1st post...new with questions

[Bill Baer]

Racer X

Out of necessity I built my current hard tail dragster my self using a chassis kit from S&W the body & seat I fabricated from .050 Aluminum there rear housing came from Mark Williams the brakes and the spool axels and brakes come from Strange etc. I would like to build a new four link or swing arm chassis as I think there are more consistent and definitely stop better that a hard tail (hard tails can get to bouncing if you brake too aggressively) I probably have 6-7K in the rolling car (the paint was one of the most expensive items) I also do my own transmissions, ring and pinion and motor assembly.
I have a friend who’s an engine builder who does the machine work and dyno’s the motors for me. As to motor choice I prefer slow turning >7500 RPM Big blocks.
They make more power than the small bocks but they make the car 100# heavier. So a small block will also work fine.
As far maintenance goes I check the valve lash and valve spring pressure about every third weekend (15-20 passes) and last year I replaced one spring in ~110 passes, I change the oil and clean the oil filter about every other month (~35-50 passes) I change the brake fluid, trans fluid, rear end lube and spark plugs every winter I also have all my starters rebuilt, rebuild the brakes and rebuild my transmission during the winter. I buy new tires every other year (200 passes)
I have two motors one with > 400 passes and one with ~100 passes the older one is due for a complete over haul. Both have Jessel shaft rockers which have proved built proof. (I previously had a problem with breaking rocker arm studs )To freshen I will replace the crank, rods pistons, rings, bearings, valves, valve springs and the roller lifters (when they break it gets real ugly)
There is no real standard, if run methanol you will need to change the oil more frequently if you run a big roller the valve spring life will be reduced as will buzzing the motor past 8000 on the burnout it all depends on your experience and what your comfortable with.

I agree with Chris’ comment on; “Really the only way to get started is by buying someone else's turnkey operation (with trailer if you can get it). You get started right away, and then can spend the first year or two learning what YOU want. You'll find a million "if I was going to do this, I would've done xxx". Then you can work on getting your list together.”
And I definitely agree with Mr. Masiello’s comment; “Just be warned it is very addictive. Once you start you can’t stop