Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: Chaz on October 02, 2007, 09:48:47 AM

Title: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on October 02, 2007, 09:48:47 AM
Hi y'all.... I'm new here at this site, but I thought I'd post a lnk to our project.
There are four of us working out of my shop  "The Strange Days Garage" on a front wheel drive bellytank to compete in the BGL class. I've got an ongoing diary that you are welcome to check out here. [lotsa pictures so its not dialup friendly]

http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html

If you have any comments or suggestions, we'd like to hear them.
                                                          thanks, Chaz
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on October 02, 2007, 12:04:06 PM
Hello Chaz.
The car looks great. What mill you gonna use?

BTW:

Your shop makes me very angry in a jealous sort of way. Next time you post some pics do some wide shops so I can see more of the stuff you have going on in there. If I am not mistaken I looks like you are progressing in a carousel and making diffrent heads to ride in mini cars.

Odd stuff.


-JH
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: power58 on October 02, 2007, 12:27:32 PM
Chaz: That is a great build. Thanks for sharing the progress with us. It don't get no better than that.  You do have a fantastic shop. Looking forward to next instalment. Keep up the good work !!   
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on October 02, 2007, 12:37:23 PM
Hello Chaz.


Your shop makes me very angry in a jealous sort of way. Next time you post some pics do some wide shops so I can see more of the stuff you have going on in there. If I am not mistaken I looks like you are progressing in a carousel and making diffrent heads to ride in mini cars.

Odd stuff.


-JH
The power will be a 400 ci small block Chevy. I dont think any records are in danger :-D

  The shop is still not finished , but it's story is here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3778
Its a great place to work, but like most folks I have too many projects and too little time.

The little carousel is here:
http://www.finkosel.homestead.com/files/index.htm
Click on the links.You're gonna be sorry you asked
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: power58 on October 02, 2007, 05:00:20 PM
Fantastic Garage. Thanks for the link to the garage journal. You can NEVER have to much Garage.  Cool stuff  can't wait to see the finished laketer.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: sockjohn on October 02, 2007, 09:02:21 PM
Just a suggestion, if you go with the military style paint job, it needs nose art :)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Jonny Hotnuts on October 02, 2007, 09:17:00 PM
Quote
The little carousel is here:
http://www.finkosel.homestead.com/files/index.htm
Click on the links.You're gonna be sorry you asked

Not sorry.
I knew that there was a story behind the other things going on in there. I dont know if I could find the inspiration to invest the time to build something like that but I am glad you did.



Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on November 26, 2007, 11:50:32 PM
Which cad program did you get?
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: racergeo on November 27, 2007, 12:54:09 AM
Holy cow, a green front wheel drive lakester with a mouth painted on the front. It can't get any better then that! The only way it could get better is if I put in a B-gas engine and we raced SIDE by SIDE! Sweet.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Peter Jack on November 27, 2007, 07:01:30 AM
I just wandered through your build site. Great looking job.

I was over at a friend's place a short while ago ande noticed he'd done the same thing with his rack on a new street rod he's just mocking up. He had a different rack in stock that will reverse the situation. It's an easy mistake to make. Kind of a forest and trees thing.

Keep up the good work. She's going to be a beauty!

Pete
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: John Noonan on November 27, 2007, 10:21:58 AM
Awesome build and a great job with the pictures and info.

Good luck in 2008!

J
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on November 27, 2007, 08:40:18 PM
Which cad program did you get?

iI used Delta Cad  Free trial and costs only about 35 bucks if you buy it. Pretty easy to use for an old feller.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on November 28, 2007, 10:19:27 AM
10-4 on the OLD guy----OOOOOOh :? how I can relate!!!!!!!lol---I am really enjoying and learning ---I think the front wheel drive is going to be hard to beat---you really have me pondering!!!!!!!! :|
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on November 28, 2007, 10:21:47 AM
What was the diameter of your tank and what will your track end up being?---Thanks
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on November 28, 2007, 07:10:43 PM
What was the diameter of your tank and what will your track end up being?---Thanks

The tank is 29 inches in diameter. The tread width from center of tire to center of tire is 48 inches. 
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Reverend Hedgash on November 28, 2007, 10:17:36 PM
Great stuff.

I was of woodwork background myself (dad a woodturner) and so had a woodwork mentality to our tank project as well. But over the past four years I have learnt a huge amount from Dr G about welding, metal prep, etc., and now love the metalwork too.

I guess you could call me bi-material.

Keep up the good work, I am jealous of your shed too, but the Lady Hedgash and I have just put a deposit on 50 hectares (138acres) of land west of Melbourne with a couple of sheds already and NO NEIGHBOURS for a least a kilometre so I can angle grind all day long and store as much junk as I like...

Reverend H+

Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: bharmon77 on November 30, 2007, 08:09:12 AM
Thank you for posting the pictures, great progress. Building a car from scratch is like running a marathon at some point you will "hit the wall" with no light at the end of the tunnel. Keep the faith, if you get discouraged just look at some video clips of Bonneville on youtube, it helps me. My question is what is the width of the Weld wheels that you show in your pictures? I was considering 5" because the back space dimension is enought cover my brakes. Your wheels looked to me like they might be 5"?

BHarmon
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on November 30, 2007, 09:29:10 AM
FWD?   is the Quick change set up where you can put the ring gear on either side of the spool to correct the rotation?
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Glen on November 30, 2007, 01:16:49 PM
Where are you new guys located???
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: wolcottjl on November 30, 2007, 03:08:00 PM
From the posting about his shop -- Missoula, MT
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 06, 2007, 08:32:01 AM
Dec.  Picts.???????????????????
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 06, 2007, 09:32:00 AM
Patience, grasshopper... Actually I forgot to take the camera out to the shop last week. I'll do better this week, I promise.
  Actually I'm really flattered to know that someone is actually following this build. THANK YOU! :roll:
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Reverend Hedgash on December 06, 2007, 05:23:37 PM
Following it keenly.

But now that you have given us a taste you have to keep up supply.

I hate being turned away from the site with the disappointment of junk sickness... especially when its such good quality gear.

Reverend H+
The go-faster Pastor
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 09, 2007, 08:56:13 PM
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!  :-)just got a "partial" Dec. Lakester build fix- :-D--yes Master "grasshopper" expects more ---after all it is nice to give-- :-)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: t russell on December 09, 2007, 09:32:55 PM
Nice car outstanding shop or( visa versa.)
all cool
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Dr Goggles on December 09, 2007, 09:38:13 PM
  Actually I'm really flattered to know that someone is actually following this build. THANK YOU! :roll:

add me to the list.....

Now , I'm curious ....are you drawing straws for the driving order???? I notice there's a couple of you pitching in....personally I'd be collecting a vial of snot from the sickest person you meet this winter and infecting your co-owners the week before Bonneville otherwise there'll be trouble when it comes to getting enough runs in........ :wink:


now , don't you go getting any ideas Rev' :evil:
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 19, 2007, 08:35:07 PM
Sure hope you will need more "DRY" time soon----just love and admire your progres----when you guys get through with the canopy---it really going to start looking like a car...keep up the great work its inspiring!!!!! :-)
Title: Countersinking sheet
Post by: Dr Goggles on December 19, 2007, 09:52:01 PM
I was having a gander through your build site and noticed your countersinking mandrel idea....we had a similar quandary....Initially I built a mandrel from a huge pin so it had enough inertia to handle being belted , it is the main part of the device below.This was really a two man job when we were working on the body and doing it to holes on the vertical plane was dodgy because if the alignment was out the result was usually anywhere but straight and holding the heavy mandrel straight was hard for someone with spindly little arms.During the week at one point when I was working on the tank on my own I had an idea that involved attaching a guide for a punch that I could shape and use in the air hammer , that is how you see it below. It stopped the problem of lining up the punch and the mandrel , saved me a hand and also because it used an air-tool it meant the surrounding area took less of a pounding as it made rapid powerful short movements as opposed to the kind you get from a hammer blow....the throat could have been bigger but next to that it has been perfect for nearly every countersink we've done on the body.....

(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd35/Jarman-Stewart/PC200085.jpg)

Yes Sumner it too is rusty , you want I should paint it? ............I guess at a pinch we could also use it for piercing ears......

Title: Re: Countersinking sheet
Post by: Sumner on December 19, 2007, 11:28:58 PM
I was having a gander through your build site and noticed your countersinking mandrel idea....we had a similar quandary....Initially I built a mandrel from a huge pin so it had enough inertia to handle being belted , it is the main part of the device below.This was really a two man job when we were working on the body and doing it to holes on the vertical plane was dodgy because if the alignment was out the result was usually anywhere but straight and holding the heavy mandrel straight was hard for someone with spindly little arms.During the week at one point when I was working on the tank on my own I had an idea that involved attaching a guide for a punch that I could shape and use in the air hammer , that is how you see it below. It stopped the problem of lining up the punch and the mandrel , saved me a hand and also because it used an air-tool it meant the surrounding area took less of a pounding as it made rapid powerful short movements as opposed to the kind you get from a hammer blow....the throat could have been bigger but next to that it has been perfect for nearly every countersink we've done on the body.....

(http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd35/Jarman-Stewart/PC200085.jpg)

Yes Sumner it too is rusty , you want I should paint it? ............I guess at a pinch we could also use it for piercing ears......

Neat idea and here I thought Australia was hot and dry,

Sum
Title: Re: Countersinking sheet
Post by: Dr Goggles on December 19, 2007, 11:50:39 PM

Neat idea and here I thought Australia was hot and dry,

Sum
.................well , you nearly had it right , ....the women are hot , and the men are dry..... :wink:
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 21, 2007, 09:51:27 AM
(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/cockpit2.jpg)

 I've been trying to weld up the cockpit cover the last day or so , and I'm having a real hard time of it. Everytime I hammer and dolly across a welded seam it cracks.
  I'm gonna try cutting strips off the parent material to use as welding rod to see if that helps. Pretty frustrating I must say...
  I guess if it was easy the girl scouts would build these things.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Sumner on December 21, 2007, 10:13:29 AM
Could you put up a closeup picture of one of the problem areas??  How are you welding, mig, tig, gas??  What is the metal type and thickness??  Why are you using the hammer and dolly??  To flatten the weld or to shape the metal across the weld??

c ya,

Sum
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 21, 2007, 10:19:19 AM
I'm tig welding. Its 1/16 in thick aluminum. Not sure of the alloy. I'm using the hammer and dolly after I grind the weld to even out the seam that distorts a bit during welding. This is the first time I've worked with aluminum and I sure have a lot to learn.
   Any tips are greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Peter Jack on December 22, 2007, 01:30:04 AM
Chaz:

You're making it really hard on yourself when you don't know the alloy you're working with. Some alloys are much more difficult to weld and some just don't like that treatment at all. The other thing that could be causing you trouble is your filler rod. What alloy are you using there? You'll find that 4043 will be much more workable than 5356. Aluminum is one of those materials that it pays to know what you're working with and to use the correct alloy for the application. You can easily anneal some of the alloys so that they are much more easily worked.

Pete
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 22, 2007, 10:26:32 AM
 Yeah, Pete I'm finding that to be true. I still have 2 sheets in stock, so I'm gonna use them. I picked up the softer rod yesterday, and it really helped, as well as welding the back of the seam. This has been my first attempt at fabricating aluminum, and the learning curve has been a bit steep.

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/canopy.jpg)

This is where I got to by the end of the day. I'm not sure its a keeper, but its a whole lot better than yesterday.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 24, 2007, 03:20:06 PM
Now we have to keep up on TWO sites---keep posting---we will follow
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Glen on December 24, 2007, 03:41:42 PM
Looks like it might be short on side visibility. 120 Degrees of forward vision. You want to be able to see the black lines and course markers with the canopy closed and with a full helmet.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 25, 2007, 08:23:19 PM
In looking at your headon shot hot seat shot ---it looks like you are going to need to "tighten up" the side clearance between roll cage and helment--unless you guys are planning on a Hans Device.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: hotschue on December 26, 2007, 11:34:35 AM
The roll cage looks a lot like a funny car.  There has been developement of a lateral head restraint by John Medlen/Force Racing that if used in conjunction with a Hans or simular device would afford a fair amount protection in a rollover especially a "pencil roll".  Before I finalize my cage dimensions I'm going to find out what is available. It will probably be marketed through McKinney Corp. or Force's new safety division in Indiana. When I find the info I will post.....
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Dr Goggles on December 26, 2007, 05:49:23 PM
Looks like it might be short on side visibility. 120 Degrees of forward vision. You want to be able to see the black lines and course markers with the canopy closed and with a full helmet.

When speaking with John Broughan the former head steward of the DLRA and an owner builder of a bellytank himself he pointed out the necessity of side vision to us . Here we are allowed to drive the car under it's own power in the pits which probably sounds like a recipe for mayhem to you guys but there you go. John said that when they first built their tank that he found it very difficult to pit because he would be steering blind when turning in to their pit area....there are other issues too. I'm not sure what the correct term is but as the field of your vision narrows it affects your spatial awareness and judgment .The other issue is communication with the driver when the canopy is closed....

I was surprised when I drove our tank for the very first time how little I could see .....In the shed it sits on stands three feet off the ground , I'd sit in it looking down the driveway , no big deal...... when on the airstrip I not only found it difficult to see the centerline I could barely tell the grass from the edge of the tarmac because of the low angle of approach , throw in a bit of vibration and it all got kind of hazy......when I see pictures of the lakester with the periscope I get kind of queezy....... :-D

Early on in the design process of our car I said to the Reverend " it'd be good if we knew what we'll be able to see from the drivers seat"........"hang on a minute he said"  he pulled up the CAD program and moved the little camera icon that decides what "view" you see into the roll cage right where the drivers head would be and bingo! there it was , we could see the tops of the front tyres pretty much as it looks now when you sit in the "real" car....
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 28, 2007, 01:13:24 PM
What a great year for the "Strange Days" BellyTankers!!!   I look forward to following your progress in '08 most informative!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on January 09, 2008, 09:55:51 PM
Chaz,, thanks for the up date with the '08 picts
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on January 23, 2008, 11:02:53 PM
Thanks for the new picts---I have been so inspired I bought me a new tank and am thnking of builing a new FWD "tank" :-D
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on February 13, 2008, 11:25:22 AM
Great Job Guys!!!!!!!!!!! I cant tell you how much easier my job is going to be because you took the time to post the picts!!!!!!!!!  I will follow suit be cause I will apprach some things differently---but a lot of what we will :-) will do is inspired by your approach!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Reverend Hedgash on February 13, 2008, 06:08:57 PM
Just updated myself on your progress, top stuff!

You said that you still don't know what plane your tank came from. I reckon it should be fairly easy to find out and interesting too. On our tank we found a stamp with a number as well as the remnants of a painted plane number and from that we gained a huge amount of info from the net from the boffins there. Our plane appears to have had active service over Russia and was chased out by Mig17s. Exciting stuff.

If you can find some numbers or something and put them up here I am pretty sure I could find something for you...

"Today we started on the rear axle. We chose spindles and brakes from a caravan. Several reasons for this. 1, The spindles are flat backed . 2, you get your choice of drum or disc brakes and  3, they are plentiful and cheap".

We had the same plan for our front spindles (trailer hubs) but found after a while that it was a weak point as they turned out to be not quite true! By putting the wheels on and rotating against a known point we found that they oscillated in and out by quite a few millimeters. Fine for a trailer or caravan maybe but not good if going the speeds you intend to.

Yours may be fine but worth a check!

"Sometimes I feel shitty about posting updates every week. Especially like today. The work went slow, the pics are lousy, and not much to show for a long days work. I promised myself I'd keep posting regardless of the outcome so here goes."

Rest assured we love it!!! Even just looking around your weird shed is a hoot. What on earth is the Famingo Cafe? And who is the pedal car nut that has 30 of them stacked in storage?

"We chose Goodyear frontrunners cause we know they can handle the speed, they have no tread edges to catch on a spinout, and they're light. I was bitching about the halfassed paint job they did on the letters, and then realized they didn't paint two of the tires at all! Just as well, I suppose if that's the best they can do."

No it's not the best they can do! It is appalling workmanship and lack of care. Especially when they are so expensive. To not even paint them is even worse. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "Shame on you tyre makers".

Check out this thread for some cool old school tyres where quality counted!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239766

At least by not painting them you have a clean start to paint them well yourself!

Keep up the good work.

rH+
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on February 14, 2008, 11:36:48 PM
Hey Rev.
Thanks for the compliments and advice. Heres a photo of the label on our tank
good luck on finding info. All we know so far is it was made in 67.

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/tanklabel.jpg)

The build:
http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on March 07, 2008, 09:04:53 PM
you guys been back in the shop? It's March and inquiring minds need to know?
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on March 13, 2008, 10:20:49 AM
you guys been back in the shop? It's March and inquiring minds need to know?

We had to take a little time to get the Finkosel ready for the Detroit Autorama extreme. The good news is it won the Pro's pick award. If you dont know about the Finkosel , here's a link.

http://finkosel.homestead.com/files/index.htm

We dont call the shop "Strange Days" for nothing!
 We'll be back to work on the tank Sunday.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Sumner on March 13, 2008, 11:53:56 AM
you guys been back in the shop? It's March and inquiring minds need to know?

We had to take a little time to get the Finkosel ready for the Detroit Autorama extreme. The good news is it won the Pro's pick award. If you don't know about the Finkosel , here's a link.

http://finkosel.homestead.com/files/index.htm

We don't call the shop "Strange Days" for nothing!
 We'll be back to work on the tank Sunday.

The first time I saw that on your site I was in awe.  Any of us can build a lakster, but building a "Finkosel", I think not.  You guys sure are talented  :-),

Sum
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on June 30, 2008, 10:17:12 PM
Here's where we're at as of today. The basic shape is complete. It was a lot of struggle to get this far for folks that don't know metalforming. But it's pretty basic hammer and dolly work at this point to smooth everything out

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/6-29-08-1.jpg)

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/6-29-08-2.jpg)

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/6-29-08-3.jpg)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Glen on June 30, 2008, 10:48:47 PM
It sure looks a lot like the Rice-Vigeant lakester except it's front wheel drive, cool car.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: interested bystander on June 30, 2008, 10:54:11 PM
REALLY NEAT!

I'm not so sure this isn't the wave of the future.

Good work!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on July 02, 2008, 09:37:19 AM
GLAD to see you guys back---you have done  a great JOB---look forward to the rest of the posts of the build...
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: comp on July 07, 2008, 11:38:16 PM
 very cool build
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on July 08, 2008, 09:41:49 PM
We've updated the site a bit with a few more posts. This week we are gonna try to figgure out steering linkage. It's all here:

 http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on July 09, 2008, 09:51:51 AM
Way to go Guys!!  I sure hope to see it in person and up close soon---like on the SALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Reverend Hedgash on December 03, 2008, 03:40:13 AM
Sorry chaps I had a couple of long looks but I couldn't find any useful info on those serial numbers.

keep up the good work

rH+
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: bharmon77 on December 03, 2008, 05:04:15 PM
Chaz,

Are the tires on your car Good Year front runners for drag racing or are they LSR tires?

BHarmon
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: jimmy six on December 03, 2008, 05:34:23 PM
Great project. After looking at your engine placement, How much "stuff" are you going to mount on the front (now rear facing) engine.

There are a lot of items, inclulding but not limited to:  balencer, water lines (possible pump) possible drive for fuel pump, dry sump, alternator, ecavuation system. etc all at the drivers feet. Maybe your not planning on much but it seems a little tight. You wil definatley need another "bulkhead" or other sustantial shielding for belts and the like. Also I couldn't find a wheel base listed.........Good Luck. JD
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 04, 2008, 09:59:20 AM
To answer a few questions. We are by no means experts on any of this. The website documents our many failures as well as our successes. Like most folks we are learning as we go. Advice is always welcome .
  The tires are goodyear frontrunners. They are in fairly wide use on the salt, and can handlle high speeds and are priced well.
  We belive we have room for  the other stuff needed at the front of the engine. The drivers compartment is tight, but after going to the salt and seeing what some guys run, It looks like a ballroom to us now.
  There is actually very little that goes in that space compared to some I've seen.
  Bellytanks are by their very nature cramped quarters and ours is certaily no exception.
  Once again here is the link to the entire build.
http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 04, 2008, 10:56:29 AM
Chaz, so glad to see you posting again!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: dwarner on December 04, 2008, 12:56:16 PM
Have you tried to reach those fire bottle pulls with gloves on? Looks a little tight to me.

DW
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: jimmy six on December 04, 2008, 06:28:42 PM
Most of those tight cockpits (mine included) don't have spinning things exposed in them..Once again good work....JD
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on December 04, 2008, 06:55:30 PM
I'm not sure I fully understand whats being discussed here, but there are no spinning things or engine parts IN the cockppit. I've attached a photo that may make it clearer. There is a space between the front motorplate and the actual firewall of about four inches. The timing chain and damper pulley are in this area.
  You can see the firewall easily in this photo. I hope it makes more sense to everyone now. The only things passing through the firewall are a steering shaft and some fire system tubing.
(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/7-27-08-4.jpg)
  Dan, The fire system pulls are pretty easy to reach even with heavy gloves. One is pulled with the left hand, one with the right.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on December 04, 2008, 10:38:48 PM
Chaz ---are you guys running a GV with freewheel or an  over running clutch between the RA and the Trans?  you might want to talk to Johnson the C record holder.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: DSR Bruts on December 05, 2008, 12:39:53 AM
Chaz....you guys are to be commended....looks like a fly'in military pea pod with a sharks mouth 'an a fin pull'in up the rear, and ought to rock and roll when you get it done.....just kid'in about the pea pod.  Wast'in time....not in my shop!  ...spent part of the night trying to figure out what the "H" I am do'in in Kansas City (20 degrees) to begin with and secondly why my Christmas decorations are goin off and on.....and third....designing a bracket for my newly acquired collection of Ford inertia switches and then fourthly I check out landracing for the latest and get on your thread.  Holy Smokes... I'm done for the night, it's going on 12 midnight and I spent the last two hours becomming a member of your build team....you guys have every right to be proud....first for staying together....and second for doing a great job on what will be a top performer at the flats!  Congratulations to all!  Keep up the great work!  Can't wait to meet you guys in person and see your lakester in action! 
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on January 08, 2009, 03:33:26 PM
We cleaned the car up a bit and screwed on all the body panels to get an idea of what this thing is gonna look like.
  We would have liked to roll it outside for a picture in natural light, But up here in the Northwest it will probably be spring before the snow melts enough to move ANYTHING!
  The chutes, brakes, fire systems, steering and such are all done. It looks like we will be on the salt this year. It'll be a shakeout year for sure, so we arent expecting any great speeds.... But we'll get to play, and that's the important thing to us.
 Here's a link to the build if you're interested.
http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html


(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/1-4-09-1.jpg)

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/1-4-09-2.jpg)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on January 08, 2009, 04:00:04 PM
Indeed, that's a nice-looking car, Chaz.  We'll look forward to seeing it in person, whether running full-out or just on a shakedown pass.  Or even in the pits and in inspection.

Nice, nice.  So - where in the northwest are you?  Your identifier and avatar don't give me much of a clue.  If you're in the Northwest -- are you going to the NW Reunion on February 21?  It's a good time -- a bunch of folks will be there, Nancy and me included.  We look forward to seeing you in person soon -- wherever.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: John Noonan on January 08, 2009, 04:55:23 PM
Jon,

They are in Montana..
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on January 08, 2009, 08:47:41 PM
Well, there you have it.  It's only a two and a half state ride to get from Montana to Portland.  No big deal -- a day or so in the car and viola, they're at the Reunion.  How about you and Michelle, John.  You two gonna be at the dinner?  It's a fine weekend, for sure, for sure.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: John Noonan on January 08, 2009, 11:28:17 PM
Jon,

No Michelle and I are not able to make it..I am sure it will be a good time to be had.   :cheers: :cheers:

John
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on January 18, 2009, 06:45:04 AM
Chaz---WOW---cant wait to see it with paint and on the trailer ready to go---look forward to seeing it on the salt!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on January 20, 2009, 09:57:52 AM
Chaz---WOW---cant wait to see it with paint and on the trailer ready to go---look forward to seeing it on the salt!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Sparky. You've been a great supporter all along, and we sure appreciate it.
 Thanks for all your suggestions and encouragement!
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on January 20, 2009, 10:59:22 AM
Surporter maybe- :?--inspired for SURE!!!!!!!!!! :cheers:
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Chaz on March 09, 2009, 10:09:00 AM
For the last couple weeks we've been working on the exhaust headers for our bellytank.
 We talked with a lot of guys about exhaust header theory, and decided that the theory we liked best was from a fellow landspeed racer ... "Just get the exhaust the hell out of there"

  Since space is so limited in a bellytank the setup is a bit unconventional.
We started with a set of header flanges and a box of 1 3/4 inch mandrel bends.

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-1.jpg)

The tubes turn into a flat plate,
(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-2.jpg)

 Dana cut a section of 3 inch tube that will accept that plate. It runs in a horizontal direction

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-3.jpg)

Finally two 3 inch ports were welded to the horizontal log

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-4.jpg)

Its kind of a strange looking setup. but the gasses will be pulled from the tubes by the air rushing by the body as well as the exhaust pressure itself.
 We smoothed everything out, and then I went outside in the middle of a freakin' snowstorm
to sandblast the unit. That was pretty miserable.

(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-5.jpg)

Here's the end result after a coat of header paint  We're pretty happy with them.
(http://people.montana.com/~kaparich/3-8-09-6.jpg)

For a full look at the project, you can go here.
http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html (http://kaparich.homestead.com/Bellytank.html)
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on November 01, 2010, 10:15:08 AM
Chaz----What happened to you guys  no up dates here or on your site  :?
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Tman on January 20, 2011, 02:38:45 PM
BTTT

Sparky, I know life got in the way and I believe the car is ready to run.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Tman on January 24, 2013, 06:45:54 PM
Chaz just posted on the HAMB that they are back on the car and close to firing the motor! :cheers:
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: SPARKY on August 08, 2013, 09:40:11 AM
 :?
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: Tman on August 13, 2013, 03:54:27 PM
Last I heard car is currently for sale.
Title: Re: New Guy- New Bellytank Lakester
Post by: entropy on January 06, 2015, 07:19:12 AM
Guys,
Early this morning I was cruising thru SSS's fine site, gathering useful stuff and ran across Chaz's build thread, and thought i'd add an update for folks who might want to know what happened to Chaz excellent lakester. :cheers:
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,13291.180.html (http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,13291.180.html)
Karl
TFA CEO