Y-BlocksForever Forum / Y-BlocksForever! Forums 2006 / Racing / PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan / Latest Posts

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

mongo — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:11:36 GMT

Speaking of different combos, is anyone running the Linc- merc. 368 in race form lately, I have seen on ebay , 3-2"s and 2-4's factory setups sell, it's another interesting engine too.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Unibodyguy — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 08:16:39 GMT

John & Dan,

sure glad I read this post on the 57 F350. Dan I'm having the same problem with the one I inherited,( 57 F350) it has 5:13's. I thought when John said he put a T85 in it, I didn't realize it was put between the 4 sd. and the rear itself. I was under the impression that the 4 sd. was taken out all together, and replaced with the T-85. Also I'd Love to see Brian and Royce both at this years Nationals, that would be something.

Michael

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Hotwrench — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:34:12 GMT

One solution would be to install a 5spd OD trans . If you could find one the Clark 5Spd OD would work fine also it would bolt up to your bell. A auxillery trans would be another choice over/ direct/ under this choice would let you run a higher rear gear. Adapting a later model trans with overdrive could be another solution such as a 5 spd from a later model Dodge with OD, or a trans from a later Ford ,adapters would have to be made for these choices. I think the Clark OD or the auxillery 3spd would be good choices.

Have A Good Day ----Hotwrench:w00t:

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Pete's Panel — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 17:30:34 GMT

A lot of heavy duty trucks had a 4/5 speed main box and a 2/3/4 speed joey [aux] box before multi speed "roadranger" boxes became the norm. so no reason it can't work for you. A gear and aux change was a juggling act, a hand on each stick, steering with your elbow, clutch double shuffle, arm and legs going in all directions!!! give me a roadranger any day. Have you considered one of the aftermarket overdrives, Gear Venders is one I know of.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Hoosier Hurricane — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 10:53:52 GMT

Dan:

The nose of what is normally the input shaft to the transmission has to be supported in some way. The front bearing of the transmission cannot do this, and the result will be wobbling of the shaft and serious driveshaft vibration, not to mention iminent failure of the transmission. Weren't two speed rear ends available by '57? That would be the easiest solution to your problem.

John

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

dana-dan — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:59:30 GMT

Thanks John,

Just so everyone knows what's going on I'm unable to get my '57 F350 with a 312, granny four speed and 5.83 rockwell to go much faster than 50 MPH without overheating. I heard from John Mummert that John F had modified a second transmission to fit in the joint between the two driveshafts. As it turns out he used an overdrive. Has any one else tried this? I'm thinking about using a small 3 speed out of an 80's Bronco to increase my ratio. Has anyone ever tried this?

If anyone sees any problems in the following idea let me know.

As John has already stated I need to install the 3 speed in reverse in order to get the ratios to decrease getting the speed need .

Since I have plenty of floor space and since the tranny was already fitted with an aftermarket floor shifter, I should only have to extend/cut the shift rods so getting the shifter to . As far as mounting it, if I use the frame member at the joint between the driveshafts to hold the tranny in place it should be sufficiently strong enough to hold it with a few welds.
I expect to weld u-joint ends on the trannyside of each driveshaft and connect the u-joints to yokes mounted on the tranny. A couple of problems I don't completely understand are
1. Is there an easy fix to prevent the oil leaking from the place the tailpiece connects to the tranny?
2. Is there a tolerance on how far down the spline a yoke should be allowed to travel?
(this is crucial for driveshaft length)
3. I am planning on using other driveshafts so I can always go back to my original if need be. Does anyone have a suggestion on which driveshafts might work best? I am thinking a smaller diameter driveshaft will be more easily balanced, while a larger diameter will be stronger...correct?

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Hoosier Hurricane — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:25:58 GMT

Dan:

What I have done is take the overdrive off a 3speed T85, made a front end for it from flat plate and a piece of tubing, machined it for the front of the OD and also for a ball bearing and a seal at the front. I had a U-joint square flange resplined to fit the OD shaft, drilled and tapped the shaft and bolted the flange on. Made front and rear driveshafts to fit. Put a lockout cable on it, and wired a toggle switch to operate the solenoid.

John

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

dana-dan — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:35:22 GMT

Hey John,

I hope I have the right one...sorry if not. John Mummert suggested I contact John Feistritzer about adding a second tranmission to my 57 F#%)350. I currently have a 312 with a 4 speed granny low and a 5.83 Rockwell standard rear end. John M says you had a way to install a second (3 speed) manual in between the split driveshafts. If you are the right John and you can send me any info I'd really appreciate it.

Dan L

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 18:57:55 GMT

Pictures of the Stefina '58

Merc at Stanton

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 08:23:23 GMT

couple of pictures from Stanton

Courtesy of Bob Palma, Frank/Rebop

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Ol Ford Guy — Sat, 23 Sep 2006 12:58:59 GMT

Frank,

Send me your mailing address and I will mail the article to you. You can send it to me at radio@inwave1.com or via a PM. I tried sending you an e-mail and a PM.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 08:51:48 GMT

Paul,

I'd love a copy of that article to add to my collection. And, a good three speed floor shift that allowed me to speed shift, would pick up a couple tenths easy.

Frank

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Ol Ford Guy — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:57:22 GMT

John,

I'm sure he had a Hurst Floor shifter. I located some more information. George won D/S at the 61 NHRA Nationals and turned 14.54 @ 97.29 MPH. He raced mostly Pontiacs. If you would like a copy of the article on his car, I would be glad to mail it to you and to anyone else interested. I saw George at the Indy. Nats. in 63, or 64? He was running a yellow and white F Fairlane 2 door. The article says he hooked up better with the Skyliner, it had better weight transfer, aft weight I guess.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Hoosier Hurricane — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 07:17:08 GMT

Paul:

Back when Hayden was running his 3 speed, didn't Pontiacs with 3 speeds come equipped with a Hurst floor shifter from the factory? If not, I think the rules allowed the upgrade. Now if we can adapt a Hurst shifter to Frank's steering column, he'll be in business.

I remember George's retractable, but didn't remember his times. 14s in a heavy car like that in those days is remarkable. I had a friend running a B/S '59 chevy at the US Nationals one year and George was there running D/SA. In stock eliminator they had Top, Middle, and Little Eliminators and they all ran heads up. Dick was lined up with George, and said he took off and left the Ford easily. He banged his 4 speed through the gears, and after he got in 4th, Whoooosh, the Ford BLEW by him for the win that round.

Jon

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Ol Ford Guy — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 12:52:33 GMT

Hey Frank,

Congrats on the great ET and speed. Back in the early 60's Hayden Proffit used to run a three speed trans in his Pontiac, even though a 4 speed was a viable stock option. He thought that he was faster with one less shift. What did you do at the Y Block Nationals? Did I send you a copy of the 1993 Cars & Parts article on George Chaltins 57 F Skyliner? He turned 15.10 when he won his class at the NHRA Nationals, in 61 I think. I can't put my hands on the old Hot Rod magazine that had that listed. He used to be in the 14's a lot too at the local tracks around the Chicago area.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Canadian Hot Rodder — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 11:21:32 GMT

Frank,

Did you get Brian's contact info? It would be great to set up a match race between him and Royce next year! I would love to see those two Mercs going head to head.

Rob

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 20:08:50 GMT

Further to John's comments on the Merc. They tried to get a match race set up between us but he'd already loaded the car in his closed trailer and wasn't interested. I was all for it, even if I lost can you imagine the ink and interest that would have created for Y's?

The merc was absolutely beautiful, made my F car look sad. AND, if john ever got serious about the 'Bird, the 14's would become 13's in a heartbeat. Er......second.

Frank/Rebop

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Ted — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:00:58 GMT

[quote][b]Hoosier Hurricane (9/17/2006)[/b][hr]Ted:

A guy by the name of Brian Stefina brought a '58 Merc 430, 400 horse tri power three on the tree car, similar to Royce's except it is two tone green. He coaxed a 14.07 out of it on his final pass, this was the first time out for the car. Wonder if we can get him to bring the '58 to our next shootout. If we let Royce run his, we have to let Brian run.

John[/quote]

Sounds like a new trend in high perfomance column shifted cars. I'm definitely game for having the orphan Lincoln engines running alongside the Y's as it would definitely add to the car count while adding some diversity to a field of cars that's already quite diversified. Like you said, Royce has already broken the ground in that regard.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Hoosier Hurricane — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 15:41:56 GMT

Ted:

Not only is Frank's car a 3 on the tree, there was another one there. A guy by the name of Brian Stefina brought a '58 Merc 430, 400 horse tri power three on the tree car, similar to Royce's except it is two tone green. Beautiful isn't enough of an adjective to describe the car. He coaxed a 14.07 out of it on his final pass, this was the first time out for the car. Brian has been racing a '64 Merc Maurader 427/425, it goes 13.0s. Wonder if we can get him to bring the '58 to our next shootout. If we let Royce run his, we have to let Brian run.

John

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

Ted — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 08:24:20 GMT

Frank,

Pretty impressive times for a "three on the tree" shifting ride. Even today, that kind of performance will outrun most of the faster rides but in its day and well into the Sixties, it would have simply just flown by most of the performance muscle that was available and had people just shaking their heads. It's almost scary to think what a four speed with a hard launch and some power shifting would do for your car. But being column shifted has to make the present performance level a head turner no doubt.

RE: PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Sun, 17 Sep 2006 07:49:57 GMT

We're home safe and sound. Generated a LOT of traffic and interest in Y Blocks. Had a steady stream of visitors both days. Lot's of comments about having had a '57 once, never saw a supercharged car etc. We tried to set people straight on the facts where possible. Answered a million questions, no it's not a 390, No it wasn't available in '56 Etc. Yes it's a column shifted 3 speed. The color of John's Thunderbird is Called Thunderbird Copper, it was a very popular color in '57. They were rated at 300 or 340 horsepower.

We both won our matches, John raced a '69 Shelby Cobra Jet, I ran a '69 390 AMX.

John ran a best of 14.90 @ 95, the red car ran a 14.030 @ 102.55. Almost a 13 second ride!

Frank/Rebop

PSMCDR @ Stanton, Michigan

pegleg — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 06:57:07 GMT

Midwesterners,

Last chance, this year, to see a pure stock muscle car drag race in the midwest will happen Fri Sept 15th. Eliminations, best two out of three races, will happen tomorrow, Sept 16th. The track is the Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton Michigan. This is located just to the northeast of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They have a web site at either PSMCDR or Mid Michigan, with maps and times. John Feistritzer (57 T'Bird F code) and Frank Rice (57 Custom 300, F code) along with a ton of Cobra Jets, 427 Marauders, Blower Studebakers and more will be there.

Be nice to have some moral support from anybody NOT wearing a Bowtie shirt!

[url]http://www.geocities.com/psmcdr[/url]

Frank/Rebop