Dragster maintenance

doglover44 · 06-09-2010, 09:29 PM

how hard is it to maintenance dragster ? and when buying a used dragster what should I look for ?

Chris Williams · 06-09-2010, 10:59 PM

Maintenance on a dragster is easier than it is on a door car, it's all just right there in the open. But, like any drag car, you need to do a bunch. Tighten everything, check everything else, change fluids, lash valves, etc, etc. The more you check and maintain, the fewer problems you have.

IMHO, you should never buy a used race car without an experienced person along. Cracks in the frame are a big issue, for an example, and having someone along who knows where to look can't hurt. And just what looks good and what doesn't look right. Find a friend who knows what's what and get them to come along.

Bill Baer · 06-11-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Williams

Maintenance on a dragster is easier than it is on a door car, it's all just right there in the open. But, like any drag car, you need to do a bunch. Tighten everything, check everything else, change fluids, lash valves, etc, etc. The more you check and maintain, the fewer problems you have.

IMHO, you should never buy a used race car without an experienced person along. Cracks in the frame are a big issue, for an example, and having someone along who knows where to look can't hurt. And just what looks good and what doesn't look right. Find a friend who knows what's what and get them to come along.

As usual, I agree with Chris, I also wouldn't by a used car with out a chassis sticker and I would avoid buying one that didn't have a 9" ford rear end 12 bolts and dana 60's are ok but having had an 8-3/4 chrysler they are not as strong also make sure it's confortable (sit in it for more that 30 seconds).

Chris Williams · 06-11-2010, 09:37 PM

Bill's right, I forgot that. Sit in the car. Strap in. With a helmet on. Make sure you can reach and see everything. Can you shift? Are the pedals in a good spot? And stay there for a while. Like 5 minutes. Are you comfortable? Can you get in and out easily?

There are two styles of dragster seating, one more upright and one more "laid back". I can't stand the laid back style, mostly because I'm big and with a helmet on I can't see things as well. But some people love it. A matter of taste.

Don't rush this part. Looking cool is one thing, winning is more fun and that requires being comfortable.

Keith 944 · 06-12-2010, 09:42 AM

look underneath does it have scrape marks, these things can hit the surface a lot! check for cracks! at our track last night a dragster broke in half at the finish line. again look for cracks at all welds and attachment points.

Tweaker · 07-07-2010, 08:55 AM

this thread is good as I will be soon doing the same looking for a used turn key dragster.

What else is good to look for and check? What was provided so far is great. When looking for turn key what else can be checked with the motor n such to try to insure it doesn't blow up on the first pass and to make sure I'm not buying some guys weak motor/trans in his TK car. Does anyone down here live in FL I could use a mentor for moving to a rail.

Tweaker · 08-11-2010, 10:24 AM

Thanks a lot guys for all the information. I have yet to find someone local in my area to show me the ropes and be a mentor. However i just signed up to go to School for Sept 15th to get licensed so I'm looking forward to that. For me I want to find a good deal for around 20k-25k$ for Rail and Trailer of course im fine with it being hard tail my track is newly all concrete and 225 wheelbase is fine. I put my car up awhile ago for trade/sale on racing junk. I haven't tried super hard yet to sale it until i firm up a couple more things but the info you guys provide is very helpful.

http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...ale-Trade.html

06-09-2010, 09:29 PM	#1
doglover44 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Carlisle OH Posts: 1,275 Likes: 3 Liked 395 Times in 182 Posts	Dragster maintenance how hard is it to maintenance dragster ? and when buying a used dragster what should I look for ? __________________ Jake Biermann

06-09-2010, 10:59 PM	#2
Chris Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 401 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance Maintenance on a dragster is easier than it is on a door car, it's all just right there in the open. But, like any drag car, you need to do a bunch. Tighten everything, check everything else, change fluids, lash valves, etc, etc. The more you check and maintain, the fewer problems you have. IMHO, you should never buy a used race car without an experienced person along. Cracks in the frame are a big issue, for an example, and having someone along who knows where to look can't hurt. And just what looks good and what doesn't look right. Find a friend who knows what's what and get them to come along. __________________ Chris Williams 6304 SC, TD, ET

06-11-2010, 09:37 PM	#4
Chris Williams Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 401 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance Bill's right, I forgot that. Sit in the car. Strap in. With a helmet on. Make sure you can reach and see everything. Can you shift? Are the pedals in a good spot? And stay there for a while. Like 5 minutes. Are you comfortable? Can you get in and out easily? There are two styles of dragster seating, one more upright and one more "laid back". I can't stand the laid back style, mostly because I'm big and with a helmet on I can't see things as well. But some people love it. A matter of taste. Don't rush this part. Looking cool is one thing, winning is more fun and that requires being comfortable. __________________ Chris Williams 6304 SC, TD, ET

06-12-2010, 09:42 AM	#5
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,116 Likes: 1,004 Liked 1,649 Times in 521 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance look underneath does it have scrape marks, these things can hit the surface a lot! check for cracks! at our track last night a dragster broke in half at the finish line. again look for cracks at all welds and attachment points. __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2 X somebody many X nobody

07-07-2010, 08:55 AM	#6
Tweaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance this thread is good as I will be soon doing the same looking for a used turn key dragster. What else is good to look for and check? What was provided so far is great. When looking for turn key what else can be checked with the motor n such to try to insure it doesn't blow up on the first pass and to make sure I'm not buying some guys weak motor/trans in his TK car. Does anyone down here live in FL I could use a mentor for moving to a rail.

08-11-2010, 10:24 AM	#7
Tweaker Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jupiter, FL Posts: 59 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Dragster maintenance Thanks a lot guys for all the information. I have yet to find someone local in my area to show me the ropes and be a mentor. However i just signed up to go to School for Sept 15th to get licensed so I'm looking forward to that. For me I want to find a good deal for around 20k-25k$ for Rail and Trailer of course im fine with it being hard tail my track is newly all concrete and 225 wheelbase is fine. I put my car up awhile ago for trade/sale on racing junk. I haven't tried super hard yet to sale it until i firm up a couple more things but the info you guys provide is very helpful. http://www.racingjunk.com/category/1...ale-Trade.html __________________ IHRA #2X41 http://khracing.projectrhyme.com