My 57 Fairlane will be there next weekend.
I have both the Sunliner and Custom preregistered, but the custom is in paint jail! Should be done ,also trying to get the Ranchero ready for a soft throttle pass. If any one can make it park just inside the gate, with the Y-block powered cars. Even if you are not into drag racing, a good car show and a lot of fun. Tom
I'll look for you Tom. We'll be up Friday morning.
Tom,
A couple of questions. Is the track locked up tight enough during the night for me to leave my truck and trailer parked there. If so that'd save me from having to reload each night. Also, I figure I'm going to be running in the high 13's or low 14's with my 57 so will finding "like" ET cars be difficult since I'll probably not know very many people there. Eric Koopmeiners sent me a entry number and explained this weekend would be more or less race whoever you can find to race that wants to race you in your own ET bracket. I hope a bunch of the FE Power Forum and Fairlane Club racers make the show also. I look forward to seeing you guys. Jim
Jim, The track is O.K. Vic is staying all night in his motor home, we will all try to park togeather and watch out for each other. You just have to watch the other cars and find one about the same time as you and ask him to run you, it's all about fun, but some of those old boys were sand baging until they found some one they wanted to run and then they seemed to run a lot better!!!!
I think this will be a great week-end for me. I got a new truck so I could pull my 57 to the track. Worry about breakage won't be a problem this time. I should be more relaxed and be able to enjoy myself more. Thanks Tom. Jim
I plan on getting there Friday either with my 57 or a motorhome. And because of schedule
conflict I will be back later Friday with which ever one I didn't bring.
I will look you guys up over the 3 days.
This was a real good time last year. If anyone is on the fence about going, you wont be
disappointed.
The have reached the 300 (+) car count.
the track does seem to be secure at night also. Plus a lot of good people around
to keep watch. I have spent many nights there and never heard of anything bad.
Oh and if anyone wants to spot me about 3/4 track I will run-em.
Im guessing 18.s to 20.s in the 1/4
and there is a cruise-in from track to town Friday and Saturday night.
I should be getting there about 2 or 3 in the afternoon Friday. I want to get the truck and trailer parked at the track and since I use my car as a daily driver, go to the cruise-in's and back and forth from the motel in the 57.
P.S. The good news is that it suppose to cool down into the 80's Saturday and Sunday. I'm running more horsepower and I won't be able to sit in 95 degree heat for extended periods of time like we did in Columbus a couple years ago. Drag racing is secondary to cruising where my car's concerned.
I been following the Melt Down on the HAMB.
there are over 400 cars registered now. This is going to be one
for the books.!!!
Saw the weather forcast also, mid 70s during the day and 60s
at night. NO rain.....so far.
Guys:
Whatever happened to or at the Meltdown Drags? Lots of replies leading up to the event date, but nothing after July 19-21??? Sounded like it was going to be real fun...
Bob
57 AGIN
I kinda thought the same thing..... got quiet around here .
I did meet a few of the members on here. The weather was great, the cars
were fantastic. There was one mishap with a Front Engine dragster, it hit the wall.
The driver got 3 broken ribs. It was a very uneasy moment but all in all turned
out better than I expected for him.
I did make a pass Saturday and one Sunday
I may have set a TRACK RECORD for the slowest pass ever.
52mph and 24 seconds in the 1/4......ugh!
I have a few pictures to post but have to do it later.
Here is a link from the HAMB.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=818802
My 57 Fairlane had issues with running out of gas. 5/16" fuel line was keeping it from pulling in 4th gear. Best time was 14.80 @95.4 mph. It gets a new 3/8" fuel line Wednesday. I've already got the timing set, 16 degrees initial with a total of 38 degrees. Hope to get into the low 14's in Columbus during the Ford Expo. There were a bunch of cars at the Meltdown drags. Had a lot of fun.
Just some thoughts...but a 5/16" fuel line should have no problem feeding a 300HP engine at WOT. The line might have a partial obstruction, a clogged fuel filter, a failing fuel pump, or a plugged vent. Those mud dobbers love to plug vent lines!!!!!!!!
Gasman,
I had the same problem with the 300 HP 390 in 2011 at Columbus. It was starving for fuel on the top end. Temp was 105 then. Last week at Byron the temp was 93 degrees and I was falling on my nose as soon as I came out of 3rd gear. It's a new 5/16" fuel line but it's not big enough. I think this will fix it. It's all that's left that could be wrong with it. I'm not running the 300 hp 390 any more. I'm running a 410ci with 750 Holley. It needs more gas. I could lift while it was falling on it's nose and it would start pulling again. So, I know I was running out of gas. Jim
Byron picture
byron picture
Jim, are you running an electric fuel pump ?
you may want to put a pressure gage on it first .
and BTW the worst looking 57 Ford there was mine !
You guys sure brought out some very nice cars.
Jim,
I saw your car go down the track and I looked at your car on top of the hill. It's a nice little car. But, do you know what set your car apart from most of the fifty seven's I've seen around the country. It was THERE, it was driven and it was shared with others. There were no bad looking 57's at the drag strip last weekend.
The Electric Fuel Pump: I don't want to go there. I know it's better and more reliable but I don't have a race car. Besides that, the only reason I have electric windows is I was too cheap to pay 450 dollars apiece for stock rebuilt door regulators. The less electrics I have on the car the better.
The car gets the 3/8" fuel line tomorrow and I've got a grudge match at a 1/8th mile track at Bunker Hill, IN this Sunday. (My buddies Bullitt Mustang). He should beat me in an 1/8th mile but he's going to have to be on his toes to Get-R-Done.
Are you bringing your 57 to Columbus over Labor Day?
Jim,
here is a shot of my other car, just to try and add a little credit to what I am saying.
this car best is 12.18 @ 111.mph at Byron.
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/th_BOPRACE10-11035-1.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/BOPRACE10-11035-1.jpg.html)
this car would lay down on the big end and not pull like it used to. the E.T.s
started to fall off.
A friend talked me into putting a gauge on it. Took it for a ride and nailed the pedal.
The pressure went to 2psi.
I put a Holley blue pump in line and used it only while racing. "they "say not to plumb them that
way.
Just trying to help.
not sure if you were referring to me in your last post
but my name is Jim also :002:
a few more pictures , hmmm funny how that white 57 seems to be most of the pictures
what a photo hog that guy is...
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4662_zpsecbcdee6.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4662_zpsecbcdee6.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4695_zps14916645.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4695_zps14916645.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4667_zpse41fd6c9.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4667_zpse41fd6c9.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4681_zps1d686e51.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4681_zps1d686e51.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4684_zpse548136f.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4684_zpse548136f.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4654_zps4834fed4.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4654_zps4834fed4.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4653_zps4a64d1e4.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4653_zps4a64d1e4.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4639_zps54b4ad89.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4639_zps54b4ad89.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4634_zps913b8699.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4634_zps913b8699.jpg.html)
I may be able to keep up with this one...
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4649_zpscdbca606.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4649_zpscdbca606.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4698_zps39ec9fba.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4698_zps39ec9fba.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4687_zps91cb1322.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4687_zps91cb1322.jpg.html)
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p15/XLERATOR/106_4645_zpsf93917a3.jpg) (http://s124.photobucket.com/user/XLERATOR/media/106_4645_zpsf93917a3.jpg.html)
Quote from: gasman826 on 2013-07-29 18:20
Just some thoughts?€?but a 5/16?€? fuel line should have no problem feeding a 300HP engine at WOT. The line might have a partial obstruction, a clogged fuel filter, a failing fuel pump, or a plugged vent. Those mud dobbers love to plug vent lines!!!!!!!!
Gasman826,
I had all new inner fenders put on the car four years ago and a new fuel tank in 2004. The idea that my vent line was plugged was not something I envisioned. Tomorrow I go to get the 3/8" fuel line installed. But, a few minutes ago I crawled up underneath the car and blew air through the vent nipple and the tube that goes into the left inner fender. The tube was stopped up. I was able to clear it by using a flexible plastic dowel rod with sharpened end. Then I could blow air through it. Installed new hose and clamps and decided you needed to know. This mind you after three weeks ago installing a new non-vented gas cap. GOOD CALL
Quote from: Mark on 2013-07-29 21:23
Byron picture
The first two pics posted by Mark....Jim Nolan's car? Not sure...been a while since I've seen a pic of his.
Rich, every time Jim post something on here, I see that front fender of his car so I knew who he was as soon as I saw the car, I think when I met him I said "you must be Jim Nolan, I recognize that car from your post". NICE car...I didn't take my car car on the track, the main reason I went there was to see the cars and the guys and to take pictures. Tom told me to go out and get a picture of your car on the track, but I told him I have a bunch of pictures of my cars on a track already :005: here is one kind of both on and off the track------(the 57 is not my race car) and yes the picture is sideways-the tires are suppose to be at the bottom right?? :002:
Mark,
I remember that conversation now. I continually feel ashamed that I can't put 2 and 2 together anymore. I met a bunch of new people and some I'd met before and didn't even remember their names. When I'm not around someone for an extended period of time I forget their name. Forgive me. I even forgot Paul Johnston and he came down to see me. I even ended up screwing over him on a transmission and I didn't even recognize him. I'm trying to make it up to him though. I do remember you took a lot of pictures and we talked at the fence constantly. Sorry for not recognizing the name. Jim
Mark:
That first photo at Byron Dragway sure looked like it could have been taken at an NHRA event back in 1957 with all those nice looking 57's gathered around. I'm jealous and I'm sure Rick is too about the great opportunities you guys in the Midwest have to get out to a drag strip and have fun together. I guess we had all our fun back in the 50's & 60's, then we got over populated and all our drag strips ended up closing because the land had become too valuable and the neighbors kept complaining about the noise. It looks like there were a lot of nice cars there. Enjoyed the photos.
Bob
57 AGIN
What the heck is that wagon up on posts in front of the resauraunt? LOL..looks like a checker/ford/plymouth?
Rich, It is a 57 Ch*** sedan Delivery, and you can only make them look so good!!!!
We had a really great time and had a good time at the Melt Down and had a good turn out of 57 Fords, every one liked the 57 pedal car. Now it is time to regroup and get ready for the 57 Ford and Y-Block shoot out at Columbus Ohio, Labor day week end Tom