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Dakaty
GenIII
6/11/2002
16:35:23
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 Subject: Houston Raceway Results
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It was a hot and humid Friday night in Baytown Texas at Raceway Park. 91 degrees and 91% humidity.
Admission was $15 if you were going to race (price included car and driver charges), $8 for spectators 12 years and up and 12 years and under were free.
I met up with R/Truck (he brought his 2001 R/T and souped up girl friend) and two other guys that had their tricked out R/Ts, one with Nitrous.
It seemed like there were hundreds of race cars at the "test and tune" event (which happens virtually every Friday Night). Everything from Volkswagons to rail fuel dragsters were lining up, none stop.
It seemed like most cars were "streetable" but there were a lot of "trailed in" drag cars that were really serious.
The staging line was like a parade of all types of cars in random order. When you did reach the staging area, you never knew who/what you were going to race unless you had pre arranged with another racer.
I raced my QC twice and got creamed both times. Once was by a "trailered in" full race Mustang. The other time was by a street Firebird or TransAm.
My times were 15.4 and 15.395. Speeeds were right at 90 MPH. Reaction time on first race was .39, second time .70.
I can't decide what was the most fun, looking around at the cars in the parking lot, watching the girls at track side, watching the drags from the stands or actually driving the race truck.
Now that I have installed my roller rockers, I guess I'll have to go back and do it again.
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/11/2002
17:30:38
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
Yeah Bill you enjoyed watching those 17 year old girls in front of us just a little to much.
We are going to be getting a bunch of Dakotas together at the end of this month or first weekend of July. So be prepared to race again and this time I'm bringing a cooler.
I know how you feel, getting creamed was the theme of the night. I got tired of seeing roll cages and helmets lined up next to me. You just said "O Sh!t here we go again".
How are those roller rockers?
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Dakaty
GenIII
6/11/2002
20:23:22
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
My "roller rocker" experience hasn't been too good so far.
My Dodge mechanic hadn't installed roller rockers before and thought they were going to just bolt on without requiring adjustment (like the OEMs do). Prior to Saturday, he had been talking trash about how the job would only take about 2 hours..blah blah blah.
Anyway, we started at 8:30 Sat. morning and I left a little after 3:00 in the afternoon, a whipped puppy (old puppy that is). I did most all of the work (and you know how slow I was with the M1!). I started by taking off the K&N, wires, spark plugs, valve covers, hoses, etc.. Then we tried to install the Crower springs with no success as the stock hardware would not work with them (I had been told by the Crower Tech that the stock cups, retainers etc would work). We farted around with that for a while and determined that the stock springs would have to remain.
The actual install of the rollers was straight forward. The old rocker arms and pushrods were easily removed. The new studs and guideplates were installed with threadlocker and torqued to 26 Ft/Lbs. The rollers were then placed on the studs. The engine was "supposedly" turned over to where both valves were closed (on the cylinder being worked on). The adjustment nut was then tightened to "0 lash" (ie no play between the rocker arm and the pushrod) plus another 1/2 to 3/4 turn.
After we went through the entire eight cylinder routine, I proceeded to "rebuild the engine" and reinstall all parts, wires, hoses, etc. I even had to remove/replace the alternator and belt.
After everything was put back together, (I was so excited) we started the engine and it SOUNDED TERRIBLE. Lots of knocking all over and squeaking. The mechanic said "that's how it was supposed to sound" (he wanted to go home). I told him it sounded like $hit and there was no way the engine was supposed to sound lke that. We ran it for a while, stopped it for awhile, ran it for awhile. Some of the noises quietened, some went away, and some just stayed loud. After several of the other mechanics assessed the noises, we all agreed they were abnormal. I had to re-disassemble the engine and go through the whole process again!!
Well, now three days later, it sounds like I have only two rockers that are still making unacceptable noises. They are both on the same side and I will adjust them myself, probably this weekend. I may also install the Crower springs after I get the correct parts and spring compressor tool. (I wonder if the auto parts has one to lend out).
As for the performance difference, I really haven't put it to the test yet. It seems stronger, however it doesn't seem as dramatic a difference as say the B & G FLASH, which is, as you said, the "King of the mods". Now that I have a "base line" at the track, I will be able to report the real difference in performace the RRs will make. If it lowers my 1/4 time by a 1/2 second will you be getting them??
I went by a speed shop today and had them listen to the engine. They said there was "probably no harm being done". Made me feel a little better. They gave me a quote of $600 to install springs and re adjust rockers. Made me feel a little worse.
I'll keep you posted.
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moparjoe20
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/12/2002
00:39:47
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
The squeaking sounds pretty scary , did you soak the roller rockers in oil first then put assembly lube on them, or did you just put assembly lube on them and bolt them on?
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/12/2002
11:57:43
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
I think maybe the roller rockers are not in my immediate future plans. They just have not proven themselves to me.
Cut-out and ignition are next on my list of to do's.
Maybe you should have just let Bernd do them for $275 (I think) after all you could have driven to Austin, installed them, and drove back in the same time as your first install.
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Waltherone
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/12/2002
15:09:03
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
Damn, can't wait till I get my dak so I can join all ya'll...sounds like so much fun :(
I'm down in sugarland, with my lil corolla (yup, no chance of me showin up in that thing :)
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/12/2002
15:37:22
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
Don't laugh we watched a late 80s Taurus, early 90s Civic, early 80s Ford F150 (all stock), and a few others out there racing. People bring anything with wheels out there, the fun part is just talking to each other and watching the races.
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Dakaty
GenIII
6/12/2002
15:45:27
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
Moparjoe - Yes the sqeaking was annoying. I don't believe the rockers were properly lubricated. The sqeaking went away after a few minutes, thank god.
After all the modifications done to my truck, I believe I have been more satisfied with the ones I have done myself. It seems that I'm always bitching about the work done by someone else. When I do it myself, I also make some mistakes but I guess I justify them due to my inexperience.
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MoparJoe
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/13/2002
23:45:16
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
DOH! I wish I would have checked the board earlier this week!! Sorry I missed out on HRP. Keep it posted when the next get together will be.
Joey Molnar
01 Dak R/T CC
87 Daytona Shelby Z-14.1@103 2.6 60' "got traction?"
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R/Truck
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/14/2002
11:21:38
| RE: Houston Raceway Results
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Message:
July 5th Houston RaceWay Park 5:30
I know at least 10 R/Ts will be there that day. Everyone is welcome to come out and race/watch.
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