Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Ive noticed a few people doing this.
What's the reason?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Save parts, easier on valve springs.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

On those runs that you may be using a minimal amount of oil in the pan it's a good idea so if the oil runs away from the pickup when you're in the shutdown area.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Vastly easier and safer if you have a clean neutral of course

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Noticed this practice a lot while standing just passed the finish line during SS @ the US Natls, this weekend.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Not as hard on parts, in general, but it does depend on the car.

The '65 SS/BA Belvedere I drove once upon a time would tear up rod bearings if I didn't go into neutral past the finish line. Never tied itself up because Grandpa was meticulous about maintenance; particularly the preventative type. After we went to "clean neutral" in the valve body and I could kill it at the stripe, that was never an issue again.

On the other hand, my '64 Dodge H/SA car has great oil pressure through the entirety of the shutdown area and does not have a "clean neutral." Racepak shows a line that descends in correlation to engine RPM, but no dips whatsoever.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Stick car super easy done it for years

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

So if I don't have a clean neutral, there's no reason to do it?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

All the reasons above are why you do it, but it can be unsafe without
a clean neutral valve body. J.R.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Mr. E,....if you have not experienced engine problems before, why would you want to shut your engine off now ? Many , many 3 speed trans builders Do NOT recommend this ....

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Well I don't know. Maybe I've been lucky. I try to ask questions and learn as much as I can. Maybe with 3 qts of oil in the engine it makes sense to get it shut off ASAP. But otherwise no.
Thanks for the good info.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Rehr-Morrison has a great article in their tech area why you should shut down the engine at the finish line. A valve body with a clean safe neutral should be used however. There are many tech articles on their site but that are a “must read” if you are a racer.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

On my stick BBC I push the clutch pedal in and let it idle.Should I also key it off?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Let me clarify my answer, I am only talking about SBC Stockers with 3 speed GM automatic transmissions with Cheetah shifters...no clean neutral....

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I have a TCI shifter hooked to a reverse valve body c-6.
It also will not make a clean shot from 3rd to neutral

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Just curious...

Auto trans
Go thru the traps at 120 plus
Straight to neutral and Shut the engine off and coast


I have always wondered how the output shaft gets lubrication since the front pump is not running ?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I put my stick car in neutral and shut the engine off, which also shuts off the Racepak.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I watched the videos here on class racer. Many of the older cars do this and the newer cars seem to leave it in gear. As mentioned some 3 speed trans builders don't recommend it. The clean neutral valve body would be a must, I would think.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Don't try it without a clean neutral transmission. Period.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Isn't there a danger of the front drum letting go if you free wheel it at that kind of RPM?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Does anyone sell a clean neutral valve body for a C4 transmission?

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Just push in the clutch that's a clean neutral

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

The oldschoolers cut it clean at the stripe to check the spark plugs for jetting, detonation etc.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Nobody want to venture a comment on this?
I've seen what a T400 drum can do.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Joel's on Joy.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Joel's on Joy builds a C4 with a "clean neutral". It is activated by applying 12 volts to an internal solenoid. I have his C4 in both my FGT/G Mustang and my Open Comp T-Bird.
Have a look at the video in this thread: https://classracer.com/classforum/sh...ad.php?t=72903
You will notice I hit a switch on the dash after I go through the top end.

Joel's on Joy phone number: 248-446-6024

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I've been putting it into neutral and shutting it off after the lights for near 50 years with all my Mopar cars . I never have used a clean neutral valve body. I personally like neutral in between reverse and first.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Please be kind. LOL I'm somewhat uneducated on class racing even though I really like it. Can you guys run an oil accumulator in stock and or super stock?



If so why wouldn't you then? You can run 3 quarts in the pan and have 2 in the accumulator for slowing down. It seems many have to add weight anyway. Just curious.


Curtis

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I'm thinking after reading all of the above posts that "clean neutral" doesn't mean the same to everyone.
Pete

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Yes, you are 100% correct, dangerous. I had one fly apart, blew through the case like a bomb went off.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

A friend of mine had one let go. Went right by the flex plate shield, through the dash and took out the windshield.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Have other MoPar racers been doing this?
I was always told not to by very reliable sources although I had always wanted to to kill the motor after crossing the finish line for all the right reasons and at the time it would have been easy because we were still using the push button shifter in the Max Wedge car.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Shutting down the engine at speed with an automatic means that there is no pressurized internal transmission lubrication...

The last time I shut off an engine in the lights we were running D/G at Half Moon Bay in 1968...

Just sayin'

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

My Slayed Valve odd fire V-6 will shred Jesel belts if you kill it at the finish line. If I put it in clean neutral and let it idle, high idle, the belts last a long time. Guess how I found this out??

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I’ve always shut mine off at the finish line. Super stock modified motor turning 10,200.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

I always put it in neutral and shut off my small block Stockers
at finish if they are turning close to or over 7,500. The Stockers
that are still in the high 6000s....I do not worry about it.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

With no transmission repucussionions I would imagine . I wish
I would have know this.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Never had a problem putting trans in neutral after the finish line.

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Correct!

All my Protrans stuff always looks great when Dave goes
thru it!

Re: Shutting off engine crossing finish line
 

Using a clean neutral helps keep the big end of the rods round longer.