Projects Garage Converter test (OUCH! I bumped my head!)

Sometimes I do dumb things. Today was one of those days. I told Mrs D that I intended to put the Sr Dragster away for winter . (drain coolant, cover it, etc.) but first I wanted to do a stall test on the converter to be sure it is good for next spring and if it needs maintenance I would get it done over the winter. Specifically because of being so relaxed at Picton I realized that I had never been up on the converter for my three runs. Just out for a causual Saturday drive, leaving somewhere between 1200 and 2000 RPM. Why? I dont know why. Too relaxed i guess. I became concerned maybe my stall had gone away and so the plan to test was born. I backed the 63 MAX Wedge out of the garage and parked it on the far side of the house. I moved "Bertha " my V10 Ram over there too. I swept out the garage getting the floor free of dust. I fired up the Slant six and let it run in neutral till temp reached 160F then climbed in. No helmut , no seat belts on just a quick converter test. What could go wrong? I moved the car around until the open door was squared in my sites, jazzed the throttle in Neutral to be sure everybody was happy and popped it in gear. I pushed the handbrake forward as hard as possible knowing the trans was still cool so full stall would be difficult. I took it to 4000 . All good. Then I let go of the handbrake and floored it. When I saw the front wheels lift I knew I was in trouble. As if that wasnt enuf when I left the garage the car didnt touch down till I was about 6 feet clear of the door. It was the landing that got me. Smacked my head on the rollbar pretty good. Probably will have a goose egg. tomorrow. Back is sore too. Thats the bad news! The good news? The converter works great (and bite in the garage is wondeful.) It is all put away now. I should have known better. Still it was a blast. Two big black strips on the floor of the garage. Mrs D was just grinning and shaking her head. No fool like an old fool.
Don

 

As some of the others say - Without Pics It didnt happen!! Don - I truely trusty you are OK and there is no permanent damage - to you or the dragster. I can relate to your risque exploits as I am known to push some boundaries at times too.
Please keep your entries coming along - I enjoy them all

 

Well at least the door was open! oh yeah no pictures then it didn't happen!

 

I wish that hitting my head would give me ideas like yours. Glad you're okay.

 

Hahahaha..sounds like sumthun I'd do...once.

 

As bad as it was it could have gone horribly wrong and you could be in the hospital or worse,,HRP

 

I just had visions of the front wheels hitting the door frame and the whole car cartwheeling.

Glad you and the car are OK. Almost qualified for a Darwin Award.

 

At least you where going out the door!

Sigge!

 

And your wife thought it was funny, you've got a keeper there!!!

 

Here is the lanch extending up under the 63 MW which is also now parked for winter and here is the landing. Appears about 8 feet out from the door cement but I didnt measure it. Still got a wee headache.
Don
Water wasnt there then. I drained the rad and block when I put it away. The rad had a bit in the bottom and I drained it here before shoving it inside. We are only allowed water for coolant.

 

I was just thinking of testing my convertor too, I don't think I will do it your way though..lol

 

Glad you're OK, that there's funny!

 

Glad you are O.K. It obviously could have been much worse. Before I put my drag cars away for the winter I would put antifreeze in them and warm it up. Then I would drain it. A very small amount of water down in the bottom of the water jacket will destroy a block in a hard freeze during the winter.

 

A garage door gets small when pulling a hole shot aiming for it; bet it got smaller still with the wheels in the air...Would be great if Mrs. D got it all on video...

 

...and no damage like brain damage!!!

Thats an awesome story to have!

Hope the soreness fades soon and all the best for the coming season!
You've earned it!!!

 

Could have been worse, Don. You could have a nitro car...

 

The garage door is a 16 footer so we were ok with that.
Mrs D also said she wished she had it on video.
I usually put some type of antifreeze in the bottom of the block too. I just couldnt find it today. This block is .156" over. I might never get to do that again so I want to protect it.
Mrs D wanted to know what speed I exited the garage. I figure close to 50 MPH and it was pullin HARD!! I never expected to hook in the shop but it was a real hard leave.
I dont think I have enuf hair for nitro. This thing is about all I want at this stage of life. I have fallin in love with this little rail. I never expected to enjoy a race car so much. Hard to walk by with out giving it a rub.
Don

 

Thats GREAT! Sounds like something I would do. Nice smooth concrete hooks good, eh?

 

Unbelievable hook. I wasn't thinking it would. Just figured I would stall it high and smoke em. The launch was HARD! Real hard!
Interesting I had not driven the car since installing the steering stabilizer. I am happy to report it works nicely. Steering is much firmer without being stiff.

What really bothers me is that if I had driven like that Saturday the 29th. My pal with the BB chevy would have had his work cutout for him. I must have been in la la land not to use the converter at least to 4000. I always could pull away from him off the line and even to midrange. If he snoozed I could hold him off to the end. The 29th I was ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZing. Shame upon me!
Don

 

Is is never a Hot Rod Garage until you have launch marks.....

 

Too Damn funny. You know the misses is gonna have fun teasing you with this one.

 

Is is never a Hot Rod Garage until you have launch marks.....
Well said.
Yes Mrs D has mentioned it several times today. Said I was to be more careful as she wants to keep me around ("but it was funny!".) She said she wasn't real worried because she figured the hedge would have stopped me before I hit the road. Furnace man was here today to service the furnace. Wanted to know about the two long black marks in the shop.
Don