Don Smyle
Engine Change
A great shot of the Cale Yarborough crew at the Junior Johnson shops practicing an engine change. This practice was eventually outlawed by NASCAR, but while it was legal they were the best. Notice a young Jeff Hammond standing on the tire.
Jim, I had not heard of the 7 1/2 minute but do recall they did it during a race in under 20 minutes, maybe 11 min ....that is when NASCAR said no no.Either way this is a fantastic photo. Thank's Don
The outlawed the engine change because it was becomming obvious that somebody may change an engine duringa race and still grab a good finish. This in a way was politcal but it made sense. I agree with your sentiment about Johnson's crew being in race day uniforms.
Another thing about this pic is the engine. Looks like 180 degree headers. I recall hearing that Junior was using them.Blow up this pic and you can get a reall good look at this motor plus many other goodies. Great stuff !
I am not sure that it made much of a difference with cars of that era although the Monte did had it's engine farther back in the chassis. I little trick that NASCAR eliminate once it became obvious that it improved handling. At that time the cars and chassis were still relatively stock hence the engine set back.This was nearing the end of an era that we will neve see again.
Surely my technical knowledge is limited though some of the info Ilearned of came front Randy Ayers Modeling Forum. I do recall talk of the Monte's engine location back in the day. Someone at Ayers stasted that NASCAR changed the rule because of the Monte's engine location.I was not there so mine is only opinion. LOL Still great history
Jim...I believe you are correct. I am fairly sure I remember some additional photos from this sequence where someone's hand is holding a stopwatch at the start, and then when it was completed....Obviously I would need to find that photo to see the actual time. let me see if i can round it up...
Jim Reep - I think you are onto something re: the photo shoot. For whatever reason, the memory of a 7-minute engine change was stuck in my mind too but can't be sure of it. Thought it might be Junior Johnson's team changing an engine for Darrell Waltrip in either 81 or 82 with the Mtn Dew Buick. But good grief, Darrell either won or finished top 5 in just about every race those 2 years. I finally found my answer though, and I have the pairing right. DiGard changed DW's engine in about 11 minutes at the fall Martinsville race in 1979. It was during his championship battle with Richard Petty. He still managed an 11th place finish which is simply incredible. Of course the King had the last laugh finishing 2nd that day & winning his 7th Cup at the end of the season.