Thread: Old time racing

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Very cool! Great time! And with a small block chevy!

In the '60s the smallblock, and later the bigblock Chevy was the standard installation for the majority of hot rods, and the reasons were many. Cost, reliability, power, and parts availability, drove this. That transfered to the drag strip. Unless you had the money, sponsorship, or ability to develop the engine yourself, then you could opt for more exotic or unusual parts.

Today being brand loyal to the body is becoming more popular, and the Chevy is frowned on by many, due to it's long term use. Maybe it has become to generic for some... but if you were building in those days, most would choose the engine that everyone else was going fast with, and doing it reliably.

cupit,and cunningham were the first to go 200 with a blown sbc in 1965. the car is restored now.

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

In the '60s the smallblock, and later the bigblock Chevy was the standard installation for the majority of hot rods, and the reasons were many. Cost, reliability, power, and parts availability, drove this. That transfered to the drag strip. Unless you had the money, sponsorship, or ability to develop the engine yourself, then you could opt for more exotic or unusual parts.

Today being brand loyal to the body is becoming more popular, and the Chevy is frowned on by many, due to it's long term use. Maybe it has become to generic for some... but if you were building in those days, most would choose the engine that everyone else was going fast with, and doing it reliably.

I remember hearing about those 302 Chevy setups. Seemed to be a real hot engine. Not sure why it didn't take off more. Was it a stroked down 350? I guess between the 327 configuration and the 350 Chevy really didn't need much more in the small block size range. Not to mention the 283!

Originally Posted by stovens

I remember hearing about those 302 Chevy setups. Seemed to be a real hot engine. Not sure why it didn't take off more. Was it a stroked down 350? I guess between the 327 configuration and the 350 Chevy really didn't need much more in the small block size range. Not to mention the 283!

327/350 block with a 283 crank.

Right! The chat was that Chevrolet was impressed with the hot rodder's performance version of the 283, which was punched .125 to the bore of a 327, and resulted in 301 inches.

They needed about a 300 inch motor for trans Am racing, but didn't want to copy the rodders, so for the 302 they fudged a couple thousandths on the bore and the stroke to make it a different number.

The 307 was the opposite...a 327 stroke and a 283 bore.

Last weekend, an informal old time drag race was held at Eagle Field in the Central CA Valley, west of Fresno. Pics: http://www.hotrodrevue.co.nz/forum/v....php?f=6&t=215

We had a flagman start on a 1/8 mile track. No elimination, race as often and against whoever you want. It was down and dirty, literally, considering all the blowing dust.

The first event was held last October, and this latest one had many more cars as the word got out. There will be another this coming October, and I predict this thing will get very big. Yes, you can go back. Go Black Betty!

Now THAT is fun!

Don

Great photo! I could even race there!

Here's a "Heart in Throat" moment from last weekend. The track was not very good, so when guy's hit a shift, if one rear tire grabbed first, well, watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AR8GnUbCWI

Showoff!! Those of us with spools ran straight.

That was a good save.

Originally Posted by drofdar

Last weekend, an informal old time drag race was held at Eagle Field in the Central CA Valley, west of Fresno. Pics: http://www.hotrodrevue.co.nz/forum/v....php?f=6&t=215

We had a flagman start on a 1/8 mile track. No elimination, race as often and against whoever you want. It was down and dirty, literally, considering all the blowing dust.

The first event was held last October, and this latest one had many more cars as the word got out. There will be another this coming October, and I predict this thing will get very big. Yes, you can go back. Go Black Betty!

Gotta laugh,,I see the pix are on a site that I am a member of,and yet,I see them on this forum first..Ironic,isnt it..

Well, whatever it takes to spread the good word around!!

Good save for both drivers, the other car did a nice job of backing off and slowing down too. A real pants changer moment.

While we do romance the "back in the day" racing,we shouldn't forget all the things we have learned for those days that where not the best ever.Big Daddy having his car cut in two and losing most of his foot due to a clutch explosion.The blow overs with massive wheel stands.The blower explosions that had fans ducking from the pcs flying towards them.The biggest buck winning it all because of run what you brought.The more often fire crashes that had drivers driving blind and some burned for the rest of their lives.All those things we learned how to make better for todays racing.Those are some of the things I remember how we got to where we are today from the "good old days".