Pressure plate on the Barn Job. Hit the scatter shield hard enough to bend it, pulling both frame rails in. Hence, the spreader.
Got a little done tonight, made a stiffner for radius rod test fit got er tacked in place now on to finish welding then get the other side done...............
G'day Carl, A quick question please. I should get my FED chassis home in the next month or so. Similar paint scheme - black rails with chrome at the front end (... am dreading going to chrome jail). I'm not sure whether to paint the rails (probably 2-pack) or get them powdercoated. Costs will be similar. According to legend both powdercoat and 2-pack are hard to touch up, but not impossible. Have heard both can be durable (resistant to knocks) but not impervious. Appreciate your views please. Cheers, Harv
hate to say this Harv but my frame is painted with Rustoleum Gloss Black from quart can and spray gun, and for touch up use I use a brush. Not show quality but works for me and is passible and easily repairable. Since I didn't have the front end rechromed, just cleaned er up and sprayed Rustoleum chrome paint on the parts messed up, it works for me.......,. Also for me as I am always trying new shit it doesn't fit into my plans to powder coat anything that I may be welding on in the future............
If it don't go chrome it. if its a working girl no one will notice it's just paint... <Grin> It took me years to get my sprint car racing partner to quit powder coating everything. In competitive sprint racing you are always either repairing or redesigning the dammed thing.
What Carl says is right especially when getting started. You will modify bits and powder coating is the worst to touch up. Mine's not show quality in the slightest so I used Dulux black enamel from that hardware store. It's been on there for nearly 10 years and over 600 passes and holds up ok. I touch it up with rattle can if required.
Looks sharp, the only criticism are the steering arms, IF you are running the ty-rod in front of the axle, you need to bend them out towards the wheel as much as you can. the Ackerman is so off, that if you turn the wheels full lock , the outer wheel radius will turn more/sharp and scrub . It will not be perfect, but a whole lot better than it is now
Just catching up with this thread. Fantastic! I had some flathead FED fun last year in this 'loaner'.
Please don't take this the wrong way. You've had more to do with building fast cars than I ever will but I'm curious why you're concerned about Ackerman angle on a drag car. Mine is set up like this and is a one hand steer at admittedly just on 100mph 1/4 mile.
No Problem--- If you can do it correctly and without any measurable expense--- Why not??? You still have to turn the car to get it off an on the track. If you have the chance, look down on your front end from the top of a ladder and have somebody turn the wheels, Some people are more worried about the amount of toe in or out then they are steering geometry. For the race cars I build, front tires are extremely expensive and anything I do that can prolong their life is money in my pocket. Nice Engine, I too am building a Chevy II for my dragster,
It steers good enough to turn at the end of a run but yes, I wouldn't like to be negotiating a supermarket carpark with it. My engine is a Holden Grey six cylinder motor approximate 1956 vintage. 138 cu.in. of tar tearing power.
Again your car and you have every rite to build it the way you want. In my business "Good enough" doesnt work
Once again, I'm not hassling you. In fact I envy builders such as yourself for what you construct. I bought this as an unfinished project and the frontend was already installed. I decided to leave it as was and try it. The original wheelbase was 103" but I added a frame section to stretch it to 113". Sorry Carl, I didn't mean to railroad your thread.
Its not "HIGHJACKING" when a discussion on issues. Many look at the pics to give them ideas on how things are built an take it as gospel to copy for their builds. Even Aftermarket racing spindles have it wrong when they include arms, cant take into account the many variations that exist, But it does a better job when the ty-rod is behind the axle. In front just adds more problems because one turned the spindles around
there is no Highjacking when important issues are brought up........ by the way nice car UKGAV love it!!!!
Thank you. Unfortunately it isn't mine but here is a thread I made about racing it. History - Racing a flathead dragster | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)
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