Messages

61

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: FED Build

« on: November 23, 2021, 04:04:55 PM »

KINGPIN INCLINATION and CAMBER are two totally different things. It is possible to have a 10 degree kingpin inclination with zero camber. It is (theoretically) possible to have 10 degrees camber with zero kingpin inclination.

As denverflatheader alluded to the difference between 10* Anglia inclination and aftermarket inclination probably has more to do with tire size and wheel offset. Truth be told either set of spindles is likely to wotk just fine on a dragster. Good luck.

62

Rear Engine Dragsters / Re: Looking for history

« on: November 13, 2021, 05:14:06 PM »

Is this the same team?

https://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20Nov%202001/SOD-112601.htm

https://www.draglist.com/stories/SOD%20Dec%202001/SOD-120101.htm

63

Altereds / Re: chassis mods - length vs suspension?

« on: November 13, 2021, 05:05:05 PM »

I believe a hard tail is going to have a bouncing problem and longer more flexible the chassis the worse it will be. Adding front suspension may help a little but most of the problem is from the rear of the car. They typically have 65% or so of the weight on the rear and the rear tires are much larger which can act like a basketball. I would really want to know why it did not work well suspended. I would make sure it has a good anti-roll bar, take the shocks off and work it through entire range and make sure no binding or slack. Then I would want to put a GoPro camera on the rear suspension and see what it is doing at the hit.  If there is not a good stiff anti roll bar that is first thing I would add. If you have a good one then I would also try the tests for binding and slop with and with out the anti-roll bar.

Rear tire pressure. The higher the pressure the more it will bounce. Too low and it will wallow around and feel mushy down track. On my 225" Front Engine Dragster there is very little between the two. A suspended car has so much more room for error and a shorter stiffer chassis needs the suspension in my opinion. With that said many argue that once you get to a certain ET then a suspended car will not work. I am not sure I believe that. I was told faster than 4.70 in the 1/8 mile you need a hard tail.

^^^ X2
Re suspension on faster cars: I don't buy that it won't work. Don't Pro Mods and Pro Stocks and FAST Comp Eliminator altereds have suspensions? Surely then, one can be made to work on a fast altered.

64

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: aluminum exhaust

« on: October 25, 2021, 05:47:30 AM »

To be fair, the underside of a piston is continually cooled by oil splashing against the bottom side and an intermittent cool inlet charge every fourth cycle.

Were it me, I would only build one bank to try at first.
And add some sort of tether.
That way you could only be "half wrong" at the most.

65

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: aluminum exhaust

« on: October 24, 2021, 02:20:07 PM »

http://www.pontiacparadise.com/parts-id/exhaust-manifolds.php

66

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: aluminum exhaust

« on: October 21, 2021, 05:18:43 PM »

In the '60s Pontiac used cast aluminum exhaust manifolds on their SS BBP motors.

67

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Front Tires Popping out of the Beams.

« on: October 20, 2021, 06:57:37 AM »

Okay so for the report on how it worked.

 I Won!

 Reaction times came back and it worked quite well. Won a few rounds on the tree. Even handled better on top end. Before it just did not want to steer on the top end, I would be cranking wheel over and it kept going where it wanted to. Never had to abort a run but I was having to work it. Now it works better. I believe what was happening was the front end was so light under full power the front tires were scrubbing and not working good.

Maybe you can replace some of the front end weight with a front canard wing that will keep the front glued down and reduce weight also.
I cannot read replies either.

68

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

« on: September 27, 2021, 07:00:41 AM »

Stay after it Fireball. You'll get there. The fun is in the chase.

69

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Fuel tank, leaks

« on: September 26, 2021, 04:07:06 PM »

Welding on a used gas tank can be problematic. Flammable fumes can linger.
At Ford R&E the techs would steam clean a tank before welding on it. Often sensors and fittings needed to be added.
I would also recommend a back shielding gas be piped into the tank during the welding process.

70

Altereds / Re: First drive in my altered!

« on: September 22, 2021, 05:47:47 AM »

nice
What a rush, eh?

71

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Slowing down Transbrake

« on: September 07, 2021, 07:56:25 PM »

OK.
I'll divulge one of my little techniques I developed to keep from going red when bottom bulb racing without a box.
I two-count each bulb. Or three-count it if I'm still too early.
Like this, for each yellow:
2-1
2-1
2-1!
 and release on the last1.

If still too early try a three-count.
3-2-1
3-2-1
3-2-1!

I've been doing this for decades. It takes a little practice to get good (what doesn't?) but its cheaper than mechanical changes and easier to revert back when using the box.

You're welcome.

72

Tow Vehicles / Re: Old Trailer project

« on: August 15, 2021, 06:55:42 AM »

Retro!

nice

73

Altereds / Re: used altered

« on: August 08, 2021, 08:31:55 AM »

I've seen some home built altereds that would certify to 6.0.
I've also had the experience of watching a guy die in his when it disintegrated in the lights.
If you have good welding and fab skills -and a well equipped shop - you can do it.
On my latest S/P car I just let Advanced Chassis (Antwerp OH) do it faster and better.

74

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: July 28, 2021, 09:41:25 AM »

I sent you an emnail.
Sorry about the lost messages.
I have no text capabilities.

75

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: July 27, 2021, 04:00:52 PM »

h_d,
I sent you an email. The 15s I have are actually 8.5 wide! You win!!