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Yes sir, I am eagerly awaiting the results myself.
Particularly BlueCalais79 and his meticulously maintained 79 Hurst Olds. I anticipate he will match January 1980s issue of Super Stock & Drag Illustrated's original road test results, once adjusted for track and weather conditions.
I got there later then I wanted to, and only caught the semifinals and finals.
They look like some really beautiful cars, but I was mainly there to root for my buddy Dr Dan.
He entered, three classes, and won 2 of them.
I got there later then I wanted to, and only caught the semifinals and finals.
They look like some really beautiful cars, but I was mainly there to root for my buddy Dr Dan.
He entered, three classes, and won 2 of them.
Thanks for starting this thread, just woke up from our return from the Nats, I have a few photos here of Race Day. I made it to the Semi-finals with the 79 H/O, more photos later and I'll post the slips. My best reaction time was 0.073 followed closely with a 0.077 so not bad there. The best the car did was 17.64 and I noted it was running faster as the day went by. And kudos to the right 1-2-3 side of that Hurst Dual Gate shifter. Man, what a refreshing turnaround from that horror of a shifter in my 94 CS last year! Never fouled in 4 trial runs and 4 races, never missed a gear.
Last edited by BlueCalais79; Jul 21, 2025 at 05:21 AM.
Brutal weather day, 93 degrees and 78% humidity. Real feel must of been over 100. Hottest day of July so far.
Here are your corrected specs, so far...
And here are original results when tested at Atco in the winter of 1979...
I have never reviewed the complete original road test. But they may have advanced timing, may have flipped air cleaner lid, etc. And Atco was a fast track, then add in the 50 degree temperature range... All in all I would say your H/O is running good as new.
Thanks for this, very interesting review for sure. My set timing was 18 degrees BTDC but I have to admit all I did was place in a fresh set of green ring A/C plugs, and I left the timing as is for the race. And you are 100% correct on the weather, it was puke bad, it was a bit tough having that window closed.
on the weather, it was puke bad, it was a bit tough having that window closed.
I know, I've raced in those same conditions. My 1/8 mile is 10.0 in March, 10.0 in November and 10.4 in July.
Takes me from a 15.6 to a 16.2 that why I stopped going in the summer. For me it's an uncomfortable waste of time.
Too bad the Nationals are always held in the heart of the summer. For those of you that don't go the track often except for special events you never get to see your cars peak performance. Luckily calculators are accurate enough to give you a glimpse of its true capabilities.
P.S. if you are wondering why my results are 6 tenths different in my experience vs 8 tenths in your calculation. That's because calculators correct to 0 feet above sea level... Atco in spring and fall can see air quality of 1500 feet below sea level.
That's why your H/O will match the original road test under the same conditions...
That car kicked my A** in the trials. It ran 13.562 in the trials, and then 13.464 with a 13.29 dial in for the semifinal race. It also ran in Class 3 and took 2nd place and I believe it was in the 13's (I think, not sure on that). I swear I had the jump on it off the line and I was doing great on it almost to the finish line. I really taxed 2nd gear and there was a split second when I thought I was actually going to finish the race in 2nd gear and win, but I was just too close to redlining. But as soon as I hit third it felt like I fell off a cliff and I watched helplessly as that 4-door roared past me. I didn't lose by much, and the H/O gave it its all on that one.
I'll be posting some time sheets in another post later this week.
I got there later then I wanted to, and only caught the semifinals and finals.
They look like some really beautiful cars, but I was mainly there to root for my buddy Dr Dan.
He entered, three classes, and won 2 of them.
9-16-1 403, 2004R, 373 I leave it in drive and best of 12.53 deep staged 108* heat index with a bad pop right off the start. I just replaced the heads with fresh 6’s, and distributor. I know what’s wrong with it and I’ll post the details once I confirm it.
9-16-1 403, 2004R, 373 I leave it in drive and best of 12.53 deep staged 108* heat index with a bad pop right off the start. I just replaced the heads with fresh 6’s, and distributor. I know what’s wrong with it and I’ll post the details once I confirm it.
thanks, but it has alot more in it for sure. I had 7 heads on it that were over ported ( long story) built this engine for a friend 21 yrs ago. When I restored this car, bought his at got the engine. Best if 12.35 at 500ft shallow staged. Finally did the 6’s myself, Dennon finished them off and even in the terrible weather it’s 2 mph fasted. Just got a nasty pop when hitting it. I believe once straightened out it may go 12-teens or 20’s
Dr Dan, thanx for the compliment on my H/O, much appreciated. Yours looks sharp in that gray, congrats on your race finishes!
Phil 69CSHC, you are right on with those adjusted figures, here's a little something I can add. A friend of mine who was there noticed my H/O was running a bit rich and he wanted to make some adjustments at the track but I let it ride and kept the mix the same the whole day. When I got home I "cleaned and leaned" the carb (17059253, correct carb) a little over a quarter turn on each side and I noted an improvement immediately. Strike one up for me to be too lazy to get this done prior to racing but whatever, what's done is done. However, I knew the car could do better and I was right. Guess I could have done better too.
Dr Dan, thanx for the compliment on my H/O, much appreciated. Yours looks sharp in that gray, congrats on your race finishes!
Phil 69CSHC, you are right on with those adjusted figures, here's a little something I can add. A friend of mine who was there noticed my H/O was running a bit rich and he wanted to make some adjustments at the track but I let it ride and kept the mix the same the whole day. When I got home I "cleaned and leaned" the carb (17059253, correct carb) a little over a quarter turn on each side and I noted an improvement immediately. Strike one up for me to be too lazy to get this done prior to racing but whatever, what's done is done. However, I knew the car could do better and I was right. Guess I could have done better too.
thank you!
just an fyi, when the air is as bad as it was that day, lean it out. If you plan on racing it more, start by using different combinations of secondary rods/hangers . Is the engine stock?
Yep, the engine is, as far as I know going back to 1986, has never been taken out of the car and is stock, the only slight exception being a new Cloyes (metal gear) timing chain/gear set up.
Also, no plans to race anymore, that's probably going to be it for me. I had a fantastic time all day at the track, I will never forget it, but I'm hanging it up. I did it this year in an attempt to redeem myself for my horrid outing at Ozark last year. I'm satisfied I did that, so it's the showfield only for my Oldsmobiles from here on in.
