Messages

61

Door Cars / Re: What did you do on your Door Car TODAY?

« on: January 22, 2017, 05:36:53 PM »

Bump to kick start this again.

Today I fired up the heater and raised the back end of my Elky up and disconnected the anti roll bar links, the lower shock bolts, removed the calipers and than the drive shaft.  Removed the 4 link bars and the wishbone and pulled the axle out from under to repair a fracture on one of the tubes.  I'll fire up the tig welder and get it fixed.  Need to pull out the nitrous bottle, driver seat and shifter, pull the carpet back and start with the new floor mount brake pedal I'm installing.  Since building new fender headers, the M/C on firewall was in the way.  Going with two remote reservoirs and two M/C's.
That's about it for the day.

John

62

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 22, 2017, 04:42:37 PM »

I figured that

63

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 22, 2017, 11:54:07 AM »

Here's a question for you all, should do a pole on this.
My main use would be bracket racing and maybe a nostalgia event or two.  I would run my 505" BBC and it makes just about 900hp and 780+torque.  So, big question is what length do I need???  185", 200, 225 longer, shorter??  I myself would look into a 225".  I like being stable, hence my choice of race car.  116" wheelbase and it works well but is heavy and runs big tire's.

Thoughts!!!!

64

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 21, 2017, 07:52:37 PM »

I tell ya guys, you really know how to take the wind out of a guys sails!!!!!! Lol.  I do understand what your all saying and (IF) I had the cash to build one, my welding skills with a tig torch are lacking and I wouldn't even consider trying to build a digger....a 1/25 scale model maybe .  I will be doing some welding on my Elky soon, just small body panel stuff fire wall hole filling and such.   I'm going to practice more with some pieces of moly tube and see how it goes.  I can weld a stack of dimes with aluminum but who can't!!!!  Steel just seems to piss me off sometimes as the heat is either too high, low, tip is acting up, tungsten keeps sticking to metal . Always something...it's a new Miller Diversion 180 and works well, just not on long constant welding.  Little at a time and it works great....

I have a garage but things need to disappear so room could be made...

Again, thanks for all your input and wisdom.  Wish I knew all of you more and lived closer to see how you build diggers...

When the time is right, I will be coming back to take you all up on your info and wisdom again.  Until then, keep the wheels down and th goggles clean

John

65

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 20, 2017, 07:42:56 PM »

Well, I hit three numbers on a lotto ticket!!! won $20. So that gets added in too lol.
You guys are correct, the little stuff will add up fast.  Front axle parts, rework the converter...
 Maybe I will just build a really fast go cart!!!!!! Lol

It's no wonder many guys have just backed out of continuing with racing!!!  I was looking at an altered too but again, my junk won't bring in .25 on the dollar right now...lots of stuff for sale out there too.
I gotta finish my Elky off so I can race again...been 4 years since I was in the seat.  Just about there...

Thanks again guys for your input and help, never had a friend that was as passionate about racing as I am.
Maybe I too should look into buying a good used fed.  Got some money coming but not enough to start another project.

John

66

Front Engine Dragsters / Re: Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 20, 2017, 08:27:01 AM »

Awesome guys, thanks a ton for your input and knowledge.  Want to adopt a son? Lol
S&W was a kit I looked at too, ironic but as mentioned knowledgeable you are...
I figured I could start by buying one component at a time until I have whats needed to build one.  I have new axles, alum. Strange third member, brakes and hats I can use.   Need to change the gear set too unless a 4:30 ratio is useable??  So, looks like I will need steering components, gas pedal, headers, weight bar,  front and rear wheels and tires, fuel tank, braided hose, brake m/c , pedal, seat, drive coupler, coupler shield for MY piece of mind!   I will use my fuel system, MSD ignition, trans cooler, radiator with fan, wiring circuit board, shifter and cable, battery and all else electrical, parachute, cable and lever, belts.  Have a Reid trans case so I'm good there,  engine diaper.  That should get a good start on things . Then get some tin, paint, find a welder that does supreme welding and well, what else??  Lol...
Getting excited just typing all that stuff .

I'd say I am well in my way to building it for 10k, but then again!!!!! Lol maybe not.

John

67

Front Engine Dragsters / Cost to build a new fed????

« on: January 19, 2017, 07:21:28 PM »

Hi all,
  One day in my future I think I want to try a fed and a could use a little help.  First off, after purchasing a chassis kit for x amount, what am I looking at to complete a build?   I race an 8 sec. Elcamino so I know what it takes to race a door car and build one, oh do I know !!! Lol. I would transfer my BBC and glide to the digger, and I also have a sheet metal 9" I can build with.  I can figure out tire/wheel pricing but how much can I expect to drop into one of these things?  Front chassis will be open, no tin except around cockpit area like many.  Looking for a ballpark price to build one.  I'm thinking maybe close to 10k??  Biggest cost will be welding labor I'm sure...

It's not that I don't want to buy one already built, but can't get rid of my Elky for enough to cover the build or to buy a complete roller!!! 

This is a preliminary question to something that just might happen sooner than later....
Thanks for any help.

John

68

Altereds / Another new guy

« on: April 28, 2014, 09:10:07 PM »

Hi all,
 Well, this is a cool site! . Thought I would join and learn like a sponge if possible.

Ok, I race an 8sec ElCamino currently and was reading on another site about FED's and it got me thinking again...(dangerous I know lol) on how cool it would be to join forces with someone and make a run at winning some races!!!!!!  I was kind of teamed up before on a Brogie chassis and my old BBC and that thought has crossed my mind again.

I am in Southeast Mich. Near 14 mile & I-75 area and (IF) I can meet the right people, I would like to race with an altered(23-T) preferred F/C chassis.
All I can bring to the table is some power, so YOU would have to supply the chassis(hopefully one that only needs an engine) lol.  I would also like to share the driving duties and have tons of fun doing so.

I believe with the right chassis setup, low 8's-high 7's is very possible.  A converter would have to be figured out for best application and room for a nitrous bottle.
I currently use I-S (Steve Johnson) plate power and make a little over a 1000hp and LOTS of torque!!!! Lol
I have a 505 bbc that CAN spin to 8000 rpms but I like the 7400 rpm range.

So, there it is, I'm an honest guy and looking for the same people with the same passion, heck, I would even consider a FED!!!!!!!! 

Looking forward to meeting some of you, and have a great season and good luck.

John