Thread: How can I get my '32 Ford to hook up better???

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My 32 does fairly well in the launch dept.
3.70 open diff.
Rear tires are fairly soft radials about 9" wide.

A big part of it was learning to drive it.
Dragstrip launches don't work well on the street.
If fact, a dragstrip only car doesn't launch well on the street . . . my little brothers 8.13 second Henry J would fry the slicks on a regular asphalt (private) road when it was running high 10's.

Different cars call for different techniques, but what works well on my 520# torque 462" Buick engined 32 is to roll the throttle on fairly hard, maybe halfway, determine if the tires are spinning and if not, roll in throttle until 4500 rpm or so is reached then shift to second.
Short shifting a high torque street car works well.

Another thing to watch for is if the tires start slipping while still in 1st and the throttle is coming down.
If that happens, shift to 2nd without lifting and see if the tires are going to keep spinning.
Most times you can keep going with the throttle depression until it's floored, but if you get 2nd gear tire spin you need to back pedal a touch.

High torque, lightweight cars on the street are a whole other ball game.
No more the stab it and steer it bit.
A bit of finesse is required.

Along with all that, pay attention to the road surface.
If it's an old asphalt road, you'll find the oil/tar substance is below the level of the rocks/gravel in the mix.
The rocks get polished and there's not much traction.
Especially true with asphalt roads in desert areas.

Roll-on's in 2nd and high gear from 25 - 35 mph work well.

Keep in mind that some lockers will create a car-goes-straight situation if the throttle is depressed firmly when the wheels are turned more than a little bit.
(Detroit Lockers seem to be the worst offenders.)
If you're entering a highway, get most of the turn completed then roll the throttle on.

You're probably aware that a firm application of throttle in a tight right turn will unload the right rear wheel so you have to watch it there.
The right rear unloads when accellerating straight ahead, but the effect is more pronounced on a turn.

I should put a locker in the 32, but the open is working well.

I do have a 3.25 Auburn locker in my 31 on 32 rails roadster.
It has 6" wide tires.
Should be interesting and it should give the 32 a run for the money . . . 60 more HP and 100#-200# lighter....