When talking to Jeff Burk the other day, I was telling about the valve spring deal and he mentioned Comp Cams was interested in having us try one of their "hydraulic roller cams" in "Project 4-Link" and the Indy Cylinder Head 540" Bracket Master. It would be easier on springs and the harmonics would be less destructive. A good friend of mine asked me a question about it that makes a lot of sense: "What about the extra weight of the hydraulic roller lifters, and would the less aggressive cam lobe needed for the hydraulic roller take away a lot of horsepower?" Questions that can answered either on the dyno or by Comp Cams. If we give it a try, you will be the first to know.

Editor's Note: On a recent trip to Comp Cams I talked to several of the camshaft design engineers about replacing the standard roller cam with a hydraulic roller in "Project 4-link's" 500+ wedge Mopar. They believe they can manufacture a hydraulic roller that will deliver about the same horsepower and torque as a mechanical roller after a little research and development work.-Jeff Burk

We always look over things like 4-link bolts, rear brake caliper retaining bolts, etc just about every week. It takes about half an hour but can "save your butt" if one of them breaks or is loose. Whether you race your street car, a full-bodied strip-only car or a rear engine dragster, just taking the time to look at suspension parts, seat belt bolts, battery hold downs, lug nuts, etc. could save you a lot of money in the long run if this inspection prevents a major failure.

Last Saturday night I also experienced something that in the end was my fault. We were getting ready for the semi-finals and needed to add some alcohol to "Project 4-Link." I went to the 30-gallon drum in the trailer and it was empty (definitely my fault) as I only brought 15 gallons that day. I went over to the track's fuel trailer and they took the seal off a new drum of methanol and pumped me out five gallons. I poured it in through my funnel and it seemed to drain real slow. I pulled it out and the screen on my funnel was totally plugged! I felt sick that I had just ruined Andy's chance for a win.

When I looked closer, the substance blocking the screen seem to "melt away" as we looked at it. If you put it between your fingers it disappeared. Strange! I run a stainless fuel filter on "Project 4-Link" so we went to the staging lanes. We did NOT have any problems from the "strange stuff" that came out of the new drum of alcohol.

When we got home I drained the fuel and pulled the filter, no sign of any "strange stuff". I am still baffled as to what it was but I also promised my self I would ALWAYS bring my own fuel to the track.

That is another form of "preventative" maintenance. Know exactly what you are putting in for fuel and it will "prevent" problems and extra work.

Next month I make a converter swap and do some comparison runs to see what converter might improve our combination to make it even better. I have to thank some of the companies that have made our recent "hot streak" possible:

Demon Carburetor/Barry Grant for the alcohol King Demon and belt drive pump that was "perfect" right out of the box.

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