Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460118
03/02/18 08:38 PM
03/02/18 08:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
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The only thing I would have changed is I would have bought my heads up car while I was younger and my son still lived at home. At my age it’s hard doing a class like that by yourself. It may end up being another bracket car
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460143
03/02/18 09:09 PM
03/02/18 09:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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I would have never started.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460170
03/02/18 09:28 PM
03/02/18 09:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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... would you have made different decisions as far as how you approached racing, or your choice of builds, or... ??? I would have never built and raced a 1970 Baracuda 4 speed with a Hemi in NHRA stock on a 9 inch wide slick I should have weighed that car first as far as how much weight on the front tires and rear tires with me in it It had 2160 Lbs. on the front tires and 1280 lbs. on the rear without me in it back in 1976 before NHRA required the drivers weight in the drivers seat I never raced that car again after weighing it that day That car had a minimum weight of 3440 Lbs. with out the driver after a run back then
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460172
03/02/18 09:32 PM
03/02/18 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 336 Creston, Iowa
340man4ever
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 336
Creston, Iowa
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Dana 60 instead of 8 3/4, Super Sprag, LBA valve body and aftermarket front drum in 727....DAMHIK................
Curator at Adams County Speed Shop
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460185
03/02/18 10:05 PM
03/02/18 10:05 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 472 Minnesota, USA
humpty
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 472
Minnesota, USA
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I would have started racing at a younger age, and learned how to do more on my own sooner like welding, building transmissions and rear ends. Lastly I wish I found this forum sooner!
Last edited by humpty; 03/02/18 10:06 PM.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460216
03/02/18 10:46 PM
03/02/18 10:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,400 Trumbauersville PA
ric3xrt
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,400
Trumbauersville PA
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I would of taken photos of things I built, I wouldn't have taken 8 years off.
Truth has no agenda, but those with an agenda make their own truth. Some of us are so open minded they only see their View
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460232
03/02/18 11:26 PM
03/02/18 11:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096 Australia
ozymaxwedge
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,096
Australia
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When I was 10 years old I was going to the track with my Dad racing his 63 Max Wedge car, about then he was 2 tenths off the Australian A/MP record before he threw the Brooks rods out the side of the block, that was 75/76, 20 years later we got the car back and I found 5.14 gears in the diff !!! What RPM is that ? 120mph 32" tire.
Im no guru but Im sure I could have got that record.
Last edited by ozymaxwedge; 03/02/18 11:29 PM.
1963 Plymouth Max Wedge 1971 Barracuda
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460235
03/02/18 11:39 PM
03/02/18 11:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 326 Alberta
Wookie316
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 326
Alberta
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I would have done more research and chatted with more people before starting a build. Would of went to an aftermarket block out of the gate. Doing those simple things and I’d have enough $ left over to do a second car. That I know for sure.
1971 Plum Crazy Super Bee. 572 World Aluminum block with a Cope 727 & Dana 4.10 out back. 9.88 @ 138 with a 1.35 60 NA. Dialed back to 10.0’s. 4000 lbs with me in it.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460250
03/03/18 12:06 AM
03/03/18 12:06 AM
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 570 UK
rb446
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 570
UK
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Building my 440SP motor with stock pistons and that 290@.050 solid wasn't the ticket, running the 14x32's @4.5psi was no good just because everyone else ran them at that back then, and the 90/10's weren't the best, probably would've done better with some used stock shocks, too much front end rise, apart from that the car still ran well and managed 10.7's with 2.14 906's but I'm sure I could've gone quite a bit quicker today with the same set up just changing those things, at the end of the day my goal was a 9 sec pass which I managed with a small shot of spray so not a bad way to bow out of the sport in 1990.
1969 'Cuda 446ci, best 9.96@133.9 in 1990 1971 340 'Cuda, best 11.01@122.8 in 1987
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: rb446]
#2460252
03/03/18 12:20 AM
03/03/18 12:20 AM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651
Wichita
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I would have spent more money on getting good suspensions and rearends under my cars.
Experimenting with 8 3/4 rears and Superstock springs was an exercise in wallet lightening and not much else.
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460341
03/03/18 03:13 AM
03/03/18 03:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,471 Minnesota
Hemi_Joel
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,471
Minnesota
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I wanted to get my 2 daughters and my son into racing when they were young. My wife was against it, I gave in. Now, I regret that. I should have fought for it. I see family teams at the race track, and it's good thing. My daughters don't like to do anything that I like to do, and vice-versa.
[img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img]31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Sport440]
#2460343
03/03/18 03:36 AM
03/03/18 03:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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I wouldn't of followed any of Brad h.s, engine and car building threads waiting for results that never have happened. Well, since you put it that way... me, either. About 20 years ago I decided I couldn't afford to both stay active in motocross and get back into drag racing as I started going to the track regularly with my Challenger. 20/20 hindsight shows me I made the wrong choice: should have kept the dirt bikes. Overall, the Challenger has been a money pit that's been apart far more years than it's been running. Although I get into the technical stuff because it really does interest me, on a scale of 1 to 10, the satisfaction I've gotten from my car hobby is pretty low... probably a 3, all things considered. But at this point it's what I have, and too much has changed to go in a different direction. So, I'll do what I can to get it back on the street this year and hope to have something else to show for it besides a stack of parts invoices and some dyno test printouts.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460383
03/03/18 10:21 AM
03/03/18 10:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
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I think if I had to start over right now I would probably build a fox body mustang with a gen III hemi in it. I had a mustang for a few years, loved it, loved the aftermarket, but I don't think I could let a ford engine onto my engine stand lol.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340 87 "Chrysler" Conquest
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Bad340fish]
#2460397
03/03/18 11:08 AM
03/03/18 11:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
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In 44 years of racing both on the street and at the strip I have seen a lot of guys come and go. Some guys are always searching for that special trick or gaget to go faster instead of working with what they have. They try this then they try that, selling this to buy that. Worry about cam overlap, dyno trickery, is my oil bad or good. Buy belt drives, vacuum pumps, and fancy timing wheels instead of sticking to track proven distributors on their 9-10-11 second race cars. Hell half that stuff isn’t even needed into the 8 second range. Oh let’s throw a dry sump on it and that will make it really fast. One of our members has tried Old style Hemis, wedges, and now going to gen 3 because we all know that will fix everything. I know some of us enjoy building and tinkering but sooner or later you got to drop the tools, calm down, and go have some dam fun. Most of us will never be the quick kid on the block. Ok I will stop preaching now because I’m kicking around the idea of switching all my cars over to fuel injection so I can start all over and go slower. Have a great weekend
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460411
03/03/18 11:58 AM
03/03/18 11:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,048 The Great White North
RAMM
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,048
The Great White North
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20/20 hindsight shows me I made the wrong choice: should have kept the dirt bikes. Overall, the Challenger has been a money pit that's been apart far more years than it's been running. Although I get into the technical stuff because it really does interest me, on a scale of 1 to 10, the satisfaction I've gotten from my car hobby is pretty low... probably a 3, all things considered.
But at this point it's what I have, and too much has changed to go in a different direction. So, I'll do what I can to get it back on the street this year and hope to have something else to show for it besides a stack of parts invoices and some dyno test printouts. Damn Brad a 3? That's not good. This tells me you're on the wrong path. I feel the same way sort of. To answer you're post/headline question--I would have persued Architecture like I almost did and paid guys like me to live out my Mopar based affliction. J.Rob
2009 PHR\EMC Competitor 2010 PHR\EMC Competitor 2011 PHR\EMC Competitor 2012 PHR\EMC Competitor 2013 PHR\EMC Competitor 2014 HotRod/EMC Competitor 2015 HotRod/EMC NoShow 2016 HotRod/EMC 3rd place SPEC Bigblock 2018 HotRod/EMC 7th place G3
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: tboomer]
#2460432
03/03/18 12:43 PM
03/03/18 12:43 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
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I would have put my 64 Dodge back on the street with a mild 440. I would have never used Brad Penn oil. I would use Brad Penn Oil in my lawnmower. Ohhhhhh 💩
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Dart451]
#2460433
03/03/18 12:44 PM
03/03/18 12:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,830 N.E. Ohio
6bblFLASH
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,830
N.E. Ohio
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I would have bought the AAR Cuda I test drove for 1,500 bucks the same day I bought my current one in 1981.
If I was going to get married at all,should have done it when I was young a stupid,instead of old and foolish at age 44..
Stopped my best friend from being killed by a drunk driver.
70` Cuda`,440 6BBL Jerico,Dana 4.56 Still on 93 Pump Gas 9.87 @ 136/1.31-60ft.`09 Mopar Nationals PASSON PERFORMANCE "Stick-Shift" Champ! 2013 StickShift Challenge Winner@ Mopar Nationals!
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460443
03/03/18 12:56 PM
03/03/18 12:56 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,134 Lost in Time
Iowan
super stock
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super stock
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,134
Lost in Time
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would have never married wife number two and divorced her fifteen years earlier!
Have a great day Iowan
"obsolete is neat"
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: 6bblFLASH]
#2460448
03/03/18 12:59 PM
03/03/18 12:59 PM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,036 bean town ....Ca
WHITEDART
master
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master
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,036
bean town ....Ca
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I would have bought a couple hundred R Bloks..
In the 8s N/A.with Brett miller W8's 5.07 at 133 at 2700lb
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460464
03/03/18 01:28 PM
03/03/18 01:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304 Portland, Oregon
Digger73
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 304
Portland, Oregon
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I wouldn't have wasted time with my first car ( 1965 Chevy Impala SS 427 4spd). That thing was a slug with freeway gears. I went through 3 clutches before I got smart and sold it. Digger73 (Mike)
I live with fear everyday but, sometimes she lets me race!
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Hemi_Joel]
#2460472
03/03/18 01:36 PM
03/03/18 01:36 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554 Mesa , Az
Jambbii
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 554
Mesa , Az
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I wanted to get my 2 daughters and my son into racing when they were young. My wife was against it, I gave in. Now, I regret that. I should have fought for it. I see family teams at the race track, and it's good thing. My daughters don't like to do anything that I like to do, and vice-versa. My kids are the reason I am probably not racing right now... I do take them to the track once in a while.
70 Challenger 1960 Town Wagon P Pump 24v cummins project 06 Mega 3500 Drw 2wd 12 Durango R/T 18 Power Wagon 67 A100
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460475
03/03/18 01:40 PM
03/03/18 01:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,942 Metro Detroit
OUTLAWD
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,942
Metro Detroit
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I would have opened the N2O bottle sooner...and it would be mounted in a fox body...haha
Faster, Faster until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death...
71 Swinger - slowly collecting dust/parts 66 Belv. II - just a streetcar 88 Mustang - turbo LS beater
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460488
03/03/18 02:20 PM
03/03/18 02:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,304 Las Vegas
Al_Alguire
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,304
Las Vegas
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I would have pushed harder to get my son involved driving a car. Would love to say I would have started racing sooner. But we had our kids when we were young so money was not there to even worry about a racecar. Would not trade a racecar for doing things with and for the kids so I am fine with the way things turned out. Really nothing else I would change. Sure would love to have the cash to go run Comp but that aint happening, to old now to start there. Will just keep doing what I have been doing. Afterall I would not be where I'm at if it were not for where I've been
"I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know."
"It's never wrong to do the right thing"
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460510
03/03/18 03:24 PM
03/03/18 03:24 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,675 Mt. Eden Ky.
Hemi Allstate
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,675
Mt. Eden Ky.
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I would have left my car a gasser and just improved that straight axle platform instead of making the car more "Pro Street" with new chassis and full quarters. Then I would be able to race with the "new gasser" crowd. It looks like they are having a lot of fun, and drawing pretty good crowds too. No real regrets changing to the Hemi though. Mark
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460533
03/03/18 04:10 PM
03/03/18 04:10 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,092 Rogue River, OR
Jeremiah
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,092
Rogue River, OR
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I wouldn't of followed any of Brad h.s, engine and car building threads waiting for results that never have happened. Well, since you put it that way... me, either. About 20 years ago I decided I couldn't afford to both stay active in motocross and get back into drag racing as I started going to the track regularly with my Challenger. 20/20 hindsight shows me I made the wrong choice: should have kept the dirt bikes. Overall, the Challenger has been a money pit that's been apart far more years than it's been running. Although I get into the technical stuff because it really does interest me, on a scale of 1 to 10, the satisfaction I've gotten from my car hobby is pretty low... probably a 3, all things considered. But at this point it's what I have, and too much has changed to go in a different direction. So, I'll do what I can to get it back on the street this year and hope to have something else to show for it besides a stack of parts invoices and some dyno test printouts. *and check the oil before you drive it, every time. : )
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: OUTLAWD]
#2460542
03/03/18 04:35 PM
03/03/18 04:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651
Wichita
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I would have opened the N2O bottle sooner...and it would be mounted in a fox body...haha Preparing for that this summer...the Nitrous, not the Fox body! I had one of those ('93 Cobra) and decided it wasn't for me!
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Hot 340]
#2460568
03/03/18 06:27 PM
03/03/18 06:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873 Chicken coop
dustergirl340
Chicken Little
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Chicken Little
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 22,873
Chicken coop
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I would have never listened to a car show guy/non racer's advice on anything car related. Not Anything. Nor would I have ever picked up a magazine written by the same type. So expensive to UN-learn. Non-racers. Who endlessly brag about their car, friend's cars, and cars they don't even own...but everything you own is crap. If they go to a race they never participate, only spectate...but they come to my pit area (usually when I'm busy) and tell me what I'm doing wrong. They all have 9, 10 and 11 second cars that you never see at the track but they still get faster every year. And if you ask to see a timeslip they "lost" it. What would I change? Nothing as of yet. My husband and I are still having a blast. Still learn more every year. I do appreciate advice from real racers...you guys rock.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: dustergirl340]
#2460590
03/03/18 07:38 PM
03/03/18 07:38 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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I would have never listened to a car show guy/non racer's advice on anything car related. Not Anything. Nor would I have ever picked up a magazine written by the same type. So expensive to UN-learn. Non-racers. Who endlessly brag about their car, friend's cars, and cars they don't even own...but everything you own is crap. If they go to a race they never participate, only spectate...but they come to my pit area (usually when I'm busy) and tell me what I'm doing wrong. They all have 9, 10 and 11 second cars that you never see at the track but they still get faster every year. And if you ask to see a timeslip they "lost" it. I think I've met those people also at the races I've also met and got to know a lot of good Mopar racers at the track, also met some not so good competitors that raced other brands that like to play mind games and one upmanship I loved whupping them guys
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460593
03/03/18 07:56 PM
03/03/18 07:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,160 Texas
dannysbee
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,160
Texas
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If I knew what I know now my street car would have been in the low 10's instead of the low 11's in 1977.
Getting old just means you were smarter than some and luckier than others.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460596
03/03/18 08:00 PM
03/03/18 08:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540 Milwaukee WI
TRENDZ
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,540
Milwaukee WI
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Not to add anything to the car without lightening it in some manner. Don’t add anything that isn’t needed to go faster. Spend more time using the power you have instead of making more power to waste through an untuned chassis.
"use it 'till it breaks, replace as needed"
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: dustergirl340]
#2460601
03/03/18 08:14 PM
03/03/18 08:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,070 Big Western Pencilveinya
Uncle Barry
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,070
Big Western Pencilveinya
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I would have never listened to a car show guy/non racer's advice on anything car related. Not Anything. Nor would I have ever picked up a magazine written by the same type. So expensive to UN-learn. Non-racers. Who endlessly brag about their car, friend's cars, and cars they don't even own...but everything you own is crap. If they go to a race they never participate, only spectate...but they come to my pit area (usually when I'm busy) and tell me what I'm doing wrong. They all have 9, 10 and 11 second cars that you never see at the track but they still get faster every year. And if you ask to see a timeslip they "lost" it. What would I change? Nothing as of yet. My husband and I are still having a blast. Still learn more every year. I do appreciate advice from real racers...you guys rock. Wow, ain't this the truth! I always like it when they tell you that you don't know how to drive and then proceed to tell you that they would show you how it's done! I've even had one of these types tell me I just need to go out there and wreck my car so I'd know how to drive! (True story)... But back to the thread, I wish I built my hemi alot sooner in life, back when my dad was still living. He would of had a blast I'm sure. He got a kick out of the many 340's we had!
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: RAMM]
#2460637
03/03/18 10:39 PM
03/03/18 10:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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20/20 hindsight shows me I made the wrong choice: should have kept the dirt bikes. Overall, the Challenger has been a money pit that's been apart far more years than it's been running. Although I get into the technical stuff because it really does interest me, on a scale of 1 to 10, the satisfaction I've gotten from my car hobby is pretty low... probably a 3, all things considered. Damn Brad a 3? That's not good. This tells me you're on the wrong path... It's the law of averages... a handful of enjoyable years mixed in with a lot where I'd tell my wife that I was ready to roll it (or carry it in pieces) out to our cul de sac and set it on fire just to be DONE with it.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460660
03/03/18 11:41 PM
03/03/18 11:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247 Mt. Vernon, Ohio
dartman366
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,247
Mt. Vernon, Ohio
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I would of taken the offer my dad gave me and let him pay for the college education in mechanical engineering and payed him back,instead I decided to work a number of meanial job's and squeek out a living for the last 40 years.
Light travels faster than the speed of sound,,,this is why some people seem bright untill you hear them speak.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: dartman366]
#2460676
03/04/18 12:33 AM
03/04/18 12:33 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,984 Anoka County, MN
Leigh
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,984
Anoka County, MN
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I would of taken the offer my dad gave me and let him pay for the college education in mechanical engineering and payed him back,instead I decided to work a number of meanial job's and squeek out a living for the last 40 years. This. I made the mistake of being in a profession, that produced pay cuts the last 10 years before retirement. ALWAYS talk young people out of a dealership automotive career.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460690
03/04/18 01:09 AM
03/04/18 01:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591 Canton, Ohio
Sport440
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,591
Canton, Ohio
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20/20 hindsight shows me I made the wrong choice: should have kept the dirt bikes. Overall, the Challenger has been a money pit that's been apart far more years than it's been running. Although I get into the technical stuff because it really does interest me, on a scale of 1 to 10, the satisfaction I've gotten from my car hobby is pretty low... probably a 3, all things considered. Damn Brad a 3? That's not good. This tells me you're on the wrong path... It's the law of averages... a handful of enjoyable years mixed in with a lot where I'd tell my wife that I was ready to roll it (or carry it in pieces) out to our cul de sac and set it on fire just to be DONE with it. When you finally get that car back together, as you should and its ready. That scale number should jump to about 9 or 10 or so. You've done great research, put her together.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Sport440]
#2460717
03/04/18 02:22 AM
03/04/18 02:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,763 Walton's Mountain, Pa
Steve1118
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,763
Walton's Mountain, Pa
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Although things have gone good, and I've been doing this since 1969, to be brutally honest I would not have spent so much time hitting the sauce when I was younger. I had a drinking problem, and upon retrospect it cost me. I've often wondered just how well I would have done if I had worked harder, rather than party as much. It's been 20 years, since I've had a drink, but, honestly, If I knew then what I know now, it would have been different.....
Last edited by Steve1118; 03/04/18 02:24 AM.
"Old age and treachery trumps youth and enthusiasm, every time!" East Central Director / Chrysler Power Magazine www.reasbeckracing.webs.com
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Steve1118]
#2460723
03/04/18 02:48 AM
03/04/18 02:48 AM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,036 Mooresburg, Tn
'72CudaRacer
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,036
Mooresburg, Tn
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In 1976, when looking for my first car, I had to pass up a Dodge Charger Daytona AND a Plymouth Superbird, both with a big blocks, one with a 4 speed. $5000 for either one, both just average used condition (sitting on used car lot). I didn't have much money and wound up buying a 1973 Barracuda, 318 auto. At that time,I was looking for a car to drive to work, not a hotrod. I kept (and drove) that car until 1999, then sold it to someone who restored to real nice. On a side note, at the time (1976) I was renting a house with 3 other guys and the drive way was WAY cool. My Barracuda, a 196? Dodge R/T, a 1970 Chevelle SS 396 and a 1969 Ford Torino Talladega. The other thing I would have done back then would be buy a aftermarket block or two when they were available, even if I had to borrow the money to buy them. Hind sight and fore sight...
Brian
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460919
03/04/18 03:06 PM
03/04/18 03:06 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,417 Martinsville, IN
cdwmotorsports
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,417
Martinsville, IN
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Lol I wouldve bought up A-body rearends and sold them today to pay off my house.
eBay-cdwmotorsports
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2460974
03/04/18 05:10 PM
03/04/18 05:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,843 Pattison Texas
CSK
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,843
Pattison Texas
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For me the list is long, NEVER get married is at the top.
1968 Charger COLD A/C Hilborn EFI 512ci 9.7 compression, Stealth heads, 4.10 gear A518 ODtrans 4100lb,10.93 full street car trim 2020 T/A 392 Stock 11.79 @ 114.5
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: CSK]
#2461009
03/04/18 06:04 PM
03/04/18 06:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,963 new jersey usa
11secdart
master
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master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,963
new jersey usa
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Married my wife of 30 years sooner rather than date for 7 years, should have lived together ( she had her own apt for years) rather than live at home. I have owned my Dart for 35 years in that time I was most successful when the car ran in the 11s ( it still does on a stop) I wasted over 20 years trying to run Pro/Heavy against 9 second cars running mid 10s and trying to go faster, I should have just stayed in the 11s. P.S. IMO i like Brad Penn my last motor ( 363 W2 heads , 590 lift mech. cam, !!.5 to 1 comp. on race gas) had over 1100 runs on it and is still good as new inside.
Last edited by 11secdart; 03/04/18 06:05 PM.
68 Dart 410 / 904 92 D150 original owner 21 Ram 1500 Quad Cab, Big Horn , Hemi ,4x4 23 Audi Q5 16 Honda HRV
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2461058
03/04/18 07:39 PM
03/04/18 07:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,005
Tulsa OK
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I do agree on keeping a car running. Taking them down for extensive work can turn into a blackhole of never finished pretty quick. There is things done on my car that I would have liked to do nicer but it would have taken way more time and money. Having the car running and driving makes it easy to stay focused and nibble away at things.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340 87 "Chrysler" Conquest
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: racerx]
#2461063
03/04/18 07:42 PM
03/04/18 07:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212 Minnesota
peabodyracing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,212
Minnesota
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Took me way too long to learn to short shift 1st gear running a 4 speed and rely on the torque rather than twist the big block so bad. It should not have survived my stupidity.
Lead, follow or get the hell out of the way
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: cgall]
#2461151
03/04/18 09:37 PM
03/04/18 09:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439 Val-haul-ass... eventually
BradH
OP
Taking time off to work on my car
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OP
Taking time off to work on my car
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,439
Val-haul-ass... eventually
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One thing I do right is the opposite of BradH, I will never tear down my car unless I have everything in place to get it running. That's a great approach, assuming you have a spare engine, trans, differential, etc., waiting to swap in when you hurt something. Otherwise, I don't see how you can avoid down time while you tear stuff apart to determine what needs to be repaired before it can go back together.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2461177
03/04/18 10:12 PM
03/04/18 10:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457 Washington
madscientist
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,457
Washington
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One thing I do right is the opposite of BradH, I will never tear down my car unless I have everything in place to get it running. That's a great approach, assuming you have a spare engine, trans, differential, etc., waiting to swap in when you hurt something. Otherwise, I don't see how you can avoid down time while you tear stuff apart to determine what needs to be repaired before it can go back together. That was my plan back in 2104. I had another transmission and had a deal for another engine so I could do the second engine and gearbox up and just swap it. My friend died and the whole deal was set back and took me almost 3 years to fix all the crap.
Just because you think it won't make it true. Horsepower is KING. To dispute this is stupid. C. Alston
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: BradH]
#2461377
03/05/18 10:17 AM
03/05/18 10:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
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This game can kick you in the wheels sometimes. I made one small change last year and did one stupid mistake. I lost probably 10 race weekends over it and was so pissed off I could eat nails. In the end it made my car way better and taught me how to build my own transmissions but wow what a way to go about it. I wish I could say I will never do anything that stupid again but I won’t take that bet.
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.42@138.27
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: pittsburghracer]
#2461384
03/05/18 10:54 AM
03/05/18 10:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,406 Weatherford, Texas
RapidusMaximus
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,406
Weatherford, Texas
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To keep it racing related...if I knew then what I know now in 1985 I WOULD NOT sell a 68 Super Bee, give the 3500 I got for it, wheels, tires, and a 70 model Duster body to a place called Custom Auto Works in Waxahachie, TX to build me a Super Gas Car...who then approx. 3 months later closed their doors, went out of business, disappeared with my money, car, tires and wheels...it was a year long nightmare hunting the owner down...but I found him...
1968 Plymouth GTX 1974 Dodge P/U Long Bed Stepside 318 2019 Ram 2500 6.4, auto, 4WD
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: RapidusMaximus]
#2461408
03/05/18 12:13 PM
03/05/18 12:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651 Wichita
GY3
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 4,651
Wichita
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To keep it racing related...if I knew then what I know now in 1985 I WOULD NOT sell a 68 Super Bee, give the 3500 I got for it, wheels, tires, and a 70 model Duster body to a place called Custom Auto Works in Waxahachie, TX to build me a Super Gas Car...who then approx. 3 months later closed their doors, went out of business, disappeared with my money, car, tires and wheels...it was a year long nightmare hunting the owner down...but I found him... Can we hear more of this story?!
'63 Dodge 330 11.19 @ 121 mph Pump gas, n/a, through the mufflers on street tires with 3.54's. 3,600 lbs. 10.01 @ 133mph with a 250 shot of nitrous an a splash of race gas. 1.36 60 ft. 3,700 lbs.
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: GY3]
#2461427
03/05/18 12:47 PM
03/05/18 12:47 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,406 Weatherford, Texas
RapidusMaximus
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,406
Weatherford, Texas
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To keep it racing related...if I knew then what I know now in 1985 I WOULD NOT sell a 68 Super Bee, give the 3500 I got for it, wheels, tires, and a 70 model Duster body to a place called Custom Auto Works in Waxahachie, TX to build me a Super Gas Car...who then approx. 3 months later closed their doors, went out of business, disappeared with my money, car, tires and wheels...it was a year long nightmare hunting the owner down...but I found him... Can we hear more of this story?! It could be a whole thread by itself, but briefly...I was really hot to run Super Gas in a well built full chassis Duster, found a really clean 70 Duster rolling shell, sold my 68 Bee, bought wheels and tires and headed to a race car shop in Arlington called Paul Peyton's race cars, I had used them before and had good luck...well they were over booked and down to one employee at the time so they told me about this "other shop" but didn't know much about it. So...I drove out there met the guys, nice shop, lots of cars in work...sweet, made a deal to bring the Duster back the next weekend, they wanted a 3500 deposit to get started and I left my wheels and tires there for fitment purposes. Everything seemed to be going off without a hitch until I got a call late one night from an employee telling me that he just overheard the owner trying to sell my wheels and tires and that I should come see what's going on??? So...the following Saturday morning I made the 3 hour drive out there to find the shop locked up, nobody around anywhere...neighbor saw me looking in the windows and told me they had moved everything in the middle of the night 2 days prior...gone....vanished...no contact info, no forwarding address, no new business location...took me about a year to find him through 1985 type PI investigation, by then he had filed bankruptcy...my money, Duster body, and wheels and tires were never found, in the end only thing I got to do was clean out his storage building which contained a set of Chevy bolt pattern 14" wide rear wheels and tires and a welded together Chevy Vega ladder bar, strut chassis that was bare and this was after I showed up at his new job making threats that could have gotten me thrown in jail. I think I got 1500 for everything I carried off that day...without a doubt the worst deal I ever got into....
1968 Plymouth GTX 1974 Dodge P/U Long Bed Stepside 318 2019 Ram 2500 6.4, auto, 4WD
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: Jambbii]
#2461449
03/05/18 01:31 PM
03/05/18 01:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,443 Northern N.J.
hemi_doug
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,443
Northern N.J.
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I wanted to get my 2 daughters and my son into racing when they were young. My wife was against it, I gave in. Now, I regret that. I should have fought for it. I see family teams at the race track, and it's good thing. My daughters don't like to do anything that I like to do, and vice-versa. My kids are the reason I am probably not racing right now... I do take them to the track once in a while. LOL...My kid is the reason why I AM racing now....well she's racing, I'm wrenching and paying....how's that work anyhow?...lol.
71 440-6 4spd & 69 Hemi 4spd
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Re: If you knew then what you know now...
[Re: hemi_doug]
#2461485
03/05/18 02:39 PM
03/05/18 02:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada
RUNCHARGER
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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I'd have to say I wouldn't have sold my 64 Race car when I got married expecting to get back into it. Looking back I would have bought a roller at that time rather than plan on building another car.
Sheldon
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