After dropping a valve and doing much damage back on May 6, the engine is finally back in the car and running.

I won't know just how good it's going to be until tomorrow when I go racing again.

I was finally able to weigh the car today with the big block to see how much heavier it is.

Race ready, 1/2 tank of fuel, with driver..

383 small block was 3045 pounds total weight
Big block is 3220. 1875 on the front axle and 1345 on the rear.

Since adding the big block, the battery has also been relocated to the rear to help with weight distribution.

Now that I have an actual weight, my HP estimates (below) have been corrected. I have more than I expected since the car is heavier than I guessed.

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Follow my racing progress on Stephen's racing page
and check out the race car

87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block

Best ET on a time slip: 11.242 altitude corrected to 10.89
Best MPH on a time slip: 121.52 altitude corrected to 125.89
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 497.9
Best 60 foot: 1.546

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

Let us know how it runs

 

Poorly then badly. First 2 time trial passes were poor. The engine wouldn't pull over 6000 rpm. While driving back up the return road, the right exhaust sounded like it had a miss. When I got back to the pits I pulled all the plugs. #2 was wet so I figured it wasn't firing. I installed a new plug then fired up the engine to listen to it. I reved it up once and at about 6000 rpm there was a loud bang and the engine died. Everyone around me was also wondering what the noise was. I pulled the right rocker and the #2 intake rocker was off. I checked to make sure the lifter was still in the bore, checked the pushrod for straightness and reinstalled the rocker. It's possible I may have forgotten to tighten it down during the rebuild but I don't think so. I cranked the engine over and it din't sound very good. Pulled the dipstick and the crankcase is full of antifreeze. OK, my day was done before the first round.

The engine is now out and is stripped down to a short block sitting on the engine stand. Same damage as last time but on a different cylinder.

Broke a head beyond repair, punched a hole through the top of #7 piston, 2 large cracks in #7 cylinder walls (might be able to sleeve it).

I haven't pulled the pan off yet to see if #7 con rod is bent but I'm assuming it is.

Looks like if I want to keep racing this season, I'll have to go back racing the truck in Sportsman ET again.

Since I need about another $1500 to rebuild this one again, I'm leaning to "buying" a new engine now but not in the near future.

 

That's terrible! I'm sorry to hear you had such misfortune.

 

I suppose the good side is that I'm a shoe in for hard luck award again this year.

 

Twice in a row is kind of suspicous don't you think? Could it be in the parts?

I don't think I'd be trusting those valves very much, might consider replacing them all just in case. Call it cheap insurance

 

I'm working on a car name now that the car has a personality.

Big Bang Theory, but it's not a theory any more

A play on words as I'm not sure what will be allowed by NHRA.

Piston Broke
Pissed N Broke
Pisst N Broke

 

Wow that sucks Sorry man.. It always sucks to see someone break expensive stuff...



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-Mike
89 TTA
PT51, V4, 50s, 3DP, Stock Long Block and Convertor.....
11.25@121 w/1.56 24psi Through the Exhaust on a 16psi launch

1998 LS1 T/A 6-Speed
13.10@106 Factory Stock down to the air in the tires. 296HP/319TQ

 

ouch.

 

Why rev a big block to 600rpm with no load on it?

 

Bending a con rod. Neat trick! I thought they usually broke. You're totally right about the hard luck award. Kind of disheartening seeing a guy try to go fast on a budget, and end up with that kind of luck. EVEN if he is from Calgary.

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No guts, no glory.

 

sorry man.