Get to the track yesterday and make two passes pretty much back to back.
First pass 11.94@ 110.71. Second pass 11.96@ 111.80. Just messed with launch rpm a little bit 1500 off the foot on first pass, 2000 on second.
As I am coming back to the pits after the second lap I hear something rattling around under the hood.
The long alternator bolt had backed itself out. Same thing happened 3 summers ago at the track the first time I ever had it out. We had shimmed from the head to the alternator with a stack of washers to line the belt up. I had actually forgotten about that cobble job and never chased down the spacer that belongs there.
Well, I am down. So call my brother who is on his way up to watch me, and have him grab a stack of washers.
Fortunately, the long bolt and the inside spacer were still there. Barely hanging on... Lol
So he shows up, shim it up, and I can't get the bolt started in the head. Almost seems like it's too short. This after about 15 washers sliding off it several times and me cussing about it.
Take a step back, Look at the end of the bolt and it doesn't look right, and there are only 6 or 8 threads on it....... The rest of it is broken off in the head......
I tell my brother that's it for the season, I am saddling up and getting out of here. He won't have any of that. He yanks the alternator out. Electrical tapes the leads around the heater hoses, and tears half the front of the motor off getting the belt off from around the power steering unit. Get the belt off, return the power steering to functionality, and he says go make a pass, I will push you up. Battery in the car isn't the best....
Make a lap and was rewarded by a personal best( by a tiny bit) with this car. 11.790@113.55. The previous best was two years ago at Norwalk at 1000 foot air
Well, that startling difference from the previous two passes( same DA 2350 feet) got me to think about some winter changes.
I have already convinced my wife this car is way Less safe going high 11's than my old car was going high 9's.
With the bench seat I am really crammed into the car both length and height wise. I am 6'5 and the top of my helmet rubs the headliner( barely) even slouched down. And my legs are so folded up, everything from my waist down would be a goner if I ever hit anything with the car. Even at 61 I still value some of the pieces and parts below the waist I have... Lol
So my thought is to make some improvements, get the car out, break 11.50 then have Bondo do me up a moly bar with swing outs because at that point it will be required.
Obviously with that ET difference an electric water pump will be first on the list, and with an electric fan.
Going to ditch the power steering( should have left that off too before that pass) I actually like being able to make bigger steering inputs and have less difference made.... If that makes sense.
Car even on that last pass is just barely getting to 6k at the stripe. Debating between going from current 4.10 gear to 4.30 or 4.56. With this hydralic cam, and little beehive springs, think 4.30 will be the ticket. Even with some new found power, that should keep me 6500 at the stripe or a hair less, which would be perfect.
I also am going to look around for a deal on a used set of the TTI 1 5/8 to 1 3/4 step headers. Car has Cheapo 1 5/8 headers on it and a couple of the plugs are buggers to get out. Maybe some body sooner or later will have a set laying around.
The car also has painted white( to match the color of the car) factory bumpers on it. Won't look any worse with white painted glass bumpers on it.
Couple of race seats and yanking the bench seat out should do it. Forgot..... Plan to upgrade the factory alt to that little 60 amp denso unit. With the water pump and fan, that will be very useful upgrade.
Hoping the above stuff will get it into the 11.40's range. Car will be safer with Bondo bending up a 6 point moly bar with swing outs. And the seats will give me tons of head and leg room. Been there done that with my old car.....
Anyhow, I think I can make this little 318 ET the car a good bit better and make it more safe and fun driving it
The question is....... How long will all the above make me happy...... Wife thinks not real long.... I think I agree with her. Lol

Congrats on the new best. Speed is addicting, and there is no cure. Have fun with it. Before you know it, you will be running a 10.90 car.

New bests are always good Don

Congratulations! Reaching new goals is a blast

How long will all the above make me happy...... Wife thinks not real long....


LOL ------ yep it does not take long to get back to going faster and faster and faster once you get back in the seat and going down the track. Remember YOLO so go for it.

Congrats Don on the new best .

I take it you weren't driving the wp/fan? I still run an alternator, belt driven water pump and fan. I have a 125 amp electric disconnect that I'm thinking about installing, this way I can disconnect the alternator after the burn out and turn back when I'm on the return road.

Correct. I was surprised at the difference. I also had a new carb on the car I suspect isn't as good as the carb I bought with the motor that was used when it was Dyno'ed.
Unfortunately I didn't bring that one to try back to back with this new pro systems 950. Should have.

Congratulations on the new bests. I love new bests as they always push me to reach for new, new bests

Congrats on the new best!

I hear ya on the being cramped up part. I was just sitting in my Duster yesterday in the stock bench seat thinking "This really sucks".

Congrats on the new best and it sounds like you have plan for having a real fast car again in the not so distant future, lol. No one believes how much of a difference that water pump/fan/alternator draw from the car. One thing I want to mention...I'd go w/ more than a 60 amp alternator. If you can get one the same size as you want but in a 90 or 100 amp, you'll be better off.

Lol..........

Zero doubt I should have been a B body guy....... But all I have ever had are Darts, Dusters and Demons

Now buy the blue car back and be done with it your not going to be happy at those et quit trying to kid yourself you like speed

He won't sell it.

congrats on the new best. I agree with Scott

You could always step up to a real engine with some cubes and some heads. Just Saying. I mean come on Don, you only live once! Lol


Rod

Hes going to spend some money on the 318 I think before he calls you Rod

That's alright, sometimes it takes those old folks a little longer to catch on. Lol

Rod

You guys sure are helpful.... Lol
The thing is, good blocks aren't growing on trees these days. I am still kicking myself for not snapping up that virgin 4 bolt X block for the 1300 I could have bought it for.
I just don't have the time anymore to hardly even race. And I will probably croak before I can retire to have the time.
In the mean time I can watch and see what all you crows sitting on the fence are going to build... Lol

very impressive!!

Thanks bud.
Wish I could take credit for the trick little short block the guy I bought it from built for engine masters competition a few years back. 10.44 compression, really thoughtful, attention to detail on things that seem to show up at the track. For what it is. Trick knife edged 340 crank, oiling mods, valve train tricks. Lots of cool little things. And it holds up very nicely. Had the valve covers off it one time in three years. And I didn't need to take them off.
Would love to have this little motor stuffed in a lightweight race car and see what it would do. And a guy behind the wheel half my weight to drive it..... Lol