Had a great day at Memphis Friday, saw some great friends and a lot of awesome racing. Got home around 1:00am and then up at 4:00 to get ready for a weekend of racing at our track. Nice day and checked all the pieces and parts for safety etc. Mavman arrived at the track around 7:00 after he worked all day, also was in Memphis till late, too. I had trailered his Maverick to the track after we had pulled the engine and replaced all the valve springs and one bent valve. Chedked the bearings and all ok. Reinstalled everything and all seemed ok. He made a test and tune pass Saturday night against me and my 347 Mont. My 8:49@117mph to his 7:80@127mph (1000ft) put me away fast. Then on the return road, I see the Mule towing the Maverick back to the pits. Engine won't turn over and he felt bad vibration at finish line and shut it down. Seem's as though something has gone bad, very bad, for him. Being the fellow who drives the Mustang for us, is out of town, he enters the Stang for Sunday brackets. 302, stock crank and rpm heads with small solid flat tappet cam. Holley alky carb borrowed from some cheby fanatics. He is not happy having to run a 8:92 car with 9in slicks, but being #1 in pro/noE class, has to try to hang on to that spot. Goes 7 rounds and wins the class and pads his lead. Me, red bulbs and one piss poor RT, sends me home early. Pulled the Maverick engine (414ci) and find the rear crank throw has broken off the counter weight ahead of it(Eagle 4340 steel) and the main web is also cracked from the vibration. Late model 351 block anyway, hope to have the spare done for the final three races of the season thisyear. Just a proud papa, letting out some pride of his son.
congratulations on going the rounds. it always amazes me to see a really good racer just hop in a different car and continue their winning ways. sorry to hear about the motor. hope all the other parts are okay.
I think Todd should just build an exact replica of that ole mustang motor. That damn thing has been thru hell and back for years and years and never had much of a problem. Todd somehow manages to break a motor every year or so. I understand why, as he's taking the blocks to the limits... but Im sure its getting costly for him. But gotta pay to play. Just amusing how that ole mustang motor has lasted so long. Glad to see Todd still on top of points and maybe he can hang onto it.
Windsor rebuild for the Mav. The broken Victor head(think I had said it was an RPM) is due to guide plate and rocker stud breaking. Even bent the Comp hardened push rods. It had been welded and machined once before, so that may have been a weak spot anyway. Pictures coming later. Memphis and Old Guy's dreams: Drag racing is so much fun and good for the old body, as you can see. Don't worry, the wife took the picture. Yes, we did go to watch the races too. PS. Notice the left shoulder of my Army shirt, was personnaly signed by " John Force". Trips like that make for great memories and excitement. OH YEAH! Fordman Dave
You lucky man! I didn't make it as I was finishing up a lot of things around the house. Got some nice eye candy there, as well as a good autograph to go with it.
