DW 2016: Galaxie update

[AlanCasida]

I did a cam change (little more lift/duration but not much) in the 521 so I took the Galaxie out to the track Friday night, first time out since ohhhh last September, and ran some 12.0s. On these T-N-T /grudge race nights there is very little(none) track prep and pretty bad air so I was ok with that. I had a few race carb issue that hopefully I have resolved. My buddy and 460 guru suggested I increase the initial timing and pull back the full timing a little so I did that Sunday. When I removed the plate to get to the advance adjustment(Unilite) I pulled the top off the optical sensor so I replaced it. I also had some extra slop in the distributor shaft and found that bronze gear was worn pretty badly so I replaced that. I also swapped out that God-awful noisy Detroit Locker for a newer model so now maybe everyone within a 100ft radius won't stop and stare every time I turn the car! Last year I had more than a few occasions where someone would come by offering help to "fix" the rearend on my car. I just had to hang my head a little and say "thanks but it's supposed to sound like that". I did have a few, mainly Ford guys, give me a thumbs up..."Hey, a locker!"
 If I get all my parts in time I am going to swap out the gas tank and fuel line, tank to carb. I have a 8AN(1/2") line now but it comes out the top/front of the tank like stock so I got a new tank and welded a sump in the bottom and got some 10AN(5/8") line. I think that will help my mechanical pump since it has to pull that gas a loooong way in the Galaxie. Other than that I just have make sure I have all my spare stuff and make sure it all fits in the trunk!    

[cjshaker]

12.0's huh? That's about what I figure I should run with my gearing. Ok, buddy....it's on!    Except you have 84 more cubic inches and canted valve heads. And YES, I'm making excuses already.

[jayb]

Alan, those guys who didn't like the sound of your locker are just show car panzies.  They don't know what a real performance car sounds like. 

I like the match race that's getting set up here.  Doug, maybe you'd better be thinking about some last minute performance upgrades...

[cjshaker]

I've been debating a gear change since I signed up. This may just be the push I needed.

[AlanCasida]

You'd be surprised at how many "racers" have never heard of a Detroit Locker. Mainly from the younger set I guess. My new Locker still clacks but it's very muffled so you can't really hear it unless you're under the car. I have the same(noisy) Locker in my '65 Mustang but it's going to stay. It will go well with the early race car theme I'll be trying to project. I have told my friends that this will be the swan song for the Galaxie and if I don't have the  Mustang ready next year I won't be going. Of course I pretty much said the same thing last year.  The old Gal IS quite a kick to take on DW.   If I can get my butt in gear I'd like to stick a straight axle under the 'Stang and run it in the Gasser class...possibly with a blower on it....FE powered of course.  I tell you though, once you felt the power of the dark side(460) it's hard to come back. 

[jgkurz]

I've been debating a gear change since I signed up. This may just be the push I needed.

Doug, Just curious, what gears are you pondering? I'm guessing you have a 27" or 28" tall tire.  -John

[machoneman]

You'd be surprised at how many "racers" have never heard of a Detroit Locker. Mainly from the younger set I guess.

I'm surprised to hear that considering the legions of Fox bodied and later model 'Stangs that do use the DL but usually in a 8.8" rear.

[cjshaker]

I've been debating a gear change since I signed up. This may just be the push I needed.

Doug, Just curious, what gears are you pondering? I'm guessing you have a 27" or 28" tall tire.  -John

John, yes, I have 28" tall tires. I ordered a set of 4.30 gears from Strange today. If the calculators are right, it should give me about 6000 rpms at the top end. Maybe a bit more if I can actually get traction and get the car moving...lol

[Nightmist66]

John, yes, I have 28" tall tires. I ordered a set of 4.30 gears from Strange today. If the calculators are right, it should give me about 6000 rpms at the top end. Maybe a bit more if I can actually get traction and get the car moving...lol

So, at 6k, you must be going through @116mph. Is that close to where it has been running?

On mine with the 4.33 and 27" tire, I am going through at 5600 and 105mph.

I love the 4.33 in mine and don't plan on going back to the 3.89 anytime soon. On the highway I just consider it "exercising the valvesprings".

[cjshaker]

So, at 6k, you must be going through @116mph. Is that close to where it has been running?

On mine with the 4.33 and 27" tire, I am going through at 5600 and 105mph.

I love the 4.33 in mine and don't plan on going back to the 3.89 anytime soon. On the highway I just consider it "exercising the valvesprings".

On my first outing, with my 3.89 gears and horrible traction (spinning the first 60+ feet), I was running at 113 mph and crossing at a little over 5000. My only later test, with only slightly better traction, was showing 115. The 3.89 gears are just way to low for a 28" tire unless highway cruising is your main criteria. I have no idea if the 4.30's will help, but it will make the car more driver and track friendly with its power band. I'm just hoping to have my traction issues resolved by the end of the week. Then I just need to work on driver issues

[Nightmist66]

Gotcha.

[jayb]

On my first outing, with my 3.89 gears and horrible traction (spinning the first 60+ feet), I was running at 113 mph and crossing at a little over 5000. My only later test, with only slightly better traction, was showing 115. The 3.89 gears are just way to low for a 28" tire unless highway cruising is your main criteria. I have no idea if the 4.30's will help, but it will make the car more driver and track friendly with its power band. I'm just hoping to have my traction issues resolved by the end of the week. Then I just need to work on driver issues

The 4.30s will be a HUGE help.  Back in 2005, just before Drag Week, I went to the track with 3.89s and ran 10.90s.  The week before Drag Week I swapped in 4.11s and all week long I ran 10.60s, best of 10.55.  With your engine especially, peaking in power lower than mine did, I'd expect you to pick up at least 3 tenths with the gear change (assuming you can get traction).

[cjshaker]

Alan, I'm curious what the specs are on that new cam that you installed?

[AlanCasida]

It is a Comp solid roller. The advertised specs are .674" int  .680"exh and 292 duration. I only got to take it to the track once and I couldn't really tell if it made any difference. Hopefully it won't slow it down but you never know.