H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by J&S Racing

Ouch...
Like many others I was rooting for you guys.

Your not the only one, my new 565 for the dragster ran wicked for 10 passes before it broke a valve.

Was this the cam from the other motor?? Possibly part of you oiling issue?

That's a bummer. Sucks because this was a nice little piece till it broke, not a record setter but I feel like it was strong and safe. Cam was the same, luckily without me knowing, the cyl head guy here sent the cam to be checked the first time we had issues, now at least we can have a duplicate made.

[fredjohnston]

might be time to call one of the well known engine builders and get a complete motor or at least send your parts to them. then you could rebuild it when time comes to learn a few things. At least you may get on the track this year.

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by fredjohnston

might be time to call one of the well known engine builders and get a complete motor or at least send your parts to them. then you could rebuild it when time comes to learn a few things. At least you may get on the track this year.

A well known engine builder or a guy building outside in a tent can't do anything about a defective part.

[Glenn Hayes]

So sorry to read and see the news Todd.

I am a bit perplexed as to why a quality aftermarket rod(s)? would fail … we always are in hopes that using better/stronger components will avoid these issues.

How did the block, crank, and heads fair in this?

I continue to wish the best for your families adventure,
God Bless
Glenn

[Nmbr1GMfan]

Originally Posted by Glenn Hayes

So sorry to read and see the news Todd.

I am a bit perplexed as to why a quality aftermarket rod(s)? would fail … we always are in hopes that using better/stronger components will avoid these issues.

How did the block, crank, and heads fair in this?

I continue to wish the best for your families adventure,
God Bless
Glenn

Glenn, I know it may appear the rod failed but that is not the case. I'm sending some parts off to be checked and I would like to not throw a manufacturer under the bus until I've had everything looked at. I'll tell you I believe it was kind of a freak thing and I will lay it out there when I know for sure, even if it were my fault I'll tell everyone exactly that and I will own it. One head was hit and has 2 bent valves but we think it's fine. The timing cover is salvageable but everything else is destroyed, the block is broken internally as well as both outer sides. It made equal power with 1.3 rockers to either engine did prior with 1.5 rockers so I know it was going to be a pretty good one and honestly I feel terrible about it because it's tough to watch tears hit your kids cheeks after all her hard work literally hit the dyno room floor... but life is exactly like this some times. We've already dusted ourselves off and once again have a plan. After I make some phone calls tomorrow I'll post up our intentions. Thanks for your continued interest and well wishes Glenn.

[HP HUNTER]

Originally Posted by fredjohnston

might be time to call one of the well known engine builders and get a complete motor or at least send your parts to them. then you could rebuild it when time comes to learn a few things. At least you may get on the track this year.

Its about time some one said it

[kansas stocker]

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

Its about time some one said it

I'm thinking just the opposite.
Much is to be learned by failure. We have taught the youth of this country way too often that the way to success is to buy your way in. The people on this site that I have the most respect for do much or all of the work themselves.

Wish the government leaders were as transparent as you have been with this build. I don't agree with everything you have done but admire your efforts.

Pete

[HawkBrosMav]

Originally Posted by HP HUNTER

Its about time some one said it

This is the problem with people these days.. and then when the motor someone else built, that they are incapable of doing anything on, breaks they throw the builder under the bus and move on to the next guy..


This sport wasn't built or grown on the backs of the guy with the most money that could go out and buy the best parts.. it was done on the backs of the tinkerer and the thinker and the innovator. The guys and gals who had a passion for doing things with their hands and understand why things worked and how to make them work better. There is a pride with accomplishing a build and all the trials and tribulations involved and then seeing the end result make a pass down the track. You don't get that when you buy everything complete and have someone else put it all together so you can drag it to the track and run it..


It might be easier and yeah Todd and Autumn might get on the track sooner if they decide to take that route, but the car and engine look to be in very capable hands and as frustrating as always building and not getting to drive may be.. in the end this is just as FUN as running the car down the track. Especially the quality time it has led to with the two of them doing it together.


I want to do this again with my dad, this time my wife and daughter can be involved and that's the special part of this build...

[Greg Reimer 7376]

First off, my sympathies and condolences for your misfortune with this engine build.I don't know how some people can sit at a keypad and criticize anything, but some still do. I looked in the one photo that it looked like the crank made it. Did it, or is there damage there as well? When you said that the bearings all looked good,that was a good sign. It's a good thing you didn't buy a Dart or a Bowtie block and hurt it. This is one of those things that happened.You and your daughter are a fine team, have an enviably nice car, stuff happens, and this too shall pass.Hang in there, keep the news coming,you guys will be back!

[dannyboy]

You are so lucky to be doing this with your Daughter. With all the trials and tribulations that you have been through it is making your daughter a better person. And through this all you have constructed a Race car that your Daughter will be very proud to drive as she has been all the way through the process with her Dad.
You have constructed a show piece.
You could of given Warren or others 25-30k and still had the same thing happen. This was your build with all the parts that you thought we the best.
Don't listen to all the naysayers----keep up the good work.

Dan Chipman
Hamburger, Bachelder & Chipman from years ago