A little progress on a Belly Tank build

Cool. Good to hear that you can get in and out okay. Front hoop looks like it could be a little small and restrictive but until I see someone in it with all their gear on (including a hns) I can only guess.

Not trying to be too critical of your build but I do want to point out (if not to you but others seeing this) that a continuous front hoop that runs down to the main rail is definitely the way to go but a front hoop with straight running uprights will be stronger than a front hoop that has curves in it.

I'm sure that the roll cage structure integrity will never be tested with something like a banger in it but you never know. I know a lot of people like bobby green's tank and I see it being emulated here so obviously function fits form which is fine but in a build where you wouldn't need a "pinched" front hoop, using one with straight uprights might be better.

On a side note, every year at Speed Week there is at least one new car that the driver cant get out of during their bail out for whatever reason. It's good to check your fit in the car with everything on.

It looks like you do very nice work so im sure the construction will be top notch. Good luck with you build.
What's your ETC?

 

Excellent!

 

Very Nice work! How soon do you plan on racing?

 

Just thinking outloud. I am new to this LSR stuff myself!

 

Dumb as it is, I didn't think about a plywood pattern for the inside of the tub.

-Brad

 

Hoping for completion some time in 2011, I don't know if I can make Speed Week maybe World Finals.

The Hans device will be challenging I know people are working on new styles that will be more friendly in confined spaces.

It's interesting that you are concerned about other people that see this post, in my opinion this car is safer then many cars I have observed racing at Bonneville. I would like to show examples but I don't want to throw mud at other cars. I'm sure people interested in racing can look at the different cars and draw there own conclusions.

You mention other Lakesters, from what I have seen at Bonneville over the last few years this cage is fare superior to many that are currently running. There are considerably more bars that are structurally stronger then many tanks that I have seen race.

The tubing in thicker then required and one size larger in diameter then the rules require.

I have submitted these picture to the **** tech guys I will see what they have to say and make changes if needed.

Thanks for your interest

 

Not to mention what was run at the salt and the dry lakes back in the day.

Go, man, Go!!

 

What are you running for front and rear suspension?

 

Steve,
Just saw your build thread and all I can say is "VERY NICE"!!!! I really like your use of hose clamps to mock up the frame, great idea that I will use on my lakester build. Exceptional workman ship. Is the tank a 300 gallon P38? Are you planning to do a top cover over the roll cage like the Old Crow?

Keep us up to date on your progress.

Rex

 

Front is a Original Ford V 8 60 axle fabricated batt wings and radius rods, short one off leaf spring with Ford friction shocks,20 to 1 rack and pinion stearing.
Rear solid mounted Ford 40 axle bells shortened 6" on each side, new style ford axle ends, bearings and axles with new style Ford drum brakes. new Rodsville V 8 Quickchange all solid mounted.
Thanks for yor imtrest.

 

Very, very nice! The upper cage made me a bit nervous at first too. The extra bends are automatic crumple zones, but you have it built pretty beefy with oversized tubing and lots of it too. Of course you could have just run them straight but it wouldn't look nearly as nice. It looks like it's all held together with hose clamps right? Any closer pics of how it is held together?

 

I would love to come see this thing the next time I am up in the Cities?!

 

Thanks

The tank is a wing tip tank from a Navy Lockheed P-2 Neptune it is shaped much like a P-38 but a little different it is 34" in diameter and 16' long. See pictures of when I picked it up at the aircraft salvage yard.

I am planing on a faring on the top see attached picture of my buck on the top half of the tank.

I got the idea for the hose clamps from another HAMB'er, Andy Welker,he is building a Lakester check out his build post his work is phenomenal.......!
awelker is his name on the HAMB his thread is Bellytank build-powered by the fabulos flathead Ford.

 

Yes it is held together with hose clamps until I get everything figured out then I will start welding.
I could not run the tubes stright in order to fallow the tank shabe and build a farring, if they when stright it was to tight to fit between them and if I could fit between them they were to wide to fit inside the shape of the tank.
Thanks for your thoughts

 

You are more then welcome to look me up any time you are it St Paul.

I see Gene form A & A Restorations every year at Bonneville, I actualy stoped and saw him on my way out last year.
I believe I meet you a few yeas ago when I was out at bike week,it was the first or second year they had that car and bike show just out of Rapid heading toward Sturgis, I can,t remember the name of the show any more. Weren't you the the Hot Rod shop with an Old School Bus, or do I have the wrong guy.

 

I worked for Gene for several years.

The guy with the Bus is John Hovdenes, LowPhat Customs. he sold all his tools,his house/shop and just quit building cars.

The show was the Legend Top 50, I helped Jesse and Jeff by lining up some of the hotrods parked there for several years. Mine was the light blue Touring.

Planning on going back to the salt this year. Starting plans to FINALLY get started on my car. Stay in touch with your schedule, maybe we can caravan? Trent

 

Steve,

The tank looks outstanding.

Geoffrey

 

Great to here from you, Thanks for the Kudos......Looked for you at Bonneville this last year but didn't see you around. Do you have any new projects in the works?

 

Hey Steve,
Glad to see your progress is moving rapidly. She's lookin real good. I'm happy to see another tank hittin the salt in the next couple years.
Keep up the good work.

 

I just found your thread and the overall look of the car and workmanship look top notch. I also have a P2 Neptune tank that, someday, I hope will make it to Bonneville. What wheelbase did you end up with? Did you flatten the bottom of the tank or did you clock the wing opening down? Can you post some full length side views? Are you going to add a fin? Nice job Steve. Keep it up.

 

Thanks Bobby
You've set the bar high....... I hope I can step up..... Good to hear from you, see you on the salt this season, I'm sure you will be ready, after the carnage last year.

 

I actually used two tanks cut them in half and will mate them together with a flange like the P-38's. That way I did not have to deal with the large hole that fits over the wing. I do not know the exact wheel base, if my memory is correct it is 119". I am away from the project for 2 months, if you want to know PM me after Feb 15 and I will measure it, and let you know.

 

Looks awesome! keep pics coming!

 

What is your ground clearance under the tank, approximately 4" ?

 

Steve, It looks to me like that tank is alumiunm. How thick is it? And were there baffles that you had to take out( how many)? Steve

 

I cut out a section along the bottom making a flat spot with about 1 1/2" - 2" ground clearance at the lowest point.

 

Yes this is a aluminum tank around 14 gage, and the were many baffles and support structures inside the tank that had to be removed.

 

I was sure you thought about bending the tubes, based on the level of this build. Sorry if I came across as critical.

So are the clamps just tightened around the tube, then the cross tube rests on the edge of the clamp?

 

Steve, that's looking really good. I lookforward to seeing it at the Salt soon. Wayno

 

I made little angles out of 16 gagae 1/2" wide 2" long bent at a 90 these are what the hose clamps, clamp arpund and holds the tubes together alnog with the fishmouth in the tube. It's amazing how strong these hold together.