10/10/2026
Ok, here’s something I wasn’t planning on admitting to. This is a little long, so bear with me as I introduce you to the “Thrustmaster” 😂.
On our race car hauler, I’d rebuilt the transmission back in 2014. This summer it developed a reverse slip, and noticeable band material in the pan. Turns out the “high performance” band is made of cardboard. I probably didn’t do it any good, hauling machines and backing up grades. We reinstalled an OE band, as pictured.
So, before the Duluth race, Mike and Brent Amsden (and Norma) came up and we pulled the unit to replace the band. No problem. Replaced the slightly discolored direct clutches/steels and replaced the cushion steel with a flat one. I may undo that. It shifts a little firm.
In the process, I also pulled the oil pan to replace a leaking rear main, pan gasket and check the pump. On disassembly, I found the thrust to be completely wiped out on the rear fl**ge. The crank fl**ge was like a topographical map. The crank was hitting the block as the “thrust” now. I have no idea how long this has been wiped out, but I can guess that the previous transmission failure may have had a lot to do with it years ago.
Not anywhere near having time to rebuild the engine, I hit the steel pile and came up with an external thrust bearing. There’s a piece of a gun barrel, and some 1”x1” square stock.
You can see the exploded view, and how I used select fit shims to adjust the end play. I did install a new rear main bearing, and a new oil pump with the blue spring. 60PSI while cruising. This thrust roller does not allow the worn thrust fl**ge to hit the rear main.
I’ve towed to two races so far, and it’s maintaining thrust. I put some motorcycle chain l**e on the front of the balancer to reduce noise. I’m 10 hours of hauling the car trailer in, and the roller bearing shows no signs of failure, and no movement of the balancer ring. There really shouldn’t be a lot of forward pressure. The belts are probably the most of it.
One more race and a couple more loads of machines and it’s going to get the engine pulled.
I’ll be doing a detailed series on the full
blueprint build of this engine over the winter, adding some compression, cam, steel crank, Edelbrock TBI heads, and likely a second, roller thrust bearing on the front main. I’ll dyno it with a carb and do a post break in inspection before installing it.
Don’t try this at home, but if you have to, it will probably work. 😂
