Got a question, guys !

[TheYellaBrick]

What is that center mounted 'blade' the Pro Mods are sporting on the frontal area nowadays ?
What is the technical term ?

[curtisreed]

It's a stripe taker. The newer bodied cars have much more overhang than the older body style cars. This extends the front end to an equal amount so you get to the stripe first if you are running quicker. Cars stage with the front wheels but take the finish with the body.

Some bracket cars run them also so they consistently take the stripe the same instead of varying when you get on the brakes and the front end dives.

Curtis

[TheYellaBrick]

And here I thought it was some new aerodynamic / airflow control device !

So is there a set max distance from front axle centerline to the leading edge of the 'taker' ?

[curtisreed]

For NHRA in Pro Stock and Pro Mod it is 45" max. Although Pro Stock can't use a stripe taker, the bodies on their cars have to overhang that much. Not sure on Pro Mod if they can use them in NHRA.

Curtis

[TheEngineer]

Curtis, I've heard them called a, "pecker stretcher" in the Pro-Mod arena! LOL!

[curtisreed]

Yep. Heard that myself.

[TheEngineer]

Curtis, are you doing any upgrades to your car off-season? Boyd's is making really good progress on my engine. It is already bored/honed, crankshaft polished/installed and the short-block is probably completely assemble by now. Then, all that is left is the touch-up on the valve job and I will reassemble the heads (springs/valves installed height, etc.).

[curtisreed]

Warren,

I'm going to pull the motor apart and look the bottom end over, I have 235 passes on it since I put a new crank and rods in. Probably have a valve job done. Looking at a new converter from FTI or A-1. I was having some issues from 60' to 330' and I am wondering if it is the older converter I have been running. Might send my carb to Davinci or by a new one from him depending how the money works out. I would also like to go back to a 4.88 from the 4.56s. Need to do some rewiring also. I don't know if I can fit that all in or not.

Curtis

[TheEngineer]

Curtis,

It sounds like you've got a lot of work to get done off-season! Good luck with everything!

Warren

[curtisreed]

Pulled the trigger on the FTI converter yesterday. I found what looks like an intake valve trying to pull through the retainer on #5 intake valve. Pulling the heads off tonight to see what's up.

Curtis

[TheEngineer]

Curtis,
I’m running PAC titanium retainers, w/ 10 degree locks and knock-on-wood; those retainers have held-up really well. My closed seat pressure is 240 and open is 625. Also, I’ve run my PAC-1243 endurance springs two to three seasons (two sets now) and the pressures (closed/open) are still spot-on. However, I’m installing new 1243s again this year just to be on the safe side. Additionally, I have Boyd’s do the valve job, then I do the assembly (I have my installed height gauge, shims and valve spring compressor).

Warren