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Skip Fix · 01-31-2020, 03:35 PM

So you guys that check springs and swap them all the time what do you expect to see when the pressures start decreasing?

Only had a few passes in the IA/Camaro but just not pulling as hard as it should and trying to look at all possibilities. Springs are older but checked out OK when I freshened the heads a few years back and have not been run until recently. Seems more on the bottom end though. I would think springs would be more a top end issue with poor valve control.

PAUL K · 01-31-2020, 03:38 PM

Weak springs usually won't RPM. Sounds like it could be a fuel issue. Make sure your air bleeds are clean.

Skip Fix · 01-31-2020, 04:05 PM

Thanks Paul that is what I thought If the new car bugs don't quit biting me I had planned to swap on another carb Sunday. Pressure has stayed fine on data logger.

I can tell you a header leak you thought was fixed blowing out the bottom 4&6 can melt the insulation off your starter wires! Probably a good thing after the car in front of us leaked the car would not start in the burnout box! Had to tow back to the trailer. Solenoid plastic a little melted too.

At least the biplane practicing his stalls over the pits did not crash on me! Murphy as been biting me every time with this project.

PAUL K · 01-31-2020, 04:14 PM

That happens sometimes....to all of us. If you haven't already, get a pair of Remflex header gaskets. I've had them seal up headers that were warped severely. They work great!

We had a bi-plane goofing around at Great Lakes Dragaway last time I was there.... must be the "in thing" to do now.

Scott Stoneburg · 01-31-2020, 04:40 PM

I didn't have any indication that my springs were weak. Heads had been sitting after getting freshened up for many years. I finally decided to check them just to check them out. The motor had no issues turning Ron's, no indication of falling off on the big end of the track. I pulled 2 springs off the motor while in the car. Turns out they were significantly too soft for my cam. Replaced the springs and picked up a little more than 1 mph in the 1/8 mile.

Steve C. · 01-31-2020, 05:22 PM

We check new valve springs at their intended installed height with a Rimac machine before they are installed. Never trust the catalog specs ! Once the baseline pressure is known we use a LSM on the head valve spring tester and monitor them. And note they can vary slightly as measured on the cylinder heads vs the Rimac bench tester.

Solid roller cam. Limited street use, no racing, so personally we check my valve springs once a year at the same time we check the valve lash.

A few years ago a biplane made a emergency landing in the open field at the end of my street.

.

Skip Fix · 01-31-2020, 05:34 PM

The plane was practicing for at least 30-45 minutes! Bright yellow.

PAUL K · 01-31-2020, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve C.

A few years ago a biplane made a emergency landing in the open field at the end of my street.

.

He probably wanted a closer look at the TA.

Mike Davis · 01-31-2020, 06:01 PM

When mine start going I get a little burble at the gear change around 7200RPM (Stock Block so gotta be careful) . I normally change them out when they drop about 15-20lbs off seat pressure using an on the head checker. I normally get around 1.5 seasons out of a set of PAC springs,
A lot will depend on lift and how many cycles as well as how much oil is running across them to keep them cool

Skip Fix · 01-31-2020, 07:27 PM

I meant cylinders 3& 5. Here is the wiring.

Skip Fix · 02-03-2020, 10:43 AM

So pulled the headers completely off to reseal. What do think, just a little leak! I guess the cable did some arcing as it was still 2" away.

Dent in other tube needed to clear freeze plug casting on the IA block even though screw in plug is flush.

cgeise · 02-11-2020, 03:42 PM

well that WILL NOT buff out

Skip Fix · 02-11-2020, 06:10 PM

You know I had a good 2" between cable and header tube and still that much when I pulled it. I just can't see the motor and not the header torquing over that much! Going to use a relay so that cable is not hot all the time now.

Have two other identical sets of the same Hooker header. One used a little rusty but tube near A arm pickup on frame needed massaging. The other one coated has a header evac welded on. But the collector flange is 180 degrees off! so won't mate to the exhaust system.So just going to patch the holes and get it back going. Swap on an 850/1000 4150 over this carb with bigger venturis to see if that is some of the sluggish first half of the track. 3.73 if it runs the mph I had expected would be about right for a 28" tall tire.

Frustrating my 78 TA with 150lbs more, 50 less ci, a Torker II vs a Victor, smaller HFT vs roller is as fast!

Scott65 · 02-11-2020, 07:06 PM

Ouch... Sorry for your troubles....

Skip Fix · 02-20-2020, 01:37 PM

Header repaired not pretty but functional. Found some Percy's graphite with SS core header gaskets to use. I can fit large head bolts in so maybe a better crush also. I usually slot the gasket for the #5 bolt and the Remflex shape looked hard to do that. Also Remflex 2" don't have the center two bolt holes correct too narrow. 1 7/8 are OK.

Extra '78 starter shield added and the Ford solenoid wired up!

Going to ad a puke can for the breathers, pondering a vacuum pump.

Thoughts on vacuum pumps? GRZ, Star, Moroso?

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