Apparently I suck at drag racing...

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vntned

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So I took my beater daily driver '64 Dart to the track yesterday on a whim. It's the first time I've been on a track in 10yrs. And it showed!

So the car is a '64 Dart 170 2dr sedan
'70 360 0.060" over
Speed Pro H116CP pistons
Stock 587 heads with 1.88/1.60 valves
Stock rods and crank
Comp Cam 268AH-10
340 windage tray
Unmodified Eddy LD340 intake
Street Demon 750 out the box no changes
340HP exhaust manifolds
2.25" exhaust

A833 4spd and a 8.25" rear with 3.55s and a SG

The car isn't remotely set up for drag racing and has big Tbars, sway bars, and very unsticky Cooper Cobras.

Anyways, enough of the excuses. First run out, I was unprepared for the tracks stickiness, didn't give it enough rpm and managed to choke it off. Bleh. 22sec 1/8th mile with a 12sec 60ft.

Next run, I tried to leave the line at 2800rpm, which commenced in serious tire spin. I had to lift then get back in it. 10.2sec @ 76mph within abysmal 2.8 60ft. Ugh.

On the return road I smelled coolant. Get into the pits, pop the hood, and the fan clutch hit the rad and poked a hole. Dammit man!

I was really hoping for 9flats at 80mph. I failed.

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That’s OK. My very first 60’ was 30 seconds. Dumped the clutch, lurched out, stalled, sat and cranked it.... forever..... and finished the 1/4 @ 97 on a half hearted run.
 
Hmmm, if we're gonna share noob mistakes at the drag strip....

First time with a tranny brake, let go of the button, launched, hit the button again (only God knows why) and screeeeeeeched to a halt about 40 ft. out, then let go of the button again while I still had it floored. 2nd launch was pretty good considering!:BangHead:
 
Yep. First time I left in drive with a car that had no kickdown linkage. I didn't even stop by to pick up my time slip. It's a wonder I didn't smoke the tranny and have to be towed back to the pits! What the heck, Your second pass was twice as fast as your first pass. Look at where you're headed with that record. LOL
 
Everyone of us started some place,the important part is did you have fun
 
Thanks guys! In all honesty, it's the first time I've driven a rwd car on the track. When I used to race I was running tweaked out Dodge Neons and Omni GLHs, which are fwd. Not to mention low on torque.

Always wanted a traditional muscle car, so I put this pile together. I really have a lot to learn apparently.

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Thanks guys! In all honesty, it's the first time I've driven a red car on the track. When I used to race I was running tweaked out Dodge Neons and Omni GLHs, which are fwd. Not to mention low on torque.

Always wanted a traditional muscle car, so I put this pile together. I really have a lot to learn apparently.

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Yup, but it'll be fun learning!
 
Thanks guys! In all honesty, it's the first time I've driven a red car on the track. When I used to race I was running tweaked out Dodge Neons and Omni GLHs, which are fwd. Not to mention low on torque.

Always wanted a traditional muscle car, so I put this pile together. I really have a lot to learn apparently.

View attachment 1715183689
Love that car! Just enough rat rod to make it fun and enough go under the hood to turn heads.
 
Yeah don't sweat it I know some guys that raced big dollar Hemi cars back in the day , campaigned every week and never one shyte so talking about sucking , at least your in at the fun level money wise LOL .
 
On a lighter note you just inspired me to chuck my front bumper. I once asked a guy how much it is to straighten it, he laughed and walked away. It doesn't look to bad without one.
 
My front bumper was missing when I bought the car. It's been front bumperless for 6+ years now, and I have no intention of putting one on there!
 
Thank you for being honest and humble enough to tell everyone. Nobody is great at stuff when they first start, right?
How close was the fan clutch to the radiator? I have a 65 Dart with a 318 and the room is really tight! I have a later model 318 with an aluminum pump so that probably sticks out more.
 
I have a timing slip from 1966...18.18 @ 73.41 mph.

'61 Impala ragtop with a 283/3 speed/ 3.70 gears. Around 4200 lbs.

You're doing ok...
 
You're not alone.
Last Sunday I took my Dart to the MegaMopar show and race at Bandimere speedway.
Payed for both show and race since it was only 5 buck more. And I really wanted to see what the Dart would
do with the new 5.9 in it.
Car is 5.9 basically stock rebuild, with airgap and 600cmf eddy, dougs headers, 2.5" exhaust. 8-3/4" rear with 3:23's pegleg, no suregrip, and T/A radials.
This was my first time racing

First run, lots of tire spin, then on the 2-3 shift when i hit the ratchet shifter, seemed like it didn't shift, so I let off a little and hit it again. yep, thats neutral, pulled it back to drive and got on it. Result, 16.9 at 81mph (this is a 1/4" mile track)

Second run, I just put her in drive and let it shift. Tried to leave the line a little easier and then get in it. Result, 15.9 at 88mph (dropped 1 second and gained 7 mph. Cool!

First elimination run, in drive, panicked and just nailed the throttle of the line, spun the right rear what seemed like 50-75 foot, had to let off and then get back into it. Result, I lost time was back in the 16's and 82 mph I think. I had a head start cause the other guy had a faster car, but he didnt catch me until right at the end. If I hadn't been spinning so much I would have made it to the second round at least. But its a cruiser, not really setup for drag racing.

Oh, and my reaction time got worse on each run. Started at .66, then .73, and then .8 something.
 
I'm thinking I actually damaged the rad when I changed the clutch the other week. Im guessing that when I lowered the trans the engine rocked back and made contact.

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......….Im guessing that when I lowered the trans the engine rocked back and made contact.

Ouch!! Next time I'd cover it with a piece of thin paneling or just remove it.

FWIW, the MP book recommends 3/4" clearance.
 
I suppose my first time out, I would just floor it from a stop. no burnout, trans brake, line lock, etc. I would gradually work those items in. Oh and fan hitting the radiaitor? hopefully that was all that happened as far as damage, it could have been worse...:)
 
Back on the road. I'm gonna install the wideband and get the carb dialed in in the next few weeks. Then it's some sticky tires and I'll be trying it again!

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I have a timing slip from 1966...18.18 @ 73.41 mph.

'61 Impala ragtop with a 283/3 speed/ 3.70 gears. Around 4200 lbs.

You're doing ok...
That is really cool.... from 1966 :)
I still have my 1st time slip too. It was in a 150 dollar 1973 Dart Swinger. High mileage, with a slight miss (probably bad valve). 318 2bbl, single exhaust, auto, 2.76 gears. 16.72 @ 81 mph
 
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