Shims, Clamps and an Aluminum Rod

So, What have we learned since 2010? On each and every run, the timing would change...The Magneto would actually rotate clockwise. Originally, I thought it was cheap distributor hold down clamp. But, no matter how hard we tightened it...It still changed anytime we put it under power. After our March outing, I spoke to a few people who helpe me diagnose the real problem.

The new Magneto we bought in 2010 had an adjustable collar to allow for up and down movement of the unit. I tried lowering the collar, but the allen screws were far too tight to make the adjustment. Again, with advice from minds more experienced, I decided to shim the Magneto up about 1/16" of an inch. My local Ace Hardware had just the shim I needed and for a mere 68 cents (plus tax), I got it fixed. Not being one to leave well enough alone, I decided to build an anti-rotation device. A $ 4.75 T-Bolt clamp and a section of Longacre Red Anodized Aluminum Throttle Rod, I built a clean very effective device....Now to test it...Which may not happen until Fall....

On a really good note, my other repairs, The Shifter & Throttle Pedal worked PERFECTLY.

Oh well, Have a great Summer !!

More From March 14th...

Here's a video and a few more shots from last time out....I need to acknowledge the Photographic Work of Stevie Ray, Dawn Krystiniak & Lynn Weller. Thank You all..I will relive this day forever....

Some Days Should Never End......

So...about a week after our last outing, My old friend Bob called and said..."Hey..We're coming to Vegas!!" I asked when...he said..."When ya gonna run your heap again?" I quickly checked the schedule and there was an open test day on Saturday, March 14th

After clearing it with work, arranging our trailer and making sure nothing important broke when the tow hook snapped off....Flights were arranged, Favors called in, Supplies purchased and fingers crossed...we were set....

Bob, sister Lynn and her hubby Steve arrived in Vegas for their vacation...and what better way to spend it then working as crew at the drags.....I love my family

I grabbed the trailer, and Dawn & my family all showed up at the shop and we loaded up (among hugs, tears, insults and laughter) we headed to the track...

Man It felt SO GOOD to be there, with the people that mean so much to me.... Dawn's friend Stevie came out too....so we had a full crew, complete with a videographer & 2 photographers ! SWEET!

After setting up our pit area, Ran it thru Tech..I love doing the warm-up because the sound of the car is that of a nasty mean A/FD..and the best part is, when it runs, it attracts people....which I love.....Then it was off to the lanes...

The car was its usual pain in the butt to start, I laid into a hard burn out and damned if the mag didn't walk again...It hobbled back to the line and made a lazy-assed run before quitting altogether @ half track....

With test time running out, We hauled back to the pits to re-set the mag...AGAIN, and flew into the lanes...It started better...did a great burnout....however...the mag turned again...but not as bad...I legged on a lazy, but full run...running a 9.62 @ 139 mph..

Better, but not great....

In summation ...BEST DAY EVER...I had as much fun as I could ever dream of...Thank You, Dawn, Bob, Lynn, Steve, Stevie, My Bosses Steve & Pat....Everyone at LVMS ...including the pastor who said 2 prayers with me before each run....

Sunday, Sunday Sunday!!!!!!!! or "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Staging Lanes"

After nervously agreeing to leave the car at the track, I laid in bed thinking about what had killed the performance..It came to me that thew Magneto was walking again...

I headed back early Sunday and checked the mag...sure enough it had moved again...So I set it back, and it ran fine....Steve wasn't going to be there til later, so we (Dawn) and I decided to try and make a shot by ourselves...Paul was to start the car & Dawn was gonna handle push-truck duties.

As we headed to the lanes, Dawn in the drivers seat (I need a booster pillow for her) I heard a loud bang like I had hit something.....

The tow hook in the nose of the dragster had torn loose and ripped thru the body,,,The metal was fatigued from me pulling a 90 degree turn the night before (I can see it in picture I took)

I felt so bad for Dawn... She thought she had done something wrong...Not True, of course..."That's Racing, See Also: Shit Happens.....

We decided to load up and head home.....