Not a great outing - even for Testing and Tuning. I found out I have a cooling issue. 'Might be looking at getting an electric WP, new T-stat, in-line hose radiator cooler (to acess uppermost point in cooling system to get all the air out). Any recommendations on a WP for a SBF - that's within rea$on? Any particular brand/model to avoid? I only made one semi-good pass. The trans-brake allowed the car to roll through on that launch so I don't really have any 'good' numbers to give. I did another high 1.7 60' and 7.4 @ 94mph pass in the eighth. I did learn that the car is NOT ready for 1/4 mile racing. After I pre-loaded my Cal-Tracs correctly (which is what was causing me to go left last weekend), I went passed the 1/8th in pretty good shape so I figured, wth - go for it. Well, somewhere between 700-800 ft, I let off because the car was definetly getting squirrely (even with 15Lbs air/pressure). I coasted to a 12.08 at 88 mph - figuring that I'd crept through the light (2-3 tenths) also. Back on the t-brake: My suspicions of the T-brake not holding last week was verified today (other's eyes). From the info in another thread, I was told there are a few reasons a trans-brake won't hold. a) Not getting a full 12V to the switch. I think I'm okay there. I haven't checked the voltage to the button while on the 2-step (at 3KRPMs). b) Another is being low on tranny fluid. I added a half-quart before I left the house, no difference. c) The bands could be out of adjustment (from previous post). I actually meant to check that BEFORE I left the house but didn't. Oh well, 'not sure when I'll be back out again. I'll go whenever the car is ready. I refuse to impose a dead-line on myself anymore over a hobby.
test and tunes are good for finding out that stuff needs to be done sorry you didnt have a good night, but at least you learned what needs to be done, and now you what to fix and then you can go at it again good luck keep us posted on the cooling issues, but what made you decide you have a cooling issue?
'Sorry. I guess I was too 'tarred' and frustrated to mention it. The first run was fine. In fact, after the quarter mile run, I was running 185, 10 degrees cooler than in the staging lanes (made sense to me as I was able to get a lot of cool air through the radiator). The engine temp rose to 230 on me when I headed to the staging lane the second time. Before I could pull over onto the grass, the temp gage went back down to about 185ish. :confused: I figured it was air in the system so I got back in line. Got all the way up to being next in line to go down the track and the starter motions for me to back out - catch can overflowed. The gage is back up to 220 this time. I cruise the short distance to where I was pitted, let it cool down, checked/added water. I let it run for a good 10-15 minutes with the fans on and all is well. The next time, I get ALL THE WAY TO FULLY STAGED and the starter backs me out again. I get back to my pits and keep the engine running as the (Auto Meter) gage only reads 190. I rev the engine to about 2500 constant r's and the gauge is constantly swapping from 190 to 230. I just loaded it up and called it a day. I plan on getting an in-line hose filler radiator cap and put in the return line (that goes above the alternator on later EFI engines) as that is the highest point of water level - and that electric water pump.
Rick I use a CSR pump...my motor stays below 185 even on the hottest days as long as the fan and pump are running...I got mine from this guy on e-bay...he includes all the little stuff necessary for installation... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-FORD-SMALL-BLOCK-CSR-BILLET-ELECTRIC-WATER-PUMP_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33604QQihZ001QQitemZ110044970410QQtcZphoto It does sound like your air-locking though. I can't really add anything on the question of your t-brake problem other than to check your amp draw on the solenoid with the brake engaged to be sure your not getting a wide fluctuation.
Rick, that is why they call it Test and TUNE...If you had all the kinks worked out, you would be racing for money, and most likely WINNING! Sorry we couldn't make it yesterday. I should have mine back on the road this week. I just need to snag another header flange and bolt it all back together, then I am ready for Test and Tune.
We had a so so day too. Mavman went to the finals again, trying for three wins in a row, ended up runner-up. Details later, trying to fix the Mav for next double points race, Sunday. Back to work now, will describe after bit.
Saturday, was Arkansas State Champion, street legal shootout. Must have been over 250 cars and a zillion people. Incredable cars, speeds and et's were turned in. Worked for most of the night, helping to park cars and cooking some chicken and dumplings for Sunday. Lot's of 4.50 et's (1/8th) and a couple 4.30's+, these were the hot street and outlaw cars. Blown and NOS, on 10.5 tires, got to watch qualifying and one round of eliminations, before heading for the 45mi trip to the house to prepare for brackets Sunday. Saturday was heads up on a pro tree. Some real street and imports, ran the full 1000ft. Returned Sunday morning, temp was 44deg. Getting the alky cars to fire was a bit**, to say the least. Used lot's of gasoline to prime them and then tried to get them to warm up the oil and water a bit. First time trial, the Mont grabs some rubber and get's a 1.42 sixty foot, 6.70 1/8th @102, then finishes the 1000 ft run at 8.66, 115mph. Wowie, I love it and this brrrrr cold air. Run another in the right lane and almost the same numbers. 8.67 total. Mavman is also running fast with the 408, don't have his slips here, but his 1000ft was in the 7.79 range. The rentaStang car, with 302, 750 Holley, crack out 8.91 and 95's. All is good, oop's here come's eliminations and guess who I draw, the rentaStang of our stable. Justin cuts a .513 light to my .535, I catch him just past the 1/8th and decide to "pedal" it a touch. Crap, screwed myself again, win light is in his lane. He dials 8.95 and runs 8.951, I dial 8.68 and run a 8.70 . Buy back and draw a very fast T bucket, leave the 8.68 on it. Focused and up on the wheel, lights start down and I do my thing with the brake pedal and gas thingy. Freaken red bulb comes on, I am pi***d, so run it out so hard I get off the gas a little late and have some hot brake's at the exit road. Get the nasty yellow loser slip and it reads. Reaction--.4995--ET 8.681, done for the day. In the meantime, Mavman in the yellow Maverick, is marching his way to the start line. Agains't none other than the rentaStang, which he actually owns. He blinks a red SOB too, Justin is a happy camper, because there is a 40.00 bounty on Todd for winning two meets in a row. The heat is intense in our pit area, Maverick has slowed two tenth's for some reason. Feverishly do our thing and conclude the converter is going sour. Now he is madder than ever and runs it anyway at a slower dial-in to match. Is taking out all comer's, the rentaStang goes out to the #1 points leader in Pro/NO/e, the other Maverick friend of our's. Mavman is having lot's of trouble with focusiing and erradict shift points etc. But the darned thing is running consistent 7.97, go figure. Looking for third in a row win, he goes to the final's and runs dead on again with a .535 light. The other fellow has a .509 and the game is over, comes up the return road and no high gear in the Mav's glide. Take her home with us and pull the tranny this AM, converter is toast, metal shaving in the trans, drive 150 miles round trip to the converter guy to get it fixed and ready for next Sunday. Have spare glide already so that is no prob. That's it and I'm tired. Later guy's.
You guys are some serious racers (Old Guy/Mavman). I love reading your recap every weekend. -------- Thanks for the recommendation(s) on the WP. I haven't heard of any particular one to 'stay away from' (which is good I suppose). --------- 'Sorry you missed the race, Scott (and I'm sorry I couldn't call you back. It was a mad house most of the day - and into the night). 'Can't wait to see ya run.
Same goes here, on you, and all the guys here. Hope nobody takes the info as tootin my own horn. Just love to talk racin and listen too. Sharing stories, makes life a bit more tolerable these days. Keep em comin guys.
keep it up man...some cars fall out of the paint booth/engine shop/enclosed trailer, and run a number. I have never had a car like that. lol Most of the others take alot of laps, to get the dialed in...
i had a bit of good fortune this past Saturday.....I made it to the finals the car was the essence of consistency ripping off 3-126.03 mph passes in a row...all low 5.46 runs...the last one earned me a bye in the semis with a .004 light so I stiffened the suspension a notch and managed a 1.22 60 ft with a 5.45...I blew it in the finals with a redlight
Rick B. I run the same pump as Mr. Porter....little pricie, but I have never had any issues with it. Congrats to Dave, Todd and Mr. P......good job guys~! FYI: it was not a voltage issue on my buddies switch...it was the switch.
