Belly pans for TA/FC

Instead of adding on to Will's thread I thought a new one specific to belly pans would be in order.

The rule book says the "oil retention device" must extend at least one inch in front of the lower blower pulley AND have a 4 inch lip (front bulkhead) located one inch in front of the lower blower pulley. The bulkheads must be "coved" to retain the oil within the confines of the device. The "oil retention device" must extend to the top frame rails.

Then (as Clint said) the confusing part. The rear of the "device" must extend behind the rear of the bellhousing and also have a 4 inch bulkhead. Then it says the "oil retention device" may not extend rearward past the crossmember under the pinion flange.

Seems to me they are eliminating the belly pan normally used under the driver, tranny and bellhousing and replacing it with this. If that's the case I think someone is more worried about oiling the track that fry cooking the driver. The only way to build this, as I see it, is to run the "oil retention device" under the rear motor plate and into the drivers compartment as one piece which is a dangerous move. Even if you put a divider in the "oil retention device" at the motorplate a serious enough engine explosion could knock the device down which would open up the bottom letting fire and oil in under the motorplate and bellhousing and into the driver's compartment.

Right now I have a "device" like Clint's that seals against the front of the rear motorplate, then we have the normal chassis tin in the driver's compartment that seals the sides and bottom of the driver's compartment which extends from the rear motorplate to the crossmember in front of the pinion.

No alky engine explosions will be strong enough to take out the tin made to protect the driver in the driver's compartment, but they can be strong enough to take out the described "device." I sure don't want the "device" under the engine to be one piece and part of the "device" in or under the driver's compartment.

If someone has pictures or diagrams or something I would sure like to see one that will pass the definition in the rule book.

RG

 

I've got another question about this. If it has to have a 4" bulkhead at the front to contain oil, how do I cut it around the oil pump lines? Also, this would mean it has to be inside the frame rail. if it's inside the frame rail, and the oil pump sticks out, how does it go above the oil pump, and still be all one piece? Diagrams would be really nice.

 

trying to get an answer from NHRA

I sent an email to the NHRA yesterday requesting clarification on this and the fact that they call for 5/16 bolts on TAD helmet shrouds but only 1/4" on TAFC. Seems odd that the spec for the fasteners would be different. The division 6 tech director was unsure.

still waiting for a simple answer to a simple question.

 

Instead of Christmas shopping we are trying to decifer these new rules. Here on the west coast we have about one chance to get it right before testing before Pomona so I sure hope we can get some clarification.

I know of one individual who spend a couple grand earlier in the year on a titanium roll bar shield with the REQUIRED openings in it for the Jaws of Life to get through, then later was told he couldn't have any holes in it.

 

I just talked to someone who is involved with the rules and he tells me in the next several days NHRA will be clarifying and correcting the rules. Don't do anything yet.

 

Belly Pans Alcohol Funny Cars

ENGINE OIL-RETENTION PAN RULE THAT IS IN THE 2008 RULE BOOK WILL BE REVISED TO READ LIKE THE NITRO FUNNY CAR .

YOU WILL STILL HAVE TO HAVE A SFI APPROVED DIAPER OR BUCKET.

ANY QUESTION CONTACT ME AT BDEVOUR@AOL.COM