Author Topic: Glenn's dragster thread  (Read 157332 times)

Offline sknopp

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #120 on: June 23, 2015, 09:36:50 AM »
Glenn, we thought you guys did a great job.  It was good seeing that great looking car in the finals and we were pulling for you.

Steve K.

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #121 on: June 23, 2015, 09:38:51 AM »
Thanks, if only......

would have rather lost than give it away.
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
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Offline LZ

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #122 on: June 24, 2015, 04:10:21 AM »
Good job Glenn.  8)
"I am not a number.... I am a free man."

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #123 on: July 27, 2015, 01:14:21 PM »
Dialed a 5.12 and ran a 5.126

Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
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Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #124 on: October 16, 2015, 07:37:34 AM »
Winter modifications start
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #125 on: January 16, 2016, 09:00:54 PM »
So I went over to the Motor Home today to run it to charge the batteries and found that it had been broken into.



I find no damage yet and I had removed everything when it was winterized.

I also found the trailer had been broken into. It is obvious that this happened a while ago as the cut marks in the hasp have rust in them (the lock hasp itself was rusted, I'm talking about the rust in the cut made by the bolt cutter).



It seems to me that whoever did this was experienced as they did not try an cut the lock hasp (it is hardened steel).

Cabinets were open, but I had removed everything there also.

Suggestions on how to better secure these things are welcome.

I have come across some very expensive alrams $500 with monthly monitoring charges $20.00.

And very cheap ones.

I'm looking for an alarm that has

door open sensors
motion
shock
light flashing
LOUD alarm
keyless entry

Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline probird

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #126 on: January 17, 2016, 10:05:29 AM »
Dam thieves. I was thinking of something like an alarm with a hidden switch on my trailer.
You would think with the technology of today, there would be an inexpensive alarm that would dial your phone when set off.
Hmmmm internet search time.
Quick look on Utube and this fellow has a good setup on his trailer.

you could even get one of those alarms that notify your phone!
more looking.........
« Last Edit: January 17, 2016, 10:37:43 AM by probird »

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #127 on: January 17, 2016, 11:28:11 AM »
Thanks

I have actually watched this You Tube and was hoping to find something just a bid LOUDER and more sensitive, he actually has to rap quite hard to set it off.
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #128 on: January 24, 2016, 01:36:55 PM »
Below is the tentative Lever Family Racing Schedule.

You will note there is nothing in the month of June as we are planning a trip out west in that month. We might try and squeeze in something at Empire in that month before we leave.

Lever Family Racing
Schedule


May 6-7                      NDRL Championship Series              Gateway Motorsports Park
                                  Nostalgia Rendezvous                      700 Raceway Blvd.
                                                                                           Madison, IL 62060
                                                                                           http://www.gatewaymsp.com/     
                                                                           
July 15-16-17             NDRL Championship Series             Summit Motorsports Park
                                  Blue Suede Cruise                           1300 State Rt 18
                                                                                          Norwalk, OH 44857
                                                                                          http://summitmotorsportspark.com/

July 22-23-24             Empire gold Cup                              New York International Raceway Park
                                                                                         2011 New Rd
                                                                                         Leicester, New York 14481
                                                                                         http://www.nyirp.com/

August 26-27             NDRL Championship Series            Gateway Motorsports Park
                                  Hot August Nights                          700 Raceway Blvd.
                                  Street Car Super Nationals            Madison, IL 62060
                                                                                        http://www.gatewaymsp.com/     
   
September 09-10      NDRL Championship Series           US 131 Motorsports park
                                  Funny Car Nationals                     1249 12th Street
                                                                                       Martin, Michigan 49070
                                                                                       http://www.us131msp.com/

October 14-15-16     NDRL Championship Series           Beach Bend Raceway
                                 Goodguys Nostalgia Nationals     798 Beech Bend Road
                                                                                     Bowling Green, KY  42101     
                                                                                     http://www.beechbend.com/dragstrip.htm           
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #129 on: February 04, 2016, 06:25:47 PM »
It has been a whirlwind here in the Lever household the last couple of days.

It all started with a trip to Matt’s shop to drop off some used oil. See the last entry under the biggest news.

BIG NEWS

I have contacted Dan of Dishon’s Transmissions, a contributor on my forum.
http://www.frontenginedragsters.org/forum/


He has agreed to build the Turbo 400 for Anne’s gasser.   


BIG NEWS

We had Paul Francia (Known as Uncle Paul) over. He was a wealth of knowledge.

He entered all the locations and pertinent information into his Four Bar program.  We learned that the bars needed to be set up completely different from what they were.

With the current set up, there is lots of adjustability to the instant center of gravity.

With the new configuration of the bars we have 98% Anti Squat.
   



 

THE BIGGEST NEWS

At Matt’s shop, I was introduced to Walter Cotturone who is also into Pontiac engines.

He informed me that Butler had a sale going on, on their aluminum block.

 

$600.00 off was quite an enticement. I am currently at the limit of the stock cast iron block in the dragster and everyone knows what happens when you run at the limit.

It comes with keyed steel main caps studs and the outer bolts are splayed.

 

I thought I had on hand all the internal components to build a 428 Pontiac blower engine.

So…we are off to the races, many phone calls, text messages, and e-mails later and we learned that we were not as close as we thought.

My Venolia Pistons will not work in the Aluminum block as they are for a 4.155 bore and the sleeves in the aluminum block start at 4.250 (pistons are too small).

Butler informed me their aluminum block comes machined for a 50MM cam so the cam I have will not work (but wait, read on). Upon questioning, it was found out that the drive shaft for the oil pump in the aluminum block is an inch longer than stock and costs $32.00.

Butler would not give us a deal for the purchase of two blocks together.

More phone calls.

So…I found out that Butler purchases from AllPontiac.com http://allpontiac.com/

I looked them up and called the number on the web site. I ended up talking with the owner Frank Gostyla.

Learned some more stuff.

1) The block comes as a dry deck; no holes for the water jacket in the block to the heads. There are extra ports in the water jacket from the block to allow running lines from those ports to the rear ports on the heads.  Or the deck can be drilled to allow normal water passage. Current thought is to retain the dry deck.

 

2) The freeze plugs in the side of the block are threaded and require a threaded plug.



3) Frank was willing to work a deal for the purchase of two blocks. He gave us free shipping to a commercial address.  He included the drive shaft for the oil pump for free and he offers the aluminum blocks with either the stock bore for the cam or the 50MM bore for the roller cam bearings.

4) These blocks are not on the shelf, but currently being cast.  Lead time is currently 5 to 6 weeks.

5) So this phone call saved me having to buy a new cam, saved the shipping costs, and saved me the cost of the oil pump drive shaft. I did purchase the threaded plugs for the freeze plug holes for $85.00.  Yes, that is right.  We have purchased the aluminum block

6) Deal is done now.  We are in like Flint, right, just wait, are you kidding?  This is hard luck Glenn.

My internal parts were purchased a long time ago for a blower engine that never got built. So those parts have been on the shelf a long time. Now I’m going through them and learning their fitments.

In that process, I e-mailed RPM (the vendor of the crankshaft I have).  They sent me this information: “RPM P/N# DG3-455A400C is 4340 forged steel for 361-400 Pontiac with 4.0" stroke 3.00" MJ / 2.20" RJ ; External balance can hold up to 850hp.”


The thing to note is they say hold up to 850hp which will not work
.  We are looking for 1,000 HP with room to grow so that when ready we can move into Steve Walczak’s kingdom of 7.000
Their statement does not make sense when compared with the information on their web site which is:
“RPM International offers three distinct types of crankshafts—Cast, 4130/5140 Forged with Nitriding, and the SAE 4340 Forged with Nitriding, which is our top of the line.

SAE Certified 4340 forged material is used for superior strength and its proven performance in the aircraft and aerospace industries. For increased strength these cranks are given a second heat treatment after rough finishing and then nitride hardened eliminating any deformation after leaving the factory.”

As I have the 4340 crankshaft, how can it be rated for only 850 HP?  I asked that question and received this answer.

“This crank is the top level of 4340 Chrome-moly-nickel material we imported from overseas for years. They did the dyno testing there with 850hp @7000rpm from the original designed(sp) and it's the numbers which provided from the manufacturer. “
So right now it looks like the pistons absolutely will not work, the Crankshaft is not going to work, and Frank of AllPonitac says I should consider a longer rod to get a better rod length to stroke ratio.

Anyone want a complete brand new in the box rotating assembly (Venolia rods and Pistons RPM 4340 Crankshaft) for a 428 Pontiac?

MORE BIG NEWS

We have decided to move ahead. I have talked with Al of Freedom Racing Engines
http://freedomracingengines.com/ 
 


out in Brownsburg, IN (same town Keith Burgan is from builder of the dragster).

Freedom Racing Engines is a supporter of NDRL the racing series that we race in.
http://www.nostalgiadragleague.com/

He has agreed to assemble the engine, look at all the misc parts and make a cohesive engine. This engine will easily put us into the 7.5 class with room to go to 7.0 and have the engine live a happy long life.



« Last Edit: February 11, 2016, 08:28:06 PM by GlennLever »
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline hotrodpete

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #130 on: February 05, 2016, 05:17:03 AM »
Hi Glenn, its been a long time since I posted. Always a quick check to see whats up.
Nice purchase on the block . It looks great. A quick look at the block specs show bore size 4.120 and up.  Maybe your pistons could work, unless the longer rods change things.
 On a side note, snobusters swap in Hamburg is this weekend. It is more a social than anything for us. Nice to hear what got done over the winter.

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #131 on: February 05, 2016, 06:17:04 AM »
Hi Glenn, its been a long time since I posted. Always a quick check to see whats up.
Nice purchase on the block . It looks great. A quick look at the block specs show bore size 4.120 and up.  Maybe your pistons could work, unless the longer rods change things.
 On a side note, snobusters swap in Hamburg is this weekend. It is more a social than anything for us. Nice to hear what got done over the winter.

Where did you get the 4.120 number? I was told many different times by several different people block is delivered rough honed to 4.250 is
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
My Cars https://www.lever-family-racing.com/

Offline Paul New

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #132 on: February 05, 2016, 06:35:10 AM »
It shows it on the specs 4.120 - 4.400 bore, I took this off the web page listed in your post Glen


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« Last Edit: February 05, 2016, 07:05:16 AM by Paul New »

Offline GlennLever

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #133 on: February 05, 2016, 07:55:04 AM »
It shows it on the specs 4.120 - 4.400 bore, I took this off the web page listed in your post Glen


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That is the Cast Iron Block, not the aluminum unfortunately.
Glenn R. Lever
Rochester, New York 14617-2012
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Offline Paul New

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Re: Glenn's dragster thread
« Reply #134 on: February 05, 2016, 09:47:08 AM »
Oops thanks for the clarification