Just wanted to give praise and respect to Doug Dutra who was gracious enough to meet me and figure out my Engine troubles last saturday.
A little history...Had my engine rebuilt, since then, it ran like $#!+. Took it to several mechanic types and no one was able to diagnose the problem.
I called up Doug, who I'd never met before, asking him to please help me out. He was in the middle of working on a car for an upcoming race in Vegas, but he invited me to come by since I lived in the area.
After about an hour with Doug, he had found the problem, timed the motor, set the valve lash, adjusted the kickdown and adjusted the carb. It finally ran like a rebuilt engine should. He even fastened my hoses and battery tray down. All this for someone that he met from the forum, at no charge. I left a very happy man. Thanks again Doug for all your help, I owe one. For all those that are as helpless as me, don't get any ideas. I'm sure Mr. Dutra doesnt want to make a habit of this kind of generosity. But, he does deserve my thanks. Good Luck in Vegas Doug!!!! -Dave

Yep, the good Doc is a man of ability, character, and generosity.

If you really want to thank him, I suggest you take your car to Vegas and race it! I believe there's even a payout for first-time Slant racers even if you don't win a round.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

YES, I am thinking about it, as a matter of fact. I never intended to build a race car, and racing a stock valiant never really occured to me, but it does sound like fun. It is next weekend isnt it?

What was the root cause of the rough running? Was it the adjustments you mentioned, or something else?

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

Even racing a stock car can be fun. Vegas race is next weekend, 3/18-20 (see "Racing" section on the home page of this site for all info).

Get out there and have some fun! Vegas, baby...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Racing a stock SL6 car can be a total blast....

I just got home form Infineon Raceway (Sears Point) and guess what...
On a wild chain of events, I found myself passing by the race track this afternoon with my (kinda) stock and slow 65 Dart Convert. Yes, the car I plan to race in Las Vegas March 19-22.

So I decide to pay the $20.00 to make a few runs, a last minute "shake-out" to be sure everything is working OK.

To make a long story short, on the advice of the Tech Inspector, I enter the car into the "Sport Street" class, 4 & 6 cylinder cars only. (all the rice burner cars) The Tech guy says I will go more rounds, get more passes in that class.

Guess what... I won the whole deal!
That's right, the old SL6 Dart mowed down about 90+ "fart pipe" cars and took home the first place trophy.
The crowd and the track workers loved it. It was really a sight to see.

Yes, the fun is getting out there and doing it but when you pull-off and underdog win, that's cloud 9 stuff.
DD
http://www.dutra.org/doug/pictures/infi ... eslips.jpg

Doc, thats a sweet tale of victory, but you mean to tell me your, hmm, I assume 19-20 sec car, beat out modern 4 bangers?

Hmm, what does "kinda" stock mean?

Congrats to you Doug! You gonna tell us now how fast that 14 second car ran?

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

That's the beauty of bracket racing. You don't have to be the fastest car out there, you just have to be the most consistent. Which is actually easier in a slower car.
I have a couple plaques from Firebird dragstrip in Phoenix where I won the Friday night Trophy dash with my completely stock 19-20 second Dart.

That kinda 'stock' car color is remarkably similar to the engine bay color in the picture here

"Stock"......

-S/6

Well, you guys are onto me... I'm working to dial-in that Proline Fuel dual Weber set-up. Good looking "test mule" car huh? Too bad it's so slow. (It needs lower gearing if I insist on drag racing it)

I dropped a post on Moparts just for fun, here is the link:
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/sho ... =7&fpart=1
It has a few more photos.
DD

Congratulations! Doc!!
By the way, what color is that you have on your 65 Dart convertable?
I'm planning on painting my valiant and that color would match perfect.
Again congrats! Aloha Desmond Dano

That is a Dizsler (sp) Copper/Gold, it is what they "crossed matched" to the factory gold color offered in 65. Truth is that it came-out a little darker then the factory's color but I like it.
DD

Thanks Doc for the color infor!

Geez Doc, who's tuning that thing for ya, Ron Parker?

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.