My first Modified... have questions
Hello all,
My wife bought me a weekend class at the Dirt Track racing school this past year. I'm 43 and for the better part of my life I have always been drag racing. Long story short I got the bug and just purchased my first Modified. The drag car and gear are going up for sale over the winter. The car I bought is a 2005 lightning. I have a few questions that I was hoping the gods and gurus of 4m might help with.
First question is the transmission. Its a bert. When the car is sitting, motor not running should I be able to put the car in reverse? Low and high work fine. But the reverse lever does not move. The car sat for the better part of three years. I am currently pulling the battery, starter and planning to replace the fuel line and filters, but wondering if it would be best to pull the transmission and get it rebuilt? My only experience with dirt manuals are Saginaws, is the bert that much better of a transmission? I read the information that came with the car and how the internal clutch is backwards from a standard, seems and I seem to see a lot of post on rebuilds. Is it because of the internal clutch and how it works that they need to be rebuilt often?
Second does anyone have a good source for small block chevy casting numbers? I got a nice thick book that contained all the components in the motor but not what year the motor is? It was decked so the VIN location is gone. Back casting numbers are either 3970014 or 3970010. Above that is either E10-74 or E1C-74. casting numbers are hard to read. I always drag raced fords, but it seemed easier to run a Chevy with a modified, so I am a little out of my depth when it comes to historical knowledge of GM. While i'm pulling the other items should I go ahead and pull the motor and go through it? The maintanence booklet that came along with the car shows it was maintained very well. But maybe its best to start from my own baseline for the car?
I'm planning on changing out the wheel bearings and the brakes as well as seat and belts. Is there anything else I should be thinking about? Hoping you guys can help me out with suggestions for putting a safe and competitive car back on the track.
Thanks,
Steve