Hot Rods 29 RPU- "Street/Strip" B/SR Build - Marty Strode

Rooting for you Marty. We'll need to have a go, last year was probably the most fun I've had at the track.

 

Your on Johnny, can't wait !

 

Russ Meeks (Finish Line Coatings) did these 7 years ago, I need to talk to him.

 

I'm sure you'll kick my **** with that injected small block---this year, next year we'll see. Staying focused on another project right now but next winter the Willys is in for some serious upgrades. Funny how a shot of rattle can Chevy orange can make these heads "traditional".

 

Got some new tires for the '40 mounted up today, should be a roller in a day or so. Pretty happy with the 55 hubcaps, the wheels are 5.5's and 8's. .

 

Now that should make some power !

 

I got to thinking about what flywheel I was going to use in the RP, and remembered buying one 20 years ago. Since it is a Chevy engine with a Ford Toploader trans, and a friend traded me his old Doug Nash pro shifted internals with the 1-3/8 ten spline input shaft, I needed the Long Style bolt pattern. Along with the deal I got his, Ram "Cleaning Lady" disc, and pressure plate ready to go. The flywheel I had is a 32 lb, billet steel, with the correct pattern, and is brand new !

 

On the '40 Pickup, I got it on wheels tonight. Everything is just loosely bolted in place, and the final ***embly work will come later, when I get it moved out of these cramped quarters. The next thing I need is a bushing kit for the '40 pedal ***embly.

 

I did get it moved today, and am making arrangements to ***emble the engine, and break it in before installing in the ch***is. But for now I am making a full court press on the RP.

 

Marty, Your ability to jump from project to project is admirable. It's all I can do to keep one project on track in my mind...and I still forget stuff!

 

I guess it comes from 46 years of having multiple customer's cars in the shop at the same time. Thanks.

 

Looking forward to u hitting the track with 32 lb flywheel, stick trans & some rear gear. Forget if you building/adding wheely bars. Should be a fun trip. Is that trans a 5 or 4 speed? Will the quick change handle the hit?

 

I am going to add wheelie bars, the trans is a 2.78 first gear Ford Toploader 4 speed. We will se if the Champ QC can handle the load.

 

No Worries

 

Looking forward to video of that first hit & those after some engine tuning & adjusting suspension. Should be one hell of a trip - many trips; all safely

 

Thanks Bruce and Mike !

 

No worries with the Champ QC Marty. Ran mine for 5 years with narry a problem. Clutches were a different story. The last year the car ran we were lucky to get 2 weekends out of one. Had one in the car, a spare with us at the track, and one at Weber getting fixed.

 

Dean, The Ram disc I will be using for the track is pretty rugged, should hold up for what I will be doing.

 

I made some progress this weekend on the new front mount. I liked the looks of the one @GuyW posted, but it had too much drop for my engine to frame height. So, I laid one out on some .063 aluminum, and fit it to the application. What I came up with has a "mustache" look to it, with large radius curves. Once I was happy with the layout, I transferred it to 1/4" cold rolled steel, and used the bandsaw to cut it out. Next will be making and welding the pad mountings on. Also, I got the other rear wheel finished welded, now all I need to do is to drill the holes for the tube stems, and the screws, and off to powdercoat for them.

 

I did a little more on the front mount this afternoon. The press, with a simple setup bends perfect curves every time. It's welded, now to layout the holes for the hockey pucks, trim the ends, and make the frame pieces.

 

Nice welds

 

I use an old Airco with a "peddle pulse", meaning I rock my foot up and down on the peddle ! Thanks...

 

You are a crafty guy aren't you? Going to the Bolt Saturday?

 

Marty I got a chuckle seeing your press set up. I did the same thing when I made my Flathead mount, but I didn't have a piece of pipe that big, so I used a late model 350 chevy damper to press round.

Wish I could weld like that!!

 

Billy, I will be there, rain or shine. I ordered some bolts from CJ, and it will be fun to catch up with friends, old and new !

 

It helps to make the parts out of cold rolled, makes the welding the easy part. Looks like you found a use for at least one Chevy part !

 

See you there Marty

 

I had a pretty constructive weekend, got the frame brackets, for the engine mounts, cutout and formed yesterday.

 

Today, I was able to tack in the new mounts, and remove the old mount on the driver side. That made it possible to mount the 525 steering gear. I was also able to tack the front shock mounts in place. One of the next things to do, is to heat and bend the steering arms at the spindles, and make corrections at the pitman arm. It wont be long can set in a seat and install the steering column, making way to mount the pedals.

 

Looks real nice Marty! Good seeing you down at the bolt Saturday morning. Love PNW rain. I got a few trinkets and saw a lot of buddies. You included! Build on!