Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Great news received today and none other than a very dear friend and his son will both also be out for the weekend to test in Las Vegas, and am very much looking forward to reconnecting after much too long a time. Though we only live an hour or so away from each other, we have not seen each other in many a moon (like 26-27 yrs.), and though I have seen both John and Jon Irving in recorded interviews many times over the years, the last time Jon was a small boy.

Looking forward meeting the man he has grown into, and as always great father/son class racing duo and fellow Mopar lovers.

I have a lot of testing (and planned tinkering), to do yet on Friday, as it will be the first quarter mile passes on both the (hopefully much improved), car and I (after 2.5 decades plus away), have not raced personally at The Strip in Las Vegas since it was just 2 lanes (hey the left hand wall is still left intact, but that is all that is familiar), and the tree wasn't LED bulbs yet, but old style flood lights.

It however, would be really cool, (once I am back in the groove at least, and get reacquainted with the tree and find a decent spot), if we can possibly find our way to breaking out the old numbering tools and going side by side on the big end once or twice before the brackets start Saturday/Sunday.

I am positive both of them can teach me some lessons on both ends of the track.

At least I am somewhat acclimated to 100 plus temps by now, and no rain is in the forecast! (Just 2 more sun rises until the re-debut of another slow sled). Then the real work begins anew.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

The build is still ongoing but first Quarter Mile Shakedown, ring seating & some bracket fun:

Now that I have almost recovered from my first outing in Las Vegas with my Wife of 35 years, after a layoff of 25 plus yrs. (a couple of very hot bright and Sunny L.V. Days), in much worse air than I wanted (corrected elevation wise at least), and understanding that this was my very first real 1/4 mile shakedown of a brand new rebuild (that is not fully finished yet, the rings are not even seated yet (24 miles on the trip-o-meter since May 18, 2023, and there were things to find out about, and improvements to be made just to get back to square 1 first, take it slow, do not ruin the future chasing things that are not going to be fixed at the track, just seat those rings into those freshly bored and honed cyl's, work on finding the spot on the tree that you have never raced on in your life (this was after a 25 yr. layoff), my very first time on Friday in my life, going at an LED Tree folks. (And it is a very different world, as I loved incandescent Flood Light Trees!) They are different. Then Sure Start (I miss those lil' yellow bulbs), yeah I'm old. As I actually miss the 5 amber, 5/10ths tree too.

Friday was strictly a Test-n-Tune day & saying hi to some very old friends (spent most of it just attempting to get the timing back right to where it was at the prior 1/8 mile Legal Street race outing in May after doing a lot the past few months. I think it is within 3 degrees (but not quite yet there). Took big swings both ways, and ended in the center. 1 Street tire pass then a switch to the slicks, had added a lot of weight to the car, the air stinks, the conditions felt higher than Denver, and the car is rock slow, converter changes are definitely in order (waaaaay too tight), am working on that this week while recovering along with a few other things I knew would make the car slower (But Saturday/Sunday are 2 Bracket Races!)

Late night chasing around attempting to find a sit-down decent meal at a place that is actually serving food still in the cool.

The Tree:

It took some time (Deep Red 2 passes on Friday), Deep Green 2 Passes on Saturday...Hmmm, um an .082 really junk, but at least I am going the right direction now on last time trial before the Saturday Bracket program begins... I have a spot in mind now, we will see how that will work out, staring at 1 single LED is not anywhere as easy as the many variables that an incandescent Flood light offers. But I will get this. Everything in it's time.

To begin with, here is my (I broke the car), parts list for the weekend...

Loading the Luggage in the hatch of the car after it is on the trailer (at home still), I reach up to pull the hatch closed, and the Dodge Pentastar emblem comes off in my hand as I am closing the hatch, not broken, just some 2 sided tape will fix that next week.

Friday night, headed over for the 2nd and last pass after switching to FWD slicks, pull into the lanes, put it in park, and later as they pull us forward, I cannot get the car out of park. Oh sure, I changed the shifter cable, but have not found the Quarter Stick ratchet or B&M shifter in the (PRN321) pattern for the A413 TF yet that I am looking for, so if anyone has 1 hanging around doing nothing, and are willing to part with it for a reasonable price, and it is in good shape please give me a holler! (Thank you Greg Hogue in Texas, as he just recently pulled a shifter out of his 84' Daytona Turbo model that is the same type T-handle he is not using anymore for his FWD Stocker build, and is sending me a new (old) T-shifter handle).

And at least the button still worked, still had both park lock and the reverse lockout, so outside of the lane delay and looking foolish for a half hour or so, I could still race!

And lastly, after everything is over on Sunday, loading the car with things I will need in the future, as my car is "thanks to some fantastic & great friends" staying somewhat locally, & me moving a bit too fast around very old brittle plastic car parts...I break a seat belt Trim pc. on the passenger side (I have 2 now on the way already shipped to me via e-bay), but they are black and will get a coat or 2 of Gray paint to match the interior!

I call that highly embarrassing on the center 1 (that 1 happened not on track, or in the pits but as soon as I pulled into the lanes (and a lot of cars lined up behind me). Ever get your car stuck in Park, and you cannot get it out of Park? Try it holding people (it felt like everyone), up while they are pulling your lane (while many came to my aid, attempting to help rock it out of gear, we were fighting a losing war (the shifter handle broke inside, and the pcs I found out shortly were jamming the shifter Park/Reverse Lockout Detent Rod- but not pressing downward (just jammed on 2 sides).

And had done so perfectly timed, while my wife had left with the truck and all the tools (except the ones I changed the tires with), to do some much needed errand runs (get more water, pick me up some trans fluid, ck. into the hotel, grabbed us a small amount of fast food to make it until dinner later, etc.)...Important stuff. (I just needed a small flat blade or phillips screwdriver, not a single 1 in the car).

I never did eat that McD's meal she brought back as it was stone cold by the time I got back to the pits after fixing the car and they pulled the lanes again. It was like 2 hrs. later...Ergo the late-night dinner later near midnight to 2 AM.

I got lucky, they stopped pulling our lane, and I had fewer people to wave around me and someone was very kind on a bicycle with a pit nearby to retrieve a small screwdriver for me. Thank You! I really appreciated that kindness.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Saturday AM (on like 3 hrs. sleep, Jr's are running late, as they started at 8:00 AM (I have decided there is no fighting the track or the car attempting to chase speed today at over 6K' plus corrected elevation, cannot change the converter situation here period, and adding more fuel at this point...still running through the stock Inj. and FP Reg., will make bad things worse, not better if I step up to adjustable FPR and a +60 Injector and increase much above the 40PSI I am already spraying in this junk air, why dirty up good plugs).
Just put it in D, go slow, really slow...and concentrate on the tree, your E.T incremental(s), make it as consistent as you can, find out what makes it happiest, and gather the data for later. I don't even know yet what this new rebuilt engine likes. (I find that out later, cold is fast, the opposite of back in 97' when it had to be warm or it wouldn't run at all).
It is Bracket Race Day. Big heavy breakfast, so the light is still going to be slow early, just creep up on it...FIND THAT MUCH NEEDED SPOT! (And when you do, memorize it, burn it into your much older brain!)
Test and Tune session #2 (added Trans fluid, zero other car changes). Deep green but slowly finding my way slowly downward (and the incremental(s) are looking pretty good, as long as I keep everything even and the same, then on to Starting the Bracket program (2 T.T's. and Elims., and that is where the .082 comes 2nd T.T., light is still Junk (I ate half the Subway Sandwich my wife brought me back from another errand run, DO NOT eat that other half, the food will be digested), oh did I mention by this time after 2 hot days in the Vegas sun I could float a boat with all the hydrating I have been doing, inside, outside...drinking water by the gallon, but really glad that I had SPF 50 spray slathered on, no sunburn and am having a blast!
Time for First Round I finally get to Race someone and play a top end game hopefully side-by side in the lights at the stripe! (I have been savoring the moment I lived for decades ago!)

Ok, that went umm, not so well, then why am I so happy (my first rnd. leave, a hold your breath type, you just know that was the spot, deep breath held as leaving, and will it be green?) Nope -.007 on the wrong side of the tree, but I found it! And I know exactly how to adjust to it! (The good, the bad, and the ugly, no excuses, all wrapped into 1, and I was smiling (over my first loss in many years), at least until I saw the opposing .732 R.T. w/ a W in his column. Ouch, that hurt for a second, but I know where my spot really is on Day 2! I have wondered all summer just how long it would take me learning this LED Tree, it looks different on video, and feet are different than a thumb leave on a practice tree.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Day 3 Sunday the Jr's running late again -they started at 8:00 AM again.

But it is warm, not as hot, but sprinkling a little occasionally, not really wet, and breezy to windy (at least the sun is not frying us, but the air is actually worse). 1 T.T. in after 2 Bagels and Philly Cream cheese piled high and coffee, lights again will be slow even after recovering the spot I found last night w/ the stomach this full, and I was right first pass. But, the E.T is right where I figured it would be, and it is getting quite (albeit slow the way I am driving it), predictable for bracket racing in Sportsman.
We get the call for the second T.T. and we pull into the lanes for T.T. #2, then we will get to Elims. That leaves another hr. plus for more digestion of that heavy breakfast). They start to pull our lanes, my old friend John Irving is over there a bit in front in the right lane, I am in the left, but we are not matched up, it is only T.T. #2, and as the 1st pair of cars get up to the Tower Tunnel, my car is at the perfect temp to repeat the incremental(s) & raindrops are falling from the sky! Bigger ones this time, and my hood and windshield are actually wet, John comes over and says, you can run in this sprinkle can't you?...Like getting on the freeway onramp I say. We chatted a little...

Track goes quiet of course, not enough rain to wash us out, it will dry quickly, a few minutes go by and the light rain(just a few sprinkles), stops, and then the announcement comes (They want to get the program in today, get everyone on the road home at a decent hour), they have made a decision, so we are doing away with T.T. #2, will pull the potential bye out from best R.T. from T.T. #1 instead of T.T. #2, and they will pair us up and send us out for Round #1 of the Bracket. (another friend I knew back in the day, Paul Wong earned the Bye again, and ooops, he is up on the left up front...I get my wish from the other day (if you read my postings above), John and I get to play shoe polish games...That paired us up! (And we both give each other the thumbs up!) That was not planned, it was just fate.
My car is dead cold again by now, I am closer to the tunnel, and am dialed for the guy behind him. (No matter what, this is going to be fun...It is the very first actual side by side in the lights game I have learned & loved to play since the Mid 70's (and I have not played in the last quarter of a century), all I need to do is be green to have any chance at all. Red again and it is over.

It was both fate and fitting and I will not go any further than to say, my light was green, I was in D, so watched his light go green, and used 1 mirror, then the other mirror, then over the right shoulder right down to the stripe, I lifted a car from the stripe, did not hit the brakes (due to the prior light & short shower, just not smart to do w/ FWD slicks), and I did not trim the stripe close enough, and knew it immediately, I saw his win light flash on and to myself said double breakout. It was, and it was fun, but my weekend was over.

Win or lose I had a blast, now back to concentrating on making the car faster. (It is still a work in progress, gained a lot of data in one weekend, 9 total passes in (a dozen total on the car now), and know a few more things I need to do, plus change the oil.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

TY John & Jon, you guys are great, and Paul it was great to see you even from a distance, as you were always hogging up (hard earned though via closest R.T.), that potential bye parking spot brother! Lol. (The Las Vegas Raceway Staff were as friendly as ever! TY also, and everyone else was very friendly also...We are glad to be back!)

I forgot to list the best part...

John and his crew again went deep into eliminations, and even had the kind of light I was working for (but missing, as Rome wasn't built in a day), all weekend (only on the good side of the tree), secret agent man, at least 1 of us won something! So, that made it a whole lot easier to digest, as it usually does. They have a hard working team. Great job to all the winners.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

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Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Ok, after a couple of weeks of deep reflecting, and a full review of 26-30 yr. old data (and the limited, but very reliable new data and results, and looking at what works, and what does not yet fully efficiently work), fully realizing that this is not a new project, but a long delayed very old project, with just a lot of recent well done hard earned & fairly expensive improvements and changes). Changes are in order.
Looking at those changes each independently and together as a whole, and a dozen or so avail. quick or time/expense avail. options (like can the converter be loosened up enough to make use of the existing cam I installed work, or will it take a new 1?) Yes it can be loosened up quite a bit says the mfg., based on the as built and originally adjusted, vs. the originally designed as build, as it was originally actually tightened up for the situation of the old combo, before it was sent to me when purchased (there is room said Turbo-Action, w/ a week turnaround after they receive it in hand), but if the trans. is dropped out now, it will also get fully freshened at the same time.
Those are offseason changes, as are the brake conv,. and a Holley system/and/or data logger. (There are still 3 avail. Div. 7 races left in this season).
The old data suggests that the car is a flat out currently a turtle in the first 60'-80' or more feet (like 7/10ths. slower in the first 60', slightly more in the 330', and even a bit more to find in the 660', than it was before all the recent changes and improves were completed, and I took everything I thought I would need to the track except of course the next lower lift cam or that would already have been installed/tested. (All of the above was in advance, as far as the cam change, was fully expected, no reason to chase fast numbers just ring seating on a fresh build, and testing. (It worked just as expected). And I knew a big stick (with tons of overlap and duration), was going to kill the bottom end but turn out RPM (7,000 RPM though and that real Stocker sound were both real surprises though). The Power brakes have to go, and the converter has to be loosened a lot to get out of it what it needs, as it originally set and held a 2.2L Truck stick record in the Mid 2000’s (both ends), and I installed it in an automatic platform. So, I did not expect it to be ideal without some further changes as it does not even begin to build any vacuum at all until it reaches 3,200 RPM (Power Brakes take 18-24”).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

The chassis changes are right, it hooks correctly, is consistent at the tree (even though I am not yet, I do have a very good idea of where my spot is/should be now), & has almost zero rear squat now, and the front comes up just about level (no wasted porpoise' or dolphin like rear squat action that just delays R.T.'s on an FWD application, and it squirts out forward reliably and as envisioned when tweaking it to do just that), and it (the lack of current bottom end), is almost all due to the extreme cam change I went with, and installed after the engine rebuild to find out if it is what the former owner said it was…it is exactly what he said it was.It will be sent out to a grinder for duplicating immediately after Bakersfield since it is a 1 off custom part (and it will be back in the car soon enough), to start break-in ring seating under power, and testing with (a 1 off custom but legal part I found online at a really great price, and I love how it sounds with the much higher overlap & duration (like a stocker should), just not how it works with everything else right now & quite yet.

But, once it comes into the power band for that cam, and the converter working together with it, for a ”slow ride" slow sled at least, it flat comes alive & starts screaming out the back end for a tiny 2.2L/135 cu. inches, compared to the past 660' to 1,320' data numbers (if looking at the incremental differences only), and I have a mid-ling slightly lower lift, much less overlap, and duration cam (or 3 sitting back home on the shelf, I think the only things I did not load up and take to Las Vegas with us were the other 3 cams I had on the shelf, or it would already have been changed after the very 1st quarter mile test pass that Friday), & 1 of those is the specific cam that I took out once the head returned much improved from GA, that was last run (on the track at least), in 95'-97' (it was last run in competition @ just 35 total lbs. car and driver combined wt. lighter, but the short block and valve train & other head improves, pistons/ring replacements, and balancing, etc. should net a lot more, if I just take one step back and do a quick cam swap and dial it in at just 3 degrees adv. (where it was last run), which will also restore the vacuum currently missing in the P.B. application, and allow the existing converter to work properly again for the P.B. system, which should/will restore the bottom end, and a bit higher stage stall should be restored.

A very low HP app. @ 99 HP/ factored at 105 Auto combo at least (that 6HP & 6+ percent hit, requires me to carry around an extra 150 lbs, over much lower wt. competition in the same class at least), does not get you very far once you start playing around and take it out of the best (much earlier), power band sweet spot, without making the higher RPM leave choices avail. to get it to move the necessary weight involved earlier and more efficiently (no matter how much I moved that weight around to pushing instead of pulling, it still needs to quickly get rolling much earlier to begin with).

That pretty simple (cam swap), decision is already made, and required ASAP (Monday), along with adding back the adj. fuel pressure regulator and the +60 percent single point injector into the new throttle body (Also Monday), as it was last raced, since the new (first cut ever on that head), valve job and the newer and better valve train components are making it breathe and operate a lot better than it used to, and the 660' through 1,320 numbers reflect that if taken in increments instead of the overall start to finish line E.T./MPH numbers show.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I have also just started collecting the necessary parts and pcs., and making a plan to convert the P.B. system to manual (improve the overall braking by adding the Mopar SLH II or SLH III Brake Upgrades), and that along with the complete Converter change or loosening (up to the point of as loose as possible, without affecting the overall efficiency of the converter, and a refresh of the transaxle are all in order in November which will allow a switch back (or re-step up, to allowing the cam in it now, to be used again in the near future once (and that 1 off custom ground Reed Cam's pc - Sadly John Reed formerly located in Georgia is no longer with the rest of us on the planet as he passed away after grinding cams for 35 years, in a tragic crash of his own private plane back in the late 90's), in the meantime can be measured cadded, copied, and a cam card made/ maybe even a new grind based off that also, without the extremes using newer and latest cam grinding techniques/options and technology not yet avail. back before the early 2000's), once all that is accomplished and in place (Testing will be necessary to see if theory matches reality, but a lot easier to test 60' leaves repeatedly vs full 1,320' runs).

I know what it is doing now after 90'-100' out. (Flat waking up instantly as it reaches peak torque numbers! - That 1st hundred feet though is nowhere near the same, and finding a happy medium between the 2 will be a final goal) Just moving those numbers back down to where they were before, will help to restore the bottom end and E.T./MPH.
If I can just get it to leave like that initially, then we are on to something! It just takes a little time, money, and perseverance, but mostly patience and the hard work, and track time to accomplish, that I cannot afford at the moment. (Grade points, seat time, practice at the tree and top end games experienced again, are the current goal, the rest is just frosting on the cake). And we will slowly creep up on the "just how far under it really is capable of" along the way.

An hour to line everything back up Monday on all the fresh install marks (Cam, crank/and Int. shaft sprockets, Oil Pump/Distro/Rotor and Converter Timing window marks w/ my preset TDC stop in the #1 cyl. spark plug hole finger tight on the Comp. stroke, and verify each again (hang cam sprocket from strut tower during the swapping without moving or disengaging the belt), and swap em' both out and in, with the same offset 3 degree adv. key, add another half hour to dial it in properly, even less time to button it up, reset the static initial base timing, & ck the advanced total again, and testing, the 1st 10 feet will tell me (what I need to know),and it will tell if theory matches my reality.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Another 30 or so minutes to disassemble the T.B. Hat, remove the stock inj. and F.P. Regulator, add the prior run +60 percent injector and Adj. F.P. Regulator, cap off the vac. signal port on the T.B. and adj. fuel pressure to compensate, ck. for leaks & test again, and it should be back to prior performance or better than prior data suggests, with slightly higher shift points, and a true no miss heartbeat. (Totally unlike back in 95'-97 with the issues it had then, since found and corrected, and now verified to no longer exist over 12 passes so far completed 3 -1/8th mile and 9-1/4 mile). Change the oil and filter from the 30 wt non-detergent break -in' oil to 5-20 synthetic. (I am not yet ready to go 0-10, or 0-20, or a qt low either). Add back the 3 plastic parts that broke last outing and were repaired or replaced, and painted up.

Cold ice water cool the lower intake chamber (drain), and race.
If more time presents itself, I will change the 4 brake hoses and re-bleed all 4 brake cyls. and the system again. But w/ the vacuum restored at idle and low RPM, that should not be a necessary item at the moment, unless time allows.

Next up…Registered for the Bakersfield Double w/ Class racing last Saturday, plus Wednesday testing.

I am really looking forward to some much cooler CA Fall weather and 5 days of racing back at Famoso, as that was, 40 years ago, 1 of the places that I had tremendous success at in the 80’s bracket racing (the place I won my very 1st Wally at), and being amongst old friends from long ago for my re-debut and first not 1, but 2 Div. events (plus an addl. test day), in exactly 26.5 years. (and I have a day beforehand Monday to do the last minute changes on my punch list before load up and departure).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Double duty crewing for Scott McClay (a second time this year), on his Comp Elim. Entry (at least the first race at Famoso), will certainly keep the boredom factor away, as once Wednesday’s test day is over my slow sled is, add gas at least every 3rd to 4th pass, and make the round calls, park and hurry up and wait, and I do not do well unless kept a bit busy (the work will keep me awake).. And I will do much better this time around I think as I now at least know his processes. And, where at least some of his things are in the trailer, etc.

At this juncture, I need to really thank the Irving’s (both of them, for their very generous offer to help, and for the opportunity, and their hospitality and friendship), as My Wife is still in Phoenix as her Dad (my Father-In-Law), who lives with us in our home for the last 20-25 yrs, just had 2 days (26th/27th), of very serious operation(s) this week, is still intubated, and in ICU, and will still be hospitalized at least another week.
So, I would probably not be there if not for their offer & help. And for your prayers also John, they have worked so far my friend, and Celeste says Thank You!

He is slowly recovering, though it was quite touch and go more than once. (1 kidney is working fine, 1 is not, blood pressure is low, 2 aneurisms removed just below the heart instead of 1, (between the 2 operations totaling over 12 HRS. and emergency dialysis in the middle of the night early AM the 27th,), and he is in his mid 80’s, had a triple by-pass in Jan. 2020, and a pacemaker installed, and has been on 24 hr. O2 ever since, it was some quite serious stuff. (He is a tough older former Navy Sub Mariner and Veteran who is the most regimented person I have ever known in my lifetime as I don’t need a clock or watch at home…his waking , meal times-3 squares a day plus snacks, TV & and bed time tells me the exact time of day or night it is…30 yrs ago we were also business partners). I know this is not relatable to the build, but it is our life during it.

While Celeste will not be able to join us (this time at least), she said no way she will miss the upcoming Vegas race. And said she and he will watch it on NHRA TV from Famoso.

I cannot wait to get back at it!

And the 18 month project is showing some great results so far (though if you were at Las Vegas you certainly would not have thought so watching me run 18’s, red lights to really green, temporarily locked in park in the lanes at 1 point, but it was merely a shakedown first quarter mile passes and under power ring sealing 3 day session, and I figured if I was going to go slow (since I did not bring those other cams, then I was going to go very sloooow, and find my new spot on the tree, and see if I personally still had it in me after all these years. (I do, it’s fun, and I am again hooked like a really hungry fish!)

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

As far as class racing goes, Yac said he will not be there without testing first (at least so far), do not yet know if Bill O'Connor will be or not, others fast for the slowest class may, or may not be making the long haul out (since Vegas and Pomona follow, who knows until we get there though, I may be surprised)…But my luck (I could easily end up alone in Class, and of course get paired up with someone else in a combo race that is not only alone in his Class but is Fast, fast, super fast and is most probably going to be there…I have not even asked yet (does the Indy Top Qualifier 2023 T-Truck of Paul Wong ring a bell?), and rest assured if that happens, only a guess, but just my kind of luck,… I have absolutely nothing for him at this point in time, (but neither does anyone else), except an attempt of a breath holding tree teardown and a ton of praying and a probable 1 round affair either way.

Anything can and does happen in Class racing though (another first possibly for me though, while I have raced a few S/SS Combo Shootouts a long time ago, and did Ok, Semi and Runner Up before, I have never Raced a Stock Class Combo Race yet, as they were all in my Class or alone, so new experiences may be in store sooner than later),…that much I know. (My last class win (GF/SA )was May 1995, Mopar Nationals, Englishtown, NJ, last Class Race finalist (GF/SA), (Mr. McConnell, I owe you at least 1), Feb. 1997, Atco Nationals, Phoenix, AZ, (and that Class Finalist sticker is still on the windshield waiting to be covered up/or replaced!)

Let’s go racin’ boys!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

A good 1st outing on the Re-debut in my older age (I will call it a success at this point), A full Monday into Tuesday before the event worked on the car in Boulder City (Thank you again John & Jon Irving! I really appreciate it my brothers!) Changed the cam, dialed it in 3 degrees Adv., and it got me back the bottom end and my brakes and vacuum fully at idle and brake booster is holding vacuum between engine starts again max allowable lift by specs .445/.445 (actual measured cam lift on the newly installed cam w/ solid lifter @ zero lash measured at the retainer .432I/.430E Purple Shaft D.C. cam by Crane, 107 Degree Centerline, 252 degree Duration). Added the aftermarket +60 percent Mallory Injector, attempted to add back the Crane adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator, (this took a couple of hours as just turning on the pump it leaked repeatedly even after replacing gaskets and "O-rings 3 times), finally discovered it is a common problem I never had before w/ the part, but on the fold over of the clamshell-where top and bottom are machine pressed together the seam separated and gas under pressure is spraying out, attempted to locate a new one, no go, listed but out of stock everywhere, so I reinstalled the 42 PSI stock regulator w/ the vac 90 to T.B. signal port.

Made at least 2 other changes that I refuse to divulge here Some things just have to be mine). And we packed up, loaded up and headed to Bakersfield arriving somewhere after dark...I slept in the stacker and woke up staring up at a Mopar Trans. Pan, a very new but welcomed experience. (It did not leak during the night onto my face and sleeping bag, I ckd., then made a pot of coffee).

Yes, I brought my Mr. Coffee maker, and a ton of stuff (in the car, and in John's P.U. Bed)...a brand new 18 month project and brought everything including 4 cams, gaskets, and more stuff than you can imagine. If I do not have it with me, no doubt... I will need it!

It is Wednesday Test & Tune Day (I gladly paid the $100.00 in advance, I need track time).

We credentialed and found a pit spot, unloaded the cars and half my support junk. Set up camp on a section end just 1 row past the finish line, but Scott McClay is in Comp/Alcohol Pit area up by the Lanes and my car will spend days in his pit (as I crew for him...alone he and I the Thursday/Friday Race -this was a real struggle just 2 on a Comp. Elim. Car, and with 2 more crew members showing up Saturday/Sunday and Nights back w/ the Irving's. Thursday and Friday nights at the hotel w/ Scott (I spent Wed & Saturday nights camping in my car, an empty hatchback has a lot of room and all my seats fold down...But, if it took sleeping in the dirt at this point to race again, I would do it! (I had other options, the car and I became 1). LMAO

Wed. test and tune was a little struggle getting everything dialed in (large swings on timing (needed to find out exactly what this cam wanted as it had only been in the car once @ Houston Raceway Park for just 1 pass, in 1995 after a gully washer of a rainout, and it was installed at that time at the direction of a Houston Car Dealer's Service Mgr. dialed in at 5 degrees retarded (not the right direction for this car combo), and I removed it when it ran 2/10ths slower than the stock cam the week before (but after the recent Vegas session I reviewed all old data and saw the 5 degree retarded note in my Jegs 1995 Log Book, and instantly realized it was the right cam for right now, but 3 degrees advanced instead (a +8 degree swing)...And it turns out my intuition and knowledge in 2023 was a lot better than the newby to EFI I was in 93'-1997!

After the 3 passes on Wednesday (the last 1 in the high 17's and on the rev limit feature in 1 & 2...(to find out where that was because it is a fixed point in the ECM, can only set flags on/off...and on it is. I knew it would for the first time run under index at 8:30 in the AM)...and knew I would be holding a bit back also as I have competition in EF/S, McConnel was seen arriving earlier. Class racing is Saturday (and I am a live and internet poker player, showing cards,...Not unless you are required to, to grab the pot. Not yet at least. ~</;-)~ (A gentleman always wears a hat!)

I did reverse at least 2 of the car changes applied on Monday before pass #3 on Wednesday, the plugs were too rich w/ the +60 Injector without the higher pressure of the adj. regulator, so I added back the stock injector and undid 1 other change, and the timing is 3 degrees below both static initial & total, of the perfect setting. Not changing it right now though!

(I did say hi to Mr. O'Connor first thing Thursday AM, as we are old friends and competitors from years long gone by (we used to race both cars in GF/SA and GF/S together),I let him know he will not be in a combo race Saturday, as we meet again, and he was thrilled.) Saw many long lost friends and acquaintances, and it was fun to see people I have not seen in decades, but have been able to follow for a long while.

I was having fun but crewing for Scott McClay the first 2 days will be a struggle just the 2 of us (1 potential crew member is down with covid), the other(s) cannot be here until Saturday if at all). Eventually 2 others showed up Saturday AM. Relief all around!

Up at 5:00 AM

8:28 AM Thurs. Oct 5th Q1 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un -161
(this was the actual first pass under the index since the rebuild...1/4 mile pass #13, 3-1/8 mile passes in Kingman, and 9 at Vegas, 4 now at Bakersfield...Who say's #13 is unlucky? R.T .050 Green (Ok, I know the spot, let's see on next pass). 60' 2.356, 330 7.013, 1/8 10.947 @ 62.58 1,000 14.362 1/4 17.289@76.89 (Short shifting 1/2)

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

12:05 PM Thurs. Oct 5th Q2 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un -189
(this was the actual second pass under the index since the rebuild...pass #14, R.T -.004 Red (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, let's see on next pass). 60' 2.361, 330 7.028, 1/8 10.958 @ 62.65 MPH, 1,000 14.359 1/4 17.261@77.65 MPH (Short shifting 1/2, but added 200 RPM on 1/2 shift to ck the car's consistency, and as I suspected it picked up nearly/ not quite 3 full hundredths quicker-(compare the 2 pass increments, and find out exactly where it picked up), and in the heat of day, as all sensors and the factory ECM/PM are flawless right now in relation to the NEW TBI installed, EFI working finally like it should).

The car is very consistent for a slow car now. I, over everything else worked on that aspect over the 18 month project). Success so far, but I will not be setting the world on fire on the Q-list at this juncture. A look at the final Qualifying sheet tells me I will be meeting my old friend and the first one ever who suggested I race Stock waaaay back in 1983 at O.C.I.R., very soon, and we will be doing more than just saying Hi and a hand shake after a couple of decades plus...We will be Choosing lanes, Hiya old buddy #75 G/SA Chad Langdon! (It was great seeing you again Chad). Taking a lil' while still switching to LED's from floods on the tree, 5 ambers to 3, and I always loved Afternoon/evening/and late night racing over day racing, this kid is still a night owl, but adjusting to it. (No caffeine involved and in my old age I cannot wake up without it).

Up at 5:00 AM

8:43 AM Fri. Oct 6th 1st Rnd (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un 63
pass #15, (2 Cups of Coffee, 1/2 Bagel w/ Cream Cheese, a bit of C/ED unload work before first rnd to work off the coffee maybe...I have the other half of Bagel and cream cheese, should I eat it?...I should have to counteract the caffeine) R.T -.036 Red (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, took my shot, but Chad is capable of tearing the tree down and I know it, 1 less cup of coffee, or eaten the other half, and it would have been a lot closer, loss at the tree, make use of it by collecting data, running it out and laying on the rev limiter on 1/2 and 2/3 shift...will slow the car down a lot ET wise, but then I can read the tattle tale tach and set the 1/2 and 2/3 shift better for upcoming class race tomorrow a bit closer). 60' 2.378, 330 7.125, 1/8 11.107 @ 62.06 MPH, 1,000 14.556 1/4 17.513@.76.21 MPH (Short shifting 1/2, but added 200 RPM on 1/2 shift to ck the car's consistency, and as I suspected it picked up nearly/ not quite 3 full hundredths quicker-(compare the 2 pass increments, and find out exactly where it picked up), and in the heat of day, as all sensors and the factory ECM/PM are flawless right now in relation to the NEW TBI installed, EFI working finally like it should).

1st Race is over for me, but the crewing has just really begun, and it is a struggle, not because I am racing also, but because we are at least 2 guys short, you cannot run a COMP ELIM CAR, successfully at least, w/ just 2 people period! (and Scott's day ends a lot like mine).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I watch the entire 2 day race live stream replay before going to bed, all Stk Elim. passes on both days, and while a limited handful of STK Racers are hitting the tree as I am attempting just red/.000 to teens, the avg was more like .030 or higher, and while anyone can and does get lucky, anything can happen, I know who the killer tree hangers are, and I saw a lot way over .030, so relax a bit kid, then squeeze when you know you need to...Rome was not built in a day...shoot for .030 today as it is class racing day!

A bit of history...in October 1984 (on my oldest Son Nate's 9th B.D.) at Famoso I won my first Wally in the Firestone/Centerline Div. 6/7 Finals (a 250 car Heavy Bracket 3 field (different car, my 1963 Dodge Polara 383 13.5/1 C.R. 8-3/4" 727B Auto (Famoso Track Champ that year, and 4 other tracks, but I captained the A Team for Famoso, so this track and I are old friends, and here it is 39 yrs later, and I wake up to the chance of collecting another Wally, but McConnell has shown me a 16.85 and 16.95 2 days ago (I figure we are going to have a very tough race today, and it is a toss up if I need to leg it out at 7,000 RPM shifts, just do not cross that line beyond in any gear, as beyond is an unchangeable rev limiter and that = slower E.T.. (Use Q1 and hit rev limit feature only in 1 gear, see the results). Q2 will be under (Class Racing, 1 round for the Trophy!), so forget the Q sheet first pass.

Up at 5:00 AM (made coffee, poured a cup, but only a few sips, ate some honey roasted/coated nuts), just a handful.

8:21 AM Sat. Oct 7th Q1 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un 94 pass #16 (1/2 Cup of Coffee, 1 Banana consumed, a bit of C/ED unload work before Q1(to work off the coffee maybe...I have another banana, should I eat it?) I do, &...I relax a bit shooting for .030, and .033 Green (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, 60' 2.387, 330 7.070, 1/8 11.011 @ 62.54 MPH, 1,000 14.469 1/4 17.544@.73.67 MPH (Short shifting 1/2, but hit limiter on 2/3 as in bap/bap/shift (still at 7,300 RPM on tach)-(compare the 2 pass increments, and find out exactly where it slowed down...that kills a slow car by 3- 10ths, stay away from it), and in the cool or heat of day, as all sensors and the factory ECM/PM are flawless right now in relation to the NEW TBI installed, EFI working finally like it should).

Ok, next pass is the all important one. Change nothing except that rev limiter hit. Set Tach shift light at 6,800 and hit 7,000 RPM actual shifts if necessary. No icing, no other changes, still have 30 wt non detergent actual break-in oil in the car. McConnel was red in Q1 and ran another high 16. (if the lights are even, it will be a battle, and a possible toss up race).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Meet up to pair up w/ Bill O'Connor (he wins the coin toss, takes the Left Lane). This will be my first pass in the right, no issues there.

11:33 AM Sat. Oct 7th CRl1 and Final and Q2 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un -244 pass #17 (the other 1/2 Cups of Coffee, 1 more Banana consumed, a bit of C/ED work before class (to work off the coffee maybe)?...I relax a bit again and .032 Green (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, and so am I, 60' 2.349 (at this point I saw my light was green, and look up about 60 feet out into my center rear view mirror, to see what his side of the tree was and it is green, aaaaand I also see the front bumper of his car at least 1.5 car lengths back, I snap my head left up against the drivers side window and stare at the front right corner of his front bumper (I think he is late or something), and I never take my eyes off that bumper, as I surge ahead pulling away a tiny bit, so I shift, same thing as I am pulling away again slightly, I shift again (then I realize we are approaching the finish line so I peek, lift, and brake allowing him to gain to about half a car back (but not get around me). I JUST WON CLASS, lifting and on the brakes. (People are going to call me crazy, but there is a method to my madness, the tattletale tach will tell me what to do next in Rnd 1)...330 6.990, 1/8 10.885 @ 64.14 MPH, 1,000 14.283 1/4 17.206 @ 75.71 MPH (I am not going to say what the actual shift points were, but I used them in round 1 and they were repeatable). O'Connor's #s were/are easily found online on the sheets, so no harm repeating em' here (no idea what happened at the tree, but something did on his side...17.45 Index Ov/Un -494 R.T. .427 Green 60' 2.297, 330 6.782, 1/8 10.641 @ 63.12, 1,000 14.039, 1/4 16.956 @ 76.92 LOSS

Right 1st .1458 Auto Start On Rnd # C1 2034/2033 Compulink Truestart

(Come to find out I am 50 lbs heavy, good on wt and fuel, Trophy in the mail!) He made it so I did not have to push the car a lot harder, but I could have. I cut off a bit closing it up a car length at the end. a couple/ few 10ths.

Later that afternoon (read the tach and both shifts were well below 7K), set my tach shift light settings). Set my dial at 17.20 to match the 17.206 I ran in Class 1, for Round 1 against Will Kelly's G/SA Cuda 12.00 Index/dialing 11.32.

5:16 PM Sat. Oct 7th Round 1-Race 2 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un -207 pass #18 A full afternoon of C/ED work and Q rounds...I relax a bit again and .033 (three lights today .033,.032,.033) Green (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, and so am I, 60' 2.349 (at this point I saw my light was green, 7.019, 1/8th 10.933@ 62.78 MPH, 1,000 14.338, 1/4 17.243 WIN on the brakes and lifting as he blows by like a rocket, a full car plus out...and I WON 1st round of race #2...I am racing on Sunday!

Will's numbers G/SA Index 12.00 Ovr/Und -775 Dial 11.32 R.T. .051, 60' 1.455, 330 4.427, 1/8 7.010 @ 94.65 MPH, 1,000 9.265 1/4 11.225 @ 107.90 MPH LOSS (I am not going to say what the actual shift points were, but I used them in round Cl1 and they were very repeatable, and it was just a bracket race, and a pretty good 1 at that, just like I remember them, TY Will for the top end play!). LOSS

Right 1st .1209 Left MOV .1389 Auto Start On Rnd # E1 2439/2438 Compulink Truestart

(I was good by 4.3 Hun/he was broke out by almost a 10th.9.5 to be exact).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

That sets me up for someone I know all too well, we have also raced before, back during his very first year in stock in 1995 (in 1996/97) #778 AA/SA 10.70 Index Ovr/Und -614 Dial 9.97 Jimmy DeFrank of The California Car Cover Company fame/family...It was he or Don Keen, someone I also know very well from my SoCal and O.C.I.R. days.

And, as a friend told me that night before (if you have to race either one in the morning Gary, you better have your schidt together)...My answer was Ohhhh, I know...and it was...altogether too well. Either 1 is capable of tearing down the tree and hauling it to the other end! I know it, but I get to attempt it first! Then I get to watch wheelies in my rear view mirror. Lol. (I watched the livestream replay so, I knew Jimmy defeated Don before I went to sleep in the car again.

Sunday...Up at 5:00 AM

In the morning just before 9:00 Am we pair up, meet and lane choices are easy, we both get the 1 we want. Jimmy remembers my car (though it was all blue then, I remind him 1995), and he says yup, my first year in Stk Elim. and we shake hands wish each other luck, I needed it....1/2 cup of coffee, a little bit of food, more unloading Scott's dragster....just before, and my stuff is ready, I will attempt to tear it down as would he...No going safe here.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

9:00 AM Sun. Oct 8th Round 2-Race 2 (Left Lane) Index 17.45 EF/S Ov/Un 125 pass #19 ...Do not relax a bit again.17.20 dial again, aaaaand holding my breath... it is not Green -.005 RED (Ok, I now know the true spot is correct, and so am I,I attempted to make it hard on him, but cannot complain, it is the risk we take...when playing 3d chess in racecars, both fast and slow cars 60' 2.352 (at this point I saw my light was on the wrong side of a great light RED, 330 7.025, 1/8th 11.014@ 60.64 MPH, 1,000 14.562, 1/4 out of it 17.575 LOSS on the brakes and lifting as he blows by like a rocket, a full car plus out...and my race week is over, but the crewing is about to start again in earnest, we 4 on Scott's crew need to win this event...and later we do!

Jimmy DeFrank's #'s #778 AA/SA 10.70 Index, Ovr/Und -614 Dial 9.97 R.T. .055 (probably just like Chad Langdon, relaxed a tiny bit as they celebrated 5-7 secs), 60' 1.306, 330 3.979, 1/8 6.271 @ 106.50 MPH, 1,000 8.278 1/4 10.086 @ 118.15 MPH WIN (I am not going to say what the actual shift points were again (down low), but I used them in round Cl1 & Rnd E1, and they were very repeatable, and it would have been just another bracket race (with another very fast ending), and a pretty good 1 at that, just like I remember them, TY Jimmy also for the top end play!).

My LOSS, Jimmy's WIN, but I got to see the end at the finish line w/ a 9.97 in the other lane (still awaiting one with an even faster Factory STK car, & save for 5 thou too quick R.T. on the little end, I would have had a very decent chance on the big end. (I did tap/tap the rev limiter on the 2/3 shift just watching the charge from 330' on down, ergo why the rest of it was slowed as far as incrementally. I wanted to watch that wheelie since I had already fouled out. But I also knew that light was very close to perfect. Just barely on the wrong side of "lets goooooo!"

And, I Had A Blast on my first double Div. Event back...I am here to stay, already looking forward to Las Vegas in November for the next LODRS race!

Right 1st .1992 Right MOV foul, AutoStart On, Rnd # E2 2716/2715 TruStart

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Following our return to Boulder City Sunday night, I stayed over, and by Monday afternoon I had already prepped the car, changed the oil for the first time, and am ready for more fun in the Sun before the off season. i packed only what I will need at the track in the car, taking home a full load.

The car so far, except for my changes, and after that Test n tune Wed. (and catching up with them), so far fantastic, add air to slicks in the AM, add gas after a couple of passes, charge the battery when sitting, warm it up properly, Check tire pressures, and go race.

And the topping was actually having 4 guys- Scott McClay and 3 Crew Members and Winning The 2nd Race of The Double Header in Comp. Elim. w/ his C/ED Combo. (It is a 4 man operation, not a 2 man operation as we were Thurs/ Fri). Helping crew while racing takes the boredom away from the Hurry Up and Wait of STK Elim. Racing, but it is a lot of hard & dirty work (and a real hard struggle if under-crewed).

I will have more this Winter Off Season, after the Las Vegas LODRS, I will also save everyone the round-by-round stuff, and just add the further build stuff / updates I have for the car planned (replace the shifter aftermarket, something I can slam, instead of slow slide), replace the stock ECM/PM w/ a Holley ECU and full engine wiring harness to all sensors and Throttle body, to tap/tap laptop tune finally (the engine is still pulling hard at 7,300 when it hits that rev. limit feature in the stock ECM), convert to full manual brake system, from vac. assist/ add a data collection unit and a few addl. sensors- Engine RPM, Driveshaft RPM, and others, request a combo review, and a few other things.

But, this car now is, if driven the same every pass, is a slow ride, but very consistent now compared to back in 1993-1997 (I am still playing some games on track I cannot play in my garage, or off of the track, as I am collecting data still on the project). It is hard when other than viewing flags on pre- determined tables, and otherwise being locked completely out of the ECM/PM (by the EPA), so you must try things, and log everything on paper and review both the new, and 26-30 yr. old, log book data.

Looking good on paper and in reality so far though...

So, It is not "project go a lot faster" quite yet, on Our "Slow Ride', Take It Easy", as I weigh in Min. at 2,795 lbs. Car and Driver, and raced it at 2,845 lbs. last week or 50 lbs. heavy, and a full 550 lbs heavier than McConnell's "Slo Roller" Dodge Omni).

That old fashioned ancient beam scale at Famoso really stinks, But I love the track, hook, and that tree! (The flies I can live without!)

Again, I wish to really thank the Irving's a Ton! Thank you John & Jon for everything so far my friends. You have made my return much easier, and I certainly appreciate it all, as does my bride of 35+ yrs.

Also, Congratulations to Scott McClay on his win again! Congrat's to all the Class Winners! (I also know why I don't own a dragster, tripping 6 foot long wheelie bars, and head cracking low wing endplates). If it isn't 1 I come home scarred up with, it is the other.

If all of that was not enough, "RIP Donald A. Martin", POP, my Father-in-law & former business partner (who has lived with my Wife and I for well over the last 20 yrs., and her beloved Father), passed away on Friday Evening Oct 6th in a Banner Hospital in west Phoenix, AZ after 2 very serious operations on the prior week Tuesday/ Wednesday Sept 26/27, all happening during and between the double header.

He was able to see (be with), or talk to all 3 of his children, and his grandchildren, & great-grandchildren, and other family members, and it was a very peaceful passing in the last moments.

I wish to also thank Our Own Racer's In Christ. Thank You Gentleman and Lady. (You made things easier and prayerful given the distance).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Ok, if you have read my novel so far and are still with me...This is the rest of the story....The major changes, the why's, when's, and what for's...On the Struggle Bus, and off to an OK Start by Thursday Oct. 5, 2023! (Not great, but OK, it still never saw a 16 sec Pass, but only because it was not forced to...).

When I re-installed the engine. I Put a brand new cam...at least new to me (a custom ground 1 off Reed Cam from GA), that was a National Record holder in an EF/S Stick Manual Truck w/ a 2.2L/135 that set both ends of the record in 2003. That cam has a ton of overlap & duration (but no cam card, I only know it is, a 106 CL cam, and it measures .444E/.432I (my max Spec lift is .445/.445), with a solid adj. lifter at the retainer w/ zero lash set (it has some really funky lobes), it really made the car sound alive and mean as can be, but in reality I do not currently have a loose enough converter to make it work yet. (Mine can be loosened a lot according to the MFG, without affecting the efficiency, as they tightened it up before they sold it to me in 94' for my not much done combo).

It was installed at 3 degrees Adv. when I went to Las Vegas for the first quarter mile passes, and 1 pass in I realized I brought everything except my spare cams, and it was a dead dog turtle on the leave, and at 100' out it started screaming as it came alive in the torque curve. It also had zero vacuum at idle, and until 3,000 RPM it was just starting to build vacuum slowly, (so it really was not playing nice with my power assist brake booster and master cyl., and I could not foot brake stall the car higher than 3,200 RPM). It was horrible.

I knew it was not the cam for this combo right now (but will be soon enough). So, while it was a double Bracket points race in Las Vegas for the Summitt Bracket Racing Series, and not a Stock Elim. race I determined I would put the car in "Drive" and let it shift itself, and slow it down as much as I could...Gonna make em wait, then make em' wait longer.

As can be seen by pics I posted at that event 18.72 was the final dial in used in 114 degree temps and corrected Alt. was measuring over 6,000 ft. plus that weekend in Vegas. (But it is a 17.45 Index in EF/S). Yeah, I get a lil' Index correction there, but not that much.

Ok, so a full review of old and new data commenced (talking about mainly data from 1993 - 1997, and my cam choices were 3 others I have on the shelf at home), but I knew I was losing at least 1/2 sec in the first 60-70', more in the 330, and more in the 660, and unless you get a slow roller up and moving early, you can never make that back no matter how much it is screaming out the back door), I decided on one, changed it, dialed in the cam, and ckd. the lift again properly. I took 2 of those cams back up to Boulder City that Monday to change the cam, restore the Power Brake System, change the injector, F.P Regulator, add ballast to my weight box to meet min. wt, and a couple of other minor changes.

By Tuesday AM I was finished....I was the only one in our group that purchased the Test n Tune Wednesday and lanes opened at Noon, closing at 6 PM...@ 12:35 PM Oct 4, I ran 1 pass (the timing was way off, rich, and flat not right at all), it ran like crap and was very slow 12:35 PM R.T. -.499 Red, 60' 2.700, 330 8.610, 1/8 13.792@ 45.31 MPH (book is 10.80 1/8 mile),1,000 18.711, 1/4...23.492@ 44.42 out of it it ran so bad on top end.

I then took a biig swing low on timing first....@ 3:39 PM Oct 4 R.T. a closer but still off -.053, 60' 2.852, 330 8.682, 1/8th 13.478@ 52.07, 1,000 17.426, and 1/4...20.699 @ 68.14

Here I decided to pull all 4 plugs (all 4 were ultra rich, remove and swap back in the stock injector), cleaned the plugs, regapped them from .035 to. 040, and decided to go back up to the timing that makes everyone cringe 43-46 degrees total (you see it has a hall effect distro, the Power Module usually controls spark, but we changed that and took the spark control away from that fender mounted computer in 1995, by adding in a Mopar Electronic Control Module from a 1983 Carbed Dodge Omni incl the wiring harness and aftermarket coil. So, we set static timing, and the box controls the total, and each cam is different in what makes them happy).

It sounds hard starting, but it needs the total high to be happy and run under index. I had made those changes already, time is getting short, it is about 5:00 PM at this poing and John Irving and his Son Jon were no doubt getting worried at this point since they witnessed so far nothing but slow running in Las Vegas and here at Bakersfield so far...Though I knew I was on the right track so far, and reversing a couple of changes was all that was needed, and all but 1 was completed almost....John and Jon came over and asked if Jon could help (I welcomed it), what I really needed was a butt in the seat, so I could take my time & set the timing properly, swing the other way for the fences.

He did, we started it, I cranked in 43 degrees total (that was equal to 21 initial static, and I told him I was going to control the throttle, just hold the brakes hard. And I nearly laid it on the rev limiter...and she sounded right!

I took it for the last pass of the day after thanking them....@ 5:28 PM 4 Oct. R.T. a right on just what I was looking for .012 Green, 60' 2.379, 330 7.065, 1/8 10.992@ 62.84, 1,000 14.444, (it then hit the rev limiter at 7,300 RPM slowing the pass down ( I thought it would be out the back door in 2nd. gear, not quite....1/4 in 17.721 @ 65.47 and down because I need to shift it before 7,300. But I knew first pass in the morning at that point Q1 of race 1 would be under, just not by how much yet. I assured them I only need to re-learn how to shift it!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I was right, but I needed that 10 mins help for sure, and the next day it was finally under index on that first pass, and I was actually short shifting 1/2 for a reason and running out 2/3 (sometimes right up against the rev limit feature of the ECM to make sure it was consistent in it's application, mainly because the engine is still pulling hard when it comes up to that set ECM programming I can only turn on/off it cannot be changed higher or lower at this point (the ECM is locked, are only tables you can view, and flags are 0/1 (off or set on) (Class Racing in 2 days).

The timing really needed to go 3 degrees total higher I believe, but it was beyond drivable and later showed pretty good consistency (as long as it was driven consistently, and small changes netted small gains, and there was still some speed never shown (so I left it alone), & do not underestimate my Slow Ride...I'm just taking it Easy! ~</;-)~

For Now!

(This is on a rebuilt engine that never saw 5,700 RPM throughout the first almost 93K miles in any gear but 3rd 6,200 at the lights, and after balancing, etc. is running hard up to 7,300 RPM and still pulling hard. But, I will not run it without that rev limit feature on...A Holley ECU and custom harness to my sensors will allow resetting it higher...1 of this Winters projects ahead. LODRS 71 at Las Vegas in November first!)

In the end...60' 2.85, down to 2.35 (exactly 1/2 second). so, the cam choice was not just a lot better at this point in time...It was dead necessary!

Winter will see the Transaxle dropped, fully freshened (those clutches etc. are factory 1984), and the Converter loosened along with those other changes mentioned earlier.

John & Jon, sorry as I know you were getting worried for me, but I was methodically working through undoing changes, checking everything 1 by 1, leaving what was working, and deleting/reversing what wasn't, while making big Timing swings just seeing which direction the new cam liked (and we found it together in 10 mins with your help). It is why I purchased that extra test day.

It often sounds great sitting still, but under a 2,800 + lb load pulling (a low 99 HP powerplant can act very differently when you step on it), The cam once timed correctly, and an injector back into the Rich/Lean sweet spot, cleaned the plugs right up, brought the bottom end back, and the top end was quite sufficient also, and restored my power brakes to holding 3,800 RPM foot braking consistently. (Power Assist Brake Booster was even holding between starts w/ no losses of vacuum). And it never failed to start, though it cranks hard w/ that much initial and total timing, it has a 90 Amp Alt. on it and a new battery and a live LED minder gauge w/ 2 USB Phone/Tablet charging ports. So, I can see from inside the car or out, the charge state of my battery at a quick glance at any time!

Like I said earlier. I will tone down the novel now, and just pretty much cover build changes to the car from here on out, and good news results if those arrive, but I wanted to go into a lot of details on the Re-debut that I will not later. Thank's for reading. (Floods to LED Tree is a biiiig change folks!)

Older guys know what I mean for sure.

Mark YAC....I am not yet where you are my brother, but I will be by Spring! I will get you those 2 pcs this week, my old Power Brake Booster, and Old Master Cyl, as soon as I find out for sure that my intended replacement Master bolt centers are exactly the same or not. I will know by end of next week I hope.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Dude, I have tried to follow along with your journey . Are you an author / write books ?? And who is McConnell ?? You have known him / raced with him forever but I can’t find his name on any Q sheets ?? You are killin me . LOL. :):):)

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

(Oh man, really sorry I cannot believe I did that not just once, but like over 4 times, I am lousy with names, but that is usually people I have only met a couple of times in life, not people I have known for decades! I just corrected each post, my apologies to both Bill and others reading the thread, a very good reason you could not find him on the sheets...crap, what an old fool I am.) I typed Mr. O'Connor and somehow that transposed or corrected to McConnell. (I really need to use the preview more before clicking post!)

No author here, except for my racing Novel's here (I may not remember names well, but details of events that happened in my lifetime...every detail is unforgettable, like it was imbedded on a memory chip). Bill O'Connor has a Dark Brown boxy 83 Dodge Omni "Slo Roller" is on the side now in large letters (and the announcers know him well, since our billboards are on track the longest of any at the events), w/ that carbed low HP VW or Mitsubishi I think 87 HP engine, weighs in at like 2,223 pounds or so (my Daytona 2.2L/135 99HP currently has a 6 HP factor on it to 105- that is an extra 150 lbs @ 25.0 lbs/HP, and my min. wt is 2,795 lbs). I think he said his minimum was (a 500 lb difference, but beam scales were junk, and I was carrying in actuality 550 lbs more). Check down near the bottom of the Bakersfield Famoso Div. 7 Double (or the Div. 7 NHRATV Live Stream Replay on YouTube), held at the beginning of October, and again at Phoenix early in the Spring of 23'. He just ran 16.95 then 16.85 on Thursday, then a 16.95 in our Class race (my ET w/ the win was 17.204).

He has been racing that car in Div. 7, and mainly West Coast National events since the early to mid 1990's. I have raced him in Class races back in the mid to late 90's in GF/S and mine was a GF/SA, he is now in EF/S as am I (since they did away w/ FF and GF classes and combined all slower into EF/S), same 17.45 Index, same 25 lbs/per HP (same 500 lb plus wt difference too though). Friends w/ a slow roller rivalry. (Only I sat out the last 26 yrs.). The prior last class race together was The Atsco Phoenix Nationals in Feb. 1997, he got to the finish line an inch before me...not this time. But, if anyone gives me 4/10th's at the tree I will get there first (not to say I could not have competed well if it had been even lights). I just have no time slips that show a 16 sec. E.T.....yet. I just finished the car, barely got the rings seated before Bakersfield. Just changed the oil after the event from Breakin to real oil.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

are you running the stock transmission?

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Yes and no, the same stock OEM A413 Auto Transaxle that came with the car from the factory yes, w/ some major gearing changes internally, side case gears, 1st and 2nd, some valve body changes (still forward patterned, but the D.C. Valve Body shift kit / plate, along w/ some custom drilling, gov. wk, etc. that I performed in 1994). And the 20" tall M.T./E.T. Slicks X 6" on the heavy 14" Stock Alum. wheels further helps improve lower gearing, and it still has the un-equal length half shafts it came with stock (though I do have a broken equal length set someone gave me in 1995...carrier bearing is loose/out plus 1 cross on the right axle has 2 damaged caps & boots), that I have yet to repair or install., (I have only broken 1 short axle ever, and did the repair myself along w/ rebooting), and A custom built in 1994 Turbo Action Converter (needs loosening up a lot to use that other cam I talked about earlier, along w/ a manual brake conv.). I will be freshening it this Winter season while the converter gets reworked, since it has to be dropped out. (it still has the 1984 factory bands and clutches in it).

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

if i remember right getting gears for that transmission is amost impossible these days. is that true

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Yes if looking in salvage yards, but there are direct ways to find the gears that are hidden away by some that love the vehicles, and have parts rat holed away, if you know where to look, and today almost any gear can be cut if the right person you know has a mill, and you have deep pockets. The service manuals the dealers used list all the gears made, and installed in different year cars and vans..

I now own a set of those service manuals, and the info is nearly priceless if running a manual or auto for the 80's or 90's efi/carbed Mopar's to get the lowest gearing for the combo's.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I won't go round by round but just back from the last LODRS Div 7 race, found out in the lanes during Q2 that there has been an issue w/ the new shifter cable I had installed just back in April 23', (I am now sure it happened in the Lanes during the Test and Tune evening of Sept 8th when the plastic lockout lever on the stock shifter T-handle broke internally locking the shifter and the transaxle in Park, many together attempted to help Rock The Car (because I originally thought it was transaxle related, when in reality it was locked in park at the shifter), and I was almost at the same exact spot in the lanes this last Friday morning lined up for Q2, and as everyone in front of me was pulling forward, sure enough as I went from Neutral to drive the cable let go of the grommet at the shifter and went freewheeling no longer even connected within and below the stock shifter console. Ohhhhh, Nooooo!

There I was again just 2 months later almost to the day, waving all those behind me to go around please (a few nice gentlemen offered after our lanes were empty and I had missed Q2 completely to help push the car back and beyond on the other side of the staging lanes barrier (a hearty THANK YOU ALL!!! to those very kind people, and then of course I called my great friends The Irving's (both John and Jon), and they came with pit vehicle and a tow rope, and towed my 2,845 lb slow sled back to their pit, where I had a brand new spare cable amongst all the hundreds of lbs. I take to the track within that packed hatchback, and a couple of hrs. later it was not only fixed correctly, but it was ready to run under index the following morning in Q3 (and it did).

The Indicator is now out (removed completely), as is the old shifter stick boot slide, so I may just look down now and see within the console and not only monitor the condition of that cable end, but reach it with fingers and or tools for the short period of time left before I receive the backordered aftermarket B& M ratchet shifter and the Tunnel Mount shifter stand I ordered last month (due to arrive this week).

The repair cable was smooth and straight...and shifts like a dream now. I cannot believe how badly the other 1 was bent up (see the 2 pics below).

The car from Q3 on was working like a dream, still short shifting it a lot 1-2, and a bit 2-3 (and still under once that repair was done)...The Q1 1-2 shift flat did not happen properly (now known why, but at the time hidden & unseen below the console so the first pass did not have a minus in front of it for the first time in 3 events, I was on the Q-sheet, but below where I needed to be....I would rather screw up 2 Q passes than 1 or more Elim. runs! (As long as the issues I find are fixed! And the overall car combo is improved).

Lots of changes/improves still to go this Winter off season.

Thank You GTX John Irving and The NV Missle Jon Irving...Without you guys and your deep hearts and compassion, friendship, and your never ending hospitality, we would never be this far along, in this mission of the 2nd chance in life return to class racing at this point My Brothers!

Our gratitude is endless, but thank you's can never be said enough times.

To the Emmon's Family of brothers and a few others, I had not seen in ages, have missed for so long, and have had a precious few minutes to visit with this week after almost 3 decades...It was fun to visit and allow me to invade your space, Gary, you found out exactly how stubborn this old man really is...You have been the only one that actually asked me "How I could possibly keep that car and not sell it for a quarter of a century?"

My answer was truthful...No mechanical entity is going to beat me, not a desktop or laptop computer (I am a 30 yr. IT Tech), and certainly not a vehicle, unless I get it fixed, or fix it myself...it will not go to another human being for their use, and this car will eventually be used by some younger person in the future than I.

But, it will go to them only after It is performing the best I can get it to do so. And it was plenty of time to educate myself to solve the issues that dinosaur of a rudimentary computerized one off oddball class car. It is getting there, slowly....A decade plus of Mentoring High School Robotics Teams (via the F.I.R.S.T. ROBOTICS PROGRAM), from 2011 (when our youngest of 3 sons was a High School Freshman), forward to the present day actually taught this old dog a few new tricks (by being surrounded by every imaginable Type of Engineer, Master Machinist, Mechanic, Teacher, Professor, Marketer, you name it by the bushel basket full at team shops, Meets, and Events all over the country (and those were Engineers from all over the WORLD, from NASA to what seemed like beyond The Moon to Mars and back), all very open to any decent human or mechanical discussion, but especially those not robot related, each more than willing to have dinner and talk race cars instead...I learned EVERY PROBLEM HAS A SOLUTION, you just must think "outside the box"...or build a new box...or reshape the box, and never be afraid to fail and try, try, try again, and again.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Research avenues have increased highly since 1995, just mouse clicks and taps away there is boundless knowledge at your fingertips, technology has skyrocketed over the years, and solutions are endless today that did not even exist then...It was the perfect time to restart the never forgotten project parked just 14 feet away from where I sit and work in my own garage.

Is it an Oddball Stock Elim. Car....Why yes it certainly is, and I like that it is, and yes, as an older gentleman w/ ownership of a high dollar Alcohol Car Operation who actually took the time recently at Famoso asked me "So..., when I see a unique class car running in Stock or Super Stock, I am sure to always visit w/ the owner or driver and ask, as there usually is the same type of answer in common across the board"... "Is there a family link w/ that car? Has it been in the family since it was new?" (Yes, and I was with my late Mother the day she picked it up in Feb. 1995 from the dealership I told him). "And, I am sure there is an interesting back story involved too?!"...(There is, and he took the time to ask, and he certainly got the full story in parts and pieces over the next few days), and almost every time I ran, I would look up and he left his big dollar car operation after I left for a lane call, and he walked all the way down to the stands by the tower to watch that slow oddball car. It made me smile.

Ohhhh, and at least when the car was stuck this time in the lanes....It was not stuck in Park, it was in Neutral! (a whole lot easier to just push off w/ friendly help...)....and so thankful it was not on the track, or worse yet right in front of the water box where I pull around and back up. Always look at the bright side.


Attachment 68962 New, but Not straight anymore.

Attachment 68963 New and straight again.

Attachment 68964 Stuck with heroes coming to tow me back and I cannot thank the Irving's enough...again!



Attachment 68965 That is not FOG.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I am going to report you for having too much fun!!!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

From -.15 under in Vegas to -.71 in Pomona Very impressive. I surely admire your philosophy to never give in to a problem!!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

E1 it ran -.789 after -.008 to a -.005 lights in E1 (both going after trip zip), I knew he was as he was dialed hard and I knew we both had to go for it), These first 4 events have been a large learning curve for me, as of Sept. 2023 forward have been my only experience w/ the LED tree, all my other passes were 5 10ths 5 amber or 3 amber flood light lit trees and I knew it would take some time, still working hard experimenting w/ coffee and food intake to find the right early morning racing combo (I am too up on the wheel, and just a few thou on the wrong side of the tree so far...Thanks Dick!

The car though, is doing exactly what I have asked of it so far, zero complaints there. The air was great (fantastic), in Pomona, just as it was back in Feb 1995 the last time I ran it there it ran -.721 under in GF/SA, at same Index, and a little lighter.

Just about to start some further changes on the car this off season.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

My wife and 3 boys already know! And yes, after sitting out 26 years, I am flat having a blast! I feel like it is 1975 again, not yet my most successful season of 1984, but I hope that is coming (If I can just slow my leaves down a few thousanths, to as green as I have been red so far, I will load that tree up in the hatchback and steal it!)

Going fast was never really a part of my competition equation, but side by side in the lights is what excites me, and to do it with even much faster competition is more fun than I can even imagine attempting to bring it down to an inch! (David, to get to race with many of the best Stock racers in the country at Las Vegas & Pomona at season's end in only my 3rd and 4th event back in the saddle, was a dream come true, and it is beyond fun!)

It is a blast! (I just get at this late stage in life, to stay out there on the track doing it, every pass, quite a bit longer than anyone else does!) It is though too bad NHRA has that rule of not aiming a camera at the competition, because if they did not, I would mount a go-pro under my rear bumper so everyone could see the under chassis view I see in my rear view mirror of the competition when they go wheels up, usually when I am about to cross the 660' mark, it is to die for!

I don't know if anyone else noticed or not, but my last pass of the season, was -789 under, almost 4/10ths off the EF/S Record as far as E.T., but was 4/10ths of a mile an hr. faster than the MPH that was set at. When you pilot a slow heavy sled, the little things are big accomplishments.

That is only a tiny increment, but knowing the car like I do, I can switch to the front street tires, and run 2/10ths slower, but pump that up at least 1 MPH faster. Another small increment.

To see, and be with old friends again, all doing what we love to do...I am just getting started having fun!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

So Gary, any plans for this off-season?

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

Billy, sorry to leave you hanging since November, but I had a ton of changes planned for the Winter when I left for Pomona, and all that changed when the car went as fast as it did w/zero changes including short shift points compared to Las Vegas.

I got home, after John Irving was kind enough to drop my car w/all support gear inside it packed to the gills at home before his heading back up to Boulder City, and for a month (outside of giving the car a much needed bath the next morning), was highly conflicted as to whether or not to even touch it!

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I knew it needed a repair, after we bounced it hard on the trailer loaded down with all that was in the car), coming through Needles, CA, as the strap holding the header collector had broken loose under the car. Making it a nightmare to get off the trailer. So, first I fixed that.

Then, I had purchased new front and rear brake hoses, so installed those on all 4 corners, and flushed and re-bled the entire brake system again.

And stared at the car doing a deep dive back into all data since the early 90's forward, and still not knowing which direction to begin to go, wasted the month of December and finally decided to do something very new. See if I can actually legally diet the car to the natural class of DF/S...How far can I really get to bottom of the class.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I had redone the interior of the car headliner down back in the 90's, but never removed the carpet. So I started gutting the interior first. And at the same time started to remove all perm. and temp ballast. Once the seats, console, carpet, underlayment, seat belt ends were out, I started weighing everything and listing all coming out, and going back in later. Using scaled weights, and had a starting point.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

It was also time to get rid of that junk stock shifter once an for all, ordered my choice of B & M gated shifter, something I can bang rather than slide. And never risk slipping it into neutral. And a decent tunnel mount to mount it on, and started modification of the Console to slide over it if I go back to EF/S again later.

But, once (for the very 1st time since the car ran down the assembly line in December 1984), that the quite dirty carpet, and 42 lbs. of very heavy underlayment was out of the car, I finally realized very quickly why the car was so dang heavy.

The floor panels and up the firewall up high for some unknown reason was plastered 3/4" thick all over with heavy black mastic seam sealer (like tar w/ fibers in it everywhere, and every floor drain plug was over filled with that heavy crap, and zip broke out a hook knife, the shop vac and started chipping, scraping and vacuuming up the mess, and did so for more than a week. Pics to follow.

Once I was done vacuuming the first time, I weighed out 24 lbs.of the chippings and scraping. Time to see what was left, found a few cans of bright silver paint in the spray paint cab. And sprayed over the mess, easily showing what I still needed to work on removing.

The second go around was another 20 plus lbs. And sprayed again.

Layed the carpet out on the driveway, broke out the power washer, put together a concoction of soaps, and got all that dirt, stains, and carpet backing that turned to dust over the years out of the carpet,, hung it over the fence to dry,, then weighed replacing it or using the old much nicer now looking clean carpet, it weighed much lighter now, and was already form fitted, so decided not to replace newer, it was light.

And got to work removing the stock shifter and cable, preparing for the new shifter and mount to arrive. And installed the new shifter and mount, fabled up the cable end in the engine bay, and got that all mounted and working correctly and adjusted.

Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

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Re: A 30 year journey, and a 2nd chance.
 

I actually started with the passenger side auto window that was sticky, pulled door panels off cleaned away all the old hardened grease on the rails, sprayed w/ silicone lubricant, and both slide like new again up and down. And measured up for a passenger window outer upper belt window scraper I damaged attempting to get that slow passenger window up once in a hurry. Have not found that replacement part quite yet but a line on a few new ones.Attachment 69812

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