What I've been up to - a rail job

I've been dreaming and gathering parts for something but keeping it quiet here on the HAMB just in case I didn't pull it off. I got to talking with Nosurf today at the swapmeet about it. He did mention that spilling the beans can be pretty motivational with folks inquiring / breathing down your neck so here goes.

I've been dreaming about an early sixties dragster forever. I love the old Ch***is Research sled types but they are just plain dangerous. Next choice is a Dragmaster Dart. I've been gathering goodies to build a Dragmaster Dart styled rail, not a perfect reproduction. Did pretty good at the swapmeet towords that end. I've got an extra 354 sitting at home just begging for the ride.

Due to NHRA being what it is I sort of planned to keep it under 10 seconds. That is unless I'm at a track that isn't quite so tech stringent.

I do keep waffleing on the ch***is. I could do it just like back then, I could do it by the current NHRA rules, or I could mix it up a bit. What do you think?

 

That's looking like it will be a sweet rail. Good luck.

 

I should note the pics are the goal. All I've got so far is a pile of parts.

 

Do like i did and keep it simple. Make your own but make it safe. There is a guy here in town that make's ch***is for super comp and rear engne cars. He let me use his shop and bender on the weekends to make mine. He kept a close eye on me and made sure everything was right and kept me going in the right direction. It would go 8.50 originally with IHRA but the track switched to NHRA after i built the ch***is so im limited to 10.0 or slower. I run high 10's and it a RUSH!!! If i can help in any way let me know. My original post car intro.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196703&highlight=wicked+sensation

 

Good idea. If you can pull it off, it'll be awesome. I dig cars and racers that look like they rolled out of a time machine. I say do it like back then.

 

Thanks Kurt, I'm sure I'll be pestering you. I did some serious looking at your rail this last HAMB drags. Very nice! Definitely motivational to say the least.

I am thinking outside the box on this one, especially since I'm pretty sure I'll make more power than I need someday but not right away. The ch***is will be built with mild steel and with the hemi she'll be a pig. I'm going to start with the four Stromberg setup that I used to run in the coupe. That said I'm going to run a turbo 350 instead of a glide because of the extra, lower first gear. I've already been told it's a bad idea but I have a stubborn streak. ;-)

What was it on your ch***is that the NHRA (No Hot Rods Allowed) didn't like?

 

My ch***is guy said NHRA rules stop mild steel ch***is cars at 10.0 sec. Not for sure but he gets alot certified so he would know. But IHRA would have let it go to 8.50 when i started the build. If i ever want to go faster than 10.0 i guess i would personally feel safer in a newer styled moly ch***is with more forward bars. I know he said if it was moly i would be good to 7. something.

 

Very cool Kerry...You better build that thing to current NHRA specs now, because once you go 10's you'll be wanting to go faster. Next thing you know you'll put a huffer on the 354 and pour the nitro to it. Or just stay away fom NHRA sanctioned tracks.

 

Brother Kerry, you do know my pal Randy build ch***is? Top notch fabricator, been planning FED stuff for a while. I offer you my labor and his services! Much like the old TV show Stingray, we will only ask for a favor some day down the line...........

 

If anyone can pull this off you can. Skip

 

Thanks guys. The goal was for me to have a local place do the bending, I'd put it together and tack weld stuff, and then the guy who did my blower would TIG it up for me.

Tman, if only we lived closer...

And yes, Greazy, I've got a 6/71 sitting there thinking about how much fun it would have on a rail. Gonna be a few years till I save enough coin to do that the way I want to. I'm going to do my best to avoid the temptations of fuel instead of gas!

All I have to say about going faster than 10.00 on an NHRA track is that SFI is a *****.

Kurt, I had heard about mild steel door cars being slowd from 7.5 to 8.5. The 2008 NHRA rulebook shows how thick you need to be using mild steel for fed's. Anybody out there know the real answer?

 

If you are serious about building a front eng dragster you need to first get the 2008 NHRA rule book and spend some time reading it. Next call the sfi & buy the spec sheets for your project,858 451 8868 they will be about 40$. Several things(1) not all the ch***is specs are in the rule book (2) if you are going to invest the time & money to build a race car build it to the specs that are required to race it ,it is not a big deal to build a certifiable ch***is & it still can be very traditional in apperance. & (3) you will find that using 4130 chrome-molly tube is not that much differant in cost since it can be used in approx. 1/2 the thickness of mild steel & povided you have TIG welding builds a much better race car.

 

Talk to Brian Fox at King Ch***is (St. Louis, MO), he's building a fresh Dragmaster style frame right now that's for sale. He might do you a stack of bends and rails for you to put together. Also, Keith Tardel is building NICE K-88s...

 

Well, I guess I'm not all that serious about racing. I'm not looking to be top elimintor. I just want a car that looks the part, is fun to drive, and safe. I do have a 2008 NHRA rulebook. It can be quite interesting to interpret. Safety is a priority but I do want this to be a sixties flavor rail, not one of the current cl*** of "nostalgia" dragsters. Yuch! As for 4130 being better there is considerable debate to that point these days.

 

Yeah Condor, I've been talking to Brian a bit and he's given me some great pictures and dimensions. I'm not looking for a precut kit although having the bends would be nice. His work looks top notch.

 

I agree , talk to Brian..

 

Ok- It's been 4 days- Time for an update!

I wanna see the pile of parts on the floor of the shop.

I still have that axle and stuff to build a nice nostalgia trailer....

 

So Kerry, you got pics of what you got so far?

 

Kerry, I knew you couldn't keep quiet.......
So let's see the goods.

BTW, just build a double hooped later styled dragmaster. That's what we are doing.

 

I remeber seeing a thing on tv about these early "slingshot" dragsters - sounds like they racked up quite a body count back in their day - "suicide slingshots" I believe was the moniker

 

**** the new rules, do it old style, 10 sec. and run outlaw. The new **** is for millionares.

 

Nothing looks worse than a FED made to meet NHRA rules.....just don't "look" right, ya know???...
I too would LOVE to build a REAL DEAL late 50's- early 60's rail job.....but nowhere in my area to really RUN it....and if ya can run it, full out, then what's the point????

I look forward to the progress Kerry.....make it safe, but still "correct" looking....

 

It can be done. Just look back in your little books. The double hoop is accurate.

 

me too me too count me in !!!!!!!!!! i wanna play

 

tommy osbornes dragmaster, i think it's tech'd to 7.00 he runs ne2 (8.60's) but tech'd faster

 

Been suspecting this is what you were up to for awhile Kerry from a few of your posts in various threads. I'm ac***ulating parts myself. My name is Dave, and I'm a FEDaholic. Sounds like your goals are similiar to what I'm hoping to accomplish. Kurt, your rail rocks.

 

Boy, there always one stirrin' the pot. I'm keeping my eye on you Jay! ;-)

Here are pics of most of the goodies. I remembered the aluminum pinion support and a few other things after I took the pics.

Root, got any pics of progress you'd share?

 

That's what I'm shooting for Justin. I am going to use a Kent Fuller torsion setup for the front suspension but other than that I'm pretty much copying the Dart. Any chance you have a picture of his cage under that sheet metal?

 

Looks like you got a good start on the parts. Should make for a killer car.