Projects Plan II - 62 Chevy II Drag Car

Thanks. Of course I red lighted on my next run.

 

Hope you are giving them the tail lights Jim

 

Jim , saw you run this afternoon ! Very cool! Have a safe trip home!! Larry

 

Walked pretty much the whole pits and never saw your car, oh well.

 

Yeah, I walked around the whole place and never found you. You were well hidden. Saw the 10.38 pass, you were on your game.

 

Sorry, i don't have time to read through the whole thread; It's not that it is not fascinating---it IS. i'm just too busy.

What spindles does the front axle kit use?

 

They are modified 49 to 54 Chevy.

 

updated the racing log after the Meltdown.

selectric.org/62nova/62racing.pdf

I've been trying to keep this up to date after every race I go to.

There's also the spreadsheet version, if you like playing with numbers.

selectric.org/62nova/62racing.xls

 

I will see you on Drag Week. As I said, just give a holler if you need ANYTHING during your visit to the Upper Midwest.

 

Thanks!

 

Jim mind if I ask what size and brand front tires you are using on the Nova? I think I saw where you were using the M&H vintage 900 x15 slicks. Pleased with them? Thanks, Mike

 

The slicks work fine, they are that size. The fronts are coker BFG Silvertown 6.00-15. Rear street tires are coker classic L78-15

 

Thank you. Appreciate the help. Making the wrong tire choice gets pricey

 

sometimes I long for the days of the $19.99 deluxe champion...and it was only about 30 years ago.

 

When I put the mufflers back on the car and drove it on the trailer at the Meltdown drags, I noticed a little ticking sound. I finally got around to looking at the car today. Ran it some, it idles rough, and a faint ticking. The heater hose stethoscope indicated it might be in the pass side valve cover. I pulled it off, and found the front rocker nut loose. This has been a recurring problem, but since I have kind of long ARP rocker studs (needed with the factory aluminum heads) and stock valve covers, there really isn't much room for polylocks. This nut turned pretty easily...I got a couple packs of new stock type nuts last year, and keep them in the car. I guess I'll replace all of them, and make sure I have a full set of spares still. I think the ones that are on the car have been off and on a few times, which gets them loose.

Still a rather cheap valve train for a car that goes this fast! here's an older picture of the other head:

 

Jim, How about putting a standard nut over the lock nut? Seems like you could snug it just a little without moving the lock nut.

 

good idea. I think there's plenty of room. I'd just want to make sure it can't come loose

 

good pass.

 

Have I read somewhere that there is a torque spec for turning the nut maybe?
Guessing it's not the stud worn out being they are ARP.

 

There probably is a torque spec. Besides "it feels looose"

The studs are still in good shape. I have encountered worn out stock studs, though.

 

I've already re-used the nuts after putting them in a vice and slightly egg shaping them to lock in better. Your solution is probably way better for the long haul of Drag Week. A jam nut should be plenty to keep the other nut in place I would think.

 

If I did put a jam nut on it I would use a lock nut.

 

maybe I should just loctite the damn things. It's a hydraulic roller cam, so they don't need to be adjusted except when I take things apart.

 

Do you think by going full roller rocker that harmonics may play less of an issue ?

 

I doubt it. But I built the car so only stock valve covers will fit, so I would not be tempted to run full roller rockers. There's a plan, you know...

 

We used to double nut our rocker arms all the time before the fancy stuff came out. We ran a 57 Chevy down in south Florida with a 427-425 hp crate motor. In the late 60's in 1/2 mile oval track stuff. Ran it until it blew and go to Chevy and for $ 780.00 buy another brand new one . Sell off the old one for parts.
Just stick the L-88 cam in it and run it.
You and your car are getting pretty famous . Next reality show ? Squirrel Garage .

 

You could run spacers under the valve covers
Just trying to help.

 

Who said running polylocks with roller works is a must. Yes, I know why but your a pretty smart guy at planning around thing's.

 

I've got a brand new pair cheap, I'll never use.

 

Like I said, I set the motor in the car so I have to run stock covers. If I try to run spacers, they will hit the firewall. I planned it that way.