FrontEngineDragsters.Org Forum

Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: exracer on July 21, 2020, 10:13:44 AM

Title: new to the page
Post by: exracer on July 21, 2020, 10:13:44 AM
 Hi all, new to the page. I have spent 35 years building, and racing dirt track modifieds, and now that I'm retired from the sport, I'd love to build a FED! I have a Mittler Bros.
 bender, but I'm not sure if the radius would work out for 1 1/5' CM tubing ( 6''radius). I really like the early Kent Fuller built Tommy Ivo style rails, but I don't know if those are legal to run. I'm 65 years old, and retiring VERY soon so l"m looking to build something other than another dirt car. I don't know anyone in my neck of the woods who is into the FED scene, so I have LOT"s of questions! I'm guessing something around 140'' wheel base would work for me. I have TIG, and MIG welders, and 20 Plus years of machining experience, and not to mention 35 years of automotive collision repair experience. Any advice on chassis blueprints, and construction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Greg
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: crider on July 21, 2020, 01:40:22 PM
Welcome aboard, there's a wealth of knowledge amongst the seasoned FED guys here.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: hemidakota on July 21, 2020, 03:58:01 PM
Welcome Greg, decide how fast you want to go and order the correct SFI book from NHRA. All the information you need to build a chassis right.
Good to see another Greg on here...
Greg S.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: jeff/21 on July 21, 2020, 04:15:33 PM
Welcome, any ideas on what you want to run for a power train?
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: exracer on July 21, 2020, 04:51:00 PM
I have a cast iron 355 " Claimer" motor I built for my son to learn on years ago.  487X iron heads, flat top forged pistons, steel crank, and balanced assy. 9.5-1 compression. I can run it on gas with a good Holley 750. I'm not sure how to go about cooling it. Do you fill the block with water, or what is common?
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on July 21, 2020, 07:55:42 PM
Greg, Your current engine as it sits is capable of being raced and driven up the return road back to your pit spot - even on gasoline. If you do not want to rely on a tow car to drag you around the track you can install a lay-down radiator and forego a tow car. A small electric pump such as a Teel brand bilge pump is all you will need for circulation, or you can use the stock pump if you desire. And an electic fan on the rad.

With careful tuning your car will do low nines / high eights naturally aspirated. Good luck

Just another Greg in Frenchtown.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: afaulk on July 21, 2020, 08:12:20 PM
I understand that you have the skills and want to build the car but you can actually buy a very nice rolling chassis for less than the cost of the components required to build it. Ask me how I know. Best of luck and welcome, Allan
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: 225digger on July 22, 2020, 06:32:14 AM
there are a few places that offer basic blue prints,  mark williams, neil and parks.   i have the prints from S&W race cars. and they are very detailed, multi sheet, plenty of measurements on the prints to help you build the chassis kit they sell, but if you have a bender  you can just do your own chassis.   buy there prints and the SFI book to what ET you want to be in and have fun, its not hard, read the sfi multiple times.......... if you have the time and knowledge, building them is half the fun.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: tcoupekyle on July 22, 2020, 02:30:04 PM
There’s a lot of good info in this page. I turn to this group allot and I’m really glad they’re here
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: Paul New on July 22, 2020, 05:57:05 PM
I don’t know anyone offering prints for a 140” car I know Tuttle use to offer prints for a 185” car you may have to get some drawings and modify them to suit your desire.  No matter what ET you plan on running I would purchase the SFI 2.6A specs good for 7.50 and slower.  If you ever had desire to go quicker than that 2.4C is 6.0 to 7.49
http://sfifoundation.com/drag-racing-chassis/
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: wideopen231 on July 22, 2020, 07:02:41 PM
If you are going to buy prints Call Neil and Parks.Great guys ,two tons of knowledge and almost unlimited parts for FED's. Prints would be cheap buy in to the info you will get.  Cooling can be pretty basic with exception being mounting with limited spacing. Quite a few here will probably be able to point you in right direction. Welcome aboard.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: exracer on July 23, 2020, 07:44:50 AM
I have contacted at least 3 chassis builders about plans and El don't get any response, or I get a negative response trying to talk me out of a short week base car. I would like to here from some members who actually have, and drive a short wheel base care, and listen to their opinions. The car l want to build would be more of a nostalgia type FED. Thanks, Greg
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: 225digger on July 23, 2020, 09:20:57 AM
if you have the basic knowledge and equipment build your own, the way you want.

call S&W race cars get the prints for there 200" FED chassis,  you will not regret buying that set of prints.... it has cage measurements, axle measurements, etc. very detailed multiple sheets... then get the SFI book to determine tubing diameters and such so you can "tweek" the build as there are gray areas

if your into social media  check out brian fox and king chassis.  he builds cars that have that "look"  https://www.instagram.com/king_chassis_/

Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: jeff/21 on July 23, 2020, 04:26:32 PM
When we first built the dragster 160" because we didn't want to run front suspension, it had a 406 flat pistons and vortec heads on gas used a rad lying flat between the lower rails with an electric fan and a water pump running at 30% underdrive and could flat track it running back to back runs which was good until we started to build more power. it was less  work and more fun but had to go faster!
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: hemidakota on July 23, 2020, 08:52:37 PM
Neil and Parks is now offering people to come to their shop and build chassis. You weld so that might be a great deal. Call them, they are great guys and can help with anything.
Greg S.
Title: Re: new to the page
Post by: lake_harley on October 06, 2020, 04:23:34 PM
exracer....I realize this thread is a few months old, but I was in the same situation, wanting a short wheelbase FED like might have been common in lower classes when I was in my teens and early 20's. I was considering even a bit shorter (125" to 130") than you mentioned. So far, I've made no start on building, but did buy the S&W FED plans. They are very well done! Before I bought them I called and asked if the plans could be used with modification to build a shorter wheelbase car and the answer was yes.

I'm somewhat in the same situation as you, but I'm 68 years old. I had a fabrication business and a pretty well equipped shop and agree with one of the earlier posts that mentioned building would be a huge part of the fun.

What I had, and still have, in mind would even be milder than what you have since my plan was to use a stock but freshly rebuilt 350 I have. The only modification from stock is a very mild cam.

For me, building a FED is a on-again, off-again thought since I'm currently working on a '30 Model A coupe hot rod. My delima is that I have a desire to build another hot rod after the current one and already have a lot of the parts, but I still think about a FED on a regular basis. If I live to be 100 and stay in my current state of health (which are both HIGHLY unlikely) I would likely never build everything I dream about.

BTW....your locations just says "Midwest". Where are you from? I'm in Southeast Missouri.

No matter what you decide, best wishes, happy retirement and stay healthy!

Lynn