Jay used the larger Comp Cams degree wheel. It is easier to read and the larger diameter makes it easier to get "exactly to the degree" you are looking for. Comp Cams was instrumental in working with us to custom grind our roller camshaft. This is a typical service they offer any racer and if you are serious about the power you make just call them and one of their customer service tech people will help you out. There is no "special fee" for this personal service it is just the way they do business.

The Roeder Performance Machine 572 Mopar then made back-to-back pulls with a peak horsepower of 958 HP at 7200 rpm and peak torque of 806 ft./lbs. at 5600 rpm. We ended up at 35 degrees of timing with VP-16 racing fuel. We will probably turn the timing back to about 32 degrees for 1/4 mile racing and leave it at 35 when we run tracks with great starting lines like Eddyville and CFR. If you haven't been to a dyno session with a big inch engine sitting on the dyno and feel and hear it hit 7600 under full load, you are missing something. When I heard and watched it and had paid for the engine I thought I was missing something ... my mind! What was I thinking standing there watching these guys run my engine flat-out and no "pipe rack" wrapped around it? It was GREAT, SCARY and EXHILARATING all at the same time. The engine ran perfect.

Roeder Performance Machine installed a set of light pressure "checking springs" and used the rocker arms, pushrods, retainers and keepers we would be racing with when he put the heads on to check piston-to-valve clearance. It is "absolutely critical" to always check piston-to-valve clearance. Just because you think it should be OK it isn't. Many engines have been destroyed because piston-to-valve clearance was too tight and they ended up with the valve hitting the pistons and valves breaking off and destroying pistons, cylinder walls and more. Take the time to check it.

After a mad thrash to get the motor home out of storage and the trailer cleaned out and "sort of organized", it was time to finish the car. Several companies helped make it happen and I want to mention them just in case you are looking for a part they offer. I hope you will support the companies that have supported "Project 4-Link" the last few years. Barry Grant / Demon Carburetors provided a deadly matched set of tunnel ram King Demon RS. RCI had just what we needed to update our safety harness, engine diaper that is now required in Top Dragster and a set of fire pants and jacket for Andy. Indy Cylinder Head produces a tunnel ram intake that was flat-out amazing in the power gains it provided. Flat-Out Gaskets made a custom set of rubber-coated copper head gaskets for our 4.500" bore Mopar. Comp Cams worked with us in designing a roller cam that would match the heads, intake and our plans. Chris did a great job and his service at Comp Cams was extremely thorough and the roller lifters, springs, retainers and 10-degree keepers all fit perfectly. CP Pistons worked with the engine builder to produce a light piston and ring package that will offer durability and excellent performance. Steve Stokes dragged over his new TIG Welder and put in the helmet bars I am required to have. Steve owns a local metal fabricating shop and this was his first time welding on a chrome-moly dragster chassis and his workmanship was superb. THANKS Steve, reminded me of the "old days" when doctors made "house calls"!

Here is the "crew". On the dyno controls is Jeff Stealy, in the foreground is my son, Andy, who will do most of the Top Dragster driving and in the background is "Mr. Horsepower", Jay Roeder. (I had to poke him to keep him awake UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING!) Man, did that big Mopar sound GOOD at 7500 rpm!

We finally got everything loaded and began out first outing in Top Dragster trim. We are headed to the NHRA Spring Challenge XII at St. Louis Int'l Raceway in IL. I was fortunate enough to have won that event last year in Super Comp and this year we will give it a try in the JEG'S Super Quick Series. Of course we have to ACTUALLY QUALIFY for that race. Look for the results in my mid-month update. I'll go over our actual runs, what we learned about converters, etc. in our first ever JEG'S Super Quick Series event.

You will hear from me in a couple of weeks. Race safe my friends ...

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Project 4-Link  — 3/10/04 Building a 572ci Mopar Wedge Motor for Project Top Dragster