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What is everyone working on in the off season.

I'll post results once I make some runs Wednesday night.
Well I am going to have to measure the diameter of the 17" wheel + tire on the GTO so I can calculate the RPMs w/the 3.80 in the QP rear axle assembly. The highway drive to and from the track had the 421 spinning up more than I'm comfortable with (but certainly within a safe range) in 4th with the Muncie transmission. BOY am I glad we got a deal on a TKO600 because it really needs that OD 5th gear!
I made 4 runs, and the best I could do was 13.58 @103. My 60ft were all 2.1 seconds, but I didn't have excessive wheelspin. Since the tachometer is in the not yet installed Dakota Digital gauges, the only thing I could go by was feel, sound, and the 5,800 RPM rev limiter, which I "brushed up against" in 2nd or 3rd (not both) on every run. I also don't know what RPMs I left at, but on the 1st run I had no spin at the launch, but on the 2nd I had a little but not really detrimental. The line lock w/2nd gear worked fine.
I haven't done any of the fine tuning available with the Pertronix distributor, but I did raise the advance. The vacuum advance I believe is too aggressive when the total timing is set w/vac advance disconnected, so I'm going to have to see if the total timing can be limited, which I believe it can.
I had a fun night, beat a Camaro, was door to door with a Mustang GT, and did the "no lift shift" in the GTO for the first time, and that has shaved about 3/10ths off the Roadrunner's 1320 times so I know that helps.
My dad managed a 12.8 in his 65 GTO back in 65, and he had a 389 Tripower with less performance mods and what had to be less power than our modded 421 Tripower, so there are probably a worthwhile amount of horses still untapped and I think I'll find them in the ignition system.
So I've still got 8/10ths to go to top the "old man", but the GTO is really becoming a contender.
20200226_193025.jpg
20200226_193046.jpg
 
Well I am going to have to measure the diameter of the 17" wheel + tire on the GTO so I can calculate the RPMs w/the 3.80 in the QP rear axle assembly. The highway drive to and from the track had the 421 spinning up more than I'm comfortable with (but certainly within a safe range) in 4th with the Muncie transmission. BOY am I glad we got a deal on a TKO600 because it really needs that OD 5th gear!
I made 4 runs, and the best I could do was 13.58 @103. My 60ft were all 2.1 seconds, but I didn't have excessive wheelspin. Since the tachometer is in the not yet installed Dakota Digital gauges, the only thing I could go by was feel, sound, and the 5,800 RPM rev limiter, which I "brushed up against" in 2nd or 3rd (not both) on every run. I also don't know what RPMs I left at, but on the 1st run I had no spin at the launch, but on the 2nd I had a little but not really detrimental. The line lock w/2nd gear worked fine.
I haven't done any of the fine tuning available with the Pertronix distributor, but I did raise the advance. The vacuum advance I believe is too aggressive when the total timing is set w/vac advance disconnected, so I'm going to have to see if the total timing can be limited, which I believe it can.
I had a fun night, beat a Camaro, was door to door with a Mustang GT, and did the "no lift shift" in the GTO for the first time, and that has shaved about 3/10ths off the Roadrunner's 1320 times so I know that helps.
My dad managed a 12.8 in his 65 GTO back in 65, and he had a 389 Tripower with less performance mods and what had to be less power than our modded 421 Tripower, so there are probably a worthwhile amount of horses still untapped and I think I'll find them in the ignition system.
So I've still got 8/10ths to go to top the "old man", but the GTO is really becoming a contender.
View attachment 915804 View attachment 915805
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That's one very nice GTO. Yes there's lots left in it that you'll find. Likely in your advance, when it comes in and total. What does the GTO weigh? How restrictive is that exhaust system? I see a fair bit of rotating weight on the old girl too.
Your MRS has a nice ride Bio!
 
Set up the little paint booth and getting busy on the hood.

Sanded gelcoat and a fresh coat of primer on the undersides. The rear hood pins holes are slotted on the underside. Hinges work nicely and hood drops down nicely onto the pins.
IMG_2766.jpg


Some block sanding coming up. AAR glass hood and scoop sure is nice and flat, no valleys. At some point there will be a hole or holes cut, once there's a hemi built to stick through.
IMG_6676.JPG
 
Yes there's lots left in it that you'll find. Likely in your advance, when it comes in and total. What does the GTO weigh? How restrictive is that exhaust system?
Thanks. Yes, I think that there is some critical power that is waiting to be unlocked in the realm of timing.
The 1965 GTO is one of the lightest model years, roughly 3,500-3,600 pounds. The exhaust system utilizes the 1967 D-port cast iron manifolds, that have a visible division line cast into the manifold. In other words they are similar to factory cast iron headers, not as individually defined as the Hemi manifold, but pretty darn good for cast iron factory. 2.5" pipes and decent "turbo" mufflers.
The power is there, I just have to tap into it, and apply it to forward momentum as efficiently as possible.
 
Set up the little paint booth and getting busy on the hood.

Sanded gelcoat and a fresh coat of primer on the undersides. The rear hood pins holes are slotted on the underside. Hinges work nicely and hood drops down nicely onto the pins.
View attachment 915872

Some block sanding coming up. AAR glass hood and scoop sure is nice and flat, no valleys. At some point there will be a hole or holes cut, once there's a hemi built to stick through.
View attachment 915873

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Update.
Bottom of the hood is finished now
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Inside of scoop finished as well.
60461263902__DD9E3111-BD5E-4759-9698-565E29CA56FA.JPG


Finished the top side on Saturday. Next step, sand, polish and install.
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My son is going to drive this one because I still have a brand X dragster. We are going to start with a 495 RB and a Cope 727 hooked to a Ford 9” for this year to get him used to it. Then the plan is to go to a blown Hemi and turbo 400 next year if everything work out. We shall see how it goes.
 
Stretched the shaker hood opening 3" longer. Stretched the length of the shaker bubble 3" to match. Raised the bubble 4-1/2" to clear the tunnel ram and dual dominators. Opened up the nostrils to 2-1/2" taller. Fabbed some tubular mounting pads that mount to the rocker covers. The base slips onto and locks to the pads with Dzus slide lock fasteners. The bubble slips onto and locks to the base. All can be installed and removed in 10 seconds.

20180627_222831.jpg IMG_0439.jpg 20200227_182709.jpg 20200227_182506.jpg 20200227_210325.jpg 20200207_183435.jpg
 
My son is going to drive this one because I still have a brand X dragster. We are going to start with a 495 RB and a Cope 727 hooked to a Ford 9” for this year to get him used to it. Then the plan is to go to a blown Hemi and turbo 400 next year if everything work out. We shall see how it goes.
Good, it's close enough I may get to see it in person. Monster Mopar?
Doug
 
Lots of FBBO guys tackling some cool projects. I got done wiring up the new accessories today, and tackled my annual valve adjustment. Getting close to our season opener; Lemonwedge will be ready!
My wire looming skills are definitely level: amateur at this point, but I’m learning. Next project: run the wires prior to making connections!

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I got done wiring up the new accessories today, and tackled my annual valve adjustment. [/QUOTE]
Annual, heck mine gets checked at 20 passes or every weekend which ever comes first. I can see there is an advantage to not running a solid roller, lol.
Doug
 
Stretched the shaker hood opening 3" longer. Stretched the length of the shaker bubble 3" to match. Raised the bubble 4-1/2" to clear the tunnel ram and dual dominators. Opened up the nostrils to 2-1/2" taller. Fabbed some tubular mounting pads that mount to the rocker covers. The base slips onto and locks to the pads with Dzus slide lock fasteners. The bubble slips onto and locks to the base. All can be installed and removed in 10 seconds.

View attachment 917366 View attachment 917367 View attachment 917368 View attachment 917369 View attachment 917370 View attachment 917371
So that hood scoop you fabbed looks like a "tall shaker". That was your intention I assume? MAN! Great job on keeping the spirit of the original equipment but making it work with the intake! VERY nicely done!!
 
I had a fun night, beat a Camaro, was door to door with a Mustang GT, and did the "no lift shift" in the GTO for the first time, and that has shaved about 3/10ths off the Roadrunner's 1320 times so I know that helps.View attachment 915804 View attachment 915805
No lift shift.....what we used to call power shifting. With the setup right and with some practice, a stick shift can will sound like an automatic. A buddy and I ran a Super Street road runner stick car in the very early 80's and people used to come and ask where we got a 4 speed auto from lol. When I was street racing a 66 Mustang Fastback in the 70's, getting into 4th gear was rare and and after pulling into a parking lot to BS some, I'd get asked if I was using a C4 or a C6. 'Uh, T-10 man' and next thing they'd do was to look in the car. I love rowing gears and think I just found a nice 833 with the dual pattern tail shaft. 23 spline though but it'll be fine for the power I'm making.
 
I upgraded the shifter to the "White Lightning" setup on the TKO600 that's going in the GTO...Damn cool stuff! Has adjustable tension settings that are independent for each gear lever position. Now I think the shifter setup on those is really nice to begin with, what with the way the levers, rods, etc. are laid out. WAY different than just having shift rods/linkage hooked to the dogs and row away. Unless I'm missing some "hidden magic" in the 833 or Passon 855 and the Hurst competition plus shifter? The TKO on the other hand, even with the standard shifter, pretty much guides itself into the next gear and the driver only has to input linear motion-the unit provides pre-tension to pop it over in the "gate" to the next higher gear.
 
So that hood scoop you fabbed looks like a "tall shaker". That was your intention I assume? MAN! Great job on keeping the spirit of the original equipment but making it work with the intake! VERY nicely done!!
Thank you. Yes, it is too clear all of this.

IMG9505711.jpg 20160414_201144.jpg
 
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