Messages

601

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Looking for my old FED?

« on: August 09, 2014, 12:25:13 PM »

Was that guy named Al?
He is pretty active in the area--has aquired several cars and a funny car.
I have his phone if you need it

602

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: First Pass in my Worm Car

« on: August 08, 2014, 10:16:16 AM »

Congrats to you! I had all these plans do a 60 ft or two but the burnout went smooth and when I left it was straight and not making any moves except hauling--was over before I could decide anything--smooth as silk--I got very lucky.
Can't wait for more!!!!!!

603

Front Engine Dragsters / First Pass in my Worm Car

« on: August 08, 2014, 09:50:20 AM »

Well..as you know I have been working on my Cenpen for over 2 years so finally last night we made it to the track--Test night. Waited in stage lanes over an hour while track electric issues were solved and tree was working--
Looked back in the pits and there were near 150 cars so we decided we may only get this one run--
I let her rip--very first pass--No testing in drive way, pits or anywhere--went from shop to trailer to staging--Prayed  and.........
5.68 120 MPH  1.24 60 ft
Yahooo!!!
It was WAY wilder than I ever imagined!
She went right down Broadway straight as a shot--I was way late on my shift but other than that a killer pass.
Boys with projects..Keep working--there is nothing like it anywhere!

604

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Aluminum rod lifespan.

« on: August 04, 2014, 07:06:14 PM »

Totally T
With the low RPM you mentioned I think you could use a set for a long time. I have built dozens of Big Block Mopars with BME aluminum rods for bracket racers--before we had aftermarket blocks they helped keep stock blocks from breaking once we had Indy heads etc and started really making some decent HP for stock blocks--We used to get 400-500 runs easy with those turning no more than 7000 RPM.
I have always been of the opinion that aluminum rods need a good warm up before racing. BME says un-torque aluminum rods over the winter or when stored--we Never did this ever and could get 500 plus runs. My experience tells me in your application you could run them a very long time betting you don't get near as many runs as average bracket racer --many will see 300 runs in a year.
Follow the mfg's specs on bearing clearance, warm them up good before racing, torque them with a quality inspected tq wrench using the EXACT lube as outlined by the rod maker and let er rip tater chip--no worry.
Now..If you are turning big RPM and making big HP then you know... that they should be replaced much more often.
BME offers racers inspection, correction, and some piece of mind if you send them in--always better to let THEM do any of that than regular machine shop on alum rods IMO.

605

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Strange steering box altered/ dragster

« on: July 30, 2014, 10:45:44 AM »

Strange will sell you just the part you need if repair is in order
Just a note , they stock several different side shaft lengths
I waited months for a Stiletto box finally callled Strange had one in 3 days Glad I did
Excellent unit
FWIW I have a coller on mine same as yours as I experienced same issue--wound up with set screw and the coller behind bearing--will drill it next time I am in there though

606

Wanted to sell / CHEVY 6.385 Eagle H Beams NEW

« on: July 28, 2014, 05:48:14 PM »

New in Box Big Chevy Eagle H Beams with ARP bolts--works with 4.250 crank for the ever popular 489-496 and a 4.250 crank to make 540
New in factory box Jegs $449----- my price $300!!!!!!--- Older stock just cleaning up--will TRADE for new set 6 inch SBC rods of equal quality like Eagle or Scat as long as they are 7/16ths bolt calls only 704 244 6649

607

Matt Shaff's Engine Shop / Re: Stud pull

« on: July 09, 2014, 02:45:32 PM »

Interesting info but remember--on a 400 SBC it is 50/50 chance being cracked  on the deck between bore and head bolt hole that is nearest the cylinder--hard to find one that is not --I see dozens throughout the year and many are cracked after clean up and inspection--it is a 400 Thang!

608

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: 200 oinch Finished Up!

« on: July 06, 2014, 02:25:32 PM »

I will! Thanks for theat great steering arm--worked out just perfect!

609

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: 200 oinch Finished Up!

« on: July 06, 2014, 04:55:29 AM »

Jon
Yep alky
Shopping for a trailer right this minute hope to be out testing in a few weeks.
John at Cenpen has run those tire for years and would have a better idea about pressures than I do--I am guessing maybe 5 1/2 range to start IIRc that was Johns starting point.
I will say I got two tires that were exact on rollout--Western Distributors is pretty much the east coast big gun when it comes to MT sales/inventory--super professionals--the manager ofthe local whse gave me a smoking deal on mine--
The wheels are beautiful! I can't wait to hang them in the air.

610

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / 200 oinch Finished Up!

« on: July 05, 2014, 07:29:29 AM »

Ready to go to the track
CenPen 200 inch
home made body
Thanks to Hayden Wheels!
355 CI , 010 block, Eagle lite weight crank from Craigslist, Scat Pro I beam rods, Ross domes, 13:7 CR, Hilborn Stack, smallish solid roller -260 at 050 range, Trick Flow aluminum heads from Craigslist deal for $300, New Scorpion Rockers, Jomar girdles, 9 inch with 4.22 gear ( good to live in Nascar country)
33x10.5W MT's
Strange Steering
Glide with 8 inch converter, Frameworks shifter
15x10 aluminum slots painted to look like mag
3.5 gal Moon tank copy from Speedway motors
Impact belts, Simpson chute, Butlerbuillt Creafoam Bead seat bottom-custom
Sparco SFI 15 suit -X-light from Biondo--Thanks Biondo for excellent service!

611

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: ordered chute.....buddy say to big?

« on: June 30, 2014, 06:57:50 PM »

Great info Thanks
My Hayden wheels look great
Thanks!!

612

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: ordered chute.....buddy say to big?

« on: June 30, 2014, 05:40:09 PM »

Roo
Is it true the chutes like a Stroud --I guess a trifold  looking --open much softer
Does that matter on a mid low 8 sec FED? I wound up with a 10 ft Simpson crossform as I found a new one kept as a spare for a pro--got a killer deal on it
Was just hoping it would not be like hitting a wall.....
Many years racing just no chute experience
Thanks for your time and input on here, helping us Rookies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

613

Wanted to sell / Jim Davis Car-Fresh New 417 Donovan Blown--Basement Find!

« on: June 28, 2014, 11:12:03 AM »

Unmolested nice Jim Davis FED--cage updated --was certed but otherwise pretty original car--has a FRESH 417 aluminum block Donovan Hemi--new blower and most other parts new except block--zero runs--car stored in basement for years--needs a wash and some new rubber and she will be ready to rock! $24K call me 704 244 6649 in North Carolina

614

Wanted to sell / BLOWN BBC 468 CI

« on: June 28, 2014, 11:01:44 AM »

Fresh built 468 CI BBC--aluminum rods-671 blower, 4 port Hilborn, new zoomies, all fuel pump, lines etc ready to drop in--fully ported iron heads, solid roller with all fresh new internals--Nice budget blown engine ready to drop in- located in North Carolina--cheap shipping available--$9500 firm--can ship east coast $200 range--call me 704 244 6649 Thanks

615

Front Engine Dragsters / 6 Inch Steering Arm--help

« on: June 25, 2014, 05:44:33 AM »

I bought my new spindles at a swap meet--new in a Strange box. ( may not be Strange) Came with three 5 inch arms--I am told I need a 6 in arm for the top arm--it is .890 bolt pattern with the notches to help locate it. I can't seem to find the right one--Strange says all they have is 5 inch--Good Vibrations says his are for Boultons--any ideas other than making one--?? Do I need a 6 inch? 200 in FED
Can I just alter the one I have--I mean I have pals that can weld I trust but..
Thanks