Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

305s are another engine that the wrecking yard here is overloaded with; however, bodies are an issue, between dirt track and demo derby there's not alot left, unless you want a 4dr Caprice.

The yards are full of small 2bbl V8's; 302s, 318s, 305s, even some 304s; 2dr bodies are iffy, but 4door Non GM bodies abound!

There is a puke yellow 4dr Comet 302 that runs in the yard I had been eyeing. I am going to take what else I have in my stash up there since nothing else is complete or a runner. Then I have no "distractions". That has been one problem now that you mention it, everything up to this point was not a runner to start with, and I need to stop trying to "save" cars. Too bad the race season is over up here though. I will think about bringing that Comet home, and start from square one come spring.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Joe...My way of thinking says...easiest to run the index without a lot of on track STOCK Elim. experience..
1, FWD (plenty good ones left, hp and indexes not beat up too bad)

2, Turbo, Find a complete car with all matching numbers, preferably running, like Billy said.

3 , Four barrel or F.I. ,, low hp rated , middle to low class car..When you find it, let us know!

Distant 4th place, Low class 2 bbl car ..
I know, Billy made it seem easy, but you don't think he revealed 90 % of the tricks he used on that GP, do you?
Only good thing here is you get plenty of hands on experience, as opposed to writing checks.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

1, FWD, fine starter car, the right car will usually run the index by cutting off the exhaust and putting the shortest tire on it that you can find. Downside, later models with PFI and DIS can be a pain to get to work, early carb and distributor cars getting too old and hard to find.

2, Turbo, great cars(Joe lives in an altitude challenged area), really need a running car though. Downside, Joe is finding that out and he hasn't gotten to the track yet.

3, Four barrel or F.I., probably easiest to find but to stay "Dime-able" it would have to be really heavy. Downside, REALLY HEAVY.

4, Low classed 2V car, plentiful, cheap, V8s not a bad thing, easy to work on, won't hurt themselves. Downside, Mark, I'm not that smart.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Right here, is the most sage advice one can get. Usually, I'm long winded in my posts. The above simply says it all.

If I may, the only thing I would like to add, don't be afraid to try things.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Great advice all of you, thanks.

If that Buick had been a complete runner it would have probably been racing by now. Painful mistake.

The Inline and V8 carb/dist. cars fortunately are plentiful here; being a rural-ish area with no salt and lots of 4x4s for winter rust is rarely a big issue, and as long as you don't mind a 4 door the cars are easy to come by.

I hauled two hulks off this afternoon and the yard will be hauling off the rest tomorrow. Then I am back at zero. After work tomorrow I will drag a battery and some fuel up and see about that Comet. If it starts, stops, and steers, it comes home. If not, I will wait until I find a car that does. I will keep only one car, and only parts for said car to avoid distractions, and will have to work really hard to stay focused.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

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Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Joe,
Billy and Mark have given you excellent advice. I will add to their recommendations from my experience..
#1..Decide what class you want to run.
#2 Study the NHRA guides and Nitro Joe's stats and decide what car would be best for that class.
#3 Find that car and buy it.
#4 Change the cam, gears, and converter, maybe headers.
#5 Take it to the track and test it.
If it will run the index or close to it you can build it . If it won't run you can change it back to stock, sell it and start with something else.
I have built more than 20 stockers that I can remember and I never build an engine until I know the car is going to work.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

Good advice again. I kept starting with non-running projects, which, as I should know better, are impossible on a budget, they nickel and dime you to death, and if the missing parts are unique and/or rare, forget it.

This has been quite an education lol!

I am going to start from step one, using all of this advice.

Thank you all for your encouragement and advice!

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I can tell you one thing.....This is the best dime rocket advice your going to get. Your getting advice from some of the best mentors I've had in the "slow" class car circle.

Re: Project Junkyard Dog
 

I am very fortunate for all the help, no doubt.

It would be a great idea to take all this advice and make one "sticky" thread...