I auto-x my 73 Pinto. I just picked up some used Hoosier road race slicks. They are old and dried out, so I got some Gripp Tire Prep to soften them up so they would be usable. Any body ever used tire softener before? How do you apply it? How long does it have to sit before you use them? Do I have to keep them in plastic bags between uses? Does it dramitacilly reduce wear? Thanks for any input.
EP73! I've used Formular V in the past on dryed out tires, and it does work, but will never be as good as a new set. I paint it on to a clean tire with a paint roller. It will take many coats. and you need to paint untill the tire remains shiney. If it is dull, paint more. You will need to do this every time you use the tires. Wouldn't try bags as this stuff is sticky. and may stick to the bags. Leave the tires (car) off the ground till race time. Go have fun and let me hear from you. Dick Elliott.
Hi Dick. Sorry I never posted pictures of that Panard bar. I am going to put in an 8" rear end and will take pictures on it when I do. Sorry it's been so long, money's been tight. Thanks for the input on the tire conditioner. I'll let you know how it works.
EP73! Heres more.When you start painting the tires, it will take forever to make them shiney as the rubber soaks up the coating. After the first time it will take less time to get to the same shiney point. A new set of 21x9x13 Hoosiers on a 60 sec autocross was worth 5 sec over the best treated old tires. Cheap tires can be bought of the rear of Formular Fords. Their usely 2 ply,but that never was a problem.I used a 4:11 with a Detroit locker in my 8"er. Car was fast enough to win both the local region and the SCCA tour in EP. Car would run low and second on most tracks, with a peak RPM of 8000. Motor was dynoed at 180HP. Racer Walsh once told me that he could count on one hand, the number of 2.0 Pintos that put out over that HP. The only way to go higher was to move the intake ports up aprox one inch(very $$$$$)and at that point you would start lifting(breaking)the cam towers.Best HP is to go to a 2.3, where 300HP is possible, and 275HP is easy.Hope this helps you.
".....The only way to go higher was to move the intake ports up aprox one inch(very $$$$$)....."
got that right.
In 1977, Walsh told me he had someone that could move the ports. The cost? $1000.00 (1977 dollars). Think what that would be in todays dollars.