Can't get hooked

[little storker]

I'm running a 70 dodge dart with a 340 ,727,and a 4.89 gear.My car is running 7.40 in the 1/8th mile and 11.80 in 1/4 mile.My 60 foot times are usally in the 1.59.My problem is I recently moved to the hot south and I can't get hooked up on the tracks down here I know when it's hot the tracks loose bite but my car won't hook at all.And some cars spin alittle but not bad as mind. I have superstock springs 4 degree pinoin angle ,frame connectors,pinoin snubber, and 29x9.0 hoosiers.I'm thinking about running the 2 barrel to slow my take off down. Please help I have lost to many races from spinning.

[DartGT66]

What are your 60 ft times when you don't hook? I think the 1.59 is pretty good. Maybe a vacuum secondary carb could help your problem, they are a lot softer in the launch than a double pumper.

[Leigh]

Have you thought about running more pinion angle? Like around 7? That will take some more hit out of it. I had better luck with really loose extending tight compressing shocks instead of 50/50's. Maybe try getting as much suspension travel as you can. One other thing, are the Hoosiers fairly fresh? I found them to not give a warning when they are done. Phoenix seem to get slower gradually, thus giving you some warning. I've never run Goodyear, so I couldn't comment on them. Your combo should be a killer.

[Belvedere]

I agree with Leigh, check your tires. Even though there may be some "tread" left the tires could be done. The hot climate and John Force burnouts may cook your tires to the point of being too hard. The depth of the wear holes may be deep but the softness it takes for a tire to hook up well may be gone.

[Maxwedge]

I had the same exact problem with my 68RR. Fairly stock rebuilt 383. Rebult tranny with a B&M shift kit and I rebuilt the whole suspension and breaks..I put some SS spring on it and a new pinion snubber...I couldnt keep the rear behind me to save the cars life. I forget the size of Micky Thompsons I had on it, but they filled the wheel wells completly. Anyway I never did get it to hook up, had to sell it when I moved out to LA this last spring...anyway I had read in a couple of places that moving the forward spring purch 1 inch up(thats towards the sky) does something to the suspension Geometry that is GOOD. They did this little trick to the car that McCandless raced against soem chevy and asome ford when Hotrod used to do those type of comparisons..Dick landy also suggested doing that same mod to the rear springs in another artical I read..his words were "move the spring eye high enough or as close as you can to be level with the floor pan"..I never had a chance to try it...
Maxwedge

[JOHN SHERRED]

try some more pinion angle 5 to 10 is about where you need to be and don't listen to any one who says a latter bar is the only way to go yes they are good but if you have the ss springs run them

my car 60' is 1.53 t0 1.55 depends on the track i go to and it will run within .005 to .009 on most days with 3,000 ss springs at 7.10 1/8 and 11.30 1/4 and i only run a 29x9 good/year in hot west texas and dallas and oklahoma area

fresh tires are always a good idea every season

[little storker]

thanks for the help ,I have a fresh set of tires on the car , only 20 runs.My 60 foot times dropped off to 1.69,1.70,s from high 1.50,s I have checked all my pieces and everything seems to be ok.I,m going to put more pinoin in it may to 7 and see how it works, again it,s going to be 95 degrees this weekend.by the way I run 11 to 13 pounds of air in these tires. and putting less makes it crazy.I may try more but it,s not recommended by hoosier.I want my wheel stands back.I'm only one of 6 mopars that race at my local track.Anyone running the cal trac system.

[LemonTwist]

1.59 60 Foots? My 70 Barracuda can't break 2.00 60's Help!!! Moved front spring eye down. Think my 3800# super stock springs are getting to much bite. Have 28x10.5 x 15 E.T. Drags. at 9.5 psi. Looking for help in sorting problem out. Runs 14.08 at 98.44 mph Looking forward for any help.

[T748]

Can someone give me an easy method of checking pinnion/driveshaft angle?Just read the M.P.chassis manual on it and it's just plain confusing.

[Christopher]

Living here in Florida,it gets plenty hot.I'd try dropping the tire pressure first.We usually run between 8-10 lbs.,depending on how the track is hooking up.I use the S/S springs and we are consistent with the 60ft times at 1.53.I'm going to try a longer shock this season and I think I can get the 60ft in the 1.45-47 range.I use a 13x31 Firestone and don't do a real big burnout,just enough to get the tires hot and cleaned off.I usually go 2 seasons on a set of tires.Also I watch who I'm up against as the person who tries to do John Force burnouts and jacks around a lot,is the one who I wait on so my tires aren't cooling off.Also what rpm are you launching at?? T748.....Go to Sears and get the Craftsman magnetic angle gauge.You can use it to set the pinion angle and it's easy to use.

[Beeracuda]

To check the pinion angle, I use a digital protractor, but you could use an angle finder like I've seen at Sears. I zero it on the driveshaft and then put it on the rearend yoke. The angle is the number displayed. The pinion should be pointing to the ground. I hope this helps.

Monty

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Monty Brown
74 Barracuda
446 / PG
10.14 /134

[Fly Boy]

As long as you guys are talking about pinion angle's, I have a guestion. I what to install a 70 B-Body 8 3/4 rear end in my 74 Cuda and would like to know what is a good angle to use for the street. The car has super stock springs on it. Thanks