Projects Austin Somerset Gasser Build (DragNasty)

Well we just got in from the shop so time to sit down and make fun of the idiots on New Orleans Street Outlaws. Lol

Before we came in we did get the horizontal cross bar in place...but I am not feeling it. The bar was the largest I could find but it looks pretty flimsy to me maybe because it is so long. We shall see.



It is 54" long.....?



And we tried a little home spun preloading by putting the original 1200 lbs. overload spring back on the right side.


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...and yes I know there are rub marks on the drive shaft but they are from the very first drive from a year and half ago. We had a piece of sheet metal hanging down up in the tunnel. Fixed it but never repainted the shaft.

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I would probly gusset those end angle brackets but other than that it will be fine What size heims are those


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The heims are 5/8" and that angle iron there is 3/8" thick...it will totally destroy that bar before they move.

 

I would have made the bracket for double shear...but I tend to over build things.

 

Agreed...But I had some spacing issues for a double shear style where I wanted to mount it. We played around with it but to do it, I either had to drop heims below the ladder bar mount on the front which put it out of line (level with the rear) or extend it further inboard which I felt would cause torque issues on the mount point. Similar room issues on the rear mount as well. So it is what it is....we shall see.

 

...I mean what is the worse thing that can happen if none of this works....a very straight 9.50 pass at 145 mph? LOL

 

Well Randall it is easy for us to tell how we would do it sittin at are key board.
I know you are not just throwin stuff at this car.
See you in a few days.

 

Yeah and how much fun would that be.

 

@Deuced Up! I have given this some very serious thought and I have decided that I just don't like the color of the car.

Hey tell me do you like the diagonal bar better than a regular panhard bar? I have never run one and am still working out the setup on my A.

Ok new piece I'll ask you Saturday night. LOL

 

I got news for you Beaner...I saw you commented on the HAMB DRAG thread after the guy mentioned the shooting at the Wisconsin Track....I don't want to make light of that terrible situation up there but I have to think if anyone gets shot at during the HAMB Drags it is probably going to be you! LMAO!

Just kidding brother but I couldn't resist. I wanted to put it on the other thread but thought it was in bad taste....Then you just step right in it on my personal thread....LOL

But seriously, ask me Saturday night how it works because our first pass at the DRAGS will be its test run....lol

 

It is tons of fun... The last thing we have to decide this week is how much fun we want to have. Do we raise the wheelie bars back up and stick the wheels in the air or do we leave them alone and let her rip. FYI...with the bars down she is stupid fast. We went 6.44 through the 1/8 in our original test passes at Ozark Raceway Park, then after playing with the bars ONLY she went 6.00 through the 1/8 at the Meltdowns. Plus after watching and listening to the Meltdown passes, we lost some time on the rev limiter in both runs. I think with no other adjustments except shift points, we could run a 9.25 or so at well over 150 mph.

 

That's pickin em up and puttin em down....I don't care what anyone says.

 

I am with you on that one saltflats. I even feel bad when I put dragster steering link heims in single shear. The mounting method used by most door car chassis shops is to use what is basically a big U shaped bracket that is retained by the bar mounting bolts. Deuced Up's method does have the advantage of having the bracket welded so that there is no chance of it rotating and I have seen the bolt on versions try to do that.

Roo

 

Well at least 5 of Hot Rod's 100 plus photos from the Meltdown Drags were of the Austin. Pretty cool to see it there. Thanks Jackson for pointing out the coverage.

 

Setting in the stands at the Meltdowns your car caused so much confusion as to the brand and Model . It was fun listening to people guess what the car was. Thanks for sharing the build with all of us. You probably never realized how many people were in that garage with you when you were working on this.

 

OUR MELTDOWN EXPERIENCE (Dear Diary) FYI-LOL
2017 Meltdown Drags – Byron Dragway

WEDNESDAY - July 12th
I took off work a little early and headed home to load the car etc. Our plan was to leave as soon as we could and drive to James @saltflats house north of Jefferson City, MO. James and I had been talking for several months about putting some old school looking graphics on his 409 race car. I was hoping to have gone up the weekend before and installed them but it didn’t happen. So now we are planning a drive-by graphic job on our way to the Meltdowns.

Just about 5 miles from my house I picked up the phone and asked Google how far to Byron, IL….a very nice lady said, “The trip to Byron, IL takes 6 hours and 45 minutes, I figure 8 for us with the trailer etc. It took us a little over 3 hours to get to his house but we made it just before 10 p.m. and James was still thrashing on the car. We installed the graphics, visited a bit and were back on the road by 11:30 headed to Columbia. Nearly 15 minutes out, my sunglasses (which were on the top of my head for night driving) slid down the back of my neck and landed on my shoulders. I reached back to grab them but a perfect gust of wind whipped them right out the window. I was pretty bummed about it as I have lost these glasses at least 8 times but they always seem to find their way home. Guess they are gone for good now!

My plan, since we had already driven just over 3 hours North and East towards Byron, was to stop for the night and do the other half or so of the trip Thursday morning. Just outside of Columbia, MO I picked up the phone and asked Google again, how far to Byron IL. The crazy woman said, “The trip to Byron, IL takes 5 hours and 37 minutes!” I about fell over. Apparently there is no good way to get from Jeff City MO to Byron. IL. We would prove it the next morning taking Google’s advice and literally touching every two-lane blacktop and dirt road between them. At least that is the way it seemed! LOL

THURSDAY – July 13th
Dad and I finally rolled into the track Thursday afternoon around 2 p.m. or so and got parked in the back forty grassy area. I walked to the back of the trailer to start unloading and found my sunglasses caught under the driver’s side strap about two inches from the back of the trailer. I said I figured you would show up, put them on and laughed to myself a bit. We unloaded, set up the tent shade and started a short knock out list to get the Austin ready.

We looped cable through the newly installed springs on our untested wheelie bars (just to make sure if they failed the springs stayed with the car). We checked the lug nut torque, the fluids, (visited with quite a few racers that came through) changed the plugs and ran the valves.

By just after 5 p.m. all we had left was to simply install the 10 AN one way valve (I had picked up two days earlier) on our fuel cell vent tube line and head up for tech. However it did not fit. The new bubble package it came in was labeled 10 AN but the fitting inside was 8 AN. With the predicted heavy duty NHRA Tech coming I figured there is no way we get through with this piece missing. Someone recommended a Hot Rod Parts store in Rockford might have one. I called them and not only did they have it but they were open till 6 p.m. I made it with about 10 minutes to spare.

After getting back to the track, we spun the fitting on and headed for an empty tech line in the staging lanes. Now we had all been warned about how strict they were going to be by Meltdown staff members. Jackson @wrenchbender came over and said just take it up there and step away. Don’t offer anything, don’t open any doors unless asked and don’t joke around with them etc. A few minutes later, the Austin rolled up for what would have to be considered its first “real” race track inspection. I mean just two weeks earlier at Ozark Raceway Park, the track manager walked by while I was sitting in the staging lanes. He looked at me and I gave him a thumb’s up and he went to the next car…LOL

So the inspector went over every inch of the car and the only suggestion he made was maybe grounding the ring of the fuel cell. Finally we are standing in front of the Austin looking at the motor. He has his clipboard in hand and says, “I don’t suppose this thing has an NHRA Chassis Cert does it?” No sir I reply. He looks at me and says, “I don’t suppose you have at least an NHRA Sportsman License do you?” No sir I replied again. “SO,” he said with a sigh, “How fast is thing going to run?”

Now I knew missing either of the above, 10 flat is the fastest NHRA would allow us to go. I also remembered what Jackson said about joking around but to be honest I am who I am so I said, “You want to know the truth?” The inspector said yes I do. With out missing a beat I said “I think we are going to run in the mid 11 second range pulling the chute at half track.” He didn’t respond for a bit. Actually long enough for me to think I might have overstepped. But then he smiled, lifted his clipboard and said, “First honest racer I have spoke with all day!” LOL ….and he punched our card so to speak for the Meltdowns. Time for a good steak!

FRIDAY - July 14th
We arrived at the track around 8 a.m. or so. We hung out in the pits visiting with folks until the driver’s meeting at 10 a.m. After the meeting we decided since we had never been at the track before to sit out round one and spectate a bit. They don’t call this place the “House of Hook” for nothing. The starting line was crazy good. We watched several cars try to launch and get bogged down in the stickiness. We had an absolute blast just soaking in the experience, had a burger and then headed to the pits to get ready to race.

Jackson had more advice for us, put C or B Gas on the car and go up and make a test pass with them to see how she runs etc. Then if we are fast enough to go A Gas do it the next round. So Dad put B Gas on the windows while I warmed the car up a bit. When we got to the staging lanes it was out of control. In fact, we actually sat outside the lanes for quite a while just waiting for an opportunity to squeeze in. At any other drag racing event this would be considered a pain in the backside, but not here. I sat just sat there in the car and basked in the moment talking with fans as they walked by and looking at the incredible pieces of equipment setting all around me.

We finally made it in but the path to the “B” Gas line was blocked several cars deep. When an officially finally pointed me to a different line I took it. So there we sat now waiting our turn in the “A” Gas line (which is where I wanted to be anyway). I don’t know how many videos I have watched of cars rolling around the wooden burnout boards and onto the Byron track but I have to tell you it is thrill to do it in person. I backed up into the water, spun the tires a bit and pulled forward. I pumped up the brakes, pushed the line lock button and waited for the official to give me the thumbs up.

When it came, I let out the clutch and promptly slipped off the stupid line lock button. I grabbed second but we were already rolling too much and we blew right past the start line with very little burnout action. As I am backing up I start thinking (bad idea) about all kinds of things. Crazy good start line, untested wheelie bars, a real “A” Gas car in the other lane, the fact that this is the first full quarter mile pass since the rebuild, etc. etc. etc.

After I back up I decide to line it up out of the groove so at the very least I might get some wheel spin instead of possibly hitting the "untested" wheelie bars too hard etc. The lights count down and the little orange coupe next door trees me like a raccoon! And then lays down a 1.3 second 60 foot time. I remember my original line of sight on him after the launch was between my supercharger and the Christmas tree. Do you understand what I am saying there….he was so far out on me that seeing him from the left lane, he was already left of the tree….LOL

The Austin pulled hard, I grabbed second gear, she pulled the front wheels and planted me in the seat. When they came back down I noticed we had nearly cut the orange coupe’s lead in half. I said out loud in the car, I am going to run his ass down! I grabbed third and then fourth just passed ½ track, put the car on the rev limiter twice but at a the 1000 foot mark we went right on by. The Chevy coupe ran a 10 flat but the Austin still gapped it at the line.

However right then, there was a big pop and water washed over the windshield. On video it appeared as a big white puff but it was just water. Down track extremely agitated track officials quarantine us over on the side until they found we had done nothing but drop a bit of untreated water etc. However the excitement is not over for me. After looking over the car with the officials I stick my head back in to find the temp gauge needle buried past 260 and slammed against the wrong side of the tab where it normally sits at zero.

I quickly flipped the water pump and fans on but even after sitting at the big end for 10 minutes the gauge was still buried. Finally I am thinking there is no way the car is that hot. It is not ticking or anything…the gauge has to be lying. So I fired it up and made a run back to the pits but not before snagging the slip at the ET shack. It read 9.50 at 138 mph.

When I got back to the pits we flipped the tilt front end up to have a good luck. Nothing is really jumping out at us as far as a water trail. Obviously shoving water out at 140 mph pretty much just coats everything etc. The only thing I knew for sure was it came from the passenger side. The obvious issue points such as hoses etc. are all in good shape. My opinion is the crappy machine work from Brodix is the culprit. You see they supplied me with two brand new heads where the 3/8” NPT holes for temp sensors etc. are defective. Even though they say it is impossible, someone ran the tap all the way through making a standard tapered fitting useless.

To fix that issue, we used a 3/8” tapered bushing (which on the last couple of threads grabs hold) and installed an o-ring on it which allowed the corners of the hex head to compress it and help seal the hole. James @ Saltflats looked at it and agreed and suggested using a Holley style fuel inlet washer to go on the fitting before the o-ring. He loaned us the only one he had and he was right, it fit perfectly. So with third round looming Dad starts emptying the water bottles from our cooler into the radiator. I am sitting on the trailer putting my gear on when I hear him say “Oh Boy!” while staring down into the engine compartment.

The real issue was very obvious at that point as there was a small black hole where a freeze plug used to reside now staring up at us and gurgling water. That is the bad news. The good news was it was one of the most accessible plugs on the entire engine. We started scouring the pits for a BBC freeze plug but no luck…I mean no one keeps and extra in the toolbox. The only reason I am going to start carrying one now is so we never have another one pop out again…LOL

After a few calls to area auto parts stores we find the NAPA store in Rochelle, where we are staying, has one but they would be closed before we could get there. So I had them set it out for pick up Saturday morning and Dad and I became avid spectators again.

SATURDAY – July 14th
The NAPA in Rochelle opened at 8:00 a.m. and we were in the parking lot waiting. We got to the track about 9, inserted the plug and filled it with a few gallons of Dollar General water we snagged on the way in. Then we went to the driver’s meeting. Things were changing in the staging lanes as they were going to call the different classes in hopes that would assist with the congestion.

Dad and I head back to the pits and fire the car to let it warm up etc. I notice right away that the stupid $100 plus Auto Meter temperature gauge in the dash still has its needle wrapped up on the wrong size of the zero degree tab. Apparently we killed it the day before. I cannot believe the car ever got that hot, but there it is right in front of me. I get out to have a look at the plug (which is on the driver’s side of the car) but the wire running to it is gone. We had not noticed it with all the excitement on the other side of the engine bay but the wire had actually pulled out of the temp sensor that was still screwed in the head. By pure coincidence with everything else that had happened at the end of that run, the copper filament came out and was laying down on the header. So my gauge was actually working properly, it just quickly ran out of degrees when trying to report the header temp. LOL

We almost ran it anyway but good sense got the best of us and we skipped round one to go search the swap meet for temp gauge that we could temporarily place somewhere visible. After a bit of searching one of the vendors took pity on us and cut me a deal on a killer three-gauge set from Mallory. They are crazy old school looking and I figure the next project will need some anyway. So we get back, change out the sensor (meaning we lost more water again) and then zip tied the gauge to the fuel block on the top of the firewall. When I got in the driver’ seat I couldn’t see the entire gauge but I could see from 200 degrees on up so I figure we are good to go. Just about then, they came through the pits calling “A” Gas to the staging lanes.

I jump out and put my equipment on and head back to the car. Just before climbing in I decide to have a look underneath to make sure there is not water hanging any where just waiting to drip on the start line and get my run called off etc. The car was totally dry as I looked from the rear end up the length of the ladder bars and then to the diaper. Suddenly it hit me, we had not checked the diaper for water. I wondered if it had anything in it. I reached in and it was more than half full!

It sounds stupid when I type it but to be honest we are not used to running with a diaper and it just didn’t even dawn on us to check it. Can you imagine launching that car with a couple of gallons of water just sitting in the diaper? By the time we got it off the car we had missed second round as well. We sat it in the sun to dry for a bit and headed off to spectate again.

After having another track burger, which by the way were totally awesome, we headed back to the pits. We reinstalled the diaper and headed to the staging lanes for round 3. I sort of laughed to myself as I rolled around the burn out boards again and saw “the other” orange ‘38 Chevy coupe at the event lining up against me. What are the odds that we made two passes and raced both orange Chevy coupes on the property. Suddenly it dawned on me that the first two passes we made two weeks prior in Missouri were against an orange 38 Chevy bobber drag truck. So….four runs since the rebuild, two 1/8 mile passes and 2 quarter mile blasts and all four times against an orange 38 Chevy. Go figure!

This time we got a good burn out and while the announcer struggled to figure out exactly what she was, Dragnasty laid down a 9.8 second run at nearly 145 mph in the heat of the day. We were hoping to get invited to race that evening but instead just sat in our pits like a fat girl on prom night, no one asked us to the dance. LOL

Probably just a well, we would have likely got in trouble with the NHRA whom I am sure our sub 10 second performances were just about to make it on their radar. If we had made a run in that nice cool 9 p.m. air we would have likely been a very low 9 at well over 150 mph.

Instead we headed back to the stands and soaked in the last few hours of the Meltdown experience. We only made two passes in two days. When we got home several folks couldn’t believe we drove all that way for two runs. But to be honest, I am not sure I would change it as Dad and I had an absolute blast. Scratch another off the bucket list! I said this on an earlier post, this is not only the way Drag Racing used to be, but more over the way it ought to be!

 

LOL I was walking across a 10 acre pasture once to look at a fence, hadn't been a cow in the field in a month and I still stepped in it. But you are absolutely correct I have ruffled more than a few feathers over the years. I hate being shot.

 

Well looks like our YAHOO Cup ambitions rolled out the window last night. The installation of that little (big) Weldon Fuel pump controller was pretty straight forward however there was an issue with two of the wire screws. They were stripped or had no threads etc... Man I am telling you the luck I am having with things with threads this month...LOL
I thought about just soldering the wire in there but I am not for sure what the heat might do to the device etc.

Anyway I just got off the phone with them and we are going to trade this one out. Oh well I guess that means more time at the swap meet for us tomorrow then...always a good thing.

That also means we only have three things left on the knockout list for the HAMB Drags:
1. Adjust the new throttle cable we put on during the head debacle.
2. Install the World Record Holder graphic on the rear
3. Install blue window tint on the rear and rear side windows

By the way we have opted for fast vs. wheels up on the wheelie bars...we are leaving right were they are. Actually it is partly because we want to go fast but mostly because we didn't have time to mess with them this week. LOL

 

Good Luck I hope you guys post lots of video for us SUCKERS who can't go

 

Will do....

 

It's alright deuced up the yahoo cup is probably already locked up.

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By who?.........you know they run the races for a reason, right?

 

By me I'm winning this thing


Chrome don't get ya home

 

Guinness Book has the meltdown speed of 143.7 mph but I think we are going to go faster this weekend so left it off for now. Lol

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Look what I found at the swap meet. Exactly what we went in there looking for...maybe we can keep the alternator belt on now...lol



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HAMB DRAGS Hotel Parking Lot sunset...



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Take Ride In Dragnasty. Sorry had to feather it a bit in 2nd there so only 140 mph out the back door....more to come.



Same run from the outside....

 

Looks good no more bunny hopping. The right side is still dropping and that looks like why you had to peddle it the right side had more weight and more traction driving you left.

 

Actually the first two passes were just like that...more videos coming. The car was a real handful in first and second, especially the first run. You know this car has never done anything like it. Even last year at the HAMB DRAGS when she was jumping so hard it still never went any direction but straight (beside up....LOL)!

We dropped the air pressure in the slicks a few pounds for the second round and tried the other lane. As you saw, same deal. So I am watching the videos after the first two runs and both times we are up in smoke right at the hit and fish tailing left etc.. The car is no longer planting itself like usual either. Now we know it is crazy hot and the track is bit greasy but I still can't believe it is acting this way. Of course as you know, we made a few changes since the Meltdowns, adding a horizontal cross bar and preloading the left shock. After two "crowd pleasing" launches, I am convinced one of them is the culprit.

So we sat out the third round and removed the right rear shock...which is a total pain in the backside at the track! But we got it off, removed the spring and reinstalled it. We made it back up for the elimination round back on the left side this time. I pulled the trigger and she went straight as a string again. Lesson learned, when car goes straight and runs 9.50s don't mess with the stupid thing. LOL