It all started with a phone conversation today where my mate mentioned the word "HAMBster", and then asked if I'd seen them? 'Cause we were talking engines I ***umed he wasn't talking about small furry rodents so I enquired further and he mentioned the Nostalgia Drags. So I do a little "googling" and find out what it's all about, and I've got to say - it all sounds pretty cool. I've got a slant six driveline and some space, so i figure it wouldn't be a huge effort to throw one of these thing together. The T-bucket style looks like a winner to me. Got some questions though. What is the preferred front axle? Is it better to run a sprung rear or solid rear? What's legal as far as carbs go? What's the rules on brakes? all four wheels or can you run rear only? Is there a minimum differential length? or can you run whatever as long as it's not shortened?
Rules listed below. Most rails run an I beam axle. No rule against a tube though. Many run a solid rear axle but sprung may work fine. Carbs must be era specific "early fifties" is the era I'm shooting for. Most cars run rear wheel brakes only. Your welcome to run all four. No specific rearend width implied. Ryan is kinda against the nicname "HAMBster" I just call mine a rail. 2007 Rules: 1. Stock or modified stock frame rails, rectangular tube or round tube 3′’ diameter or larger. 2. Stock width front axles and rear ends only. 3. All cars must be equipped with a minimum four point roll bar of 1 3/4″ tubing with a main hoop higher than the driver’s head and 2 support bars down to the frame towards the firewall. Tubing must meet NHRA minimum wall thickness for application. 4. Cars with keyed axles must use hub safety retainers. 5. Closed drivelines are encouraged. If open driveline is used driveshaft must have a 1 1/2″ x 1/4″ “driveshaft loop” within 6 1/2″ of front and rear universal joints and be totally covered/sealed off from driver with steel or aluminum floor pan. 6. Cars must have cowl or body and proper floor boards/belly pan to prevent driver’s legs from exiting vehicle in event of a crash. firewall mandatory. 7. No “slingshot” ch***is. Driver and engine must be positioned between the front and rear axles. 8. Cars must be equipped with an engine mounted starter and be self starting. 9. Batteries must be securely mounted and fully enclosed. 10. All cars must have a master battery cutoff switch accessible from outside the car. 11. All cars must have at least one red rear running light for night racing. 12. Flathead v8 or inlines, pre-1962 inline engines with stock cylinder blocks only. No exotic aftermarket inline six overhead valve heads (Wayne). No OHV V8s or V6s. (If you are looking to run a straight 6 with exotic heads or a flathead with an o/h conversion, contact Ryan for some good news.) 13. Engines must be naturally aspirated. No superchargers, turbos, nitrous oxide or fuel injection. 14. No electronic ignition boxes that mount outside the distributor or “coil in cap” HEIs. Conversions such as “ignitor” or “stinger” that fit within a stock dist cap are allowed. Aftermarket magnetos not allowed. 15. Pump gas/racing gas only. No Methanol, nitromethane, or alcohol. 16. Era specific carbs only, stock appearing- no modern Holley, Edelbrock, or other aftermarket carbs. 17. Fuel lines can have no single rubber piece longer than 24″, must be fastened by hose clamps, not hard or cracked. 18. Cars equipped with a cooling system or water tank must use a radiator cap and overflow/catch can system. 19. Automatic transmissions are not allowed. All cars with clutches must run a stamped steel bell housing or a 1/4″ ****ter shield. 20. 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″. 21. Drivers must wear full face helmet, single layer (or more) fire retardant jacket or suit, gloves, jeans (or fire retardant pants), and leather shoes. 22. Five point NHRA approved safety harness required. 23. 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. Must p*** all tracks general safety rules. 24. 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. 25. Cars must be built in the spirit of the “Bug” and other early rail jobs. If ya aren’t familiar, ya better ask… 26. All HA/GR cars are required to run a H.A.M.B. Logo in a visible location.
What are the I-beam axles usually from? What 4BBL carbs would be considered legal? Would Weber DCOE's be considered vintage enough.
G'day mate, Seems like most of the guys here in the states are using early Ford front axles, Model A and such. The carbs need to be of pre '62 vintage to fit with the rest of the unit. Do know of at least one car running a Morris front axle. Be creative and have fun, thats what it's all about.
Alot of our cars (here in oz) are running early Ibeams, A model, pilot and the like, as most rodders throw/give these away as they're seen to be a bit 'light weight' in the rodding world (but suitable for this kind of car). No 4 barrels, and we're not keen on the webbers, sure they're neat, but not really what we're about. I've emailed you, so if you have questions feel free to ask. Cheers, Drewfus
Since the term hambster seems to be sticking to these cars anyway, I worked out what Hambster stands for. Maybe this isn't so bad after all. H. hastily A. ***embled M. mechanical B. bits S. simulating T. those E. early R. racecars Oilcan Harry
Four barrels are in, the rule says period correct, no modern four barrels. My four barrel is from a 58 plymouth. Joe
Four barrels have been in since day one (in the U.S.). I think they have a right to do it a bit different on the other side of Earth.
Yep, and on a slant that'd include the long rammed factory developed "Hyperpack" quad & manifold set-up. The manifold is being repro'd (albeit pricey) and the carbs can be found. So we would go right ahead with the four barrel if that's your taste, long as it's a '62 or earlier design it's cool. That's here of course, your area's rules are what you'll want to look up. And in as much as we just may be tagged with the "Hambster" moniker as noted, how 'bout: H alf A ssed M ultiple B eer S willin' T erminally E vil R acers Sorry, Harry (and Ryan), couldn't resist it .................
Ideally I'm after a 'hyperpack' intake (with the long runners), with the intention to make a simple adaptor for 2x2barrels....then we can run 2x holden red stromburgs, or something similar, period with performance. This can be done with the offy manifold, just works better with the long runners (plus I reckon they would look pretty wild hannging out there in the breeze) Cheers, Drewfus
Thats OK Old, but I still like mine better. Hamster refers to the cars, not the drivers. Cars swill a lot of stuff, but not beer. lol
Well geez, can WE run 4bbl's or not? Could I use an old Carter AFB given that these were used on 50's muscle cars? (Chrysler 300D for example)
Here in OZ,= no 4 barrels. You could use the argument that in 1958 Chrysler had fuel injection (as did the Corvettes), but apples for apples, these cars are not about fuel injection, so, as far as a ruling goes, us* (*= racing here in OZ), rightly or wrongly, no 4 barrels. Sorry. Cheers, Drewfus
If you have time, read rules 13 and 16 there is no mention of single, 2 barrels, or 4 barrels in 16. And 13 says no fuel injectors. The rule have been provided above in this thread. please don't read more into the rules than there is. I am almost confused, as usual.
Granted, but here in oz this topic has debated since we first proposed the cl*** (over 18 months ago), to which we have been saying, no 4 barrels. There are alot of options, and sure you can debate the rules, but in 'our' vision of rule 25, we have total agreament that we'd draw a line in the sand, no 4 barrels. Again, rightly or wrongly, but that's what we (the racers here in OZ) agreed to, and will stand by. Cheers, Drewfus
Well I'm fine with that as long as it's not gonna change. Just wanted to make sure before I get rid of my 4bbl manifold. Would have hated to sell it and then find out I could have used it all along. Maybe six single throat carbs will be the go.
Moon, I like Harry's better too. Mine just popped in on me so I put it down, more humorous than serious. Guess we'll be OK if we ever make it down under, good thing we like lotsa carbs rather than just lotsa barrels. Am I correct in ***uming the SUs are acceptable there? Also gentlemen, has anybody considered half a dozen Amals yet? Or perhaps some of the br*** bowl Carters from the Harley flatties? Bet you could match up some flow rates without too much trouble. I'd even given some thought to Bings but they're a bit pricey here now.
We won't be changing that (unwritten) rule, this side of the pacific. six era-specific single throats would look a treat, and potentially go like stink.... (make an adaptor plate/arrangment for you 4 barrel intake and then you can easily, and cost effectively play with different carbs etc. Cheers, Drewfus
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