Belly Tank Lakester

[dshuken]

The latest project at Shuken Racing is a belly tank.  A few months ago, Scott Oliver approached me about building a new car.  He already had a few parts on hand: an original aluminum tank from an F6F Hellcat, a recently running Model B four banger, an assortment of original bomber seats and a 1937 V8-60 front axle.  His vision was simple: he wanted a racecar that was built to modern safety specs, but still looks like it belongs in the 50's. Here is a pic of the tank halves. They are actually two seperate tanks that Scott split to keep the lip on both sides.  We adapted a Ford C4 automatic to the Model B, and coupled it to a Winters nostalgia quick change.  Stay tuned for more pics as the car takes shape.

[bvillercr]

I noticed your in Fresno, where is the shop located?

[dshuken]

Im on McKinley, about 5 miles west of 99

[bvillercr]

Our car is currently at Precision auto near Mckinley.  It's on Maple and fine, well be there after 2 most days until after our dyno sessions are over.  Stop by and say hi if you want.

[dshuken]

Here is front half of the cage/chassis.  I am using 4130 tubing for the chassis.  I bent the shoulder hoop in house, but I had to have the front hoop custom rolled to match the radius of the tank.  I also had some pieces rolled that will go under the seat, so the driver can sit as low as possible. After the chassis is tacked, I'm going to take it off hte fixture and make sure it fits in the tank, before I go any further.

[jl222]

 
 Hi Daniel...belly tank chassis is looking good, you going to Bville with the GMC roadster?

            JL222
 Keep us posted

[dshuken]

We'll be there. I talked to Marsh the other day and he said everything is ready to go.  Hopefully we can bump our record by a few MPH, but there are a couple of strong running cars gunning for us.  Looks like you guys are close to being ready too, see you out there.

[dshuken]

The basic structure of the chassis is tacked together

The rear end is solid mounted, since the transmission couples directly to the pinion shaft (no u-joints)

[dshuken]

I notched the tank for the axles and set the chassis in for mock up. It is a tight fit, but I guess that is just the nature of a belly tank.

the halves are clamped together, and so far, everything clears. Ground clearance is about 1 1/2".

[dshuken]

Finding a transmission for the model B was a challenge in itself.  I found an adapter kit for Model A/B to Chevy automatic, but the chevy autos were all too long to fit in the tank.  The C4 seemed like the best choice with a Chevy bellhousing to fit on the adapter.  Mike at Mike's Transmissions in Lancaster, CA built us a C4 with a manual valve body and no torque converter.  When I got the adapter kit, I learned the hard way that the Model B has a different flywheel cover than the A, so the adapter plate wouldn't fit.  After making some phone calls, I found out that I could bolt a Model A flywheel cover on the B motor.  I got a brand new aluminum cover from Snyder's Antique Auto Parts, and everthing finally went together.

[4-barrel Mike]

Cool!  More!!! 

Mike

OBTW, what's that starter??

[sprintcj]

bellytank looks great, I am starting on one myself so I will be watching your build and comparing ideas,Please keep the pictures coming.

  CJ

[dshuken]

Mike,
Im not sure what starter it is. It came with the adapter kit from Bendtsen's Transmissions.  It just looks like an aftermarket mini starter with a 3 bolt flange.  Hope that helps.

[johnneilson]

I have been accumulating the parts to build something very simular.
I have a F8F Bearcat tank, probably the same.

How long is the wheelbase and how much caster? It looks like maybe 15º ?

Thanks, John

[dshuken]

John,
The wheelbase is 118" and I put 18 degrees of caster in the front end. Post some pics as your tank takes shape.
Daniel