Messages

1

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Spud please help us

« on: August 11, 2015, 07:25:42 PM »

Pat,
I never saw where you said if it would fire on gas. If it will and you have checked everything else these guys have mentioned then try new alky. We had went to a race years ago and had gotten low on our fuel amount. I didn't have time to get another drum ordered and bought some at the track we were racing at because we had a test session scheduled the middle of the week. Got to the other track and put the "new" fuel in and it would run on the squirt bottle but not on the pump. Started checking everything but couldn't find anything obvious. After about 2 hours of frustration and lots of discussion we decided the only thing we changed was alky. Bought 5 gallons at this track and the darn thing finally fired after putting in a new set of plugs. They were gas washed too bad to run right. Hope you find what is causing your problem.

Carl

2

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: 8 1/8" clutch can input shaft?

« on: November 27, 2014, 04:32:47 PM »

That's a fine suggestion.

3

Front Engine Dragsters / 8 1/8" clutch can input shaft?

« on: November 26, 2014, 02:35:53 PM »

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Can anyone give me a close guesstimate on the over all length for the input shaft on an 8 1/8 clutch can with a Lenco and a Chevrolet? Have a couple located but they may be for a hemi.

Thanks, Carl

4

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Best type of Gasket/formagasket/Silicone/liquid gasket

« on: September 17, 2014, 03:52:16 PM »

We have used Permatex ultra grey with good results. For the last several years we have used Permatex The Right Stuff (black) with great results concerning oil, alky and nitro mix. We used it on modern top fuel in the 4 corners of the block-heads to seal the intake-blower manifold. I use it now to hold just about all my gaskets in place. Oil pan gasket is a favorite place for me also. On my small block it is the only thing I use for the intake end seals. I like the pressurized can version.

5

Spud Miller's Cave / Re: Spark plugs for blown combo

« on: July 30, 2014, 07:29:38 PM »

I looked at my old cross reference chart and found everything except up to date stocking numbers. I went to a place I use from time to time to find the current stock numbers.  www.sparkplugs.com  Your current Champion plugs are 14mm, taper seat and .460 reach- correct? If so then you can use a NGK-R5673-8, stock #3249 that crosses over very close. If you want to use an NGK I would use a NGK-R5673-9, stock #3442 or better yet maybe a NGK-R5673-10, stock #4050. For NGK's the higher the (-**) dash # the "colder" the plug. For these particular Champions the lower the # the "colder" the plug. If you stay with Champions a V55C, stock #668 might be a better choice.  sparkplugs.com has a heat range chart that helps show the difference between several brands also. I use a NGK-9 in my blown alky small block. Hope this helps.

Carl

6

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: Glenn's dragster thread

« on: July 28, 2014, 04:07:13 PM »

Glenn I truly love your digger! Someone that builds what they really like are becoming fewer - like myself running a common blown alky small block chevy. The chute pack and full body is awesome and something I would like to have on mine. The weed burners are cool as well. Best of luck!!!
Carl

7

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: New guy...206" FED

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:52:06 PM »

Another one as I am fabbing stuff to get it rolling.

8

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: Ford Flathead dragster build

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:47:54 PM »

Andrew I look forward to watching your build. I have a soft spot for the flathead stuff. My brother has a 50 Ford pickup with it's original V-8. Before dad died we had talked about doing a flatty in a K-88 style digger. Are those rears the small window Halibrands? Very cool deal!!
Carl

9

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: New guy...206" FED

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:28:58 PM »

If I have this photo posting figured out maybe these pics will come through OK? The first one is right after Jerry Norman installed the 9" Ford 4340 housing and full floaters in 2008. Jerry is the one with the beard in the middle. He was a great person and a great chassis builder.

10

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Battery cable size/ ISP lateral head supports.

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:19:33 PM »

I don't have any good pics of the completed ones but here is an outside shot.

11

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Battery cable size/ ISP lateral head supports.

« on: July 28, 2014, 03:05:53 PM »

When we ran the blown altered years ago we used #2 wire also for the block mounted starter, no alternator and it worked well. We did not have a lot of electronics on it like delay box, etc. but the tach, shift light, tail light, etc. had no problems.

I haven't used the newer bolt-on style ISP's before but I love our attached plate style. They do cost more but have almost completely negated any neck and headache issues since installing them. Tire shake has gotten us several times when I don't put enough in it on a great biting track but no more headaches afterward! Used the half round stuff in the past and there is no way I'd go back. They wrapped it in nomex but ours is a single layer?

12

Altereds / Re: Dry block

« on: July 28, 2014, 02:31:46 PM »

Gray, we have had a lot of success with our blown alky deal with no coolant. When we ran a stock GM block for several years but it started moving around some and got to where it wouldn't stay true (round or flat). But I don't know how many highway miles or heat cycles it had before we got it. We purchased a new Dart block and have had very good luck with it. It doesn't even have freeze plugs in it anywhere. It could be our tuneup or just 3 1/2 years of good luck but every time it comes apart for maintenance it shows no signs of heat related issues. We drag it to the staging lanes and also back to the pits after a pass. I use copper head gaskets and have O-rings in the Brodix Track 1 aluminum heads and receivers in the block but is is also only a 4.030 bore. 2014 will complete the 3rd year on those gaskets. It makes 23-25 pounds of boost normally and gets shifted at 7000 and goes through the 1/4 mile lights at @ 8400? Can't see the tach clearly and we don't use a data recorder. Plan to use the GoPro in the 1/4 one of these days to see if we can tell where the rpm's are a little better. We have had to make what I consider quick turn arounds (30 min.) for the next round in the past and have good success with consistency. As soon as we return to our pit space we use 2 large fans to assist in cooling it down and I also have an odd quirk about pulling the valve covers off every time to help get heat out and check the valvetrain even though I don't have to. I'm weird I guess and my wife attributes it to her claim of me having OCD. Hog wash I say!!

Carl

13

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: New guy...206" FED

« on: July 26, 2014, 02:32:25 PM »

I actually do remember that. Those fiberglass fenders were a thing of "beauty" when a 16" tire blows completely apart. Didn't take long after we got back for dad to go pick up a new metal CM brand bed to put on it. I truly miss going to the old GoodGuys Indy races. That was a 5 pound bottle with the discharge head on it, correct?

Carl

14

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / Re: New guy...206" FED

« on: July 24, 2014, 01:38:13 PM »

Yes sir, dads name was Claudie. Those years from the late 80's through the late 90's were a blast. We traveled a lot of places with his old top fuel fed. Met lots of very good folks along the way. A very good friend of mine said he had a short look at your deal in Bowling Green this year. 7.0 is the direction I would like to go for a little quicker fun!!

15

Your Builds / Photo Gallery / New guy...206" FED

« on: July 23, 2014, 06:08:38 PM »

Hello folks. Finally making time to join. Will try and visit whenever I can. Name's Carl Meador from central Texas. Been trying to drag race all my life seems like. Grew up with my dad racing his gassers and FED's. Mom always said they started taking me when I was only a couple weeks old. I have raced several different cars and drag bikes since I got my drivers license. Our current digger was built by Jerry Norman from west Texas in 2001 as a bare rolling chassis but remained in storage until 2008 when I asked Jerry to replace the Chrysler 8 3/4 with a 4340 fabbed housing, 40 spline Strange full floater and 3.89 pro gear. A small block Chevy at 355 ci. breathing through Brodix Track 1 heads carrying a standard 6-71 Mooneyham and 4 port Hilborns gives it some go. We use a powerglide with a 1.80 low and 12" M&H's to move it. It's a lot of fun and I wouldn't do it without the support of my wife, kids and grandkids and some very good friends. Guys like Troy Green, Spud Miller and Larry Decker keep us up and going. We have been blessed to compete at mostly local venues in our 5 state area with associations like Super Chevy, Texas Blown Fuel and the Southwest Heritage Racing series. Thanks for having us and I look forward to talking to y'all.