yearly maintenance for a 7,000 race motor

wildstanggt · **yearly maintenance for a 7,000 race motor -** 12-11-03, 11:32 PM

Within the next few years I am looking to build a 7,ooo RPM 349 stoker race motor for bracket racing duty only. The motor is similiar to the project vehicle for Anderson Ford Motorsports. The one featured in 5.o mustang magazine. Any way, what kind of maitenance does a high reving motor require. New piston rings how often? Oil change? Anything else, I am a weekend warrior racer who is trying to see how much work it will take to campaign a true race car.

thanks for the info

Rick 91GT · 12-12-03, 12:04 PM

Yearly maybe more often...rings and bearings, lifters, valve springs (vale springs-may find you need to change them twice or more during the season depending on the cam)

Oil changes after every race, a lot of racers change there slicks every race (NMRA/FFW)!

Things happen also, so you need to be prepared for the un expected, tear downs (possible depending what series or event you race) gaskets, seals, etc...

**EMW150** · 04:44 AM

I'm more inclined to say rings and bearings every other year and springs maybe every other year.There are alot of factors to consider. Really you should invest in a leakdown tester and rering when your readings deteriorate. As far as springs if you relieve the tension over the winter you should be fine for two seasons. Alot depends on how many passes it has on it, etc. A spring pressure tester would be a good idea to determine the condition. As far as lifters, I've been running the same ones for 3 years now. Two seasons at about 7000 to 7200 shift points and this year at 7600 shift points.

As far as oil changes, I used to change about every 5 passes but now I run Mobil 1 and change it about 20 or so passes.

**mr.b** · 12-15-03, 09:17 AM

i bracket race every weekend for 9 months. My car has a small block that i shift at 6800. The car runs on methanol. I change the valve springs at least once a season. Do leakdown tests and change the oil (and rotate the slicks) every 25 passes (gasoline wouldn't need near this). I go through the engine every other year. As long as you buy good parts, its not as much work as you think.

wildstanggt · 12-16-03, 11:38 PM

I have only basic mechanical skills but it sounds like I could still campaign a dedicated bracket car. If I have a local shop go through the motor every winter and I take care of oil changes, tires, and rear end I should be ok? Thanks, I will take your advice and invest in a leakdown tester, any other tools that might be useful besides the basics?

thanks again