Rain, flood’s and wind’s, from hurricane Ike, have played havoc with our racing schedule. After two month’s of extreme heat and humidity and our track being shut down for Sunday bracket’s, couldn’t wait to return to the second home of our lives. Todd was two points out of first when the second half began, with the Mav. I was out of the chase because of retiring the Fairmont for a complete suspension and other change’s, to improve it’s consistency etc. Having the rent-a-stang(84 model with worn out 306) I decided to install the spare 306 in it and finish out the year. Exact same spec’s except for the solid flat tappet cam. Went to Lunati again and got the same duration but .050 more lift(.598) Also installed the spare C4 and kept the alky carb etc. This engine sat on the stand for almost a year before installing it. Primed and all that stuff and she fired up. Sounded nice with that little bit more lift on the cam. Took it to the track for tnt and it ran about the same as the old engine. Figured it needed some tuning and new 9in MT slicks. Only a few more races left this year, so the slicks would have to do for now. Put about 12 passes on it with the best of 7.28 @ 100mph. Not like driving the Fairmont at 6.56 @ 102mph, but heck, it is still racing and fun. Engine began to sour up going into elimination’s but was still in the 7.30 range. Going out for the second rd, heard some squeaking from the old girl’s internals. Was going to shut down and take it back to the pit area, but she was reving just fine. “WRONG” Left with a good light and took her up to 6800 shift point, slammed second on the c4 and she bucked a little and keeping my foot in it, wound it up a bit past the shift light(7200). She coughed and then nosed over with ton’s of smoke rolling out of the hood scoop. Everybody thought it was a fire, but alky does not usually smoke that bad when burning, if at all. Killed the switches and bailed out just in case. No oil trail behind me but as it sat on the side of the track, lot’s came out of her internal’s somewhere. Got towed back to the pit’s and began a more in depth inspection, track crew came over with various part’s that the trusty 306 spit out. Best as can be seen, piston skirt, cyl. Iron and last but not least, 4inch’s of rear part of camshaft. Blew it through the bell housing, mashed the converter and whacked the header to the point of lowering it an inch or so. Have not done anymore to it since bringing it home but surmise that the block has split and the heavy weight KB 12:1 piston’s, were contributing factors. Guess I will sit out the rest of the year and crew for Todd’s Mav. He had a hard day of it Sunday, Got beat on a hole shot, 5.40 to his 5.80, ran a 5.92 @ 119mph. Bought back in and in his attempt to lower the RT, cut a -00007 red. Never seen one that close before. More on the 306, when I get the engine torn down, with pic’s. Did get an offer to drive a 57 alky burning cheby, for the final few race’s. Sorry guy’s but may take them up on it just to race something, fast. I will compare it and my driving abilities, to our Fords. May even learn some things too.
Sorry about your motor but a different car can give you some insight as to how your own car can be better. GL
Sorry to hear about the carnage. Maybe this will give you a headstart on next year like me. Tell Todd to hang in and best of luck. Jerry
Sorry to hear that. But then, we do buy all those go fast parts just to see how much we can get out of them.
Hey Jerry, guess I will concentrate on my Fairmont, now. Bad part about the whole thing, is "I" built the engine and kinda put it together with inexpensive part's, using a stock 302 crank. Won't do that again, I tell ya. Still think the block may have given up first but don't know till tear down. Todd is still in the point's chase but the competition is really getting tough for everybody. He bought a bass boat awhile back and is spending a lot of time making it usable( new carpet and a complete transom rebuild for the 90hp Mariner) After 20 years of drag racing, the edge is beginning to become a bit dull, for now anyway. Got three ladies in the mix too. I hope I can still cut the mustard after 50 year's of doing it, when I get my car back on the track. Maybe it's cause I have methanol in my veins and little starting bulb's, flashing on and off, in what is left of my thought processor.
