https://www. facebook.com/southcentraldragracing/photos/a.2051348728290920/2051348841624242/?type=3&theater
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We have been nominated for a 'car of the month' contest. It would be greatly appreciated if those of you with facebook could go to that post and 'like' the photo of our car.

 

Not much in the way of updates. A 58 hour work week pretty much killed the mojo last week, and this week wasn't much better.

I did get the charge and return lines finished for the fuel system, and notched the frame rails for the fuel lines to exit. I have one end of the fuel rail supply done, just need to cut and terminate the other end.

The 90 degree adapter for my dremel and a set of 1-1/4 and 1-1/2 inch carbon blades made easy work of the frame. I shot the openings in primer for now, once I pull the V6 out, I'll clean the cuts up with the carbide bit to reduce the likeliness of cracking. I thought about welding a plate around it, but the heat of the welding may further damage the frame more than just notching the window did.

Block has stayed in the bag while we've been trying to finish the dragster. It should be back together 100% tomorrow and ready to fire by next weekend. I don't mind, I need to recoup some funds anyways. Us education folk don't get paid very much.

The next hat trick will be to connect an 8AN tank fitting, 3/4" filler vent barb, and a 1/4" air line to the charcoal canister. I have a fairly solid idea.

I still need to finish the fuel level sender wiring as well.

Also, PTFE is a steep learning curve. Not the fittings....just the hose.

 

Taking the dragster to the track tomorrow. Truck now runs on the new fuel system. Have a few leaks to work out, and re-plumb the venting system.

 

Dakota engine is now on further hold pending the outcome of this. Need to get the dragster running and tested before starting on mine.


Welp, I'll let the photos tell the story on this one. We think that two 5/16 bolts came loose and caused all this; how two 5/16 bolts is stronger than four 3/8 bolts is beyond us. But with those 2 bolts coming out, it pulled all 4 rockers bolts right out of the head and broke the stand.

 

Reher was able to source a new intake stand, they think they'll have the heads welded and done tomorrow. Might be able to put them on Friday afternoon and head back to the track on Sunday.

Finished plumbing the fuel cell vent on the truck today, also got the bed bolted back on and replaced the fuel rail fitting with one I can trust.

Have a couple small drips off the AN fittings that I need to address, but what I have is progress regardless. Might be able to drive it to the gas station tomorrow.

Having changed the front brakes, front springs, and fuel system all at once, I have no idea what to expect for handling.

 

Been a while since last update. We started on the block last Sunday, starting with grinding and polishing the lifter valley to sterilize it and improve oil drainback. I roughed it in for 2 hours, then dad went in and did all the finesse for another 2 hours. Then today I went through and tapped every thread in the block 3 times each, before we pulled the main girdle and caps off, tapped out those threads, then dad started polishing the main caps. Next up is to start scrubbing and cleaning all the varnish and dirt from the block, hone out all the surfaces, brush it again, then run a strong acid concentrate through the entire block (basically a pressure washer acid bath) to do a final cleaning.

 

Went back out after dinner and put another 2 hours in with the wire wheel and hand brush.

 

Spent all morning putting in another 10 man-hours of work to clean and prep the block, then painted it. About to head to Summit to get more parts.

 

Summit is within driving distance? I'm jealous.

 

Well, I was hoping tonight's report would be that the crank was laid in and final.

It is not so, and I am making the 5-hour-each-way trip to Houston in the morning.

Main bearing clearance is way wide. Stock is .0010 to .0015. Race is .0030 to .0035. We are shooting for .0020 to .0025. The two methods of instrumentation that we have are showing .0050 to .0060. No bueno.