Messages

1

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cage/Helmet Clearance

« on: September 21, 2022, 09:17:54 AM »

Should harness stretch on impact be a consideration?

2

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: FED Build

« on: January 20, 2022, 04:41:55 AM »

You are indeed a ruggedly handsome individual; the chassis is looking good as well. Which welding process are you using?

3

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Zoomies vs collector headers

« on: January 02, 2022, 04:54:36 AM »

There's probably a bunch of factors that come into play here, but generally, how much more HP and torque might one expect to see from collector headers on a carbureted engine than one with zoomies? Any input appreciated.

4

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: July 10, 2021, 01:53:22 PM »

At high 5s, it's plenty long enough for me, with out parachute. high 4s might be a different story...

5

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Vintage helmet and respirators

« on: July 10, 2021, 02:00:25 AM »

Got this for the same reasons and effect as you, haven't been to the track with it yet.

6

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: July 10, 2021, 01:10:43 AM »

Last time out, second pass, 7/4/21. Car hikes the wheels and heads for the wall. More front weight on the way...

7

Roo Man's Room / Torsion bar adjustment

« on: May 07, 2021, 02:07:04 PM »

Hello, does anyone have any pics or drawings of the inner workings of the VW torsion tube assembly commonly used on FEDs,
and any suggestions on how best to lock out all travel ?

8

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Which Ring and Pinion

« on: October 25, 2020, 05:27:53 PM »

That's funny. Some would say racist, (not me) but funny.

9

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: October 25, 2020, 05:22:15 PM »

Glad he liked it! Mine is the only FED I've ever seen at HMP; when are you bringing yours to run?
Here's Tickle's video of our last (second) time out, My friend Bryant's Bantam roadster and my car are at the beginning, at 10:20, and at 18:45 in the video.

10

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: October 12, 2020, 02:02:30 PM »

Backwards-looking view, 10/11/2020

11

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Shimming torque converter flexplate mounts.

« on: September 30, 2020, 07:08:04 AM »

Thank you all for your input.
I wound up with shimming to the high side of the recommended range.
As regards Frenchy's caution about fretting, I see I need to regularly make sure the bolts stay tight.
I think the convertor pilot engagement into the crankshaft counterbore is sufficient.
I ran the car last weekend, it seems good and nothing came undone.
I posted some video of my runs in the Front Engine Dragster section, check them out if you like.
Thanks again,
John

12

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: September 30, 2020, 05:42:37 AM »

First pass RT .154, 1.36 60', 3.85 330', 6.08 660', 110.4 mph.
VERY late shift, I kinda "forgot" to do it, rusty driver and sensory overload, I guess...

Second pass RT .196, 1.36 60', 3.89 330', 5.99 660', 117.6 mph.

13

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: September 30, 2020, 05:18:08 AM »

14

Front Engine Dragsters / First time back to the track in 7 years

« on: September 30, 2020, 05:03:02 AM »

15

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Shimming torque converter flexplate mounts.

« on: August 03, 2020, 05:34:38 PM »

So, on my small block Chevy / Powerglide FED combination, I just replaced the flexplate. the ring gear teeth had some major damage. Ordered one from Jegs, the previous one was also from Jeg's, apparently identical, to the naked eye. I was able to slide the engine forward on the frame rails enough to swap it without pulling the engine. I noticed that the ring gear teeth were a lot closer to the 1/4" motor plate than they had been on the old flexplate, after installing the flexplate bolts. Having pushed the convertor all the way back into the transmission through this process, when reinstalling the flexplate bolts to the converter mounting pads, I had to pull the convertor about 3/8" forward to install the previous shims of approx. 1/8", and that seemed to be too much to me, possibly losing too much of the engagement of the stator support slots, and the trans pump gear tangs, to drive the trans pump with sufficient engagement.   Any help on how this should be se
t up is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
John