Fresh rebuild, oil everywhere

[Alan Nyhus]

Glad you got things squared away, Paul. Looking forward to seeing you @ the Midwest Class Racers event July 5-6. -Al

There is stuff out there with gapless rings that run just fine. I wouldn't call total seal and tell them there stuff is garbage. When running the low tension stuff, hone and crankcase vapor mangagement is crucial.
The important you found something that works well for you. Happy racing..

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

There is stuff out there with gapless rings that run just fine. I wouldn't call total seal and tell them there stuff is garbage. When running the low tension stuff, hone and crankcase vapor mangagement is crucial.
The important you found something that works well for you. Happy racing..

You're right, Todd...the two guys who recommended gapless to me have never had a problem, and one of them did the hone on my block. But it seems for every one person who uses them, there are 5 who hate them.
It's interesting you mention vapor management...I run 2 pcvs normally, but didn't hook them up for break-in. I just left the valve covers open and plugged the vacuum port. Maybe it would've helped to have them hooked up, who knows?
It was just a very frustrating ordeal and I'm glad it's over. Now if it would stop raining maybe I could go try it out!

[Alan Nyhus]

Paul, I watched the video from Earville....looks like you've got the car running pretty well!

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

Paul, I watched the video from Earville....looks like you've got the car running pretty well!

Thanks Al, yes it's surprising how well it's running. Especially because I know several areas in the engine that could be better - I just hope it holds together for awhile until I can put another one together. Looking back through this thread makes it even sweeter, remembering the pain it took to get here.
We had a stick shift race at Mid America on Saturday and I ran my first 6 in the 1/8 mi....6.97 which is .5 under the E index for 1/8. Now if I could just figure out how to get the front end to come up higher....

[Sean Marconette]

Paul,
Will you be at the divisional this weekend?

Hope to see you there. Although it might be a little bit warmer than we had in Earlville!

Sean

[NHRA 303]

Hey Paul. Do you have a recent video or picture of it. Im sure everyone could give some input and get that thing airborne.

Steve

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Sean Marconette

Paul,
Will you be at the divisional this weekend?

Hope to see you there. Although it might be a little bit warmer than we had in Earlville!

Sean

Yes, Sean - we're planning on getting to Topeka on Thursday evening. I'll keep an eye out for you.
My first divisional, so I'm now forced to put at least a few stickers on! It's gonna be tough for me to do!
Here's a pic from Saturday....

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Originally Posted by Todd Hoven

There is stuff out there with gapless rings that run just fine. I wouldn't call total seal and tell them there stuff is garbage. When running the low tension stuff, hone and crankcase vapor mangagement is crucial.
The important you found something that works well for you. Happy racing..

I agree with Todd,what I used that we had trouble with is 1.2 with spacers,3 out 4 gave problems,2 sets smoked and fouled plugs,1 set did'nt smoke but fouled plug and got enough oil in it was detonating,4th set are still in does'nt seem to have any problems,the engines were 4.3 two times, 350 once and 305 that is still going in Bubba Eliott's wagon.

I'm not going to call total seals junk,they just have'nt worked for me,I'm sure I'll be told how I must have incorrect honing procedures,bad bore jobs etc.,if that is the case then maybe some you guys that have the perfect cylinders should try some of Greg's rings cause if they fly in our screwed up blocks,how fast would they be in your perfect cylinders?
Mike Taylor 3601

[Paul Merolla]

Originally Posted by Alan Nyhus

Glad you got things squared away, Paul. Looking forward to seeing you @ the Midwest Class Racers event July 5-6. -Al

Not going to make that one, Al. I wish I were going, but we have an extravaganza every year with my wife's family. Earlville on the 12th and 13th is on the calendar, though.