Hot Rods Top Banana Style Slingshot Dragster- Marty Strode-Chris Kopp.

As always, Marty nice work!

 

I always forget to put down the cardboard until AFTER I drip cutting oil and chips all over the floor!

What is that hole spacing gadget called? I'm going to need one shortly but can't remember the name.

 

On the RH side, yours has a metal tag with HEF stamped on it. It is similar to the model RAN. Mine is a RAT, that has a longer case, and wider / stouter gears.

 

I could use one too. That is a real time saver. Going to search around to find one.

 

Just Google Aircraft tool supply and then search rivet layout tool. There's several different styles and they are very inexpensive.

 

Adjustable rivet spacer. Try aircraftspruce.com, they are a reliable source for specialty sheet metal tools and supplies.

 

Another name is Rivit Fan.

 

I too was drawn to that nifty tool, and then thought "I bet he made it".
Glad to hear others caught it and that it's available to us that don't have a fully equipped machine shop.

 

Bruce, if you use Kool Mist, it is water soluble, and cleanup is a wet sponge.

 

I bought some Cleco's and other Rivet tools from
https://www.aircraft-tool.com/
They have the Rivet Fan and a Mini version and a ton of other neat tools.

 

On a project like this, there is always a wait for parts, to see if you are going the right direction before moving on to the phase. The wishbone bungs, header flanges and tire rod came today. So I turned a small weld prep on the bungs and machined some stainless pieces to fit the lower wishbones. I also took a few minutes to slick up one of the header flanges. Now I can cut and fit the upright posts, and brackets at the rear wishbone mountings.

 

MARTY,
What is your method for 'slicking up' the header flange? Flap Wheel?

 

Bruce, I have a coarse and fine belt sanders side by side. A quick trip around with both, followed with a 320 DA on the both surfaces, they come around. Flap wheels would do it, just not as fast.

 

I got up with the chickens, and was able to get the rear radius rod brackets tacked in place. I bought some tapered bungs from Speedway, and they worked out great.

 

I got the tubes in the seat area, fit and in place, this will allow me to sit lower. I had a sample front roll bar hoop that I have used for years. It's exhaust tubing, and works very well, to determine the final product.

 

Great work as always Marty, and thanks for documenting it all for us. If a name hasn't been decided on yet, I'd vote for Second Banana...
BTW, you're giving @Dave G in Gansevoort all kinds of ideas about another project (that's not a complaint, just letting you know your influence at least makes it as far as the east coast)

 

Love this build, u do great stuff on all your builds. Will u add a 2nd over head for NHRA or just the one to copy original? Cat going crazy watching baby quail run around?

 

Nice work on a cool subject. I'm going to enjoy watching.

 

Mike, it will be a 5 point, to certify at 7.50. I have a dozen cats, 6 outside. I don't dare feed the quail, or the cats would kill them. I really enjoyed the quail, and for those who haven't seen them, here is the video.

 

Did a check on roll bar height. I still have a 1" thick board, and some padding under me, and without the sheet metal liner wrapped around the inside, it looks like I can fit the cage within the cockpit cover.

 

One picture shows the hoop on the right side about 6 inches from the tire. Another shows it about 2 inches. What gives? I guess it's the angle of the dangle.

 

It's got to be the angle, as I held it steady and didn't move much.

 

Marty, just curious why you tied the rear radius rod brackets to only the upright and bottom frame rail as opposed to making the brackets a little taller with a bend at the top back toward the upper frame rail and welding them on 3 sides instead of 2. Would that not make the pick up point stronger? Or was that how the original was built?

 

Without any braking forces, and no chuckholes in the pavement, strength is not an issue. Notice how lightweight, things got by the late 60's, on an old Fuller Car, I used to race. The original TB, was totally different, in that the chassis was rectangle tube, with the radius rod bracket, hanging below the rail.

 

On another note, I shipped the axle to get dropped this morning, and the NHRA Inspector is coming Wed afternoon. That way I can proceed with confidence that it will pass the certification.

 

I didn't notice you doing 'Vroom Vroom' noises while sitting in the cockpit.

 

Jeff, the real talent will begin, when Chris starts on the body. Thanks !

 

I reserve those moments when no one is around !

 

Is it mostly justly idling in the pits, or are you doing WOT passes down the strip?