XXO/BVGC '38 Chevy Coupe Build

[maguromic]

Having seen this car up close and looking at the workmanship, it is one very nice car.  One of my favorite vintage coups!!!  Funny thing is when I was talking to buddy at tech some guy was trying to buy his trunk lid off the car. Tony

[38flattie]

 THANKS EVERYONE!  

Wow! What a week!

Going to the salt for the first time is an overwhelming experience. When I first pulled unto the salt, and thought about the history, and those that had been here before me, I was amazed that I had made it here! I've never worked so hard to go so slow in my life! Lol!

We knew we had some things on the car to get ready before tech. We rolled in at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, and started thrashing on the car. We planned on going to Tech Saturday morning, but actually went Sunday morning. Thanks to all that came by, and pointed out little things we needed to do. Mark went and watched a couple of cars in tech, and came back with a few changes we needed to do.

Car rolled through tech with no problems, and we accomplished everything we set out to do. By the time we left, we had qualified 4 rookie drivers, received 2 class D licenses, and 1 class C license. The car ran a top speed of 153+ mph,with a 300hp Chevy 350, and handled great.

We wanted to try the car with fenders, and without, to see the difference, but just had to many issues to deal with, to get that far. Nagging fuel issues, several gear swaps, and lots of rookie drivers, took up a LOT of time!

The help and advice we received was amazing, and I can't begin to name everyone here. A special thanks, though, to Rich Fox, Jim Kitchen, and Don Ferguson. Rich was very patient, even though he had to be frustrated waiting on a bunch of rookies.Just to be able to hang out with Rich, after all his accomplishments, was VERY cool! Jim, your  continued advice, and support, was invaluable! Don, the gears you loaned us did the trick!

AND, I got home for the birth of my first grandson! So, now I have 3 grandchildren, 2 girls and a boy- what a way to end the week!

I want to thank everyone for all the advice, help, and support! It has, and does mean a lot, and is one of the biggest reasons we were able to attend Speedweek!

 

Here are a few pics from course 3 on Tuesday.

[38flattie]

A few more...

[38flattie]

...Last ones from this trip! I'll get more pics next time!

[rockstar]

Hi,love the pic o your car in the above post,if you show it to someone with aero knowledge i would assume they could tell how good or how bad it is by the salt patterns around the car and might be able to help you get
better ( but what do i know any way),glad you had a great time and congrats on the new arrival to the family.

 David

[Stan Back]

I saw the OHV FlatCad in inspection.  It was easy to find -- not because of the bright red paint job, but the line of drivers waiting to do their bail-outs.  (They're gonna havta look into charging extra for that.)  The lead inspector was telling Buddy what a great job they'd all done preparing the car.  He said it was unusual to find a new car so flawless.

Buddy -- what gear and tire and rear end got you (I hope it was YOU) over 150?

Stan

[38flattie]

David, you're right. I spent time talking aero with Rex and Sparky, and both gave us good advice. You'll be seeing some major changes, in the front body area, and exhaust, as a result of those talks.

When Rick Fox first pushed me 'off of the fence', and I decided to go to Bonneville, honestly, I thought"how hard can this be"?

Well, after attending, I have a far better understanding, and a GREAT respect, for everyone that attends. Keeping the car or motorcycle running, fixing what beaks, etc., is hard enough. Those that are relentless enough to get records deserve super kudos!

I have a WOS pre-entry paid for, but won't be using it. I fully understand now, that we need more time to get the FlatCad engine ready, tested, and tested again, before taking it to the salt.

We'll slow down, and do this right. I don't want to take this engine out without being as sure as I can be, that we have done everything we can to insure the engine is right. I think that World Finals is the smart goal, and a better bet, to be where we need to be on the engine.

So, God willing, and a little luck, we'll see everyone at World Finals!

[38flattie]

Stan, I was home babysitting the oldest granddaughter when Dale ran 153+

28" tires, 4th gear in a Muncie, and 3.74 gears, at 7000 rpms did the trick. The car handled like it was on a string, so we're pretty happy!

I need to find a 'magic wheel'. I used a computer program, and we started with 2.74 gears. I talked with Don Ferguson, and he loaned us the 3.74's.

[maguromic]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Tony

[38flattie]

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. Tony

Tony, it was great meeting you-thanks for everything!

As for Speedweek, it was unbelievable -simply unbelievable!

[Tman]

Damnit, Tony was there and I missed him as well? I was sure to see some of his avatars as an entourage!?!?!??!

[Stan Back]

If you stayed at the starting line and watched every car run, you'd of only seen about 25% of them.  I'm surprised Tman found as many as he did as he didn't really know what most looked like.  That's the thing -- it's getting bigger every year.  Bigger than just the increase in entries which was negligible this year.  With four courses it's spread even farther.

[Tman]

If you stayed at the starting line and watched every car run, you'd of only seen about 25% of them.  I'm surprised Tman found as many as he did as he didn't really know what most looked like.  That's the thing -- it's getting bigger every year.  Bigger than just the increase in entries which was negligible this year.  With four courses it's spread even farther.

As you noticed Stan I ain't bashfull! I walked into more than one pit and announced who I was and I was looking for so and so! The heat and logistics kept me from hitting more pits.  I think I met a couple hundred folks from this board and the HAMB overall? Got a call yesterday from Aussiesteve and we realized we literally bumped into each other working with our separate teams staging!

[RichFox]

I am another one who enjoyed his time on the salt this year. Met the Flat Cad crew. Hard to believe how well they work togeather. Met the Salt Cat guys. Took my record, but other than that seemed alright. Heard the Y block run. Don't get to hear open headers on a race Y block these days I saw the flat cad roadster but didn't see it run. Still, one of my best 4 day weekends.

[38flattie]

Rich, It was great having you hang with us!

Well, this was a lot of fun, but a huge learning experience! I know there are several things I want to change on the car, and on the engine. Some will get done before WF, and some will have to wait for this winter! Here are a few, and I'll be adding to the list.

1) The window tabs are huge and ugly- gonna change that!
2) The front frame horns have to go! (thanks Rex!)
3) tuck the shocks back behind the sheet metal! (thanks Rex!)
4) Change the exhaust-possibly/probably to the upper back side of the open tire (Thanks Sparky!)
5) rework a little intake porting, and get the block bench flowed.
6) depending on bench flow numbers, possibly a new cam
7) Try and get all sheet metal in front of the cowl, and below the hood replaced, for better aero ( you listening, John Kimbrough??!! I need your help!)
8 Fill tranny and rear end crossmembers with lead. I'd like to get rid of our weight bar rack. Probably add some lead to the frame, also.
9) Go through the Quick change. We found aluminum filings in it.
10) mount the 'chute up on the trunk, and get rid of the huge pushbar we have.
11) move the engine cooling tank to the rear ( Thanks Stan!)
12) install a small fan for the driver, for when he has to wait in the car.