What Do You Do Between Races?

Eric Smith · 3/12/12, 8:59 AM

I think I have most everything else figured out and will slow down my question asking for awhile. But not until after this one. What do you guys do to your cars between races (week to week, not at the track)? Soak and/or clean the nozzles, pills, poppet valve, fuel pump, and fuel lines etc? What do you guys use to clean/lube this stuff? Do you drain the bladder (the one that holds the alcohol (in the car))? Unhook the throttle spring and leave the butterflies wide open to make sure everything evaporates out of there? Cut the fuel filter to look for things that don't belong and change the oil? It won't be long and it will be time to go, and I don't want to ruin something up that I didn't have to. Thanks for the help.........again.

TQ29m · 3/12/12, 11:23 AM

I really hate to open this can of worms, but you did ask, and maybe it's fitting to answer, I know I'll get rock's thrown at me, but what th heck, it wouldn't be the first time, and no 2 people do things the same way, unless you're fortunate enough to have that much help. That being said, first off, get yourself a methenal hydrometer, and ck every barrel of fuel you buy for water, keep your barrel sealed at all times, and in a place where it is less likely to be exposed to heat and cold. Next, buy you a case of Klotz, UPLON, upperlube, and use it as directed, that, in my experience, will keep problems to a minimum. Everytime you expose alcohol to the atmosphere, it will absorb water, and everytime you drain the system, you'll draw in moisture, and everytime it drys, it will leave a white film, and that in itself, is the big problem, so I use the proceedure I just gave you, and leave the system wet, as much as I can, to avoid these issues. As far as the nozzles, I usually clean them weekly, in a small can of carb cleaner, wash them with hot water, blow them dry, spray them down with PB Blaster, and put them back in, and sometimes I'll pull the supply line to the barrel valve, spray some PB Blaster in there, open the shutters, and blow it thru the lines and nozzles, than it's ready to go, as far as I'm concerned. Cking the oil filter on a per race basis, is probably good insurance, and not that expensive, but, if you don't know what to look for, it can be a waste, so for at least the first half dozen times, let someone look at it, that does know. As I said earlier, everyone has their own way, but for all the years Klotz UPLON has been available, it has been the saving grace, for me. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it! Bob!

Rhody · 3/12/12, 4:06 PM

1. Wash Car- get it as clean as you can in the time available.
2. Fuel System
At Track
Open Butterflies ASAP.
Disconnect and Cap Fuel Pump Suction
At Shop
Flush Fuel system (Using a mixture of Marvel Mystery Oil and gas)
Everything gets flushed, barrel valve, pump, bypasses, inj. lines.
Clean Injectors and Pills (Ultrasonic cleaner)
Clean Fuel Filter
3. Air filter of Course.
4. Oil Filter every weekend, Oil Every 2 or 3 races (Depends on Oil).
5. Torsion Bars clean and grease every race.
6. Torque Ball clean and grease every Race.
7. Birdcage Bearings every race (I run split race angular contact)
8. Run Valves/ Check Springs/ Leak-down every 2 races.

CRA91 · 3/12/12, 5:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhody

1. Wash Car- get it as clean as you can in the time available.
2. Fuel System
At Track
Open Butterflies ASAP.
Disconnect and Cap Fuel Pump Suction
At Shop
Flush Fuel system (Using a mixture of Marvel Mystery Oil and gas)
Everything gets flushed, barrel valve, pump, bypasses, inj. lines.
Clean Injectors and Pills (Ultrasonic cleaner)
Clean Fuel Filter
3. Air filter of Course.
4. Oil Filter every weekend, Oil Every 2 or 3 races (Depends on Oil).
5. Torsion Bars clean and grease every race.
6. Torque Ball clean and grease every Race.
7. Birdcage Bearings every race (I run split race angular contact)
8. Run Valves/ Check Springs/ Leak-down every 2 races.

Rhody, pretty much covered it,but I would add checking all nuts and bolts for tightness as you would be surprised at the things that loosen up just from racing the car.

cmiracingvids · 3/12/12, 5:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRA91

Rhody, pretty much covered it,but I would add checking all nuts and bolts for tightness as you would be surprised at the things that loosen up just from racing the car.

Yes, ALWAYS check your main steering and suspension bolts before the car goes on the track. And for added assurance, and it's good practice, double check every lug nut to make sure they're tight as well. Never want a wheel flying off during hot laps...that'll end your night pretty quickly. (Ask Jac Haudenschild)

Posted via Mobile Device

Bad Dad 54 · 3/12/12, 11:43 PM

_____ Clean Air filters
_____ Brakes bled & Adjusted especially if overheated
_____ Bumpers & Chassis bolts
_____ Belts & harnesses Chaffing or pulled webbing
_____ Brake fluid
_____ Fuel lines
_____ Check fuel lines to cell B4 washing cover w/ rag then cover w/ a bag then another Rag & a bag.
_____ Magneto cap & rotor
_____ Drive line
_____ Front caliper & rotor
_____ Fuel filter
_____ Freeze plugs
_____ Fill Fuel Can, Quad & Generator
_____ Front Bars
_____ Front Hubs & wheel bearings
_____ Front shocks & mounts
_____ Front end alignment
_____ Fuel cell inspected
_____ Headers & header bolts
_____ DZUS Buttons
_____ Heim ends & brackets
_____ Ignition wiring & coil
_____ Clean & Grease Arms Axle where they set
_____ Master cylinder
_____ Motor mounts
_____ Change Oil & Filter
_____ Torq Tube
_____ Rear calipers & rotor
_____ Rear brake lines & brackets
_____ Rear Axle
_____ Radiator cleaned CAREFULLY
_____ Radiator mounts
_____ Radiator filled
_____ Radiator cap
_____ Change Gears & Fluid
_____ Rear-end level
_____ Rear-end housing
_____ Rear hubs Bearings
_____ Grease Rear Arms
_____ Rear shocks & mounting
_____ Check Chassis Cracks (good to do while hand washing)
_____ Check Wing
_____ Spark plug wires
_____ Spark plug gap & wear
_____ Spark plugs replaced ?
_____ Lube Shifter
_____ Spindles & steering arm
_____ Steering linkage & ends
_____ Throttle return springs
_____ Timing set
_____ ChangeTires
_____ Arm Clearance
_____ Valve cover bolts & gaskets
_____ Valve lash checked
_____ Wheel cylinder or caliper
_____ Water hoses & clamps

If flush fuel system run WD-40 through system, Do not use an anti-seize with a gritty texture it will cause excessive wear of your parts.
washing car put ballons over fuel tank vent. Remove panels when washing, power washing use care around rear axle bearings.

jdull99 · 3/12/12, 11:48 PM

Maybe not in exact order...and open very much to suggestions (usually the last one to every race...); but after being around midgets since '88, I finally came up with this check list a year or two ago (might even have a couple more steps to add here and there!!!):

Take off wheel covers

Break loose tires

Knock out nerfbar pins

Take out jake ladder pin

Remove most dzuz bottons

Remove radio

Vacuum seat.

Remove seat cover

Remove hood

Cover air cleaners, breathers, and exhaust

Raise car and remove rear tires and spacers

Pre-soak and rinse car

Remove all panels

Soak car

Rinse car

Wash panels

Clean tires

Raise car and block

Back-off chassis stops

Brakeclean all fuel fittings, heims, and moving parts

WD all heims and moving parts

Drain oil

Inspect oil filter

Remove fuel parts

Lube fuel pump

Remove air breathers
Remove spark plugs

Check valves and do leak down

Cap off fuel fittings

Remove front hubs, etc for cleaning & inspection (Every 2-3 weeks)

Check front spindles/front bushings (remove spindles if necessary)

Remove torsion bars, driveline, jake ladder, etc. to clean and inspect (every 2 weeks)

Remove cap and inspect mag

Clean and check points and blow out mag

Clean and inspect wires

Clean contact points and blow out cap

Grease front spindles (if not removed) and u-joint

“Surgically” clean car with 409 (or Mean Green if I get some Hoffman samples! LOL), inspecting frame and components

Nut and bolt check everything
Clean, check and install spark plugs

Install oil filer and fill tank

Clean & check removed torsion bars, shocks, driveline, jake ladder, hubs, bearings, etc.

Regrease driveline, torsion bars, jake ladder, hubs, bearings etc. (Per maintenance sched.)

Install driveline and torsion bars and reconnect (Per maintenance sched.)

Put jake ladder back together and install

Check rear-end for square (after any contact or when possible)

Check axle to axle for square (after any contact or when possible)

Re-connect shocks and any springs not installed

- Grease front spindles (Per maintenance sched.)

Install front hubs and bearings (Per maintenance sched. – spindles first…if necessary)

Clean fuel parts and lines

Clean and check fuel bypasses for flow

Re-install fuel parts and lines

“Prime” fuel pump

Check and top off fuel
Check Water & Power Steering fluid

Clean and re-lube breathers

Install air breathers and covers

Put cover on seat and “prep” belts

Bleed brakes (when possible)

Re-block set-up

Check wheels and tires for wear

“Flip” tires (I understand new RR's have "dots" for heat to the back...at least on big tracks now)

Mark tire stagger sizes

Put body panels on

Install nerf bars

Install radio

Wax panels

Mount tires on car and check offset

Lower and scale (only if time allows)

Check ride heights & "tilt" (for informational purpose only)

Set panard bar
Check toe

Bad Dad 54 · 3/12/12, 11:53 PM

There's at least 4 of us doing all this, we meet on a Wed or Tues, me I perfer Mon. If some thing is broken we'll stand a chance of getting a part b4 the weekend.

We have fun doing this

TV's on usually Tigers or Red Wings. Sometimes we'll watch a race tape. Me I'm outside doing the tires so we'll have the right stagger.

Hate it when they POP - still makes jump.

I'll go 25 lb & still not beaded I'll take it back down & soap it up works for me.

TQ29m · 3/13/12, 9:48 AM

Golly, I had no idea you were going to be so technical! When it comes to washing the car, that's the first thing it gets, outa th trailer, if it'll roll by itself, sometimes you have to repair things, just to make that happen, and when you're a one man band, it's a challange, anyway, over the years, it seems like the mud and stuff has been harder to remove, so I went with an electric power washer, 1700 psi, quiet, and a nice Karcher can be had a Big Lots for around 70 bucks, only runs when you pull the trigger, makes it so much better than a gas powered, 4k psi, that blows the panels off when you get close to the car, plus, it's easy to start! I think everyone has pretty well covered everything else, and the more you do it, the more you'll add, or do only occassionlly. One thing I want to stress, when checking bolts, be careful, I watched a guy break every arm and stop on his car, over the summer, and I tried to tell him, and show him, but he thought if you could move it, it wasn't tight enough, so everytime he ck'd them, he'd move them about a flat, next thing, it's on the ground, so just be careful doing that, someone with no feeling, can easily add to your woes. Bob!

6565 · 3/13/12, 10:06 AM

I'll just add to be careful using Marvel Mystery Oil. It doesn't mix with alcohol. If your pump and lines are full of it, when you go to start the car, you may by trying to force a bunch through the nozzles all at one time. If you do get a bunch in the cylinders, then you're just gonna hydraulic the engine and hurt something. Never heard of using gas, either. With a 15:1 engine, I personally wouldn't want anything that detonates easily in the system-even if it is used just for flushing things out. That's my opinion, anyway...

3/12/12, 8:59 AM	#1 What Do You Do Between Races?
Eric Smith Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 253	I think I have most everything else figured out and will slow down my question asking for awhile. But not until after this one. What do you guys do to your cars between races (week to week, not at the track)? Soak and/or clean the nozzles, pills, poppet valve, fuel pump, and fuel lines etc? What do you guys use to clean/lube this stuff? Do you drain the bladder (the one that holds the alcohol (in the car))? Unhook the throttle spring and leave the butterflies wide open to make sure everything evaporates out of there? Cut the fuel filter to look for things that don't belong and change the oil? It won't be long and it will be time to go, and I don't want to ruin something up that I didn't have to. Thanks for the help.........again.

3/12/12, 4:06 PM	#3 Re: What Do You Do Between Races?
Rhody Member Race Count This Year: 9 Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 200	1. Wash Car- get it as clean as you can in the time available. 2. Fuel System At Track Open Butterflies ASAP. Disconnect and Cap Fuel Pump Suction At Shop Flush Fuel system (Using a mixture of Marvel Mystery Oil and gas) Everything gets flushed, barrel valve, pump, bypasses, inj. lines. Clean Injectors and Pills (Ultrasonic cleaner) Clean Fuel Filter 3. Air filter of Course. 4. Oil Filter every weekend, Oil Every 2 or 3 races (Depends on Oil). 5. Torsion Bars clean and grease every race. 6. Torque Ball clean and grease every Race. 7. Birdcage Bearings every race (I run split race angular contact) 8. Run Valves/ Check Springs/ Leak-down every 2 races.

3/12/12, 11:43 PM	#6 Re: What Do You Do Between Races?
Bad Dad 54 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 717	_____ Clean Air filters _____ Brakes bled & Adjusted especially if overheated _____ Bumpers & Chassis bolts _____ Belts & harnesses Chaffing or pulled webbing _____ Brake fluid _____ Fuel lines _____ Check fuel lines to cell B4 washing cover w/ rag then cover w/ a bag then another Rag & a bag. _____ Magneto cap & rotor _____ Drive line _____ Front caliper & rotor _____ Fuel filter _____ Freeze plugs _____ Fill Fuel Can, Quad & Generator _____ Front Bars _____ Front Hubs & wheel bearings _____ Front shocks & mounts _____ Front end alignment _____ Fuel cell inspected _____ Headers & header bolts _____ DZUS Buttons _____ Heim ends & brackets _____ Ignition wiring & coil _____ Clean & Grease Arms Axle where they set _____ Master cylinder _____ Motor mounts _____ Change Oil & Filter _____ Torq Tube _____ Rear calipers & rotor _____ Rear brake lines & brackets _____ Rear Axle _____ Radiator cleaned CAREFULLY _____ Radiator mounts _____ Radiator filled _____ Radiator cap _____ Change Gears & Fluid _____ Rear-end level _____ Rear-end housing _____ Rear hubs Bearings _____ Grease Rear Arms _____ Rear shocks & mounting _____ Check Chassis Cracks (good to do while hand washing) _____ Check Wing _____ Spark plug wires _____ Spark plug gap & wear _____ Spark plugs replaced ? _____ Lube Shifter _____ Spindles & steering arm _____ Steering linkage & ends _____ Throttle return springs _____ Timing set _____ ChangeTires _____ Arm Clearance _____ Valve cover bolts & gaskets _____ Valve lash checked _____ Wheel cylinder or caliper _____ Water hoses & clamps If flush fuel system run WD-40 through system, Do not use an anti-seize with a gritty texture it will cause excessive wear of your parts. washing car put ballons over fuel tank vent. Remove panels when washing, power washing use care around rear axle bearings.

3/12/12, 11:48 PM	#7 Re: What Do You Do Between Races?
jdull99 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 6,475	Maybe not in exact order...and open very much to suggestions (usually the last one to every race...); but after being around midgets since '88, I finally came up with this check list a year or two ago (might even have a couple more steps to add here and there!!!): Take off wheel covers Break loose tires Knock out nerfbar pins Take out jake ladder pin Remove most dzuz bottons Remove radio Vacuum seat. Remove seat cover Remove hood Cover air cleaners, breathers, and exhaust Raise car and remove rear tires and spacers Pre-soak and rinse car Remove all panels Soak car Rinse car Wash panels Clean tires Raise car and block Back-off chassis stops Brakeclean all fuel fittings, heims, and moving parts WD all heims and moving parts Drain oil Inspect oil filter Remove fuel parts Lube fuel pump Remove air breathers Remove spark plugs Check valves and do leak down Cap off fuel fittings Remove front hubs, etc for cleaning & inspection (Every 2-3 weeks) Check front spindles/front bushings (remove spindles if necessary) Remove torsion bars, driveline, jake ladder, etc. to clean and inspect (every 2 weeks) Remove cap and inspect mag Clean and check points and blow out mag Clean and inspect wires Clean contact points and blow out cap Grease front spindles (if not removed) and u-joint “Surgically” clean car with 409 (or Mean Green if I get some Hoffman samples! LOL), inspecting frame and components Nut and bolt check everything Clean, check and install spark plugs Install oil filer and fill tank Clean & check removed torsion bars, shocks, driveline, jake ladder, hubs, bearings, etc. Regrease driveline, torsion bars, jake ladder, hubs, bearings etc. (Per maintenance sched.) Install driveline and torsion bars and reconnect (Per maintenance sched.) Put jake ladder back together and install Check rear-end for square (after any contact or when possible) Check axle to axle for square (after any contact or when possible) Re-connect shocks and any springs not installed - Grease front spindles (Per maintenance sched.) Install front hubs and bearings (Per maintenance sched. – spindles first…if necessary) Clean fuel parts and lines Clean and check fuel bypasses for flow Re-install fuel parts and lines “Prime” fuel pump Check and top off fuel Check Water & Power Steering fluid Clean and re-lube breathers Install air breathers and covers Put cover on seat and “prep” belts Bleed brakes (when possible) Re-block set-up Check wheels and tires for wear “Flip” tires (I understand new RR's have "dots" for heat to the back...at least on big tracks now) Mark tire stagger sizes Put body panels on Install nerf bars Install radio Wax panels Mount tires on car and check offset Lower and scale (only if time allows) Check ride heights & "tilt" (for informational purpose only) Set panard bar Check toe

3/12/12, 11:53 PM	#8 Re: What Do You Do Between Races?
Bad Dad 54 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 717	There's at least 4 of us doing all this, we meet on a Wed or Tues, me I perfer Mon. If some thing is broken we'll stand a chance of getting a part b4 the weekend. We have fun doing this TV's on usually Tigers or Red Wings. Sometimes we'll watch a race tape. Me I'm outside doing the tires so we'll have the right stagger. Hate it when they POP - still makes jump. I'll go 25 lb & still not beaded I'll take it back down & soap it up works for me.

3/13/12, 10:06 AM	#10 Re: What Do You Do Between Races?
6565 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 187	I'll just add to be careful using Marvel Mystery Oil. It doesn't mix with alcohol. If your pump and lines are full of it, when you go to start the car, you may by trying to force a bunch through the nozzles all at one time. If you do get a bunch in the cylinders, then you're just gonna hydraulic the engine and hurt something. Never heard of using gas, either. With a 15:1 engine, I personally wouldn't want anything that detonates easily in the system-even if it is used just for flushing things out. That's my opinion, anyway...