AmericanGraffiti's Project Diary
- Thread starter AmericanGraffiti
- Start date
Wouldn't it be cool to have a wind tunnel? In our racing experiences I've often thought about that. I'd imagine there would be some down force associated with this design. Perhaps this will help with cornering ????
Good grief! Its been over a month since I have updated this forum. Time goes by too quickly.
The fact that I have not updated is in no way a reflection of the work on the car. I sold my dirt track modified, so now I have room to get serious on this "old man" project (as my wife calls it!)
As you may know, my car has a very long wheelbase for this type of hotrod, something that really appeals to my taste. I really like the long and low look of this car. However, it does present a few challenges. One of the greatest challenges is the gap behind the engine, and while I have received many suggestions (including stretching the cowl or going with an extended body), my budget and skill have driven me to "fill the gap with crap." I recognize that not everyone will like this look, and that is OK, it is growing on me. This car will be an "almost rat" car anyway, so a little "gaudiness" will contribute to the look. One the firewall, I have added a Ron Pope master cylinder and brake pedal combo, a finned transmission cooler, and an old horn that came with the car when I bought it. I might also add a coil and fuel filter somewhere on here as well. Anyway, here is a pic of the set up thus far:
Then, I started on the windshield. I purchased a set of Speedway Motors 30 degree angled windshield mounts for about $200. I paced for days to spend that kind of money on something so frivolous. I've seen some nice windshield mounts that others have made here on this forum and weighed that. But, in the end, it was money well spent as these pieces not only fit my body well, but they really add to the look of the car. I had some old 7/8" stainless steel laying around from an old machine shop job I did many years ago, and I think this will make a nice frame with some Bridgeport mill work, welding and polishing. I've played around with the height of the windshield, and plan to add a few more inches to what is in the pic below. I am thinking about turning the ends on the lathe to make them into spikes, but not yet sure about that. I also have to think about rear view mirrores, but here is what I have mocked up so far:
Finally, Here are a few views of the car in mock up. The second picture from the front is without the engine as I am taking it back apart to do some welding on the frame. I also added some old rat rod headers that I had sitting around. I am not sure yet I like this look so I am thinking about adding a pair of "shotgun" headers....
The fact that I have not updated is in no way a reflection of the work on the car. I sold my dirt track modified, so now I have room to get serious on this "old man" project (as my wife calls it!)
As you may know, my car has a very long wheelbase for this type of hotrod, something that really appeals to my taste. I really like the long and low look of this car. However, it does present a few challenges. One of the greatest challenges is the gap behind the engine, and while I have received many suggestions (including stretching the cowl or going with an extended body), my budget and skill have driven me to "fill the gap with crap." I recognize that not everyone will like this look, and that is OK, it is growing on me. This car will be an "almost rat" car anyway, so a little "gaudiness" will contribute to the look. One the firewall, I have added a Ron Pope master cylinder and brake pedal combo, a finned transmission cooler, and an old horn that came with the car when I bought it. I might also add a coil and fuel filter somewhere on here as well. Anyway, here is a pic of the set up thus far:
Then, I started on the windshield. I purchased a set of Speedway Motors 30 degree angled windshield mounts for about $200. I paced for days to spend that kind of money on something so frivolous. I've seen some nice windshield mounts that others have made here on this forum and weighed that. But, in the end, it was money well spent as these pieces not only fit my body well, but they really add to the look of the car. I had some old 7/8" stainless steel laying around from an old machine shop job I did many years ago, and I think this will make a nice frame with some Bridgeport mill work, welding and polishing. I've played around with the height of the windshield, and plan to add a few more inches to what is in the pic below. I am thinking about turning the ends on the lathe to make them into spikes, but not yet sure about that. I also have to think about rear view mirrores, but here is what I have mocked up so far:
Finally, Here are a few views of the car in mock up. The second picture from the front is without the engine as I am taking it back apart to do some welding on the frame. I also added some old rat rod headers that I had sitting around. I am not sure yet I like this look so I am thinking about adding a pair of "shotgun" headers....
Looks good to me. Keep plugging along and you will soon enjoy the rides of your life. Please yourself and make sure it is built safe. Looks are in the eye of the beholder and if no one likes it, tell them to move along because they didn't furnish any $$$ or time to build it. JMHO!!
benT
Active Member
Good progress - We're making a windshield frame out of 7/8" stock as well - just aluminum. You probably don't need to weld it at the corners. we mitered it and there is plenty of material to drill and tap.
You might want to rethink the location of the tranny cooler. That type needs some airflow on the fins to help it cool - it would be better served mounted to the frame somewhere. The location between the engine and firewall will get warm - even on an open engine car.
You might want to rethink the location of the tranny cooler. That type needs some airflow on the fins to help it cool - it would be better served mounted to the frame somewhere. The location between the engine and firewall will get warm - even on an open engine car.
Thanks T-Test...that is good advice. If they don't like it send them away with a smile! Perhaps, if someone doesn't like your car, then that means you've done something different and you can take that as a compliment
Hi Ben, Great idea on the drilling and tapping...thanks! You probably also gave a good suggestion on the trans cooler location. I'll have to consider that. A fuel filter and coil in that area may look just as good. Another idea that I had was to use the trans cooler in the radiator as the functional cooler and use the finned cooler as a prop. The horn will not be wired as I have an old ugly "Ahoogah" horn that I will mount in a hidden location. Hey, someday I want to take a road trip to Indy and visit your shop. I'll probably have you do some powder coat work on my car. It would be great to meet you!!
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Thanks T-Test...that is good advice. If they don't like it send them away with a smile! Perhaps, if someone doesn't like your car, then that means you've done something different and you can take that as a compliment
People are gonna talk about you and what you do. I always say I am the best subject to talk about for I love me and what I do is next and if there is something they don't like--- well I MIGHT say something to hurt their feelings just to get rid of them. Diplomacy is NOT my forte".
bamabucket
Member
I agree with the trans cooler location advice made by benT . I have a cooler like yours and have included a photo of how I mounted mine under the frame. I made some simple L brackets and bolted them to the bottom of the frame. I am not using the trans cooler in the radiator - just the finned external cooler. I don't have a transmission temp gauge but I think this setup provides adequate cooling.
A lot of out of the box thinking on this build. I like it, can't wait to see more.
Thanks Cliff! That has to be the best compliment I have received yet on this build. I have tried not to build a "cookie cutter" car!! Thanks!
fletcherson
Well-Known Member
I like the Farmall grill shell! As far as the car goes, the reason we build them is for us and because they don't sell em like we want em. If others like it. great! If not, let em build their own! Keep it up! I like your ideas!
EX JUNK
Moderator
You know what they say about opinions... "they are like butt holes, everybody has one and they usually stink." When I see something about a car that I dislike or that could be done better, I say to myself... "ain't none of my money in it." However, if the owner/builder asks me about a certain feature or how to do something, I'll give him a compliment or if needed, some CONSTRUCTIVE criticism to help him with a problem.
Jim
Jim
Hi all, an update, but no pics. I have been busy welding the frame (nothing real glamorous in that!). The polar vortex in our area coupled with long days at work are making for a rather boring blog. Of interest, I have been thinking about tunnel rams, as I think my car really begs for this. But, it is way too much carb with 2 fours. Has anyone had success with a tunnel ram running only one 1 carb and the second as a dummy? Keep rodding (even in the cold wintry weather!!)
fletcherson
Well-Known Member
I once ran a tri-power and simply disconnected the secondary carbs during the week to save gas, lol, with no problem, but the secondary carbs didn't have idle circuits. Not sure about dual quads. As long as you don't go overboard, dual quads work fine on a sbc. A pair of 450 cfm carbs make a decent setup once you get them jetted to suit your particular setup and climate. I have heard of guys staggering the linkage, but that doesn't seem to be the preferred method.
A new update on progress. I have spent the last few weeks welding (as I shared earlier) and finally wrapped that up while off of work for Thanksgiving. To make this easier, I had the frame on horses and rotated it as needed. This was much easier on my 48 year old knees and back than working low. Rather than putting the car back on the ground, I decided to continue working on it on the horses.
I remounted the nose and radiator so that I could build a panel to cover the front of the frame. This is an area that just looked a little awkward to me, and I know that I'll have brake lines and wiring in this area, so I thought the panel would be a nice way to hide these unsightly things. I actually stole this idea from this forum. Here are a few pics of this panel rough fitted:
I think this will look nice with matching flames or pin stripes once I figure out my paint scheme.
Here is a shot of the car on horses...much easier to work on it like this!! Thanks for looking!
I remounted the nose and radiator so that I could build a panel to cover the front of the frame. This is an area that just looked a little awkward to me, and I know that I'll have brake lines and wiring in this area, so I thought the panel would be a nice way to hide these unsightly things. I actually stole this idea from this forum. Here are a few pics of this panel rough fitted:
I think this will look nice with matching flames or pin stripes once I figure out my paint scheme.
Here is a shot of the car on horses...much easier to work on it like this!! Thanks for looking!
baddawgcustoms
Active Member
Nice looking work. Enjoying following along!
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