Track Bucket build

[thebearded1]

So I mounted those 5.60-15 tires on a set of 5.5 inch wide rims I forgot I had and they will work! Look a little goofy since the tires have about a 4.5" tread width but good enough for free wheels and tires. If I find a set of 5 or 4.5 inch rims then I will switch to them. I mounted the tires myself with a set of travel motorcycle spoons and put them on the car and took it for a spin to see how badly they needed balanced. Got up to 40 mph on my back road and they were fine. Got out to the main road and they still seemed fine even steady at 70 mph. Did a quick trip to 80 and no vibration so I think I lucked out there!

 

[fletcherson]

So I mounted those 5.60-15 tires on a set of 5.5 inch wide rims I forgot I had and they will work! Look a little goofy since the tires have about a 4.5" tread width but good enough for free wheels and tires. If I find a set of 5 or 4.5 inch rims then I will switch to them. I mounted the tires myself with a set of travel motorcycle spoons and put them on the car and took it for a spin to see how badly they needed balanced. Got up to 40 mph on my back road and they were fine. Got out to the main road and they still seemed fine even steady at 70 mph. Did a quick trip to 80 and no vibration so I think I lucked out there!

I have a simple bubble balancer that works just fine for low production use. Our local tire shops are finicky about mounting used tires and if they are past the date window won’t do it. I’ve mounted and balanced my own for a long time. It used to be a few bucks now it’s an investment...

 

[thebearded1]

Once I get the garage more organized and can find some space I will probably look into getting one of those bubble balancers. It adds up quick if you have multiple sets of wheels for a car. I'm trying to put together a dirt track set of wheels and tires but would need to re drill my rear axle and drums first.

 

[thebearded1]

the car came with the wheels with adaptors but they make the wheels stick out too far and I'd never trust them while racing especially on a dirt track.

 

[LongJohn]

What rear are you using? I narrowed my 9” Ford to center the pinion and bought cut to fit axles from Speedway. They came with 3 different bolt circles.

 

[thebearded1]

What rear are you using? I narrowed my 9” Ford to center the pinion and bought cut to fit axles from Speedway. They came with 3 different bolt circles.

It's a Dana 35 out of a 90s Jeep

 

[Spanky]

It's a Dana 35 out of a 90s Jeep

Is that a 5 on 4.5" bolt circle?

 

[thebearded1]

Is that a 5 on 4.5" bolt circle?

Yup my front is 5 on 5.5

 

[Spanky]

Hey, bearded one, any more nostalgia drags up your way? (Love the pics you've posted.)

 

[thebearded1]

Not much updates with the car lately. Went out to Bonneville Speed week again this year and had a great time. This year was definitely the hottest since i've been going with each day over 100. Unfortunately it doesn't cool down a lot like a dessert so lows were about 80F. I've got another nostalgia drag race on Sept 15 at South Mountain Raceway in Boiling Springs PA.

I have mostly been working on an enclosed trailer I purchased to use for going to races and will also use as a camper at the different events since most are farther away. Started painting the interior but lots of rain and humidity this weekend has put a stop to that.

 

[Spanky]

I absolutely love your nostalgia racing. Please take lots of pictures in Boiling Springs!

 

[thebearded1]

I absolutely love your nostalgia racing. Please take lots of pictures in Boiling Springs!

I'll try but hopefully I will make it pretty far into eliminations which unfortunately means less time for photos. Maybe I will try digging up one of my old go pro cameras and see if I can get it working.

 

[thebearded1]

Messing around with ideas for a hood. I will definitely have to make the hood first and then cut and fit the hood sides so they line up with the hood.

 

[Spanky]

Pretty cool. Are you a good metal worker? Takes lots of patience (which I don't have).

 

[thebearded1]

Pretty cool. Are you a good metal worker? Takes lots of patience (which I don't have).

Don't know haha. Will be a learning process for sure. I will talk to some friends at the race Sunday who have made their own hood.

 

[thebearded1]

So I made some temporary hood sides out of metal I cut off an old filing cabinet so I could have some protection at the dirt track. Will add more videos when I get a chance.

 

[fletcherson]

Looks like a blast!

 

[thebearded1]

Looks like a blast!

It was! I wish I had enough property to make a track so I could do some laps whenever I wanted.

 

[Spanky]

Bearded one . . . you are an inspiration and a motivator for some of us who just might be tempted to build a nostalgic T-bucket and do what you're doing. The street-rod T's most of us drive are neat, but driving a track T on dirt has got to be big-time fun!

 

[thebearded1]

Bearded one . . . you are an inspiration and a motivator for some of us who just might be tempted to build a nostalgic T-bucket and do what you're doing. The street-rod T's most of us drive are neat, but driving a track T on dirt has got to be big-time fun!

I highly recommend it especially if you have some vintage events nearby! It was a lot of fun! There are more and more dirt drag events popping up too which is another place to have fun with your vintage bucket with some friendly competition.