Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

Just got one question: what is the tap actually for? Just asking for a friend…

 

Fuel, still doing it to Bonneville specs and a positive fuel shutoff is required.

From the Bonneville rule book. How i did it was the best way for me to meet all the requirements. Thanks for asking, Dave. JW

 

Thanks. Now I understand

 

I'm still following along! A fun build for sure. Thanks for sharing!

 

Nice work JW!

 

Thanks, Ken JW

 

Finished taking the hoops off the Willys centres and took two off the space saver wheels, i may go with wider hoops on the rear wheels depending on what tire i end up with and may use motor cycle tires on the front... see what i find. All will be ''H'' rated (130 mph) as this may be stretching it for the little Willys engine. JW

 

Started working out the position the front latches. The Striker will be on the frame next to the shifter (L) and fuel tap lever (R). The Stricker will have lateral adjustment. JW

 

The latch will have a mount that will have vertical adjustment and be operated via a cable in tubes running up to a handle on the top, operated from in and out. JW

 

Southco and probably other brands too have a plastic clip that fits into the release lever hole (1/4") and it takes a wire/rod release devise ..... also good for a Bowden/Morse cable arrangement.
https://media.southco.com/media/sta...*1p2xiql*_gcl_au*MTQwMzQ1MTk4Ny4xNzUxMTgyNjI3

 

Will use a small key ring loop thingie and loop and crimp the cable. I will also put a spring on the cables to stop them being bound when pulled and will help equalize each side. JW

 

It was getting a bit hard to clean the centres so off to the sand blaster they went. I had an old trailer axle i used as a setup jig, worked a treat. I used a drill bit and straight edge to check desired offset and a hacksaw blade to check runout. When happy, four tack welds and now off to work for our gun welder to zap them up.

 

Nice progress.

 

Thanks, James. JW

 

I put a stock Willys wheel on the front and checked the scrub point, it was close to perfect (remembering the combo of Ford V8 spindles, Falcon hubs with discs removed and inner bearing adapters) so i now had plan of how to balance out the extra half inch of hoop width. JW

 

Did a bunch of measuring and ended up tacking on both stricker pins and marked out the mounts on the top section, more soon. JW

 

Been on the wheels and tires for a while now and it's almost done. In NZ we don't have the choices when it comes to these and price also comes into it a lot! Because i have a set rear axle ratio of 3.55:1 and tight ground clearance i needed a tire of around 30-31'' tall to complete what i needed. Due to most tall tires are for 4x4's i was left with lower profile items and some tall wheels, 18'' steel smoothies (8'' wide) and the tire is 245/65x R18 with an ''H'' speed rating and are 30.5 '' tall. I went back to Pick a Part a week ago and found that no cars here came out with 18'' steel wheels, only alloys. JW

 

Had better success with F-glassing a stiffener in the front bit, the latches will be mounted soon. JW

 

All of this build, is simply magnificent!
"Perfection cannot be rushed"

 

Cheers, i don't like copying other peoples work if i can help it, this build is as unique as the engine. JW

 

But it does give others help if there not sure how to pull something off.

 

I have used some Dynapro 235/85/16 on my pickup. Approx 31". I got them from Adens Tyre Service

 

These are something i may look at later on as i will still want to run the Willys 16'' centres on the rear but just needed to get it done for now, the rears may go on my next project if i get to it, a new Jalopy Dust Up car based around a T Bucket body.
Thanks for the info, i have taken a note on those. JW

edit; i just checked those and the speed rating is way too low, i need ''H'' rated (to 130 mph) or higher. That bas been a major factor with what i got.

 

Got the tires fitted on the new 18'' wheels and i love it, sure i don't have a 50's look but having a regulation roll cage isn't either. JW

 

Was good to get some more ground clearance with this combo. Next will be the front tires and they will motor cycle items of 185/70xr16, they are around 27 inches tall and that will lift the front a bit giving more clearance, win win!
The Tank is now sitting on all four again using the 450x 16 set up tires. Engine is coming out this week and stripped down. JW

 

Looks good. What kind of surface will you be running on?

 

Very nice hot mix with a reseal with very small chip. It's a very smooth road with about two miles to the 1/4 mile timed section and another two miles to slow and then you race back. Look up Land Speed NZ, there are some videos to check out. JW

 

A roller again. JW