Projects Dodge This - 1939 Dodge Southeast Gasser Build

The deal with shorter stacks may solve your problem. Might calm down the launch too. My understanding is the long stacks move the power band lower and limit HP. The engine can't suck enough air at high rpm through the long stacks to use the fuel. Look at modern junior fuel dragsters. Their magnetos are way taller than the stacks they use.

I know some altered guys that carry different size stacks depending on how quick they want to be (index racing). They tell me that even an inch or two makes a big difference, from an 8" to 6" for instance. Mine are ridiculous, 18" but they look good. One day I'll but some short ones on just to see what it does.

You're doing great by the way.

 

I've been told this my whole life. I try to explain it's about velocity, not length! Some women just don't understand...

 

Awesome photos!
Just my two cents worth on C16--we dyno a lot and we use that stuff when we want 25 more HP on a 1000 HP build--what it does is allow us to run More timing--then...you get those magic 25 more you need to claim the big number you are after--different fuels use different timing and jetting--swapping around all the time will drive you crazy
zero in on one that is matched to your compression ratio and stay with it. C16's needs are very different from other fuels I bet good old purple Sunoco or the like is about all you need if fuel curve is right
Car looks great! See you at Myrtle Beach soon!

 

The headlight rings on a 49-51 Ford are way bigger than what I need. Had a look at my dad's 51 today, the ring I have fits inside the ring from my dads truck. Just saying!

 

Thanks Dave! Here's a funny story - 2 older guys were watching the races and they came to the pits once and looked at the engine. I won 1st round. 2nd round I lost but the 61 vette came up heavy. So here I am in the Semi Final and these 2 guys bet $100 to some guys in the stands that I could beat Snake Bite
I could have told them not to take that bet ..... yet. They told me they lost the money but were having the best time at a track in 20 years.

 

To the right or the line that has the number of pages there is the( watch thread) just click on it.
Not sure on your other questions.

 

The very top right should say "Watch Thread"
Here's Tim's thread
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/southeast-gassers-55-chevy-build.1007679/

Its got a 540 and it was 200lbs light for A gas

 

What is the weight per cube for A/G ?

 

Type O meant to say of.

 

I believe 6lbs/C.I. for A/G and 8 lbs for C/G

 

Tommy Lee Byrd's article in Hot Rod is here - very cool! He didn't tell about the 34 Plymouth that he surprised his Dad with at the show. Its his Dad's car from the 60's but it wasn't running until Tommy got it running for him at the show. Tear jerker I tell ya!
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/southeast-gassers-heads-racing-period-correct-race-cars/

 

Quain has thrown around the idea of D/Gas

 

Right now they are giving 50% chance of rain on Sat in the Lexington area. Everybody coming to Clay City say a prayer, do a NO RAIN dance or whatever it takes.

 

WillyB, if you can get away from joining NHRA you'll be better off. I never renewed mine a few yrs ago, by the time you renewed license, paid this and that, that they required, it just flat cost to much.

 

Test and tune is a great way to get some seat time in your car. Break out you only have to worry about if you go bracket racing(slower car gets a head start) If you go faster than your posted time, you break out and lose. Southeast gassers don't do this, heads up racing!

 

I always over did the safety stuff. You can never be to safe in a race car, whatever et it runs. Run all the test and tunes you can, practice is good, you can just go and spectate, ask questions and go up to the line and watch. Get ready because your fixen to get this disease with no cure, and there is a whole bunch of fun involved. WillyB, I can't dance, but you call when you are about to start and I'll give it a whirl.

 

If you find out what headlight rings cross over, please let me know. My HJ bezels may have been lost in the big move. I'm still sorting through boxes in hopes.

 

A few shots from that Hot Rod coverage thread you found
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/southeast-gassers-heads-racing-period-correct-race-cars/













And one of just how close it was for White Trash... just ONE wheel just barely touching the ground

 

WillyB - yes to all that and you can bet there will be a safety talk at Saturday's race



Big thanks to Nick Smithberg @402BOSSMAN for the short stacks!

 

I have a much better plan for his Pan-Evac setup. We pulled from the valley before and it worked out well.

 

Tony, did you get your Jerico from Quain?

 

So far so good - if you don't get off the gas real quick its pretty easy on the front end stuff. I bent my Speedway axle last year - this year its a Chromoly WACCUSTOMS axle @BCCHOPIT on the HAMB.

I called Scotty McManis at Jerico and told him what we are doing. It wasn't that expensive after I sell the Hightower ..... its still sitting on the floor of the garage though.

Ringgold Race film - these are getting better all the time.

 

Hmmmmmmmm!

 

I watch all the videos of the SEG races and I have noticed something that might be a safety issue, maybe some of you fans can check it out and see if I am wrong. Every time the Boogie Man leaves with the wheels up, the front wheels jerk to the right then straighten out as they touch the ground. its like severe bump steer.

 

I think he's up on the wheel ready to pull 2nd gear and turned it a bit to the right. The front wheels are going to straighten out to wherever the car is pointed when he lands.

 

My car does the same thing. Yes it is bump steer. If you watch most all straight axle cars will do it to some degree. The steering rod from the box to the left (or in Boogie man's case the right) spindle pulls the wheels to the right when the axle drops down in the wheelstand. The driver is holding the steering wheel straight but the axle is pulling the wheels right. As soon as it touches down they straighten then tend to go the other way on suspension compression until it gets back to ride height again. As long as you keep holding the wheel straight it eventually gets back to going straight.

All normal for a 60's gasser. The driver typically knows nothing about it since he is busy trying to shift gears and see where the car in the other lane is. All in a normal run in one of these cars. It's not for everyone...lol.

 

And it adds to the show just like it does in motocross

 

Danger is my business


Found this one on bracket racing

 

Thanks Bad
If the steering rod ran front to back instead of side to side,(like a early ford pickup) that would fix the problem. I do enjoy watching your car carry the front tires a great distance.

 

Actually mine runs front to back on the outside of the left frame rail. No real way to correct it. The steering box is mounted on the frame and the axle moves up and down. Having it a long as possible and level at ride height is the best you can do. Mine is kinda short so it is noticeable.