That, or 2". It will be a game-time decision once all the non-negotiables (firewall, steering, clutch, etc) are finalized.
Saw that a few great looking race cars ran black and polished blowers, like Sheldon Schmidt's awesome fuel coupe and the Walker and Geary Bantam, as examples. So I figured I would give it a shot, too. I'm getting the 2" belt alignment nailed before I start trimming up the pulleys and I still have some plans for the EFI setup. But we start to get the gist of how it's going to look.
Did a little more initial mock up of the major parts, including the bed, radiator, and steering. Had a great time at the shop today with my dad and his best friend Gary setting the cab down and seeing where things go. It’s a bit startling to see the rear cylinders inside the cowl! It will still need to be blown apart and put back together a few hundred times, but today it finally felt like I have “a truck” instead of a big pile of parts. Long way to go…
Great build, you will probably be done before me. You might want to add an X or at least a K member in the chassis, with the power you have. What is your plan for a roll bar or cage ? Good luck with your project.
Yeah, it will definitely need some chassis changes. I'm just trying to fit all the non-negotiable parts where they need to be first, and then plan those changes around them. As for a roll bar, I like how Dean's was mounted, to allow a brace into the bed when the top was removed. Probably something like this. I have no expectations about it being NHRA legal. No front brakes.
It looks like you will need a way to remove the distributor, short of removing the body. Maybe an inspection cover in the firewall?
Good point. The old gas tank will be gutted down to just a skin. It will have quick release fasteners to allow access to all the systems below it, like clutch, brakes, gauges, fuse panel, EFI, and yes, another access panel in the firewall for the distributor and plug wires. Similar to Tony Nancy's 22jr roadster and the Cederquist Bros roadster.
Wow, I'm digging everything about it. Great component choices! A period magneto would look just SO right on that wicked SBC. That thing is going to be a rocket! Lengthened wheelbase just "might" help keep the front runners on the pavement during stoplight launches...
Gutted the old gas tank tonight. Those baffles put up a hell of a fight. Found an old Army Man inside there, too. I wonder how long he was in there!
"Rusty"! Trusty Rusty. He's probably been in there for decades. I agree, he deserves to stay with the car and go along for the ride. He's a destroyer and so is the RPU. As a kid in the late 60's, a cheap bag of Army men provided hours of entertainment. I remember the "grenade thrower" as well as the other 'traditional' infantry men-the sniper, bazooka dude, radio man... That one looks to be from Marx. Here's a 1963 version (with a slightly different base): https://www.ebay.com/itm/197177577121?_skw=grenade+throwing+plastic+army+man&itmmeta=01JZ4GS6HRA4MGZB463CQPV590&hash=item2de8b30ea1:g:I14AAeSwwVVn7GM5&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1eoWnUHi/HIJQ18uK/NB6js/uDtrRx0ohFzVQeOB7lTGOrwVKQ7SoI91o8EBxXcRn7mFLCyqZhqsS2rbUWw0WJnDF+kgiKx/oyKHwg7xgQcLQ0x6IRPqzBPu4hvkfuHJYliPiJR3nci7Wmk4t222oDZbMhjVY2RPXwhD6Pz+j/OaymAIdwjZU41tT9ILFKgtWNit/sG2B6H4QF05bFP2H6K0IMa7rDMjC4yaloK5NBHmIoOnyC+YThy1KGkcFcG5vSs+zS6urs6fkvRp0iN30FE|tkp:Bk9SR4Lp5JD5ZQ
More mock up. It’s mostly little stuff to make the fuel, cooling, and charging systems come together. Still chugging along and having fun.
The Jalopy Journal
