Messages

1

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Tranny supports?

« on: January 21, 2024, 06:40:17 PM »

I use a rear crossmember mount>
BUT -
It is not a good idea to bolt it rigidly to the crossmember. There will always be some minute degree of chassis twist between the rear block plate and the crossmember. That will strain the trans case and internals.
Rather, I use a 1/2" thick hard rubber block between the tailshaft pad and the crossmember pad and do not torque the bolts very tightly, allowing some amount of twist but no up-and-down movement.The holes in the rubber block are undersized such that when the bolts clamp it all together the rubber squish-locks (!) the bolts in place. Hope this helps.

2

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: sinching lap belt

« on: December 19, 2023, 01:44:22 PM »

... i've seen people get hurt because the belts were loose!

E.G., Dale Earnhardt RIP.

3

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Still Haven't Raced At Our "Home" Track

« on: November 29, 2023, 06:35:16 AM »

...or maybe even a tunable brake light switch attached to the brake handle itself for the line loc (if you are not using a trans brake)?
 I have also thought an anti-dieseling solenoid from '70s era cars to set the staging RPM will improve consistency needed to run Super Pro.

4

Roo Man's Room / Re: Chassis fitting Questions

« on: November 10, 2023, 05:12:15 PM »

If you can split the top bar and it is legal, put a sleeve inside the split and rosette weld it in place before final welding.

5

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: direct drive

« on: October 30, 2023, 07:59:07 AM »

most top gas or fuel dragsters went to direct drive ( no trans) by the late 50's. Very few used a transmission in the 60's either. a few tried the torqumaster/auto trans but, they did not work well. By the very late 60s, some were experimenting with 2 speed planetary trans like Don Garlits.
late 50's early 60's... with NO blower with carbs or injectors needed a trans 2 & 3.. high gear



Here's further details:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/vintage-dragster-transmissions.339287/

6

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: how to seal header gaskets

« on: October 29, 2023, 04:09:06 PM »

No gaskets
Hi-Temp red RTV
metal-to-metal

7

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Still Haven't Raced At Our "Home" Track

« on: September 20, 2023, 11:50:13 AM »

Whenever there are thunderstorms in our area the track shuts the place down, even if it is not raining. I read somewhere lightning can strike anywhere in a 20 mile radius. I hope you get lots of chances to run this fall.

8

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: shifter choice and location

« on: September 07, 2023, 06:27:32 AM »

Mine is mounted on the top right tube, below the chute release.

9

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Chassis - paint, powdercoat or POR?

« on: September 04, 2023, 08:37:49 PM »

Most cars that get powder coated eventually have to add welded on tabs, fix cracked welds or just have the stuff blister off somewhere.

My vote is acrylic enamel with hardner.

10

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Fuel Pump—push or pull on/off?

« on: August 22, 2023, 07:18:00 PM »

"Pull motion for Fuel OFF."

In aviation, throttle knob(s) are 'pull back to cut fuel; push forward for full rich' so if you want to follow that convenion do that.

But OTOH, NHRA dictates that outside electrical master kill switches must be push for off and labeled as such. So if you want to be consistent with that make it push off.

11

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Powerglide Questions

« on: August 21, 2023, 07:36:03 AM »

nice job Lake Harley!

12

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: Overseas new members ride

« on: August 04, 2023, 07:09:21 AM »

Daymmm Flyer talk about tough competition!!! And thanks for the kind words.

And so it continues.Last Sunday it was a .006 dead-on losing to a .003 dead-on by .005. WTF

13

Roo Man's Room / Re: SFI chassis specs

« on: July 21, 2023, 09:03:10 PM »

maybe its merely a proposed change?

14

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: Overseas new members ride

« on: July 19, 2023, 03:02:11 PM »

Congratulatuions. Your car is not only beautiful but performs very well. Speaking of great passes, last Sunday I had a .004 light and ran 5.716 on my 5.71 dial in. AND LOST! to a .001 and a 4.600 on his 4.60 dial in. My year long slump continues.

15

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: ram tube length for more power

« on: June 20, 2023, 05:24:09 AM »

On a drag car I don't think tube length is that important. I've seen everything from NO tubes to 15" long. The revs on a dragster go up so fast and so high that the optimum tuning length as you make a run quickly diminishes to zero. Especially true if you are using a high stall converter.