It has begun. I have finally ordered my 32 frame from Duane Jones in Bakersfield. Duane just informed me today that the frame is ready. I called him to order it last Friday and sent the check on Sat morning. We had a conversation prior to discuss details on the frame and what my requirements were. I selected Duane to build the frame not only for the incredible price but many comments I have read here and other sources giving him huge compliments. Saturday, I am going to pick up a 270 Hemi that I bought from a friend locally. It will need a complete build but has a ready to install crank, a new dual carb intake, a new finned valley tray, two Stromberg 97 carb's and some other pieces. Here are some photos of the frame that Duane sent me today. I will not take delivery for a few weeks. Duane completed this much faster than I expected and I am not quite ready for the frame yet. This is going to be a slow build so it may be a while between post. Take care, Tom
I have had roadsters for 45 years. They are prone to "cowl shake". That tubing center assembly will not transfer diagonal loads from side to side. You really need a Chassis Engineering real center X crossmember. I can park my roadster in a ditch diagonally and the doors open and close like the car is on level ground. That tubing crossmember is for closed cars where the body can stiffen the frame. You can not believe how much nicer the cars feel with a stiff frame under them. Retired certified professional mechanical engineer.
Andy, one thing I learned years ago dealing with engineers when I was a machinist was..... Don't argue with engneers I will say this though; if this chassis acts as you describe; he will be in the company of at least 10,000 others that are using this design. Outside of the truly traditional hot rod ranks; this has nearly become the industry standard in modern,street driven chassis design. By the way; IIRC I spoke with you by phone around 1985 about making composite leaf springs for an off topic project of mine.
Thanks for being really nice about my post. I was just trying to help. A really stiff chassis is a wonderful thing and I thought I could share some knowledge. I agree about arguing with engineers. I have had an advantage. I was rebuilding trucks when I was 15 so I have had my hands dirty. An engineer once asked me how to install shocks. I said take the old ones off and put the new ones on. He asked which way to turn the wrench!
Andy...I meant no disrespect to you or your profession. I do realize your post was meant to help, as I always look forward to your knowledgeable input. I've been reading your posts much longer than my join date suggests. I totally agree with your logic about roadsters and cowl shake, the very first mod that I did on my Wescott body(I know), was fab a support to tie in the lower dash flange and the steel structure in the cowl sides.
I absolutely took no offence. I try to think things out and maybe run a test. I took a stock 32 frame and did a torsion test on it. Almost no stiffness. I put in a CR style real X member with a torque box center. It was at least 30 times stiffer. I really could not accurately measure the deflection. I boxed the front and rear sections and ran the test again. No difference in stiffness. All my friends who have built 32 frames used my take on the CR crossmember. They are really stiff. You have to tie the rails together so the loads will transfer diagonally. This requires members with bending strength. I would love to hear the results of someone torsionally loading a frame with the tubing crossmember. I am very willing to be wrong. I put about 800 foot lbs on the frame and got less than a 1/16" deflection at the front frame horn.
Hi Andy, First off I would like to thank you for your input. I do understand your points about deflection. I worked with engineers at GM proving ground in the ride and handling department for Chevrolet light truck division for 8 years. With that said, I will tell you that I do not plan on driving my Roadster through any ditches diagonally . The set up as shown was in my budget. It is a very nice piece for the price. I understand that it is not necessarily the best option for a Roadster but I am sure it will work well for my use. I also plan on running a rubber mounted mid plate at the bell housing which will help with rail flex. Again, thank you for your input. I appreciate hearing from someone who has been there as this is my first Roadster build. Take care, Tom
Going to pick up the 270 Hemi today. I am excited to get it and see what needs to be done to it. It is coming with a .010/.010 crank as well as the original crank which may be a boat anchor or it may be repairable. Not 100% sure it will be the engine I use for the Roadster. I also have a friend here with a built 354 Hemi that is ready to go. There is a very large price difference between the two. I am aware that the performance up grades for the 270 are very limited but I am not building a rocket ship. Pictures at 11 Take care, Tom
Andy's point is taken. I'm not an engineer but I stayed at a Holiday Inn once. I have no idea how many of the many 100's of chassis with a round tube X I have built ended up under roadsters over the last 35 years but I have never had any negative feedback concerning frame twist. I have built over a dozen steel roadsters for myself and had no problems. I personally like the X member from Chassis Engineering but chose to go a different direction when I started in the chassis business. I have never had a deflection test done on my chassis with the exception of jacking one front frame horn and watching the frame stay square as it is raised?
Picked up the Red Ram 270 today. It needs some work but is a good start for me. It cam with an extra set of rods and crank. I am looking forward to the build of this engine. It may end up in my 64 Chevy pick up before I put it in the Roadster.
A midget/modified race car builder friend of mine has no use for c chanel cross members. He always said you can twist a stamped c chanel like a pretzel but a round steel tube is just about impossible to twist. The lack of an ability to twist is well known with tube axles. All I know for sure is with a roadster you will get cowl shake.....never rode in one that didn't exhibit some shake.
It is finally here. I have waited a while for this day and it finally is here. I picked up the 32 Roadster frame today. This is the work of Mr Duane Jones of Bakersfield, CA. It is going to be a slow process but one I will enjoy every minute of. In case I never say it or forget to mention. I appreciate the comments and suggestions along the way. I do appreciate the experience that some of you have with these hot rods. Stay tunes for more.... Tom
A Dodge Hemi in a Roadster is the perfect package. I got my 325 running on a stand at Christmas time. Installed it in my Roadster about 10 weeks ago. Just completed a 3K road trip. It runs strong and the weight diff. from a SBC is nil. A much better package than one with a Chrysler in my opinion. I am thrilled!
That looks very nice. May I ask what front spring and axle you are using? Did you do the Chevy waterpump conversion? What cube on your HEMI? I am excited about my build. Thank you for sharing yours, Tom
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