Messages

226

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: March 08, 2020, 03:27:43 PM »

I guess I'm a least one step close to being in a position to start on a FED. I sold the '33 Willys project I had which frees up building space as well as some funds without continuing to dig into our "regular" money. My wife actually gives me pretty much free reign but I try not to abuse it.

I've also had in mind to build another hot rod, so I need to reach a decision on just exactly what I want out of my next project. A FED would be much simpler in terms of not requiring registration and licensing or all of the wiring and extra plumbing a street car would need, but then again I couldn't drive a FED to the convenience store to buy a cigar. 

Decisions, decisions......

Lynn

227

Gassers / Re: I need your help- Magneto kill switch circuit

« on: February 21, 2020, 06:09:08 AM »

I was thinking of a series circuit. Hot side of the coil to the positive side of the kill switch in the cab. Negative side wire from that switch to the back switch hot side, and negative side of the back switch to motor for ground. This way if either switch is switched off it kills the mag. Any thoughts?

If you do the series as described I don't believe it would work as intended. With what you described, if you flip the cab switch to kill the engine all you'd be doing is sending voltage to the rear switch and with it still "open" the engine would continue to run.

I'd say the two switches should be "parallel", with the coil wire going to the "hot" side on both switches with the negative sides going to ground. With that, if either switch is flipped to kill the engine, the coil's current would go to ground and kill the engine.

I'll admit to having no experience with a mag in a drag car, but I believe I understand the kill switch process. If I'm wrong, someone PLEASE correct me and I'll crawl back under my rock.

Best wishes.

Lynn

228

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Gloves ?

« on: January 30, 2020, 07:46:15 PM »

Glove companies will generally have a chart that will give a size recommendation based on a measurement taken with a flexible tape measure around you knuckles. It might not be 100%, but it works out good most of the time. I sold circle track parts and it worked OK when someone wanted gloves that I didn't stock.

Lynn

229

Wanted to sell / Re: Fiberglass "Stretch" '33 Willys

« on: January 27, 2020, 06:15:18 AM »

In order to focus a bit and pursue my interest in building a FED, I'm lowering the price of the Willys to $9900.00. I have a lot more photos of the car to send via e-mail. The car would be sold with a notarized bill of sale which would be helpful in titling the car if you'd have street use in mind.

I also have a freshly built mild Chevy 350 and a 327 engine, along with a couple powerglides if you'd be interested in making it more of a package.

E-mail me at  winter62@att.net  if you'd like to see more photos, or call me at  (573) 788-2574 (Home) or (573) 286-3335 (Cell) if you'd like to discuss the car and have questions.

Thanks

Lynn

230

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Shorty Powerglide Conversion

« on: January 24, 2020, 11:29:43 AM »

I'll have to check into using re-splined axles. I'm considering building a FED that would purposely be pretty low HP.....like 275-300 HP, just to keep from getting things too complicated and expensive. Purpose would be to do some bracket racing. If I see that building one is going to get out of hand, considering what my modest interest is, I'd probably just pull the plug on the project before I start.

Thanks for offering your knowledge.

Lynn

231

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: trans shield replacement

« on: January 24, 2020, 10:59:49 AM »

Thanks. What's the material and thickness specified for the cover material to be approved with a -5 suit?

Lynn

232

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: trans shield replacement

« on: January 24, 2020, 08:59:46 AM »

Is a transmission shield like this OK to be able to use a -5 firesuit instead of a -15 in a carbureted FED?  https://www.jegs.com/i/TCI/890/970005/10002/-1?gclid=Cj0KCQiAyKrxBRDHARIsAKCzn8z8DbY6DHuowPP7Z02UpQc0HZ1KYvHytQhOeaPdJtuVx7Wtfx1KEY4aAra9EALw_wcB  Or, is a cover that covers ALL of the transmission required if using a -5 firesuit? What is the material requirement to constitute a full cover?

I would expect a flexplate shield is required too.

Lynn

233

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Shorty Powerglide Conversion

« on: January 24, 2020, 08:51:47 AM »

Thank you for the direction. I had not checked the "Support" section of their website. $75.00 to respline the output shaft is quite reasonable. I'd be able to get the 8 3/4 Mopar axles done too for $125 for the pair. Doing it through one company would save a bit on shipping too. Seems another question/problem is solved! Thanks!

Lynn

234

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Re: Shorty Powerglide Conversion

« on: January 24, 2020, 07:25:32 AM »

"Sharty"  I need to proof read a bit better before I post. Thanks for the reply.

I'm not sure if I understand exactly what your friend did. Did he shorten the output by taking out a section between the planetary and the splined end? Or, did he remove the shaft from the planetary body and weld the cut off shaft back in? After reading your description several times it sounds like the first scenario, that he machined a "boss" on the planetary end of the shortened shaft and bored the splined end to  press fit it onto the "boss", and then welded it back together.

Sorry if I seem dense, I feel I understand things better if I can put them in my own words to double-check my understanding.

Lynn

BTW...I was able to correct my typo in the subject line of my posts. I thought it would have changed it for the entire thread title, but it didn't.

235

Dan Dishon's Transmission Den / Shorty Powerglide Conversion

« on: January 23, 2020, 08:05:25 PM »

Is there anyone who offers a service to shorten and re-spline a stock Powerglide output shaft to build a shorty PG? I thought maybe some of the companies like Moser or Dutchman who re-spline axles might do it, but it isn't mentioned on their websites. I realize shorty planetary/output shafts can be bought aftermarket but the application would be a low HP car (under 300 HP) and I'd like to be as economical as practical without building a grenade. I already have two Powerglide "core" transmissions.

Thanks

Lynn

236

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: January 19, 2020, 08:35:10 PM »

Thanks, Don, for the reminder on using a smaller MC to increase pressure to the brakes. Would about a 6:1 or 7:1 brake lever or pedal ratio be about right? I've used that pedal ratio on hot rods in the past.

Also, any particular model AMC and/or range of years that will fit the 8 3/4 rearend 10" drum backing plates without a lot of changes?

Lynn

237

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: January 19, 2020, 04:03:13 PM »

Frenchtown Flyer.....One good stop before brake fade logic makes sense to me.

Don.....If you have suggestions regarding brakes, or anything else for that matter, please post them!

Lynn

238

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: January 17, 2020, 05:29:57 PM »

I'm still in the "potential build" stage on a FED, but just in case this actually moves forward I bought a 8 3/4" Mopar rearend housing with axles and brakes today. It came out of a A100 "Little Red Wagon" sort of truck and although I didn't measure the brakes it appears they are 10" X 2.5". I settled on a Mopar as opposed to a 9" Ford for the simple reason the axles can be cut/re-splined quite a bit cheaper than buying a set of aftermarket axles. To do the same with a 9" I'd have to find something with 31 spline axles and everybody seems to really be proud of them. Seems that someone also mentioned that the Mopar rearend is slightly less bulky in size to give a bit more room in the cockpit. I can handle narrowing the Mopar housing myself when that time comes.

A friend mentioned he had a 3rd member that I can get at a really reasonable price. I believe it's a 741 housing, but I'm not positive. I'll probably pick that up too thinking even if it's a 741 it would hold up to my projected 300-ish HP SBC.

Another thing I've been watching for on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist is a used pair of slicks and wheels of appropriate sizes for mock-up purposes. There seem to be a lot of used and abused 10.5 X 15 slicks out there but wonderif I'd really need that wide of a tire to hook up only 300 HP in a FED? I'm thinking a relatively tall tire, perhaps about 29" tall? My un-educated gut feeling is that a 29 X 9 X 15 might get the job done with my projected HP and the car wouldn't be dragging the extra width and possibly weight down the track. I'm looking for input here, so fire away.

Anyway.... although a baby step it was the first step toward a FED build. Now if I could just sell my Willys to make room and free up capital.....

Lynn

239

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: January 15, 2020, 03:26:23 PM »

Don I tried sending a PM to you and wonder if you received it. I can't find anything in my "sent" box, but maybe I forgot to save a copy there?

I had a number of questions specific to your car and thought contacting you directly might be better.

Lynn

240

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Potential FED Build

« on: January 12, 2020, 07:42:04 PM »

Don....Thank you for your post. I appreciate the measurement on the 8 3/4" rearend pinion length. Your car certainly speaks to what I hope to build and I thank you for the photo of it!

I saw the car's performance figures listed under your user name and as I suspected it's much quicker than the carbureted mild SBC car that I envision.

Lynn