How much do we have?

[1968Torino]

My wife has been instrumental in getting to Drag Week this year. After all it is a tribute to our son who passed early this spring. My wife and I  are taking his 68 Torino GT this year.  He and I attended the 2016 event, and it was the time of our lives (literally). I started testing the car in April and found a few things that I needed to fix or change. My wife politely asked how much was it going to be?  Let's see, I need shocks, springs, gears and a shifter. I need to pull the motor to fix some oil leaks. I need to go through the trans and make sure it's in good shape. I give her a $ number and start ordering parts. We all know how that goes. That list snowballs into another list, and another. So here we are , 3rd of July. No closer to being ready to go to Drag Week, but the deadline looms. She sits in my lap this morning and asked " What's the budget for Drag Week?"  My reply "How much do we have?"

[jayb]

Sounds like a typical Drag Week thrash to me, Jim.  I'm going through the same sort of thing myself at the moment.  Hang with it - Jay

[cjshaker]

Jim, I certainly hope you make it this year. I really enjoyed seeing and talking to you and your son last year. Even if the car isn't in perfect shape, could you make it through the week? If so, I'd still consider going, as long as it's not something major that would cause you to not make it the full 5 days. Don't let the springs and gearing stop you, unless they're just plain busted. The car seemed to make it fine last year, with only a couple of very minor problems if I remember right? I don't have any Torino specific parts, but if there's any way I could help, let me know.

My wife and I really got a kick out of watching your son last year. He was having a great time, and seeing a younger guy with an old FE in the event really made me smile. I hope you can make it this year, and I'm sure others would like to see you there as well.

[turbohunter]

We're all out here pulling for you Jim.
Hope you can do it.
Will your wife be your co pilot?

[Nightmist66]

Jim, as Doug asked, is it possible to get by doing the bare necessities? I sure hope you make it also. It would be a great tribute and seeing any FE is worth the price of admission! During the week, three of the tracks are not far from my house, and if I can help, let me know.

Do you need front and/or rear shocks? Which trans do you have? What gear are you looking for? What kind of shifter?

Sounds like a typical Drag Week thrash to me, Jim.  I'm going through the same sort of thing myself at the moment.  Hang with it - Jay

You guys are not alone......

[1968Torino]

Thanks guys. I will be there. It seems no matter how much you spend, there is always more you need. No matter how much time you have, it's always a last minute thrash. Last year my dad drove my Marauder. My brother drove my dads T-bird. My son was in his car. I was the trunk monkey for all 3 cars. We where finishing two of the cars in the tech line.
  I really wanted to be competitive this year but the goal is moving toward just completing the week. Don't get me wrong, it's a daunting task for any car.
  I have put Lakewood drag shocks on the front with small block springs. I put rancho adjustable shocks on the back. . The shocks and springs picked up 3 tenths. I'm still two seconds from being competitive. A new fuel pump was also  installed. The old pump was so noisy. I  could hear it over open headers. We are still planning on taking the motor out to fix a few oil leaks. While it's out, the electric water pump and electric fan are ready for install. There is a new balancer going on. (SFI, just in case I do become competitive). Still the deadline draws near. O'yeah. It's still going to be $3500 to make the trip, hotel, and food. Luckily the entry fee has already been paid.
My wife will ride up with me to Cordova. My dad will be my navigator. My wife will rent a car and meet us at a few of the tracks. She has family in Chicago she'll be shuttling around to some of the tracks to watch. It's going to be a family affair. I met Jay and Doug last year. I would like for the rest of you to come up and introduce yourselves this year.  I will be there no matter the cost.  Barring catastrophic failure, we will finish. We will do it with my sons FE.

[1968Torino]

Ok, I'm cutting it close. It's been in the 100s* all week. It took 3 days to get the headers off this thing. Hooker supercomp 2 1/8" adjustables. I don't know how my son got all 32 bolts in those things. I finally cut holes in the shock towers for access. I pulled the heads off to install Cometic head gaskets. Used a whole tube of permatex to seal the intake adapter. Shouldn't have any leaks there. Got the electric water pump installed. New balancer looks good. Now I can run a serpentine belt for the alt. The trans is being freshened up tomorrow. I don't think I'll have any time to test at the track, but what's new. I'll test at Drag Week.