Doc called me again and mentined that I'd been a little quiet, so as an update: Performance issue: Still seems to be fixed with the 12v Relay, so I'm headed back to the track next weekend. More on that in a minute. Front End - Tom mentioned that keeping the lower control arms loose was tearing up the frame at the serrated bushing sleeves, so I tightend it back up and launched a few times..Front end was achored to the ground! Loosened them back up and now it flies back up again! I'll leave it that way until after next weekend, and then I'll have to loosen it back up when I know I'm headed back up next year. I would invest in the Afco bushings if I was going to keep racing it. It'll be cool next week, maybe 50 degrees at the most so cold pavement traction will be key. I'm running Goodrich Silvertown reproduction 225-14 redlines, so I havent found alot of benefit to pre-launch burnouts, I just drive around the waterbox. Distributor - Carmen set my timing up to be all in at 3000 RPM, and I never quite understood why. I lowered it to 2500 rpm, using one silver and one black spring (Moroso) and stock weights and cam. 10 degrees initial, 34 total and 12 degrees manifold advance. Took it for a ride, cant really tell the difference - it was really responsive before, it's still really responsive. It will ping in top gear at 3500 plus on 93 octane, but not with 5 gallons of 108 mixed in (no different than 2 silver springs). Tom T wants me to try 36 degrees total on race gas next weekend. Carbs - I still have Tom's Holley (850? I think) and all the others. There is a test and tune day on Friday, but I think I'll have to go Saturday and that'll be challanging to get enough runs in to try all the combinations. I will at least run Tom's carb vs my 750 and 800 Quadrajets. I do have a length of aluminum dryer hose so I'm hoping to do some cold air/underhood air comparisons. Lots to do, so I'll be busy in the pits - cross your fingers for good weather! 10 day forcast now says no rain, but highs in the mid 40's? Brrr!
Interesting that it makes such a difference, I'll have to try that! The lower control arm bushings don't have serrations. The uppers on '66-up do. I suspect loose lower bolts will eventually cause wear on the bolts and frame holes. Good to hear you got the low power condition solved!:TU:
Walt - I hope I do! This is not the first time I thought I've had it licked, only to get to the track and find I've still got it. And yes, out of all the front end work, the lower control arms made the biggest difference by far. Be sure to double nut when loosening! I can only go by what Tom told me since I've not had the lower arms out..... my uppers are the grease fittting/needle bearing heavy duty 65 set up (65 only?) - very cool arms and have great action when greased well.
Rhett, I think you may have missed what I was talking about on the lower control arms. Jack the car up & with the wheels FULLY extended loosen the lower bolts to remove the downward tension. Then tighten the bolts back up. Now the tension is in the UP direction.
Sorry it took so long to respond, my computer blew up... I understood what Tom was telling me, and had the car probably 6-8" nose up when I tightened the bolts. It still bound up the front end and held it down (although the bushings did unwind when I loosened them again)
Tom T! Definately going to Lebanon on Satruday - looks like good air, poor traction and 0% chance of rain. Care to join us? I extend the same invitation to anyone in the northeast..I'll be there by 9, if last year was any indication the place should be fairly deserted and you'll get lots of runs in. Either way, I'll let you all know how it goes.
Would love to be part of the "Action" Rhett. Problem is I work on Saturday's usually till around 2pm. A 2+ hr. trip up leaves me arriving around 4-4:30. By that time you've already had a full day & if you haven't left already you will be doing so shortly. Man, this workong s==t has to STOP!!!!! Time to retire??? Yeah, right Tom T. P.S. -when & if you get time to play with combos, push the lever down for the rear accelerator pump arm to make sure there's fuel in there or else it will hesitate BIG TIME.
not that you need it now - but - had my tank pickup mod'd to 3/8" and used a GM part #5651711 sock filter . seemed to fit fine , just a hair longer i think .
Still appreciate the advice and part number! Tom - too bad you cant cut loose, I'll let you know how I'm making out. And self employment looks so good from my side of the fence! Just goes to show.
Any luck this weekend? I am a 3 hr ride but it was the wife's and my moms b-day weekend. Thier was no way of getting out. Hope the car good and would love to get out thier one day with ya. Nothing would be cooler than a few nailheads side by side.
I did! I wrote it all up under a differnet thread.. take a look. I'd love to have you come out sometime..people go CRAZY over the nailheads.
