May. 2010 - Well, it's been half a year and I've finally gotten the Boost-a-pump and line lock installed.  We've been so busy with other projects (another car) that this took a step back.  I didn't have to finish it in any timeframe, but I'm glad it's done.  I was truly convinced that with the new traction off the line and not running out of gas at the big end I would break the ET glass ceiling that I had set in my mind, but I haven't.  I do know that I can now advance the timing more, which may push me over the edge, but I'll have to talk to Willie, my tuner friend.

November, 2009 - My car is back! We opted to put in brand new long block in the car. Patrick reasoned that the effort to fix the old motor wasn't worth it as even fixed it would still have 40,000 miles on it. We also determined that the reason it blew the head gasket was because the the fuel pump was unable to keep up. It had been running at nearly 100% duty cycle and I had not upgraded it.  I had been noticing that I was hitting a flat spot in HP at the finish line most every time I ran it, and had looked at the rev limiter and the speed limiter, both which we had determined were not the reason for the lack of horsepower.  It didn't occur to me what it was until the head gasket.  I have now purchased a Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump, which will increase the voltage to the fuel pump at WOT, and solving the problem.  I also have purchased drag radials and new lighter weight rear rims and a line lock.