Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

Got a call this morning, tranny shop got some more info and is proceeding. Asked the hp, lol...I said 200 or so, maybe a bit more so build it to hold 400hp. He said no problem, they are on it.

Now just waiting for them to get it done....

Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

Transmission is done, in and running good. Now to replace the brand new temp gauge that crapped out and might be ready for this weekend.....we'll see, still 2 more days for potential carnage, lol.

Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

What was wrong with the trans when the "experts" took it apart?

Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

Said it sat it water at some point and gungy inside and the linings came off, etc. At that point I was "just fix it", lol.

Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

Well, I got to the track finally! Friday morning, got to the track, went for a cruise around the pits to warm it up and see smoke...melted the oil line going to the pressure gauge on the header. Fixed that and went for a test drive...broke the shift gate I made on the lathe so now it goes from 1-neutral. Well, I'll just leave it in drive and let the shift kit determine the shift points so I don't accidently hit neutral.

So, new converter, transmission, driveshaft, 5.14 gears, adj upper control arms, last years best pass was a 15.55 on my 14.85 index. Can't wait to see how much quicker it is!!

Friday
First pass shifting itself 15.42@83.55.......ummm, what???
Second pass, shifting myself and hitting neutral 17.22@72.52
Third pass, shifting myself by ear, hearing it nose over at 5000rpm or so 15.48@83.33
Fourth pass, shifting by the shift light 15.00@86.39 but it is laboring above 5000

Sat morning decided to check timing with my light I previously said was messed up and was supposed to replace. 99.5* ok, so that's done. I bumped the distributor back 5* or so.

First pass 14.85@86.96!! WHOOOHOOO!!!
Bumped the timing back another few degrees
Second pass 14.70@88.35 but the alternator belt broke.
Paid $20 for the gamblers race just to get another pass, charged the battery up and first round my .078 light to his .094 had me enough ahead I was hard on the brakes to win with a 14.87@75.68!
Second round, sat in lanes for a bit, hit the key to go and...dead batt! Bad way to lose but whatever, there to test and tune more than race anyway.

Sunday morning, good and charged, got up first in line so engine was around 140* staging
First pass 14.68@87.99
Second pass (qual on a 14.70 dial) 14.72@87.67 with a .074 light

Was going to charge/line up first round, etc but realized even if I did win a round or two, there would be a point I couldn't reach the turn around time between rounds so decided to pack it up. Good thing as it wouldn't start to load, then the genny wouldn't start to charge the car so I could load, lol!

Anyway, got home with another list of "to do's" so I'll get on that next.
For brevity I left out a lot of gremlins that occurred, like breaking the hood release handle, LOL!!

Bottom line... -.17 UNDER THE INDEX!!!!!

Re: U/SA 302 ffffford build
 

I have eye surgery Monday AM so everything will be on hold for a bit, however....

Just received a new electric water pump, picked up a new fan belt, bought a new timing light and have the following "to do" after this weekend.

1) Shifter, mill and install a new shift gate

2) Replace fan belt

3) check rear axle vent to see if plugged

4) Repair/replace headers as one collector flange cracked 1/2 way

5) Hook up second fan on rad

6) Swap bolts around in the bellhousing (found one tight from being bottomed out, couldn't see it from below).

7) check/adjust timing as well as limit total mechanical advance

8) Find clunk in upper right control arm (just noticed) Between the arm and body, not housing. Rocking in park has a clunk so either upper hole is elongated or something bad is happening to the new adjustable arm or I need to install battle boxes to secure the upper mount points. Either way....something!

9) get new lettering for windows. I gave the guy dimensions 3" x 1" as per the rule book and he gave me 1" tall by 3" long "U/SA" and "103" lettering.

At some point need to replace the front tires/rims with front skinnies as well as 4cyl springs and 90/10 shocks.

Never ends does it.....LOL!