Well last week was the season opener at our track. We finally get there (hour and half drive). I ice up the plenum and let the car sit for about half an hour. I chatted with some fellow f-body guys watched a couple of races and just preped for when I wanted to race. I pull up to the burn out box (the track guys we're trying to rush me). Do my burn out. Stage. Then away we go. No traction, car red lines. Finally get traction and I'm off. I get to the cool down lane and start seeing smoke from under my hood. Pull up in the pits pop the hood. My car then proceeds to **** coolent every where. Well after checking it out it looked to be a busted freeze plug. After some help from some of the guys out at Gimli, Thanks by the way incase you guys are reading this. We chained the car up to my dads truck and headed home.
I didn't even get a full run. Two days later I got the freeze plug out . Turns out It was really a block heater. The o ring around it cracked. Tossed that in the garbage. Bought a REAL freeze plug and car run fine now. My dad ask me at the track while we and everyone around us watched the car pee "how come your not swearing? Or killing anyone?" I said "well I guess thats part of racing. Stuff breaks. It happens. "
Oh and on our way home we passed by an RCMP officer who had just pulled someone over. He watched us drive by chain scraping the ground and all. He didn't pull us over. I guess he figured we had a bad enough day.
Also I'm now famous at the track. For this very mishap.

Bring on the slicks

 

That's how I feel. I broke another engine. Oh well. I drove the car on the trailer and took it home. The next day I decided to pull the engine. I was in no rush. I knew something was broken but I've broken enough that it doesn't seem to bother me any more. Now I just take my time. It's been a week and I still don't have a replacement block yet.

The way things are going I think I'm just going to race my truck for the rest of the season. If I get my car back together before the end of the season, I'll take it back to the track.

It's just going to be hard going from low 11's to mid 15's.

 

hang in there guys! yeah no one really likes when things go wrong but what can you do its part of the hobby

 

Hey at least we can say we've been there and done that.
Also I now believe nothings bullit proof.
Man Stephen your car must be sweet. I guess when your running a screamer like yours breaking is nothing new. Heck look at the cars in the NHRA. They tear those engines down after every run. And if something is out of spec a millimeter boom! Rod through the block. But I guess that gives you a chance to do whats the best about this hobby. Working on your car. Aside of doing a smoke show for a crowd that is
Oh well. You live. You learn.
Thanks for the support guys. It seems like my problem was nothing now. But what really kills me is I only got half a run out of my car.

 

My parts breakage is minor however I've been told that I've now broken more engines than our local Top Alcohol funny car. I don't know if that's true since this wasn't a drag racing breakage.

I've mentioned before about our local racer Jirka Kaplan and his 27 T altered. He runs a 377 blown SBC into the low 6's. You should see his used parts. I think he changes valve springs every second run. Spark plugs last one run. Pistons last about one weekend. His current project is to swap engines for a 230 or 206 cid V6 to reduce weight and still run as quick.

Comp Eliminator guys are crazy.

Speed does cost money. If I wanted to race without any major expense, I would have kept the car completely stock. Racing at the level I am now is as far as I want to go. Dipping into the 9's would be nice but the expenses start to skyrocket to keep it there. Of course that 622 BBC would be a nice way to make HP without having to scream the engine so much doing it. Hmmm. Maybe I should buy that Merlin block Face it, what I really need is a ProStock engine.

 

A pro stock engine would do. How much hp are you putting out?
Have you tried one of those chevy race blocks? I'm hoping to eventually be in the 11's when I'm finally done.

 

Well while we're on the topic. Has anyone else's car broken down at the track? It helps to talk about it. *** this is turning into one of those after school specials. "sharing your drag racing feeling with Mr. Rogers" <insert pic of trolly doing cat walk>
Shudder

 

it wasnt really at the track but i broke my motor racing on the freeway on the way home from the track

 

ouch