Dick Harrell drag car (new thread)

[sYc]

Dave; My car has a staggered front end, but not for roll out. When we went to re-install it, things did not go so well. As simple as it looks, it is not easy (at least for us rookies) to get it back square under the car. You may have to explain to us how to set it. Working on the fiberglass beast has been a real learning experience. And I have not even tried to figure out the workings of a magneto fired, blown/injected big block Chevy yet. Tom

[davenkc]

Tom
I will give this a shot. The first thing you need to do is verify that the rear end is square to the chassis in its mounting this is a must. If I know Hardy like I think I do there is a centerline scribed somewhere, probably on the bottom that you can work from.You can adjust the trailing arms to make this happen. Please tell me you replaced all those hiem joints if not now is the time. With that done the rear end and centerline will be your reference. Now to the front end, I am not certain your car was offset w/b but it is a very good possibility.There may be a slight difference in the length of the front end radius rods.again check all those hiem joints, very important! Using your rear end as a reference adjust the front end to bring it into line with your preferences either square or offset somewhat. Given what the destiny of your car most likely wil be square or very close will suffice.
As far as a startup tune up goes I would suggest you contact menmyfcs for a safe ballpark tune up. He as you know is one of the foremost nitro/tuner/crew chief who really does know his engines and is vastly more up to date than me. I would only suggest for you in the event you actually make maybe a half pass with it, I am sure you have no intention of a b**** out run with it, to keep the timeing set NO more than 23 degrees (static with no advance capabilities (ie) locked out mag) and NOT more than 55% nitro.
An iron block & head chevy although likes more than that it is very likely to have a short life (ie crack cyl wall& blown out combustion chambers) Aluminum blocks and heads of today are far better than the old castings and will take MUCH more. Reminds, me it would seem we would get new cyl heads from Mondello very often. Charlie loved to "tip the can" the old 10 10 &10 (old racer jargon) meanind 10% on the blower,10 degrees more lead and 10% more nitro.

On another subject I believe we have thrashed the subject of Dick's 68 funny car enough, I plan to post version of the past/present of the 67 car tomorrow sometime with pics. The much talked about 69 car I have many pic of I am going to get a couple of together and post that next week.
Thanks to you for the fine welcome to this forum.
You can't imagine how bad I want to see my old friend...
your car again. Best of luck hope I helped you even if only a little bit.
Dave

[sYc]

Dave, Great, I thought all of the radius rods were the same length. Back to the drawing board. As of yet, we have not replaced the joints, but will once we do the final assembly. Engine wise, we are set up to run alcohol, not nitro.

As per runnning the car, a lot depends on where it ends up and who has it. I have had several interesting offers, including a big time museum, someone wanting to put it on the Nostalgia FC circuit and one just wanting it to display it at numerous shows and race events. If I do keep it, I do not intend to race it, but would like to see it do a burnout or two. At this time, I do not anticipate the car being sold, mostly because of sentimental reasons and what I have associated with the car. Original DH t-shirt and patch, check made out to Ed Pink racing from DH Racing, signed by Dick, and my most cherished momento, a DH business card, removed from the billfold Dick had in his pocket at the time of death. Holding that billfold sent chills down my spine. I am sure you know where the items came from. That person is close to both of us.

Maybe someday there can be a reunion of known Harrell and Gibb/Harrell race cars. Dick's '67, '68 and '69 FCs, ZL-1 #1, Kim's '70 Gibb Camaro and Lil Hoss. The ulitimate tribute to Dick and Fred.

[davenkc]

Tom
Please consider keeping that car as I am confident you will take it to places it can be seen by the many fans of Dick.
There are more of them than most of us can imagine.

On the car note I said there MAY be a difference in those rods maybe not. measure and see if there is a difference,
it may be slight as to where the front shock mounts are located from say.. the very front of the top chassis tube back to the mount. If they are square chances are car is/was setup to be square and procede accordingly.
Engine wise ok on alky safer fuel but there is no other sound like a chevy on nitro... even a small % (25or30) makes a unforgettable sound. Best luck.

I have made several posts concerning this car and mentioning the different paint configurations and failed to post pics to document them I am goint to attach them to this message. one the red/black,all red and the tri color
last config.

Again best to you
Dave

[davenkc]

second pic is all red against Limefire (Clare Sanders)

[davenkc]

Last is the tri color it that is my personal fav
This was taken at NY National I dont know by who.
BTW if anyone wishes to claim credit for any pic I might post I will be glad to aknowledge that. credit where it is due. This not a really good pic sorry

[Salvatore]

Tom, I think a reunion of those cars that made history would be a great idea! I grew up looking at those cars in the magazines and going to the Super Stock nationals at York US30 and Atco, NJ. Maybe the York Super Stock Reunion would be a great place. As for a driver to do some burnouts, I know a good guy that has a double B funny car license. Very reliable and knowledgable. For any chassis mods you need: S+W chassis in Spring City, Pa. or Ed Quay Race Cars. All these people are less than an hour from Maple Grove Dragway, Pa. Keep up the good work. I appreciate all the commitment to Nostalgia racing and our muscle car hobby. Thanks, Sam

[sYc]

Sam, The York show is one of the shows I hope to attend within the next year or two. Not only with the FC, but to display a Yenko or two, and my memorabilia collection, in the Supercar Registry area. As per the funnycar, I had put it on the back burner for a while, as I worked on my Yenko Nova. But, because of the all the interest in the car, both online and off, I pulled it out of the corner this evening, to see what was needed to finish it. I hope to finish it, ot at least be close, by spring, as just today I have received invites from a couple of shows wanting the car to be part of a vintage FC display. In addition, I have been in contact with a NHRA person to see what would be required to do a burnout and maybe even a short pass. If all goes well, with the help of Dave, Bob, Dale, Val and people like you, sometime in the not to distance the future, a blown/injected big block Dick Harrell Funnycar can once again be roaring down the track, and hopefully, joined by a couple of others. The ultimate Harrell reunion. Tom

[sYc]

Dave; thanks for the tips. I can see that Mo and I have our work cut out for us, just getting the car square. We did a short walk around the car this evening, and both the front and rear ends are not square with the chassis or each other. I guess next time we will need to do more then just eyeball everything. Looks like the first pass needs to be in a big, wide open area. I would suggest standing behind the car, way behind. Tom

[Salvatore]

Tom, Sounds real good! If I can do anything for your cause let me know. I would like to meet you guys. All you guys have OIL for blood. Just like me. Sam