Projects Dragster project - King Chassis changed my mind.

Well, watching Brian run his direct drive, pedal clutch digger has me pretty well convinced to give up on the automatic setup I have. I'd feel like a poser running that. A hard decision as I have some $$$ in the ultrabell and have everything to bolt it all up and use the rebuilt th350.

If any of you are interested in buying it I have the whole ultrabell setupto mate the th350 to a short bell early hemi. The th350 was rebuilt with new clutches, aftermarket intermediate outer sprag, and uses a Fairbanks kit for full manual shifts. I used a 4x4 output shaft and made my own rear plate to make it a shorty trans. I also have a new denso type starter, trans shield, cast aluminum pan, Hurst quarter stick, and cable. Make me a real offer and it's all yours.

There is something about a clutch that calls to me. I'd like to do it era correct but would like reverse and sure wouldn't mind running a 2nd gear - high gear setup. After talking with a number of folks and reading up in the old Hot Rod mags that pretty much means a Cad / Lasalle sideshift gearbox.

So now I'm back to hunting for parts again. I have an old Shiefer aluminum flywheel but I'm not sure if it will work. If any of you have any of the following for a reasonable price (I'm still in sticker shock on the engine build) reply or send me a PM.

- Clutch can for early hemi. I'd like one that still has the candlestick and fork but beggers can't be choosers.

- Cad / Lasalle side shift gear box (s)

- two disk clutch setup

I'm sure there are a lot of other things I'll need but this is a start. Sure glad I have another year to get this together now.

Yep, I'm sure I've got some sort of dementia.

 

I would stay with what you have now. Try the car with this setup first to get it on the track. Save your money up and sooner or later a deal will show up. Do you have a trans brake setup ? 4500-5000 rpm torque converter.

 

No transbrake. I have a mystery 9" converter.

 

Hate to burst your bubble, but the old Lasalle/Cad*******'s are weak and very hard to find. I know you want to keep it period correct, but if your gonna race it with any horsepower at all you need to make small sacrafices. Like an up-to-date two speed lenco or something. We used to poop those Lasalles with a 4x4 (404CI) 331 caddy w/6x2's on nitro. No major horse, but enough to hurt that*******.

 

Smart****! ;-)

 

A full pass would make a day at the track so much funner

With todays tires, vht etc. I would use a combination that will get you track time for sure

Rusty

 

Kerry, Only YOU know what YOU want - and of all people I DEFINITELY understand the "build it my way" line of thought. BUT!!!!!! You saw this coming right?? ;-)
I would without reservation say KEEP WHAT YOU GOT!!!! Now I'm NOT saying keep it forever - just keep it for now - get the car together and RUN IT!!! In the meantime you can hunt down your next trans combo.

When I set up my car I decided that it would first have a clutch - I have the can, 2 speed lenco & 3 disc clutch sittin' here waiting it's turn - HOWEVER I'm having so much fun with the automatic I'm in no hurry to swap it out.

Also food for thought - when I built my car I decided up front that I would set it up both ways. The shifter handle doubles as a hand brake depending on the trans selection. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Anyways just some thoughts from the peanut gallery. Good luck no matter which way you go!!!!

 

To say I'm conflicted is a total understatement. Depending on the moment I can be totally convinced both way's. Money talks, or the lack of it sure does. HemiRambler makes a point that I'm really thinking about. Unfortunately I can't really set it up for both since I don't have the clutch setup at all. With Lenco spelled $$$$$ I don't think that will ever be in my future. That leaves earlier, scarier options, which encourages me to use what I have (spelled automatic trans). Still I'm leaving my options open. I've got some guys to talk to yet who are, or have actually run the Cad/Lasalle box behind some serious HP.

Thanks for helping me work through this.

 

hate to burst your bubble kerry, but my grandad ran lasalle toploaders behind this before his top fuel days...with success before turning to a hydro stick for more consistancy...




thats the same engine he dropped straight in a lynwood chassis and ran high gear and ended up runnin high mid to low 8s at 170+...






your on the right track man...heard my old man was preachin his gospel to you!





T.Hilton

 

Yeah, I think he's a bad influence. ;-)

 

Sounds like you wanted a clutch from the get go........stay true to your true vision !...It's never too late, but $ can get in the way and I can understand that, unless you can sell your current parts....Dragster's should be fast and not for Sunday drives...Have fun, Littleman....Brian and the Hiltons are good influences he he he !!!

I will add..their's nothing wrong w/ running what you have laying around also...build it once...it alway's cost more to do it twice.

 

Kerry, here's a cheap easy way out for you. Small block mopar (273 through 360) has the same bolt pattern as the early Hemi. Small Block*****tershelds are common and cheap Ebay items A flywheel from a 70-71 Street Hemi will bolt onto your crank.
For the*******, an A230 3 Speed from any 70 and up A body will have a short tail and is more than strong enough to do the job. Most Mopar guys will sell you one of these for under a hundred bucks.
I'd say the whole shebang shoulden't set you back more than 5 or 6 hundred bucks if you take the time to look for the deals.

 

Have you ever heard of a clutch turbo or clutchflite? Keep your auto you have since you cut the bell off for the ultra bell and make an adapter to bolt it to the clutch can. A new input shaft will also have to be made. This way you can still have your 3 speeds and reverse. You will also have the adjustability of running a twin disc slider. If the turbo 350 doesn't hold up go to a 400. B&M and Fairbanks made lots of these from the sixties through the seventies until the powerglide took over. There was a clutch turbo on Ebay about a week ago. They come up from time to time. Good luck with your project.

 

I like this idea, I am concidering this for my Coupe DDS.....Littleman...lots of options suggested..

 

A friend had a clutchturbo in an Elcamino some twenty years ago. Not quite what I'm looking for. In fact I sold and delivered an original B&M front cover and pump drive for a clutchflite at the HAMB drags.

The SBM might be a route to go. The A230 will survive 700-800 HP?

 

I love the what your doing ! Exspecially since your going to run it and not just cackle !!! Dont chickens cackle ?

 

I can tell you first hand they will live behind 400 horsepower in a 3600 pound car and never even squeek, so 800 in a 1200 pound digger ought to be no problem.
The A230 was the trans they put behind 340 and 383 HP motors beginning in 1970. It's about as bulletproof as any 3 speed has a right to be.

 

I wish my digger would be 1200. Mild steel instead of chrome moly, the iron hemi, and me with the result of all the fast food I've eaten. We'll be more like 1800.

 

I vote for the stick.

Somebody'll want your auto stuff.

 

OK, I'm going to take the middle of the road. I really would like a clutch but I don't want to do something quick and be sorry about it. I'm going to get her running with automatic setup and start collecting parts for the clutch setup the way I want it. I feel like I'm waffling but I think this is the wisest way to go for the time being. Besides, I'm just about ready to begin****embling the engine and I want to hear that baby run! And when I blow up the automatic I'll be ready with the clutch stuff.

 

Go for it Kerry !!!........I hate when I find myself on the fence....nothing seems to get done except a bunch of internal termoil in the your brain....Littleman

 

Whew.

I am glad that's over...

 

Yeah Jay, I was getting sick to my stomache for brother Kerry and I dont even own the thing!

 

I like your last post. Shake her down with the automatic, keep your ear to the ground for the stick bits, and convert it down the road.
Nothing wrong with getting seat time with the auto.

 

Kerry, Glad to hear it. You'll have plenty enough to worry about on your initial setup.

Let us know what you're after and we'll keep an eye peeled for ya!!!

 

Sounds like a good plan ,,

 

"Don't Chickens Cackle?" Hey now,don't be pickin' on chickens.....I know there's at least one chicken that Kerry has issued a challenge to,lol. Now where did I put that 8-71..........

Chicken

 

You mean that's his final answer ??? >>>>.

 

You're still goin' down! ;-)

Yeah Bruce, that's the final answer... for now.