After grenading the 331, was quite discouraged in my engine building abilities and ready to hang it up for awhile. After spectating for a couple meets, the urge to get back in that seat and feel that wonderful sound of horsepower and G forces on laucnch etc. was just to much. Dug out an old 302 block and crank, then found a set of pistons and rods that had been in Mavman's Maverick. Still had the rings on them and remembered they were some cheaper 11.5 domes that I had bought 10yrs ago for 99.00. Heavy as hell but also pretty tough. Checked the block and was a tad big on clearance but ran a hone in it to break the glaze and installed said pistons "and rings" with new bearings. Put in my roller cam and RPM heads, welded up the hole in the oil pan from the shrapnel off the 331. Installed a new Mellings pump and the Fairmont was back in business. Sounded very good for a 250.00 build price. Hoped to at least run in the 10's on our 1000ft track, where the 331 had made 4 passes @9.49--104mph. 1.59 60's. Went to race yesterday and boy did it feel great to be back in that racecar, first time trial I backed in the water box and moved foward, locked the line lock and gave her some gas. Holy crap, it shot to 7000 without blinking an eye felt like a powerhouse. Staged and brought it up a bit on the convertor, lights start down and I nail it on the last yellow, .619. Could have sworn I had a low 5 but then reallity set in, you old fart, you are not 20yrs old you know. Anyway had set the shift light down from 7000 to 6400 because of the low budget motor. To my amzement and delight the old girl ran a 9.59 at 103, did some adjusting on the timing and carb and the next run was 9.49 at 104. And the thing was turning 7000 across the line without missing a beat. Anyhow's with some weather and track changes got down to 9.44 at 104.5 and 1.55 60's. Lights still sucked but manged to get some luck and went to the quarter finals. Now it gets interesting, third round I had dialed a 9.45 against a 7.10 dragster, I leave at 5.90 rt and he .487 red lights but I run it out just for info on the lanes characteristics for that time of day. It runs 9.45 with a 5. After the hour wait between rounds I fo up with seven other cars and because of cool air I think a 9.44 is right but also debate on a cushion with a 9.43. Stick with the 44, low and behold I draw one mean 72 Maverick, good friend and excellant racer but I try to blank everything out except the business at hand. He dials an 8.71. Is late in the evening and the old body is tired but I try several slaps on the helmet etc, to get focused, down comes the tree and I'm off banging the shifter at each light right on time. He comes tearing down the track and pulls up almost even just past 1/8th mile and I think I should stab the brake and maybe he will break out, nope his front end drops so I stay in it, so close at finish line can't tell who won. Get to the et shack and I get the yellow(losers) slip. look at it on way back to pits and I had a .785 light!! Mad as hell at myself but the little junk motor ran a 9.43.4 et and had a 1.54 60. This long drawn out story is based on the fact that maybe all that high dollar equipt. is not any better for the small cubic inch and certain add ons I am running. Will put the 331 back together for a spare for now. Drove home with some money for the effort and thought to myself that , it ain't all bad when you can get beat by a Maverick and race 8 times and not break. Will spend much time on the practice tree till next race day. You don't win races with 6 and 7 lights. Oh yeah, the cold Coor's light, was very good too, afterwards.
Old Guy, Thanks for sharing! I haven't been to the drag races for 40 years, but as soon as I get this beast in running order, I think I'll look up Dan Starnes and have him show me the ropes at Gateway. Hey, how much does it cost to run a the races where you live? I've spent too much of my life as a spectator. Time to change all that! Grant
Great story, Dave! Glad you're back at so soon! ..... and 1.54 60's are very respectable, especially being the first time out and not knowing what the launch rpm's should be for your new (different) set-up. Eight rounds, only got beat by Maverick, money in your pocket, kool-aid; man, what an outing! Good luck on getting the .5 lights and many more white slips, -Rick
That is good news! Old Guy, glad to see your back in it again, I have never done any drag racing, but I am sure once it is in your blood it would be hard to sit out.
