UPCOMING EVENTS - Cowtown Mopars

UPCOMING EVENTS
February 19th - Club Meeting
February 17-19 - Dallas Autorama
March 3rd - Cruise to Denton
March 11th - TMCCC Kennedale
March 18th - Club Meeting
March 25th - TMCCC Ennis
7740 N. E. LOOP 820
FORT WORTH, TX 76180
817-276-7700
Cowtown Mopars Performance Team
PO Box 162413
Fort Worth, Texas 76161-2413
Rush To:
Place
Postage
Here
February 2012
THE STARTING LINE
Official Monthly Publication of Cowtown Mopars
2012 CLUB ACTIVITY PLANNING
By Susan Brownell
Well, the New Year has started and it’s time to dust off those dashboards, kick the spiders out
of the wheel wells and get ready for our first cruise.
On Saturday, March 3 we will gather at Bill Boone’s shop at 1:00 pm and cruise to Robinson
Restoration Service in Denton. With the route I’ve mapped so far we should arrive at RRS in
Denton about 3:00 pm. This is not a “food” cruise so be sure you eat lunch before you show up
at Bill’s place.
I’m working on a few other events for the first half of the year. The car show date is set but the
other dates are still open. As details are finalized I’ll let you know what they are.
April - Club Car Show
May - Our “annual” dyno-day at Speed Tek
June - Picnic, probably at a park in Arlington.
July - We might just hide from the heat but if the weather isn’t too brutal we may go for
a ride out to Babe’s in Granbury. Of course if it is too hot we can just cruise to Babe’s in
Arlington.
Hope this looks like some fun. If anyone has any suggestions just let me know.
-Susan
Random Get Togethers (GTGs) - Kirk Maisenbacher
A few weeks ago, Barry Hansen and I met at Bill’s shop to do some much needed organizing of
the cargo trailer. After the work was done, we decided to grab some lunch at Campe Verde in
Arlington. We talked shop for two hours while getting stuffed on chips, queso and some good
Mexican food (have you ever had their Elk Fajitas?)
This was an outing we had talked about for some time, and it was something we would like to
continue. Our thought is to have some random GTGs around the Grand Prairie/Arlington area
where people can meet up, hang out for an hour, grab a bite to eat. It could be during the week,
on the weekend, whenever. In the coming weeks I’ll put some meets on the Facebook page and
message board so people know where we plan to be.
The first club meeting for 2012 was the largest we have had in years! I
hope this is just a sign of things to come! GREAT NEWS we had 4 visitors and
3 of them joined. The January meeting also means board nominations. Six of
the seven board positions had nominees and the seventh position (newsletter editor) DID NOT.
The reason for that was I forgot and I have no excuse, so I will just say "SORRY KIRK" and
anyone else who might have wanted to be newsletter editor. You will have 2 times the opportunity at the February meeting. We also had a couple of people willing to assist board members
with their duties. THAT IS ALSO GREAT NEWS!!!!
As it seems to be every February our club meeting is the last day of the Autorama. This
year Ron Russ, Ken Key, Tommy Martin, Dave Mandato, Marty Robertson and Randy Buntyn
will have their cars on display for Cowtown Mopars. THANKS GUYS FOR ALL YOUR TIME
AND EFFORTS!!!!
This year most of January and beginning of February seem like Spring so by March 3rd
for our first cruise who knows what the weather will be like. Susan will have all the details for
us as we cruise to Denton.
We are making plans for the annual Cowtown Mopars Round Up. As you know this
year it will be April 15th at Allen Samuels. Please start to make plans to be a part of this year's
show.
See ya soon!
Mark Buchanan
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Rick Brownell, Membership Director
Don’t forget your 2012 Club Dues:
Single membership New $25 / Renewal $15
Family membership New $35 / Renewal $25
Your dues must be paid in order to cast vote in the March board election!!
Presents
Mopars At The Motorplex has evolved. For 2012, the event at the Texas Motorplex will kick
off the first of four national events, collectively known as the MEGA MOPAR ACTION SERIES.
With the backing of MOPAR ACTION magazine, Mopars At The Motorplex has become part of a national series of Mopar-centric events with racing, car shows and swap meets.
The event will be managed by the same group that oversees the Super Chevy Show and Fun
Ford Weekend series.
Texas Motorplex (Dallas, TX)
Bandimere Speedway (Denver, CO)
Maple Grove Raceway (Reading, PA)
Virginia Motorsports Park (Dinwiddie, VA)
May 19th
June 3rd
June 9-10
Sept 22-23
There will be more info to follow in next months newsletter, or keep up to date at the websites:
www.megamoparaction.com
www.moparsatthemotorplex.com
www.texasmotorplex.com
Don’t forget we’re online:
www.cowtownmopars.com
or search “Cowtown Mopars” on Facebook!!!
BY THE MINUTES - Rich Lemmon
(Ken Key recorded minutes in Rich’s absence)
Mark B. called the meeting to order @ 5:20
Introduction of guests, three, two of which submitted membership applications.
Noted that there were 39 attendees.
Presentation of race team plaques to those who were not at the Christmas Party. Recognition of Mike
Miller for designing both the race and show team plaques.
Confirmed six member cars to be in the Dallas Autorama Car Show, Feb. 17th - 19th. They are: Dave
Mandato, Tommy Martin, Randy Buntyn, Marty Robertson, Ron Russ, and Ken Key. There will be no
indoor Fort worth show this year due to scheduling conflicts.
Race season begins March 11, with the first race in Kennedale. Dallas Raceway has closed.
The Allen Samuels Parts Department has agreed to sponsor the club race team separately from the
dealership's overall sponsorship. They will be providing direct funding, and offering a steep discount
on parts to all club members who present a valid club membership card.
Susan Brownell announced a planned cruise in to Robinson Restoration in Denton for March
3rd. Details to follow.
Rick Brownell gave a reminder regarding club dues.
Bill Boone and Barry Hansen offered to assist Mike Miller with the club website.
Kevin Alexander discussed the upcoming Hot Rod Power Tour, June 2-8. Will start in Detroit, and end
up at the Cowboy Stadium in Arlington. Kevin will be participating, and is hoping for club member
interest.
Mark B. opened the floor to nominations for candidates for the 2012 board of directors. Nominations
made, seconded, and accepted were:
President - Mark Buchanan
Vice-President - Ken Key
Secretary - Rich Lemmon (accepted in absentia)
Treasurer - Dan Robinson
Activities Director - Susan Brownell
Membership - Mike Bearce
Bill Boon informed the club that Mopar Action Magazine will become the primary sponsor and promoter of the Mopars at the Motorplex. This will be done in cooperation with the Motorplex, and the
Fort Worth and Dallas clubs. The event to be known as the Mega Mopar Action Series will become
part of a four race national event.
50/50 pot was won by Kim Humphrey.
Meeting adjourned 6:52
Techno-babble
By Barry “I'll always be a wingman” Hansen
One of my favorite mods is an upgrade to the charging system on our older Mopars. Quick, cheap and
easy.
One of the weak links in the wiring system is the main hotwire going through the bulkhead connector
to the dash ammeter and back out. In all Mopars with an ammeter all the current for spark, headlights,
heat/A/C and accessories passes through that one circuit. One can usually tell these two bulkhead wires
by the heat distortion and slightly melted jackets. Eventually they like to melt and short to the firewall.
Chrysler recognized this problem in the 1980's doing away with the ammeter and making the following
upgrade the factory standard to this day.
Parts needed: 5'-6' length of wire, a length of fusible link, 1 yellow crimp-on butt connector, 2 yellow
ring connectors 3/8”, and possibly electrical tape (see specs below)
if 50 amp alternator
if 50-65 amp alternator
if 85 amp alternator
if 100-120 amp alternator
12 gauge wire and 16 gauge fusible link
10 gauge wire and 14 gauge fusible link
8 gauge wire and 12 gauge fusible link
6 gauge wire and 10 gauge fusible link
I found all the parts in the AutoZone electrical aisle. The most expensive part was the wire, in my case
a 25' roll of red 10 gauge for 6 bucks. Hanging right above was the fusible links and connectors.
Lay out the wire out from the alternator to the starter relay on the firewall. I put mine in the harness
that runs down the valve cover and across the firewall. It looks stock. Crimp a ring connector to the
alternator end. You only need a portion of the fusible link wire so I cut it in half (a 3” to 5” length is
plenty) and butt connect it to the length of wire. Crimp the other ring connector to the other end of the
fusible link. Carefully connect the wire to the alternator hot stud (you may have to trim a small slot in
the wire shield) and connect the fusible link end to the starter relay hot stud. Easy way to remember is
the fusible link always goes closest to the battery. If you have push-on terminals on the starter relay (as
I do on my 1983 model truck) you will have to splice the fusible link end to the big black hot wire in
the middle of the relay or any red accessory wire coming directly off the battery or connect the wire to
the hot stud on the starter motor. That's it.
The downside, your ammeter will no longer register true.
The upside, you have taken the load off the bulkhead connector and under dash wiring. The dash lights
are brighter, more voltage goes to the coil, the battery charges up faster, the headlights do not dim or
blink when the turn signal and brake lights are on at idle, the engine seems to start up and run better
when cold and I think runs better when hot.
This mod is from an exhaustive article on charging systems from Mopar Action magazine reprinted at
the AllPar.com website.
“May the Schwartz be with you”
The Go Fast(er) Department
Mark Buchanan - Race Team Coordinator
HEY TEN TIME TMCCC CHAMPIONS!!!!
The first of 10 races for 2012 will be March 11th at Kennedale. It will be here before
we know it. Are you ready? I had planned to have more sponsor news by now, but at this point
no news yet. I will keep you posted. We have agreed to double "Cookie's" salary for 2012 and
he is OK with that, so now all we need is someone to pull the smoker to the races. Let me know
if you can help with that this year. THANKS!!!
We had a TMCCC meeting a few weeks ago and voted to make 3 changes for this year. You
probably remember from the banquet that super pro will now be called TOP MUSCLE. The
other changes are: 1) all electronics races will be run 1/8th mile, 2) the points breaks will be 5A
clubs 16+ points, 4A clubs 7 to 15.99 points and 3A clubs 6.99 points and less, and 3) Race of
Champions will now be called CONSOLATION
BRACKET.
See ya soon!
Mark Buchanan
2012 TMCCC Race Schedule
March 11
March 25th
April 22nd
May 6th
June 3rd
September 9th
September 16th
September 30th
October 14th
October 28th
Kennedale
Ennis
Denton
Kennedale
Ardmore
Ennis
Denton
Royce City
Denton
Kennedale
2013 DODGE DART
In April, Dodge will start consumer production of the 2013 Dodge Dart. The first true CSegment (Compact) car since the demise of the Neon.
The basic chassis is based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 5-door hatch that is sold in Europe, but
the vehicle is decidedly American. All three engines are built at the GEMA Engine plant in
Dundee, Michigan while the vehicle assembly will happen at Chrysler’s legendary Belvidere,
Illinois assembly plant. (Note - The 1.4L Turbo is the same engine used in the Fiat 500 Abarth.
All engines for American Fiat 500s come from the Dundee, MI plant).
Invariably, some people will take issue with resurrecting a classic Mopar nameplate, but the
new Dart fills the same market niche as the original did 40+ years ago, so Dodge isn’t that far
off base.
Just in case you actually needed a reason to drive your Mopar!!
February 19th - Club Meeting at Spring Creek BBQ
February 17 thru 19th - Dallas Autorama
March 3rd - Cruise to Denton
March 11th - TMCCC Kennedale
March 18th - Club Meeting
March 25th - TMCCC Ennis
April 15th - Cowtown Mopars Car Show
ITEMS FOR SALE AND WANTED
1969 Dodge Coronet 440 4 door, fresh 318 2 barrel w/ MSD "ready to run" distributor, fresh
904 trans, new front end, new dual exhaust, and more $4200.00 contact Mark Buchanan 972617-2068 before 9pm or bbuchanan8@juno.com
WANTED - Good used 8 3/4 limited slip center section, 489 or 742, between 3.23 and 3.55
gears. Email Mark at mskuzia@yahoo.com
WANTED - 3 speed A-903 Manual Transmission for a Slant 6 B-Body. Rennie Kontac: 817525-5652, k5ren@charter.net
Anything you want to buy or sell? Send info to Kirk Maisenbacher to get it in the newsletter.
Items will usually run for two editions unless you need it to run longer.
Dodge Charger Registry
The Dodge Charger Registry is compiling a
list of Chargers to help with tracking down
parts, finding vehicles, and generating demand for reproduction parts. They also hold a Charger
specific meet every year, where Charger enthusiasts of all years can go and enjoy their cars. It is
open to any year Charger (1966-Present).
The 2012 all-Charger event will be held in Lebanon, TN , June 29—July 1. For More information, please contact Morris Counts at 817-545-7783 or Wayne at 434-223-1305 or
TDCclub@hotmail.com. Reservations can be made at the Ramada Inn (ask for Holly) with rates