Garage Tech: Axles

Milton-Fox Wednesday, 10/30/2013

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I have a question about axles. My question is do any of you pay attention to axle orientation when you change out wheels?

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

Background - As many of you know from my other threads and posts; I had starting running some cars backwards, as a hold over from my "pre-power tools" youth! From that, I have a '70 Chevelle FTE, that was in the top 3 backwards, but is #36 of 36 running forward. I can turn it around and it immediately heads back to the top 3 running backwards at 36 grams and not yet dry lubed. I tried adding 15 and then 30 grams of weight and had absolutely no improvement running forward and consistently #1 running backwards.

I am thinking that I can just rotate the axle and wheels 180 degrees in the same chassis and can get a top forward runner for any mail in tournaments that come up.

Any - been there - done that - wisdom or comments to share?


Discussion

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tastelikedirt 10/30/13

Seems like it's worth a try. Do you have more than one '70 Chevelle? Do they all run that way?

I've run cars backwards on accident before, but never followed up with any testing.

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Milton-Fox 10/31/13

I have a Coupe with the J5s, but not another FTE convertible.

Anyone else out there have a good FTE Chevelle Convertible...Oh wait! - going to check the standings - BRB...found a green convertible at 1-5 and a ranking score of 1162. (Its not an FTE though!)

Anyone else have a good runner or maybe they all have that issue!?!

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ConceptTA 10/31/13

Just a thought... Could it be that the rear end bumper is higher up, allowing the car to leave the gate that much sooner? With my starting gate, I notice cars with a higher front end have a definite advantage over the lowered cars. The 70 Chevelle casting has very high rear bumpers. Higher than most other muscle car Hot Wheels models.

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model40fan 10/31/13

does running backwards turn your 'velle into a gasser with the nose [tail] in the air...the air slightly lifting the car... less weight on the runout...
also a larger tire turns fewer times... and are less affected by slight track imperfections...

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Milton-Fox 10/31/13

Just a thought... Could it be that the rear end bumper is higher up, allowing the car to leave the gate that much sooner? With my starting gate, I notice cars with a higher front end have a definite advantage over the lowered cars. The 70 Chevelle casting has very high rear bumpers. Higher than most other muscle car Hot Wheels models.


I had noticed that as well - so I tested it out with a wooden ruler instead of using the start gate and it didnt effect the outcomes in either direction. The visual difference is more than two car lengths slower going forward!

The two Chevelles, a Javeline and a couple of Mustangs are the only muscle car body styles I have in my top runners. Most of the other have that wheel inside the fender issue and either rub the track walls or bind on the inner fenders (more than likely both!). I do like the recent Mopar paint and body work from Hot Wheels though!

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Milton-Fox 10/31/13

in the air...the air slightly lifting the car... less weight on the runout...
also a larger tire turns fewer times... and are less affected by slight track imperfections...


I was considering making it a gasser - based on the backwards stance you describe above and the pics I have seen here on the Derby (I like the look!). When the light bulb went off in my head to just reverse the wheels instead!

Right now I am running the 10.3' (1/8 scale mile) set up and the 6 lane hard plastic ramp part is pretty smooth. The three joints in play are engineered to be higher on the approach side to avoid "speed bumps".

The segmented track that I use for the last 2.3' have been hand picked and fitted to also avoid any "bumps". Each of those joints across the six lanes wont even catch a fingernail in either direction (my test for smoothness).

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model40fan 10/31/13

I have a Coupe with the J5s, but not another FTE convertible.

Anyone else out there have a good FTE Chevelle Convertible...Oh wait! - going to check the standings - BRB...found a green FTE convertible at 1-5 and a ranking score of 1162. (Its not an FTE though!)

Anyone else have a good runner or maybe they all have that issue!?!


.
.... Bernie has 9, tan, FTE, 'velle convertibles for $1.25 each... at - bernies wheels

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Stroller 10/31/13

But isn't running backwards just weird?....................

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EconoCarl 10/31/13

Just my opinion here: There are so many other cars that are faster than a Chevelle convertible.
You might consider working on a car that has more metal to it. No top equals less weight.

As for preparing axles, check into pinewood derby threads. A lot can be learned there.

But isn't running backwards just weird?....................

What he said

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Milton-Fox 10/31/13

It is weird to others, but seemed fairly obvious to me - once I saw those 'Ford Econoliners' running backwards back in the '60s!

I have been to some of the Pinewood derby sites, but will go back again - thanks for the tip!

I think the light weight and running backwards so well - then not running forward at all - is what caught my interest about this car. Dry lubed it this afternoon and un-taped the temporary weight from the back seat and trunk lid! Another test session starts in a few minutes...still looking for any other input, before the drilling starts!

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EconoCarl 11/1/13

- once I saw those 'Ford Econoliners' running backwards back in the '60s!

Yep - but they were built for exhibition, not speed!

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox
Wish I could of seen this landing!

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model40fan 11/1/13

i'm a rear wheel drive, little tires in front guy, but for backend frontwards milt I found this ;Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox
rip out the directional exhaust engine for a hot rod, rotate the head n' neck 180* and she is milt ready ; Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox
go milt go !


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