Cecil County 10-28-23

I went back Friday night (11-03) for what will be my last trip of the year. This is just a toy, but it's fun trying to get things working right. I got runs number 9-12 on this new car, so I'm learning.
My biggest problem has been the Quarter Stick. Looking closer, and with a friend's advice, I believe it's for a regular valve body. not a reverse pattern like mine. If I put it in 3rd (engine off), and shift it like a regular valve body, it only goes one gear, then I have to pull the trigger for what would be the 2-3 shift. That makes sense. The way it is, I have to have the trigger pulled to go 1-2 (it'll go right to 3rd w/o the trigger pulled), and it's not as easy as it sounds with a 1.6X 60' time. I bought an entire vehicle for the driveline, and "assumed" (uh oh) the shifter matched the trans. (I've never used a Quarter Stick before.) The Quarter Stick is made for a specific valve body. You can't just replace the plate in it like a B&M shifter. New shifter is $400! I'm going to start another thread to see if someone could post a picture of a reverse valve body shifter so I can compare it to mine to see if I can maybe weld up and machine (or?) mine to make it work "backwards".
My other problem is traction (and related over revving). The tires are old, and they're 235-60 M/T Street ET drag radials. Only 26" tall. I replaced a noisy 4.10 with a 4.33 with the intention of getting taller tires. It needs them. It's out of breath before the traps. Fuel system checks out. I will check the valve springs, too. But I need the taller tires, and the wheels to go with them, so I'll start there. It has /6 leaf springs that I clamped, and a loose front suspension that has 90-10's. Not ultimate, but I used what I had to get this running.
My previous best (last Saturday) was 11.80 @110 with 1.65 60' a time. Friday, it went 11.83 and 11.84 @111, but spun to 1.83 and 1.81 60' times. So it has some left in it. (the air was better Friday than last Saturday)
I also met member BVoelzke. His car is above in post #8. Nice guy with a very nice car. He's had it for 41 years!
Here's a link to what I bought for the driveline. (Wow, 2009!) Need Help W/ I.D.