Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Hi guys. I have my mostly stock '76 c10. It has a factory 454/TH400, with cam intake and headers. I bought it to play around at test and tune, something I have never done before.

I am nervous about making it through tech inspection and am wondering some common things people get booted for.

Overall the truck is in fair shape. No big leaks or drips. Tires are good. Exhaust is good. Aside from a cracked leaf spring in the middle of the pack, the suspension is good.

I have read through the IHRA rule book and think I understand it. I just don't want to drive two hours and get turned away.

I have the battery securely mounted. I am changing all the rubber fuel hose to stainless steel braided. I am also changing the plastic oil pressure line to copper. What else should I be looking for?

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

--bob

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

replace that spring for your safety & tha guy in tha next lane..

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

battery hold down and radiator overflow. those are the most common infractions for slower street vehicles. even a bungie cord is enuff for a hold down and any container should work for an overflow. then make sure you got a helmet for 13.99 and quicker runs. check your hose clamps so you don't have one slip off down track.

have fun and be safe

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

be sure that your studs stick out past the end of the lug nuts..if your running aluminum wheels with acorn nut they may frown on that....I spent an hour cutting them off with a saws all in the pits .....

Oh and dont forget the camera!! tech might be ok with it but Us board memebers can be a real B about no pics!!

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Nice. I will be sure to take a lot of pics, and to get rid of the cracked leaf spring. I am good to go on the over flow. One thing that a friend mentioned was the factory lap belts. Will I be OK with just a lap belt?

I am expecting the first few trips to be well over 13.99.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

And a nuetral safety switch. and lap belts will be fine for tech

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Two return springs for the carb! They check everytime here.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

1) battery hold down, and not a bung cord
2)throttle return springs (2)
3)coolant overflow..
4)that broken leaf spring.. big no no

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Ditch the antifreeze. Water is a ton easier to clean up. Nobody wants to be the guy responsible for that hour and a half clean-up. :)

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Is it common practice to run just water? any additives?

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

We use distilled water and water wetter. Just make sure you drain it really well before winter. I assume you're looking at going to Martin? If so, send me a PM when you're going and I'll look out for 'ya.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Sweet. thanks man.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

i been a bunch of times with my truck. most of the time they walk around the car and write the number on the window. but once i went over 13.99 and didnt have a helmet they met me in the pits to inspect it more and make sure i had a helmet! oh take pics and have fun! dont have to be the fastest ride out there to have fun

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Will they make an issue of the factory lap belts? I figure i'll be above 13.99 for the time being.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

There is pretty much nothing in the tech that will prevent a completely stock vehicle from passing IF every bit of the factory stuff is in good shape and in place. (EXCEPT the lug and hubcap rules)

Older vehicles that did not have lap even belts, must have them added. If there was no overflow, it must be added, just common sense stuff!. But in general, a 1976 anything that is all there and unaltered,, with no broken glass, no hubcaps (and lug studs that meet the rule for aftermarket wheels) is going to get to go down the track.

If you have altered / relocated ANYTHING,, then you have to pay attention to the rule book to see if it was done right.

For the most part a stock vehicle is going to run 15 seconds or slower so there not too pickey about things. Here's a page from the Firebird site that has some general rules to puruse. Pay particular attention to the 'dress' code. It's summer time, but don't come to the track in shorts, a wifebeater and flipflops thinking it's going to be acceptable.

http://www.firebirdraceway.com/web/streetdrags.html

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

How about an 80's belly shirt with no sleeves, a pair of my wifes capri's and some birkenstockks?

Just thought I would add some humor :)

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

I would a bit of a http://small-block-chevy.com/images/smiles/fagfight.gif at tech,, ya think?

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Hottrucks got me thinking about the studs on my front rotors. Come to find out my studs do not stick out past the end of the lug nuts. This became Fridays project.
I first had to knock the old studs out and mic the shank and rotor, then hit the local speed shop.
While I was at it I turned the rotors and repacked the wheel bearing.

Thanks to all that contributed to this post.

I would like to add one thing. If you have a fuel tank our cell in the cab you must have a minimal thickness bulk head to protect the driver. Or move fuel source out side of the cab.

Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

Also you need a pair of pants to run down here at moroso (well pbir)
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Re: Help a newbie make it past tech inspection.
 

nice to see some people on the forum from kalamazoo! i'll be out at martin next summer