History Drag cars in motion.......picture thread.

Champion Speed Shop, twin Chevies.

 

1958...

 

Front pulley looks like it's an inch off the ground. Prolly one of the most extreme rakes I've ever seen on a digger motor.

 

What was the purpose of having the rake on the motor?^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Most diggers seem to have some rake to the motor.

 

Did you ever happen to run across any old pictures of Lemon Wedge?

 

I've always likeď this one.

 

The engine rake or dump on a FED is critical to the bite. Early rails with lousy tires needed a lot of help getting bite, so the engines were high in front, promoting weight transfer. As tires got better, less weight transfer to the rear was needed, so to prevent backflips, the engines went down in front. It was a delicate balancing act.

 

Cotai Drag Strip Nor Cal background 61 Starliner Gas Ronda Bill Waters Ford Oakland Ca.

 

Tom Grove Nor Cal Oakland Ca Melrose Motors .

 

Houston, we have liftoff.

 

Thank you. Makes sense.

 

Let’s see, if I adjust the tension on the belt by a half turn would I then need to adjust the timing by the same?

 

Bud Faubel in "The Honker " ?

 

In the past I bought many 3" pulleys from dragsters that had that forward rake, and chewed up the front edge of the pulley. It was easy to cut them down on a lathe to make 2" pulleys.

 

Jack Chrisman.

 

Jack Chrisman again.

 

It can't be said enough. Is it because some are being sneaky, or because they are not savvy enough.

 

It got worse with a longer wheel base and trashed out oil pans..