drag trans R/p setting

[PEPPE]

i am helping a friend repairing an old drag only transaxle. it has a welded diff (tiph), hd cover, reinforced bolts for covers. i discovered that it has a strange setting of the R/P. side covers have more preload than usual and R/P play is almost zero. is this normal? trans is very old but the pinion is perfect. i am only a little confused by the setting, is this considered normal?

[Casting Timmy]

Off roaders and drag raceers will have a lot more preload than typical boxes. How much preload does it have?

There an article on here "How to keep your ring and pinion alive" that would be good reading for you and your friend as driving style has a lot to do with transaxle life as well.