from the other LA

[saltracer]

Hi, I am Phil from Lafayette, La. I've been into cars since birth, grew up in a service station/junk yard. Learned to drive in my dad's wrecker. (47 International) Latest projects: '32 Ford roadster (built with my son), '72 Mercury Comet (street car), '27 Ford roadster (Bonneville race car,flathead powered), '51 Henry J (work in progress).

[pecker head]

Cool , welcome from Texas !

[side_valve]

Welcome - I'd be very interested to hear more about your salt flat adventures.

[saltracer]

Welcome - I'd be very interested to hear more about your salt flat adventures.
Well, we flew to Bonneville in '98 & 99', thought we could build a car to run in 2000. Took a little longer and probably a lot more money to complete but we did run in 2001. We live 1900 miles from Bonneville so the trip is halve the battle. The first year the cooling system was inadiquite and blow up the water tank. Added two water tanks and a radiator for '02. Had a great time and made 16 runs. Not real fast but consistent. 125 mph with a hot street flathead. The last time we went was '03. This time the car had the same flathead but we added a blower. The car was not even running till we got to Bonneville! Very last minute, also very stressful. First run I could tell the boost was too high. Coasted through at 115 mph or so. Went over to the Flatliner's group and asked to borrow a larger pulley and without hesitation they gave anything we wanted. (first class operation and our competition) First run with the correct pulley was 146. Twenty mph faster than we had ever gone! Then my son made a pass and it ran only 117? Went back to the pits pulled the pan to find bearing material everywhere. I believe the lack of break in time sure didn't help. Fast forward to this week and we just got the car back and are considering going back. This time with a whole new chassis..much lighter and simpler.