiver so I used a 2" trailer hitch and welded a pin on it (Tractor Supply), the push bar drops down over that pin.  On the altered I have a plate on my wheelie bar with a hole in it, the other end of the push bar pins through that.  The top link ends have moving knuckles that flex/rotate in all directions so I can literally push the altered up into my trailer without binding.  It eliminates the bad tow vehicle driver, all they have to do is drive the 4-wheeler and watch in front of them.  Works great.  Just make it beefy because of all the weight and angles.  I think Summit sells push bar kits but they're more expensive, I built mine for about $50.