Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: jlatessa]
#2641469
04/05/19 09:36 AM
04/05/19 09:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,238 North Central, Indiana
Roughbird72
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,238
North Central, Indiana
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Thankfully and mostly to reading posts on Moparts about building, racing and the do/don'ts on 727s I haven't had any any explosions I'm not sure how I didn't roll a sprag or two in my younger days with some of the stupid **** I use to do.
72 Plymouth Roadrunner 11.08@123.25
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: jlatessa]
#2641483
04/05/19 10:12 AM
04/05/19 10:12 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273 PA.
pittsburghracer
"Little"John
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"Little"John
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,273
PA.
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Hey Pittsburg racer, that accident at Norwalk wasn't 50 years or so ago was it? I was at a similar incident there late 60s/early 70s
Not pretty, I thought I remembered the person dying, but it was a loooooong time ago.
Joe I have been going to Norwalk for a long time but not 50 years (YET). This was back when norwalk was all gravel pits and the left side of the track was a bicycle motocross so in the 1970's somewhere. No one was killed when my buddies (clutchflight) exploded but like I said it was ugly. (one person hurt, one person passed out). This is how Norwalk looked back then.
1970 Duster Edelbrock headed 408 5.984@112.52 422 Indy headed small block 5.982@112.56 mph 9.38@138.67
Livin and lovin life one day at a time
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: dvw]
#2641581
04/05/19 01:47 PM
04/05/19 01:47 PM
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Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 898 Missouri
jwb123
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 898
Missouri
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I started drag racing in 1974, and have raced 5 to 10 events every year since then. I also build transmission for several of the local racers in my area. I have seen eight 727 transmissions blow up while I was at the track at the event. I have built replacements for two transmissions that blew up when I was not at the event. I have seen four turbo 350 chevy's blow up as well, they break a roller clutch going into 2nd gear. I understand how the 727 works, so I drive it the right way, most likely you will never have an issue, but develop a brain fart and boom they will go off, no hype, buy the drum, it's cheaper than all the stuff it will break if it does go, not to mention the doctor bills if it comes inside. Of those eight blow ups I saw three came inside the vehicle, thankfully no one was seriously hurt, one did need to go to the hospital and walked with a cane for several months. The ones that came in the car all had carbon fiber shields, not blankets. I did blow up a flywheel on a 79 dart 4-speed car, and that put the fear of god in me, no manual trans car after, that I owned, did not have a blow proof bellhousing.
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: Azzkikrcuda]
#2641595
04/05/19 02:35 PM
04/05/19 02:35 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,178 Michigan
A727Tflite
master
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master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,178
Michigan
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[quote=Azzkikrcuda] I start all my burn outs in first, doesn't matter what gear you start in, its what gear you come out in that hurts parts. [/quote I’m interested in how you came up with this. Do you have facts?
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: jwb123]
#2641608
04/05/19 03:27 PM
04/05/19 03:27 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,145 Arizona, USA
gsmopar
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,145
Arizona, USA
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I started drag racing in 1974, and have raced 5 to 10 events every year since then. I also build transmission for several of the local racers in my area. I have seen eight 727 transmissions blow up while I was at the track at the event. I have built replacements for two transmissions that blew up when I was not at the event. I have seen four turbo 350 chevy's blow up as well, they break a roller clutch going into 2nd gear. I understand how the 727 works, so I drive it the right way, most likely you will never have an issue, but develop a brain fart and boom they will go off, no hype, buy the drum, it's cheaper than all the stuff it will break if it does go, not to mention the doctor bills if it comes inside. Of those eight blow ups I saw three came inside the vehicle, thankfully no one was seriously hurt, one did need to go to the hospital and walked with a cane for several months. The ones that came in the car all had carbon fiber shields, not blankets. I did blow up a flywheel on a 79 dart 4-speed car, and that put the fear of god in me, no manual trans car after, that I owned, did not have a blow proof bellhousing. I've read similar experiences with the carbon fiber shields. It would be nice if NHRA would allow a blanket on the interior of the car. Sure would be easier than burning straps on the headers.
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: BradH]
#2641914
04/06/19 11:04 AM
04/06/19 11:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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It's been pretty consistent at about 10% responding "Yes" ... And 90% of those yeses were due to doing stupid things like pedaling it when they loose traction
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: BradH]
#2641922
04/06/19 11:20 AM
04/06/19 11:20 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,982 MI, usa
dvw
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,982
MI, usa
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It's been pretty consistent at about 10% responding "Yes" ... I wonder if any of the 1200+ views didn't vote if they blew one up? Doug
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: J_BODY]
#2641997
04/06/19 02:54 PM
04/06/19 02:54 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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The “fear” being spread is not only a possibility, but also preventable. It’s my recommendation that if you’re going to a track with a 727, have a GOOD drum in it. A sheild or blanket would be great too, but job one is getting that stock drum out of the picture. Biggest deal is that ALL the collateral damage this failure can cause. Eliminate the risk!
I still run a stock drum... if people would learn to drive it properly there isnt any issue.. that same stock drum has been in there since I first built the trans.. I have had the trans apart 3 times.. I did break the 8 3/4 once and I checked the sprag.. it was fine but I still replaced it
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#2642054
04/06/19 07:33 PM
04/06/19 07:33 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,227 aZLiViN
J_BODY
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,227
aZLiViN
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How does “learning to drive” play into the rear gear breaking causing the event? Both situations I was present for were seasoned racers. Proper burnout, move to the line, bring up the rpm, green/go/BOOM!! in both of these situations they were foot brake cars so the preload was there. One a high 9 car, the other a 10 sec deal with NOS that wasn’t even used that day. Both 8.75 There is something your stock drum can do that a billet or aluminum can’t. In the event of mayhem you’ll have the chance to see I ran a lightened cross drilled stock drum in the Mirada for many years. I broke a set of gears (8.75 of course) and threw another set in. I was lucky.... to be honest back in the day I didn’t have a clue. Chuck Lofgren was at the track the day my friend blew the floor out of his Challenger. He stopped by and took a look and educated us, matter of fact he pretty much assured us that the gear was broken even though it pushed back and towed back to the pits ok. He was spot on. I still say upgrade that 727 front drum. Cheap insurance. Think of all the bad things that “could” happen that are eliminated by this upgrade.
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: J_BODY]
#2642059
04/06/19 07:50 PM
04/06/19 07:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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One thing that some forget to do is when they get to the line they put the car into neutral and clear the engine then pull it into low without rolling forward about 5 feet.. the rolling forward sets the sprag and takes the slack out
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 04/06/19 07:56 PM.
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Re: 727 explosion poll
[Re: jwb123]
#2642066
04/06/19 08:09 PM
04/06/19 08:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,222 Minn
SportF
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,222
Minn
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I started drag racing in 1974, and have raced 5 to 10 events every year since then. I also build transmission for several of the local racers in my area. I have seen eight 727 transmissions blow up while I was at the track at the event. I have built replacements for two transmissions that blew up when I was not at the event. I have seen four turbo 350 chevy's blow up as well, they break a roller clutch going into 2nd gear. I understand how the 727 works, so I drive it the right way, most likely you will never have an issue, but develop a brain fart and boom they will go off, no hype, buy the drum, it's cheaper than all the stuff it will break if it does go, not to mention the doctor bills if it comes inside. Of those eight blow ups I saw three came inside the vehicle, thankfully no one was seriously hurt, one did need to go to the hospital and walked with a cane for several months. The ones that came in the car all had carbon fiber shields, not blankets. I did blow up a flywheel on a 79 dart 4-speed car, and that put the fear of god in me, no manual trans car after, that I owned, did not have a blow proof bellhousing. "The ones that came in the car all had carbon fiber shields, not blankets" Same deal with a friend, the shield did nothing, and he almost lost his foot. I run a blanket. Run something safety wise.
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