The Ford Barn

Graeme / New Zealand · 10-22-2013, 10:37 PM

Here's some interesting old pics. Plenty of flatheads amongst them

GB

http://www.georgeklass.net/dragsters.html

dude · 10-24-2013, 11:00 PM

Great collection of old drag racing shots ,thank you.

Old Henry · 10-25-2013, 01:54 PM

Took me along time to devour every photo but enjoyed it.

Have two questions about dragsters:

1. Why do some put what looks like some kind of a reinforcing disc on just one of the two front bycycle wheels? (See photo attached)

2. I only saw a radiator on one car, none on any others. I assume there is no provision to cool the engines for their short runs. Are they full of water that just doesn't go anywhere or what?

Bruce Lancaster · 10-25-2013, 02:14 PM

The disc is to mess with the timing lights. The starting line electric eye was aimed at the front tire and on an open rig like this would be tripped with just a couple inches of car movement...making anticipating the starting flag (or green light later) very risky...the wheel coverage added some rolling space. I think Don Garlits once built a car with a cranked front axle putting the front of one front wheel several inches ahead of the other...again to allow more roll without fouling out. This resulted in a very funny picture of the car and one of DG's competitors in HRM...

V8COOPMAN · 10-25-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lancaster

The disc is to mess with the timing lights. The starting line electric eye was aimed at the front tire and on an open rig like this would be tripped with just a couple inches of car movement...making anticipating the starting flag (or green light later) very risky...the wheel coverage added some rolling space. I think Don Garlits once built a car with a cranked front axle putting the front of one front wheel several inches ahead of the other...again to allow more roll without fouling out. This resulted in a very funny picture of the car and one of DG's competitors in HRM...

A keen ability to interpret the rules (especially those points that ARE NOT forbidden) in racing circles has benefitted many a racer with a vivid imagination over the past eons or so. Smokey Yunick's rule interpretations come to mind frequently. DD

bk53 · 10-25-2013, 06:57 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

"The Bug", looks like my kind of crazy a$$ ride. Hats off to those dudes. Thanks for the pictures.

FL&WVMIKE · 10-25-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bk53

"The Bug", looks like my kind of crazy a$$ ride. Hats off to those dudes. Thanks for the pictures.

bk53 .................
Here is a replica of "THE BUG", that I helped a friend to build, about five years ago.
MIKE

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE - Twice

El Rat · 10-28-2013, 04:46 PM

The rules allow a 2" offset in wheelbase side to side. The "disc" is simply to present the staging lights with a bigger target...similiar to a solid front wheel. Wire wheels no longer an option in high powered cars. Usually no provision for water...solid blocks. When there are water jackets water is generally left in the block and drained after each run. I always liked it in water jacket motors because it allowed the engine to heat up evenly, no hotspots. Might even have provided a little hydraulic support to the back side of the cylinder wall. g

10-22-2013, 10:37 PM	#1
Graeme / New Zealand Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lower Hutt , New Zealand Posts: 2,126	old timie dragsters Here's some interesting old pics. Plenty of flatheads amongst them GB http://www.georgeklass.net/dragsters.html __________________ "you can't make honey out of dog sh*t" "You're a long time looking at the lid"

10-24-2013, 11:00 PM	#2
dude Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kansas Posts: 334	Re: old timie dragsters Great collection of old drag racing shots ,thank you. __________________ [QUO[/QUOTE]no matter where you are,or where you're at, there you are...

10-25-2013, 02:14 PM	#4
Bruce Lancaster Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Madison, NJ Posts: 5,230	Re: old timie dragsters The disc is to mess with the timing lights. The starting line electric eye was aimed at the front tire and on an open rig like this would be tripped with just a couple inches of car movement...making anticipating the starting flag (or green light later) very risky...the wheel coverage added some rolling space. I think Don Garlits once built a car with a cranked front axle putting the front of one front wheel several inches ahead of the other...again to allow more roll without fouling out. This resulted in a very funny picture of the car and one of DG's competitors in HRM...

10-25-2013, 06:57 PM	#6
bk53 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Near Dallas Posts: 387	Re: old timie dragsters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) "The Bug", looks like my kind of crazy a$$ ride. Hats off to those dudes. Thanks for the pictures.

10-28-2013, 04:46 PM	#8
El Rat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 260	Re: old timie dragsters The rules allow a 2" offset in wheelbase side to side. The "disc" is simply to present the staging lights with a bigger target...similiar to a solid front wheel. Wire wheels no longer an option in high powered cars. Usually no provision for water...solid blocks. When there are water jackets water is generally left in the block and drained after each run. I always liked it in water jacket motors because it allowed the engine to heat up evenly, no hotspots. Might even have provided a little hydraulic support to the back side of the cylinder wall. g