Projects 41 Willys PU... yet another Gasser Build

Hey guys, It has been a while since I have posted. Life takes you many different directions and I have finally got the opportunity to build one of the vehicles I have always wanted. Inspired by Kiwi Kev I located a pristine Willys Sedan body and started on my way. I will post pictures of the frame and mockup. But I have a question for you guys. I am shooting for a later 60's look, when the front ends started to come down a bit. For the motor I have a 331 sbc that I intended on running with a 6-71, however I have come across a Weiand 4-71 setup complete from intake up. I know these were run back in the day and I can add the oil fill tube to the intake to make it more period correct... So what do you guys think, keep the 4-71 and use a couple of Rochester or Holley 2 barrels on it?

 

Here are the intake and blower pics:

 

Cars below have the stance I am shooting for with this truck.

 

I'd run the 471 with that block letter intake. That's a neat setup, I'd love to find one for my 327!

 

You can’t go wrong with either blower in my opinion. I prefer the lower stance or the late 60’s myself too.
Keep up the great work. Chassis looks like a nice start too.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

So my question is this. Is it for looks or for function? To me a 4-71 would be ok for street driving/looks, but if you wanna go fast, then go with the 6-71. I vote "NO" on the nose down stance. Reminds me of the street rod nats. Just my opinion. YES on the pickup that you posted.

 

The Burch Brothers pickup or Panella Brothers Willy PU is closest to the stance I am shooting for, just not looking to build a Silver Dollar clone with the nose way up.

As for the truck going track, I am sure it will but not often... I would love to do a 6-71 but unless somebody really wants this 4-71 it will likely be out of the budget.

 

Was leaning towards a pair of Rochester 2g carbs with a period correct looking scoop.

 

Depending on what I do, I may know where you can find one... lol

 

Hi Chris,
I'm also a fan of that late 60's real early 70's slightly nose down look, that's how I did my 39 sedan. This one is about right in my opinion.

 

The high nose was used with the old hard slicks. They got the look you like when newer soft compound wrinklewall slicks came on the scene. Personally I prefer your level look.

 

Love the look of this truck except the trimmed lower valance area.

 

I think you should build whatever you gravitate towards. If you find yourself looking at certain eras consistently, then do that, or you won’t be happy. If you build what’s in your head, it will be exactly what you want.

 

Agree 10000000000000%

 

Making a bit more progress, motor mounts and tranny mount this weekend.... then wrap up the steering.

 

Very Nice!

 

Nice build, this truck raced at Niagara in 1964 as you can see, it ran the blown Olds out of his wrecked roadster.

 

Nice build so far.keep pushing .

 

Great start

 

looking forward to this build !

 

Okay so I am wrapping up the chassis hopefully this weekend and the motor is off to the machine shop next week... Which leaves me to order a bed and get going on the cab. The bed is the easy part, I spoke with Joy over at Mack Products and they can have that handled for me painlessly. The cab needs some loving though... In the pictures above you can see the masonite panel in the windshield, this shows the difference between a 41-42 sedan window and a Coupe or Pickup window. Now I can drill out the spot welds and remove the inner structure, chop the window by 1.25" or so and put it back together. Or I can chop the top and make a more proportioned front window while I am at it. The Agitator pickup is a good example, it is chopped a couple inches which looks great from the side but leaves the truck with a large "Forehead" if you will above the windshield. If I was to chop my cab 2" it would basically be like only chopping 3/4" out of a pickup window getting rid of some of the bulk above the windshield. What are all your thoughts on this? Please excuse my ghetto photo shopping skills.. LOL

 

I think this is pretty close, again sorry about my photoshop skills.

 

I think I would have to take my own height into consideration. Myself, being over 6 foot tall, it might get a little cramped. I personally would drop the windshield frame down to factory pickup height and be done. If you're not an Ogre like me and will fit under a chopped top, go for it, they look AWESOME! If you do chop the top, I like the look of the taller, more proportionate windshield, and it would be easier to see out of. Just my 2 cent's worth...

 

5'4" so my head won't hit anything, the real problem in these trucks is leg room. Lucky for me those are damn short as well.

 

What's going in that small block? Roller rockers and a cam under that 4-71 will make it howl! I'm really interested in seeing the back of the cab come together.

 

It is a small journal 327 that is still stock bore. So we are doing .030" over for a 331. Forged flat tops with a 76cc cast iron head... yes roller rockers and a roller cam, balanced rotating assembly. I want something that can turn 8 grand without self destructing. It is backed by a super T10 and a 9" with a spool and 4:56 gears.

As for the back of the cab I will do my best Kiwi Kev impersonation, but those are big shoes to fill.

 

Super, what kind of shape is that blower in?