What a great day at the races. Cool weather and great cars, new 408 in the Mav had only ten minutes run in time, so a couple of light footed passes were made and then oil changed and filter cut open. Pedal to the metal next run and turned a 6:20 in the eigth and 7:99 @ 124 in 1000ft. Did some tuning and fuel adjustments and she stroked out a 6:09 and 7:89 in the 1000. Felt that was decent for the first time out since putting in the new assy. Had fought my 331 for weeks and could not get it to run right after changing ignition wires, plugs, timing and adjusting valves etc. Figured it had to be in the fuel system, compression was at 190- 200 on all cyl. It checked ok and I became frustrated and wanted to go back to carb and gasoline. Finally sat and decided to check valve spring pressure, found the problem. 40 to 50 lbs low on two and 15 on others. Put on new ones at home and will now check them more often. Put the old Fairmont on the line and had a .510 light and ran 6:80 1/8th @100 and 8:77 @114 in 1000ft. Previous best was a 6:87 and 8.79 in cold air. Won two rds and then lost on some .540 lights against .509's and such. Mavman had about the same senario. Was still real happy with the results, got the 347 block and rotating assy from the machine shop and will work on it for next season. Just got done with ring filing, and supper is ready, so will quit for awhile. Just had to let you guys know how valve springs really do count for power too. More info on some exciting racing to come later.
it's a great feeling when everything woeks right. going to t&t friday night, then last race at firebird for this season. et finals at bakersfield 2nd weekend in october.
Excellent times! Sounds like great things are in store for you guys - and not so good for the competition!
From one racer to another and yes proper valve spring pressure is worth alot along with properly adjusted valave train!!!!
Guys picked up even more on Sunday that you were running Saturday I see. I had a blast up there with you guys Saturday nite, all 3 cars were running really good. They had a pretty eventual weekend up there at the track besides getting the cars going... Fellow racer blew up a 500'' 440 based motor, and ran off side of track, another guy broke his steering and both wheels pointed inwards in the burnout box (could have been really bad) and a mustang up there on Saturday nite flooded itself after a burnout, guy held it to the flow (and engaged his nitrous microswitch) and cranked it... blew the hood right off of it. haha So needless to say... Old guy and Mavman did really well.... no broke parts, great runs and good times Congrats to both of you
Andy, did you happen to see the guy in the silver Mustang Hatchback? Did the burnout, throttle hung, ran into the cage around the starter, ripped the fender off, tore up the track timing system, etc. Eric said they got the timing system fixed at 4:15 am Sunday morning and he was up & at 'em when I got to the track at 8:30. BTW, the driver of the Mustang....friend of mine, dunno if you know him or not. BJ Aeilts. Don't think he got banged up any. His father (mike) usually stops by work when something major happens. Tried calling him earlier but the Mrs said they were at the shop. No answer at the shop either, guess those 2 were hard at work.
Nope, I wasn't there when that happened. Jr. was telling me about it tho... had to be a pretty wild ride. haha
Rick, in all honesty, no I didn't. It was over 100 deg. every day for the last month humidity above 75% during the day....Track officials shut the local bracket races down for the entire month of august thankfully. I enjoyed the 'time off'. Gave me an opportunity to put a little $$$ away.
You bet I did, after fifty plus years of "racin sumthin" I will race in rain, sleet, or snow and xtreme heat. May be a bit uncomfortable, but damn it's fun.
