Buick straight 8 bucket

[todds8t]

Hi Guys I am strarting a new project and i happen to have a 49 buick straight eight. It is going into a square tube chassis , wishbone sus. ford rear , 27 steel body t. If anyone has a advise or pics of straight 8 Ts I would appreciate it.. Thanks

 

[donsrods]

Tip number one. Make your frame very long up front !

Don

 

[todds8t]

LOL I kinda figured that one out already Thanks

 

[Screaming Metal]

 

[todds8t]

I Like It! Thanks for the pic

 

[Screaming Metal]

As long as that front would be and all, I'd go with 2x3 tubing, 3/16 's wall minimum, 1/4's wall perferable....alot of weight there, extra water in block, over a longer distance. Thats not to mention Torque! 3/16 probably be safe unless you drove off in a ditch under speed, That 1/4" would feel alot more stable....

 

[Screaming Metal]

On the Motor side, you can still get parts, theres a few places that make stuff for them. Hearers will probably have to be made by you as the cost would be prohibitive for someone else to make them. Just get a couple U-Weld header kits, no problem. Intake, you can get intakes, thou they're expensive. Can make your own log style, will look good.
You can get most any motor parts you need thru...
http://www.egge.com/

 

[todds8t]

I picked up a rolling chassis so i will probably use it. It measures out with enough room for it but i might have to get creative with the radiator. And figure out springs to hold that monster. I swear it weights more than my BB Chevy.

 

[todds8t]

I plan on making intake and exhaust myself.

 

[Screaming Metal]

You'll probably have to run 1/4 ellipticals.... or, talk to Ron@RPM and see if his axle will handle the weight. I WOULD NOT TRUST THE STD T's FRONT SHACKLES, SUICIDE STYLE! I would go with bigger bolts, a wider, bigger spring up . The 3/8's batwings on the front axle would handle the weight, but, I'd put a gusset in there on each side. And the shackle where the stud goes thru the batwing, that I'd make from some 2 1/2" square stock, drill into the block, have 2- holes drill and tapped like for 5/8's NF bolts that would go thru that batwing.
Better to be safe than sorry....
You could always do a econoline axle with the mounts on top, just have someone redrop the axle for you, if you need it or want it.

 

[Screaming Metal]

 

[Screaming Metal]

Pic is of a Buick straight 8 at Bonneville, shoehorned into a Nissan....hee hee...
http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/08/car_feature_gt_gt_the_world_s_fastest_s13/

 

[Screaming Metal]

 

[todds8t]

Great pics ! I really appreciate the advise , I have built a few hotrods in my day but buckets are new to me. I am planning on doing the wide white walls and flat paint, kinda a fifties thing. 115 hp definetly not a race car but i got a big block elcamino when i wanna go fast.

 

[Screaming Metal]

You can get 275 or 300 horses pretty easy outta one, it just don't like to rev high. Has alot of torque to pull against tall gears though. A AOD would be perfect for that motor!
The folks running on the salt with that I-8 could've done better though....

Also, welcome aboard!

 

[Screaming Metal]

Let me explain what I meant by this....
talk to Ron@RPM and see if his axle will handle the weight
Of course I know Rons axle will handle the weight of just about any motor out there....
By that I was asking Ron if after theres additional welding done to the axle. was the wall thick enough to take some additional stress thrown to it by the heavy motor....

 

[RPM]

we have these axles under full size pick up trucks from the early 50s. They are in drag cars that do wheelies. The axles are made from 2" tube with a 1/4" wall. Should be no problem at all with that Buick motor.

 

[todds8t]

Thanks Alot.