They innovated a lot of things, between them and W.J., they were tough competitors. Bob Glidden is inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in April, 2005. This is my favorite Bob Glidden car. The experts all agree that cleanliness is the most important factor during installation, and the lack thereof is the most common problem that leads to bearing failure. I was fortunate enough to have participated in Pro Stock for about 15 of those years and have more than enough stories to fill a book! The Boss 429 engine was designed to beat Chevy and Dodge and put Fords in the winner circle, but to make them legal for NASCAR, Dearborn had to offer them in street cars. BG] I do, yes, because they could then get some fac- tory involvement. by Guest Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:44 pm, Post Over the years, weve gotten asked numerous times about connecting rod length and the impact that has on an engines horsepower and durability. Most of it I didn't have any control over. I found an article on Mr. Glidden's Arrow from Sep 79 Popular Hot Rodding. Bob Gliddens Undefeated 1978 Fairmont Was Ugly, But A Perfect Transition, Ask ten-time world champion Bob Glidden what he remembers about the only known undefeated Pro Stock car in drag racing history and hell tell you it had an appearance that only a mother could love. HRM] Did you dislike it just because it was ugly, or was it an ill-handling car as well? How did you get into cars? Dealer Locator. BG] Around this part of the country, there would be really good paying Super Stock meets on Friday nights, on Saturday nights, and on Sunday and we did that for, oh, I'd guess about three years. No big dreams, I just desired to run the local Chicagoland version. You had to keep experimenting with new ideasmost of which didn't work. He even conceded that many of his competitors knew far more about the internal-combustion engine than he did, but none of them had his will to win.. Photo by Autostock, courtesy Ford Motor Company. MCE Engines, Los Angeles, California. After a semifinals round win at the Southern Nationals in April, his Thunderbird got crossed up and he shot to the left-side guardrail. Hajek's current engine came in a roundabout way after Bob Glidden sold off his Cleveland parts to John Healy when Glidden switched to Boss 429s. We had a lot of good luck in that car. But perhaps most famously, the Boss 429 was the engine architecture that Bob Glidden dominated Pro Stock with. Boss 302 ought to qualify since the heads are more or less shared. FORUMS. Plus, I loved doing those big burnouts for my fans. When Pro Stock racer Bob Glidden retired in 1997 with 85 event victories, he was the winningest driver in NHRA history. Any perceived advantage when it was debuted was quickly dissolved by the end of the season. The exhaust side of the heads had been cut off and a about 11/2" plate attached to the side and level with valve cover rail. HRM] So what did you do when the rules changed? Bob Glidden was forced to drop his winning Cleveland engine program in 1982 when NHRA mandated 500ci and start a new R&D effort with the Boss 429 platform. Credit for pics goes to Petersen Museum, all pics found on the net. HRM] Throughout your career, you primarily raced Fords. We had a three- year contract, but the following year, when Chrysler went bankrupt, my contract got voided. Service Network for Medium Speed Engines (Marine/Industrial) As it turns out, this question is often overthought. Only a few dragstrips hosted a local level Pro Stock program and logistically, I was in decent shape. Everyone in the NHRA community is saddened to learn the news of Bobs passing, said NHRA President Peter Clifford said in a statement. Rod journals were either 2.000 or 2.100 Chevy size. They would break like popcorn with the bigger camshafts, especially with roller cams. In 1978, it put Glidden on top at midyear with wins at four events, including Indy and the World Finals. It was kind of like the Plymouth Arrow when we came out with it. "When we started hiring outside people, it was really our downfall," admits Glidden. Sadly, it turned out that last day was the end of the Chicagoland Pro Stock at US 30 and Oswego forever! The Ford was destroyed but Glidden climbed out unscathed. The car featured a chassis with quite a few similarities to todays current design. HRM] OK, let's talk about IHRA and turbo cars. They put weight on me and took a lot off the GMs but at the end of the season it didnt matter because we had plenty left. And, there are several Blair's tribute cars. Glidden improved his engine building and race craft and that helped him achieve strength in throughout the 1970s. The NHRA did not appreciate the lesson. The shame of it is that Ford pulled the backing from him after all those years of hard work and the love he has for racing and Ford. Really, the championship was over before the World Finals, and we went to the World Finals with really no chance to win. BG] No. For years and years, he won his share and I won mine. face/gasket was a half of a sphere approx. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences are with the Glidden family at this difficult time.. Glidden claimed his first national win in 1973 at his hometown race, the coveted NHRA U.S. Nationals. We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week. A group that it seems most people have forgotten was Reher and Morrison, from back in the old days. Glidden had a handle on the longer-wheelbase Thunderbird, and the 500-inch Shotgun engine and that allowed him dominate the 1985 season. Overall he won 9 times that season, ending the 1980s with 49 wins. For 1982 NHRA went from a power-to-weight formula to a new 500ci displacement limit for Pro Stock. Ford racing icon and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden passed away December 17 at the age of 73. We worked probably a lot harder back in those days than most people. For 1989 Glidden switched to a Ford Probe that set a national e.t. NOTIFICATIONS. HRM] Was your IHRA car any diferent than your NHRA car? My Pinto with a Cleveland, thanks to Gapp and Roush, Dyno Don Nicolson and Bob Glidden, was the highest factor - 7.3x the cubic inch. 7 posts Bob Glidden's pro stock C heads Bob Glidden's pro stock C heads. without a driver! This website uses cookies for functionality, analytics and advertising purposes as described in our, http://www.nhra.com/museum/features/feature16.html, http://www.dragracingonline.com/special/top5_1.html. 1/2 in diameter bolted in place from underneath port. He was a true competitor who left a lasting legacy of excellence both on and off the track. head gurus that could maybe answer for me. That same year, he made the courageous move to full-time racer and scored a runner-up to Bill Grumpy Jenkins at the final Supernationals of the 1972 season. He says the Cleveland is 200 pounds lighter than an FE block, and a Mustang coupe is 200 pounds lighter than a fastback or convertible. You can come to your own conclusion. We had miracles happen for us to win cham-pionships and different races. The connecting rod. On the Buick forums, there are guys who blame you for protesting Buddy Ingersoll's turbo car, although he has said in interviews that it was Rickie Smith who got him banned. (he was a friend of Bob and when his daughter was of age dated Billy) He wanted them freshened up. Select country or region. Straight axles were accepted. Information found on the website is presented as advance information for the auction lot. "We really didn't have any sort of an engine to use. He was a fighter, even in his last hours. People forget how successful Bob Glidden and Bill Elliott were with this engine." There was a lot to look forward to for the next season, but that Fairmont sure did make racing fun in 1978. At the time I had no access to a flow bench. In 1998, he returned to drive a Pontiac for friend Steve Schmidt at the U.S. Nationals and climbed behind the wheel again in 2010 for Ford runner Jim Cunningham. With wife, Etta, and sons Billy and Rusty, by his side, Glidden was dominant in the latter half of the decade, winning five straight titles. BG] That was what they called the Shotgun (Boss 429), the uh, hemi engine. I wanted to make it a week with Bob Glidden, Seeing the Pinto race, coming back to the shop, and get torn down. History in the making at Four-Wide Nationals, Josh Hart looks to finish the job and pick up first four-wide win in Charlotte, Five unforgettable moments from the Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, After Pomona wreck, Force team had their hands full getting a new car ready, It's been a long road, but Matt Hartford is breaking new ground in Pro Stock, Adapting and adjusting are secrets to Justin Ashley's early-season success. Brent. Some say the short field problem is due to the cost to conform to the new 2016 mandated rules. Glidden returned to the next race with a new mount, though his first victory of the season came in July at the Mile-High Nationals. There are enough fanglers out here that aren't totally locked to strictly cleveland block and heads. A self-taught mechanic, Glidden grew up in Whiteland, Indiana. Why Ford? He raced the Pinto at the opener on February 12, 1978 at the Auto Club raceway, where he won. The decision to purchase should be based solely on the buyers personal inspection of the lot at the auction site prior to the auction. Movers, Shakers, and Deal Makers: Who's helping move the drag racing needle? Our rst Pro Stock race was at Ontario Motor Speedway, and we lost to [Grumpy] Bill Jenkins [in the nals]. The lightest and strongest components available were needed to crank those engines that hard. The story of Blair's Speed Shop is excerpted from Bob McClurg's latest book The American Speed Shop published by . BG] Not good [laughs]. After a couple of runs the ring seal went to hell. Home of world class custom built blueprint engines for street, racing, and pleasure. BG] Well, we bought up all the old junk 429 stuf we could fnd and that's what we raced with for the next, oh, 15 years I guess. In Northern California, side grafting wasnt very successful either. Gildan Bob Glidden NHRA Fan Apparel and Souvenirs, Vintage Drag Racing Souvenir, Not Authenticated NHRA Original Autographed Items, John Force NHRA Original Autographed Items, Back in early Chicagoland Pro Stock, you could make any mods to the engine you wanted. HRM] Can you talk about the rumors of nitrous? by maxracesoftware Sat Feb 05, 2005 9:13 pm, Post Front brakes, headlights and side mirrors werent required. Many early Pro Stock racers still used flat tappet cams. This was his last pass in IHRA TRIM. When it comes to yellow tomatoes, Carolina Gold is a popular determinate variety. His streak ended after 50 rounds (14 races), when he uncharacteristically redlighted the second round at the Mile-High Nationals. In 2001, the NHRA honored him with the No. Rings were top: .043 moly, second ring 1/16 ductile and 1/8 low tension oil ring. Lots of cool engine work going on here! On the first hard run, the Detroit Locker locked in Detroit, but not at Oswego, IL. We promise not to use your email address for anything but exclusive updates from the Power Automedia Network. I made this video to document, a week with Bob Glidden, with his early cars, initially, and then just the '76 Pinto. Along the way there have been myriad rule changes. Some recruited their wives or did it alone at times. That's a cutthroat business. We went into that with NHRA's word that they would not change the weight breaks, but after the frst race, they did. We were just battling the NHRA with the rule deals. We worked day and night on that stuff. His last real competitive pass came in 2003, and he did return to the track in 2010 to consult with another team. Glidden scored victories in 1983 at the NHRA Springnationals, Mile High Nationals, Northstar Nationals and at the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis where he ran a track record of 7.68. If a racer ran a canted-valve engine such as the Ford Cleveland, they had to add another 50 pounds. BG] You know, I was pulling all year for Erica [Enders] to win the 2014 championship, which she did. Was he trying to get the SSR to be more effective or flow around the 11/32 valve stem or creating tumble? Vintage/Classic/Historical Engine Tech, 3V Performance Engine & Valve train Development, Race Cars & Parts - For Sale or Wanted, https://www.maxracesoftwares.com/forum/ .php?id=57. by Torquemonster Fri Feb 04, 2005 4:38 pm, Post For safety, a 4 bar roll bar was mandatory, a helmet and some sort of racing type seat belts were needed and, if you could go 150 MPH, a chute was required. HRM] In 1986, you crashed and covered the engine when you got out. However, this time they'd gone too far and Glidden was prepared to point that out. HRM] What was the worst race car you ever drove? He raced a Fairlane, and Mustangs, in super stock, my favorite is his 68 Cobra Jet Mustang. The car only ran 5 races. Finally MSD came to the rescue. Once he realized he wasn't dead, Glidden famously threw his racing jacket over the remains of the engine to protect its secrets. BG] Well, we tried to be organized. Even today, only John Force (134) and Warren Johnson (97) have more event. Glidden won only a single event, the NHRA Springnationals, with three Runner-up finishes. Forum for the discussion of the US Ford 351 Cleveland, 351M (MODIFIED), 400 and Aussie 302C and 351C engines. Sadly, as Pro Stock approaches its 50th anniversary, NHRA Pro Stock is experiencing short fields. Most of the early Pro Stocks were made from real cars. And so it goes, the constant Pro Stock quandary. One of the most interesting was NHRA mandating materials and minimum weights for all engine moving parts. The "Bob Rydey" 584; 582 Air Camando EFI; 618 "Super Air Commando" 632 "Air Enforcer" Pro Street Engines. A 10,500 RPM limit has also been mandated. Ford's sales literature said the Laser Stripes were so wild that "some people think they should have a switch to turn them off." Back in a Ford for 1980, Glidden was the man to beat. Bob Gliddens, he went 7.00 and 199 with it. So I'd like to understand why he would run a de-stroked small block? But instead, only allowed 500 cubic inch at 2350 pounds, which still stands today. 800.957.7223. As flat tappet lobes frequently began to flatten, and springs were breaking, most Pro Stock racers finally went to roller cams. Next stop on the tour, was National Trail Raceway, June 11, 1978, Bob lost to Richie Zul. Its not so much the connecting rod length that matters as much as it is the correct piston pin height. It's just free information if they saw it. The cars were transported there from Fords Rouge plant to be fit with the engines on a small-scale assembly line. A career so full of hard work, miraculous wins, and pain-ful controversy deserves to be celebrated, so we took on the legendarily private Bob Glidden and tried to get him to spill some secrets. I was only 100 miles from Oswego, IL and 135 from US 30 in Gary, IN. by SBC Sat Feb 05, 2005 8:20 pm, Post What was going through your head during that race? In the world of tomatoes, there are countless varieties that offer unique flavors, textures, and growth habits. The entire venture went away after we sold Bob Glidden several engines in the winter of 1984. Bob drove Fords almost exclusively throughout his career, at times carrying the banner virtually on his own. The monster engines came later with the advent of better aftermarket castings and rotating parts. One popular hybrid tomato is the Big Beef variety, known for its productivity, disease tolerance, and adaptability. Located in: Cleveland, Ohio, United States. might be interested in these Flow Numbers from. The video has myself asking Bob questions, and him answering them. It wasnt really ahead of its time because the chassis hasnt changed that much over time. He also won seven events and his second straight Winston Drag Racing championship. Ordinarily, that time of the day at Ontario, the wind was a headwind and it just wasn't very likely we could win. It did fit into the EXP he was driving at the time but reportedly drove "like a fuel altered." Ford archives photo BG] I was the son of a sharecropper. Takes the place of Clevor. The RST series, Estamino, and Fortamino are all good choices for shorter growing seasons. Glidden rode the train of good fortunes as long as he could without question. My hands were our CNC. I don't think any of the guys or gals who have gone out and done this get enough credit. Gliddens Don Hardy Fairmont debuted at the 1978 NHRA Summernationals in Englishtown, N.J., and from that point everyone in the Pro Stock field was racing for second place, whether it was qualifying or eliminations. He went to the finals in his very first race. Production of the Boss 429 Mustang began in 1968 at Kar Krafts assembly plant in Brighton, Michigan. Unfortunately for the competition, Glidden learned more with each run regardless of the combination. It got to the point where our competitors protested us at all of the races and it got to be such a hassle tearing engines apart we nally just decided to try Pro Stock. It shared. Warren was one, Johnson. I didnt wonder about it because we were lucky with that car, Glidden said. So as soon as I got out of Like the idea, but the devil is in the details. In 1968 he changed to a 428 Cobra Jet Mustang. Its the engine he innovated with so much, that when his car suffered a brutal rollover in 1986 at Atlanta, he climbed out of the car and covered his hand-made dual-quad intake with his fire jacket and helmet. We just raced and had a lot of great luck, that's really the truth. These chassis builders will stick a new tube in somewhere or nowhere and claim its different. That same September, I bought a running UDRA/Chicago Pinto Pro Stock with a Gapp and Roush 366 Cleveland and Lenco. Eventually, in 1972, Glidden sold a pair of Super Stock Mustangs and purchased a Pro Stock Pinto from Jack Roush and Wayne Gapp. Show my location. 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HRM] Do you consider yourself primarily a driver, an engine builder, or a tuner? "We only had to give up 150 pounds and back then that meant a whole lot to us," Glidden added. Powered by a. It was the first of his three straight victories. Racing Engines. By seasons end, Glidden switched to the boxy Ford Fairmont, and with that car he finished the season undefeated in five national competitions. I hope you guys appreciate it, stay tuned MOre on the way. . Forum for the discussion of the US Ford 351 Cleveland, 351M (MODIFIED), 400 and Aussie 302C and 351C engines. Racing bearings are different from those recommended for street use, and theres a lot to consider. No one really knew how quick that car was. He swept 5 of the first 7 events and 7 out of the first 11. At the same time as he was dominating in NHRA, Glidden was also racing in IHRA, with success, but also a lot of drama, both with Ford and the other racers. It was a 71 Comet with a 427 Ford Tunnel Port and Liberated Top Loader. Bob Glidden. Along the way, Bob made occasional appearances behind the wheel of son Billys small-tire Ford Mustangs. These wins brought him and the Undefeated Fairmont, the NHRA Pro Stock Championship for 1978. The UDRA had no weight or cubic inch rules. BG] We won every race that year but two with the Plymouth. Here are my 3 off the top of my head -. Bob Glidden also had his 1970 Mustang built by Don Hardy and the 366 Cleveland Ford built by himself. We were in a situation where we either won or we couldn't continue. Actually, later we ran the same engine because they had a weight break for 500 ci versus the bigger engine. The Boss 429 was also the engine that Ohio George Montgomery fit with twin turbocharges and reportedly made more than 1,000 hp. He started the season in his Ford Pinto, winning the Winternationals and Cajun Nationals. But today, his condition took a turn for the worse. A Pinto. Offering top notch Aluminum Cylinder Head Porting and Cylinder Block Machining Services for High Performance Racing Engines by Race Engine Builder Steve Schmidt. My Clevelands had Roush-designed BRC super light gas ported pistons with narrow cylinder wall punishing slipper skirts with .0065 piston to wall clearance. Glidden, who amassed a record 16,035 points and lowered the national record to 8.59, fielded two winning cars that year: The first was his tried-and-true Ford Pinto that carried him to victories at the season-opening Winternationals and Cajun Nationals, and the second was his famed Ford Fairmont, with which he won the Summernationals and finished Search from the map below or add more conditions. Darin maybe the RM crew might have seen this during tear down at the track back then? They factored pounds per cubic inch, which varied with brand, type and model. In what is unquestionably one of the greatest losses the sport has ever endured, drag racing legend and 10-time NHRA Pro Stock champion Bob Glidden passed away today at the age of 73 following a brief illness. BG] It was another one of those miracles. I bought a car from [Wayne] Gapp and [Jack] Roush. Last year, I grew Fortamino but the seeds didnt do well at all. Community for the 351 Cleveland Ford engine enthusiasts world wide. And those handsome bookings are what helped me afford to run on a professional level with decent equipment. One key difference: The Cleveland V8, as the engine is also known, employs canted valve heads. Check out Februarys shop tips and tricks. Post Are there any racers you admire? Sweet, Rootstock Selection for Short Season Tomatoes: What to Consider and Recommended Varieties, Rootstock selection is an important part of successful tomato production, especially in short seasons. Loaded and headed to State Capital Raceway, Where he took the win on April 30, 1978. He won his 85th and final national event at the Mopar Nationals in 1995, after missing most of the 1995 season due to open heart surgery during the off season. Previous post breaks it down. Copyright 1996-2023, NHRA. I remember when Bob Glidden was top dog with his Thunderbird in the NHRA during the 80's and Bill Elliot was ruling in NASCAR with his Coors - Melling . I would have redone everything anyway, but at least I would have something to start with! In addition, cars have to be parked, and engines not covered so fans can interact with the racer and crews. The Arrow was as good as the Fairmont because it weighed as much as the small-block Chevrolet, Glidden admitted. HRM] Do you think that would be a good idea? Delivery: Estimated between Fri, May 5 and Mon, May 8 to 23917. . He is most closely associated with Ford cars, a manufacturer that he used throughout his career, except in 1979, winning the world championship in a Plymouth Arrow. He started out in Stock and moved up to Super Stock. minimum weight. That car got a little bit of a weight break. See inside the Ford 351 Cleveland he raced, check out his shop inside, I narrated it to give more insight, and detail on things you might know, if it was not pointed out. This Hearse is definitely Haulin Ash and its our Engine of the Week! BG] Just engine-wise. He began racing on the streets in the 1960s, then took his skills to the track first in Super Stock and later in the recently formed Pro Stock class in a used car purchased from Wayne Gapp and Jack Roush. Mickey Thompson phased them into his Mustang Funny Cars, and the Boss 429 is the engine that he experimented with his compressed-air supercharger. BG] Well, we thought they were all very fortunate. On the port floor about 3/4" in from int. It shared its 4.36-inch bore with the 460, but used a shorter 3.59-inch stroke. I'm too old to think about that. Due to the new rules, he was forced to use a modified Boss 429 Ford engine in the short wheelbase car. After that year, Ford sent a person down to our shop to meet with me and we put together, at that point, still a small deal, but small deals were better than nothing, put that together with me to race Ford again. The new rules for 2016 became even more radical when injection induction was mandated. Back in the early 1980s, we really dominated with the small-block, The timing was perfect because the end of the Fairmonts tenure was plagued with pencil whippings administered by the NHRAs tech department. I had been a regional Sportsman bracket racer since 1969, raced Pro Stock from 1975-1989, then left in 1990 to become one of the original Pro Modified racers. When freshened I would watch for shiny spots on gap ends, and adjust if necessary. Bob Glidden won every one of those 5 consecutive races.