Draglist.com Drag Racing

MAN, Perry....reading about your trials and tribulations....makes me want to just leave mine in the trailer...it'll last forever in there...but ....ummmm....dad-gummit, what Fun would THAT be???? Shoot, I wouldn't know how to act iff'n I wasn't tearin' stuff up

I know what you mean Billy...


Michele had an interesting thought last night. A while back I was talking to Johnny B about Dad and how much he would have enjoyed the nostalgia racing we're doing. I had run a couple passes with the small block in the Prefect and we were in the process of building and installing the hemi when he passed on. Johnny said that Dad had told him that he really didn't want me running faster than 9's. This was the first time that I'd heard that - he had never said anything to me about it. Michele pointed out that every time I get an engine sorted out and running well (in the 8's) something breaks. She's wondering whether there's some other forces at work here....

Makes you wonder....

Got it torn down Friday night.

Main #4 looks pretty bad. The aluminum around the center main studs is all mushed out and the studs wiggle in the block if you grab them. The corner of the bearing journal (between the stud and bearing is cracked off. There's a 2" long crank running parallel to the main stud next to the center studs on both sides. There's a crack through the oil hole in the center of the main that's heading up toward the cam a couple inches.

Main #3 has a crack accross the bearin journal heading out toward the main stud.

Although this is all bad - I'm elated that I caught it when I did. I'm lucky #4 main bearing didn't spin - or #7 rod bearing for that matter.

I knew that I was taking a chance on this old block because it was old and had been repaired before. I think it's time to retire this block. So the search for a decent block starts again.

I priced a new block from Donovan. They're either really proud of them, or they don't sell enough of them. $6600 for a block without sleeves. If I get just the block without the girdle it's $5400. All I need is a block, but jeez...

WOW, sounds like the next lap would have been a spectacular one. Good Catch. Sorry about the block though.

Sounds like it's time to build an iron 354 like us po folks.

in that case I'll need that oil pan back

in that case I'll need that oil pan back

If you do get it back, it will probably be in the same shape as when we got it. ......If we ever get it started.

Even though I didn't foresee any issues, I figured I should have the crank checked out just to be sure. It's a good think I did - the crank guy called me Saturday morning to inform me that I needed another crank. All 3 center main journals are cracked - and cracked bad. The rod journals are all fine. Kind of weird - eh?

Ah well - we're re-grouping, gathering information, and deciding what the next step is.

Ouch! Sorry to hear this, but better to find it this way. Time to do some serious planning now. Good luck.