Mailbag: When to Run Race Tubes and When to Go Tubeless at the Track
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re discussing whether it’s best to run tubes, or tubeless racing slicks. B.W. West Palm Beach, FL Q: Should I always run tubes in my race slicks? What are the advantages of running tubeless slicks and what guidelines should I
Mailbag: What’s That Ringing Sound Coming From My Engine?
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re examining why new headers can cause strange noises from your engine. Q: I have a 1990 Camaro that is well taken care of. I recently added a set of headers, and I’ve been hearing funny sounds from underneath the car ever
Mailbag: How to Set up an Oil Pump for High Performance Applications
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re talking oil pumps. Q: I want to put a high volume oil pump in my 1970 Ford Galaxie 500 with a 351W engine. What type should I run: Sealed Power or Melling? Is there a difference in
Ask Away with Jeff Smith: Installing and Tuning Your Shifter for Optimum Performance
I just finished replacing the clutch in my ’72 Nova and put the Hurst shifter back on my Muncie four-speed but when I drove the car, something is definitely wrong. When I shift from Second to Third, the rpm drops way down – much more than it should. But then when I shift from Third
Mailbag: Possible Causes and Cures for Hard Shifts
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re looking at ways to fix a hard-shifting transmission. J.W. Niagara Falls, NY Q: I have discovered that the shifting characteristics of my TCI Turbo 350 Street Fighter transmission are not what I want for my daily driver. Specifically, downshifts at highway
Ask Away with Jeff Smith: Rocker Arm Failure and Ways to Prevent It
I race a Corvette in the vintage road race classes and I have had a rash of broken rocker arms. The rules prevent me from converting to roller rockers. Is there any way to prevent these rockers from breaking? The failures usually occur right in the middle of the rocker arm but the pushrod also
Mailbag: Diagnosing and Fixing Differential Whine
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re quieting down a noisy differential. Q: I ordered a Richmond Gear 3.42 ratio ring and pinion set from Summit Racing for my 1989 Chevy van and had it installed by a shop I was told was reputable. They told
Ask Away with Jeff Smith: Micron Ratings and What They Mean for Your Oil Filter
I’ve been looking at aftermarket billet aluminum oil filters with a stainless mesh filter that you can disassemble, clean, and re-use. Are these any good? I don’t mind taking a filter apart and cleaning it. I’m thinking it might reveal problems before they really get bad but I’m not sure I’m getting as good a
Mailbag: Tuning Your Carburetor for Mid and Upper RPM Power
You’ve got questions. We’ve got the answers—the Summit Racing tech department tackles your automotive-related conundrums. This week, we’re setting up a Holley carburetor for mid and high rpm power production. Q: I have a small block Chevy 350, bored .030-inch over, in a 1970 Buick Skylark. It has TRW flat top pistons, stock 1.94-inch intake
Ask Away: Diagnosing Excessive Distributor Noise
I have a question. My 1970 SS Chevelle has a 350 crate motor. When I start the engine now, there is a loud whiney sound coming from my distributor. Is this a bearing maybe or something else? Have you ever had this problem? The distributor is a Mallory 85 series. Ricky SS Jeff Smith: Let’s




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