Projects Giant speedster project

Misc.

The radiator is the grill on these old things. I spent a few hours today assessing what comes next. I need a sheet metal box that projects into the engine compartment under the firewall to cover my feet and the pedals. I also need something to hold the battery. I could put the battery three places: in a box on the running board, under the passenger's floorboard, or on the box I have to build to cover my feet. Another thing is the gas tank needs to be mounted above the rear axle. Then I can run the fuel lines. I've also got to drop the transmission to clean it and see why oil is leaking out the front seal when I run the engine. Seals were primitive back then, usually just a felt ring. It's probably turned into coal by now.

Jerry
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I've also been keeping my eye on this thread. I've got a soft spot for "Edwardian monstrosities", and I can't wait to see this one done. Great work.

I vote for a running-board box for the battery, as I'm planning something similar, if in a somewhat later idiom, for my '31. I'd be interested to see how you'd approach it.

 

The step up to the door will be rather high so I'm toying with the idea of a two stage running board with the top step a toolbox or battery box--maybe battery on one side and toolbox on the other. The Oldsmobile Autocrat had a deal like that.

Jerry
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Go man go
the battery and tools could be in a drawer under the top step .. Unlock the latch and the tools or battery roll out for ease of use put the battery on the pass side so that you can still get in out of drivers seat while attending the charger / cables ... Having a second set of gauges and master ign and start switch there in the drawer too for ease of service.. Good luck

I USED A LONG NARROW BULLDOZER BATTERY IN MY 52 BUICK IT HAD HUGE CCA NUMBERS COMPARED TO THE STOCK CAR UNIT ...

 

Jerry,

Great idea - this would solve your previous splash shield questions as well!

Jack

 

Good idea. A 4D battery is long and narrow it has about 1000 CCA to spin that old jewel easily.

 

Earning money intruded on my fun yesterday. Today, in lieu of a Valentine's gift, I've got to help my wife fix up her mother's rental house. Hopefully I can sneak away after 12:00. I've got a hot rod buddy in the battery business so I'm going to check on the 4d.

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I also am putting together a big speedster. I found a 1929 Buick truck frame and had to cut about 40 inches out to get 121 inch wheel base. I was given a 401 Buick nailhead and an old quick change rear end from a stock car so the ride ought to be interesting. The cockpit is going to be way back by the frame kick up. The rear springs are interesting. I am retaining that look. Outside mount and upside down. It's been a challange but when it hits the circuit it will be one of a kind. Good luck to you and your build.

 

All giant speedsters welcome. We need pictures! How about this speedster I found on the web?

Jerry
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Gas Tank

I had to work on my mother in law's rental most of the day--rotten wood beneath vinyl siding, yuck!--but I did sneak out around 3 and work a little on the speedster. My Mustang gas tank needs to be in the back of the frame. I want the filler cap at the very point of the boattail. I only had time to pull off the body and it's wooden platform and set the gas tank into position. Tomorrow I hope to make up the brackets that will hold it in place. I may even have time to do a little plumbing! I almost forgot. A buddy of mine found a thrift shop that has a bunch of leather hides for sale very cheap. He bought me 4 in various colors: 1 apple, 2 olive, 1 brown. Don't ask me where. He won't tell me.

Jerry
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Not to hijack, but this is related to the image you posted.

That is the 1928 Schumacher Special. It runs and all Stutz running gear and was found by fellow H.A.M.B.er alsancle. He located the car in barn untouched since 1951 and is currently restoring it. Here is a link to his thread:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=82304&highlight=alsancle

 

Thought that one looked familiar!

 

Pretty awesome! How about the fenders? Fenderettes?

Jerry
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Oh man thats cool! I may have to Photoshop that one.
Did you get your 4D battery? That oughta spin your motor pretty well.

 

I haven't made a decision on a battery yet, but I did drive to Steelmart in Gainesville and order sheet metal for the pieces that will cover the chassis rails. I'm having the metal sheared and bent there since it will be longer than my shear and brake can handle. While I was there I picked up the 1 x 1 angle to make the support for the gas tank. That's tomorrow's job. Also my cell phone fell out of its belt holster somewhere between here and Steelmart. Luckily it was just an obsolete Nokia with sticky buttons.

Jerry

 

Gas tank

It doesn't seem like much but I spent all day making a gas tank support. The rear frame brackets kept getting in the way. I also welded the nuts in place because I'm always losing the nuts or scraping my hands trying to get the nut up into a corner. Tomorrow I'll mount the tank, then figure out how I'm going to route the fuel line. I'm also going to add a fuel shut off but I'll use that neat brass handle you see on the frame. Steelmart just called to say my sheet metal is ready. That's way more exciting than a gas tank.

Jerry
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I'm at the same point in my Diamond T project. I spend all day doing some needed, but invisible thing that the entire project hinges on. Keep the updates coming, I'm waiting for the outside, idling happily away in the driveway video.

Brian

 

Could this happen to the Seagrave?

This is Canadian National locomotive number 2699. It is a 212 ton, 6 axle machine powered by a 183 liters 4400 hp V16 4 stroke diesel


Shortly before this picture was taken, whilst working under load, 2699 experienced what is known in the trade as a catastrophic uncontained engine failure. The train was passing the town of Independence, Louisiana at the time.

The first picture below shows that one of the 16 cylinder packs that form the engine was ejected through the engine bay body side and thrown clear of the locomotive. In addition to this the piston from that cylinder was thrown free by the force of the failure. It was ejected so violently that it travelled through the air and crashed through the roof of a nearby home where it imbedded itself in an interior wall.

 

Holey crap! I wonder if the home owner will get to keep the piston, it would make an interesting ornament with a fantastic story.

Doc.

 

OK. Well I'll bet that THAT would bring you up out of a sound sleep!

 

Bet that woke up whoever was in the house!

 

Could it happen to you? Good question. Few differences tho, in that the diesel in that locomotive is somewher around 20:1 compression... Your probably closer to 6:1.

 

GE, "we bring good things to life"

 

Hell yeah, I'd cover the hole in clear plastic & frame it.

 

Johnny, you're late for school again, whats your excuse this time?

 

Maybe the guy could charge a buck a peek or claim emotional trauma and get a big settlement.

I picked up the three pieces of sheet metal to cover the rails. It's kind of hard to imagine what it will look like. I'll have to make templates to fit the spring mounts then cut out the sheet metal for a tight fit. Got the gas tank hung and cut out the wood for the spout. I can see some neat pin-striping on the sheet metal.

Jerry


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Wouldn't those covers look cool with a bunch of louvers punched in the sides?

 

They would! Might look into that. A friend told me about a friend with a louver die. Mmmm.
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A lot of work, but I remember reading an article from a '60s Hot Rod where a guy needed to create custom-length louvers, so he made "left end", "middle", and "right end" dies. He then marked out the louver positions, drilled holes at the end of each mark, then cut between the holes. Each section was positioned over the appropriate die and hammered into shape, thus creating custom-length louvers without having to create custom-length dies. I'd bet there would be a lot of metal working involved, but with someone as talented as you it might be possible. (How's that for a challenge? )

 

there is a thread on here about continuous louver tooling, it very common in appliance manufacturing, the die is just open ended.