I've been waiting for the rumored rules change on engines/weight ratios etc-etc. Before I built engines for my 2 SDRA--HA/GR cars. I didn't want to build,then have them obsolete because of rules changes. I really don't care what the changes are as long as they are in place for at least 5 years. I don't want to build something different every year, would like to build and compete for at least 5 years. So,I would propose setting the rules ON ENGINES for 5 years, no reason not to do so.
I've been hearing the rumors as well. Was told at the Hamb drags that 300" Fords will be allowed. If that's the case all pre 62 engines are dead in the water. Pete
Please don't let the pre'62 engine rule go down the tubes. I appreciate Ryan keeping it pretty hard n' tight in the HA/GR. I'm waffling back over to the HA/GR rules and possible 3 speed tranmission. I may have a chance at selling my Weber outfit - and getting my project on the move. There's going to be some pretty obscure engines come out of the woodwork pre '62, which is part of the fun of such a rule. Seeing things you'd pretty much never see otherwise. I keep waiting for somebody to show up with a big LaSalle V8 - or something of the like we've all forgotten. I hope the SDRA guys stick with the pre'62 rule as well. Hud
I agree, pre 62. it should not matter what make as long as it is pre 62. The ratio change was an idea I had If and When somebody finaly gets one to go faster then 10.99. then impose a 3.50 ratio or something like that to slow them down. I also think the rules should not be changed for 5 years, unless it is for safety or to stop somebody going faster them 10.99
I'm glad HA/GR rules are staying the same. Quick7 was talking about building engines for SDRA cars and that is where I heard the rumors. The car that Hiney had at the HAMB drags will go in the 10's soon, at least that's the story from an inside source. Pete
The pre 62 rule would be fine with me because I already have one. There are several guys in Oklahoma who want to build SDRA cars but are having a hard time finding a early core. I wish Hudsonator or someone would build a competetive engine. If there weren't for the GMC's the drum wouldn't be beating for a rules change. If you go to a Chev 250, 292 or a Ford 240, 300 then you get the HP way up there and the 235 Chev and flathead fall further behind. I have built mine and I have no money left to build another. I can run with a check I get each year in January but if I blow up or have to build another engine it would be 2 or 3 years before it would be done. I wish I had a supply of early engines, I would give them to people but I don't. I think we need to look at what we open up to when we do this. I saw a 250 Chev engine without lump porting put out over 400 hp on the dyno. There is a possiblility of 700 to 750 with a 292 with lump porting. I personally think we have not nearly gotten all we can out of some of these old engines. The attached photo is of Don Nicholsons 50 Chev with a 270 GMC that pushed that car through the lights at 97 mph in 1953. See how much HP it takes to push a 3300 lb. sedan through a quarter at that speed. 270's are a dime a dozen. Roy
I've got a 270 hid back in the corner. It's my intention to get a HA/GR built this winter using the 270 for power. You are right that they are about 30 times easier to find than a 302. pete
Yeah, I need to get crackin' somehow. Variety is the ****e of life, and we seem to be going all GMC here. I really don't want to see the later generation of 6's get into the game. You can yank alot more hp out of them cheaply - but then the older engines that really draw the attention get behind. I think most of us love the old engines and were drawn to this by the prospect of giving some forgotten powerplants another turn at the spotlight. I have got to git my engine finished this winter, I just gotta! Hud
Buffaloracer, I own that car that Bob took to the Drags at MoKan. So I would like to know your inside source? I do know haow to get another 50 hp out of that motor and even make the sh***is lighter. However, I will not to do anything to that car untill the cl*** gets closer. I am looking at building another car or or maybe two this winter. I am not having any issues with finding several diffrent combo's to run, I just dont think some of you are looking outside the norm.
Rule changes will kill a cl*** faster than a speeding bullet. The races in the 50's had limited sources and knowledge so with today's technology it wont be much of a problem to build a little more hp and with the good parts available longevity shouldn't be a big problem. Technology is the main factor that killed heads up racing and made available an unlimited source of racing equipment. A good set of rules set in place will ***ure any one wanting to go back in 50's style racing a reasonable event that's affordable. Its certainly more costly to do a flatty than a later small block V-8 and a junk yard small block will make more power stock that an all out flatty for the most part. I went into this new cl*** for the fun more than the speed and would hate to see the cl*** die before it gets started good. Tire size will limit the et to a point and should be a a helpful deterrent to the higher HP capabilities of the later model motors. I do hope that all of the rules and motor selections will be a done deal by the time a lot of us get our rides finished.
Hi Vector, these cars have compeated in Tulsa: The Hornet 261 chev Ow***o Rams flathead A-1, now Hemibaker's 302 jimmy 2B's flathead Cowboy Bob's flathead The Okie Outlaw, flathead The crooked 6, now 348's jimmy The ozark Mountain Special flathead The Roadrunner slant 6 All of the H.A.M.B. drags winners are on this list. These have been together, not all at once but I think 8 at once. Joe
In locations where there is a cluster of cars running against each other. SDRA in Tulsa, HA/GR at MoKan and SoCal, and the fine gang in Australia there is a lot of motivation to build to the rules to take part. Here,out in the hinterlands of Minnesota, or Montanna (the Vector crew) it's much easier to justify building to suit our needs. I believe that is why there appears to be conflicting philosophies. If I lived near Tulsa I'd have a legal SDRA car. Ditto, SoCal, or OZ. Or, If I travelled, like Robert (from Florida to MoKan) there would be more motivation to adhere to the rules. I can understand why those of us who might never see or run against another HA/GR or SDRA car are willing to run a bit afoul of the rules.
The Jalopy Journal
