As virgin as they get

[1STMP]

Hello all,
Hard to explain this one as it started out as a
design project between a couple mechanical
engineers, and morphed into something that
my disabled veteran son has shown a great
interest in. He suffers from PTSD and a TBI.
26 Years ago we as designers of motor
coaches thought it would be kinda cool
if we could adapt a tube chassis to some
pre-war sheetmetal. Another friend, and
former boss, had the perfect candidate
for the body parts. A 1940 Plymouth
pickup.
He was also a veteran of the Vietnam Era,
and sad to say, no longer with us. He died
of agent orange caused cancer last year.
We had no idea of the ins and outs of Mopar
components that would enhance the
strength and integrity of the drivetrain, as
we didn't, at the time, consider draging,
that my son now wants to attempt.
We're not looking to break any world records,
but my son being a decorated Army Ranger
is thirsting for some competition.
I would appreciate any and all input as to
how he can enter into this endeavor.

 

[padam]

Just try your local drag strip on test and tune nite.
Easiest way to learn is to get out and do it.

 

[RemCharger]

Stage 1 will be getting it able to pass tech.

 

[Cranky]

Years ago I got into bracket and heads up index racing. I loved it but brackets are gone now (at least at the Houston track but it's still 1/4 mile) and have no idea if the index stuff is still going on or not. When everyone was going to electronics in the heads up stuff, I was one of the hold outs and was still doing decent. Y'all ever thought about doing any of the flying mile or even standing start mile racing? Thought about that too but the closest track here is still a pretty good hike. I like the seat time and 1/8th mile drag racing just doing do much for me.

 

[Gunner1]

Say Hi to your son for me. I'm an old Nam Vet. USMC Med Evac Door Gunner. I have Agent Orange issues too. Your son will love the boost you get from being competive. Not like combat but the noise and adrenaline rush is similar. Suit him up and let him drive and I will bet he comes out of the car with a huge smile. Good Luck on the car.

 

[1STMP]

Thanks, Gunner !

 

[1STMP]

Stage 1 will be getting it able to pass tech.

Is there a source for information that lists
what is required to get a vehicle on the track?

 

[Gunner1]

NHRA has an Online handbook.

 

[bearman]

Hello all,
Hard to explain this one as it started out as a
design project between a couple mechanical
engineers, and morphed into something that
my disabled veteran son has shown a great
interest in. He suffers from PTSD and a TBI.
26 Years ago we as designers of motor
coaches thought it would be kinda cool
if we could adapt a tube chassis to some
pre-war sheetmetal. Another friend, and
former boss, had the perfect candidate
for the body parts. A 1940 Plymouth
pickup.
He was also a veteran of the Vietnam Era,
and sad to say, no longer with us. He died
of agent orange caused cancer last year.
We had no idea of the ins and outs of Mopar
components that would enhance the
strength and integrity of the drivetrain, as
we didn't, at the time, consider draging,
that my son now wants to attempt.
We're not looking to break any world records,
but my son being a decorated Army Ranger
is thirsting for some competition.
I would appreciate any and all input as to
how he can enter into this endeavor.

Just curious which coach company. Prevost,mci or vanhool. I work on all of them like said just curious. As for your son tell him thank you for his service we all appreciate our freedom he fought fore.

 

[1STMP]

Just curious which coach company. Prevost,mci or vanhool. I work on all of them like said just curious. As for your son tell him thank you for his service we all appreciate our freedom he fought fore.

MCI/RTS Roswell plant. There for over 15
years.

 

[bearman]

MCI/RTS Roswell plant. There for over 15
years.

Yep I have worked on all of them starting out with the mci 5 worked all the way up to the j4500.

 

[padam]

NHRA has an Online handbook.

You will likely be overwhelmed by the nhra or ihra handbooks, and may get discouraged.
If you think the car is safe, (no missing lug nuts, brakes work, tires have tread, not leaking a lot of fluids) just take it to the track and they will tell you if you need to fix anything.
Chances are they will let you make some runs.
My closest track is an outlaw track, no affiliation. I asked them about going through tech when I started up again 2 years ago, they looked at my hands and said " looks like you can hold a steering wheel, you're good."
The other is an IHRA track. When I went for test and tune they made a big noise about everyone had to go through tech. I was a little nervous cause they have a rep for being strict, but I went for it.
They made sure my card was filled out right, wrote my number on the windshield and that was it.

 

[1STMP]

Bearman,
I've been to Mesa a few times engineering/
testing AC systems. Lordy, it's hot there.
Most of what I helped design was on the
RTS side. Also spent a lot of time in
Carlsbad (NM) at their test track.

 

[bearman]

A/c always a issue.

 

[padam]

Get one of these big white chalk markers at Walmart to write your number and dial in on your window.

 

[1STMP]

Get one of these big white chalk markers at Walmart to write your number and dial in on your window.View attachment 1293469

Thanks, padam.
I will be sure to pick one of these up.
It's going to be a few weeks yet, as there
is no glass installed in the cab yet.
I've checked out NHRA's website. Seems
straight forward enough.
I've been to Roswells' track on a number
of occasions, but only as a spectator.
Looking forward to seeing my son nail
the throttle at the starting line.

(old photo)

 

[Budnicks]

I'd say try & find a test & tune day at your nearest track
have the tech guys look it over

having a tube chassis
they may look it over with a finer tooth comb
may fall in some grey areas in the safety/tech rules

lots of different rules apply
depending on how fast it really is

*good brakes

*nothing that will fall off the car or blow off
stuff pinned or bolted down etc.

*no brake or fuel lines across the firewall

*if the battery is not in the engine bay, they will usually require
a remote shutoff 'manually shutoff' power switch,
that kills all power to the ignition & pumps
properly marked "pull for shutoff" in emergency

*basic safety stuff
(again depending on how fast it is)
sfi rated damper (no cast iron)
sfi rated flexplate & shield
or bell-housing/scatter-shield, sfi rated flywheel & sfi rated clutch for a manual etc.
sfi rated belts/harness

*a helmet, with a 'snell rating' within the past 10 years at least
IIRC 13.99 or faster mandatory
(been a long time sine I raced anything slower)

*seat belts &/or sfi rated (sfi safety stuff 'is dated too') harness is nice

*a sealed 16# or more rad. cap, good hoses etc.
*with an adequate sized overflow vessel for the radiator
like 'a pint or a quart' usually, one with a closeable drain is nice
*any AN stuff is usually good,
if using band clamps, make sure good seals etc., not cutting into the lines
Usually "no more than 1 foot" of rubber hose in the engine bay
for 'fuel attachments', other than stuff like rad., heater hoses & AC lines

*no antifreeze at most tracks now too
makes it hard to clean up if it pukes

*seats bolted down 'with thru-bolts, thru-braces'
& **seatbelts also with thru-bolts & fender washers usually
(if you run 'a harness' they are more strict on how it's properly mounted)

*good tires,
rated for the speed/MPH you're going
'for your own sake' & safety tech

*lug nuts on every stud, torque'd

*no hubcaps allowed, unless screwed down

*usually want you to have the windows all in
"& rolled up" while going down the track

*long studs/thru-lugnuts, like a 1/2" or more exposed stud thru the lugs
*& driveshaft safety loop
if it 'has slicks or drag radials', it's mandatory for both above

*if it goes faster than 11.49 1/4 mile ET, (it may, if you're lucky)
it will need a 4pt. rollbar at a min.
^^^ if an automatic also, a sfi rated trans-blanket or shield
^^^ also mechanical & easily reached/while strapped in/down 'reverse lockout'
on the shifter


(at ETs better/faster than 11.49 it maybe slower even now)
*if a manual trans/clutch, it will need a bunch of specific 'sfi rated' stuff too

*sfi rated bell-housing/scatter-shield & clutch components, within date

*a driveshaft safety loop towards the front 1/3rd of the driveshaft
so it won't pogo-stick if it or the u-joints breaks

*stuff like make sure 'the cell' or fuel tank has a good seal/cap & it's vented
or the cell is vented, so it won't stave for fuel,
no fuel or brake lines by heat sources etc.
tank/cell properly strapped down in place 2 straps min.
**if it has a cell, it will need a 'rollover valve' (1 way valve on the vent port)
so it doesn't pour out on the track, if it were to roll over or wreck

there are lots more safety tech rules
but for a basic T&T session or maybe wed. or fri. night Street drags/brackets,
that'd get you thru "tech" probably
ask questions, if you don't understand
show interest when they are tech-ing it

(if they find anything wrong, that they pointed out)
ask if you can do something to correct it there
they usually will work with you most of the time,
they are car guys too, sometimes you run into a prick here & there

from seeing your truck build, in a couple of threads
I don't think you should have too much trouble
just make sure all the safety stuff is done

I think that covers most of the minutia
hope not too ****-retentive on my part


good luck
& have fun, go kick some ***

Thank your son for his service,
from all of US here

 

[1STMP]

A big thanks, Budnicks.
I don't think this truck is going to do
much better than 12's. It's not titled
yet, and hasn't been run on the street
more than a couple times around the block.
Haven't really had a chance to dial it in.
The tube frame was jigged and welded
in our shop on a layout table, so it does
not have a certification, but is not just
thrown together. A stress analysis was
generated on the computer model and
all potential failure points were addressed.
I hope the frame is not a roadblock.

 

[Gunner1]

They will come to your shop and cert it for you. Cost is slight.

 

[1STMP]

They will come to your shop and cert it for you. Cost is slight.

Thanks, Gunner.
I'm guessing I'll have to get it certified before
I can get the truck titled. DMV here is kinda
quirky. They're probably going to have
reservations being it's "home built".
They have a mindset of home builders
not being able to weld on a professional
level.
There's a reason for this, as I'm sure
they've seen some real junk try to pass
inspections.