Originally Posted by TQ29m:
DAD, if you are refering to me, thanks for the "young guy" comment, I do wish I fit that billing! At 76, I am young I guess, as young as I can feel anyway, but I do remember being more agile. You know the old saying, be carefull what you wish for, and I do like to "mess" around a bit, I never did like "stock" classes, costs to much to keep them stock, and with these motors, there isn't much you can do, and keep them stock, if it were me, and it isn't, I'd look in the plug hole, and cc the bore and stroke, and if it was "close", that's about as far as I would go, there is little space that already isn't occupied in that cylinder, and believe me, I've tested it, so aftermarket pistons to me, would be OK, some of the stock pistons were cast, and some were forged, I'd pick the forged for strength, and the cast for speed, and as far as cams go, you can get about as much Hp just by increasing the intake clearances as anything, there's only so much you can change them, without tagging the pistons, so maybe measuring the cam, or degreeing them isn't such a big deal, remember, for every rule you put in, ya gotta be able to back it up with tech proceedures, and everyone that's ever been the "man", you know how much fun that is. As far as the chain vs QC drive, in your case, I'd stay with the chain, it is a lot simpler, maybe, but with the clutch and all that stuff, it's really kinda impractical to try and get the engine where the rules say it needs to be, and still fit in a driveshaft where it is supposed to be, just a lot of work, and expense, when it isn't necessary. Now, if you had the car count, you might be able to add another class, that ran the QC like we do, and no tranny, but again, it'd take a while to build the car count, and you already have places you can run together, so why complicate it, and, not to step on any toes, but it is easier to maintain, and be able to do your own work, on a chain drive car, I have a complete machine shop at my disposal, so if I need to cut a case, or make any "special" parts, I just do it, in MY shop, so I don't have to pay to have it done, just my time. I build my own chassis, and make all my specialty parts, some stuff it's cheaper to buy, than make, that's why I stick with full midget parts where I can, or if it's something that I sell several of, I make patterns, and have them cast, then machine them, lots quicker than billet. I know you didn't ask for my input, but I couldn't resist the implication about being young, and pushing the envelope, I don't push it, I'm very careful when I do something, that's why I like our engine rules, we got a box we can work out of, and it gives us plenty of room to try things, without being a cheater! Bob!
Bob
I do appreciate and value your input. You only got me by 10 years, and I hope I can say that I am as active in the next decade. I've Never met you but can tell by your posts you are a pretty savvy racer. The old school racer may be from a time gone by, I appreciate your ability to make what you need. It is ashame you aren't old enough to have known my old friend Al Davis, he too was a machinest and pattern maker back in the Crosley days. He is the guy that made the first TQ rear ends castings. He was a true craftsman and built some beautiful race cars. This guy would take a lathe and an old round ram Bridgport and whittle crankshafts for them little old Crosleys.
Things may be a lot safer and better for the racers today but in the process we have managed to outlaw a lot of creative people and ideas. Racing means to experiment, AJ and I get into it about that all the time. He likes to stick with what he knows works and it is real hard to get him out on a limb and try something a little different. It is very hard to improve if you don't take a few chances.
Racing has become so specialized and commercial with factory made everything. Now we have people worrying about rules in a cookie cutter environment. If it is not legal it was bought from somebody else and not made by the racer.
To you younger guys out there the best thing I can say about getting old is you can say about anything you want to and people just say well there he goes again. I sure hope that just a little of this bull sinks in.
Honest Dad himself
