Here is the issue. Our dragster has what can best be described as a "starter" motor in it. It is a 446 with 11-1 compression a set of ported -1's(350cfm nothing crazy) and a small roller in it on E85, also been on gas as well. It is actually the motor for my 68 D100.

Anyway we have been fighting an issue of not being able to get the motor up on the chip in the dragster. It simply wont come up cleanly. It has gotten better but has a weird issue. It will hang up at 3600ish and then climb to the chip RPM of 4600, to get this we have to bring the RPM up to 2200-2500 to get it this good. We have gotten it better with more timing but it is still there. Tried a different converter but no better. The only thing that has helped marginally is more timing. At this point it has more than Id like in it but also shows no signs of detonation yet. We are racing the car this week and just looking for suggestions. Car runs great once it leaves but it has been a pain to get it on the chip to leave.

So I am looking for suggestions> I still feel the converter is a large part of it as this thing makes little power. But it was never built to make a ton of power either. Was just built using stuff I had lying in the garage to get my kids feet wet. But this issue has me perplexed. FWIW it has gone 5.40 126 here in Vegas in a 1900lb dragster so far, so as you can see not a killer piece for sure. Wondering if maybe it is simply to much head flow as well??? Just kinda lost here and I don't like it

Al... check the wires on the dist pick up... try
reversing them and then check your timing(if you
are using the pick up)

Al does it only have this problem on e85? If so does it have enough pump shot?

What's the duration on the roller, Al? Wonder what would happen if you advanced the cam a little...

Does starting line engine temp matter? We had a low comp, chevy 509 with a big roller in an SST car that had to be warm to get up on the chip cleanly.

We have tried everey pump shot from .030-.065 and the issue does not go away. And yes we had the issue in Salt Lake but not as bad on gas. FWIW the DA there was 8000'ish. Last two weeks have been closer to 2500-3000'

MrP Tried that too, although it is simply an MSD billet dizzy. We have had to put in a ton of timing to it and think maybe something has moved there, tab etc cause if I told you what was in it now you would not believe it and neither do I. Just no easy way to check TDC right now to verify what we have found,. And yes we have used three timing lights.

Keep the ideas coming. I am open to any an all ideas for sure. Car is very consistent as is(we have 3 slips last week that were identical to 1000') but aint right either.

Out on a limb here but we had a similar problem once because of a loose chassis ground to the box. Might be worth check.

Billy that is on the list after this weekend, just to hard to get to any of it on the dragster. Never had an issue like this for sure. Car does keep going faster with every change Thing is snappy and fine with no load but just stops at 3600 pretty consistently before heading up to the chip. It is an E85 deal so we have plenty of heat in it we think. It wont really get much over 190, hot the water box at 180 and stage it from there usually close to that 180-190 number. Can tell you the intake and spacer are ICE cold even there and wondering if that might be part of it. But in Salt Lake it did it on gas and it was hovering in the high 90's there.

Have checked all the electrical stuff but will go over all of it again. We think there is easily a 5.20 in the thing. have not even touched jetting etc on the car yet. Kept adding timing as I was conservative to start as it is a stock block deal and it has gotten plenty faster just doing that.

As Just-a-Dart can attest the E85 thing is new to us. We try to keep the thing plenty warm. Not easy when it is in a dragster and the temps are in the low 50's here now. But since we had the issue in Salt Lake with temps in the 90's on gas not sure it is an issue. Maybe be exacerbating the problem but not the cause, at least I don't think so.

Well if it goes faster when you add timing and there
isnt any detonation... add more.. the numbers are wrong
for what ever reason.. just watch the plugs

Will it foot brake? Problem only on the 2 step?

Not sure honestly about the footbrake thing. I did take it to the top end tonight and just stabbed it a couple times and it did not seem thrilled with that either honestly. We have been racing so just dealing with this deal. The car is actually being used by someone else this weekend so tryting not to throw anything else at him, plus it is 5K a day Thur, Friday and 10K Saturday so trying to go some rounds and deal with it.

MrP I agree honestly. It has picked up a bunch with timing and nothing else. We have a BOATLOAD in it by the light but it cannot be correct. All three lights show 48+ degrees in it now. But the plugs don't tell the same story at all. We MAY ad more timing but we are racing now just looking for ideas to try after this deal, once I can verify the issue. IF we can get it ready early enough tomorrow will ad some more for the run for the money deal.

What heat range plug are you using with E85? This has been a tad frustrating to say the least. I want to keep adding timing but a little voice in my head keeps say whoa there

I have been running Autolite AR3933s in my 360-1 headed smallblock with good plug life.

Just watching, I'm new to the E-85 fuel too and still tuning the carb

It's the carb

I am thinking a bad capacitor in the control box causing issues...

It could be the carb, but have to clarify - does it act better or actually perform better (quicker/faster) with all of that timing in it?

If it is faster/quicker with 48º of lead....the plugs are too cold.

Al whats your air to fuel ratio,plug heat range,and plug gap, e85 is a great alternative for higher octane fuel and it has awesome cooling properties.

Al I used the same plugs as gas... I tried 1 step
hotter and didnt change at all.. I also ran 1 to 2
degrees more time on E-85

We all know there is no way it needs 48 degrees. It would definitely be in detonation. I vote for the timing not actually being that far advanced. Marks off? Retarding somehow during the run?
Doug

If I am reading and following the dialogue correctly....he had the same problem on gas - reference post #1958146.

From what I understand here...He is dealing with a compromised combination.

11-1 with aluminum heads and the typical camshaft profile will require a bunch of chamber heat or the glow plug effect of a abnormally hot plug - thus the reason for so much lead.....if in fact it did perform better with 48º (plus) and assuming TDC is accurate.