need help!

Hey guys,
I need some advice. I have a 120in. altered with a 598 bbc with 1471hh. 430 rear gears,and bruno-lenco 3 speed. I have not yet made a pass in the car, but have 4 burnouts and 3 launches. My block is filled to the deck. The big problem has been when I try to back the car up after the burnout I cannot properly steer the car at low speed. It feels like the weight on the front of the car is so great that I can't steer with one hand. The other hand is on the brake. I was wondering if there is a simple solution I have overlooked? My steering wheel is very narrow. I could possibly go out 2 or 3 inches, but would that make enough difference? I also thought about changing the steering box ratio, but not sure if that would induce new problems, like excessive steering wheel turn ratio? This chassis had a blown sbc with previous owner and went 7.23 at 187mph. I think I have at least 400 more pounds on the front end now than previous owner.Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for all input
Les

 

Did you put the car on the scales after going to a big block?* Don't know much about altereds but it probably will be ill handling if you didn't get the car set up after changing blocks. My $ .02.

 

Is something binding? What are your alignment specs. Because of castor altereds usually steer 'lighter' going backwards

 

i would put it on jack stands and take a look at everything. see if anything is binding like LeWhite says. check all steering linkage when someone is turning the wheel. if you don't find the problem after this, i would take every part of the steering off the car and look for something broken. i don't think you need a different wheel, or steering box.
maybe the weight of the new motor put the steering arm in a bind. most cars have a bracket attached to the frame that the steering linkage runs through. i would check and see if it is binding there. maybe the chassis is flexing just enough to make it drag. i am talking about the bars from the steering box to the spindle. hope this helps....please post if you find the problem
Darren Russell

 

I agree with Darren, it's probably binding in the bracket on the side of the chassis.

 

need help

Thanks for the input guys. I am going to check the steering drag as you suggested. As I was draaining the oil last night I discovered 2 suspicious looking "bumps" in my oil pan top edge, so I may not be out again for awhile. Oh well, maybe I'll be lucky this time. I'll post back when I find the steering problem. Thanks again, Les

 

I would check toe-in and caster and you need to check it with full weight on the car and on a flat and level area.

 

What kind of tires do you have on the car? I can't hardley back my car up with Goodyears on the front , I run the M&H front runners on my car and it steers real good backing up.
Check out my website: rattlerracing.com
Ricky