Ive been thinking this over for quite some time now, since the HAMB drags actually. And thought Id post this question to you fine folks here. This is directed to those of you on the board that race your hot rods and running old engines. This board is directed towards pre 65 so lets keep to that cutoff for conversation sake. How fast are you running with your vintage engines and vintage speed parts? Keep in mind Im talking about engines that are pre 65, and componants of that vintage i.e heads, intakes, and ignition. So lets here about your combo, and what it will run. There were some really fast cars at the drags this year but it got me to wondering how many of those were running vintage stuff.
Well initially this was geared toward your average street driven rod, but feel free to throw in your competion cars too. 160 with a T= very impressive.
I drive a 63 Dodge 426 Max Wedge. It has stage III (1963 ) heads and a NASCAR REV2 intake(single 4 bbl). It runs 11 to 1 Pistons (Stock ratio for this steel front end car). The cam is a copy of an old Sig Erson grind they quit making some 35+ years ago. It does have a reworked 850 Holley so i suppose that isnt right although this manifold came with Holley carburation so it is pretty close. It has a set of headers from later years mostly because i already had them. The trans is the stock 727 Pushbutton which i modified in my shop to take one extra clutch plate and steel in both the Direct clutch and the forward clutch. It still has the taperd axle 8 3/4 1963 diff sitting on SS springs . This car could have been built back in the day easliy or something very very close. Frankly just between us I aint really scared of no-one round here on the street. I marvel that such stuff was available back in the 60s and grin everytime I punch it. I have driven it now just around 39000 miles . Ah heck , come on for a ride. http://www.dropshots.com/Dolmetsch#date/2006-11-02/10:26:56 or http://www.dropshots.com/Dolmetsch#date/2006-10-30/20:44:48 Don
I went 177 with a 302 GMC in 1980. At Bonneville in a coup. Recently went 155 with Packard V8 power in the same car. Wait till the Nostalga Top Fuel guys find this thread.
hey GREEZY...i think what the meaning 64 back, refers to body models. i'am sure most members are running later engines, trans, rear ends, manifolds and dist. but i'am not sure iether? hell 1 h.a.m.b. member said we don't even like alternaters. now that's not right. in my view! call mr POP...or the old FART!
Well thats kinda the jist of this thread. I know most cars have updated drivetrains, ignitions TIRES and such. My car is no way a 100%er. But I built the car to emmulate the early 60s. And with that I stuck to an engine that was available, and like componants. Ive run a best 14.60 at 96mph, on L-78 bias tires. 331 cid Chevy, Offy 2x4 w/ afb's. and dual point ignition. I know the old stuff has its limitations compared to all the newer stuff out there in the aftermarket. I thought it would be an interesting conversation on just how fast we can get the old stuff to go. My car will getting a few changes this winter, looking for more speed but still staying on track.
my 34 runs 7.90's in the 1/8 with all old shit. 59 pontiac 389, isky 5 cycle cam (the box the cam was in had a shipping date from 61) some head work, mallory dual point, 2x4's, and a muncie 4spd. rear end is an early 9 inch with 3.50 gears, tires are hurst recaps. needs more gear and tire but it ran a best of 7.91 at 91 mph so far, can't remember the 60foot off the top of my head but it was slow, alot of tire spin. yes it even has a generator
I sure admired your 40 Ford Coupe at B-Ville Speedweek this past August, Greezy. It has the look, and doesn't seem too complicated. Careful you don't destroy some of its simplistic charm as you go for more speed.
I have a stock 8ba, Eddie Meyer intake,two 97's, cad/lasalle box and a columbia two speed. I can cruise at 70mph no problem
Well, I'll more than likely piss most of you guys off with this. I have a 59 Datson pickup that runs an early built 289 jacked to 302, big valves and and a built C-4 trans. into a 9" with a 4 bar set up and a double pumper.It has a cage and is tubbed. It runs on the street but I have run 6.50's in the 1/8 mile. I can't remember how fast but it was over a hun.--TV
Hey Greezy, I was lookin for you at the drags, but with the crowd this year, I never did see you. You would have beat the 55, but not by much. From there I drove it 1650 miles and ran 120.027 in one mile on the salt in September. I am looking in to ways to make it do better on the salt. Its a 59 block with 57 heads, it has a 57 dizzy with a Pertronics, and a 650 CFM carb. Sort of like a 57 T Bird engine. It has a mild Isky cam, and last year on the salt Ed signed the dash for me. I may come lookin for you in August.
Just wanted to bring this up again...I`m curious too. The old C,D,/Gas cars in the `60s, [ in my fuzzy memory] all ran about the same equipment. most were small block chev...but many others as well. Most were stick shifted...mostly 3-speed manual since there weren`t many Muncies or T-10s available yet. The HYDROS were for the rich guys...and Powerglides were too slow. The AFB carter carbs were preferred over the old Rochester 4GC or the WCFB carter. Dual 4s on a 327 popular as well as boring out the 327 to 331CI. I`d say your car just about has it down perfect!!!
There were a lot of good running Pontiacs, Buicks, and Oldsmobiles in the old gassers and altereds...Y-Block fords and a few mopars [Not counting the HEMIS],made a showing too. I just remember the Small Block Chevy as being the most common mill in the early `60s drag cars.
I still need a sun dial to measure my et. At the last drags I wasnt going to run, I was experiancing a massive vaccume leak and only ran like a 18 in the quarter.
Ran my old lincoln 1955,stock 341 c.i. at the drags. 16 sec. I know its not that fast but it sure was fun.
Don't feel bad I ran a 17.4 in the one full pass I got. Sucking trash into the carb and feeling like I was running out of gas. But I drove 1,100 miles each way. I figure that's not bad. But the Jag suspension may disqualify me. Though they did have it then. The drivetrain is a '64 Buick 425 / ST400 with a single 4 barrel. And I got 12mpg to boot. There is no more fun then the HAMB Drags for me. Though next year I may bring something different.
Back in the late 50's early 60's low 14's would keep up with 80% of the street light drags. 13.50 would blow the doors off the Super Stockers. 1964 I beat a Aluminum front end 426 Hemi car that just won at the Strip with time slips in 11.90's with my street racer that ran 13.20 thru the mufflers. That new Hemi lost alot capped up. I just love winding thru the gears. 20 sec. or 10 sec. it's just getting the Max out of what you have
Hey Troy, I just got to thinking...[I know, I know], but don`t you still run a more streetable gear? If you had 4:11 or 4:56s, you`d probably get closer to the 13 second range, at the track...But that might have a direct effect on the length of your road trips...I mean Bonneville could still be done, but you`d spend all your gas money just getting there. I still think your car is one of the best mid 60s `40 fords in the country! don`t change a thing. Tom
We used to changed gears at the track! With a Mopar 8.75, it only takes about 45 minutes to switch third members. We'd run 3:23's on the street and switch out to 4:11's, 4:56's, or 4:89's, depending on who's car and what combo we had to work with. We didn't do that all the time, but if the conversation is about being able to drive to Bonneville, or a particualr drag meet somewhere, it shouldn't be too dang difficult with a 9 inch Ford or an 8.75 Mopar.
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