Dragfest or BUST Toymaker's HA/GR Build Thread

Wow, nice! ...no donut videos in that field?

 

my hats off to you. it is true dedication to spend the the weekend to promote these cars and not get to run . did they give you a reason why you could not run.looks like you have done afirst class job on your car.

 

Rocky, Your car is very photogenic. Looks great in the field. Do you know what you would have to do to the car to run it at the March Meet?

 

Car looks great,you got the weight right now you just need a few more beans.For the eng.

 

Thanks guys for the compliments. Steve Gibbs said we could run the car in exhibition if time allowed, unfortunately there was not enough time. He did say something about bringing it to the California Hot rod Reunion, which we did last year without a hitch. I think if I would of made arrangements before the event we could of made a pass. Rocky

 

Sorry I missed ya Kurt, look for us at DragFest. Rocky

 

I really Like what you did with the fornt axel. That is a nice ride.

 

Good on ya Rocky, how'd you do with the Comet?

By the way Rocky, if they want more than one car in order to do a HA/GR demo run at a show & tell let me know, we'd enjoy doing it.
We're not offended if they don't want a middie just yet though. Most folks know little to nothing about the middie builds of the early fifties (some've even thought the Barn Job a sham, and made the mistake of telling me ) so the Bug stylers are better promotion for the class.

ps. Now I just gotta do a couple "Rockyshot" low angles of ours.

 

here ya go old6rodder. marc gewertz shot this at dragfest last year. it looks like randy winkle will have 2 hambsters this year, and bruce cox is building one too. he is the guy that has the rainbow warrior 55 chevy gasser.

zombie

 

I gotta give credit to Lee on the Low Angle shots. I was to busy "Lick'n my FIRST round LOSS wounds" when he took the photos

 

Thanks Hemi', Rocky

 

Zombie !!
That shot's bitchin'.
OK if I use it for the racing album's cover? Purdy pleeeeease?

Randy and Bruce? What have we started .......
Christ, I better get off my ass with these carbs.

Rocky, so how's the new paint at least?
ps. Have Lee or Marc shoot it .........

 

All we did is strip the car and primer it gray so far. Should be in color by the first ANRA Race.

 

What color will it be??

 

Thanks.

 

OK guys LOOKOUT! We had Ed Iskendarian install his signature on our car at the March Meet!

 

That's really cool, Rocky. Do you know Ed personally?
Looking at the top panel on your car, can you tell me what gauge aluminum you used? Looks like you attached the body panels with 1/4" round head screws. It that correct? I'm alway looking for advice from HA/GR builders to keep from making too many mistakes.
Thanks. Bob

 

Yellow with a gold pearl

 

No Bob, Ed was cruising with a friend on a golf cart when I recognized him. I ask him for his autograph and promised him it wouldn't end up on Ebay As he was autographing the car he recognized the little "Falcon 6 with the log intake". I was so beside myself I didn't even ask him for a recommendation let alone some help with parts. Great Guy! The body on the car is around .035 I think, Lee had it laying around and I put it too use and yes I just used 1/4" round head bolts. I have quite a few old aircraft Dzus style fastners, but I figured the bolts were easier and what I would of used in the 50's.

 

So, now you have the first "collector" HAMBster? Cool autograph.

I see you got the new belt set-up, we'll get ours seperated at the end of the year when our certs run out. Don't really have the money right now.

 

Nice to see it in person finally. Picture I took on sunday at the March Meets.-Weeks

 

Thanks for the photo weeks. Thats our newest crew member.....Robert, he's quite a worker! Rocky

 

Here's Ed and I agreeing on a multi $$$$ contract. just kidding, I was so honored to meet the man I didn't even discuss cams.
This photo is from http://www.graybeardracing.com/ , check it out for a complete March Meet lineup of photos. Rocky

 

Ed & I would get along good. Same height!

 

toymaker...

Still my favorite North American HA/GR. Every time I see it, I have to stare at it. Props once again.

 

Thanks man, been a long winter and I can't wait to get that first run with the upgrades. Rocky

 

Well DragFest is in the books! Lee was Runner-up for the 2nd time in 2 weeks and ran a 14.32 just over 90 MPH. Great times but we are going to have to get after it if we want to keep up with our brotherin out here. Our 2 Strombergs and removing 40 lbs seems to have lowered our ET by .25 seconds, time for some compression and camshaft Also check out the spread in the June issue of 1320 The Magazine issue. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=359067

 

I typed these up for anyone interested in building a HA/GR and having to get thru NHRA Tech. Might save someone some aggravation Rocky

Team TWIRL’N GAS Rail Reference Sheet
Check out the Jalopy Journal for more information
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=38
THESE ARE GUIDELINES AND WRITTEN USING THE 2008 NHRA RULE BOOK.
Please check current NHRA rule book when building a car​

1. Frame rails shall be production or modified production units, or 1 ½” by 3” by .118” wall (or larger) rectangular tube, or round tube 3′’ in diameter by 118” wall (or larger). No “slingshot” chassis’ allowed. Driver & engine will be located between the front & rear axle centerlines. Minimum wheelbase of 90" SEE NHRA 4:12
2. Stock width front axles and rear ends only. Front axles shall be stock production units or equivalent width aftermarket units only. Front suspension optional on cars weighing 2350 lbs or less with 100 inch or longer wheelbase. SEE NHRA ET Handicap racing, Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, Suspension, Altereds, Dragsters Also SEE NHRA 3:2, 3:4
3. All cars must have at least a five point roll cage of minimum 1 5/8″, 118” Mild Steel wall tubing. SEE NHRA 4:11
4. Rear axles shall be stock width production units only. Aftermarket gears are allowed. One piece axles recommended, Cars with keyed axles must use hub safety retainers. SEE NHRA 2:11, 2:2 Brakes 3:1
5. Closed or enclosed drivelines are encouraged. SEE NHRA 4:9 & 2:4 Open drivelines shall have 2"x 1/4″ “retaining hoop” straps within 6″ of front universal joints. A minimum of .120 Steel plate flooring to protect driver from u-joint in case of failure.
6. Cars must have cowl/body and floor boards, belly pan sufficient to prevent driver’s legs from exiting vehicle unintentionally Minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel. SEE NHRA 7:5 Sub flooring independent of car body is mandatory in Dragsters that allow drivers legs to rest on Belly Pan or Chassis. SEE NHRA ET Handicap Racing A minimum .032 Aluminum or .024 Steel firewall is mandatory. SEE NHRA 7:4 Windscreen 7:7
7. Cars must be equipped with an engine mounted starter and be self starting.
8. Batteries must be securely mounted using modern safety standards and separate from drivers compartment. SEE NHRA 8:1
9. Cars must have a master battery cutoff switch accessible from outside the car. SEE NHRA 8:4
10. Cars must have at least one red rear running light for night racing.
11. Engines must be pre-1962, inline, overhead, flathead and flathead V8 types with production cylinder blocks only. Later issues of these engines are acceptable as long as there are no significant changes between them. No aftermarket overhead valve heads allowed. No “V” type engines other than flatheads allowed.
12. Engines must be naturally aspirated. No superchargers, turbos, nitrous oxide or fuel injection.
13. No electronic ignition boxes mounting outside the distributor or “coil in cap” HEI allowed. Conversions in the manner of Petronix that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed. No aftermarket magnetos allowed.
14. Pump gas/racing gas only. No Methanol, nitromethane, or alcohol.
15. Era specific carbs only, stock appearing- no modern Holley, Edelbrock, or other aftermarket carbs Flash Shield or Scoop Required SEE NHRA 1:4
16. Fuel lines shall have no more than 12” total of rubber line. SEE NHRA 1:5
17. Cooling system or water tank must use a radiator cap and overflow/catch can system. SEE NHRA 1:7
18. Automatic transmissions are not allowed. All cars with clutches must run a stamped steel bell housing or a 1/4″ scatter shield over production bellhousing. SEE NHRA 2:3 2:5 2:6
19 Cars must have rims no wider than 6″ and only bias ply street treaded tires allowed. No radials, slicks, or cheater slicks allowed. Tire tread width must measure no more than 6″. SEE NHRA 5:1, 5:2
20. Drivers must wear up to date NHRA acceptable full face helmet with shield (Snell M2000, M2005, K2005, SA2005, SFI 31.2A or 41.2 SEE NHRA 10:7 & ET Handicap Racing). SFI 3:3 Neck Collar or SFI 3:3 Head Sock or Skirted Helmet Required. SEE NHRA 10:8 3.2A/5 two layer fire retardant jacket & pants or suit required, SFI 3:3 Gloves required on all open bodied cars. SEE NHRA 10:10 Leather Driving shoes 3:3A/5 & Arm Restraints required @ FAMOSO & Recommended SEE NHRA 10:3
21. Five point NHRA approved safety harness required. SEE NHRA 10:5
22. All cars must be of general soundness and safety. Must have all lug nuts, sound steering, cotter pins in place, and heim ends “captured” etc.
23. No electronic/pneumatic drivers aids such as rev limiters, two steps, shift lights or electric shifters. Tachometers are allowed if they don’t have a rev limiter or a shift light.
24. Cars are to be built in the spirit of the 1950’s

 

After reading these rules, I might as well pull the plug on my car.. My framerails are not made of any of the materials noted in the rules. And my cage is a 6 point 1 1/2" .118 wall. . Also the rearend that I chose is a S10 chev. "C" clip style axel with a mini spool. So I would have to get the retainers, after market axels etc. When I started this project, I was under the impression that it was a build it with what ya got lying around, For as cheaply as you can.. Now its turning into a NHRA controlled "RACE" car deal.. I don't need another White Elephant in my joint, Already have one..