circle track car

[ijaraptor]

i posted in another thread, but though I might be able to get some opinions here.


I acquired an 82 marq, which was stripped out and the guy was going to demo derby it. I saved it from the crusher and turned it into a 3/8 mile dirt circle track car. 302 engine. It is the entry level class, only thing is I have ten inch wide 18" diameter hoosier circle track wheels. It has 3.08 gears, and in the first race on saturday i had to run it in first to keep up with the pack. Some of the other cars are caprices, and 70's t birds. I tried to put it up in second and it wouldn't pull any, kept bogging down. My temp stayed around 180 degrees, so I wasn't even wrapping it out in first too much. Most other racers use second gear in they automatic trannies. What gear ratio would be best? also I was doing some research and these cars have an 8.8" rearend with 28 spline axles, which leads up to another question. Will a mustang 8.8" ring and pinion fit in my marq rearend, and also will my stock yoke mate up with the pinion gear for the mustang fine. I will get some pics of the car for you all to enjoy as well.

Thanks guys.

[Lincolnmania]

any 8.8" ring and pinion set will fit......mustang trac lock will fit too as long as it's 28 spline......the axle shafts are panther chassis only, same with the axle housing
are gear changes allowed in your class? i'm thinking of making an entry level car in the stock class......says car must be stock......3.55 is the best gear ratio they came stock with

[ijaraptor]

thanks for info.

THanks for the info. For this particular tracks rules say that if it was a stock option then you can run it. Right now trying to get away from the VV carb setup and go with a motorcraft stocker. I think I can get away with at least 3.73's, possibly 4.10 (assuming that 4.10 is an available gearset). As with any stock car racing, there is always those who have more money and tend to bend the rules. I'll go to the shop this week sometime and get some photos of it. Thanks for your input.

[Blaze86Vic]

3.55 track lock was the best factory option. 4.10 is an available gear set, but I think it would be quite ovbious a difference from the 3.55. You'll be runing 3rd in some places. I wouldn't reccomend more than a 3.73, since I assume most of your racing will be around 30-60mph. with 4.10 gear 60mph in 2nd will be far beyond the stock red line.

You can upgrade to a 351 if you want, since that too was an option. In 82 you might even be able to get a C4 tranny and save th weight of the AOD.

[p71towny]

82's have the 7.5 rear end

[Blaze86Vic]

82's have the 7.5 rear end

I think the 7.5 ended in 81 or 80. If it's an AOD it definitely is an 8.8.

[ijaraptor]

It has the aod

It does have the AOD tranny, and im pretty sure an 8.8" rearend

[SLYDAWG]

Circle Track

" For this particular tracks rules say that if it was a stock option then you can run it. Right now trying to get away from the VV carb setup and go with a motorcraft stocker. I think I can get away with at least 3.73's, possibly 4.10 (assuming that 4.10 is an available gearset). As with any stock car racing, there is always those who have more money and tend to bend the rules."

I am more familiar with NHRA Stock Class drag racing so I will throw out some of my thoughts.

Definately go with a Motorcraft 2bbl carb. Pull the intake, block the heat risers, hog out the carb mounting pad to an open plenum, add a 1" spacer. Match both the intake and ports to a Fel Pro 1250. Duct cooler air in from the headlite openings or from the base of the windshield. Chamfer the air inlet (throttle bores) of the carb, remove the choke butterflies, thin the throttle shafts and screws. That 350 rated carb can be tweeked to flow closer to ~450. Some stangs and t-birds came with aluminum 2bbl intakes. Search the local yards.

The pistons should be flattops. Mill the heads .040 to .050 to get the chambers down, or find some E7TE heads, 62cc, and mill those .030.

Find a flat tappet cam with dur. at .050 204/214, make sure to have 112* to 114* lobe sep. angles for a smooth idle. Set idle to ~750. See if u can find some 1.7 rocker arms for added valve lift.

Put a deep pan and a couple of coolers on that AOD. Heat is its biggest enemy. Short track racing it in lower gears will kill it quick. When it goes, replace it with a C4.

The rear should be an 8.5, but no matter, the 8.8 gears will fit. 4.10s have a FORD part#. Factory clutch type posi are plentiful and rebuild kits run ~$40.

Shorty hedders came on Stangs. Use 2.5" exhaust.

Ex police cars turned taxi cabs came with f&r sway bars. Scrounge the local yards. I think replacement bushings and end links are poly. Air bags in the coils springs.

I think the Dodge Ramchargers came with 15X8" steel wheels and are 5 on 4.5"

Use what u can. Look over the faster guys stuff to see what they are using.

It's only illegal if they catch u with it.

As in the words of my hero, the late, great Smoky Yunick, "If the rule book does not say you can not use it or do it, then it's legal."

[DuceAnAHalf]

http://corner-carvers.com/forums/sho...ht=race+cheats

[mrltd]

mmm, Bud...

[88MercWagon]

I think the 7.5 ended in 81 or 80. If it's an AOD it definitely is an 8.8.

Panthers never came with a 7.5, 79-82 was the 8.5 inch rear that was the predecessor of the 8.8

[Pirate]

Quick note: I don't know of any, and I mean any, 350 cfm Motorcraft 2v carbs in stock configuration. The best that I am aware of, was the 223 cfm 390 2v carb that was available on the early 1970's 390 trucks, otherwise, the best 302 2v carbs flowed around 189-190 cfm.
350 and 500 cfm carbs are available from Holley, and I have seen a few Holley 2v's with ford part numbers on them....but only a few. If you can't find one, I do have a few tricks in mind, to open up a stocker....

[mrltd]

The 2V on my 68 429 was pretty damn big. that being said the stock 2bbl on my 78 fairmont worked pretty well with the choke removed and some other adjustments. Car can good.

[p71towny]

I have the tag off the cover of my vic and it says 7.5 3.08

[mrltd]

What do the rest of the numbers on the tag say?