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Wounded dragster

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Dolmetsch, Oct 5, 2011.

  1. I hurt my six last weekend. I have been su****ious something was not right for the last couple of outings. Just a gut feeling but when it suddenly overheated on the last run I was not impressed. I did a pressure test and it held solid for a hour however not satisfied I did a inspection of the plugs. No 2 was definatley eating coolant. Probably not firing well either. I found several NOS steel gaskets and a pulling it down right after lunch to see. Hopefully it is just a gasket as we have a big race this weekend at Shannonville. I have had 5 years on this motor but I would like a few more.
    Don
     
  2. roseville carl
    Joined: Dec 29, 2008
    Posts: 5,214

    roseville carl
    Member

    Wow Don, knowing you it will be up an running soon. Humm five years? could you ask for any more?..........
     
  3. I suppose not. Anyway it is apart. Merely a flesh wound. Going for new old stock gasket in a few minutes. He has three. I was going to say this is its fifth year of running but then i realized we only have one race left so with the Picton Airport deals thrown in it is an extended schedule. Using water is the culprit here but the local track clamped down on antifreeze in race cars(even though they never had an incident). All the street cars have it so I think it is a stupid rule not to mention water wetter, redline etc etc.
    Don
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Don,
    I believe at most tracks even "drive-ins" are supposed to drain and refill with straight water while racing. Just the price of playing, like bolting on slicks at the track. The fact that it isn't being checked says more about the tech guys than the rule itself. Water wetter does not eat into the asphalt the same as anti-freeze does.

    Curious how you figure straight water coolant was the cause? Steel shim gasket?
     
  5. Yes. I use the steel shim because it is .019" A felpro or equivalent composition gasket is .043" I have 090 off the block and 070 off the head. I would lose about .5 comp ratio. I have nothing to spare. Got just enuf wiggle room for one clean up of the head surface. Of course if i ever open my wallet and have a set of custom forged made (or use my homebrews) I could use the comp gasket as compression would be what ever I speced. I have however spent a total of $3100 todate. Everything car tires converter etc. It will rise today but still is inexpensive fun for an old guy. When at the Airfield I match race a BB Chevy FED owned by a friend. I can smoke him on launch but he runs me down now . Still they seem to enjoy watching us run and we both get it , the "for fun "deal.
    Don
     
  6. Head is back on and rockers installed. Hoses are on and water is in. Plugs are in . Will finsh with the intake and headers this afternoon. Plans for next year are forming.
    Valve springs are going away but not to danger just cant stretch it out. A spring change for next year will put in a set of over killl springs. Possible one more step in camshaft.
    Don
     
  7. Ok we are good to go. Last race of the year tomorrow. Sounds different with all 6 firing all the time.
    Don
     
  8. After five years I hope you recheck the valve spring pressure so that they won't float out on you...!

    Please let us know how you do...
     
  9. I am just stretchin it for the last run of the year. It will all come apart next week and get a complete going over for next season. It has been a real fun car though. Still runs decent but I think it is floating a bit up top. I will lower the shift point tomorrow and just have some fun.
    Don
     
  10. Had a good day at the track > weather was sunny although air was off a bit. Several friends were talking neg 2 tenths. I was out less than that so I am not whining. I had rejetted two races ago but the one was a wash out so I hadnt run much in warm air. I am two steps rich ie past the sweet spot. but that is how you find it. Car was carrying the wheels nicley which is a neat feeling. ONDR altered pilot Chris took a test drive. He handled the car very well. End of the season here. Tomorrow we eat the big bird. Canadian Thanksgiving. I will jerk the motor monday and get working on next years motor while I can still remember what I was going to do. Don
     
  11. yardgoat
    Joined: Nov 22, 2009
    Posts: 724

    yardgoat
    Member

    Good luck on the big bird,haha.Glad to hear shes back on her feet,on the pic you posted of the head gasket,was that a blow thru iow to much water pressure or did it burn thru the piston side? Or what caused that? Ive got a nice 77 truck slant 6 and no one wants it except for s****.Motors to good for that,has 3 speed trany and i keep hanging on to it like water in the desert.Maybe some day,good luck...................YG
     
  12. No it rusted through. I use the original steel head gaskets as they are only .019 thick. They allow us only plain water in our motors instead of antifreeze and the gasket just rusted to the point it blew through under heavy load.
    Here is the car just clearing the traps at a race this year.
    Don
     

    Attached Files:

  13. DEEPNHOCK
    Joined: Jan 3, 2005
    Posts: 316

    DEEPNHOCK
    Member

    Couldn't you run a copper head gasket?
     

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