Fuel System 101 The Barrel Valve

Parts Plus Motorsports Moment

[@ultraspinacle]

Great, Great tech article. I’m writing this in 2023, would be nice to get more of these, but since Clay’s car is running so good, I don’t think he has time! :-)😊

[@josephclements3222]

Thanks to you for another great video. This is the kind of content that all of us gear heads just can't get enough of.... The more we know about the details of what's happening is what keeps us so pumped up about the sport we love. Hope yours is always the Loudest pedal on race day.

[@vincereynolds8788]

Thanks Mike and Clay for taking the time to connect with your fans through these videos. It's especially nice that you take time to respond to many of these comments, Clay. With covid-19 keeping most of us away from the live experience these videos help bring us closer to the action. Hoping for a win for you guys this weekend. Be safe!

[@claymillican25]

Vince thank you we have had fun doing these videos. Plan on more coming out for the next few weeks.

[@ThunderAppeal]

You meant to say the *hysteria* surrounding covid keeping everyone living in an endless state of fear.

[@kylelewis2952]

Clay is, by far, the nicest guy in the sport! Thanks for the videos Clay, we ALL appreciate it. I'm a bracket racer and I use the Ron's mechanical fuel injection on my old Spitzer dragster and it's cool seeing the differences in the barrel valve y'all use, compared to the style I use. Thank you again and good luck down in Atlanta!!

[@ajwilson605]

Pete Jackson was also the originator of the "Pete Jackson - Dual Idler" cam timing system. Pete's brother, Charles "Kong" Jackson was the builder of the original "ROTO-FAZE" racing ignition systems and his company, JERD(Jackson Engineering Research Development) manufactured parts for Ford V8 flatheads, Model "A", and Model "B" engines. Kong and Wes Cooper shared a shop in Burbank, CA. A lot of shenanigans went on in that shop. Volvo insert rod bearings to replace poured Babbitt bearings in Model "A" engines. OHV conversions for "A", "B", and Flathead V8's. Men like Pete, Kong, and Wes were the driving force..... the Grandfathers.... of drag racing as we know it today. There are countless others, Vic Edelbrock, Ed Iskendarian, Ed Winfield, Phil Weiand, and so many others. I was lucky enough, through my friendship with Kong's sons, Thomas and Robert, to learn a little bit from the masters.

[@martynvanlancker2364]

Barrel valve mechanics must be being taught at Hogwarts!!! All this for under 4 seconds!! You guys are awesome!!!

[@CKMAX]

These videos are great! It's really great to see the details of how things work and what you guys do to make a successful pass. Thanks for taking the time to do these videos.

[@dmeemd7787]

This also probably has the BEST audio of top fuel on video I've ever heard

[@dellydelly7759]

Keep this info coming i love all this detail of how a nitro car works. Thanks !

[@claymillican25]

Thank you we plan on keeping the videos coming 👍👍

[@jimbristow900]

Thanks Clay and Mike for another great video. Best of luck this weekend

[@claymillican25]

Thanks Jim 🙂

[@randysiler7458]

That was cool . Thanks for taking the time to educate us. 👍👍🇺🇸🏁

[@chrisrigoni]

I've learnt more in a couple days on this channel than ever. So stoked on these episodes

[@ThunderAppeal]

And now imagine if you actually picked up a book and actually read something you would have learned a lot more.

[@robertdelaney5994]

Many thanks from Australia for your wonderful explanation of the Barrel valve . l am 72 yr old mechanic all my life good to get to see how things work.

[@gregoryskelton9270]

great video clay. please keep them coming. mike is the most under rated crew chief in the business. stay safe, stomp the loud pedal!!!

[@mathieudube7672]

Clay you're my favorite driver man!! I really mean that. Pretty cool videos. Thanks buddy

[@swflmotorsportsfan6667]

Another great video by Clay and Mike. Thanks for taking us along the journey 👍🏻😉

[@COYOTE_N8]

Dude is very smart man. Cool episode.

[@andyb9767]

Great video guys. I love to learn something new.

[@claymillican25]

Thanks Andy

[@davidsheppard1133]

Thank you for your explanation. I have always wondered what last minute adjustments the crew chiefs were making at the line.

[@billmiller7138]

We used to set the 1970s/80s barrel valves with a leakdown gauge and that link to the butterflys. I like learning these new fangled things!

[@samtheman835]

You ever want to see just how large the main fuel supply line from the tank to the inlet. You will flip. Great video there sir.

[@jimsweikata5571]

I have a Quick Check barrel valve adjuster on my FED. Just turns by 2 fingers. No more use of 2 3/8 inch wrenches. Nice video Clay, thanks.

[@cnftnf]

Watching this has been a barrel of fun.😃

[@nadronnocojr]

Great video he has a great delivery of information , just so cool to hear thanks for upload

[@granttamboline1876]

Thanks Clay and Mike for educating us! Good luck in Vegas👍🏻

[@examiner0078]

Clay I could listen to you two all day long. I wish you all the best the rest of the season. Thank you guys for explaining how things work. Now……Stomp on that LOUD Pedal!!! Lol 😆

[@kerrykurschinsky2451]

Pete Jackson was a good guy,.... we were running his gear drives on late model dirt cars,.... back in the day,.... when you'd call,... Pete alway's picked up the phone...... great video guy's,.... lotta juice goin' through that valve..... when it's open......fuel pressure is just..... nut's,......... those thing's have come a long way,...... take care.........

[@flyhalf2]

As a fan from the UK I really appreciate and enjoy theses videos Clay. I don't understand why Fox still can't get the sound correct in their broadcast but team videos can and ESPN used to be able to.

[@leepettit9516]

Thanks Clay and Mike, I in Australia and always followed T/F & F/C really enjoy your vids and all the detailed information you impart regarding the car and racing….about 5 years ago I was in the states for a holiday and got the opportunity to go to Pomona for 2 days of the Winter Nat’s……still puts a huge smile on my face every time I think of it……you guys do it to a hole other level in USA……at meet in australia you might get at best 4 T/F and 4 F/C if you’re lucky…..thanks again and keep up the great work & content👏🏻👏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@williamkelly6034]

Terribly fascinating! Always wondered exactly what they were doing prior to staging. Thank you. Please post some more videos on similar topics.

[@mikeleschber1316]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I am fascinated with top fuel technology.

[@jimmylove6153]

Tnx... sitting on the edge of my seat learning for the first time... Aloha

[@erichuff3572]

Excellent video thanks for sharing this information. I love it. You guys are wonderful. God bless you and your team.

[@69JJV]

Old school mechanical fuel injection where it started. No computer to run things. New TEC helps but you still need know your shit. Thanks for another vid.

[@billclark5943]

Now that was sweet. Please thank Mike for taking the time to contribute. Those little details are what us gear heads yern for. 10-15 years ago when I was involved with blown alcohol stuff I thought 200 psi of fuel pressure was a lot. 750 psi for nitro is crazy. You could pull the jet out of the nozzle and probably cut your finger off with it.

[@claymillican25]

These things are crazy how they work and how fast they go 😀😀

[@tmcmellon]

I guess if the air beat the fuel to the combustion chambers the lean condition would destroy the engine very quickly. Such a great video.

[@scottbutler2761]

Mike has so much knowledge in his head . I hope Mike passes it on

[@dreamersgarage8307]

Clay loves that loud pedal. Bet his neighbors loved him when he was a teenager with a loud Hot rod

[@claymillican25]

😂😂😂

[@korenerussell6542]

I’m very impressed and boy is your crew chief handsome. ;)

[@cj599]

You should invite uncle Tony's garage out for a week end of racing im sure he would be thrilled too see the advancements of today compared too the old days !!!

[@68dart]

Awesome , Interesting , Thanks Clay

[@shawnpugh6052]

Great breakdown boys. Your barrel valve is way more cool than our K style🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 I’m really enjoying this ride with this team

[@danoc51]

Another nitro mystery explained. Thank you!!! I've been going to drag races for years but had no idea that there are basically two circuits feeding the engine.

[@claymillican25]

Glad you watched :) Mike does a great job explaining how it works.

[@wilsonmartial1224]

o thank you so much ,l love the lesson 101 , l want to suggest others subjects very interesting for your fans and myself - cooling system -fuel system from the tank to all injectors head,intake manifold and blower hat -ignition system -braking system -engine lubrification system -clutch timing -tuning vs altitude , air fuel ratio , engine timing , compression - security system in car for the driver - vieuw of the dash in cokpit and some questions about - NHRA car inspections after the run - penalties for engine leaking in burn out or at the starting line - what causing after the start ,some cylinders have no combustion believe me , l love pro drag racing about 40 years but the nitro is no more accept in my canada . bravo for your work , it is pleasant to follow you on FS1 with your smile . wilson

[@604cuinkillah]

Priceless info😎

[@MrDingo57]

wow nice buy first round good job

[@DEATHTRAPHOTRODS]

Great video! Thanks Clay👍

[@claymillican25]

Thank You 😊

[@trav_t4305]

Love this content!!

[@claymillican25]

Thank You 😊

[@sqlsmarty4325]

Very cool! Thanks! 😎👍

[@RC-te4mt]

High tech stuff,so interesting 🧐! Stomp on the loud pedal!

[@claymillican25]

Thank you Robert 👍👍

[@PorkBarrel.]

Very cool Clay...thanks!

[@claymillican25]

Thank you for watching 👍👍

[@MrNegative57]

Thank you thank that answered a question I asked a couple years ago, didn't get near that good of an answer. And Mike , it isn't a gas pedal , it's a Loud Pedal !!

[@claymillican25]

😁😁😁Thank You😃😃😃

[@jerrycoon3369]

That was awesome! A lot more to it than I thought. I remember years ago hearing about changing the "pill" in the barrel valve. That was probably the enderle style. I just thought it was kinda like a nitrous jet. Maybe it was. I never had any hands on experience with any of it and I could be totally off in the wrong direction. LOL! Cool stuff! Great video!

[@claymillican25]

Thanks Jerry 👍👍

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

Jerry, the pill is a fuel return restrictor but works the opposite way to a nitrous jet. A bigger nitrous jet is more to the engine whereas a bigger injector pill is more back to the tank so less to the engine. We still run the old Hilborn style blown fuel system at Bonneville since we need to go 5 miles multiple times without burning it down. Our best effort at one meet with a blown hemi on 60% is 12 runs without pulling the heads. That's probably some kind of record in it's own right!

[@jerrycoon3369]

@@nzsaltflatsracer8054 Cool! Thanks for the info.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

@@jerrycoon3369 when he was talking about the magical numbers he won’t share for the idle return check valves, thats the same thing those jet sizes controlled. The less fuel it allows by, the higher the system pressure, the more it lets by the lower the system pressure. The difference here is they can control how much fuel even goes to the barrel valve by the handle in the cockpit that is attached to the pumps. For the burnout, the driver sets the pump shutoff to get the dash to read the pressure the crew chief wants. Before the run, they open the shutoff all the way.

[@jerrycoon3369]

@@slowpoke96Z28 Ahhhhh!!! That makes sense! Thanks for the lesson! Thats why I like mechanical things. They are easier to understand for me but you have to understand how the system is laid out. Thanks again.

[@bobsbillets]

The regular 80A Enderle pump is like 50-100 psi. This is a standard 7 gallon a minute pump a lot of people run at the track. Probably good for about 800-1000 h.p. I about crapped my pants when your Chief said 750 psi of fuel pressure! WOW!!!

[@austinv9964]

Keep up the great content!

[@claymillican25]

Thanks Austin!!!

[@jasonhicks9246]

mike is a badass!

[@greggstankowski5073]

Some very expensive stuff and then there's that return spring! LOL

[@patrickhaeg920]

Thanks Clay for your videos. I enjoy seeing what goes on inside your teams operation. By the way what breed are your dogs?

[@joannehart9624]

VERY interesting for those of us who have watched top fuel cars.

[@michaelupchurch166]

Great stuff!

[@claymillican25]

😎😎

[@beckyumphrey2626]

Amazing!!!!!!!

[@roberttalarsky4238]

The knowledge is Cool 😎

[@ronmedenwaldt]

Thanks for the video. Out of curiosity how does the screw adjustment constrict the flow? Does it fine tune the amount on the return?

[@keithlewis9106]

Very good , question is sparkplug are burn away about mid trace by the 44 amps, would not be best to have a plug that will last full track ?

[@100ccSuperRat]

way simpler than a mikuni flat slide. you should call that a digital carb it only knows on or off hehe. thanks for the video loved it.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Kind of. It doesn’t carburize though. The flat slide has to do it all, and at part throttle too. The Enderle did as well, except carburizing. They basically got rid of the circuits they didn’t need while making it more durable and operator friendly. Pete Jackson was a genius.

[@truckladders4104]

Great video most technical people love this It's great to see the individual components Very similar to early diesel systems I have a question When the system is delivering more fuel than needed(idle) does the excess return to the tank? Normally you only see only a primary feed tube on the modern fueler The old "Moon" tank Hilborn had return lines Do they new engines "recycle " the fuel momentarily until launch? And if so is heat in the fuel a concern It would be great if you would do a complete series on this and all the other intricacies of the entire engine and clutch All that you can reveal without the hard-earned secrets!

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Back to the pump inlets. The net in a fluid schematic would be the same as going back to the tank, but why plumb and take the power loss when it’s gonna end up back at the pump inlet anyway.

[@Chris-ey6rn]

The throttle is barely cracked and the barrel valve is wide open but idles off a hole the size of a pen tip. Damn

[@slowpoke96Z28]

So the check valves in the idle return are also the idle fuel pressure regulator, which crew chiefs chose and set based on their own mojo for their desired after burnout engine temperature? Got it. Now if someone could explain the slide valve and BDK valve and their timers, that’d be great.

[@tomconner5067]

Its like an aviation mechanical fuel injection fuel servo.

[@jamesscott5407]

Does this system use a pill as well...to set the A/F ratio?

[@blowdowndro1130]

Do all engines use barrel valves or just drag cars?

[@rragnus]

lowkey looking like the guy from will it blend (especially on the thumbnail)

[@jeremyeubanks2387]

What do you guys use for your dash and data loging... racepack?

[@nadronnocojr]

Does the moment it goes full fuel , is it washing down all the cylinders , is there a chance of hydro locking one of these engineering wonders of the world

[@swedenfrommycam]

How much more oxygen is it in race fuel? Love this channel 💪🇸🇪

[@Tim.1113]

Nitromethane contains 52% oxygen by weight compared to pump gas which is around 2%.

[@StuartKaufman]

This thing is loaded with unobtainium and topped off with a questionable hardware store throttle return spring lol

[@bowsertownes]

And you would probably gasp at how little the actual engine is fastened into the chassis

[@ianbuilds7712]

most of the stuff i see on top fuel cars is shockingly simple and minimalist..

[@ianbuilds7712]

the practical application of those simple ideas is where the rubber meets the road..🤣 so to speak...

[@SwimmingPoolAZ-SPS]

@@ianbuilds7712 they’re 11,000 HP go karts!

[@davelowets]

@@bowsertownes Hose clamps... 😂

[@8180634]

At full throttle, what percentage of the total fuel going into the motor goes through the barrel valve, is that the only fuel source for the motor? Clay asks excellent questions and Mike gives great answers, thanks!

[@Ribbityibzki]

The barrel valve is the metering device for the fuel. As seen in the video, at WOT the idle return circuits are shut off so 100% of the fuel going through the barrel valve goes to the engine. All fuel has to pass through the valve before it gets to any injectors/nozzles.

[@gmccrarygm]

boy oh boy....if there was only a way we could compress all that fuel even more to achieve another 25-30% more power output but that darned fluid dynamic thing just throws a big wrench in that...lol

[@slowpoke96Z28]

If we had a tire that could handle the speed and still hook.

[@arthurmchugh5184]

Mike Klobler , tuned the snake to the first 5 teen at Indy, waaaaay back!!! But cooler than that was Larry Dixons MULLET !!🤣🤣😱

[@sideswiped6874]

ALL of my engines (11) have a barrel air valve, but they are 1.15 CID or less

[@JParkes43]

One question. What’s the stuff you see been squirted in the butterfly’s with a bottle?

[@brianiswrong]

I have always assumed it's gasoline, to help get the engine to fire. As nitro is hard to ignite until it's compressed.

[@mathieudube7672]

From what I understand it's kinda like the same as heavy equipment hydraulic system. Low side being low pressure or minimums as we call it and high pressure being maximums. ??

[@claymillican25]

Mathieu, that is pretty much it. Thank you for watching.

[@rescobar8572]

Was that Blaine on the left lane? 🙏

[@tomconner5067]

750psi of Nitromethane through what appears to beca 5/8"-3/4" ID fuel line to an injector rail

[@williamkelly6034]

Stupid question of the hour : Do funny cars have the same/similar barrel valve?

[@BearFulmer]

It’s almost exactly like an idle screw on a Holley.

[@CallofDoobie585]

Petes ol noisy gear drives lol

[@doinjusfine1]

Bypass is .051 on this one..

[@johnnym1320]

I would like to know why no one does throttle hits in the pits anymore, but the fuel lines are now removed and the engine is shut down?

[@claymillican25]

Long story short we cut the clutch disc flatter than we used to. We use to whack the throttle to seat the clutch and it’s not necessary anymore. I miss the whacks. Thank you for watching 😎😎😎

[@johnnym1320]

@@claymillican25 Thanks for the reply, been a fan since the IHRA days and fellow drag racer, 2 wheels though

[@paulerickson3089]

I was surprised to hear that the fuel system runs up to 750 psi.

[@nitro914]

They must be using a BDK valve if the driver can adjust the fuel pressure at idle.

[@ch3no2killz]

No mention of "Stuart Hillborn"? He only invented the idea!

[@slowpoke96Z28]

That’s tech level there. Clay hinted at it, but it seemed like Mike didn’t want to go there. That would make this video a full on chemistry lecture.

[@ch3no2killz]

@@slowpoke96Z28 More like "Fluid Dynamics" . Pretty basic though the more you return to the tank the leaner you get. Kinda opposite of a jet in a carb.

[@hedgepethracing9590]

Clay calls it a loud pedal....

[@eaf1963]

my alcohol car uses a real similar setup.... just no where near the amount of fuel

[@christopherlaing7338]

Forgot the one valve at the bottom of the injector hat.

[@claymillican25]

Christopher, I am not sure what valve you are speaking of ? I thought we covered most everything on the barrel valve. Thank you for watching.

[@christopherlaing7338]

@@claymillican25 There's a screw type valve at the bottom of the injector hat at the intake manifold that I see many tuners adjust just before they wave drivers forward. I really see tuners adjust what you were showing today before a run

[@slowpoke96Z28]

@@christopherlaing7338 that’s another air bleed. They have the one on the throttle blades, but when they use that it moves the barrel valve too. The one at the bottom of the hat allows control over air only, not affecting fuel flow.

[@christopherlaing7338]

@@slowpoke96Z28 Ok, thanks for the info

[@ZelosZelo]

normally your vids are good. but....you blast us with the noise of the race in the opening clip, it was like +110db loud, clipping out my speakers the level was soo high compared to the video i watch prior to this one (its sound was on par, the levels were not too high or too low), then you start talking at -100db (practically a whisper)...that is really bad video editing like extremely bad! the largest shift in sound should only be 10 to 15% louder or softer enough to accent quiet or loud parts of a movie/video, but not so much you blow our speakers when we turn it up to hear what you are saying..get what I mean? also, you always have fans and other things washing out your sound, try and turn off fans, speak up for the mic so it's sensitivity can be turned down (it wont catch so much background noise),even better you should wear body mics,

[@slowpoke96Z28]

I didn’t even notice the fans until you said something lol.

[@ZelosZelo]

@@slowpoke96Z28 i do love the roar of the races maybe put that at the end of your vids and open with an idle, ohh and a burnout in the middle ;) ...looking forward to the next one