Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: lsrjunkie on January 16, 2013, 05:55:05 PM
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So... Here we go! First things first, I went to Bonneville for the first time in 2010. Saw so many cool cars and bikes that, in my gearhed mind, the next logical step was to build one of my own. At that point I had a 1950 Chevy business coupe that I thought would fit the bill. Fast forward a couple years. I managed to aquire a 1951 Henry J that had served duty as a gasser in it's previous life. Long story short, I fell in love with ole Hank and the Chevy got sold to fund my addiction. Decided to try and build a car to run XO/GCC. Started to gather parts and picked up a Chevy 292 six to power the car. Started getting engine parts together and late one Saturday night enjoying a beer on the couch I realized I don't know how to read. 292 came out in '62! Welp, that won't work! And so started the quest for a 302 GMC.
Well, enough back story time for some pictures!
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This is how the car looked when I got it down to the shop. Straight axle with spindle mount wheels and brakes. Poor old gutted 9" Ford, and a one piece fiberglass front end. Not really much more.
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First step was to chop the top so I could get some measurements for the cage.
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We took approx. 5 inches out of the roof ront and rear. Right now my cage pieces are in route and should be here tomorrow! I plan on installing a ten point cage, but as per the rule book I'm definitely gonna have to add some additional bars. So while waiting for the cage I decided it was time to work over the front axle and figure out a wheel base that would accomadate my engine. Got the front hubs installed and after a bunch of mock up, eyballing, and a lot of good advice from you all, I figured we will need to stretch the front of the car about 12-15 inches.
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I am going to try and use a reversed Corvair steering box and traditional "hot rod" style drag link and tie rod setup with 5/8" heims to turn the old car. Gotta figure out how much caster I need and get some stops welded to the axle.
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After the front hubs were finished up I moved on to the rear diff. A GM 10 bolt with an 8.5" ring gear. Stuffed some 2.73 gears and spool in the center section and all new bearings. Trimmed the c clip grooves off of the axles and installed c clip eliminators, then sewed on some 12" disc brakes.
I've been working on the car solo so progress is slow but I really hope to have her ready for Speedweek!
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Almost forgot!! Chopped and sitting at ride height! Like I said earlier the spindle mounts have gone by the way side. Got my wheels from Marsh Racing!!
I plan on running a 28"tire in the rear and a 23" tire up front.
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Lost the picture in the last post. Here it is... hopefully
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And of course gratuitous wheel pictures! Sorry the one is a little blurry.
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Sweet project!! Since you're going for comp coupe, are you going to modify the front end? :cheers:
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Good looking start, nice to see another Colorado car getting ready. Just today I went to visit an old friend that sold his salt car and he still has some older but never mounted Goodyears. Two 24 inch and four 28 inch, I think. I could get you a great deal on some good tires.
John
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Bville, I really didn't want to due to time constraints, but because I am putting a six cylinder in a car that originally had a four, the style of front suspension I am using, and for the plain fact it will probably drive better at speed I am going to stretch the wheelbase about 12 or 15 inches and by doing that I will have to lengthen the car, from the cowl forward so the tires line up with the wheel well. Probably gonna stretch it by lengthening the fiberglass front clip so I still have plenty of room to work on the engine.
1000, appreciate the offer but I got the tire situation handled. Got a good friend who owns a tire store. He got me the tires and load balanced all four wheels for me.
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Well, I have officially decided freight companies suck! Cage ordered 12/18. Tracking showed delivery for today and... Drum roll please!
Won't be here till tomorrow. Damn. At least the cage isn't a critical piece for the build... So, to the fridge I go. Cold Budwieser in hand, grinder in the other. It's time to hack the old 9" out of the car and start mocking up my snazzy new ten bolt GM. Pictures to follow!
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9" gone, ten bolt in! Or at least positioned under the car. Still playing with ride height a little, but at least we are close!
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Lookin' REAL sweet... 8-)
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Thanks Duck! I'm pretty happy with it so far! :cheers:
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Got a truck load of pipe today! :-D Looks like a big puzzle to me. Too bad I don't have the picture that's on the box so I know what it's supposed to look like when I'm done! Guess I'll be notching and welding all weekend!
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you're not foolin around . Good progress fella, I watchin this with interest. :cheers:
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Just for the record, if any one needs a tubing notcher, don't buy one from Harbor Freight! Usually their stuff will get ya through a job. Not this thing! The center line of the clamp is about a half inch inboard of the arbor for the saw. :-o Spent an hour and a half this morning reengineering their crappy tool. Good news is, the main part of the cage, along with the dash and shoulder bar is in! :-D Gonna work on the rear suspension and such while I wait for an ok on my front axle configuration.
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And Thanks Doc!
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On your tube notcher I would suggest using Lenox hole saws. I bought one of the Trick Tools high dollar notchers and also 3 of their recommended hole saws. Not one of them made over 3 cuts before they started loosing teeth and usually by the 5th or 6th cut they were junk. I also tried Milwaukee and Master Tool both better but still certainly not nearly as good as the Lenox brand. I have used a single Lenox cutter to do over 75% of the tube notching on the cage project I am working on and it is still sharp and has all of its' teeth. I do not abuse the hole saw when I use them, I use oil an only light pressure on the saw, but the Lenox is the best.
Rex
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Thanks for the advice Rex! I'm gonna have to pick one of those up tomorrow! I believe the one I was using is a Milwakee, and I made about eight cuts, and it's hammered!
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The Dewalt hole saws that I have used were very good. Lennox is also excellent. You want to make sure you buy a "bi-metal" saw and use plenty of cutting oil. Too coarse teeth are more prone to breaking; too fine and the cut takes forever.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Joe, you're making great progress- wish I moved that fast! :cheers:
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I've found that just about any of the saws will work well if you use the slowest speed of the drill press or hand drill. The old type of cutting fluid with trichlorenhane worked best, but apparently it will kill you so they don't make it any more. Have to use lots of the oily stuff. Remember, on hole saws, "Speed kills".
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Junkie, What are your front hubs and spindles?
Richard
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Richard, I am using early Chevy (49-54) car spindles, and Wilwood hubs. Now not to get to crazy, and I hope I don't lose ya, here's how it works. The early Chevy spindles won't work with the hubs right off. Speedway can machine your spindles or you can buy them already done. Next, Speedway sells a very nice Wilwood disc brake kit that fits their modified Chevy spindles. Sadly, you can not get the kit piece meal. So, next step is call Wilwood explain to them what you need. Guy on the phone is convinced that, A. I have no idea what I am talking about. or B. I have no idea what I'm talking about! Finally yer both on the same page and yer hubs are in the mail! Next, call Speedway and get the wheel bearings that are for the hubs, consequently the only part of the kit you can get piece by piece. And finally screw the whole mess together and... TAAADAAAHH! Something to bolt yer front wheels to! So any way, you can readily get that setup. Just takes a little bit of leg work. Any questions? :-D
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Here's some cage pics so far. And I got the rear diff squared up and ladder bars installed! Nobody in the bustling metropolis of Delta has a hole saw so the cage is at a stand still for now. Luckily I have a whole six months before the car needs to be ready!
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Thanks Buddy! I really wish things were progressing a little quicker. Tubing notcher situation has really got me down. Found a good one to borrow from a buddy of mine, but I really wanted to have the majority of the cage done this weekend.
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If you cant get "real"cutting fluid, try transmission fluid. it was recommended with the notcher I got from speedway and made a couple of dozen notches and the saws are usable.
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This is going to be really cool build! Lookin forward to following this one.
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:-D HALLELUJAH!! :-D Rounded up a proper tubing notcher and new hole saw today. Got more tubing notched this evening than I did all weekend! Something to be said for having the right tool for the job! Thanks for all the advice guys! :cheers: Few more tubes to notch then it's time for a cold Bud and some sleep.
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And for the record Capt's suggestion on ATF as cutting fluid was great. Smokes quite a bit but it sure works well!
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Couldn't resist one more cage picture! Cold beer in hand, time for some sleep. Gotta be back at 7!
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Back at it again this evening! Lord willing and the creek don't rise I should have a cylinder head tomorrow!
And I wanted to throw out a special Thank You to Bill Harris for arguing with the freight company that shipped my block and crank (for an unholy amount of $$). Whilst I try to keep a busy auto repair shop purring during the day!
Need my trans adapter and I can get drive train mocked up. Next week?!? Sure hope so!
Hopefully once all the heavy fab work is mocked up I can start sewing things up with the ole Miller permanently and move on to finishing the chop and body work.
Only 197 days to go!
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Few more pictures of the cage. Got a lot of welding done tonight, but I'm in desperate need of more tubing!
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So whilst I await my tubing to finish the cage, I figured I could get the front axle hung.
Need some advice though, will the axle mounted the way it is be ok? Seems more than strong enough, but I don't want any issues in Tech. I was thinking about putting some plates on the axle that would allow it to be bolted to the side of the frame as well. Ideas?
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Need some advice though, will the axle mounted the way it is be ok?
Pretty sure those C-clamps won't pass tech! :-D
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Awe, C'mon Buddy! Do ya suppose they offer some sort of aero advantage? :-D
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Nope, gona need 2 more clamps and they need to be bigger. Your progress looks great. keep the pic's coming.
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Are you slotting the bolt holes for the axle mounting brackets? You will find out that you will want to scale the car and get the corner weights close and if you can't adjust the height of the wheels on the front you can only use the rears (assuming you are going to have suspension on the rear) which can get the weights close but many times the ride heights can not be what you want.
Rex
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Excellent idea Rex! Thanks for the input. :cheers: That never crossed my mind. I'm a street car guy and I've never had to worry about those type of things.
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Well crap, one step forward and two steps back. :-( My scrub radius is terrible! I think I've found spindles that will get my scrub radius way closer! Ride height is way to high now, so I ordered a new axle to go with my new spindles. I got my wheels from Marsh Racing. They put as much backspacing as the could into them, so I've gotta make the rest up with the spindle and the hub.
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Joe, I just ordered some 4" rims, with almost 3.5" backspacing, from Ray at Custom and commercial wheel-909-357-3505. This might help you out.
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Wait'll you try to put your wheel discs on 'em.
(Can be done.)
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I thought mine were supposed to have about 3 1/2" of back spacing but they sure don't look like it. Probably should have measured them before I mounted the tires.
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On this forum they talk about the salt being rough at times, would it be better to have some springs up there plus not beat your car up either.
Like Rex says to scale your car it would make it more adjustable all the way around, and for ride hight too.
Don
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I think my ride height will be ok. Adjusting it would be great, but that is a compromise I am willing to make right now. As far as the salt being rough, yet another compromise. I know of quite a few cars running solid mounted front and or rear ends. This will be my first year out, I hope to learn a lot. And hopefully the choices I have made won't be to detrimental. If they are, there's always next time! Live and learn my friends! And if my life to this point is any indicator, I have no problem learning my lessons the hard way! :evil:
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I'd really like some more feedback on my front axle setup. Anxious to move on to steering and such. I put a request in to the boys at tech but haven't heard anything yet. Any "educated" guesses out there?
Got a bunch to do and not a lot of time to do it. Kinda like my childhood freind "The Bandit"!
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OK, can't tell from the pictures... side load applied to axle during a spin, will it just bend those plates over or do you have some gussets planned. What is the wall thickness of the tube you are bolting to? Are you bolting through the tube or just through the front wall?
Let's start there
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OK, first. Yes, I think there will be some side load in a spin, but if the brackets collapse it is less than a half of an inch until the axle makes contact with the frame. Next, axle brackets are 1/4" thick bolted with four grade 8 fine thread 1/2" bolts per side. Those bolts are threaded into a 3/4" plate that has been beveled to a 45 degree on all four edges and welded to the front cross member of the frame.
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You asked... remember :? not being critical just trying to help. So maybe a spin ends you week? or you add a couple of triangle gussets to the bracket and axle, and you have that covered.
Other than that I would say your front axle passes tech no problem :cheers:
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Sorry Stainless! Not trying to be blunt just providing as much info as possible. :-D
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Hi
With no springs your front axle is going to get a pounding, what are you going to do for keeping those axle holding bolts tight?
Should have welded full length tubes in your front cross member and use a through bolt and metal lock nut.
Don
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I have the same concerns Don. I am thinking about adding some gussets like Stainless mentioned or a similar type of bracket on the outside of each frame rail to help keep things tight. Trying to keep anyone in tech from thinking the front axle resembles an "un-sprung A arm" suspension. I would sure hate to spin and tear something up! Or worse yet not be able to run!
On the upside though, I did get new spindles and my drop axle today so the thing doesn't sit like a four wheel drive! :-D And my scrub radius will be way closer.
Is it wierd that I am so nervous about spinning this darn thing?
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LSR, many spins are due to over correction, on the salt the course is 100 foot wide and if the car is drifting due to wind, loss of traction etc. it is best to ease into the steering to correct. Even if it means to getting off course where there is basically nothing to hit except a cone or a mile marker. A snap spin can and does happen at times. With a new car you will probably be directed to run on the rookie course to license up and to feel out the car.The salt is like nothing else you have ever ran on and there is a learning curve. A lot of fast cars run front and rear solid mounted axles and have no problems. :cheers:
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Thanks for the info Glen! I've definitely gone over the speed limit at times, or say the officer said, but never held anything wide open for more than a half mile or so. The closer the car gets the more I start to think about things like that!
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Short WB cars without suspensions are tough way to go but have been done many times before. Front brakes are nice but I've never had them on any LSR car. After one spin I found that having the front end adjustable helped to never have another one.
Glen is definately right on over corrections. When I ran out of HP at 215 mph I'm glad my butt and head took over instead of my hands, slowest corrections I ever made. The next mile was a lot of fun but I'd rather never do it again.
Looks like your going to have a lot of fun (the inspectors would like to see at least another 100' of tubing in your cage).
Stay with the GMC and try not to blow many of them up............JD
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Thanks JD! After all the grief I went through trying to track this one down I sure hope I don't blow it up! As for the tubing situation I don't know if there's enough car to get another 100 feet in there, but I'm danm sure gonna try!
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CALLING ALL RACERS!! Sorry to sound so dramatic... I am toying with the idea of running Hilborn on this car and desperately need some info on where and who I can get stuff from. Called Hilborn and they referred me to a place called Sissell's but the number I got isn't in service. Any ideas? I'm a long way from needing anything in hand, but sure would like to find an outlet for it when I get to that point.
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CALLING ALL RACERS!! Sorry to sound so dramatic... I am toying with the idea of running Hilborn on this car and desperately need some info on where and who I can get stuff from. Called Hilborn and they referred me to a place called Sissell's but the number I got isn't in service. Any ideas? I'm a long way from needing anything in hand, but sure would like to find an outlet for it when I get to that point.
Try http://www.sissellautomotive.com/
Pete
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Try Mike Chilando at. Alkydigger.net He has lots of injection stuff and is real knowlegable.
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks PJ! All the info I had for Sissel's must have been horribly out dated!
And thank you Doug! I knew I could count on you guys!
:cheers:
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There is a six cylinder club / forum out there but the name escapes me. I built a n aluminum block w aluminum head version a couple of years ago and they were a big help finding parts.
The owner never ran it or even finished it. Still needed to fab up intake. I did have thick aluminum base plates waterjetted for him to make it easier.
Tracking down the original mfg of stuff was a bear.
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Inliners club
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I just got hooked up with those guys Glen. :-D Official card carrying member!
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There are a lot of us 6 cylinder guys here on the board :cheers:
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Finally got a front axle mounted tonight! :-D With the drop and new spindles everything looks a lot better. I also took the time to have some snazzy brackets cut out with one of those hot rod water jet thingamajigs to reinforce things a little. Don't know if it will help or not, but I sure feel better about it!
And don't worry, if she looks a little off kilter it's because the 4x4's I was using as jack stands weren't the same thickness. It's nice and square with about 14.5 degrees of caster.
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Yeah! The front end is actually starting to look like something close to a real car! :-D It's even got a tie rod! Tomorrow night we tackle the steering. Wish me luck boys!
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Well you shouldn't have to worry about bump steer :-D
:cheers:
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How much scrub steer? Just curious, looks like quite a lot.
Ron
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How much scrub steer? Just curious, looks like quite a lot.
Ron
That's what I was thinking.
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Ackerman is off a mile as well.
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Ackerman huh? I guess that's a new one for me. What exactly does that mean?
Believe it or not the scrub is close. It was WAY worse with the other spindles that I had.
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google ackerman steering. to me, as it is something that needs to be looked at, it is more important for street or road course than straight line runs.
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Actually for road racing and oval track set up we don't necessarily use ackerman. The other name for ackerman is toe out in turns and it works well to prevent scrub when turning sharply. As speeds increase and tire loadings change the need often decreases and other alternatives often work better. Ackerman is probably the least worrisome item on the list of things to check for in front end geometry unless it's totally out to lunch and then there will probably some things that are even worse problems.
Pete
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Ackerman huh? I guess that's a new one for me. What exactly does that mean?
Believe it or not the scrub is close. It was WAY worse with the other spindles that I had.
Yes, look up a diagram for Ackerman and it is easily understood.
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Trent, PM sent.
Pete
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I appreciate the insight guys! Thank you! :cheers:
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Well, after a quick lesson in steering geometery and a little redesign on my part, and a little more work... I have steering! :-D Now if I only had a steering wheel to turn the whole mess! :roll: I guess any progress is good progress.
Special thanks to Stan Back for the lesson! :cheers:
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And for the record, I appreciate all you "old salts" for pointing me in the right direction and keeping me from killing myself out there! Or worse yet crashing my car!
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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I hope you understand some of us "old salts" only do it because if you crash, no one can run till they clean up the mess :roll: :cheers:
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Hi LRS
In my early days of racing [ 50's - 60's ] you would see a car with the wheels getting into a shimmy, i was told that it was becaure the link between the box and the spindle was on a sharp angle like what you have.
Maybe some one here on the forum can sheed more light on this subject, wether it is a ' Old wives tale ' or it is something to look at?
Don
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Something that should be looked at. If the forward end of the drag link where it attaches to the steering arm on the spindle is moving in a substantially different arc than the axle during suspension compression and rebound it can lead to bump steer and handling problems.
A co worker was having handling problems on rough roads with his mid '50's F-100, power steering box from another make to clear the SBF headers. Juggled the steering components around to better match the arcs and his handling issues went away.
Ed
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I saw that, too. No bump steer -- no axle movement. Fixed to frame.
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. . . tho if it were mine -- I'd shorten the pitman arm to slow the steering down -- and make it more parallel to the ground and look more "normal", too.
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Some of us are not that old, I only have 10 years on ya! :cheers:
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. . . tho if it were mine -- I'd shorten the pitman arm to slow the steering down -- and make it more parallel to the ground and look more "normal", too.
"IF"...... your messing with the geometry again I would try to get the pitman arm to drag link at 90 degrees so the left and right turn arc are the same.
cheers
jon
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. . . tho if it were mine -- I'd shorten the pitman arm to slow the steering down -- and make it more parallel to the ground and look more "normal", too.
"IF"...... your messing with the geometry again I would try to get the pitman arm to drag link at 90 degrees so the left and right turn arc are the same.
cheers
jon
Good point Jon.
Keep it up LSR junkie! Your progress is amazing!
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If you want to slow the steering down try a Howe quickener, installed backwards. A tip from JD. I installed this in my car.
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,6794.0.html
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Shortening the pitman arm will do the same thing for less money and less links to get loose. But the reversed quickener works, too -- ask the Montana Dodge Boys.
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Quickeners can be found anywhere you find circle tracks, I've bought 2 used ones locally, $15 and $30, both needed cleaning and greasing to work perfectly, but had to change a $4 seal in the cheap one. Have one newly installed in the lakester, other one is headed to the Liner. Both 2:1, they also come in 1.5:1.
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Tman, The "old" comment was more based on experience than age! :cheers:
As far as steering geometry goes, I have always found that when yer building a "traditional" hot rod front end end you need draw a line between the rear pivot point of your front trailing arm, wether it is a split wishbone or hair pins, and your steering arm and run your drag link in that line. That will eliminate 90 percent of bump steer. As well as the "shimmy". I actually had a good friend put his Model A in the ditch because of front end shimmy!
I may shorten the Pitman arm, not only for aesthics but to slow the steering down as well.
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Tman, The "old" comment was more based on experience than age! :cheers:
Don't listen to me then! I have only been doing this a few years
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! :-D A few is still a heck of a lot more than my none! :cheers:
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Maybe you could build a taller mount for your steering box, then your drag link could run straight to the steering arm and not up hill like it is now.
Move it back some too for a longer link.
Don
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Been working on more cage stuff this week while I'm waiting for my transmission adapter. Got the funny car don't crush my head part of it all in last night. Once my adapter shows up I can get the engine and trans mocked up and finish up the cage.
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It looks good. Very nice cage. You'll feel safe sitting in there. Great job. :cheers:
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Thanks tauruck! :cheers:
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Well after a weekend long distraction I'll be back at it this evening. Hopefully! Spent the weekend helping a freind put a TH400 in place of a 700R4. Turns out the new 472BBC was a little much for the tired old 700! We need to finish up the cross member tonight and if all goes well I'll have a few more pieces of tubing notched and tacked in place on my own project!
Steve @ Buffalo Enterprises tells me my adapter should be here end of this week or begining of next! Once I get the motor mocked up it should give me an idea of how much more tubing for the cage I will need!
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The project is looking great, and this has to be one of the fastest-developing cars being built today.
:-D :-D
Steve.
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The sam can definitely be said about your build Steve! :cheers:
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People keep asking me "When is it going to be done?" I tell them that the World of Speed is in September, and I need to be ready by then. They usually follow up by asking "Do you have enough time to get it done by then"- to which I reply somthing like "If I keep working on it, it will get done. If I don't work on it, it won't get done.".
My plan is to just keep plugging away, checking items off the list.
The machine shop was supposed to have my engine done last week, but hit a snag (typical machine shop stuff). Anyway, they have promised to have the work done by this weekend.
Steve.
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I know that feeling all too well! The usual reaction is disbelief when I say I'd like to run in August. Waiting for parts has been the worst part of this project!
My list is slowly getting whittled away. Keep it up man, I feel your pain!
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People keep asking me "When is it going to be done?"
Steve.
as I have posted before~~
Diane asked, > | are you done in the garage yet? | <
" hon, I'll never be done . "
franey
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Well, slow moving this week. :-( Shop has been busy, and real life has kept me from getting much done. But never fear! Managed to get some sort of tiller linked to the steering gear this evening!
The plan for tomorrow is to yank the roof off and get a lot of welding done on the cage. I'll keep you all posted!
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I love that steering wheel. I've never seen one like it. Very cool piece. Guys not familiar with what work the builders here on the forum do would be mortified to hear how roofs get cut off and then reattached. What do you think? This is a great build and I'm subscribed. Great work. :cheers:
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I love that steering wheel. I've never seen one like it. Very cool piece. Guys not familiar with what work the builders here on the forum do would be mortified to hear how roofs get cut off and then reattached. What do you think? This is a great build and I'm subscribed. Great work. :cheers:
Those wheels are a circle track type item. We have ordered a few of them over the years.
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Tauruck, I'm pretty sure if there's any Kaiser fans they do not appreciate what I have done to this poor little car! My girlfreind however is thoroughly convinced that I ruined a perfectly good car by cutting the roof off! I think she'll get a better idea when it starts to go back together for the final time.
Good call on the wheel Tman. I don't know if there's an advantage to it or not, but it sure looks cool!
Time to get to it! Hopefully I can get a nice productive day in today! Stay tuned!
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Tauruck, I'm pretty sure if there's any Kaiser fans they do not appreciate what I have done to this poor little car! My girlfreind however is thoroughly convinced that I ruined a perfectly good car by cutting the roof off! I think she'll get a better idea when it starts to go back together for the final time.
Good call on the wheel Tman. I don't know if there's an advantage to it or not, but it sure looks cool!
Time to get to it! Hopefully I can get a nice productive day in today! Stay tuned!
One of the warehouses I am a dealer for has gobs of circle track stuff that can be repurposed for LSR. And thanks to trading, bartering and gifts from guys on the board my car has Trophy Truck, NASCAR, AIRCRAFT, Dirt track and road race parts on it!
BTW, my 2nd car was a Henry J :cheers:
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Tauruck, I'm pretty sure if there's any Kaiser fans they do not appreciate what I have done to this poor little car! My girlfreind however is thoroughly convinced that I ruined a perfectly good car by cutting the roof off! I think she'll get a better idea when it starts to go back together for the final time.
Good call on the wheel Tman. I don't know if there's an advantage to it or not, but it sure looks cool!
Time to get to it! Hopefully I can get a nice productive day in today! Stay tuned!
I forgot to ask what color you're thinking of painting it? Your girlfriend is going to have to hang on tight, the honeys are going to be around you like bees!. Sorry I couldn't resist. :-D
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Tman, That's awesome! My Grandad worked at a Kaiser and Frazier dealership after WWII. When I told him about the car he almost fell over!
Tauruck, I was thinking about a flat silver or ... I don't really know. Got any suggestions? As for the honeys, I could only be so lucky! :cheers:
I've had a fairly productive day! Got some more cage in and it's completely welded. Man I wish I had my tranny adapter! Oh well. Here's some pics of the cage, sans roof. Gonna help a buddy rebuild the front end on his '69 Firebird this afternoon. Hoping that I get a parts delivery early next week! If my adapter doesn't show, next step will be rear coilovers and brackets. Gonna try to tie that all into the cage as well.
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Working away, and the finished product.
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LSR, think about safety, silver and white can disappear on the salt. Look at the rule about colers/contrasting colors. IMHO, a Henry J or ANY racecar shout be loud and in your face as far as color! :cheers:
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Hank would look good in red....
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Can I make a suggestion for a couple of extra bars for your cage? I`d like to see another diagonal door bar that runs from about dash height back down to make a good door X brace. I know you are going to run a full door net, but I like a blanked in panel at the front lower to really stop your legs from trying to get out if there is a problem. I`d also like to see a triangulated bar that starts from the forward roll cage bar on the inside section (the one that ends on the horizontal centre bar) and triangulates over to the bottom junction of the A pillar bar on the passengers side.I would be concerned about that horizontal centre bar deflecting if the car came down really hard on the roof. Not trying to be a nit picker or criticise at all, but I have seen enough stuff in 30 years at the Salt to care about all you guys. Be sure and send a few pics along to Steve Davies, Chief Car Tech of the cage as it is and get his input. Great to see such rapid progress-hope to see you at Inspection this year...
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Hank would look good in red....
I agree with Stainless. Porsche Guards Red comes to mind with satin black wheels but the "Hank" is going to make a statement no matter what color you go for. I'm the#1 fan on this one. You rock. :wink: You should be so lucky??? Check Donald Trump, he's got a comb over and he ain't doing bad. :lol:
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Kiwi, I was actually planning a few more bars than that. Problem right now is I don't want get them installed to find out they are in the way of engine or trans. I appreciate the concern though. Thanks!
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The cage is looking great, and you are really moving along on this project. :cheers:
SteveM.
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I was hoping to get some rear suspension mocked up tonight and have my "car" actually sitting on all four wheels, as opposed to just the front two. But, alas, once again I am waiting for parts. Hopefully everything will work out tomorrow and I'll have some rear suspension pics for you all!
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Ton of progress today! My car has four wheels, it is actually suspended and can finally be moved around! :-D Added a few more bars to the cage and now I am in desperate need of my trans adapter! need to get my engine and trans mocked up so I can send the engine to the machine shop.
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It's a great feeling when the rubber hits the floor. You forgot to show us the wheels. :-)
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Well, still waiting on my trans adapter. :cry: I understand it's a semi custom made peice, but 7 weeks is an awful long time. At least it is when a guy is working against a five month deadline!
Been doing as much as I can at this time. Thought about putting the roof back on, but, the extra room sure will be nice when it comes time to build the floor and tranny tunnel. Been adding some gussets to the frame and the cage, doing a little bit of tinkering. Good news is the cylinder head is at the machine shop getting the ole once over. I came across another head and the price was right so I can use it for mock up while the "good" head is being worked on. Wish me luck, gonna head back out to the shop and get a bit more done before I need to head home. Hopefully this darn adapter will show up before the weekend!
And tauruck, there is some pictures of my wheels and tires earlier on in this project. I'd take some pics of them on the car but there is too much crap around the car right now. Gotta love trying to build something in the middle of a busy repair shop!
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Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish. The product of a demented hill billy who has found a way to live out where the winds blow. To sleep late, have fun, drink whiskey, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love or getting arrested. H.S. Thompson
You're a man after my own heart. About too much stuff around the car, don't sweat I'm in the same situation. Have you fallen or tripped over some of the obstacles yet?. :-D
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Only one time that resulted in kicking, cussing and throwing fit! :-D Gonna try to get the guys to relocate some of their crap today and hopefully make everyones life a little easier!
Pray that UPS shows today. If not, I may be forced to partake in a weekend of snowboarding and beer. Which I would not complain about, but those things are not very condusive to making it to the salt in August.
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I was face down on the concrete yesterday. I was holding a pail of resin in one hand and luckily it wasn't full. I never spilled a drop but it must have looked like the best touch down ever. I have these stands that have legs like an inverted V. It's not the first time either that I've crashed :-D :-D I hope Brown Santa gets there for you man. I've been on skis in Austria but that was way before boards. How many guys do you know that finish a race car on time????? :cheers:
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Hopefully I am one of the guys that does! :cheers: I am blessed with a very stubborn and/or persistent personality, as well as a very understandable employer! Thanks to him I have full access to the shop at any time! Makes working on the car pretty darn convenient!
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Well kids, got a little more done tonight. Figured you all deserve some pictures of the nearly complete chassis. I used the fact that the car moves now to put it on one of the lifts here and do some more welding, as well as add some gussets to the frame.
As for my missing trans adapter, I was informed this afternoon that it will be shipped at the beginning of next week. :roll: I sure hope so!
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Couple more pics. Enjoy! :cheers:
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It looks cool Joe. What wheels are you using up front?
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Thanks Mike! My front wheels are 15X5 with two and a half or three inches of backspacing. Got them from Marsh Racing.
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Very nice looking wheels.
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Well folks, looks like I'm back in business!! :-D My trans adapter showed up this morning!! Took awhile but it sure is a nice piece. Thanks to Steve at Buffalo Enterprises! :cheers:
Hopefully I can get some motor mounts made and the trans cross member in this week. Stay tuned!
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I never asked what motor you're running. The adapter looks good Joe.
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Well Mike, here ya go!
It's a late 1955 GMC 302 inline six out of an old military truck (deuce and a half, I believe). I actually got the block and crank from Bill Harris. Whom I can't say enough good things about! Bill ran an old Camaro at Bonneville and El Mirage with the same engine for quite a few years.
Got everything sitting where it needs to be, and some idea of what I need to do for motor mounts. Too late today to get steel, but I'll get some rounded up tomorrow and hopefully have the engine and trans situated in their new home.
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That's so cool. I can just imagine the sound it will produce. I'm still in love with your front wheels though. :-D I'm busy on some Moon discs with a twist!. :evil:
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LSR, the build is really coming along nicely. I just started and finished reading it tonight. Keep up the great work and looking foward to keeping up on this.
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Joe, That inline 302 REALLY looks good sitting in there and with that straight axle.....Man! :cheers:
Gregg
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Wow, Joe, you're moving fast!
Did you ask Bill Harris about HP mods for the Jimmy? I'm sure he still has some for sale!
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I did Buddy. By the time I got in touch with him though, he had gotten rid of most of his pieces parts. :-( It's all good though! I am very happy to be over this first big hump! :-D The rest of the car should come together pretty well now!
And Thanks for the kudos Frankie! :cheers:
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You are making fantastic progress! :-o
Steve
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:cheers:
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It's late, and I'm tired, but ole Hank has a transmission crossmember and motor mounts cut out! :-D Hopefully by tomorrow evening the drivetrain will be hanging in the car without the aid of wooden blocks and jack stands!
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Way to go. Thanks for the update. Enjoy the rest Joe. :cheers: You'll get there.
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That bellhousing is way too shiny and pretty, throw some ditry on it or wipe some grease and oil on it :lol: Looking good!
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That bellhousing is way too shiny and pretty, throw some ditry on it or wipe some grease and oil on it :lol: Looking good!
Oil stain under the bellhousing helps make a statement...
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Pretty bad when there isn't even an oil pan on the enigne and you have leaks! Luckily this trans is only for mock up. I have a nice new T10 that, I hope, won't leak. :-D
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Getting the plates that will bolt to the block drilled right now! :lol: Waiting for a weld to cool off on the passenger side plate. Driver side went smooth as butter but one whole one the passenger side well... Like the old Johnny Cash song goes, "when we went to bolt it all up, all the holes were gone." And actually it was only one hole, :x and said hole does not exist anymore thanks to the welder!
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Good news! I found the missing hole on the passenger side mount and.... Taaaa Daaaaaa!!
:-D I HAVE DRIVETRAIN INSTALLED!! :-D
It may not be very functional, but you can bet yer a$$ I sat in the seat and made engine sounds!
This weekend I'll be framing in the floor and firewall! This thing may actually start to look like a car again soon!
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The mounts look goofy because they are! Neither one is the in the same location on the block. One is higher than the other, and the other sits a little further back. Not like the SBC stuff I have dealt with for the last 15 years!
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Made a fair amount of progress on the frame work for the floor today. Gotta round up some sheet metal tomorrow and hopefully have a floor and firewall in Hank by next weekend!
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You may want to look at something a little heavier than "sheet" metal. 1/8" is really common and lots are much heavier. It provides weight in the area that you want it plus if something lets go, i.e. a driveshaft or engine, it helps keep stuff out of the driver's compartment. More than one entrant has retrofitted a heavier floor after having a dramatic event.
Pete
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I`m also not seeing any gussets on the cage yet. Hope you are ready to go on these.....
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I believe I have the gussets covered. Where would you suggest additional ones Kiwi?
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PJ, That is exactly what I was thinking! For one, it's easier to work with, and two, it will sure help to keep shrapnel out of the drivers compartment!
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Joe, wheelrdealer can tell you a scary story about a driveshaft coming in the car. Hank looks good. You never got my email maybe?. I was going to send these and other pics.
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Look at Jerry`s Build Diary (Found Soul) There is a video link which I found to be very informative. Remember to overbuild (I think you already are doing that, just saying) especially when it comes to the gussets at shoulder hoop and main hoop junctions on the drivers side. Remember--it`s only my opinion and cocern for your health, not to mention that I want to see you breeze through Tech and Run This Beast!!
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"Look at Jerry`s Build Diary (Found Soul)"
I could not find that diary. Do you remember the title? Phil
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"Look at Jerry`s Build Diary (Found Soul)"
I could not find that diary. Do you remember the title? Phil
Jerry's build is documented on his diyautotune site:
http://www.diyautotune.com/cars/project/diyautotune_s13_240sx.htm
Here is a pretty neat youtube video as well:
http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0
This came from the Gusset thread in the Technical Discussion section:
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,12483.30.html
Gregg
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I appreciate your concern Kiwi! I'm always open to suggestions or changes. Being my first rodeo I darn sure wanna get it right and make it through tech without a bunch of grief! I have found this build is very different from any of the street cars I have done in the past.
Which brings up a great point, I love this forum for the help, knowledge, and information that is so freely passed around! I just want to say thanks!
:cheers: Everyone on here has been a huge help!
Mike, I got your email, haven't had a chance to get back to you till today. I love that black Henry J with the silver flames! Feel free to email anymore pics you may have!
Gregg, Thanks for the link to the video. Pretty neat stuff!
Back to the build. I got some steel coming for the floor and the firewall today. If all goes well I will have a bit of the floor in this evening!
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Floor is going in! Hopefully if I keep at I can have "Ole Hank" on the salt in August! As long as I make a little progress each day I should be good to go.
And, for the record, I went with 1/8 plate to keep any baddies from getting to me in the event of something bad happening!
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Nice work Joe. :cheers:
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I believe I have the gussets covered. Where would you suggest additional ones Kiwi?
Junkie, I took the liberty of modifying one of your photo to show some suggested gusset additions.
Frank.
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Frank, new avatar, you getting close to the head of the queue?. :-D
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Thanks Capt! :cheers: I was hoping somebody smarter than me would figure out how to do that. I felt like I was a little short in the department, but wasn't too sure where to add any more gussets. Kind of the "you can't see the forest for the trees" scenario.
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Joe, have you got your pit crew together yet?
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I have all kinds of volunteers, but we'll see how serious they are when the time comes. I bet I could make some room for a bike builder from South Africa though! :evil:
What I really need is a few more hours in the day! August is not very far away!
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Thanks Capt! :cheers: I was hoping somebody smarter than me would figure out how to do that. I felt like I was a little short in the department, but wasn't too sure where to add any more gussets. Kind of the "you can't see the forest for the trees" scenario.
I looked for other photos to help show other "opportunities" on your cage, I could send some photos of our gusset fest if you think that might help. Mr. Turk inspected our cage at the first Ohio race and thought we did a real good job.
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That would be great! PM sent.
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I have all kinds of volunteers, but we'll see how serious they are when the time comes. I bet I could make some room for a bike builder from South Africa though! :evil:
What I really need is a few more hours in the day! August is not very far away!
That seems to always be the case, lots of volunteers initially and then when the actual time comes, they all seem to vanish. Everybody wants to bask in the glory but not put in the time and effort when it really counts lol. Had the same scenario at times when i was running my drag cars.
Lots of progress being made, keep up the great work.
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Frankie, Joe will turn up with a crew alright! Hank will be in good hands. :wink:
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Frankie, Joe will turn up with a crew alright! Hank will be in good hands. :wink:
I have faith that he will have a good crew and be in good hands.
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So... Can I count my bike builder in? :-D
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First off, cool build. Personally, I'd like to see those spindle mounts put back on. They looked bitchin' on there.
Second, I'm glad that our discussion about gussets has been picked up and carried over to other builds. A testament to the usefullness of this site.
Jerry's build is documented on his diyautotune site:
http://www.diyautotune.com/cars/project/diyautotune_s13_240sx.htm
Here is a pretty neat youtube video as well:
http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0
This came from the Gusset thread in the Technical Discussion section:
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,12483.30.html
Gregg
Lookin' forward to seeing you out on the salt.
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Far as the Gussets & the cage go look at it this way you can't be too safe, as the Arse you save just might be your Own
Don
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First off, cool build. Personally, I'd like to see those spindle mounts put back on. They looked bitchin' on there.
Second, I'm glad that our discussion about gussets has been picked up and carried over to other builds. A testament to the usefullness of this site.
Jerry's build is documented on his diyautotune site:
http://www.diyautotune.com/cars/project/diyautotune_s13_240sx.htm
Here is a pretty neat youtube video as well:
http://youtu.be/9CHlBQuGWL0
This came from the Gusset thread in the Technical Discussion section:
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,12483.30.html
Gregg
Lookin' forward to seeing you out on the salt.
Nate, that is the cool thing about using these boards as well as it also building "community". I will never understand the naysayers that won't participate in the online forums. When we are all standing on the salt you can tell who the crackpots are that you steer clear of anyway! :-D
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I agree! I was never a big forum guy, but the land racing community is amazing! With out the help of numerous members I would still be scratching my head instead of building a car!
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Joe, we always have 9-10 crew members, and a half dozen guys hanging around. If you run short, holler-we won't let you not run because of a lack of crew!
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Thanks Buddy!! I suspect yer rig is a bit more technically involved than mine. :-D If the guys on the salt are anything like they are on this forum, I think a lack of help will be my last problem!
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It's amazing! You have no idea how helpful everyone is, until something breaks-then help seems to come from everywhere! :cheers:
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So... Can I count my bike builder in? :-D
I used to be called "Mike Miracles" at the gym a long time ago. Miracles do happen and if my project gets delayed this August I might just find my way to some hot and salty race track on the other side of the world. I'd be honoured to crew for ya. :cheers:
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Lifelong friendships have been initiated by picking up crew members. Every year we get a comment about bringing a vehicle from a long distance without a crew -- never been a problem that I've heard of.
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Thanks Mike! I don't know a lot about crew members, but I have made a few good friends already, thanks to this forum!
Not too much to report this evening. Just hammering away at the floor and firewall. Driver side is going to be a bit tricky thanks to the fact that the trans and shift linkage now lives next to me as opposed to under the car. Already had to change my clutch operation (or should I say actuation)due to that! Hoping to have a majority of the floor and firewall done in a couple more days. Gusset up the cage a bit more, and if all goes well, begin putting the roof back on the car next week!
For the record, if there's a filthy rich, fabricator, car nut interested in a partnership for a race car let me know... Naahh, scratch that! I couldn't live with somebody else tinkering with my "Hank"!
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Sorry, Joe...haven`t been back to add my 2 cents on gussets, but The Captain used his superior Computer Skills to illustrate things......keep going, looking good.... :cheers:
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No problem Kiwi! I appreciate you bringing up the topic in the first place! Capt. has given me some very good ideas!
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Naahh, scratch that! I couldn't live with somebody else tinkering with my "Hank"! :evil: :-D Are you sure that statement came out as intended?. Joe, you're a funny guy. A couple of the members got me going on gussets and I've got about 30 left to do. Cutting triangles gets a bit old after a while but you just have to keep going.
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Naahh, scratch that! I couldn't live with somebody else tinkering with my "Hank"! :evil: :-D Are you sure that statement came out as intended?. Joe, you're a funny guy. A couple of the members got me going on gussets and I've got about 30 left to do. Cutting triangles gets a bit old after a while but you just have to keep going.
Have a look at A & A Manufacturing-- they make stamped steel gussets as well as lots of other race car fabrication parts.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Thanks for the info Neil! :cheers: Well Mike, I guess it depends on who's doing the tinkering! :evil:
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A&A does not have the size cage gussets that we use for the SCTA. Someone here asked them about making legal saddle gussets and they said no, not able to.
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the Coleman machine catalog has a lot of gussets and brackets.
not sure if they would be legal for your applications.
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T-Man;
You are right that A & A doesn't have gussets large enough for the required roll cage gussets but they have lots of other size gussets, brackets, etc. Their catalog is free.
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Joe, check this out!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-OTHER-MAKES-HOWARD-ARIAS-FUEL-INJECTION-RACING-ENGINE-/321097480833?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item4ac2e6ba81
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T-Man;
You are right that A & A doesn't have gussets large enough for the required roll cage gussets but they have lots of other size gussets, brackets, etc. Their catalog is free.
Yes, I should have added that everyone should have their catalog regardless!
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A&A has a wealth of brackets,mounts, yokes,rod end clevises. If your building a car from scratch their catalog is invaluable.
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Buddy, That thing is awesome!! I'd almost feel bad running it. Notice how I said almost... :evil:
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Joe, you've been quiet. That must mean you're very busy. :-D
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I've been real busy! Just not with Hank. :cry: Shop has been busy, and my personal life has been just as bad. Hate to say it guys, but ole Hank's debut may be world finals, or worse yet... Next year.
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Good news! The pot I keep all my money to spend on Hank is slowly strating to fill back up! Looks like I'll be back at it soon! Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. Stay tuned!
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Good news! The pot I keep all my money to spend on Hank is slowly strating to fill back up! Looks like I'll be back at it soon! Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. Stay tuned!
I hope you are able to harvest a good crop and get a good return on your investment :-D
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Good news! The pot I keep all my money to spend on Hank is slowly strating to fill back up! Looks like I'll be back at it soon! Thanks to everyone for their comments and suggestions. Stay tuned!
I hope you are able to harvest a good crop and get a good return on your investment :-D
Is this some kind of Colorado inside joke? :roll:
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Pot, Colorado = weed, smoke, Maryjane. oh never mind :-D
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Frank!!!! :-D. Joe, you'll get there pal. Patience brother. :cheers:
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HAHAHAHAHA!!! I some times wonder if I was smoking pot when I decided to start this project!
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Hey Joe, remember the wheel discs?. Here are a couple of images of the prototype. I goofed on the mixing ratio on the Epoxy. It's a new system and the experienced genius that I am I neglected to check the spec sheet. It's flexible as heck but the mold works and I like the shape. I'll be doing a set in between the other graft I have going on. These are for a non Pot smoking application. 8-)
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One more. I've never seen a disc in the flesh so my version is domed which will ultimately make the finished product stiffer etc.
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Nice work Mike, what did you use for the original mold?
jon
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Now that is slick. I can send you a 15" moon disc with the dzus dimples in them if you would like. :cheers:
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Very Nice!
Moon actually "rents" (full deposit upon return) a template for dimpling disks and locating Dzus fasteners as well. I used it when I did my non-dimpled disks about a month or so ago.
Here's a link to a pictorial and description about dimpling, drilling, and mounting Moon style disks.
http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/1101sr_installing_moon_discs/viewall.html
Steve.
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Guys, we have a barbeque pan here called a Skottel. It's based on a plow disc. I have two of them here so I used one as a pattern. Frank, I have dzus stuff here by the hundreds so when the time comes I'll insert three mounts on the mold. My mounting system is a little different and doesn't use fasteners :-D :-Dbut for my two friends I'll have to butcher the system.
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Awesome Mike!! :-o Those look great! Not bad for a barbeque mold! :cheers:
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One more. I've never seen a disc in the flesh so my version is domed which will ultimately make the finished product stiffer etc.
Looks spot on, I could sure use some for the lakester. Lets us know when you are ready with them
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Well gents, the time has come... Getting back on the car this evening! :-D
Pictures to follow!
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Got back on ole Hank in the last couple of days! Added some more floor and firewall. Got my clutch ordered so I can assemble the hydraulics, which will allow me to see how much room I won't have in the driver compartment. Starting with a small car and adding a big engine has posed some interesting dilemmas! Gonna do up some more cage gussets this evening. (Thank's for the tips Frank!) Hopefully you guys haven't totally written me off yet. I also have found, and have in my possesion, the connecting rods I'll be using for the engine. Cylinder head is at the machine shop now! All I really need now is more time and more money. At least I don't need much!!
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Glad to hear your back at it. Remember, some of us need pictures to understand what's going on. Keep plugging away.
Frank
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Glad to hear you're making progress!
You gonna come and hang with us on the salt? :-D
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Buddy, I'll be rolling into to town at some point Friday morning, the 9th. That being said I would like you to know I'll be available to lend a hand in any way that helps! Chasing parts, guarding the beer cooler, etc. I wish I could be out there with Hank, but if I can't, I'd love to help you guys get a red hat or two!
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Joe, I don't know if the red hat will come to fruition, but we'll be there running! We'd love to have you come hang with us, and fill us in on all the details of Hank!
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Slow but steady progress. I took the leaky old muncie out of the car last night, in favor of the freshly gone through, close ratio, T10. Even got a flywheel and clutch. After a little bit of fiddling around, I think I have a good plan of attack for mounting the slave cylinder. Sorry no pictures yet guys. They are coming though, I promise!
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As promised, here's some pictures! Here's my leaky mock up unit.
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And the trans I'll be runnin in the car. Close ratio T10, with all new guts!
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Nothing too cool here, just a shot of the scatter shield and some clutching components.
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Progress, progress, progress! :cheers:
Great chatting with you the other day, Joe!
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Thanks Buddy! I just keep chiseling away at everything. :cheers:
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Got the shifter and the slave mounted this evening. Apparently there is a reason most manufacturers put all this stuff under the car! Having a four speed tranny living right next to me has taken up a lot of realestate where my legs will live. gonna be tight, but luckily I'm a skinny guy!
:-D
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Here's some pics of the clutch hydraulics and the shifter installed. Now I can start building the floor pan and firewall on the driver side and hopefully get some pedals hung!
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Your shifter needs either a positive lock out for reverse or reverse disconnected. Hate to see you get there and have issues.
Ron
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I appreciate the heads up, but why? I can't find anything in the rules. Granted, throwing the thing into R for "race" would probably be pretty ugly, but its a four speed manual trans. I can see if it was an auto trans why I'd need some sort of lock out. And, the dumb question, what if I need to back up while maneuvering around the pits?
The only rule I can find is, 3.H.1 "Any type of transmission may be used in any class. Automatic transmissions shall have a positive reverse lockout to prevent accidental reverse gear engagement"
Is there another one that I'm missing
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LSR
On reading it, you may be right. I have a four speed and was asked in inspection if it was blocked. Maybe someone smarter than me (don't take much) will chime in.
Ron
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You can't drive a race vehicle in the pits or on the return road.
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You can't drive a race vehicle in the pits or on the return road.
Hence, no need for reverse!
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Thanks Stan! Makes perfect sense to me! I was jsut hoping to run this thing down for an ice cream after the races!
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Back from Speed Week, back to work, and back on Hank!!
Met some great guys, and it's sure nice to put some of the names on the forum to faces!
Spending today in the shop. After much talking and inquiries, I have found out that my cut out rear fenders are not legal. Good news is I have found some rear quarters for Hank that are in great shape! Bad news, I have to get different rear wheels. So if anybody needs some brandie new Marsh Racing 15x5 wheels with 2 1/12" back spacing and a 5 on 4 3/4 bolt circle I've got a pair with moon discs!
Got the panhard bar in, diff centered up and everything measured for new wheels.
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Great meeting you man!
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Pm junkie
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You too Tman! I'll be in touch for some stuff soon!
So, got the rear end squared away and made a little trip to BFE to round up my new, "legal", rear quarters. They were in way better shape than I remembered! Only a little blood was shed, and I made it back to the shop and got them hung on the car. Not only is it going to be a lot better in the aero department, the car already looks longer, and a bunch lower!
FYI, inside a 60 year old car on a 95 degree day trying to take out rusted hardware is not a very happy place to be!
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Probably would help to have some visual references!
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Back at the shop today. Scrounged up the cardboard I had stashed and got the tough part of the driver side floor mocked up. Gonna send my fancy templates out tomorrow and have some more steel sheared up. Once it's all in I'll be able to figure out pedal placement. So much more to do! At least now I have a lot more time. As I learned this year though, it goes by way too fast!
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And the aftermath.
Good news is spending the morning with scissors and a sharpie kept me a lot cleaner than I normally would have been!
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Back at the shop today. Scrounged up the cardboard I had stashed and got the tough part of the driver side floor mocked up. Gonna send my fancy templates out tomorrow and have some more steel sheared up. Once it's all in I'll be able to figure out pedal placement. So much more to do! At least now I have a lot more time. As I learned this year though, it goes by way too fast!
I found a small plasma cutter at Harbor Freight and use it to cut metal of up to 1/8" (I don't use any thicker stuff than that) instead of having a shop shear the pieces I need to size. The plasma cutter can cut curves, arcs, circles-- whatever shape you need. In addition, it cuts steel, aluminum, and titanium with ease. I use a 4" belt sander or 4 1/2" angle grinder to finish the cut edges. A zirconia or better yet, a 3M Cubitron abrasive does a nice job.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Thanks for the tip Neil! I've always wanted one, but the cost, and not having a shop of my own have kept it from happening.
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Thanks for the tip Neil! I've always wanted one, but the cost, and not having a shop of my own have kept it from happening.
Harbor freight, fleabay get them cheap and they fit in a closet.
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HAHAHA!! Good point Capt!
So I got my steel pieces for my floor today! Sans plasma cutter and they fit great! Lots to be said for templates! Got em all in place and the rest of the floor and firewall will be a cake walk!
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Yes-- templates are your friend! :cheers:
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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This build is lookin gooood!
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Joe, it was great finally meeting you, and chatting on the way home! I'm looking forward to coming over this winter, and seeing this awesome build. :cheers:
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Thanks Buddy!
It's been a fairly productive weekend. Got pedals and steering mocked up and the floor is almost completely in! I'll post some pictures tonight.
Looking for opinions on a throttle pedal. I have a hydraulic throttle setup that would work very well. Or would a cable style work better?
I have seen, and driven cars with both, Any one option better than the other?
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Rare for cables to fail, have less to go wrong with, have more adjustment, and spares are cheap.......
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Good point Buddy! But the plus side is I have the other stuff. Meaning I can spend money somewhere else!
Spent Sunday afternoon and this evening working on the inside of the car. Got a bunch done, but I still have a bunch to do.
The angle of the pictures of the pedals is weird. Looks like there's no room for a throttle pedal, but there is. The arrangement actually feels pretty good from the driver seat. Close enough together so I don't have to reach, but not so close I'll be stomping two pedals at once.
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Joe:
The build is looking good.
For what it is worth, I had a similar issue after widening the trans tunnel to make engine installation easier. I found an angled pedal at a chassis supply store online whos name escapes me at the moment. It allow me to weld the mount on the trans tunnel and angle the pedal over toward the brake. I had to cut a hole in the firewall to weld the back of the mount. First picture. Second picture is with everything plumbed and the throttle pull-back tab added to the pedal. Just thought I would show you in case it gives you an idea.
BR
Good point Buddy! But the plus side is I have the other stuff. Meaning I can spend money somewhere else!
Spent Sunday afternoon and this evening working on the inside of the car. Got a bunch done, but I still have a bunch to do.
The angle of the pictures of the pedals is weird. Looks like there's no room for a throttle pedal, but there is. The arrangement actually feels pretty good from the driver seat. Close enough together so I don't have to reach, but not so close I'll be stomping two pedals at once.
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Thanks! That is a great idea! :cheers: Funny how our pedal configuration looks so similar. Gotta love having like minded individuals to contribute to this madness!
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I may have a pedal for that Joe, let met look.
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Floor, floor, floor. So much floor in such a small car. But hey, at least its progress!
I bet everyone is sick of looking at the floor of my car and wants to see something cool. Patience folks, it's coming!
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It's looking great. Keep at it bro. :cheers:
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Right on Mike! Thanks! Good to see you around here!
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Quick update. Steering is in and done! Dinner with the boss cut into my build a little this evening, but at least Hank can be steered around the shop now and not hearded.
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Yeah, steering is gooood.
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Not much to report this evening. Good news is the entire driver side floor is in! Two pieces left to go on the passenger side and then it's on to covering the stock dash area to make a nice fire proof firewall.
Three day weekend is going to be great. Should be able to get a lot done. I've got about ten hours of welding once all the floor and firewall is in.
Luckily I don't have any obligations other than work. Gonna try to keep my plate clear. I really want this car to go down the salt in a years time.
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Labor Day Weekend Report
Day 1
Got to the shop around 9 this morning and began cutting the last pieces for the floor. Got those in and tacked into place. Managed to requistion The tubing notcher from the guy who owns it and commenced to gusset up this roll cage. Needless to say after 10 hours down here, things are coming along nicely!
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This cage should be tough! Hopefully I don't ever find out!
Thanks to all you guys out there for the pointers on gussets and placement. Never having built a cage before all the info sure helped! The roll cage should pass tech with flying colors.
I added another bar on the driver side to stiffen things up, but placed it so my window net won't be some goofy trapezoidal mess.
Gonna call it a night, get some food in my belly, have a beer or two, and hit the sack. Back at it tomorrow morning!
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Nice cage. Looks good and strong.
Just a comment on that throttle pedal. If you use it make sure you take it apart and anti-seize it. I had the same one. Mine was locked up solid by the time we drove 36 hours back to Fl.
I like pedals that hang...keeps the salt out of them.
BR
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Thanks wheeler! I had thought about doing that. I'd like a little different one, but that's what I had and it saved me a few bucks!
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Lookin' good, Joe!
I REALLY like everything that's going on here:
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12252.0;attach=42620;image)
Gregg
Currently in West Yellowstone, MT on our way to WoS!
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That cage looks fantastic!
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You got it going on Joe. That is one stout cage. :cheers:
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Joe, I bet they will ask you to add another "temple" bar on the left side of your helmet.
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Planning on it Tman. Just ran out of tubing!
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Labor Day Weekend Report
Day 2
Well, my Labor Day weekend has been chock full of labor! Got some welding done on the cage gussets I built yesterday.
Cut out a couple pieces of steel to cover the gapping holes I cut in the rear floor for the coil overs. Got those parts welded in, and it look pretty sharp, if I do say so myself!
Got a few panels cut for the firewall and tacked those into place.
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Joe, you're doing a great job there. The cage is excellent. :cheers:
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FMD, that's a cage, you could strain your potatoes with that, nice work, gonna be a really cool car, love a jimmy.
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Thanks Doc, and Mike!
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Labor Day Weekend Report
Final Day
Been a very productive weekend! Got a bunch done, still got a lot to do!
Spent today cutting up the odd shaped little pieces for floor and firewall, but the good new is, they're all in!! So much welding to do. I"m hoping my new rear wheels will be here this week. Once the top side is all welded up I'd really like to get Hank up in the air and stitch a bunch on the bottom side to keep everything tight and quiet.
I'm hoping to get a exhaust/intake flange made this week so I can build my intake, and header! once that's done the engine is coming out and going to the machine shop!
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Often when I get a close look at the welds on a cage they scare the heck out of me. It's great to see some really solid looking welding on your cage. Keep up the fine work. Your progress is impressive. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Awesome Steve! I was hoping to see your Rampage run, and it looks like I will! Luckily Bonneville isn't too far from here. And I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday than being out on the salt! See you this weekend!
Joe, since you're going to WoS, I'd like to meet up with you!
I'll be around Steve's or Jon's (Seldom Seen Slim) trailers.
See you this weekend!!
Gregg
Currently in Jackson Hole, WY on our way to WoS!
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Sounds good Gregg. I'll track you down Saturday morning!
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Super nice work on the Henry! The cage looks fantastic.
Looking forward to meeting you on the salt.
Steve.
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Mr. lsrjunkie Sir,
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE !!!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
May you have many more!
Gregg
Currently in Kansas City on our way back to NC!
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Happy bday Joe!
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Joe, I bet they will ask you to add another "temple" bar on the left side of your helmet.
he has two tubular Gussies to a lower bar and there is not much "span" that is unsupported
but I am not on the committee or and am not a current inspector
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Thanks for the bday wishes guys. Tried to work on the car Saturday, but didn't make much progress. My phone was ringing off the hook and when it wasn't ringing somebody else was walking through the door of the shop to wish me well. It's great to have so many good friends!
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Happy belated birthday Joe. I know you had a good one. God Bless. :cheers:
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Got a little done in the last few days, but no time to post.
So, got my dash panel and gauges built and mounted but I ran into a little problem...
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PROBLEM
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Problem solved!
I've been working on seat mounts this evening. I think I've got the driving position set pretty darn good. Feels comfortable at least!
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I see your gauges are set in the normal orientation. Might be a good idea to rotate them so the preferred needle position is straight up, to make it easier to quickly spot variations from that preference without having to analyze what the numbers mean.
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Planned on it! Just had them stuffed in the holes for some sense of my field of vision, and where all my gauges would fall into it.
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I like a big red idiot light for oil pressure. Between the salt, the course markers and the tach you won't have much time to look at the gauges. You might not notice low oil pressure until the engine lays over. You will notice a big red light! Might save some engine parts. Mine is labelled "fun's over."
BR
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Not a whole lot to report. Been spending the evenings welding up everything that I've fabbed in the last week.
Good news is the seat I have for the car won't work the way I had planned so I got a new one on its way.
Talked to Ray about my new rear wheels yesterday, he tells me they are working on them as we speak.
Next week should be a good week for more parts to hit my doorstep, and in the mean time, I'm going to try and catch the Shoot Out this weekend! Hope the weather holds out!
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Nice. Enjoy it man. The way you cut that steering was priceless. I loved it. Hank could have nose art and be designated B17 :-D. Master stroke.
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HAHAHA!! Thanks Mike! Speaking of nose art, I'm going to need a bit of direction when it comes to building the nose of this car. I've never messed with any 'glass fabrication.
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What are your ideas for a nose?
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Tapered in at the front, and sloping down from the cowl.
Kind of like this, not as exaggerated and obviously covering the front wheels.
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Good shape to copy, if you dig through my thread you will see the foam core mold I made. Like Jon down under just not as fancy! Lots of info in the Human powered world. If you dig through the search you can find some links. NACA will lead you to a great glass thread.
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Thanks for the info Trent! :cheers:
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Joe, you might try picking Tauruck's (Mike) brain. It's purty much what he does for a living down in S.A.
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Thanks Frank, I'll help Joe where I can. Joe, I have one or two ideas on how you could save bucks by not having to make a mold so holler when the time comes.
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I sure appreciate any help Mike!
Spent the weekend welding on the car. Managed to find some replacement rocker panels for the car which should save me a ton of time as opposed to build my own! New seat should be here today, and hopefully my cylinder head flange will be done in a day or two so I can start building manifolds for the intake and extake.
If all goes well, I'll have some pices of my seat mounts and seat this evening!
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Almost forgot!! I may have found a local machinist to build some roller rockers for the ole 302 that won't cost me a fortune! Keeping my fingers crossed!
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That machinest wouldn't be Norm Frick, would it?
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Nope, but if my guy can't do it, I'm open to suggestions of any one that can!
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You live in Grand junction, right? So does Norm Frick. He made me my first set of 2 piece heads. He can do it, if you can talk him into it.
I have no idea of cost, though.
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So, anger and frustration got the better of me tonight. Fought with placing extake pipes on my snazzy new intake/exhaust flange, and after about two hours of dinking with it I calmly picked up all the pieces and decided to regroup and try again tomorrow. Luckily I managed to avoid my typical tantrum that involves throwing parts and tools!
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I quit throwing tools when a screw driver bounced off the wall a came back at me. Really scared the chit out of me. :-o
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Joe, it must be something in the air. You're not alone. Ratpatrol hit the nail on the head. Walk away and come back fresh tomorrow.
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My old roommate and tandem mtn bike stoker was a short dude but a World champion powerlifter. He had roid rage at times. One day at the bike shop he got pissed at something and threw a 15mm wrench. It made a perfectly outlined hole in the pegboard. :-o
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I've gotten a lot better over the years. Anymore, it takes quite a bit to get me fired up. Problem is, I have a specific way I want this exhaust to look, and until it looks that way, I'll keep re-doing it.
Got some family obligations this evening, so that should give me a little more time to rethink this header and get back on it with some new ideas tomorrow evening!
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Here's a picture of the flange. Really nice piece, and it sure helps to have a buddy that owns a water jet!
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Joe
Since WoS was canceled, are you planning on going to the WF's?
I'm thinking VERY hard about doing another big adventure! :-D
Gregg
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Gregg, I missed out on WOS so I planned on going to the Shoot Out. Shoot Out got delayed because of weather. So, that being said, I have once again made reservations and plan on being at World Finals in a couple weeks. If the mood strikes you and yer headed that way, I'd love to catch up! :cheers:
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It has not been a very productive week. :cry: Good news is, I got some more pieces parts today!
I started on seat mounts last night, those should be done tonight and I should have some pics up.
Got my replacement rocker panels today, and the fit pretty good for an aftermarket body panel.
Also got some more pipe for my header, and now that I have some better ideas on how it should be built I may make some progress in that area!
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So, anger and frustration got the better of me tonight. Fought with placing extake pipes on my snazzy new intake/exhaust flange, and after about two hours of dinking with it I calmly picked up all the pieces and decided to regroup and try again tomorrow. Luckily I managed to avoid my typical tantrum that involves throwing parts and tools!
I haven't thrown anything since I lost my rag about eight years ago working on the tank, I threw a really nice planishing hammer and it split the hickory handle. The next weekend Reverend Hedgash turned up with the hammer and he had fixed the handle, i felt both stupid and very grateful that he had fixed it, but made no fuss at the time............Just the right mixture of lesson, and help...
It reminds me though of years ago I replaced the head on a four cylinder Jap car with a second hand one, couldn't work out WHY it was running so rough. I took the rockers off and went along tapping the tops of the valves......tung!!!! one of them was stuck solid....buried the hammer about a third of the way up the handle in the ground beside the car and went inside...... :roll:
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Doc, That cyl. head story would be really funny if I hadn't done the same thing before! :cheers:
Got my seat mounts finished up tonight. Tman has some belts coming for me so I can get those mounts built, and do I dare say it... The roof may be going back on in the very near future!
In the mean time, I think I'll be diving back into header fabrication head long as of tomorrow evening! Wish me luck!
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Joe, It's looking great and it's gained momentum. You do neat work. That building funk (header fab) will pass. You probably work alone like I do and there's no one to bounce ideas off. I've got six Jack Russels and they hang around in the shop. If I say "F" they're ghosts, gone!!! I guess they know what's coming. :-D :-D
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Joe, It's looking great and it's gained momentum. You do neat work. That building funk (header fab) will pass. You probably work alone like I do and there's no one to bounce ideas off. I've got six Jack Russels and they hang around in the shop. If I say "F" they're ghosts, gone!!! I guess they know what's coming. :-D :-D
My Cat does the same thing!.....LOL :-D
Gregg
PS
Impressive build you got going on Mike.....Just like the Tauruck! As PJ posted, We'll follow this one with interest!
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Joe is a special dude. I wish I could be there. Thanks Gregg. Is it your cat that says No! No! No! on Youtube?? :-DSorry Joe, no jack intended.
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No sweat guys!
Started back in on my header this evening and made some good progress. I'm building an equal length tube, tri-y style header. Got the first two Y's done this evening. Time for bed. I plan on finishing it up tomorrow!
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Joe...Don`t forget that we require seat back reinforcing bars. Run some down from your shoulder bar, then attach to the seat back and weld to that lower set cross brace. Just noticed that in your recent pics..
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Those headers look like just what the doctor ordered Joe. Good job! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Sometimes we just have to step back and rethink a project before we dive in. It seems to become more simple if we take the easy parts first and slowly sneak up on those that appear more difficult.
Pete
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Thanks PJ! I have a little more to do to finish it up, but I'm real happy with it so far.
Kiwi, i'm looking at rule 3.D.1. it says the seat should be braced to prevent rearward collapse. I'm assuming that having it mounted to the shoulder bar of the cage is insufficient. I have a pretty good idea of what your saying, but do I need to mount the seat to those bars, or is just having bars in that location gonna cut it?
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I'm thinking the idea is to brace that sectio of the shouder bar so it don't collapse rearward.
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I'm darn sure not trying to split hairs, but I have that section braced pretty well. I'm going to add the two bars Kiwi was talking about. I'd much rather spend an hour now as opposed to trying to scrounge up some tubing on the salt and get it put in so I can pass tech!
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Would have loved to spend the evening working on the car, but alas, work comes first. Some dummy here at the shop decided we should go to an electronic form of invoices and repair orders. :x Now that same dummy is the one working late to make the system function seamlessly for everyone else. I've never been known for my great ideas... :roll:
I plan on installing a couple bars to brace the seat tomorrow night, and finishing up my header/intake manifold this week.
Thinking dry thoughts, and hopefully I'll be spectating and asking questions at World Finals by this time next week!
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Joe, may haps a wider angle photo. The ones on post 310 don't show what I think you have there already.
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Frank, are you thinking I could just build braces/brackets off of the tubes I already have?
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Frank, are you thinking I could just build braces/brackets off of the tubes I already have?
Nope, I was thinking that what you have should do the trick. Disclaimer, l ain't no inspector and I'll always go over kill.
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Love the disclaimer! :-D I do believe I'll side with you on the overkill!
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Joe, it looks great. A member PM'd me and said "Overkill is your Friend". I believe that. Nothing wrong with the Simpson there either. That's the right stuff. They say if you've got a ten buck head wear a ten buck helmet. I hope the weather holds out for you and all the guys.
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Joe--I would use those bars and fab a couple of Horizontals that come forward, bolt to the seat or even rest against it, and then return back. Kind of like a Horizontal `C`....If I knew how, I`d draw some in for you, but I just hit stuff with hammers.... :-D
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Joe...Don`t forget that we require seat back reinforcing bars. Run some down from your shoulder bar, then attach to the seat back and weld to that lower set cross brace. Just noticed that in your recent pics..
Something like this?
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I like those a lot better than putting anything totally rigid directly across the driver's back. I always look at that as the same as hitting a driver directly in the back with a baseball bat.
Pete
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Kiwi, that's funny! I understand what you are saying!
Frank, that's exactly what I had in mind.
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Joe, Great minds think alike :cheers:
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I agree Peter, I dont think Id want a tube running horzintaly in the middle of my back. If one were to go with a horizontal c bar as Kiwi was suggesting, would it be better to weld a wide, flat plate on the section of the bar thats making contact with the back of the seat to disperse the energy of an impact or would it still be similar to getting whacked with a ball bat?
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I'm sure that would help Frankie. That's what I'm going to do. Hopefully I never find out what it's like to get get drilled with a ball bat!
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Did a little more manifold work this evening. Collector is all done! Next I'll move on to the intake manifold!
The first picture is the 3" pipe I started with.
Second and third shows things starting to shape up!
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And through the magic of the internet... The finished product. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out!
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Joe, remember you said you were trying not to throw tools and stuff?. Funny how things work from day to day. That looks like it went together easily. :-D
It looks great and you're on a roll now for sure. Nice work.
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Frankie...You maybe have the ball bat in the wrong place. What we are concerned about is seat deflection causing loosening of belts, and the driver coming out of the seat in a major incident. This has happened, actually. The seats most people buy are the cheaper Saturday Nite style seats...They are not the strongest in the back area. If you can make yourself as rigid as you can in the seat/restraint/cage area, so there is no chance anything can happen, that is probably better. Of course, as Sprint Car guys know, a violent flip that keeps you in the car can result in bloodshot eyes, as that organ is sensitive. Still preferable to the other, though. I would prefer to see bars in a vertical plane, as per your `drawing`, but a flat plate reinforcement may still do the job. I don`t remember if the Lajoie, Ulrashield or Butlerbuilt `superseats` have additional runners in that area. Anyone know? I`d like to learn as much as I can about this. Would like you all to be as safe as you can be....
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From what I can tell, the Lajoie may have some. The Butlerbuilt, on the other hand, is a very substantial seat! Here's the best picture I could find of the back of the Butler seat that is rated at SFI 87.9 or some crazy thing. And obviously I'm exaggerating on the rating.
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Kiwi Paul, thanks for the clarification :-)
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Made pretty good progress on the intake this evening! Got the top half fabbed up. Just need some tubes to connect it to the manifold flange. Should have my steel carb flange tomorrow. Soon as it's all in one piece and hanging on the engine I'll post some pics.
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Joe..Thanks for the seat pix. Looks like that Butler seat has a big reinforcement piece that goes around the whole seat. Glad you are making good progress.....
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As promised, gratuitous intake pictures. I really like the way that it turned out. Hopefully it works as good as it looks!
And with that being said... The engine is going to the machine shop this weekend!!
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Had to take a couple with a carb on it and make some engine noises to satisfy the kid in me!
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You're on a roll. It looks really good and I can see all the hard graft that went into it. You've made great progress Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Joe, interesting intake :-o Did you calculate the plenum volume as it relates to runner volume and velocity. Are there internal devices, bellmouths, deviders ect to help guide the air? Just messing with you. Look good :cheers:
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Frank, I used a very scientific method when building my intake. A gentleman I have been aquainted with for some time combined barley, hops, yeast and water. He allowed this mixture to age for some time in beech wood barrels. This brew was then liberally applied to the thought process of my intake and exhaust system. Upon application I realized that this what not a project to be taken lightly and recruited a couple of good friends to assist me in the application process. Once this mixture of grains and water had been thoroughly applied, so began the discussion and fabrication of the final product you now see.
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I use the same formula. :cheers:
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ROTFLMAO.....I use that formula as well! :-D :cheers:
Gregg
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I may have missed a step or two, things were starting to get a little hazy as the weekend wore on. The only problem I have found with this formula is that over application of the afore mentioned substance may, at that particular time, leave one feeling very knowledgeable and confident. This being said I experienced a minor headache the next morning. Probably from all the extra power of thought, and excellent ideas my brain was producing. :roll:
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I may have missed a step or two, things were starting to get a little hazy as the weekend wore on. The only problem I have found with this formula is that over application of the afore mentioned substance may, at that particular time, leave one feeling very knowledgeable and confident. This being said I experienced a minor headache the next morning. Probably from all the extra power of thought, and excellent ideas my brain was producing. :roll:
I drink you have a thinking problem. :cheers:
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Goggles, I concur, Joe, fine application of the scientific processes. :cheers:
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That scientific process got me into this LSR thing in the first place. It's a powerful thing and since it only subtracts the weakest, slowest brain cells from the equation it leaves one using all the advantages of the........uh, :cheers:
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Well, there is a big void between my front frame rails where the Jimmy used to reside. Got it dropped off last night and had some good discussion with my engine builder about what we are trying to do. I believe he's as excited as I am about this!
In the mean time I'm going to finish up the welding inside the car and prepare to get the roof back on it!
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Gotta love them milestones :cheers:
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For the sake of discussion, I'd really like to draw air for my engine from the cowl. I'm hunting for ideas of filter placement, and how to implement such a plan. I have a few ideas of my own, just curious what you all have seen or done.
Hopefully the pictures I have posted will help you lot along.
I was planning an airbox that was fed from a vent in the cowl. Inside said box I was going to use one of the small round air filters. the type you see on a lot of dual carbbed street rigs. then plumb that to the carb. The big question I have is, will the filter area be large enough or will the engine be starved for air at 6000 rpm?
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Mmm, joe, seems some malted beverages are in order as this will take some pondering. How much area is available in the cowl vent area redundant.
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Joe, I don't think the filter size will starve your engine. It's the amount of air coming into said filter. How much salt gets up around the cowl during a run if any?
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That's what I don't know Mike. And if your thinking of not using a filter, I've thought of that too. Just not sure
how much of a risk that would be. I can't imagine a whole lot of salt will be in that area during a run, but I'm pretty sure any salt inside an engine is a too much.
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Frank, I have a fair amount of room. Definitely enough for a large air intake, and a decent sized filter housing.
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Joe, I raced cars powered by peripheral port Mazda rotary motors and they were super sensitive to what went in air wise. The Guru, Ken Howes who now runs the Hendrick NASCAR program over there came up with a sock that worked great. It breathed better than conventional "race" filters by far and kept the fod out. I've got some of that material if you want it. I've got two molds for airboxes I made that went on a Camaro that ran a Sonny Leonard 510 BBC with TPI. One is a smallish unit but with the ducting we ran it got enough air to the motor. The thing was pushing out 1500HP on NOS. Still the most powerful car I've ever driven. I'll email you pics of the box molds, I know they fit the Holley. The unit I made them for had the same dimensions. It won't take much to cobble one together if you like it. It's easier to put together than the moon discs at this stage. I feel bad that I promised to make the discs for you guys and haven't done them yet.
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Joe, I will see if I can find shots of our airbox. It goes to the cowl. Those small filters are too restrictive. Build around a nice K&N or something.
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Trent, I remember very clearly how things were setup on the truck. That is one of those, "Why didn't I think of that." ideas! Very well done!
Mike, I got your email. Don't worry about the moon discs! Those boxes look pretty cool, but I'm sure niether would fit under the hood of my car. I really appreciate your generosity!
I had a couple of ideas last night. I'll try to get a picture or two posted. I'm thinking of simplifying the whole mess!
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Frank, I have a fair amount of room. Definitely enough for a large air intake, and a decent sized filter housing.
Soory Joe, I ment what are the dimensions you have to work with. HxWxD?
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Roughly 4" deep x 10" tall x the width of the cowl if need be.
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Intake issues aside, I took some time this evening and got my seat support built.
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Dang Joe, that ought to do the trick. :cheers:
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Joe, that looks really good. Have you got a picture from the side?
Pete
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I like it, I like it alot......go for it, Joe.... :-D
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Looking good Joe!
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Thanks guys! :cheers:
I'll post a pic for you PJ.
I've spent most of today in the shop welding on the inside of the car and getting everything ready so I can put the roof back on this week. I'm really excited to see how things will look once Hank starts to look like a real car again!
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As promised, here's the side view of my snazzy seat supports.
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Thanks Joe. It looks really good. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Drug the lid for Hank out of storage this evening and started getting it put back in it's now lowered position. Got a lot more work to do, but so far it's looking pretty awesome! Almost wished I would have chopped it more, but things are fitting nicely. I'll post some pics tomorrow night as things progress.
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Joe, it is coming along nicely. Keep going bro. :cheers:
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Junkie --
Keep your eyes open the next couple of months -- there are some Rule Book changes proposed to straighten out the chop contour regulations, which, I guess, vary from category to category. I'd imagine that new construction might be effected.
Stan
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I appreciate the heads up Stan! I have been holding off on ignition system components due to the renewed "computer controlled" debate that has reared it's head.
Any place I can find these proposed changes and avoid any potential issues? Chopping a fast back car is a lot of work and I'd hate to have to change anything halfway through.
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I am pleased to report that the build goes on! Special thanks to maguromic! :cheers:
Got the left rear quarter window in place this evening. Need to make a small patch panel to fill the gap left in front of the B pillar above the door, but it's late and I'm tired. This working on cars all day so I can work on a car at night is crazy, but a guy's gotta feed his addiction some how!
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Looks good Joe. How much lower is it than stock?
Pete
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Thanks PJ! It's about 5 1/2" lower than stock.
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Addiction is when you started looking at pictures of LS cars. :-D This is affliction, it's also terminal and there's no escape. You, my friend have coped very well. I hear you on doing two jobs. The trick is not being too exhausted when working on your own project. It's looking good though. Do you have music in the shop to keep you going?.
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Mike, I'd loose my mind with out music in the shop. Heavy metal for heavy fab work, mellow stuff for doing things like the chop.
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Any Seasick Steve???
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The only man I've ever heard play a guitar with three strings and make it sound good!
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You DO know Steve. :cheers:
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Been working on the roof all week. Got the quarter window in on the passenger side. Came down today and started getting the door all whittled up to fit.
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Shot of the passenger quarter window.
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Anyone who'se ever chopped a roof will tell you how difficult it is. You've aced it brother. The trained eye never lies. I like where you made the cuts. Hank looks great. If this is your first attempt, you're a natural.
I watched three guys chop a Chevy Nova station wagon. Step one, six pack (each)
Step two, remove shirts
Step three, marking pen
Step four, cigarette box for marking
Step five, large angle grinder, no guard and no eye protection
Step six, I left. I'd seen enough.
True story but it is funny. :cheers:
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Yes, cutting close to the drip rails to minimize warping is a great idea. Chop is looking great Joe. Only thing I hate about HJ chops is how much flatter the top of the window frames look. But, there is nothing you can do about that, just part of that body style.
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I'm really happy with the way it has turned out. A lot of thought and planning went into making this chop not look goofy. I've chopped a few cars before, but this is my first fast back.
Trent, I see what yer saying about the window frames, and frankly I dig it! Definitely looks chopped, but any one in the know will still be able to tell that it's a Henry J.
Mike, I hate to say it, but I have been involved in a chop the likes of which you described. Luckily we all made it out with all of our fingers and eyes! Oh to be young and dumb again... well, on second thought maybe not.
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A chop is a difficult one. There's no going back if you mess up. You never hear of those first time attempts that went wrong and cars got thrown away. I hate talking about chops because I had a 57 Studebaker pickup that got the chop. We used two cabs and four doors to do it right. I took 8 inches out of it. It is the best looking pickup of it's vintage when chopped. It reminded me of the "Runaway Train". I had it down in the weeds, painted and ready for a motor and interior. I hit a bad patch space wise and couldn't see it standing out in the rain and stuff so when a friend made an offer I figured I'd get it back from him somewhere down the line. He stripped it for some reason and the last time I saw it, it was rusting in his yard down at the coast. He'll never part with it but won't finish it either.
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Joe, I meant nothing about that, it is just the nature of those door openings. Looks like a great chop.
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No sweat Trent! Just a difference in what a guy likes! No offense intended or taken. Gotta love the cold and emotionless world of a forum!
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Not much to report. Same story, different side of the car. Hoping to have the chop all roughed in by the end of this coming weekend.
Once both doors are done, I'll be installing the rocker panels below the door. Luckily the previous owner was nice enough to hack the rusty remnants out before I got there. Should save me a little time.
I can't help but think this would be a little easier had I started with a more "complete" car. That being said I bet I'll be the only Henry J racing!
If any one knows of a Henry J on the salt prior to my foolish endeavour I'd sure be interested in any info on said car!
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Just had lunch with my machinist and I got great news on my roller rockers! Here's a teaser pic. not quite done yet but it'll give ya a general idea.
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Joe, that's a nice piece. :cheers:
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Thanks Mike! Hopefully it works as good as it looks! We have some oiling issues to work out, but I do believe a solution is near. That being said I'll keep my trap shut. Got some super secret squirrel stuff coming down the pike!
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They normally do. You'll be fine. :cheers:
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Into the body work portion of the build, and as Sparky said, sheet metal work sucks!
Still roughing in the top. Had some issues Saturday and had to do something different for awhile. Good news is that I got the driver side rocker fitted and tacked into place.
Speaking of rockers... My roller rockers are coming along nicely and any oiling issues have been addressed!
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That's great news Joe. Bouncing around the build a little keeps you from getting jaded IMO. Sticking to one thing for too long when it's fighting you isn't great. :-D
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Wish I could be down there helping you Joe, I love metalwork!
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Thanks Trent! I could sure use the help. I'm ok at it, I'm just not a very patient person. Heavy fab is great! Crank that welder up and let 'er eat! I'd much rather be building a roll cage, chassis, anything like that. But this part of the build is just as crucial as the rest and needs to be done right, so I'm taking my time and making sure that it's done the way it needs to be.
On a side note I had a nice conversation with 38flattie today and got some much need info on some of my valve train parts. Thanks again for the leads Buddy! :cheers:
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Let 'er eat Joe, let 'er eat!. :-D
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Nothing to exciting to report. Doing lots of body work. Been out of town for the last couple of weekends, but I'll be hitting it hard again this week!
New rear wheels were shipped on Thursday so I should be seeing them soon. Once ole Hank's a roller again I've got some more welding to do under the car, then it's going up to a friends shop and we start on the nose.
In other news, rocker arms are done!
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Wooo Hooo that looks sweet Mike. I hope you have more than one :-D :cheers:
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Wooo Hooo that looks sweet Mike. I hope you have more than one :-D :cheers:
Who is Mike?! :-D :wink:
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Wooo Hooo that looks sweet Mike. I hope you have more than one :-D :cheers:
Who is Mike?! :-D :wink:
I thought the same thing Trent! :-D
Looking good Joe! :cheers:
Gregg
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Sorry Joe,, reading too many posts. I called Mike Joe. I mght need to take up drinking again :?
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Hahahahahahahaha!!! No sweat Frank. The bad part is as soon as I read your post I knew exactly what you did, because I do the same thing all the time!
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No drinking Frank!!!! :-D
Joe, that rocker is special. I can just imagine what the rest of the car will look like.
You're doing a great build there.
If all goes to plan in the next few days both you and Frank can have a drink SOON. :cheers: :
My name is MIKE! :wink:
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No drinking Frank!!!! :-D
Joe, that rocker is special. I can just imagine what the rest of the car will look like.
You're doing a great build there.
If all goes to plan in the next few days both you and Frank can have a drink SOON. :cheers: :
My name is MIKE! :wink:
15 months without a drop, dang. MIKE
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Frank, I know the feeling. I also stopped. Hardest 15 minutes of my life. :-D :-D :-D
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Drinking or not, ole Hank has been coming together. Been working on the roof for awhile now. It's been a bunch of work but it's turning out the way I had hoped!
Still no wheels yet, but I've got plenty to do.
Scrounged a set of stock pistons for the jimmy to get some measurements off of. With a little more info and a freshly cc'd combustion chamber I should be able to get pistons ordered soon!
If a brand new person can be made in 9 months, I should surely be able to get my car done in that amount of time... Right?
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Almost forgot pictures of the roof!
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:-D :-D hehehe, low and swooopy :cheers:
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Looks like one of the best HJ chops ever. Cool man!
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NICE JOB!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Jeez, Thanks guys! Keep that up and I don't think my head will fit in the car! I really like the way it turned out.
Lots more to do. I'll keep you all "in the know"!
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Joe, it looks great. It's chopped but it doesn't look like it was done after if you know what I mean?.
It doesn't get better than that. Way to go man. Too good. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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That chop on Hank looks badazzzzzzz :-D
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Bad to the bone. Like the proverbial 2-door Henry J streamliner.
Steve
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Nice chat, I hope the "friend" was a hot blonde?!
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Joe, you figure out the air filter / intake plumbing yet?
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Trent, hot yes, blonde no. I've been doing real good avoiding distractions during this build, but this little gal has a knack for showing up and getting me completely flustered. Good news is, I was back at it this morning. It, being the car!
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Frank, I've got some really good ideas. Most will center around how the front end of the car is built. Not to divulge too much, but I'm thinking proper cowl induction. Should be pretty straight froward, and ought to work great!
Spent some time on the phone today with a fellow racer and ended up pulling the trigger on some dry sump parts for the old Jimmy. Got a whole lot going on right now! I'll be sure to keep you all posted.
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Trent, hot yes, blonde no. I've been doing real good avoiding distractions during this build, but this little gal has a knack for showing up and getting me completely flustered. Good news is, I was back at it this morning. It, being the car!
You how the saying goes, pictures or it didn't happen!! :-D :cheers:
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Well Trent, I've only got one picture today. The top is officially roughed in! Welded, ground, and ready for some mud!
Spent the rest of the day doing more body work. The front lip of the rear fender on my car is bolted to the body. Luckily only every single bolt was rusted and broke off when I took the poor car apart. I was able to drill out two of them, but all the others were beyond help. I carefully pulled all the nuts out of the body and welded some stainless nuts in their place.
Got a bunch more engine parts ordered this weekend. If all goes according to my master plan, I should be starting on the front end in the next few days!
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Being that the body is getting so close, I was curious, what color do you lot think would look good?
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i was going to post a picture of my choice. But because of the most worthless, annoying feature of this site, having already posted that picture some time, years ago, I can't re post it with out renaming it. And that exceeds my Sunday frustration level.
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Yellow.
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Well Trent, I've only got one picture today. The top is officially roughed in! Welded, ground, and ready for some mud!
Spent the rest of the day doing more body work. The front lip of the rear fender on my car is bolted to the body. Luckily only every single bolt was rusted and broke off when I took the poor car apart. I was able to drill out two of them, but all the others were beyond help. I carefully pulled all the nuts out of the body and welded some stainless nuts in their place.
Got a bunch more engine parts ordered this weekend. If all goes according to my master plan, I should be starting on the front end in the next few days!
Joe, watch out using stainless hardware. You'll have the same problem you just went through if you use stainless bolts unless you're generous with the anti seize compound. While stainless hardware would seem to be the answer because of its anti corrosion properties, it has a real problem with galling when tightened together. I think plated bolts should be just fine with the stainless nuts.
It's great to see the progress you're making.
Pete
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Hooley has a HJ drag car that is orange. To me that is the only color that belongs on a Henry J. Although back in the 80s I did a rendering of a purple one with flames that was pretty cool. I still have it in my portfolio, I will see if I can drag them out.
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Glen, something tells me you may be a little partial to yellow...
Keep the suggestions coming guys!
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I renamed the picture and tried again to repost it. Still no go. says I already posted a picture with that name. That's a lie. So I have decided that the color of my avatar 32 ford is now my choice. And it's already up. But I do thing the blue that was on the Guam Bomb was really nice.
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Yellow is easier to see on the salt. :cheers:
Glen, something tells me you may be a little partial to yellow...
Keep the suggestions coming guys!
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Good point Glen.
I do like yer avatar pic Rich. That is a good looking car.
Here's what I have been leaning towards.
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Yellow.
Hows about a bit darker?
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Yellow.
Hows about a bit darker?
That is the base color for our car!
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I think purple, green or yellow would look cool on Hank.
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I like the color you chose. :cheers: Wayno
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I think purple, green or yellow would look cool on Hank.
hows about Purple and green and yellow :-D
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hows about Purple and green and yellow :-D
Somehow I dont think all three together would look quite rigth on Hank although you never know until you put it on paper lol :-)
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Thanks for all the input! I have been asking everbody I know what color I should go with, turns out green has come up more than a few times, so green it is. Maybe with some snazzy lettering on the side...
On another front, My wheels showed up today!! Really happy with them.
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At one time green and black were considered to be UN-LUCKY race car colors. Still are to many people.
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British racing green! Dunno how unlucky the Brits are, but I love that color!
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Today was a good day for parts! All my dry sump stuff showed up!
Curious if anybody has worked with Weaver Bros. dry sump stuff. I called and they reccomended I send the pump in to have it gone through. I think that would be a great idea, but was just curious about customer service and turn around time. If anyone has any experiences, good or bad, I'd love to hear about it.
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Hey Joe,
I have been checking out your build. Very nice indeed. It looks like you have a few more tools at your disposal than I, but hey it all works out in the end.
We will have to get together after the holidays, maybe buy ya a cup of coffee in Delta. I got a few more things done on my build, let you see after some shots are taken, take care.
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Let's see them wheel babies - they took nine months didn't they?
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I renamed the picture and tried again to repost it. Still no go. says I already posted a picture with that name. That's a lie. So I have decided that the color of my avatar 32 ford is now my choice. And it's already up. But I do thing the blue that was on the Guam Bomb was really nice.
I have never posted any pictures, but ~~
would cropping the picture or spinning it 90 degrees make a difference?
will it accept it in that form?
bf262
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Joe, if email is anything to go on Yvette Weaver was very informative and came back to me immediately with all the info I needed. I'd give them a try.
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Thanks Mike! She seemed very knowledgeable and very helpful when I spoke with her yesterday.
Took my second hand pump apart last night, and things don't look very good. I don't think that the pump is ruined, but it's gonna need a few parts to get it up to snuff. Gonna try to price out some stuff today, and compare that to the price of a new pump.
Luckily I went into this thinking the pump had some wear, but hoping for the best. Even if I do have to replace the pump, the rest of the parts I got in the deal were worth the price I paid.
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Hopefully its cheaper to just replace the worn parts than it is to buy another pump. Keep us updated :-)
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My 5 stage is also a used one but I haven't opened it yet. I'm hoping for the best.
I hope you come out of it without having to spend too much.
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The holiday weekend has jammed up any further info on my oil pump, but it has allowed me a few days in the shop with no distractions.
Had my tires mounted so I can make sure everything is going to fit under the car. So far, so good!
My big goal today is to get Hank back on the ground and see how it looks with the new wheels and the roof back on it. I'll be sure to post a few pictures.
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Back in the shop today. Here's a picture of Hank at ride height as promised.
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Oh yea, thats looking good Joe. Progress is good!
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It definitely has the "right look" Joe. Keep up the great work. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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My man. :-D :-D :-D :-D :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks guys! :cheers:
Been a long day. 10 hrs at the shop and I've got quite a bit to show for it. Everything on the bottom of the car is welded up. Next time I'm under there it will be to paint and get the rear end set up. Ladder bars, pinion angle, etc. I even managed to finally get the leaf spring brackets from the old straight axle cut off! Set Hank back on the ground and fabbed up my seat belt brackets.
I'm gonna try and build a switch panel for all the electrics tomorrow. Anyone know how big of a hole is need to mount a pull style fire suppression handle? All that stuff is gonna live right next to me in easy reach of my right hand.
Also, how do arm restraints work? I know they keep yer arms from flailing around, but I was curious how long they really were. Wanna make sure I can shift and reach my panel.
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Mine hook in to the center belt latch. The starters want to see you reach everything you need to and not be able to reach above or out side the cage. Basically as short as possible and be able to drive the car safely.
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Thanks guys! :cheers:
Been a long day. 10 hrs at the shop and I've got quite a bit to show for it. Everything on the bottom of the car is welded up. Next time I'm under there it will be to paint and get the rear end set up. Ladder bars, pinion angle, etc. I even managed to finally get the leaf spring brackets from the old straight axle cut off! Set Hank back on the ground and fabbed up my seat belt brackets.
I'm gonna try and build a switch panel for all the electrics tomorrow. Anyone know how big of a hole is need to mount a pull style fire suppression handle? All that stuff is gonna live right next to me in easy reach of my right hand.
Also, how do arm restraints work? I know they keep yer arms from flailing around, but I was curious how long they really were. Wanna make sure I can shift and reach my panel.
I have a spare fire system pull cable at the shop. I will measure it and follow- up later this morning. I want to say about 1/2".
BR
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Thanks guys! :cheers:
Been a long day. 10 hrs at the shop and I've got quite a bit to show for it. Everything on the bottom of the car is welded up. Next time I'm under there it will be to paint and get the rear end set up. Ladder bars, pinion angle, etc. I even managed to finally get the leaf spring brackets from the old straight axle cut off! Set Hank back on the ground and fabbed up my seat belt brackets.
I'm gonna try and build a switch panel for all the electrics tomorrow. Anyone know how big of a hole is need to mount a pull style fire suppression handle? All that stuff is gonna live right next to me in easy reach of my right hand.
Also, how do arm restraints work? I know they keep yer arms from flailing around, but I was curious how long they really were. Wanna make sure I can shift and reach my panel.
Joe:
This is a FireBottle brand pull cable. The threaded shaft is 1/2". The cable pull from the nut face to the T handle extends out 1 11/16" from the mounting surface.
Hope this helps.
BR
I have a spare fire system pull cable at the shop. I will measure it and follow- up later this morning. I want to say about 1/2".
BR
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Thanks for the info wheeler! :cheers:
I fought with various different placements of the switch panel yesterday afternoon. I think I've finally found a good home for it.
Soon I'll be up to my eyeballs in body work and building the front end! I can't wait! I've got a picture in my head of how it's going to look. The trick is turning that into reality!
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With the work you've done so far and your motivation I'd say you'll pull it off.
SteveM got on the same roll and he finished a very nice truck. I see similarities here. :cheers:
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Weaver, I bought a pump off ebay---from a nascar reseller---turns out trash through 3 out of the 4 sucksides--I would have had more in it than a new one the seller agreed to picking up the difference so I had a used reman system with a warranty---Weaver rebuilt the unit the most optimum way for our application and sent me all of the old parts---most are reusable just would not pull as good a vacuum as the new parts do. I was very pleased with their internal collection manifold for the discharge to the dry sump tank. I got lucky that my seller would work with me.
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Good to hear that Sparky! I really like the way this weaver pump is setup. That being said, I just got off the phone with Weaver and my pump is getting sent to them tomorrow. They tell me it should be about a six day turn around. I'm sure it would probably work just fine, but with all the one-off parts I'm having made for the ole Jimmy, I want to make sure that my oiling system is the best that it can be!
Just wanted to say thanks to 38flattie as well for all the pointers on how to set the system up! It's gonna cost a little more than I had anticipated, but in my book it's better to cry a little now, than cry a lot later.
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Just got back in town. Car looks great Joe!
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Thanks Trent!
Just got off the phone w/ Yvette at Weaver. She confirmed my suspicions that my pump was not in the best shape. She did a little wheelin' and dealin', threw in an awesome "Merry Christmas" discount, and my pump is headed back to me in excellent shape!
Been doing a little body work here and there, but the shop has been crazy busy. After twelve hours of working on everybody's vehicles, motivation for Hank is rather low. But I've been making steady progress. We close up for the holidays, and that will be a great time to get caught up!
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Wish you people would keep your snow out of St.George, we ain't used to it. :cheers:
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Glen, I wish you'd keep it. :wink: Any of that white stuff leftover from you guys has been making the shop here an absolute mad house! Can't gripe because we have plenty of work, but a break sure would be nice!
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What white stuff are we talking about here?. :-D
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What white stuff are we talking about here?. :-D
It ain't Salt. :roll: Wayno
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What white stuff are we talking about here?. :-D
It ain't Salt. :roll: Wayno
But it will give you soggy boogers ...
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Snow, gentleman. As in frozen water that falls from the sky.
It hasn't snowed here in a couple of days, but the temperature hasn't been above 20F for the better part of two weeks. That's -6C for anybody paying attention.
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Snow, gentleman. As in frozen water that falls from the sky.
It hasn't snowed here in a couple of days, but the temperature hasn't been above 20F for the better part of two weeks. That's -6C for anybody paying attention.
We should be close to 50 today. And we had an earthquake last night http://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/earthquake-occurs-in-custer-area/article_229e0a7a-6345-11e3-a935-001a4bcf887a.html
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I'll take 50 with a chance of earthquake any day!
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Oil pump is back from Weaver today! And it looks great!
I'm not sure which is bigger though. My freshly rebuilt pump, or the pile of bad parts they sent back with it!
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Better a pile of bad parts now rather than later.
You did the right thing there Joe. :cheers:
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Shop's been closed for the holidays, and I've gotten quite a bit done. We're gonna start on final body work and the front clip in the coming weeks.
Thanks to all of you for the tips, advice, pointers, and general opinions on my build. With out all of you I would have had quite a tough go of it. Happy New Year to all! God willing and the creek don't rise, I'll see you all on the salt in 2014!
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TMan don't let the Sierra Club find out or the will be trying to to shut down the oil indursty blaming it on FRACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-o
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Go Joe!!!!
I'm hoping for big things for you this year. It's already 2014 here.
Do you have your wheels yet?.
I need to see the lip of the wheel for research. :-D
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TMan don't let the Sierra Club find out or the will be trying to to shut down the oil indursty blaming it on FRACKING!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-o
They already are squawking.
Nice chat today Joe!
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Things are progressing nicely. Body work is looking real good, and the car should be in primer in a week or two.
Finally have a solid plan for the design and construction of the front clip.
A lot of parts have been slowly trickling in. Oil line, fuel line, fittings, etc.
Finally found some lifters that will work, and the engine is coming along nicely. Pictures soon!
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:cheers: :cheers:
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Joe, you missed my request for an answer on what wheels you're running. :cheers:
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Joe, you missed my request for an answer on what wheels you're running. :cheers:
My guess? Round ones.
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I hope they're round! :-D
Mike, look on page 31. There's couple different wheel pictures there. Other than the back spacing, my wheels aren't any different than any other 15" steel wheel.
If you need more detailed pics, lemme know and I'll email them to ya Mike.
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My PC blew again so I'm working off a laptop. Can't email but I did see the wheel rim. I wanted to check the lip. It's exactly what I hoped.
The discs I'm doing for you locate on a profile that matches the lip of the wheel.
The finished product will be flush with the edge and not sitting inside. :wink:
If you had a mag wheel I'd be in IT big time. I'm on the tooling for that part of the discs so not long now.
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Awesome Mike! Can't wait to see how they turn out! :cheers
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Any new pic of Hank Joe?
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Hank looks a little spotty right now. :roll: I'll throw up a couple pics for you guys this evening. :cheers:
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So much for a couple pics. :roll: The shop is entirely too crowded. I got one for ya'll just to prove I'm still working on it!
I hate doing body work, but it is needed. Hank probably won't be show car perfect, but she won't look too bad either.
And for those of you paying attention; in this instance Hank is most definitely a girls name!
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Looks good from any angle!
Geo
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It's looking awesome Joe. At 50 feet and 150 mph no one's going to notice. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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My PC blew again so I'm working off a laptop. Can't email but I did see
To much car porn? Sorry had to say it!
lsrjunkie, The stretched Hank Joe (as Captthundarr called it) is looking good.
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I wish.
There's huge construction going on up the road and the electricians there seem to make mistakes connecting to the grid. 8 power packs in 6 months but I wised up and got surge protection yesterday.
And I thought it was the PC. :-o
Joe, Hank looks the part. You've done a lot and it shows. Good on you man. :cheers:
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We're out in the boonies and on the Co-op's grid, so surges aren't uncommon - and outages have been known to happen, too. :roll: We've got uninterruptible power supplies on the computers, so not only do we have no surges getting through to the 'puter -- we have about 15 minutes to shut down if the lights go out. A UPS will cost under $100 up here -- no idea of the price in SA, but still -- have you looked into them?
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I don't want to hijack Joe's thread but I'm going to get one Jon.
For sure. I can't go on like this.
My problem is fixing stuff that broke or spending the bucks on the liner.
I'm in two minds and they're both saying Liner, Liner!!! :-D
Sorry Joe.
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Thanks guys! :cheers: I'm really looking forward to having this thing in primer. Gonna look good when it's all one color.
I wish I had pictures of things like the wiring and plumbing, etc. But all of that will come soon enough. All of the progress lately has really put some wind in my sails! We have come up with solutions to quite a few different things, from the body to the engine. Parts are trickling in, and life is good!
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I like that you haven't bitched once about the weather. :-D
You're on such a roll right now I'm battling to keep up. :cheers:
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Sorry guys, been quiet for a while. Rest assured I'm hard at it. The body work continues! I'd like to have it in primer by now, but I have decided that anything worth doing is worth doing right.
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My all time favourite.
FILLER. :-D :evil:
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Joe, Hank looks sooooooo good! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Thanks PJ! I was just going to get everything close and paint it. That has changed. Like I said before; If I'm putting this much work into everything else, why would I take shorcuts on the body and paint. I think it will just take away from the rest of the car. Worst case scenario, if it's not fast at least it will look darn good!
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Is that Evercoat Rage Gold? If not, buy some. Skim that whole thing and start with a longboard. You will be happier in the end than doing spotwork.
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I have to do spot work first Trent. Remember, this car sat for a long time with who knows what being stacked on it, bounced off of it, and ran into it. Funny how a car will look straight until you get the ancient paint off of it. We're going to take care of all the big dents using a hammer and filler, then ole Hank will get skim coated and blocked.
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Is that Evercoat Rage Gold? If not, buy some. Skim that whole thing and start with a longboard. You will be happier in the end than doing spotwork.
Trent, tell me more about Evercoat Rage Gold. I use filler like no one else and I'm always interested in learning about product I don't know.
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Is that Evercoat Rage Gold? If not, buy some. Skim that whole thing and start with a longboard. You will be happier in the end than doing spotwork.
Trent, tell me more about Evercoat Rage Gold. I use filler like no one else and I'm always interested in learning about product I don't know.
I am a huge fan of standard Rage but the Rage Gold is lighter and sands better. I have used Evercoat Rage and metal Glaze for many years with great. Almost all the folks I know swear by it. Also, lots of guys here say Upol is as good as rage at a lower price http://www.u-pol.co.uk/. I have not tried this but am looking forward to it
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Thanks Trent.
Some fillers are like concrete. We all learn the hard way. :-D
I suppose the aim is to use as little as possible.
I use filler for building plugs so I go through more than most.
My choice is a German product called Voschem Soft.
Like anything else the better the product the more you pay.
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The Upol stuff is actually one of the least expensive lines. At least in our area.
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I have no idea what filler I'm using. It says 3M on it. Sands great, and it's what every painter and body guy I know told me to get.
The body work continues. Got a few dings to beat on the right side of the car this evening, and then... More sanding. Not my favorite thing to do by any stretch of the imagination.
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MMM, good stuff.
I hate it too but it has to be done.
Are you using machinery or lots of elbow grease?.
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So far Mike, there's three things that when used in unison yield excellent results. Good tunes, lots of elbow grease, and cold beer. I have found the third item must only be used if one doesn't mind the dusty plastic taste of filler. In all honesty, I'm starting to prefer it.
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Need more pictures!
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When I eventually get there we'll kill that tate with some stronger.
No jokes, when I see guys sanding a car on TV I change the channel.
Check out Seasick Steve's music if you don't already have it. I think you might like it. :-D
Joe, you'll be just fine. At least you're on it all the time.
My favourite build on the forum. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks Mikey! I may have to take you up on that. :cheers:
Trent, I'll get some pictures up for you this afternoon.
Things are progressing behind the scenes. My cylinder head is coming along, and I've got a fair amount of valve train on its way. I guess progress of any sort is good.
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I can't wait to see those pics. :cheers:
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Sorry guys, I try to be a man of my word. I had a recent bought with the crud that's been making it's way through the shop. Knocked me down pretty hard. Needless to say not much progress on ole Hank the last few days. But I assure all the viewers at home once I am on the mend I'll be back at with pictures to follow. Stay tuned!
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Join the club.
I'm suffering too.
The missus caught it on the plane coming back from the UK.
Get well Joe. Some R&R might help. :cheers:
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Get well Joe!
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Well gents, I seem to be coming free of the grasp that the plague held on me. Feeling much better. Thanks for all the well wishes! :cheers:
I'm going to check on some parts I'm having made today. Also a trip to the engine builder is in order this evening.
Had a very nice chat with another forum member last week and I hope to have some more go fast Jimmy parts in my hot little hands soon.
Things are progressing well, just not as fast as I'd like. I just have to remind myself that the race doesn't start until the car is sitting on the salt. I'll get there!
In other news, I was apparently voted in as president of the local car club here. I guess I should have taken the members seriously when they asked if I would do it. I'm looking forward to working with this group of guys. They do a lot of good in this little community.
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That's all good news Joe. :cheers:
I'm sure you'll have a great time being president.
I see a pit crew of note coming together.
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"I was apparently voted in . . . "
That's what you get for not attending the meeting.
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Think William Tecumseh Sherman. :mrgreen:
:cheers:
Mike
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"I was apparently voted in . . . "
That's what you get for not attending the meeting.
That old gem. Primary motivation for attending our AGM is to ensure you aren't voted in for something that involves a mass.of people ringing you up and asking questions.
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"I was apparently voted in . . . "
That's what you get for not attending the meeting.
That old gem. Primary motivation for attending our AGM is to ensure you aren't voted in for something that involves a mass.of people ringing you up and asking questions.
AGM? Annual Goat Mugging? :? Wayno
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Stan, That's exactly what happened. While I was sitting at home battling the plague, this fine group of gentleman voted on my position.
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Maybe it's a goat meeting Wayno.
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:-D I ended up in an Army boxing tournament. I wasn't at the barracks when the sports directors came around looking for fighters.
Some clever Dicks just sold me down the river.
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Things are moving along here. I must say though, I am not a fan of body work. We have started surgery on the cylinder head, and thanks to Uncle Sam graciously returning some of my hard earned tax dollars more parts are on their way. This year is looking bleak, but I will be at Speed Week once again, car or not. I've got a long way to go, but I will continue plugging away at it.
Just a quick thanks, yet again to all of you watching at home. I certainly appreciate all the advice and well wishes! :cheers:
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Speaking of advice, I am in search of more. I have hit a bit of a roadblock with the paint and body work on ole Hank. And by roadblock, I mean, it's really starting to wear on me. I've had a couple guys come by and give me some bids on what it would take to get Hank hammered into shape and all shined up. All of the bids I have received are really reasonable, but I also know how a paint and body guys schedule can be. To cut to the chase, what do you lot think of farming that part of this project out? I really want to do all the work myself, but I also don't want it to burn me out to the point that the car never gets finished. Lord knows there's way more unfinished cars out there than there this completed ones.
Let the suggestions fly! And thanks in advance!
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LSRJ, We do our own body work, sheet metal to paint. I started my, working, life out in a body shop and my crew chief is a body man and painter. I get bored with the body filer part quick, I probably would not get it done if it wasn't for him.
You could Probably find an out of work body man to do the work or just be money ahead to hire a body shop you trust.
But what ever you do, when you hire it done don't tell them your not in a hurry, and visit them often. A friend of mine, in Denver Co, went down that road twice before he got his BGR done.
Richard 2
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That was my thought as well Richard. I've also heard horror stories of projects that the customer was, "in no hurry" taking years to be completed.
One of my very good friends is a rather good body man, his problem is he's also an avid skier, so this time of the year is a big no go for him.
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Your friend must not be racer :-(. Race cars come before other activities :-D. Maybe as Richard 2 posted, you can find someone out of work or just needing extra money to come to your place to work or even just help out. The only problem with that is there are some body men that are working in a body shop that aren't very good. Sure wouldn't hurt to ask around or even if your friend knows of anyone. That way at least you can control, to some extent, the progress or lack of.
Ron
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Joe, find a body shop to sponsor Hank.
You'll give them space on the car in return for the work.
They'll want to put their best foot forward and hopefully do a nice job.
Win, win all round. :cheers: :cheers:
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Joe, it's really pretty simple. Threaten to start the body work yourself with the understanding that he can finish it. :roll: Nobody likes to repair someone elses botched attempts. That oughta get him moving. :wink: Wayno
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If you are anywhere near close just put it in primer and move on. You can debug it then paint it in the offseason.
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Good point Wayno! Maybe I'll give that a shot! :evil:
Mikey, Sponsorship seems to be a four letter word in this part of the world. Most people that have seen the car don't even know what land speed racing is. Then the conversation quickly moves to why the heck I'm not building some giant cubic inch motor if I want to go fast.
I know I've seen it it a signature here on the forum, but the rough quote is, "The number of people that understand what I am doing is vastly larger than the number that understand why."
Trent, That idea has been talked about as well. Put a SBC in the thing while we're working on the Jimmy, run it, get licensed and go from there.
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What effect, if any would the salt have on an unpainted car?
I should say, a primered car. I would not want to go back and have to sand the whole car down and start over.
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Sounds like it's about time to re-energize you mojo. :mrgreen:
Sometimes you need to get away from the frustrating part (bodywork) and get after some of the other work that needs to be done.
That car will look awesome at speed, even without worrying about the little dings and visible imperfections.
Are you shooting for SpeedWeek this year? There's still plenty of time, if you can afford all the parts that you'll need.
Go Hank!
Steve.
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That's the plan Steve. A series of events have conspired to knock my mojo in the dirt. The body work has me frustrated, and the cost of building an ancient engine hasn't helped. I guess I should have restated my initial comment by asking what a guy does to put some wind back in the sails.
I'm really leaning towards getting the car out there as is, and then spending next year making it what it should be. If I remember right, even Buddy ran the Flat Cad with a SBC to get it teched and get some drivers licensed.
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That's the plan Steve. A series of events have conspired to knock my mojo in the dirt. The body work has me frustrated, and the cost of building an ancient engine hasn't helped. I guess I should have restated my initial comment by asking what a guy does to put some wind back in the sails.
I'm really leaning towards getting the car out there as is, and then spending next year making it what it should be. If I remember right, even Buddy ran the Flat Cad with a SBC to get it teched and get some drivers licensed.
That is a good plan
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What effect, if any would the salt have on an unpainted car?
I should say, a primered car. I would not want to go back and have to sand the whole car down and start over.
I would not take it there in bare metal to run. I think you will regret it. Prime it with epoxy primer. Not that expensive from Summit using their brand. Later go back and sand it and then start the real body work when you have the time and so forth for it. I'll use the epoxy on everything on my car and not just the body. I'll home powder coat some small pieces maybe that won't need to be worked on later but the epoxy paint is just as good and easier to make changes if needed (the reason I would never powder coat anything complex).
You are building a race car not a show car. There are race cars that are show cars and that is fine but if making the car a 'show car' first is going to get you on the salt later then I don't like that approach myself.
Last year with Hooley's Stude the car was painted in bits and pieces by about 4 different people, including my part at midnight the night before we left which was a couple days after we were suppose to of left. It doesn't look near as good as when John had a chance to paint the whole car, but it did make it to the salt and I don't think the paint job effected the speed by 1 mph :-).
I had more people look at my pickup when I drove it around in bare metal and you could see where it had been...
(http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/underconstruction/gmcflatbedtiltup.jpg)
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/underconstruction/underconstruction3.html (http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/underconstruction/underconstruction3.html)
...chopped and section by all of the welds. Get it done so it will run, don't go there with bare metal, spray some epoxy primer on it and move on,
Sum
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LSRJ, The latest method in body work is to Prime the body first with a good epoxy primer. Then after it cures ruff it lightly and then do your plastic filler work. It helps keep the metal from rusting under the plastic filler. Also they make lite weight filler that is very easy to sand. I can get you brand names and part numbers if you need them.
Richard 2
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LSRJ, The latest method in body work is to Prime the body first with a good epoxy primer. Then after it cures ruff it lightly and then do your plastic filler work. It helps keep the metal from rusting under the plastic filler. Also they make lite weight filler that is very easy to sand. I can get you brand names and part numbers if you need them.
Richard 2
Yep :-), the epoxy is better than any of the rattle can or other products and like I mentioned easy to get through Summit if you can't find it cheap locally,
Sum
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LSRJ, The latest method in body work is to Prime the body first with a good epoxy primer. Then after it cures ruff it lightly and then do your plastic filler work. It helps keep the metal from rusting under the plastic filler. Also they make lite weight filler that is very easy to sand. I can get you brand names and part numbers if you need them.
Richard 2
That method isn't necessary in Colorado. That's how I always did things back in Wisconsin. But here is Colorado, the humidity is so low that you don't have to worry about the metal rusting up before you can get it coated. Usually you have about a 6-12 months window, if stored inside a shop, before you will see any surface rust start to form. The reason most people prime before body work after media blasting (or what ever method of stripping) is to keep the metal clean and rust free. The truth is, body filler actually sticks best to rough bare metal than to primer, though there are some products out today that are designed to be applied on top of primer. The most important part is prep though. Without a good prep job the end results will, well, suck. And there are a lot of variable that go into that too.
LSRJ - I'll send you a PM with my phone number, I live in Denver and have been doing body and paint for 10 years, the last 7 of which have been specializing in classic restorations. Depending on where exactly you live, maybe I can give you a hand with the body and paint. Or at least give you some very good direction and instruction on what you need to do to do it yourself right the first time without getting overwhelmed. :-)
Scottie J
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Hey Joe, It's JIMMY!!!!! :-D
You haven't been around?.
Just asking because I'm having withdrawal symptoms. :cheers:
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Joe, here's a little inspiration.
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I was just reading Sum's reply.
Spot on and the best advice you'll get anywhere. :cheers:
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Johnny! :-P It's good to be back. Thanks for the pictures. The shots of your long car, and a little time away have done a good job of kicking me square in the shorts. I appreciate that Mike. Oops, I meant Jimmy. This has been the longest I have ever worked on a project. All the other times, it was either finished by now, or at least my part of it was finished. I'm starting to see why it takes some guys so long to get a ride built for the salt.
I'll be cleaning things up around here and getting back on the car soon!
Keep rooting for me guys! I haven't given up just quite yet!
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I know you'll do it. :cheers:
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Keep at her oooops him Joe! If you want to take a break why not join us on chat tonight? :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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I was planning on it PJ. It's been awhile.
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Well, better late than never! New found motivation has got be back on the thrash. here's a couple of pics how Hank sits as of this evening.
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And just because, a picture of our intrepid builder!
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And you're in Grand Junction? I just want to know where to send the hit man with this picture. :-) Wayno
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Keep at it Joe, the car's looking good. It'll be done when it's done. It'll be faster if its done right and lsr cars tend to spend a long time with the same owner and evolve over time so a year here or there isn't going to make a lot of difference. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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And you're in Grand Junction? I just want to know where to send the hit man with this picture. :-) Wayno
The hit man will come home in a Jiffy bag. I know Joe!. :-D
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Thanks Wayno! I think?
PJ I'm hoping this car sticks around for a very long time.
Mikey, I'm a lover not a fighter. :-D
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:-D
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And just because, a picture of our intrepid builder!
So thats the man dat hooked us up wit some wheels for Amys camaro. They are perfect. Thought you fell off the planet. Glad your back.
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Yet another face with a name. Glad you're back at it Joe. Keep it up :-)
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I'd put mine in my avatar but the dog looks waaaaaay better!
Pete
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I'd put mine in my avatar but the dog looks waaaaaay better!
Pete
Tok is a great lookin dog PJ. Maybe ill get to meet you at SW if we both make it up there this year
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Just put Joe on that list.
He'll be easy to find.
Hank will be a stand out!. :-D :cheers: :evil:
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Glad to hear the wheels worked out for ya Frank!
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Any progress is good progress! :cheers: Finally got around to building some water inlet, and outlet flanges. They turned out pretty darn good. This project won't lead to a full fledged sponsorship, but, let me just say that it's good to have friends! Special thanks to John @ Water Jets West, and Jeff @ Welfelt Fabrication.
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That's the plan Steve. A series of events have conspired to knock my mojo in the dirt. The body work has me frustrated, and the cost of building an ancient engine hasn't helped. I guess I should have restated my initial comment by asking what a guy does to put some wind back in the sails.
I'm really leaning towards getting the car out there as is, and then spending next year making it what it should be. If I remember right, even Buddy ran the Flat Cad with a SBC to get it teched and get some drivers licensed.
Joe, slap some primer on it, drop any running engine you have handy in it, get all of your tech stuff in order, and bring it to the salt!
We were disappointed when we had to head to the salt with a SBC, but looking back, it was the best thing we could have done! We were able to sort out issues with the car,do rookie passes, get licensed, as well as just get familiar and comfortable with the whole salt experience.
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....Joe, slap some primer on it, drop any running engine you have handy in it, get all of your tech stuff in order, and bring it to the salt!
We were disappointed when we had to head to the salt with a SBC, but looking back, it was the best thing we could have done! We were able to sort out issues with the car,do rookie passes, get licensed, as well as just get familiar and comfortable with the whole salt experience.
Excellent advice. If I get close enough that might be my path also,
Sumner
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And theres always people willing to help out with the car :-)
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I appreciate that guys! I'm usually a pretty motivated, self starter kind of guy. But hey, everybody hits a bump in the road from time to time. Once again, things are moving forward. Almost ready to take the next big step! I'll definitely keep you all posted!
And Frankie, I'd be glad to have you help out! :cheers:
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Good job, keep at it.
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So, I'm sanding away last night and I keep noticing this great big cardboard box. The more I sand, the more the wheels get to turning and any way...
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I'd really like some spill plates on each side, just not sure if I like the way it looks. They may be very nice to have no matter what they look like!
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Nice idea -- and better still, I see a rulebook right there with you as you work. Might as well keep referring to it, hey?
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That's the only way to build Slim!
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Spill plates work Joe. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Joe, you were in the pits, and saw our spill plates last year, right?
I'm not far from you, if you want to look at it again, or take a pattern. I'll be coming through Grand junction on May 19th, on my way back from El Mirage.......
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I'm sure they do PJ! I've done quite a bit to ensure ole Hank will be stable at speed. Lengthening the wheel base by 20 or so inches for example. Hank isn't going to be a 300mph missile by any means, but I darn sure want to do everything I can to "keep the shiny side up".
Buddy, I sure did. I looked your car over pretty thoroughly trying to get ideas. I'd love to revisit your spoiler design. Also, if you could make it by the shop to give Hank a once over, I'd be very greatful for a fellow racers opinion.
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That being said, I went back through your thread last night until I found your spoiler pics. If I remember correctly, yours could not come any further forward because it was already at the center line of the rear axle, right? That's why you had to build the small vertical between it and the rear fender.
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For starters the roof around the rear window is already a good shape aero wise. It's staring you in the face. :-D :cheers: :cheers:
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That being said, I went back through your thread last night until I found your spoiler pics. If I remember correctly, yours could not come any further forward because it was already at the center line of the rear axle, right? That's why you had to build the small vertical between it and the rear fender.
That's correct-It cannot be further forward than the centerline of the axle.
We has to fill in the space between it and the fender, because the rules require you to " fill in the horizontal gap between the leading edge of the spoiler and the body with a plate"
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(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12252.0;attach=46011;image)
That looks real good to me just make sure that there isn't a gap on the bottom side where the rulebook is sitting as Buddy mentioned.
Make the spill plates as large and long as the rules permit starting at the axle centerline and going back as far as the rules permit. Forget looks, they are your friend (and I think they look cool anyway). I'd leave the spoiler flat as you have shown and not try and gain downforce unless that becomes an issue. You want the spoiler as it allows you to have the spill plates and they are what you need. It is going to be a nice car,
Sum
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:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: Thanks for all the input guys! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Sum, I guess I should have moved my rule book when I was taking pictures. Then only gap is at the leading edge of the spoiler on each side of the car, and it's only there because my piece of cardboard wasn't big enough. I am going to add just enough to fill that gap. As per the rules, this style of spoiler design is allowed to fill the horizontal gap between the leading edge of the spoiler and the body with a plate extending no further forward than the rear axle centerline. And it definitely will!
Spill plates are coming this evening. My only problem right now is that Mr. Kaiser has built quite a curvy car. Using my calibrated eyeball, I figured my spill plates could run right down the top of each rear fender. Well, not so much. Turns out ole Hank tapers at the back. I've got a couple ideas of how to make it work. I'll keep you all posted!
Buddy, Thanks for all the sage advice yesterday! It was good to talk to you man. After our conversation, I sat down and did a little thinking. I concluded that we are pretty much on the same page. I'm just gonna give 'er hell and see what happens!
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Awesome!
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Well gents, here you have it. Now to get some wooden templates cut, make sure they fit perfect, and that'll be one more thing off the list.
Got primer ordered today! Hopefully by this time next week, ole Hank will be all one color!
And if anybody has any suggestions on my super high zoot spoiler design, I'm all ears.
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Looking good Joe, but the 2nd pic looks illegal-the spoiler can't go past the outside edge of the rear tires. 1st pic looks good.
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Hope this clears things up a little Buddy. And thanks again for the "push". It's exactly what I needed! :cheers:
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When that's built it's going to look great and work even better.
You're on the right track Joe.
Keep at it. :cheers:
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Thanks Mikey! Your long car is coming along nicely as well!
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Hope this clears things up a little Buddy. And thanks again for the "push". It's exactly what I needed! :cheers:
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Got my spoiler template finalized tonight, and...
Last batch of mud before primer!
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Going to spend tomorrow evening sanding in hopes of primer soon!
Need to transfer my cardboard template into some wood, and do some final fitting before sending it off to be cut out of aluminum.
The good news is, between sanding breaks I should be on the Tuesday night chat for the first time in a while. Hope to see the usual suspects there!
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We'll look forward to your visit Joe. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Still get blocked plug-in.
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Darn Stan. Would be good to talk to you. It's been awhile!
Had a good chat, plenty of guys there, even though I bailed out early to continue working on Hank.
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So, the good news is all the heavy duty, hard grinding, terrible dusty, gawd I hate it sanding is done! Just have to make arrangements to clear the shop out before the primer flies. Maybe tomorrow, but more likely it'll be this weekend. We'll get it all one color, then determine if there's an major issues to worry about. If not, glazing putty the small stuff and the front end build will begin! Hopefully, it will go smoothly. I'll keep you lot well informed!
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....Just have to make arrangements to clear the shop out before the primer flies. ...
Congrats on all the progress with the car :cheers: :cheers:
One think I really liked after switching to a HF HVLP gun was no over spary on things with the primers. Still some with a clear coat.
Sum
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That a boy Joe :-D
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Thanks guys! So the fateful weekend will soon be upon me... I'm pretty sure I've got everything I need to get Hank primed. I went back over the car this evening and there's a couple of small spots I want to address before the primer flies.
In the mean time, I did a little research into how to build my push bar. I'm thinking I'll go with one of these units...
https://www.omnitrack.us/mediumduty/top-flange-ball-units-MS-m.php
to avoid any undue stress on the push bar itself. The only question I have is how heavy duty does it really need to be. If I can't find a good answer, I'll just use the old engineering principal I refer to as the "tractor factor". I'll just get the biggest baddest one they make and cross my fingers. If anyone has some input on this I'm all ears.
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I just checked that link.
Now I know what's on the Speed Demon.
I have no knowledge but I'd guess a bar/tube that matches the housing would be your first option.
Good luck with the primer. :cheers:
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Looking VERY good Joe!
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look around at push bars, they don't need to be fancy, just functional. Here is what we use, it is a skate wheel mounted on the bar. Max did a similar with a aluminum wheel.
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look around at push bars, they don't need to be fancy, just functional. Here is what we use, it is a skate wheel mounted on the bar. Max did a similar with a aluminum wheel.
I have a few xtras of those if needed.
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As simple as it is, that's a really cool piece Stainless!
Thanks Trent! Being the avid skateboarder that I am, I've got plenty as well!
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As simple as it is, that's a really cool piece Stainless!
Thanks Trent! Being the avid skateboarder that I am, I've got plenty as well!
I have some left from my fruitbootin days. :oops:
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Trent, that's funny man! Haven't heard that phrase in a day or two!
Well, the fateful day has come and gone, and I'm proud to say that ole Hank looks pretty good! There's a few areas that will need some more attention, but all in all it turned out pretty good for a race car!
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I did some rust converter on the insides of the rear fenders first, then we wiped the whole car down.
First coat...
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...and the fenders
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And then the second coat...
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I'm going to give the rear wheel wells one more coat of rust converter, then get the rear fenders put on for good. Like I said, there's a few areas that will need a little more work. then the next step is building the front clip!
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I'm diggin' it. :cheers: Wayno
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:cheers:
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There's something about a car on wheels with the body a single color. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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I totally agree PJ! Still have a long way to go, but it doesn't seem nearly as far away now.
Sparky, Wayno, Thanks guys!
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Joe,
I looked about 7 posts up at the first set of photos and thought exactly what PJ did, it looks great in one color. :cheers:
I will always be impressed by the top chop! While you are at it... a coat of exterior paint on the underside of the fenders, while they are off and easy to get to, will provide further protection from the terrible assault you will bring in the future.
Looking forward to more! Great job!
Geo
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Looking good Joe
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Joe;
Those two top tubes that curve down to the front axle aren't going to do much unless you triangulate them by adding a tube from the curve back down to the chassis. Then tie the curved tubes together at the top of the curve with another tube and triangulate that lateral front bay. These additions will make your chassis far stiffer & stronger.
Clearing the headers might be a problem and the lateral tubes in the front bat may be also but you can make them removable to solve that problem.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Thanks for the input Neil.
Header clearance won't be an issue with the Jimmy. My exhaust actually runs underneath the front frame rail. What you can't see in those pictures is that those tubes go through the firewall and are tied into the cage at the dash bar. As far as lateral tubes go, There will be at least one in that location for the purpose of mounting the front end, but it will be the same diameter as the rest of the cage.
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Joe, you are lucky regarding those headers; we V8 guys are always trying to figure out how to get the headers clear of the chassis members.
Tying those top tubes to the cage is fine but the problem is the curved tube shape. One guy called curved tubes "pre-buckled tubing" and there is lots of truth to that. Any load on the front will cause the tubes to bend (buckle) and that's not a good thing in a crash. Triangulation makes the loads in the tubes either tension or compression-- where the tube is stiff & strong. Loading a tube in bending makes a weak structure.
It's a good thing to make the chassis stiff & strong in all directions. It may seem like a PITA to add a few more tubes but its easier to do it now than later. I hope I'm not being too critical.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Big Milestone Joe. :cheers:
It looks like a race car and then some.
You did good brother and I'm proud of your never say die attitude.
You have a bright future ahead.
Well done.
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Thanks Mikey!
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Neil, I have learned a few things in my tenure of being a punk kid. Granted most of them were learned the hard way...
#1 If you here the same suggestion from more than one person, they may be right.
#2 If some one that has been around a little longer than yourself tells you something, it's probably a good idea to listen.
#3... Uumm... Well maybe my list isn't as long as I thought. Any way, the point I'm trying to make is you are not being critical at all. I appreciate the input from others on this project.
With out that input I may not have made it as far as I have. So, that being said, Thank you Neil!
For the record, critical would be something along the lines of "Hey you dumb a$$ kid, why the hell did you do that? It'll never work that way ya dummy."
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If we're smart, we never stop being curious and never stop learning... no matter how old we are. I've done lots of things wrong and learned what not to do the hard way-- such as leaning over too close to my oxy-acetylene torch and setting my hair on fire. :-D
You project looks great and I'm looking forward to seeing it on the Salt.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12252.0;attach=46141;image)
I'll take a slightly different approach to the down tube area. As long as the cage area is done according to the book with well triangulated tubing I wouldn't worry about these forward tubes and the bend in them as long as the bottom rails along with these down tubes make the chassis strong enough for the job.
In a severe crash folding ahead of the cage could absorb a lot of energy. Now saying that when Hooley extended the chassis on his Stude by 2 feet and had similar down bars he added diagonals to the area we are talking about, as Niel mentioned, to help the overall chassis strength and to help supplement the load on the extended lower rails.
I don't see a problem adding diagonals in that area but with your current wheel base if the bottom rails are strong enough along with the down tubes I don't feel they are needed,
Sum
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Sumner has a good point about energy absorption in a crash but bending an already bent tube doesn't take much energy. We disagree but then it takes two to make a horse race, doesn't it?
I'd make the front structure stiff & strong by adding tubes as I've indicated it this photo. The blue tubes are the ones to triangulate the bent upper tubes, the red tubes triangulate the front, making it resistant to being pushed in sideways, and the green tube triangulates the engine bay. It might not be possible to put the green tube in place, depending on the height of your engine but if you can, it will help. A removable tube is usually used to make it possible to pull the engine from the top rather than drop it out the bottom.
Bent tube top rails are used a lot in sand rail chassis but popularity doesn't overcome basic physics. :roll:
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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... We disagree but then it takes two to make a horse race, doesn't it?
True and I'm still in the race :-D.
(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12252.0;attach=46145;image)
There is no doubt that the bracing you are showing will make the engine compartment and car stronger but will it protect the driver more? We want the car to be structurally strong enough to safely run and I think that can be accomplished without that bracing.
I'd concentrate safety wise on the driver's compartment and the cage there. The rule book doesn't show any required structure ahead of the cage for the driver. NASCAR does a pretty good job of protecting their drivers and you can see the whole fronts of the cars getting ripped off and the driver gets out and walks away,
Sum
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Try this experiment-- put a jack under the front corner (L or R, it doesn't make a difference) and raise it up enough that a wheel clears the floor. See how much the chassis flexes. When a chassis flexes (twists), nothing good happens. You don't want to build a high- speed "Flexible Flyer".
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Try this experiment-- put a jack under the front corner (L or R, it doesn't make a difference) and raise it up enough that a wheel clears the floor. See how much the chassis flexes. When a chassis flexes (twists), nothing good happens. You don't want to build a high- speed "Flexible Flyer".
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
That depends on whether the car uses front suspension. It doesn't appear that at this point the car is using front suspension although that may be just appearance as the front end isn't finished. I like suspension all round, coming from an oval track and road race background, but I know others who have run on the salt for a long time will differ.
Pete
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Joe, this is what they're saying you should do.
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Try this experiment-- put a jack under the front corner (L or R, it doesn't make a difference) and raise it up enough that a wheel clears the floor. See how much the chassis flexes. When a chassis flexes (twists), nothing good happens. You don't want to build a high- speed "Flexible Flyer".
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
That depends on whether the car uses front suspension. It doesn't appear that at this point the car is using front suspension although that may be just appearance as the front end isn't finished. I like suspension all round, coming from an oval track and road race background, but I know others who have run on the salt for a long time will differ.
Pete
Pete;
Chassis flex doesn't depend on having a suspension or not. It is the chassis itself that twists and/or bends when one corner is jacked up. Consider what happens when a car gets out of shape at speed-- weight shifts from one front wheel to the other (leaving out the rear for this example) and if the chassis is flexible you are winding up a giant spring that's going to unwind and it won't do your car's handling any good at all. Whee-- round and round we go....
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil, I fully understand that. I've been building, setting up, modifying and repairing chassis for 55 years. What I'm saying is that some cars are helped by a little chassis flex even though it's not my choice. I totally agree with your theories but there are some that don't agree with us and some of them hold enough records that I'm prepared to agree that some other approaches may work.
Pete
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No problem, Pete.
Morgan used a wooden chassis for years and it was notoriously flimsy... but it worked for them. I think they got away with that because it didn't have much power and didn't go very fast. Termites were probably their biggest problem. :-D
If someone is happy with their particular setup-- that's fine. Whatever choice anyone makes is OK. That's what makes this type of racing interesting. :cheers:
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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The car is really looking good. Are your plans to run it this year? With 93 days to go we are hard at it on the Studebaker. It is the 2 of us but we have been sending some parts out to be worked on. We are on to run this year barring any unforeseen issue. Plans are to pit close to the 4 mile mark on the course side. Come on down and pit by us or stop by to look ol Scaaty over. See ya on the salt It's all fun Don
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Thanks Don! :cheers: I plan on being there, with or without the car.
This build is a one man show, so we'll see how things go. Still have quite a bit to do, but I'm working every day. Family obligations and work are going to pretty much eat up the entire month of May. But, like a real good fella I know once told me, the race isn't in building the car.
I have however began to round up the material I'm going to need to build the front end! Pics to come as time allows.
And Don, I've said it once and I'll say it again, ole Scaaty is one cool ride!
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Well boys, I had a free weekend. Got the rear fenders on the car. A little shimming and a lot of wiggling, and it looks pretty darn good!
Picked up some material to start on the front clip. Gonna hit it hard tomorrow, and hopefully I'll have a pretty good idea of how it's going to look tomorrow night!
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Just a quick shot with the fenders in place. Hopefully the next time they are off, I'll be cleaning salt off the car.
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Hank looks good Joe! :cheers:
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Just a quick shot with the fenders in place. Hopefully the next time they are off, I'll be cleaning salt off the car.
Just in case you forgot how far you've come. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks Trent!
Wow! Never thought of doing that! Thanks Mikey! I guess I've made a little progress in the last year or so.
For the record, that picture was taken the night we brought ole Hank down to the shop. Seems like a hundred years ago. I want to throw out an extra special thanks to the owner of B&T Auto for letting me build my car here and allowing it to take up valuable space in a busy repair shop. Thanks Jimmy!
Back in the shop today. Hoping to have the general shape of the front end done today! Stay tuned!
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Way to go Joe. :cheers:
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Long day of bending and shaping, but I'm pretty happy with the way things are going!
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That's special.
Joe, you are a hardcore racer IMO. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Now I can see it.
That unicorn just turned up.
Too cool.
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Well gentleman, long hours at the shop have steadily been conspiring against me. I sent Hank to her new home today.
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And before anyone looses faith, or starts to wonder what I did...
I DID NOT SELL THE CAR!
As I said earlier long hours at the shop have made it very hard to get much done on the car. So, as they say, drastic problems take drastic measures to resolve. I will be moving into a new place in the coming weeks with a very nice 20X50 shop located about 30 feet from the front door. My ever faithful sponsor Jimmy, aka the fella that owns the shop I work at, volunteered to take the car up there this afternoon.
Here's to hoping a less cramped and more relaxed work environment will lead to more progress on the car!
Thanks for all of your support throughout this project, and as I've said before...
Stay tuned!
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Whatever makes your life easier right now must be a win. :cheers:
Wise decision Joe.
Hank looks good sitting there.
Good luck at the new shop and many more hours of excitement.
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Scared me for a minute there!
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Well here it is... my little car doesn't look so big sitting there. I'll be moving the rest of my stuff over the next couple weeks and hopefully be in permanently by the middle of July!
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It doesn't look like you'll be cramped for space. Good luck with the new location. I hope it eases the build.
Pete
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Thanks guys! I'm very excited about the move! :cheers:
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Joe, the place looks like it has a good atmosphere.
Have you got the boom box in yet?. Must have great acoustics by the look of it!.
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Not quite yet Mikey, but soon my friend, very soon. :-D
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Dang Joe, you need a telescope and map to you car. :cheers:
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Greeting from Japan buddie!
Car looks good man! Wish I was there to help! Look forward to seeing more pictures! Miss ya brother!
-Jordon
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I thought that username looked awfully familiar!
Thanks brother! She's getting there. I don't have too many pictures, but things are happening.
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Joe, I guess you'll be more inspired by late August?. :-D :evil:
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Inspiration is running pretty high Mikey!
Just nothing amazing to report. Water and fuel tanks are in the works, front end is coming along nicely, Ordered a truck load of hose and fittings for my cooling and fuel system. And on top of all that, I'm moving into the new house. Life is good.
I have been contemplating sending my cylinder head out to have it professionally ported. Anyone have any recommendations? I know it won't be a cheap process but the older I get the more I try to live by the saying my grand dad always used, which was, "A poor man can't afford to buy cheap things." I'm hoping if I can find the right guy to do this it will be the only time.
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Wes King in Eagle, ID, (near Boise) ported my slant six head. Send me a PM if you'd like more info.
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Thanks Bob! I saw the way your car ran last year. :cheers: It appears to me, your guy has a pretty good understanding of how to make a cylinder head breathe.
PM sent.
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Well, unfortunately the head I was running last year didn't survive the meet (burned through the water jacket on one of the intake runners). Had to build a new one, so that's the one that Wes ported for me this winter. We sent him the old one for him to use as a guide. We'll see how one compares with the other....
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Darn the luck. Got the info. Thanks Bob. Looking forward to seeing the car again this year. :cheers:
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So far so good. The new shop is coming together nicely, All the big puzzle pieces for my fuel system arrived today, and my water tank should be ready at the end of this week.
The next step is to disassemble the car, start painting the underside and then parts are going on for good! I've got a bit more to do inside the car but hey, I'm making progress!
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Here's a quick peek at the inside of the water tank.
I'm hoping the baffles inside will slow the water down and help improve it's efficiency.
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Looking good Joe. :cheers:
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Joe, you might want to add a piece of 1/2 alum tubing across to each side panel to prevent any buckling ,the tanks do tend to swell and this will support the side panels.Keep up the good work. :cheers:
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Thanks guys!
Glen, there are some gussets inside the tank that aren't in that picture. Should give it a little more rigidity.
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One bite at a time................
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Yes sir, Trent. Just wish I could take bigger bites...
Stupid responsibilities getting in the way of racing.
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Stupid responsibilities getting in the way of racing.????
I was once told if your sport interfered with your job, leave the job. :-D
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That's a great idea Mikey!
Now to find a very wealthy sponsor... :evil:
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Had a fairly productive weekend. Got my water tank rounded up. It turned out great! Only downside is my tape measure must be out of calibration. I measured and checked, and measured, but when I got the tank home I'll be darned it was a hair too wide. :| (And by a hair I mean a couple inches!) Not the end of the world, a little whittling and it should fit perfect.
Also wanted to show you guys how the front end is coming along. Ever forward!
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That's a neat tank Joe.
My tape measure also does that to me. :-D
That's a race car!!!
You're going to get a LOT of attention.
That's cool brother. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Don't feel bad, Joe. NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope with a big measurement error in its optics. It was later corrected.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil, That sure makes my screw up seem insignificant!
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At least you got more space for water. :-D
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That's a hell of a cow catcher you got going on there Joe, didn't know ther were salt cows in bonerville...
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The salt cows are a very real hazard on the salt Frank. Here's to hoping my design will pile a few of them up on top of the car and provide more down force.
I wonder what the Cd of a salt cow is...
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Progress is good!
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Not necessarily progress on the car, but progress nonetheless. Scored some safety gear for a smoking deal from a fellow forum member. Two less things I need to get now!
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Nice:
I need a Hans, I borrowed one the last time.
BR
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Nice Joe but what's in the box???
Bandit, Shark, Sidewinder.
A good helmet is important but you have to look the part too!. :-D
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Not sure Mikey. I just pulled it out to make sure it fit. Like a glove!
Speed Week was a bust. Spent Thursday and Friday in the pits, aka hotel parking lot, helping the Flatcad guys thrash on the car. All I can say is, what a great bunch of guys! Got home around 930 last night.
Good news is with the extra time off I'll be able to work on ole Hank interruption free.
Made a lot of progress on the front end today. After spending so much time with Buddy and crew, I have a few more ideas on packaging for my car. Things were going quite well until a piece of steel freed itself from the vice and busted me in the face. Glasses went flying and I've got a pretty good cut across my nose. Luckily the girlfriend is a nurse, she'll have me fixed up good as new.
With the measuring incident involving my water tank I think it will now be located in the nose of the car. I've got to run to town in the morning for more steel. Pictures of the progress soon, I promise!
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It is all an education! just got off the phone with Tim, planning the new car.....................
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Right on Tman! I can't wait to see what Tim comes up with.
I've been busy. Took the last two days and got a bit more done on the car.
Front end is all framed up, covered with screen, and I'll be putting 'glass on it soon!
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That framework looks good Joe.
Not an easy job.
You're on a roll. :cheers:
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Thanks Mikey! It was definitely a lot more work than I though it was going to be.
The only upside to the cancellation of Speed Week is I got a couple of extra days to work on the car.
Only 360 days till Speed Week!
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Only 360?.
How cool would it be to be ready 6 weeks before and really have nothing to do but put those weary feet up and enjoy a cold somethin'.
They need to start handing out trophies to guys just for thinking of building a vehicle. :-D :-D :-D
Joe, you'll ace the test. :cheers:
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Joe
Now I understand. I was not sure until you stated it was covered in wire. I have never seen a buck made from conduit. This will be interesting to watch.
BR
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Bill, that frame work is not just a buck it will be the front end. I don't know a darn thing about composites, but I do know that if I built it out of steel it would be way to heavy.
My plan is to cover my frame work in fiberglass, using the conduit not only for shape, but strength as well. Never done anything like this before, so you may be in for quite a show!
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Mikey, that would be great! I'm going with the slow and steady approach. I've made a nice long list and just keep checking things off as I go. In theory once everything on the list is crossed off it'll be time to race.
As for the cold something, I usually have a cold Budwieser or two in the evening when I'm done working on old Hank. I sit there and drink and talk to Hank. Gotta make sure she's just as ready for all of this as I am.
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I sit there and drink and talk to Hank. Gotta make sure she's just as ready for all of this as I am.
Joe... Hank or Henrietta, it's ok to have a "boy" car... :-D
Looking good BTW, keep up the good work, looking forward to seeing "him" on the salt
:cheers:
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Thanks Stainless!
And you make a very good point. Not sure if the car is a boy or a girl yet. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Too many years of calling anything mechanical female I guess...
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That's probably a hold over from the old adage... if it has tits or wheels, sooner or later its going to give you trouble.... :roll: (did I really write that down?)
Regardless of gender... its a race car... and sooner or later its going to give you trouble...
OK girls, disregard this this post... the roll eyes means it's a joke :-D
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I'm glad you said it Stainless... :evil:
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And I want to give a special thank you to Slim. Through the "For Sale" section of the forum I have been able to gather a fair amount of safety equipment. In turn helping out some fellow racers as well as saving me a few bucks!
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Hank looks like a "Hannah" to me. :-D
Joe, if you need help on the glass work I'm in 100% as far as advice via the internet goes.
It can be tough trying to advise that way but if I can save you from the pitfalls and show you a few short cuts and tricks
it would only be a pleasure.
The big trick is to go to bed at night without itching.
I can see a "less" complicated solution for cladding the front end without too much suffering. :cheers:
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Any help you can spare would be great Mikey! I only know a little about the stuff.
And I darn sure don't want to be going to bed every night trying to itch my skin off!
Feel free to email, text, call, morse code, Pony Express, anything. If you have some ideas and some ways to save me some grief, then I am all ears!
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I'll email you later. :wink:
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Mike, got your email. I have a few questions. I will definitely be in touch.
Had a good weekend. My new girlfriend has been very supportive of my habit, but requires one weekend a month devoted to her. I gladly accommodated her request this weekend. Although I did do some more shopping for safety gear.
Good news is when I get the car finished I'll actually be able to drive it! Fire suit, shoes, gloves, etc. is all en route!
Got a wee bit more to do on the front frame work and then I'll be doing the 'glass work. I'd like to get that all done before the weather begins to cool off.
Managed to borrow a very nice JD Square tubing bender. I've got some more tube work to do. Mostly building supports on the front of Hank for the new front clip.
I'm also going to put the engine back in Hank and figure out some packaging of the different tanks and such. Stay tuned!
Only 355 days left!
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I had a one weekend a month deal with a new girl friend,
23 years later and she doesn't even want to see me for 5 minutes. :evil: :-D :-D :-D :-D
Good to hear you have someone to share the passion with.
I'm here when you need me. Good one on the safety equipment. :cheers:
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23 years... Right on Mike! If that's the case, it looks like you and I are on the same plan. I'm just a few years behind you. This gal sure is something great. First woman I've ever had in my life that is not only understanding of my "problem" but supportive as well. Here's to hoping we make it as long as you have Mikey! :cheers:
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Joe-
Sorry I didn't get to meet you at "2014 Speed Weak".
How are you going to back up your fiberglass over the framework?
Will Willis
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I agree Will. I was looking forward to it.
As far as the front end goes, what I don't have pictured is the layer of screen I've been methodically putting over the frame work. Picture screen door screen but with a coarser pattern. (If that makes any sense) I've tack welded the screen over my frame work. My next step is to put a layer of 'glass on the outside of the frame. Let it cure a bit, and flip the whole thing over and do a layer inside. Once that's set up, I'll put another one or two layers on the outside, sand it, paint and... Viola! I'm off to the races!
Now if it all works out that way I will be a very happy camper. But you know what they say about "the best laid plans of mice and men"
I'm hoping that the frame work will add quite a bit of rigidity to the front end. Right now it is very easy for one guy to move around. We'll see what happens when it's all done...
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Sounds like your plan of attack will work but you should give Joe Timney a call a Delaware Chassis Works (302) 378-3013.
Get him to explain how he did the front end of Dave and Mike Maty's Time Bomb Camaro:
(http://delawarechassisworks.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/561621_174044786131079_2064231237_n.jpg)
Gregg
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Joe, give me a call if you need a hand........on the car or womenfolk...........Carla and I just had our 20th Anniversary with a couple tacked on in the beginning.
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Right on Trent! Congrats man. I know it's been awhile. I'll give you a shout soon!
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Well, the nose is all screened up and ready for some 'glass. I'm more than a little nervous about this process. I've got a lot of time in this part and I darn sure don't want to ruin it. Or worse yet get all the 'glass laid and end up with it looking like a cobblestone street.
Wish me luck! I'm moving on to some other stuff this week and hopefully be doing the fiberglass this weekend. Gotta make a run to Montrose, about 20 miles down the road, to get cloth and epoxy resin.
This is a terrible picture, but after some fiddling, it's the best one I could get that would show the screen stretched over the frame.
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Joe, you amaze and inspire me. :cheers:
Only advice I can give is to put a very, very lightweight fabric over your part followed by a layer of peel ply.
Let it cure completely. Next day peel the ply from the job and you can go heavier fabric wise.
That way you won't get sagging. You'll be OK. :wink:
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I'm not a fiberglass guy... but I have had to build a few things with it, so you glass pros should chime in here... I would probably use a very light cloth for the first few layers so it does not weight down the screen until you have some more structure. A peel ply will reduce your sanding requirements....
OK, now the real glass guys should jump in here :cheers:
Good, Mike types faster than I do.... he has credibility
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It's amazing how this web site has helped so many and answered so many questions. When one looks into the archives to see builds and others offer additional suggestions to make the job easier and other shortcuts during fabrication makes logging onto this site totally worthwhile. Even when on the road having a smartphone to look at while taking a break makes the trip shorter. Finding parts or people is a simple as typing and getting answers is awesome. It has brought our world of LSR much closer. :cheers:
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That's what I was thinking too. Thanks for the input guys. good to know I'm on the right track.
Mike, that comment means a lot coming from you! Your work always blows me away. Thank you!
Glen, I'm grateful for all the information and all the contacts I have made through this site. I can guarantee my build would not be progressing the way it has with out it!
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The only thing about peel ply is the force its going to take to pull off. With only a thin layer of glass there and the wire mesh, the force applied could deform the wire mesh. That being said I've dealt with different peel ply's that require different amounts of force to remove.
I’m wondering if you stick the first layer consolidate; remove excess resin and air bubbles let it cure to the ‘green’ stage then do the next layer. Green stage is basically partially cured, but stiffener then freshly laid. This way you can progressively add more material without using peel ply initially. The idea is to get a couple layers that can sustain the peel ply removal without damage. Maybe Mike can chime in on this idea.
On another note.
I'm concerned that you're committing your frame to the layup process. If something goes wrong it’s going to be a mess to correct. I've done a similar technique with wire mesh many years ago but after the wire work was done I covered with masking tape then lay'd up the part in a single shot, it was rigid enough to take the weight unlike your case. Instead of masking tape I would recommend aluminum duct tape. Basically you would cover the entire wire structure with the aluminum tape, and then spray PVA, and layup. The aluminum tape will give you a nice smooth surface and also add some stiffness to the wire mesh, it also has the benefit of not bonding to the glass, although I still use PVA over it so it pulls off easier.
After the part is lay’d up you’d release it from the tool. Remove the tape and wire mesh from your frame then bond the body panel to the tubular frame with 3M Scotch Weld and rivets.
Sorry if this clouds your thinking, just want provide some of my experience.
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Josh has a point but both of us are talking like Joe already knows the trade.
Scrap the peel ply idea. Get some micro balloons from your resin supplier.
Pour some into an old stocking (not the Christmas kind).
When the resin is tacky to the touch hold the stocking on the thin end and shake it over the part.
It will deposit a layer of micro balloons across the part and when everything is cured you'll be able to lay up the next layer without having to sand.
You'll get a good mechanical bond.
News flash. Josh and I are going into business. We "have rollers, will travel". :-D
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If that's the case Mike, grab Josh, and head on over my way. Colorado is beautiful this time of year. We've got a spare room, and I'll feed ya a few cold beers and a good steak or two.
I'm guessing my week long project would take you two less than half the time.
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Thanks for the offer Joe. If I could I'd be there. :cheers:
The mesh idea is actually better than you think.
You taught me something. :wink:
I have faith in you. You'll do fine.
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Moving right along, I finally overcame my tape measure woes last night. I removed the bar in the cage that I DID NOT take into consideration when measuring for my water tank. Put the water tank where I had initially planned and reinstalled the bar. I even had enough fore thought to position the bar where I could get the tank in and out easily!
I also came up with an excellent solution to my rear firewall problem, maybe not so much a problem as a lack of rear firewall. I'll keep you all posted.
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Joe, that's a well thought out build.
The finish is marvelous. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Not sure if it's well thought out Mikey, or if I'm just good at covering my a$$ when I screw up. :roll:
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That's what building one of the salty cars is all about.
My experience so far. :-D
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Looking good Joe!
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Well, no fiberglass this weekend. My supplier didn't get the epoxy resin in. I guess you'll have that from time to time.
Good news is I'm making headway elsewhere. Made quite a bit of progress in the rear firewall department, as well as turning an original wet sump pan into a snazzy dry sump unit. I'll try to get some pictures up tomorrow.
Having the car close to home has been one of the best things that could have happened to this build!
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Here's the oil pan. I forgot to take pictures of the rear firewall project, but it's turning out great!
These are the before pics of what the stock pan looked like...
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And a few as it was going together...
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You do nice work Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks Mike!
Lots of progress, but no pictures... :roll: Parts for my cylinder head are here. The head is going together this weekend then it will be sent off for some serious flow bench attention. Special thanks to BobDCuda for the info there! Going to get a combustion chamber mold soon so pistons can be made.
Rear firewall is in and done, first round of 'glass is on the front end, and fire suppression is en route. Overall things are moving along nicely. I've managed to find a home for the major components in the front of the car, as well as modify a SBC dry sump drive to work on the Jimmy. More engine parts are arriving daily. My next big hurdle will be to fab up a mount for the dry sump pump.
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Things are going pretty well! Racing against the cooler weather now. I'm hoping to get a majority of the 'glass laid before it's too cold in the shop to do so. I've got too much going to list but I figure I owe you guys a few pictures.
I have managed to locate a tech inspector fairly close to me. After a bit of a bribe to include, but not limited too, promises of cold beer and a good steak I'll have the car looked over. If everything passes muster I'll begin to put everything together for what we all know will not be the last time.
I spent a fair amount of time cleaning up the cowl of the car. It's definitely not a critical area performance wise, but I just couldn't take the way it looked any longer. After a few hours I'm much happier now.
Moving right along...
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すごい!!! Car is looking awesome man! Love the Oil pan! Fire wall looks sick! Miss you brotha!
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Boo ya Joe, progress :cheers:
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Yes, Tim likes a good beer, bribe well spent.
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You're making great progress Joe.
Well done man. It looks great. :cheers:
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One more picture for you guys. It's my front end. Not exactly sure what unfinished fiberglass is supposed to look like, but the shape is exactly what I had envisioned!
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Yup, that's how unfinished glass looks!
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Joe, you don't give yourself enough credit. :wink:
You're a talented guy.
In one post you say you have an idea to clad the front end and now there's an image
of the work you did.
That wasn't an easy process and from the pic it looks very good.
Awesome. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Right on guys! Thanks!
Spent the weekend getting fire bottle brackets made and bottles located. Thanks again to Bill @ Parkland Autosport!
Fuel tank brackets are made. I'm working on the filler neck and plumbing now.
Lots more to do but the list is getting shorter. Almost two years in now, and it's starting to look like I'll make it!
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I had an inspector over the other night. I was a little nervous, but it seemed to go pretty well. Hank was checked out from stem to stern, and with the exception of a few minor things that need to be added or reworked, everything else checked out great!
I even got a crash course in filling out the entry sheet, and a nice lecture about not screwing anything up on said sheet ie; transposing numbers, etc...
All in all it was a very good evening and I feel much better about the car and some of the actual processes I'll be going through to actually run this contraption.
Ever forward... I'm finishing things up inside the car. Now all I have to do is everything else.
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Congrats on the inspection, onward and upward. You'll be going fast before you know it.
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I sure hope so Frank!
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Successfully made all the recommended changes and additions to the car, that the inspector pointed out. I've managed to get the interior all painted and I've been working on a bunch of other things in the mean time. Haven't had much time for updates, the shop has been unusually busy for this time of year. Here is a couple quick pictures...
First two are of the inside of the car...
The third is of the wheel for the push bar.
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I also began working on some door handles for the car. Got in touch with my brother whom, 1. Owns a decent sized CNC machine. 2. Has a tendency to over engineer things. 3. Is the smartest redneck I have ever met.
We spent some time discussing my failed attempts. I shouldn't say they were failures, the functioned well but weren't the prettiest looking things. Long story short, in the time it took me to have a beer he took my dimensions and sent me these...
I think these will work just fine!
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I like your interior Joe. Too many people paint the interior black or at least a dark color. The lighter color not only makes it easier to see inside the car for working on stuff that's hard enough to see anyway because of all the awkward angles caused by the roll cage but also makes it easier to see missed welds and cracks. Well done. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
It's nice to have a little talent within the family to draw on when you need to. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Pete said it all.
Great stuff Joe. We must be linked somehow.
Every time you make some progress so do I. :-D
Hank looks awesome and even the redneck from Africa can see it. :cheers:
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Thanks guys!
Mike, I grunt and groan about trying to get stuff here in rural Colorado, I can't imagine what it must be like for you. Keep it up man, eventually we'll both have something to show for all this hard work! :cheers:
PJ, I've been a professional mechanic for a lot of years and the biggest gripe I have is never having enough light to be able to see what the hell you're doing. I hope I won't have to be working on ole Hank to terribly often but when I do, it'll sure be nice to have the extra light. That being said, the bottom of the car is painted the same light grey, for the exact same reason.
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おはよう!!!!!!!
Dude! Car is looking awesome! Love that front end man! I will have you some door handle arrows printed up soon and send them to you brotha! Wish I was there to help ya! Keep it up and ill see you at Bonneville!
-Jordon
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I agree with everyone on the super build and we are on first name basis with the UPS people getting parts to us as well. Not much pickens in St,.George.
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Progress continues... Had to take the day off Sunday to clean and reorganize the shop. Seemed like every tool I had was laying somewhere other than the tool box. The shop looks great, and in the process an excellent photo opportunity arose. While sweeping I needed a temporary home for the front clip of ole Hank, only one place seemed obvious...
Talked to my brother this afternoon and was informed my snazzy door handles are not only completed, but in route.
Things are buzzing right along. At this point my only area of concern is the engine. Building a rowdy street motor takes time, and this little GMC is going to be so much more than that. There are just too many things that I need to depend on others to get handled in a timely fashion. And maybe I'm just stressing, Who knows.
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Joe, Amy says Wow. I say booya boy. Hank lookin good with his nose haning out. Keep pecking away, grab a beverage of choice and take in what you have accomplished.
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Hank is going to surprise a lot of people.
It looks fast just standing there.
Joe, you did good. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Joe, can you get a full on side profile shot? :cheers:
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:cheers: Thanks a bunch guys! I really appreciate all the kudos and thumbs ups! :cheers:
Lemme see what I can do Trent. The nose will be coming off this evening, so I'll try to get you one before that.
I managed to get a few things done this weekend. Namely, making the passenger door work properly. The driver side was a breeze, but the passenger door has been a nightmare. Latch not working, hinges bent, etc. Just another pleasantry of dealing with a very well abused car that's 65 years old...
I'll try to get a few more pictures for you lot this evening.
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Profile pictures as promised...
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That really looks great.
Well done Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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:-D :cheers: :cheers:
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I spent a little time in the shop last night working on my door handles. I am not a machinist by an stretch of the imagination, but I do enjoy playing around and pretending to know what I'm doing. That being said it doesn't take much to impress me when it comes to a lathe or a mill. Let's cut to the chase...
I have a small lathe that suits my skill level and my needs very well. After a bit of research, I picked up a scissor type knurler and thought I would try my hand at making the business end of my door handles...
First off, I completely disregarded the advice to practice on a scrap piece of material, yeah I'm a rebel. I set the knurler up, guessed at the chuck speed and feed rate, and viola!
A little time putting a radius on one end, and I must say, I'm pretty happy with the finished product. I'll post a picture or two this evening of everything all assembled and installed.
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I'd say you're a natural.
Just imagine if you played Baseball?. :wink:
Nice job Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Yup, some folks just get lucky. then there me. Good job. Now remember how ya did it. :cheers:
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Now Frank, you just chucked my "I know what I'm doing" right out the window! I was hoping I'd remember how to come up with the same results more than once, but you had to come out and say it. :-D
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And here's my handles all installed and ready for action.
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I'm liking the progress Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Sorry gang, it's been a while. I've been hard at it, and things are progressing nicely. Just thought I'd throw a few pictures out there for all of you to enjoy.
There have been two major developments. Number one, my cylinder head is in the capable hands of Wes King. Number two, I have managed to acquire a pretty decent tow rig.
Any way, here's some pics! Enjoy them, I've got work to do!
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Thanks PJ! :cheers:
Here's a few more. Belly pan, fuel cell, and a few other things.
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Just a couple more. I am currently putting stiffeners and 'drain holes' into the rear portion of the belly pan. Things are moving right along!
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This car is kickass!!
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Now there's a man that knows how to compliment a car... Thanks Brad! Ole Hank has come a long way.
I'm a big fan of your 'liner!
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20 years from now people will be talking about a legendary builder in Colorado.
His name is Joe Christian. That's it. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
God Bless you brother.
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Jeez Mikey, I'm starting to blush over here. :-D
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Yike Joe, when you get on a roll, you roll. :cheers:
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Hey guys! Still hard at it. Only 200 days until go time. I haven't posted in a while, so I'll try to get you all up to speed.
First set of pics is the belly pan. This thing turned out to be way more work than I ever thought it would be.
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Now I had to put some type of "drain holes" below the engine as per the rules. In my mind a regular old round hole would be exactly that, and we can't have old Hank being plain jane.
I did a little bit of thinking and decided that a bunch of louvers would look cooler. Now being the metal worker that I am... (Hopefully you see the sarcasm there). I took it up myself to figure out how to hammer out some louvers. I made a little jig to put on my work bench, cut the slots in the sheet metal, and commenced to hammering. Quite a few hours later, and Viola!
They aren't absolutely perfect by any stretch, but I think they look pretty damn good for my first foray into the world of metal shaping.
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Now I just had to figure out how to bolt the darn thing to the car.
The large brackets at the rear of the belly pan that you can see in the first set of pictures bolt to the frame underneath the cowl of the car. The front of the belly pan bolts to the rear of nose piece. If that makes sense... Basically the back of the big part in front where my fuel cell now lives. Now, the front of the car has to be removable to load and unload the car. Unless somebody has 75 foot long trailer ramps I could borrow. I realized that if I take that part off, the rear half of the belly pan will be flapping in the breeze and getting hung up on everything in the world. Time for plan B, build some brackets off of the frame rails to support the belly pan when the nose piece and fuel cell have been removed.
I'm pretty happy with how they turned out, and I think that they are stout enough that I should have any problems if the car bottoms out going on or off of the trailer.
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After a few beers, I mean a bit of engineering analysis. I decided that there should probably be some gussets where the nose piece attaches to the front of the car. And going with the "speed holes" theme, I built and install these.
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I also devised a way to mount the filters for my dry sump system...
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After a another shorter round of analysis, I decided that it would probably be a good idea to powder coat all of these front end parts. I'm hoping it will at least give them a fighting chance against the salt. Besides, I needed that belly pan out of the way because I'm plumbing brakes. I tore the whole front end down last night. Parts are going to the powder coater this after noon, and in the mean time I'll finish up the brakes.
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The interior of the car is going together as well, I just didn't think to take any pictures for you all.
I've got all my gauges, chute release, fire bottle controls, seat and other assorted interior goodies buttoned up. Things are moving along very nicely. Only 200 days,and things are looking good!
I hope to have my cylinder head back in a few weeks. Once we have that the engine will start to go together.
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Joe, I'm blown away.
You're a legend. :-D :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Joe,Ol' Hank is looking great. Your progress is amazing. The only negative comment I have is those "speed holes" in the sqare tubing gussets look to me like "salt catchers". Cleaning the area out in a timely manner may prove to be problematic.
Overall you're blowing me away. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Thanks guys!
PJ, I thought the same thing about those gussets, that's why the back side is open. :-D What appears to be square tubing is actually three pieces of flat bar welded together and shined up to look like one piece.
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I hadn't been following your thread until today Joe. Looking good man!
You think it is getting out this race season?
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Go Hank, GO. :cheers:
Steve.
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I'm sure hoping so Brandon. Three years is a long time to wait, but I don't have to tell you and Rob that! It's looking promising. So much so, that if things keep progressing they way they are I'll be ponying up the dough for a pre-registration in a few months!
Thanks Steve! Speaking of going, Steve, will we get to see the Salty Frog with a little more grunt under the hood this year?
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I have been working with 2 other guys, and we recently formed an LLC partnership. I haven't announced the full plans yet. Our group has a face to face meeting tonight (about money). Once some money changes hands, I'll be in a better position to share the rest of our plans.
In any event, I will not be on the salt in 2015, but hope to return in 2016.
More details to follow.
Steve.
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:cheers: :cheers: Great to hear Steve! All the best, and I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve! :cheers: :cheers:
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So I have a very large portion of my car being powder coated as we speak.
One more piece of the puzzle showed up this morning. After a very long and thorough look at all my options I decided on a Davies Craig EWP for my cooling system. Hoping it will live up to its reputation.
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I will be very interested to hear your impressions of the Davies-Craig pump. That is the most likely path I'm going to take for my 2 liter MB engine. They have an excellent reputation.
Steve
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What, it's not an electric turbo??? interested in you results as well as I see a water tank in my future.
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Looking good Joe!
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Thanks Trent! I'll be in touch soon for some fittings for my cooling system.
Still making progress. The weather is supposed to be decent this weekend so I plan on doing quite a bit. It's hard to keep a shop warm when its below freezing outside!
I had a friend machine an aluminum plate to mount the water pump. There was no solid way to mount the pump, and I don't feel comfortable just letting it hang from the hoses. If this mount works out, I'll have a cnc program to duplicate it. Should come in handy for anyone else running a Davies-Craig pump.
I'll try to get some pictures up for you lot this weekend.
Wish me luck! :-D
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I hope the weather gives you a break Joe. :cheers:
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Thanks Mike!
While the rest of the country is getting rain, and snow, it has been unusually warm here for the last few days. I managed to spend a fair bit of time on ole Hank this weekend. Got my water pump mounted, battery box sorted, brakes plumbed and bled, and a truckload of miscellaneous electrical bits ordered. My plan this fall was to have everything done on the car I possibly could, so when the spring and summer rolled around I wasn't loosing my mind trying to be ready by August. I must say that, so far, my plan seems to be working out well. I hope to start wiring the car this week!
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I definitely like the progress you are making.
The water pump mount looks very solid. I might be a customer for just such a pump bracket
Steve
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Steve, The mount you can see I fabbed onto the motor mount stand. Take a look at the back side of the pump on Davies-Craigs website. The piece I had machined mounts to the outer flange of the pump with some small socket head bolts. It's about an inch thick, and it allows a guy the real estate to drill and tap it so you can mount the pump anyway you would like. I used four 1/4-20 socket heads and bolted it right to the steel flange hanging off of my motor mount. My biggest problem was finding a home for the darn thing. The dry sump setup takes up a lot of space and it took some doing to put the pump low enough that it wouldn't get air locked, and still have plenty of space for oil lines, filters, and the like.
If you look really close in the last picture, you can see the aluminum 'mount' I had made for the pump.
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Joe the car is looking great.
Not long now.
You're making good progress. :wink: :cheers:
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Thanks Mikey!
Things are going well. I've been wiring a lot of the car in the last week or so. I've managed to get everything routed and connected inside. I need to get the battery installed, and hook up the constant duty solenoid that will power everything else. There sure is a lot of wires for such a simple car. I have everything ran through a pretty trick bulkhead connector to the engine compartment. It has plenty of room too add or delete circuits as needed.
The other big update is we are currently in the process of building our own data logging system for the car. My kid brother, the one that built my cool guy door handles, is almost too smart for his own good. We began talking about it over a beer a few weeks ago and what started out as an O2 sensor quickly evolved into a full fledged system with TPS, vehicle speed, drive shaft speed, coolant temp, and a few other pertinent parameters. All the data will be stored on an SD card which can be removed and plugged into a laptop. He is currently writing the program to decipher it all now. As long as it works, and we can do something useful with the data, I think it will be a great addition to the car.
My plan all winter has been to have 90 percent of the car done by the time the weather turns warmer. I hope to have everything done with the exception of body, paint, and tuning the engine by mid May. Wish me luck, and stay tuned!
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Car looks awesome man! I'm getting excited to come home and listen to some JOB, pound whiskey, and watch you throw a nasty salt rooster tail behind this beauty! See you in 6 months brotha! Keep up the good work! Remember.... I love you and I'm counting on you hahahahah :mrgreen: :cheers:
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Great news Joe. :cheers:
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Joe, you do very nice work!
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I appreciate that Rob!
I know how you lot are with pictures, so here's a couple. The interior wiring is almost finished, under hood stuff is going to have to wait until I get the engine installed. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how things are progressing. I hope to have the rest of the interior finished in the next couple of days.
The second pic isn't anything special, just wanted to show the bulkhead connector I was talking about.
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What a nice clean build and the wiring is very neat and simple. Oh that more would do the same.
The light coloured interior is a great example of how things should be done. It's easy to work on and more pleasant to drive as well as being much easier when checking for cracks or other faults.
Very well done Joe. You set a fine example for others. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Excellent work!
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Nice progress!
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Thanks guys!
I took a bit of a hiatus this weekend to help a friend who is putting an LS into a rock crawler that is bound for Easter Jeep Safari in Moab. The engine was already installed and I was called in to mate the factory Jeep harness to the LS engine harness. Pretty straight forward task. I really should have spent the weekend on Hank, but the distraction allowed me to put a few extra bucks into the Henry J fund.
I should have some more parts back from the powder coater today. In the mean time I've been plumbing as much as of the car as I can. There's a few odds and ends I need to wrap up, and soon enough I'll be on to the final body work, and getting ole Hank prepped for paint!
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Very clean and well organized work! The devil is in the details, and it looks like you have it sorted out. :evil:
I like the bulkhead fittings.
Steve.
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Just a quick update. I've been a block sanding fool for the better part of two weeks now. I sure thought ole Hank was a lot straighter than it is. I guess the block doesn't lie. If all goes well I'll be ready for the second coat of primer by this weekend!
Wheels are back from the powder coater, and the engine is well on its way!
Only 127 days left...
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Rock on Joe :cheers:
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No envy from me on the sanding.
You wish you could pay someone to do that!!! :-D
Joe, it looks great.
You do such nice work.
God Bless you man. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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I have been working with 2 other guys, and we recently formed an LLC partnership. I haven't announced the full plans yet. Our group has a face to face meeting tonight (about money). Once some money changes hands, I'll be in a better position to share the rest of our plans.
In any event, I will not be on the salt in 2015, but hope to return in 2016.
More details to follow.
Steve.
Steve,
I am interested in doing the LLC thing sometime in the future. I realize you do not want to reveal your plans and I totally understand. With that said, would you consider explaining how your team came to a consensus on what class, engine size, design, etc.?
Thanks,
Skip
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The plans for the actual race vehicle are not a secret. We are chasing diesel truck records for now. It was the partnership that I didn't want to share details about, until the money was in place and the ink was on the paper. King, Hake, and Menendez, LLC. is the new entity, registered in the state of Missouri.
As far as the race vehicle, I already had the #672 H/DT. The early successes with that truck attracted one of the partners. The other guy was already on board. We have some fantastic sponsors, namely F-Tune Performance, Dieselmeken AB, and Bauman Oil as primary sponsors. We absolutely could not move forward without their support and expertise.
We spent some time brainstorming which other classes we could run, and assessing our chances for new records. We decided to stick with DT for now, just going up in displacement. The truck will be a G/DT the next time it's seen on the salt. There is also room for an F-class Diesel engine under the hood. Additionally, we may chase some of the gasoline mini-truck records with this Rampage. After that....it's anybody's guess.
Steve.
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Steve,
Thanks for sharing.
Skip
PS- I promise not to hi-jack lsrjunkie's great build thread anymore :dhorse:
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:-D No sweat Skip. :-D
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Good news is that the body work is done! Ole Hank will be getting a second coat of primer tomorrow morning. I'll block the second coat Sunday, and hopefully we'll be ready for paint.
Had my brother down from WA this week and we went through the data logger that he built. We've got TPS, HO2S, GPS Speed, Rear Wheel Speed, an ECT. It all downloads to an SD card every 300mS. Yank the card out, stuff it in a laptop, and Viola! You have a great big table of info that you can graph and do all kinds of neat stuff with.
My cam blank arrived yesterday. Thanks to Joe Panek @ Rotofaze.
I managed to get my engine guy in on this project and he's agreed to cover the engine stuff in exchange for a few rides on the salt!
My fuel system is sorted, and my ignition system will be coming in the next week or so. Ole Hank is getting closer every day!
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Here's a quick teaser of the colors I finally decided on for Hank...
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Good to hear you're almost ready for color.
I think you chose wisely on that orange.
Great color. Can't wait to see the finished
product. :cheers:
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Thatll definitely stand out on the salt Joe. Nice choice
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Thanks guys! It's taken me a couple years to finally decide what colors to go with, now I just hope it will look as good in person as it does it my head.
We got Hank all primered up, (again) over the weekend, little more blocking and it'll be ready for paint.
The next major undertaking will be my front clip... Stay tuned.
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Your progress continues to look good Joe. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
It's fun to go back to page 1 and look at the original car. The chop looks so right. The proportions are so much better than the original.
Pete
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Thanks PJ! I find myself going back to the first page any time I feel like I haven't accomplished much up to this point. It sure helps the motivation!
This round of blocking should go much quicker. I hope to have her all sealed and ready for paint by this weekend. I'm starting to run out of time. I now know what all of you mean by the last minute "thrash"!
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Awesome deal Joe!!!!!.
You've come a long way but you're over the worst of it now.
Hank looks even cooler in primer. :cheers:
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I like the green & orange a lot!
Any chance of getting "Classic & Antique" or other similar license plates so that you can occasionally drive it on the street?
Steve.
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Can't wait to see it in orange!
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Thanks Trent!
Steve, you are not the first guy to suggest this. As a matter of fact one gentleman in particular isn't very happy about me making it a race car only. He thinks Hank would look much better on the street, and I kind of agree with him. Alas, Colorado roads are far from smooth and I'm fairly confident I'll need substantially more ground clearance than I have now. Well, that and a radiator, and lights, and signals, and... You get where I'm going with this.
I completely forgot to show you guys how the wheels turned out. This picture is of the rear wheel. I had the moon discs done the same so that the fronts will match. I also plan on doing all my lettering and numbers in the same green. FYI its 2014 Camaro Synergy Green...
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Yep Joe, dat be GREEN :-D
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Kermit green
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The wheels look fantastic! I'm sure that Hank will look great in orange, with green highlights. POW!
Parts really take on "life" when some color is sprayed!
Awesome project.
Steve.
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I don't want to hijack your thread, but just want to re-affirm that I think green & orange look good together....
(http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Jetmugg/Dodge%20Rampage/DSC_1804_zpsd67dfc3f.jpg)
(http://i468.photobucket.com/albums/rr44/Jetmugg/Dodge%20Rampage/DSC_1766_zps5ec9a15a.jpg)
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Thanks Steve!
I sure dig that little truck of yours!
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Hey Joe, whatcha been doing? How's progress?
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Howdy Bob! Things are moving right along. BTW thanks again for the lead on the cylinder head guy! Wes is awesome to work with and did an excellent job! The engine is almost screwed together, the car is finally ready for paint, and I've been working on the fiberglass nose . Sorry no pictures.
I am all registered up SpeedWeek, so the thrash is on!
I hope to have the car all painted up in the next week or two. Then all I have left is everything else!
I noticed that my front tires have a terrible weather crack all the way around the bead. I'm a little concerned. They have been stored indoors, and out of the sun for the entire time I have owned them. I made a few calls and found that is an issue with these tires. They tell me that they will replace them at a fairly substantial discount, but it's still a little disheartening.
I'd also like to throw out a big "Thank You!" to Don Ferguson for saving my bacon with some rods and pistons. I ran into some issues with the rods that I had previously bought for the project and after a few calls Don saved the day!
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Too bad on the rubber but it may be a blessing.
Keep at it Joe. :cheers:
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Hey all! Just a quick update. Things are moving right along. I'm running out of time. I still think I'll make it, but it'll be close.
Here's a quick shot of ole Hank. Still in the shop, but looking a little different.
Wish me luck. I'm still thrashing!
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Joe, it's lookin' gooooood!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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You can do it,see you on the salt.
:cheers:
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Joe you've kept us waiting for that shot - but it was worth it. Nice! Good luck on getting it all put together in time - hopefully six more weeks will be enough.
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Joe, you're entered Right? You'll make it. :cheers: Wayno
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There was a Henry J at Elmo last week end.
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Steve:
Every year for every racer July is a thrash month. Seems you plan all year and it always turns out that way. I believe in you and Hank will get Salty this August!
I had a friend that told me just do something every night and you will get it done.
Looking forward to seeing the J on the salt.
BR
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Way to go!!!!!.
Incredible.
You and Hank are going to be famous.
I guarantee that 100%.
You'll do it Joe.
You're over the hump now. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Thanks a lot guys!
Wayno, I pre-registered in hopes that would give me a little extra motivation. It seems to be working!
Bill, I have been using the, "do one thing every night" mantra for some time now, and that too, seems to be working!
Wish me luck! 43, and some change, more days!
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I saw the Henry J in El Mirage and thought of you and Hank, Joe. Keep plugging away at it
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Frankie, Did you happen to get any pictures of the little guy?
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Joe, if you look on the SCTA site under June Photos, Stewart Harnick got a shot in the lights. Photo number 117/187 is it. Also important is he got mine, too. 92/187 :-D Wayno
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Zane McNary (landspeedphotos.com)got some good shots. Sunday, pages 4 and 5. Wayno
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:cheers:hank be dressed for the dance
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Thanks Wayno! Pretty cool little car! For some reason, mine looks a little different... :evil:
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(http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12252.0;attach=51866;image)
Wow, looks great :cheers: :cheers:. We will be headed up on either Wed. or Thur. from my place so maybe see you on the way there,
Sum
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Thanks guys! The car is covered with clear coat since the last picture. I have gotten a bunch done, but there's still more to do. I managed to get my rear end setup, braces for the fenders, shift boot, parachute and release cable, and a ton of other little knick knack projects done over the last few days. I should have windows cut and installed soon as well.
The inside of the car is complete!
I've been a fiberglass laying fool as well. I've managed three layers on the front end so far, with another three to come this week. I'm hoping to get the nose all smoothed out and painted very soon. I'm running out of time quickly, but things are moving right along!
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Looking good all shined up!
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No comment!!!!!!
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Su weet :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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There have been some recent rumblings here in Western Colorado that do not bode well for running ole Hank this year.
Long story short, the shop is extremely busy and we are very short handed. My leaving for a week will not leave any options for the shop, they will have to be closed for that week. That coupled with the rumors of limited courses, poor salt conditions, and the fact that after all this time, and hard work, I don't want to take a car that I don't think is finished yet.
I'm sure I can get it all done in the next three weeks, but will it be right? And will it really be done the way I want it?
All that being said, I am offering up me pre-entry for sale. I will also put a listing in the "For Sale" section.
I haven't given up, stay tuned!!
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There's always World Finals and World of Speed.
:cheers:
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There's always World Finals and World of Speed.
:cheers:
THIS!
I REALLY enjoyed WoS last year. Debating on that again for this year!
Gregg
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Looks great joe!
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Greg,the WoS has hospitality beyond description. Never hesitate to attend their events.
In fact, look forward to that.
FREUD
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Greg,the WoS has hospitality beyond description. Never hesitate to attend their events.
In fact, look forward to that.
FREUD
Agreed!
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Just a quick update on Hank, and the whole racing team. Which I guess mainly consists of me.
Progress has slowed a bit while I catch up on all the little projects mama has for me. Kind of been blowing them off all summer... And so far I have managed to get most of them done!
I have been cleaning and reorganizing our race headquarters, aka, my little shop, and doing a bit of fiberglass work on the front end of the car.
The biggest news is that the team will have a new member around the end of October! No sponsor, or anything, but if I play my cards right I may have another driver in 16 years or so... I have a feeling this is going to be the best project I have ever been involved with!
Keep pulling for ole Hank, wish me luck with the new driver, and stay tuned!
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Staying tuned, Dad. Wayno
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:-D Thanks Wayno! :-D
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Congratulations Joe and have a blast!!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Nice Work, Joe. My `Drivers`are the best things I have ever worked on, that`s for sure...... :-)
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Joe, your new driver is payback for all the hard graft. :-D
Henry J Christian????? if it's a boy?.
God Bless all of you.
Your excitement is infectious. 8-)
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Awesome! Kids rule
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Thanks for all the kind words guys! It is greatly appreciated.
The car has been moved over in the shop and I took on a side project, like I needed one, to help cover the costs of the new driver.
Old 57 Chevy that the fella wants to turn, stop, and go like a new car. Should be a pretty easy job, and my customer has the budget to do it right. If it all works out I should make enough to help with the new little guy and even have a little left over to throw at ole Hank!
Three more weeks and the driver will be here, although I'm afraid I'm going to have to change the driving position in Hank if the little guy gets too ambitious...
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I find that I get sent these type lifelines just when I need it most.
Good one Joe.
The client came to the right guy. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
No better way to fund the new little guy IMO. :wink:
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Joe, what's the latest?.
You've been quiet bro. :cheers:
God Bless.
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Hey Mikey!
Things are going well. I have managed to get my shop organized and setup the way I want it. I built a couple more work benches and installed about ten more fluorescent lights to brighten things up. It's only taken me a year... Although I really need to get the stove put in to keep things warm out there this winter.
Got the '57 I mentioned earlier in the shop a couple weeks ago and started tearing it down. It should be a pretty good project. The car is in really good shape so that is going to make my job a lot easier.
But the biggest thing is that I've been counting down the days until my little sidekick arrives. He should be here around the end of next week, and I can honestly say I've never been so excited and scared to death at the same time. The one thing I have learned is that a pregnant woman requires quite a bit of attention.
Here's a shot of the old Chevy I'm doing up, and as soon as I meet my new driver, I'll be sure to let you guys know!
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Awesome progress on the shop and it looks great.
Well done.
Hang in there, you'll handle everything just fine. :cheers: :cheers:
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Shop does look awesome! I'm really exited for you. It's a very exiting time in your life! Looking forward to the news!
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Thanks guys!
Making some progress on the old 57. I'm hoping to get it done sooner than later, that should really help the funds to finish up Hank.
The other big news is that my driver finally got here. He's been here for a little over a week, and we have gone over the car together. He seems to approve of everything, and here's the smile to prove it!
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Welcome to the world, little buddy!
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Congratulations to you and your lady Joe. That's a pretty contented looking driver. Things are definitely looking up. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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COOL 8-)
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Congratulations to the Christians.
I'm happy for you and your lady.
God Bless the little guy and may he go on to greater things. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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I don't know Joe... he kinda looks like a biker... with kids you never know... either way, congrats :cheers:
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Momma and I have already had a conversation about that Stainless. She's hoping for four wheels only. Her thinking is that its a lot easier to jump a dirt bike and break your neck. As opposed to jumping, say, a go kart or a 4 wheeler.
Living out in the boonies like we do, will afford Joe Jr. (Yep, I named him after me) the luxury of go karts, 4 wheelers, and any other home made motorized contraption we can come up with. I guess I'll just keep the little guy in the shop with me as much as I can and hope for the best.
On the plus side, at least bikes are a little cheaper than cars...
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Howdy gang! Back from the dead, and still going strong. It's been a long winter here in Western CO but all is well. The 57 I've been working on is on the down hill slide, and its turning out rather nicely.
My new driver is growing like a weed, and he has got to be the happiest fella in the whole land, he's always got a smile on his face.
After much consideration, I have decided that Ol' Hank is going to sit quietly in the shop this summer while I spend some quality time with Momma. She has two boys, not counting ours, and we didn't do much last summer due to me scrambling on the car. I'm going to use this summer to try like crazy to make up for that lost time. They're only kids for so long! I will definitely be at SpeedWeek, but once again as a spectator. Our middle boy Tanner is 13 and can't wait to go with me this year. I hope it makes an impression on him, and that he gets the car bug also.
The time off has allowed me to get some more pieces parts stashed away for Hank, and it's also allowed for some changes in our engine. There's some things we wanted to do and didn't have the time to do it, but now that's different. The only problem I foresee is that my fire bottles expire at the end of this year. If anybody has the info on how to get them re-certified, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Here's a couple pictures of the 57. Enjoy! And I'll keep you lot updated from here on out!
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I have a local licensed fire extinguisher come by and inspect them. that is all he does for a living. Mostly at commercial accounts that are required to keep their extinguishers up to date.
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Hey Joe!!!
Great to hear from you.
Good to hear all is well and also that you're enjoying fatherhood.
Ole Hank will be ready when he's ready.
The 57 looks very nice. Much love to you and the family. :cheers:
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Hey Joe, I too am spending time with my son. Lakester is just patiently waiting while I build the 51 GMC hauler/daily driver with my son.
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Joe:
If there are FireBottle brand they have to go back to Firebottle for recert. http://www.firebottleracing.com/ (http://www.firebottleracing.com/) Ask for Nick... he will take care of you. Now as far as when to get them re-certified. My bottle expire August of this year, I will wait until August '16 or maybe even September to send them back. That way I get the 2017 and 2018 Speedweeks covered. I think they cerfify them for 24 months. I too will spectate 2016.
BR
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Wheelerdealer........if You get to B'ville I'll see You there.
FREUD
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Wheelerdealer........if You get to B'ville I'll see You there.
FREUD
Doc:
That's all the incentive I need.
BR
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If there is no gathering at B'Ville in 2016 m a y b e we can see You
at a Bonneville NW Reunion.
FREUD
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Thanks for the kind words Mikey! And thanks for the input guys.
Rich, I asked my local guy and he gave me a funny look.
Wheeler, I kinda figured that's the route I had to go. You were my next call after my local guy fell through. If I wait it out, how long can I go? I'm pretty sure mine are up in September. If I wait till the end of the year is that too long? And, on a side note, I'd like to meet up and BS on the salt, if we all make it out there this year...
Tman, good to hear from you sir! I'd love to see this Jimmy you speak of.
In the mean time, I've gotten the harness and all the wiring into the 57, and the accessory drive installed. Need to find a home for the ECM and route a big fat harness so it doesn't look like hell. It may not be Ole Hank, but I'll try to keep you guys entertained with my little side project instead.
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Joe, there is a shot of the GMC in my lakester thread.
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Well, my side job is starting to wind down, and summer is starting to pick up. I hope to have the old Chevy out of my shop in a few more weeks, and then I'll begin laying plans to finish Hank!
Momma had two boys before we met, and the younger of the two has really started to take a liking to anything car related. I promised her no race car this summer, but I have made plans to take Tanner with me to Bonneville this year. That kid is beyond excited!
And speaking of boys, I was out in the shop the other day working away when I saw this...
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Junior may have made it into Hank himself, but he may have had some help from dear old Dad...
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Joe, he's grown!!!.
Good on you brother.
Awesome boy. God bless him. :cheers:
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Thanks Mikey!