Yes, why not, indeed, Benn ? It's easy enough to fit and weld a really stout
custom-fit shield right to your particular setup. That's the way we did it
back after we
first learned what the clutches or flywheels were doing on those
high-revving small
blocks, and before we ran the cast steel Wedge housings ...... The very
first clutch
or flywheel I saw let go was at the great Santa Ana drags in 1956 : Some
guy
there was very proud to be running his spanking new '57Vette roadster, but
at the drop
of the green( a flag start to those of you who've only seen Christmas tree
starts )there
was a helluva loud noise, and the rear of his front glass fenders and the
cowling were really
blasted out,to say nothing of the interior and dashboard ! All damage was
near the plane
of the flywheel, of course. A while later a little chopped Bantam coupe
blew its flywheel
part way down the strip, and shortly after some of us went over to the
second row of cars back from the strip, where we saw a gaping hole from the
shrapnel in the front door
of a Ford station wagon. The chunk of metal also went through the door
interior, and
the front( driver's )seat and lodged up in the rear headliner . An awful
lot of energy
there ...... even after flying several hundred feet from the strip !
We all( or almost all )recall the fantastic photo of Big Daddy Don's
front engine
dragster literally cutting itself, and Don's foot, in half right off of the
starting line ........
that was in one of his rails with an experimental AUTO tranny....... that
should be
reminder enough that shielding around auto transmissions is a very good idea
.
In a land speed car, super lightweight is nowhere near as important
as in a drag
car, so why quibble or even ask about whether or not to build-in that extra
amount of
safety ? Over-building on the Side Of Safety might save you a lot more than
just some
damage to your car parts . I agree with you, Benn . My thoughts are shield
BOTH
the tranny AND the brake and fuel lines....... time & effort WELL SPENT / any
added weight or cost WELL WORTH IT . Remember that old adage; " Once
Bitten:
Twice Shy" ? Flywheels and transmissions CAN BITE something FIERCE ........
I have seen way too many examples first hand ...... very scary damage !!!
Just Build Accordingly ! My thoughts, Bruce in Too Cool
Connecticut
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