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61

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

« on: January 09, 2021, 09:04:14 AM »

Finally the long wait is over, it took three months for my new 540 cid Merlin IV arrive from Ohio to Finland.
Nothing spectacular or all out latest fancy dandy, but a stout pump gas piece under my 8-71.

World Merlin IV 9.8" deck block 4.500" bore
Ohio Crank 4340 forged crank 4.25" stroke, double keyway snout upgrade for blower use
Ohio Crank Extreme Duty I-beam rods 6.385" long w. ARP2000 bolts, upgrade from H-beam
JE forged blower pistons -20cc dish. 8.4:1 CR zero deck
Total Seal file fit rings
Internal balance
Comp Cams solid roller blower cam Duration 300/308 deg advertised, at 050" Lift: 255 int./262 exh, lift int .652"/ex .652" lobe sep. 114
Morel solid roller lifters .300" longer
Scorpion Race Series alu roller rocker arms 1.7:1 ratio 7/16" stud mount w. polylocks
Roller timing set + thrust washer + chrome cover
Brodix Dragon Slayer DS365 heads. 2.35" intake 1.88" exhaust. Solid roller springs 255 lbs seat / 610 lbs open max lift .700" 1.950" installed height
ARP head studs, Fel Pro MLS gaskets
Canton 7qt Drag Race oil pan, HV pump
ATI double keyway SFI balancer
OC SFI flexplate
Weiand polished blower intake w. pop-off
Hampton polished 8-71 blower
QF 850 cfm double pumper blower carbs x2
MSD pro billet small base distributor
Aeromotive A2000 fuel pump
Mallory billet regulator
MSD 8.5mm plug wires

62

Altereds / Re: What did I do

« on: September 22, 2020, 10:52:09 PM »

Thumbs up for the purchase, but we need pics of that puppy!

63

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Can a mild steel FED get certified to 7.50

« on: September 01, 2020, 10:35:48 PM »

We utilize the exact same NHRA and SFI foundation rulebooks and specs here.

64

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Can a mild steel FED get certified to 7.50

« on: August 31, 2020, 11:28:32 PM »

Sure it can, why not. Mine just got fresh 7.50 tag last month. SFI has many variables based on FED construction style and what the various tubing sizes needs to be in each version of them.

65

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

« on: August 25, 2020, 03:32:58 AM »

20 lbs more nose ballast did the trick, no more crazy launches but nice wheelies are still present as I want it to be. I got it dialed in pretty consistent.
Set my index to 8.740 and went 8.750, 8.748, 8.743, 8.76 and all were 148 mph. Then the next day after couple hours rain it slipped to 8.81
Not bad with rotten tires. This time I ruined my race with -.007 redlight...

My season is over and I can start writing the letter to Santa for needed blower parts and new slicks. I will switch from current 32x14.5x15 to 33x12x15
in aim to reduce the final gear ratio some. Hoosier has that size and it should fit perfect on my rims. Less width is good too in my book.
The editor of the leading local car magazine did a photoshoot at the track , he wants to cover my ride in his print.

66

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

« on: July 29, 2020, 09:54:38 PM »

Quote from: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on July 29, 2020, 05:55:05 PM

Just for grins, could you borrow a pair of smaller tires and try them?

I wish but it's highly unlikely. I see what you mean and agree, that might help. Another one is looser converter, this one is maybe too tight w. 4000 stall.
It will be interesting to see what the additional torque next season does for that stall. But, for the purpose of this car and my goals, the amount of races I get
per year, it is what it is and I'm fine with that less than optimal at this point. Money money... I have to take baby steps towards consistency and have fun on the way.

67

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

« on: July 29, 2020, 10:57:50 AM »

Quote from: Paul New on July 29, 2020, 07:26:44 AM

I do not know all the details to your car but at one time I ended up with 120lbs of weight my engine is out 42” I run around 70 now.

My car weighs 1800 with me in it and full of fuel front end weight ranges between 390 and 430lbs

Hey Paul, my wheelbase is 150", engine is out 58" (from front motorplate to center of rear) total weight is 1753 lbs me included, 405 lbs at front 1348 rear.
Thats with the 20 lbs nose ballast, and now I will double that and see if it's enough.

68

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

« on: July 29, 2020, 03:31:01 AM »

Last weekend was the first race here in 2020 due to the virus. My slicks are done, I finally took a look on the stamp and they were molded 2007,
nothing lasts long enuf nowadays. So I had a bit of problems hooking. Car slams the bars very hard with transbrake and then unloads and spins with weak tyres.
When I lowered the Tbrake rpm down to 3000 that led to bad shakes. Footbraking I was able to make normal 8.74 sec 147 mph pass. 60 ft varied
between typical 1.23 to 1.78 and anything between, no consistency whatsoever. Great for bracket racing. It's time for new slicks and more ballast to the nose,
there's 20lbs now but I will add another 20 lbs, hoping to slow the raise. Could also try lowering the wheelie bars but last season that did only harm the launch.
We tried different pressures too but nothing helps these slicks anymore, thats quite obvious. As a topping on the cake I was out first round with -.006 red light.

I tried how it feels to drive on one wheel only but to my surprise the ET was not faster like that.

Still had plenty of fun and ten passes down the track shook off the dust. I got my new SFI 7.50 sticker too which is nice. There's no slicks
available in our country at the moment so I will use some tire softener I ordered from UK, and purchase new slicks over the winter. Shipping
takes time in an container, and air freight cost is as much as the tyres so thats not really an option either.

69

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

« on: April 05, 2020, 02:40:24 AM »

That is true. I made them out of the very same polycarbonate race car windows are made of. Helmet visor, windbreaker, knobs... all will melt but not burn with flame.

70

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

« on: April 04, 2020, 03:02:51 AM »

Quote from: denverflatheader on March 14, 2020, 09:17:02 AM

Finnish Fireball - pretty nice, I’m guessing it’s the 8-71 Hampton, one of those zero maintenance/no striping required units. Alan

Yes sir you are spot on with that quess. Here's and quick update pics of the finished rear end brackets, and I also fabricated grips
to my butterfly just to make it a bit thicker for better feel.