Thread: Old gear grinder from N. California

Tweet

Hi all,

Refered by Terry on the Cobra forum, said I might fit in.

Been into hot rods for 40 years, and it took that long for something rather simple to sink in to my thick skull, "don't fight the Laws of Physics". Current ride is a 1923 Track-T, 1790 lbs, 383 sbc stroker built for torque (gave up 120 hp on the high end, ouch) going into a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed with 0.64 OD (1700 rpms @ 70 mph) and a Jag IRS 3.54 and 31" tires. 3 years ago at Sacramento Raceway ran a 10.8 @ 132 without dumping the clutch or speed shifting (don't want to break anything). The T has been roaming the highways for 17 years.

That was about my current ride, about me, I'm 58, butt ugly, and retired Merchant Marine, hence the handle "deckofficer".

I hope this intro will suffice.

Yeah,that will do Bob,welcome to my other home site. Heck that looks and sounds like a hand full,and yes you should enjoy this site as It is as far away as some of those people on the HAMB as you can get,if you follow my drift.

Welcome to CHR Anyone that opens with pictures is OK and welcome enjoy your stay

Wecome Bob! Great looking track roadster, and it runs as good as it looks!!!! Enjoy your time here on CHR!!!

Whip,

Can't throw a dead cat without hitting you on these forums! Do you know Terry that refered me here?

Originally Posted by cffisher

Welcome to CHR Anyone that opens with pictures is OK and welcome enjoy your stay

Charlie,

Thanks, I'm a picture junkie and have learned over the years I share that aflicition with others on the automotive forums.

Welcome aboard Bob, Cool Car! I am down in the valley below you in Olivehurst. Maybe we'll meet up at a show or cruise night one day

Pat

Originally Posted by Stu Cool

Welcome aboard Bob, Cool Car! I am down in the valley below you in Olivehurst. Maybe we'll meet up at a show or cruise night one day

Pat

Stu,

The Gold Country foothills are alive with the sound of engines rumbleing. 1st and 3rd Monday around 5:00PM Hog Wild Ribs in Placerville on Main St., 1st and 3rd Thursday same time Deb's Frosty in Diamond Springs, 2nd Saturday for lunch Speed's Diner in Plymouth. Nice thing about Speed's, all roads are smooth, nicely curved two lane highways. Picture of each event below.

Welcome to CHR, Bob. Nice track roadster! My '33 has the same TKO600, but I put 4.11's in with 31's and 70mph is 1995 for me.

Originally Posted by rspears

Welcome to CHR, Bob. Nice track roadster! My '33 has the same TKO600, but I put 4.11's in with 31's and 70mph is 1995 for me.

That is more sane than my gearing, but since I went with grunt down low, I can get away with long legs. On my last round trip to SoCal got 28.2, 30.2, 24.6, and 15.9 mpg. Check the tach and speedo to see just how tall I'm geared.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Yeah,that will do Bob,welcome to my other home site. Heck that looks and sounds like a hand full,and yes you should enjoy this site as It is as far away as some of those people on the HAMB as you can get,if you follow my drift.

Not to beat a dead horse (or pig in this matter) the HAMB reminds me too much of Junior High School, where even back then I was butting heads with the "popular" kids that just happened to be the air heads of their time. nuff said.

Yep, with the 3.54's at 6000 rpm in 5th, assuming you can overcome air resistance and hold tires together you'll top out at 244mph With my 4.11's I'm lagging behind you at only 210

Your car is just so nice.Welcome.

Originally Posted by rspears

Yep, with the 3.54's at 6000 rpm in 5th, assuming you can overcome air resistance and hold tires together you'll top out at 244mph With my 4.11's I'm lagging behind you at only 210

Can't do it for many reasons, but one being I only have a peak of 320 hp (said I gave up a lot for the torque) and that number starts tapering off after 4050 rpms. One weird engine, huh? One positive outcome is I've gotten over 30 mpg on my last trip to LA. But when it comes to freeway speed roll on in top gear, rather pedistrian when the engine starts a 65 mph roll on at 1650 rpms. What is positive (see, so many trade offs) at 120 mph in top gear I'm at 2800, my torque peak and it is fun to slowly creep up to 120 mph with a passenger, he comments "****, your going 120", and you reply "want faster? I can downshift for you" as you have rolled everything on in 6th and its pulling like crazy, and your soon to be ex-friend screams "slow down" which you do by lifting and compression slowing (OK, by doing that he is still your friend), and he is left wondering just how insane the acelleration could have been if you downshifted, not knowing that with such low rpm torque, the pull would be greater at that speed staying in 6th. The stories your friend will tell in front of other folks at social gatherings could make Donald Trump blush. People are just used to rides that have a peak torque around 4400 rpms, and incorrectly think that if a ride could pull so hard in top gear at 120, what would it have felt like by just dropping a gear? Truth be told, by dropping a gear it would have been LESS impressive, but that is always my little secret, so don't tell my friends, OK?

Sorry Bob,I haven't had the pleasure of meet Terry. I am shocked that I had not steered you to this site before now,must be catching mothers forgetful disease. This is my other home site that I frequent everyday as there is some truly fantastic neat people on here. Oh then there is Uncle Bob although he must be on holiday at the moment because we haven't heard from him in a while . Heck now that I have typed that,I hope all is well at his home.