The Road to Drag Week 2016 - September 5

[jayb]

Just a quick update tonight, really no time to write all the stuff that has happened down.  But in any case the car is together, the engine runs, I've broken in the rear end gears on the jackstands, and I'm pretty close to a test drive.  Which is good, because I need to drive it to my friend BradFORD's shop for an alignment later this week.  Minor problems I'm still addressing include a small water leak, the electric fans coming on when they are not supposed to, a couple of oil drips from the dry sump fittings, etc.  Should be able to finish up all the last items tomorrow, test drive Wednesday, front end alignment Thursday, and on the trailer for Drag Week on Friday.  Talk about cutting it close...

Special thanks to my friend Jeff (JericoGTX) for his help on the fiberglass bumpers this weekend.  Jeff took over that project when I just didn't have the time to get it done, did all the bodywork, tried a chrome wrap (that didn't work), and then finish sanded and painted the bumpers.  We were going to try the spray on chrome stuff, but there wasn't time, so that will have to wait for sometime after Drag Week.

[cjshaker]

Talk about cutting it close...

And this surprises you? On the bright side, I think you're ahead of Joel.

[57 lima bean]

Jeff is real good!

[cjshaker]

Just out of curiosity, how long do you break in your gears on the stands?

[JERICOGTX]

Jeff is real good!

More like a sucker for punishment...

Thanks again for the lunch Saturday. Can't wait to sit and have a beer with everyone in Columbus.

[jayb]

Just out of curiosity, how long do you break in your gears on the stands?

Mark Williams says to run them for 10 minutes in first gear then 10 minutes in second.  I did 10 and 15.  This was my first try with synthetic gear lube; I used the Richmond synthetic gear lube since I have Richmond gears.  After 25 minutes of running I felt the axle housing and it was warm to the touch, but not hot like you reported.  However, the pinion seal is leaking with the synthetic lube, where it never leaked before with conventional gear lube.  Its not leaking a lot, just enough to piss me off...

[cjshaker]

I was running mine under load, driving, and with conventional gear oil, so that may account for some of the heat. I'll be switching to synthetic this Thursday, hopefully without any leak issues. I wasn't sure if using synthetic for break in was a good idea. I probably could have researched that better.

[JERICOGTX]

  However, the pinion seal is leaking with the synthetic lube, where it never leaked before with conventional gear lube.  Its not leaking a lot, just enough to piss me off...

Just bring plenty of rags with. The Drunk Monkey will be more then happy to clean the underside every day.

[jayb]

I thought that's what the Drunk Monkey's t-shirt was for...

[57 lima bean]

I thought that's what the Drunk Monkey's t-shirt was for...

   Last year was fuel,this year gear lube.Wonderful.......... I'm hoping for no wardrobe malfunctions

[JERICOGTX]

Are you bringing your nonJay approved hat again this year?

[57 lima bean]

LOL...............No

[thatdarncat]

Just a quick update tonight, really no time to write all the stuff that has happened down....  Minor problems I'm still addressing include... a couple of oil drips from the dry sump fittings, etc...

[jayb]

I like it!  FYI, the Drunk Monkey and I went on an extended shakedown cruise tonight.  Everything went fine.  For the last bit, while Steve drove I adjusted the fuel map in the EFI system to dial in the A/F under cruise and idle conditions.  The engine is now running very nicely on its normal diet of 92 octane, 10% ethanol.  The dyno tune is still in it for the high RPM and low vacuum conditions, where race fuel will be in the tank.  Last night Kevin gave me a hand with a few items, and one of the things I address was some minor leaking from the fittings on the dry sump pump.  Back from the shakedown cruise tonight, I looked under the car, and those fittings are dry as a bone; no leaks!   I guess its better to keep the horsepower inside, rather than sweating it out LOL!

Tomorrow I get the car aligned, and then Friday its on the trailer and getting packed for Drag Week.  Steve and I are having a celebratory beer tonight, Drunk Monkey style!  We are almost ready...

[machoneman]

Yeah! I like the shake-down cruise idea. Any chance for a 1/4 mile blast at a track? 0-60 ft times, etc.?