Is that Rapid Rabit about ready to come out of the briar patch? When you changed to a smaller building place, that might be a plus. When I was building mine in a larger building I kept loosing parts and tools. They were there just hard to see. Driving that Barn Job might be a disadvantage, making it hard to see past your grin. Joe
The smaller shop will be a plus, now I just have to walk out the back door and I'm there, plus all of the tools are in the same place. You are right about that pass in the Barn Job.......I'm still grinning. That said it also gave me a much needed push to get the Rabbit out of the briar patch and also gave some good insight as to what performance I'll need to keep them boys in sight.
It's not all that hard to keep them in sight, I have had a really good view of several including 2B, Roy Merritt, Don Alexander, Shawn Mcdermit's Crooked 6, the Okie Outlaw, the Red barron, the Ozark Mountain Special, the Owasso Rams and others, when you are just in the next lane it is a great view. Joe
Man...if only we could run that kind of cage it would look period perfect. You did a good job catching our ideas. Now to get it done.
Actually spent the last few days out in the shop getting stuff put away and getting ready to start working on it again. Nothing worth pictures yet...but soon.
Forgot to post this picture...this was back on September 17th when we brought the car home. First time I actually "drove it" although I must admit the performance with Old6rodder pushing wasn't quite up to the rest of the cars out there..it still was cool.
Maybe next week...there's been too much "life" happening to get out into the shop lately. Some progress will show soon...don't give up.
Small progress.......no pictures yet.......maybe some after Eagle Field. Don't get excited, it still has a loooooong way to go.
Finally!! Some actual progress that shows. First picture...a view as how it sits now...even have room to walk around the car in the garage. Next up...a shot of the engine plates and the rear side of the fuel tank mount. Next...a shot from the front of the fuel tank mount and engine plates. And one last one...on the seat, checking how it fits. Feels good to be back working on the car after all the inactivity lately, (our veggie garden has been taking priority...though the results are coming to fruit nicely)...even with the temperatures in the 100's in the last week it has been fun getting out in the garage and seeing results.
Great to see you back "on the job". I've been very interested in this build, as it's a study in power to weight ratio. I'm making my prediction now...maybe around 1100 pounds ready to toll? Guess time will tell. How much power do you figure that little Dodge flat head will make?
Our "goal" is for the car to come in under 1,000 lbs...have to wait and see how close we get to that...may need to add a few more holes before we are done. If all goes well, we'll be happy to have 125 to 150 hp out of the 218. Looking for fun and reliability in the car and still have a few more tricks planned in the construction. Progress is slow, but we keep plodding away and sooner or later it will be together. Thanks for the comments.
I just located a 54 Nash Statesman that has the "Dual Powerflyt Six" with aluminum head and dual carbs. It still has the origonal carbs and air cleaners on it, and I'll bet I could E-Bay those and break even (or better) for what the guy wants for the car. I thought a couple long ram tubes with newer carbs would look cool as hell on the thing, or maybe a pair of 90 degree elbows and side drafts??? It's supposed to be 110 hp stock, but I'll bet some exhaust work, and better carbs would bump that up some. The car is thrashed, so I wouldn't feel too bad about parting it out. It has a torque tube rear end, and I could use that too, perhaps. I'm going to start researching parts availability for this engine to see what it will cost to make this happen. My 194 Chevy has not recieved a warm reception, but I was going to use it anyway untill the right vintage engine came along. Last night the thought occured to me..."Why do it TWICE ???" So I'll just keep looking for the right deal, till I find it. I like your Mopar Flathead, and other Flatheads in general, so I am leaning that way, since Jimmys and Stovebolts seem to go for a premium around here.
Four Banger...Build the Nash, it would be cool and probably the only one running. Small progress this week, hope to have more visible stuff next week.
Have you ever seen one of these dual carb engines? They're crazy looking things....no intake manifold at all. The carbs bolt right on top of the head! I'm sure there's NO real performance to be had here, and rebuild parts are pricey. But the "Cool Factor" is just right off the rails....!!!! It occures to me that half the fun of these cars (after the build, that is) is they seem to be great conversation pieces. I love people, so the social aspect of these cars tends to really turn me on. I have a front axle (a wavy 35 Dodge tube) frame material, a rear end, a seat, a fuel tank, etc, already stashed. My little 194 Chevy with it's header and Crane cam and dual carbs sits in the corner.....I think he's sad....looks sad anyway! We'll see what I can work out on this little Nash. Like the man said, it would likely be the only one.
I am sure if you build it short and lite it would run ok. You can probably adapt bigger carbs and maybe get a cam re-ground ??!!??
The Jalopy Journal
