Hey Lukus,

Yup. That's the plan!

I Fired up the Duster again a couple days ago to turn it around (under its own power ) It fired right up and went into gear like it wanted to go racin'!

The elderly gentlemen across the street came out onto his porch and quickly went back inside (closing the door behind him! ) I'll need to be careful how much I run these things so as not to annoy the neighbors.

Last night I pulled the engine out of the Challenger and put it on the stand. I fought the urge to start tearin' into it to see what's what.

I kept repeating to myself, "I'm FOCUSED,... I'm FOCUSED..."

The next time I'm over there I'll start pullin' the motor out of the Duster to put into the Challenger.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I pulled the new race engine out of the Duster tonight and started to get the original GodsRods engine ready to install in the Duster.

Everything went really smoothly.

The next time I'm over there I'll finish installing the engine in the Duster so I can have the other two engines on stands to swap parts around.

Then the new 14:1 race engine will go into the Challenger to get ready for the beginning of the 2012 race season.

At some point I will disassemble the engine that came out of the Challenger to see what went wrong. If it isn't too bad that will become a back up engine.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Saturday I got the original GodsRods engine installed in the Duster.

I just need to finish installing the torque converter bolts and all the bolt-ons.

I'll get some pictures posted later this evening.

Angie started her new job today, so the Simmons household will be going through some "adjustments" over the next few weeks and garage time will be more limited, but rest assured!!

I am FOCUSED!!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Here's another picture showing the progress made on the GodsRods Duster II.

It's a little blurry because it was taken with my cell phone, but this is the original GodsRods engine that the youth group kids and I built back in 2003 with the help of Gerald Wright. He put up with tons of novice questions. He also taught us how to degree the cam and built the head with larger valves and a port and polish job. He recently went through the head again and changed the valve springs to help overcome a possible coil bind issue that was causing some bent pushrods on the #2 cylinder.

This engine got the GodsRods Duster I into the 14.80s with a 3.91 open gear and a 2200 RPM converter with tall street tires on Cop wheels.

That Duster still had all the glass, bumpers, steel wheels, power steering pump. It weighed 2785 without driver.

GodsRods Duster II has a 4.62 gear with a spool and a 4500 RPM converter with those DOT approved slicks (forget what they call them at the moment ). It also has all lexan, gutted doors, Centerline wheels, manual steering and just a rear bumper. It does have sub frame connectors and an 8 point roll bar added though.

I'm hoping for low 14's with this one.

Any other predictions?
(Go ahead Cookie and Bagel. I've left the door open fer ya to zing me... )

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Hey Lou,

I may be goin' a little closer to that direction... Just with a milder engine.

I think mid to low 14's should be good enough for this one.

I'll have this one ready to run before the Challenger after all.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

When I was downloading pictures off of my cell phone I found this one that I took when that tow truck hit me just before the Clay City race.

I wanted to show that I was well outside the white line.

You can see the big tow truck with his brake lights on up the road a ways. He was doing about 50 when he hit me, so it took awhile to stop.

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I got the torque converter tightened up and installed the intake, headers and starter.

Next time I'm over there I'll install the water pump, radiator, alternator and start hooking things back up.

Too bad the racing season is pretty much over here. I might be tempted to take it out to a test & tune!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Radiator, alternator, water pump are in and everything except the water temp gauge is hooked back up.

I need to adjust the valves and then I'm ready to fire it up!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I had once again forgotten about the throttle cable / return spring mount.

I fiddled with that the other day for about half an hour. I've got a plan,.... just haven't put the pieces together yet...

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

CSI/CSR make really neat throttle cabel/kickdown/return spring brackets. Little pricey, but sweet.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Thanks Dennis. I'll do some searching for a pre-fab type mount.

I was over there again the other day and decided my limited time was better spent doing something I knew I could do rather than scratching my head about fabricating my own mount for an hour...

So, I adjusted the valves (cold) and hooked up the water temp gauge, tranny cooler lines and upper radiator hose.

The gas pedal/return spring mount is the only thing left before I can fire it up again!

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I've got a CSI on the red car that gives Wookie wood every time he sees it.

It ain't staying on the car though.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Damn it Janet! It does't have to stay on the car forever!

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66 Lil' Red Piggie Valiant (Mater Crusher) - Thanks Zilla!!!!! 72 Demon (Number 1 Son's)

Don't worry, I got other brackets for you.

_________________
Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

I cobbled sumthin' together fer now.

I'm half tempted to throw some gas in this thang and fire her up!

You'd better get'cher act in gear and quit fiddlin' around with buyin' more cars Cookie...

I've misplaced my camera yet again...

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser