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Re: Winter Upgrades

To: "Thomas E. Bryant" <saltracer@awwwsome.com>
Subject: Re: Winter Upgrades
From: dahlgren <dahlgren@uconect.net>
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 07:32:20 -0400
The nice part about the relay is that only cost around 20 bucks retail
...from radio shack and others...They are sold as automotive type relays
and have about a 30 amp rating..most are 5 pin and have both a normally
open and normally closed set of contacts so you can use the same relay
for different jobs in the car and not have a bunch of differenr spares..
same one can work for fuel pump,nitrous and mag kill switch and if you
have a good spare can go in any location..
Dave

"Thomas E. Bryant" wrote:
> 
> ArdunBill,
> 
> One way to accomplish the mag kill problem is to use a normally closed
> relay wired to ground. Battery voltage keeps it open and when power is
> turned off it will ground the mag.
> 
> Tom, REdding CA - #216 D/GCC
> 
> ardunbill@webtv.net wrote:
> >
> > Hi Folks, work has started on ArdunBill's HiBoy in light of what was
> > learned Sept. 30.
> >
> > Called Flaming River for one of their FR 1010 Mag/Battery Kill Switches
> > since I am using the Vertex.  ECTA calls for one of these for next year.
> > I'll mount it on a bracket on the frame under the rear of the body ahead
> > of the pushbar.  They "ain't cheap" but I hope the quality is
> > commensurate with the price.  We always hope that.  I don't know of any
> > other piece that kills the mag and also cuts the current in the positive
> > battery cable, with one compact switch.  I thought about making a
> > bracket with a std. big switch plus a toggle for the mag, but the regs
> > are quite specific, so rather than have a squawk at tech inspection,
> > which burns-out the organizers, "good soldiers" and
> > "right-thinking-types" as the Limeys say, will just get the Flaming
> > River item and stick it on there!
> >
> > Have the parts to build a 290 Ardun in the shop, to replace the 239
> > "training-wheels" unit I ran on Sept. 30.  XXF-GR runs clear up to 325
> > inches, but it would be some job to approach that.  If anybody knows
> > how, tell us.
> >
> > Got an order in to Currie for a 2.75 3rd Member for the 9" Ford.  The
> > 3.00 I was using Sept. 30 ran the engine 100 over the red-line in top
> > gear on the last run.  Currie is also to supply a 2.50 R&P just in case
> > I ever get to that level. They can do a spool, new bearings and
> > good-used Ford gears for a price that seems reasonable.  "Brian" at
> > Currie's went to a lot of trouble to be sure I got a yoke, etc. that
> > will make a direct replacement unit for the one I have now.  I didn't
> > know it, but there are some variations within the general heading of "9"
> > Ford".
> >
> > Called Tex Racing in NC for one of their NASCAR shifters for my
> > Borg-Warner four-speed.  I believe these folks know what they are doing,
> > yet their version costs a lot less than what Jeg's quoted for the Hurst
> > equivalent.  I have a M. Mouse shifter in there now.  Tex uses the Hurst
> > "mixer", and the rest is their stuff.  The shift lever is Hurst, from a
> > selection of many options, so I picked a unit that will better clear my
> > leg than the present one.  You quickly learn that you want the most
> > comfortable and practical controls and arrangements in the cockpit, so
> > you can concentrate on the more important matters, with a minimum of
> > distractions.
> >
> > Sept. 30 showed a definite need for a better clutch throw-out system
> > than the marginal mechanical setup I have now.  Looks like Tilton has
> > what I need for a good hydraulic conversion.  Obviously, the clutch
> > pedal pusher and the selection of Tilton parts has to be worked out with
> > care for the right results.  I'll probably put at least a couple
> > alternate holes for the Heim joint in the pusher, to get the best
> > combination of low effort and enough movement in the throw-out bearing
> > to get a good separation at the clutch disc.  The clutch is a 3200 lb
> > Ram 10.5" Borg and Beck.
> >
> > Stopped at NAPA yesterday and got a case of 75W-90 Valvoline gear oil
> > (not synthetic, which costs more than double).  Planning to use this
> > both in the gearbox and the rear axle.  I believe this is advantageous
> > for a standing mile sprint, since we don't have any real way to get the
> > gear oil hot.  From using it before in my Miata I know this oil gives a
> > good feel to the gearbox even when cold.  I have to believe this oil is
> > more than adequate for the 9" Ford too, this isn't an Endurance race on
> > a Super Speedway with 700 horsepower, just a one-mile dragrace.
> >
> > For what it's worth might mention I've been using 5W-30 Havoline regular
> > oil form "K-Mark", and the engine seems to like it.  60 psi oil pressure
> > all the time with a Mellings std. flathead oil pump.  My thinking is
> > that this oil will flow and circulate even if I don't have a chance to
> > get it hot before running, yet when hot it will still have enough
> > viscosity to give good lubrication to the metal parts.  Nothing failed
> > or broke Sept. 30, guess I'll have to try harder.  Leakdown and mag
> > timing the same as before the Meet.  No water in the oil.
> >
> > After some thought I guess it's time to trim off the front and rear
> > frame horns on the '32 (Flatlander's repro, don't worry, not an
> > original) Ford frame.  They stick out too much in the back if you don't
> > use the original gas tank, and I really like this 2 gallon tank we made,
> > that fits inside the front grill shell.  Worked just like I hoped it
> > would.  On the front, a '32 roadster looks, I think, just a little more
> > business-like and racy with the horns deleted,  since they don't do
> > anything at all now, just something to scrape your shins on.  The rear
> > will just be trimmed back so that the pushbar is a better fit, about 6
> > inches.
> >
> > Guess that's about all the philosophy and news up to the moment from the
> > Great Dismal Swamp,  Chesapeake, VA,  Cheers from ArdunBill.

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