Impound Inspection

[jimmy six]

I hate to bring up the past but when I worked with Dan in impounds for years I made it my responsibility to learn how to pump engines properly and be good at it. I had each pump serviced by the manufacture every other year and dated. Pump parts are specific to the one they are installed in when certified. I learned, all be it by phone, how NASCAR pumped engines because that's what they did. At that time the minimum was 356 and the maximum was 358. I had additional spark plug inserts made for large engines over 500 cubic inches as well as small ones for limited cubic inch engines.  Internal cylinder air temp was very very important in pumping an engine. You had to hold a thermometer in the checking hole for a few minutes with out touching the head. I had at that time in each box a chart that was showing air temp formulas for each 1/2 degree. I was able to be within 1/2 cubic inch for total cubic inches proven by removing a cylinder head.

I'll give an example. A competitor was running in "A" and needed to be a minimum of 440 CI. I pumped his engine at 435. he said I had to be wrong. I did 3 different cylinders. Same thing. He was so sure I was wrong, he removed a head. His builder had installed a different crank....engine measured 435..

I cannot tell you how many 302" "D" engines I pumped and could get 301-303 on the pump. I remember getting 305 on one and the competitor admitted it was a 305. Why didn't we tear him down you may ask? Is a 306 going to be better than a 305...doubtful.

This was a learned skill and not to be taken lightly. When I started racing at Bonneville I had to remove a head every year and was getting sick of it on my own engines even tho i was 14" under the limit. I now am allowed to physically measure an engine when asked in my area for the SCTA and apply a seal which is always best. When asked I specify that a front pan bolt and a lower timing cover bolt be drilled. That way the crank can not come out or the rods/pistons if you were going to change sleeves to change sizes. Yes overhead cam engines can be a problem but I have also done them by the competitor removing the cam........ only once.  JD