So after missing the event last year we made the 270 or so mile haul from Maine to Lebanon Valley Dragway for the annual Dover Drags Nostalgia weekend. Got a much later start than I wanted from the house and arrived at the track just as the sun was setting. Friday was a test and tune day so made three runs, a pair of 9.24s and a 9.26 all at 146. Thinking I might have something going on! Entered the Box Gamblers race on Saturday and ran another 9.24 and 9.25 in time runs. Lights were a .502 and .504. Get called up for first round all is well. Go to start the car to move up in the staging lanes...... and no starter engagement! What the heck? Starter motor is just turning and nothing else. So tow the Arrow back to the pits with the golf cart, jack the car up and find that that the pinion gear is no longer attached to the starter motor shaft! I look around where the car was sitting by my trailer and luckily I find the gear and spring that goes behind the gear but nothing else. It's a Power Master XS starter motor and not having had the starter motor out of the engine before I wasn't sure how the pinion gear is retained on the shaft. Looked like it was just secured using a snap ring. So I happened to have a C-clip and snap ring kits in the trailer. I decided to use a C-clip as it appeared it would do a better job. Put the spring on, then the gear and installed the C-clip. All looked good, re-installed the starter and everything appeared good. Sunday was the big race day and I was going to be running in the Dover Super Eliminator which is the only box class. We got one time run and it was another 9.24 at 146 with an .502 light so I was feeling pretty good! Got called up for first round and won. Get called up for second round and feeling confident..... then wham! Starter motor issue returns. Apparently the C-clip wasn't the way to go. Luckily I found the pinion gear and spring in the staging lane. Wife says time for a new starter motor. I said no, the motor itself is fine, just need the parts to properly retain the pinion gear. Did some research on the Power Master website and found they do sell replacement pinion assemblies, so I have to pull the starter motor again, get the part number off the motor and call Power Master. Isn't this drag racing deal fun!!!
