View Full Version : Kit 075 Restart
Yep I been told I am evicted, looking forward to seeing how yours turns out
Tom Veale
02-15-2019, 10:22 AM
Been thinking about a new career. Kind of thought Whisky Running might be fun.
100607100604100601100605100602100606100603100600
I see a re-make of "Thunder Road" in your future...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWCS8rvueRU
Mick_d
02-15-2019, 12:50 PM
Oh if only I fit in one! Hey Dave, I bet you could make a Sedan Delivery version of this that I could fit in! C'mon!
I understand they have made quite a bit more room in the cockpits. I still liked the idea of a Vicky. You should come with me to the shop sometime and see some of the cars they have
Just to keep my record complete, I pulled the trigger on a Coverking cover. They provided some of the covers to FFR for the SEMA show. I chose the satin stretch for indoor protection from dust and hopefully dings. I liked them because they actually offered a FFR 33 Hot Rod variant of the cover, and for the specific cover I chose they had an extensive set of color options. I looked at three free swatches they sent and ordered the British Racing Green.
102272102273102274102275102276
So I learned today that they will not complete the cover until the 27th which is when they expect to ship it. Ordered it on the 9th so the turnaround is about 18-19 days plus shipping. Since they were apparently just starting to work on it after a week I asked if I could get some embroidery and the response was no, I should have selected the option on their site. I have been back and looked several times but cannot find such an option. I guess I am getting nervous about these guys. I think the embroidery is no big deal, the guy that did my upholstery can do a world class job and I already know the quality of his work. I will post up when it gets here but looks like that is going to be a while.
60's Kid
03-04-2019, 06:38 AM
Bill,
Can you give me some measurements and details as to how your windshield wiper is mounted and powered. I need to get this done but need some details before I get started.
Rick
103269103270103271103235103269103270103271103235Le ts take a look Rick. I did not actually mount the wiper, sorry as that makes me sound. The guys doing the body work did so when they were finishing the roof. The unit is a speedway unit. There are two kinds , one has a portable mount and the other is a permanent mount. I initially bought the portable since I did not originally intend to put the hardtop on/ The guys that did my body work came up with an idea that we could mount the unit permanently and string wire down the inside of the roof panels then connect it ti the body with contact points and avoid having wiring to deal with when pulling the hardtop off. There are in my opinion better units out there than I bought. The RainGear Mighty wiper is much more compact for a top mount. My stainless unit is rather large and cumbersome. The key measurement is the length of the driver arm which depends on the style of blade and thickness of the roof you have to drill through to mount it. The location is pretty much aesthetic. I chose the top center of the driver's side.
RainGear Mighty Wiper
https://raingearwipers.com/product/mighty-wiper-3-inch/
Speedway Wiper
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Deluxe-Stainless-12-Volt-Electric-Windshield-Wiper-Motor-Kit,38962.html
Dan Ruth makes a nice set that mounts under the dash and has two wipers but it is around $600 or more.
So here is the general path of the wiring.
103232
Here is a shot from the outside centered
103233
Inside Centered
103234
Electrical connector
103235
103271103235103269103270
So the cover arrived. It is beautiful. Very nice quality. Doesn't fit. I guess it is close enough to use. The mirrors were fit to mount forward of the door, not on the door and the windshield and windows seem to be off. I suppose I can just take a pair of scissors and cut the mirror holes out. I am not sure how to address this as far as a recommendation. Despite the initial confusion they did work hard to provide the product. There was not a clear place to measure the mirrors. I don't know if the local upholsterer can move the mirror pockets or not and if so what effect that will have on the fitment of the windshield area. I cannot not recommend the product. My goal was a show piece to use in displays. Fact is it will do a credible job but I could have gotten a credible unit off of them for several hundred dollars less. I'd like to see someone that has a nice fitting one.
JOP33
03-04-2019, 07:15 PM
Bill - Do you know if it was meant to cover the car with the hardtop? It just appears from the picture that if the hardtop wasn't on, it could possibly pull down over the wheels and tires. I know this still doesn't address the mirror issue. With that all being said, this was the cover that I intended to use as well, so I would follow up with them letting them know that your review is driving right into ground zero for their target market on this cover and they should probably get a few things ironed out...just my $0.02.
Thanks for the input.
I think it could be done right, they are interested in working with me. You just need to be very careful when you order it. I ordered the version for the FFR Replica Coupe. It appears to me the top is cut for one of the specialty Hardtops. On the other hand, it might pop right into place with the mirrors worked out.
60's Kid
03-05-2019, 06:58 AM
Thanks for the info Bill. For some reason I can not open the pics of wiring path, and inside and outside. not sure if it's me or what?
It sure did not want to let me display those pics
So finally got her home. Learned they had me register under the wrong SEMA paragraph and had to get the car reinspected. Which took nearly a week. No issues and the car is licesned and inspected. I no longer have to do an annual safety inspection either. Once home I have begun to work out some of the issue that have emerged over the last year. When we did the upholstery, the rubber filler hose slipped off the gas filler cap. I initially could not get gas in the tank because it slipped down and was actually running uphill. I got that fixed and went down to fill the tank. Took about 3-4 minutes for 10 gallons. The car was basically experiencing a vacuum leak in the fuel system which lowered fuel pressure to 3 psi. Now I will retune it. Also some issues with my temperature sending unit and gauge. Apparently the guage is not grounding well and that shows the car to be overheated but checking it with a laser gauge at the inlet neck on the manifold shows it running a consistent 175 and the fan now works automatically coming on at 175 or higher. Some issue with the AC and the oil pressure sending unit doesn't work. I am going to remote mount it. Hated missing Good Guys in DFW but glad to get the car wrapped up. Took the wife out for a ride Saturday as it was a beautiful day.
10354110354210354310354410354510354610354710354810 3549103550
Fuel filler. Once again into the breach. Got the car back home last Friday. Went to put gas in the tank and it spit gasoline all over me. Heart sank, couldn't imagine what the problem was. Car had been idling badly, running rough. Turns out there were two problems. First it was low on gas and second the fuel filler hose (rubber) had slipped off of the filler cap on one end. That lowered the filler cap side of the hose about an inch. That inch did two things. It lowered the filler entry point to below the level where the hose goes into the tank, and it introduced a raw air vacuum leak into the fuel system. I had noticed the fuel pressure was very low, about 3 PSI. I pulled the interior from the trunk and that was when I noticed the gap between the filler hose and the filler cap base. So I inserted the hose back on the cap, a tough job. If you look at the poor photo you can see the upward run of my fuel filler hose is about 2 or more inches shorter than the OEM version delivered with the older kits. You can also see where I trimmed the aluminum flange on the filler cap down to about 1 inch. The net effect was to essentially move the angle of the filler hose to a point above the point it enters the tank. Once completed, I was able to run 8 gallons of gas into the tank from a station pump without kickback or kick off and I can do it in less than a couple of minutes.
103653103654103655103656103657103658103659
Took her out for a spin, pulled the battery and put her away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W50Ym_4h6e4&t=102s
The third set of plates arrived today, has become a trinity. I now have owned the Ethyl special plates for all three classes.
104526104527104528
AJT '33
03-27-2019, 06:52 AM
Took her out for a spin, pulled the battery and put her away.
Why are you putting it away? Thought you would be out enjoying all the hard work you put into her!! :)
JOP33
03-27-2019, 01:06 PM
My thoughts exactly AJT..........drive it like you stole it!
Took it for a spin the other day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs-X5YZKCNI
104670104671104692104693104694104695104696104698
Tweaked the AC today and took her out fr a spin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h57KsYtP138
Drove her around the block too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezkFv0YLZ_s
JOP33
04-04-2019, 05:38 AM
Nice little video...Thanks for the virtual ride-a-long! :cool:
HVACMAN
04-04-2019, 09:31 AM
Drove her around the block too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezkFv0YLZ_s I am glad you posted the video Bill. I have missed those.
Nice little video...Thanks for the virtual ride-a-long! :cool:I think you have planned camera mounts all the way around
So got bored with the nasty weather and tweaked a couple of things. First I used the Kaisen Foam to make a liner for the console. I also hooked up the Innovative LM1 to the installed O2 for better tuning.
105636105637105638105639105640105641105642105643
HVACMAN
04-13-2019, 08:33 PM
So got bored with the nasty weather and tweaked a couple of things. First I used the Kaisen Foam to make a liner for the console. I also hooked up the Innovative LM1 to the installed O2 for better tuning.
105636105637105638105639105640105641105642105643
I see you believe in the Boy Scout moto...... Always be prepared.
I see you believe in the Boy Scout moto...... Always be prepared.I had a good friend was out cruising with his wife one night and they pulled up to a light. two guys jumped out of a car ran up to the windows and forced them out at gunpoint. Took their wallets, cell phones, and car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ebI1s3mA0
HVACMAN
04-14-2019, 07:58 PM
I had a good friend was out cruising with his wife one night and they pulled up to a light. two guys jumped out of a car ran up to the windows and forced them out at gunpoint. Took their wallets, cell phones, and car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5ebI1s3mA0
It's sad that is the world we live in today. I also never leave home without it.
So today did an interesting thing. Putting together some Vortec heads for my SBC. The Vortex heads have a great design that will pick up a respectable amount of horsepower over most stock ish SBC Heads. They are limited in lift and a couple of other areas. I took a set of really good Vortec heads, 062 castings, to a machine shop to have them set up for my current cam and engine combination. in the process I mentioned that I would like to see and even participate in the work being done. The owner invited me down, showed me the setup and let me cut and install new exhaust valve seats. We will go back next, and soon, to install the seats for the Intake Valves, then we will install the valve guides and cut them to meet the geometry requirements.
105706105707105708105709105713105710105711105712
The work on my matching Guitar is progressing nicely. Soon will go to paint. Notice the 33 Fender.
105745
Greg brought some color samples to match the car and Guitar. Got my car covers cover for 33 Ford Coupe. Really proud of it.
106185106186106187106188
Little cruising action Saturday night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkuS4QWO0Io
Barrel
04-22-2019, 10:16 PM
I have had my '33 FFR hot rod ( Coyote, Tremec 6060 ) on the road since late 2015 but have never had it out at night. When I watched this post I realised that the headlights on the '33 could well be considered inadequate for the speeds that these cars easily reach.
Am I the only one who thinks this?
I've been driving nearly three years now and have never had a problem of a complaint. Not sure what speeds you are driving at but I don't push more than 10 mph above the speedometer. There may be issues with the alignment of my camera and the light beams. from the perspective.
Barrel
04-23-2019, 12:11 AM
Its more a matter of where you are driving at high speeds after dark. I drive on country roads and have to be alert to the issue of wildlife or even stock wandering onto the roads I travel.
Even at 70 mph you are much safer driving a "modern" with lights that allow you to see much further down the road than what I'm seeing on this posted video.
Maybe you're right about camera alignment but I'd like to hear what other FFR hot rod owners think about their headlights too.
I do a lot of urban driving but we still have issues with deer and cattle where I do most of my videos. If you want to debate the designt I'd suggest a separate thread with a title that would attract comments.
AJT '33
04-23-2019, 07:52 AM
Greg brought some color samples to match the car and Guitar. Got my car covers cover for 33 Ford Coupe. Really proud of it.
106186106187106188
Hey Bill, so you prefer this cover over the previous one you purchased? As well, If I had a front bumper that's just ahead of the point of the grill, do you think it would stretch forward to possibly cover it as well? Appreciate the pictures and insight as well.
The previous cover is very high quality and fits the current front and rear fender shapes very nicely. I still maintain that the cover was made for a Hot Rod without the top and for that reason, fitment is off. In the first picture look at the seams. This is the old one. Note how it bunches over the windshield corners. Also, the mirror pockets were a mistake I made. I am going to relocate them back to the actual mirrors and I think that will help.
106243106244106245106246106245
This is the new one, made for a 33 Ford Coupe presumably not channeled and chopped. The contour of the seams makes it fit the roof line better, you can just tell it was made for the top to be mounted though. Since the second is not for a chopped and channeled Rod, there is ample room to cover the mirrors without pockets, I would presume full fenders, and the bumpers IMHO.
106247106248106249106249106250
I think what really irritated me was the CSR in the first company really was working hard to try to reconcile the issues. His design shop, even after me sending the pictures insisted that the design was for a coupe as specified. Essentially they said I didn't know what I was talking about. I figured the second cover if it fit the coupe would be fine and I could use the first cover when I had the top off the car. One feature I really liked on the first was the choice of color. Only satin black was available on the second cover. Turn around time on the first was several weeks, on the second 3-5 days.
Took her out to an actual Car Show today. First time out.
106429106430106431106432
dallas_
04-28-2019, 09:53 AM
Looks great! Turned out really nice.
Thanks, I have really enjoyed this car
Greg Birmingham is coming along nicely with the Guitar to match the 33.
106526106527106528106529
Some discussion lately about hood clearance with the SBC. I had a problem with the Holley air Cleaner. Had to go to a 2" filter to get the hood to close. That robbed me of as much as 35-40 wheel horsepower. I'd been looking at ways to drop the filter base and thus the overall height. The Holley base which you would figure to fit a Holley Carburetor would not drop due to accouterments. In fact we had to use a spacer to raise it up where the base flange wouldn't interfere with the choke assembly. The bowl adjustment screws on each end were an issue as well. First thing I tried was to buy another Holley base with a bigger drop but that didn't solve the problem. Wound up cutting it to pieces to get it to fit. Thought I would go to the K&N solution with a filter and top filter. While looking at the K&N assembly I noticed their standard base was very similar to the Holley but the drop figures were lower. I bought the K&N base and used a three inch filer with the Holley Air Cleaner top. Works very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EynpnzGbNzY
Local Car Show today.
10853910854010854110854210854310854410854510854610 8547108548
JOP33
06-09-2019, 07:50 AM
Beautiful day and beautiful car! Glad to see your feeling better!
Thanks, hope to get up to see yours soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBhQJCPfXGA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuwO_8ntP2I
Good lesson in how a really fast car acts tonight. Beautiful ZL1, all I could do is watch and gawk. SBC Chevy was straining its guts out and you couldn't even tell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuejb9imdPU
Not being an experienced old school chevy guy my initial setup had a mechanical advance distributor. I was frankly unhappy with the overall drivability of the combination so I recently changed the MSD Pro-Billet 85551 Mechanical Advance Distributor for an 8361 Pro Billet with a vacuum advance. Boy Howdy it made a tremendous amount of drivability difference. One of my best mods so far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17yAfldu9yI
Motivational Vids for you builders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sClWsngKw0
Another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUQsJghuFDY
and another
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8RZivPTud4&t=39s
sread
07-12-2019, 02:21 PM
I like your style WRP - yer a troublemaker....lol
Hey what rear end gear you runnin?
3.73 thinking of going to 3.55 or 3.23 car doesn’t have legs
sread
07-13-2019, 09:36 AM
Yea, it looks like it gets off the line pretty good but then runs out of steam. You ever get those those vortec heads installed? I would think that would help it out quite a bit - especially with the right cam.
Heads coming in a week or so. I still have some work to do on the suspension. I need better tires for the rear and some work dialing it in. When I hit second under steam it just blows the tires off. I would love to get a 60' time slip.
Tweaked the plug wire looms.
110703110704110704110705110706110707110708
JOP33
07-15-2019, 04:34 PM
Bill - That last pic looks like next years money shot for the calendar! :cool:
Not my house unfortunately.
Will be at AED for Shaun to tune on 8/7. I am ready to see how my setup works!
Remind me as we get closer, will try to come over
So sitting at a car show saturday and a friend needed a tool. Didn't have it so this weekend I took the false bottom compartment and made a tool tray.
111474111475111476111477
Finally broke the code at car shows today. Won two first places, street rod and pre-60 automobile. Lots of great cars there and lots of really great people to talk to and meet. This lovely family was from Israel.
111775111776111777111778111779
So my latest foray has begun. Working on kicking off my third career in this lifetime.
112958112959112960112960112961112962
FF33rod
08-26-2019, 12:08 PM
I'll bite :) Moonshine? gin? perhaps it should be evident from the equipment but I'm practicing the consuming part, not manufacturing....
So got some great shots at another car show recently.
11406611406711406811406911407011407111407211407311 4074
Went to Keller's in Dallas last night for the weekly Saturday night cruise. Saw a nice 34 Kit. Blue with a box fram. The car was not chopped and channeled and there were some obvious differences like hood fitment and operation. He really liked our forward tilting setup. I explained there were even more options now. Good series of photos with them both sitting side by side.
11469111469211469211469311469411469511469611469711 4698114699
Went cruising around in McKinney Texas today looking for good places to shoot the car..
11472311472411472511472611472711472811472911473011 4731114733114732
Cruising in Prosper Texas today
11501211500911500511501311501011500711501411501111 5008
A few more
115015115016115017
Got picked up for a local magazine. Coming out in November.
115310
Some more pictures
11553511553711554211554411554311554511554611554711 5548115549
Some more shots around town
11598911599011599111599211599311599411599511599611 5997115998
JOP33
10-15-2019, 05:32 AM
Moonshot
116043
Bill - I have to be honest, because of my internet connection, your text appeared before the picture and I was just a bit concerned waiting for the "moonshot" :p
My dermatologist told me it looked good, I told her not to worry, that my cardiologist was on the next floor up
Cause Murica
116205116206116207
Got some good money shots in Pilot Point Texas today. Hollywood filmed a bank robbery in Pilot Point. That is the backdrop of the bank pictures. also found a really cool old gas station
11627411627511627611627711627811627911628011628111 6282116283
JOP33
10-20-2019, 07:29 AM
Love seeing these pics Bill...can I ask how many miles you've got clocked on your 33?
Love seeing these pics Bill...can I ask how many miles you've got clocked on your 33?I haven't really driven it much, the odometer shows zero miles. I have however, worn out two sets of tires, one engine, one set of shocks, two sets of brake pads, and two accelerator pedals. :cool:
sethmark has inspired me and I have been teasing the grandkids. Got one staking out her territory now
116800116801
Went out to our Church today to see the pumpkin patch which supports our Youth Ministry. On the way we stopped by the ranch and took a few shots
116802116803116804116805116806
I had heating problems this summer. I found out the majority of my problem was the timing was off. Once I got it right the heat problem dissipated. Tonight I put the engine side skirts back on.
116854116855116885116886116884116889116887116888
So was out at GTGs/Car Shows Saturday and coming back from an early event rode through Plano. Deserted on Saturday, the day was lovely, sky was blue, and there were just a few pictures that called out.
117075117072117076117073117077117074117080117079
Busted Knuckle Rod and Truck Magazine did a photo shoot on the Hot Rod. It was published in issue 9. Thanks to all on here who have been encouraging and helpful with questions. Particular thanks to the Factory Five Staff, Kory and the Team at 121 Rod & Restoration, Loyd Mead and Steve Addison at Monster Clutch Company, Bill and Karin Ondo, and Gerardo Gutierrez for all the support. Also my wife for tolerating me.
117260
February 2020 issue of CarCraft Magazine, we made it onto Page 70 under WTF.
118127118128118129
So, after a few issues with the State DMV I have the documents back enroute to them. I took the opportunity to go through the car with a magnifying glass. Here are some videos we took on the way home from the shop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzZGxyeq-Po
This is a clip pulling out of the shop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXUCK8sarUY
February 2020 issue of CarCraft Magazine, we made it onto Page 70 under WTF.
118127118128118129As an aside, if publication is ending and this is the February issue, it may well be that this is the last print issue of Car Craft. After over 60 years of continuously reading CC magazine it would be a bucket list to have made it into the last issue.
sread
12-09-2019, 01:48 PM
exhaust sounds great in that clip from the rear - what mufflers did you end up running?
exhaust sounds great in that clip from the rear - what mufflers did you end up running?I used custom glasspacks, the entire exhaust was custom built with flanges
Big Cars and Coffee Toy Drive last Saturday, 7 December in Plano. Had a great time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3pObaR7tLM
Had an epiphany about Texans leaving the Cars and Coffee last Saturday. I had never paid a lot of attention to being no room to sit and watch the part of ballon fest in Plano where the balloons near the high tension lines. All the parking and seating is always taken. Fact is you cannot even get into a place you can see the power lines if the balloons are flying. Same for leaving Cars and Coffee. If you look at this video it is easy to recognize this location has been filmed and posted to You Tube hundreds of times, mostly depicting a crashing Mustangs or Corvettes driven by some young guy or old guy that have no clue as to what they are doing or how to do it. Over the years, sort of a macabre group has come to populate that roadside egging on the out of state newbies to Texas to show their stuff. What the resident knows is that just out of sight down the road is most likely a half dozen Plano Policemen with their radar guns and ticket books drawn. So I was able to capture the spectacle on video, complete with the spectators cheering me on and ending with me staring straight into the radar gun. I confess to teasing the crowd with a blip. You can see the motorcycle unit pull out and position himself in the event I put on a good show. All was good though. Reminds me to warn all you California, New York, and Michigan illegal immigrants....The Eyes of Texas are Upon You.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
All the livelong day.
The Eyes of Texas are upon you,
You cannot get away.
Do not think you can escape them
At night or early in the morn --
The Eyes of Texas are upon you
Til Gabriel blows his horn."
Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7gbGJ8Uecg
sread
12-10-2019, 11:16 AM
Boy, you're becoming quite the film producer...:cool: Wish more of the hot rod guys would post up video clips - helps keep us builders motivated.
I'm doing a similar layout on my exhaust except I went with Porters - to me they sound like a cross between the classic glass packs and a Flowmaster. When I get a little further along I'll start a build thread with some of the pics. I'm sure we'll meet up some day when I get this thing on the road.
Don't wait to farther along, if you haven't started you are behind
Been working with some nighttime shooting of Christmas lights. Enjoy
11883911884011884111884211884311884411884511884611 8847118848
Tried shooting earlier tonight, right in twilight.
11887311887411887411887511887611887811887911888011 8881118882
Some nice shots from last night in Murphy Texas
11903911904011904111904211904311904411904511904611 9047119048
Very cool calendar this year. Thanks TAZ
119400119401
Nearly finishing my job on the Vortec Heads. We had to modify them to meet the lift specs of the cam, plus while having them apart I wanted to replace the valve seats and check the valves then reseat them. We also had to modify the guides to meet the dimensions of the springs I am using as well as ensuring no coil bind. In an earlier video we cut out the old seats and installed the new ones. We installed new guides with brass runners.
With the new seats in place we marked them and used a tool that inserted in the guide. The guides were new and tight. I learned this was an important step because seats that are not flat let one side or the other of the valve close first and that tends to try to bend the valve, a reason for a lot of carnage. The two shots below show the marked Intake seat before machining and the machined seat afterwards. You can see the marker below the seats in the second picture and can tell how much was machined. It took some effort to get the seat flat with the black marker off of the surface. The third picture is the tool we used. The long piece is to go into the guide while the cutting edge is on the right side looking at the picture. Notice how the tool cutting surface is concave which renders a convex surface on the face of the seat. The reason becomes obvious I hope later.
119787119788119789
With the seats cut we took the valves and used an aggressive cutting compund with the stopper tool to insert them into the guides then hand finish a seal between the valve and the the valve seat. Essentially the seal is ground into the highest point of the convex surface of the seat. I have a piece in the video turning the valve by hand with the tool but do not have a picture of it. At any rate this is a finished job. On the second photo (5th) note the grey band around the valve. This is the seal. We inspected each closely uner a bright light. Sort of like fiberglass work, we were looking for high spots and low spots in the grey band as well as the consistency of the band width as well as a matching grey band on the seat in the head (next photo). So anyhow, 16 of these. We found several valves in these brand new heads where the grey band showed high and low spots so we had to rework the valves on a lathe. They were stainless steel. We tested each valve for seal with an air compresser and a jig, shown in the videos. My valve seats and seals are solid.
119790119791119792
So that pretty much completed the bottom side. Next we turned to the valve guides and the spring seats. If you look closely at the guides, the larger is the stock guide and the smaller one is the machined guides we did. The limiting factor on these heads is the lift. About .450 is all they will take. My cam has a .450/.460 lift so we shortened the entire guide after it was installed. The wider area around the base of the guides is also too thick on the stock guide to allow the double springs to fit, so we had to cut down the diemeter on the bottom and lower the lip so the springs would not coil bind due to the retainer hitting the guide. Also, note the spring seat around the bottom of the guide, we had to widen that seat for the new springs to sit flat.
119793119794
I am not pretending to be an expert on this. I have taken my time with a machine shop that was willing to let me watch, ask questions and even do some work. Like paying for a graduate level course at the local University. Here is the movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWjn-Zr63sQ&t=42s
I have been going through a set of SBC Vortec heads in preparation for instlalling them in my 355 Ci motor. Even with my flat tappet cam had too high a lift for any spare room for the heads which are limited to .450 lift. My cam was a .450/.460 lift so we went to a machine shop to prep the heads. The man who owned the shop was gracious and allowed me to participate in every step of the process. It was a better learning experience than any postgraduate program I have been in. In this segment, we are lapping the valves which essentially means establishing a seat on the heads for the valves to seal against. We had drilled out the old valve seats and replaced them, then recut them. Lapping w2as the final step and it is a good thing we decided to do it. Some of the valves, though from the factory and never installed, had flat spots on the seat area. Enjoy the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLygbUZKshk
Installed the valve seals, valves, springs, and retainers today and the heads are now home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_MPOjV3hnM&t=22s
Understanding we are a diverse community of many nationalities I do have a passion for the Flag. I am particularly fond of the American Flag though in my life I have saluted those of the UK, Mexico, South Korea, Austrailia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany and most of NATO (Netherlands, Belguim, Italy and a host of others. I did stand respectfully at a Soviet Ceremony, though I refused to salute. With that background I love to see any flag displayed proudly and respected. My passion for Hot Rods and Factory Five Racing, and well heck, this forum also has led me to enjoy photographing flags with my car. So I did some photography around Plano recently. Enjoy the pictures or just pass them buy. Thanks
12030412030512030612030712030812030912031012031112 0312120313
sread
01-08-2020, 11:58 PM
You got some great shots there Billy!
Thanks for the kind words.
Thinking about the build I had to conclude that it was never about the car, it was always about the people that I made friends with, counted on, asked for help, or offered words of support. So it was never about the car, it was ablout the people. Let's see if this will work
120619
HVACMAN
01-15-2020, 03:32 PM
Thinking about the build I had to conclude that it was never about the car, it was always about the people that I made friends with, counted on, asked for help, or offered words of support. So it was never about the car, it was ablout the people. Let's see if this will work
120619
You’re right Bill. I am not looking forward to completion. For me it’s the people, the build, and I enjoy the research.
So I have had a lot of fun going around shooting images of the car with an American Flag backdrop. It is interesting to note the number of businesses that display flags versus those that do not. It is also interesting to note those that display the flags with care and appropriateness. One particular private school near me does a fantastic job. The adminstrator in charge is very knowledgable and a genuinely nice person. I had notice their flag was beginning to fray and was getting tangled in the rigging so I went out and bought them a new one. They were very gracious and I enjoyed meeting and talking to them. The principal presented me with a note of thanks from each student in the school. I had not expected that and was frankly overwhelmed with gratitude. I think I have found a calling. Enjoy
12082512082612082712083212083312083412082812082912 0830
We were having a comfort issue with the ride. I have the seats sitting nearly on the floor, spaced less than an inch off of it. Made it an issued for me with my clutch foot (didn't want to ride the clutch to death). My wife was extremely uncomfortable because she could not bend her knees as they were flat on the floor. I went to the Upholsterer to make her a two inch cushion. When I got if back I tried the cushion on my side. It raised my butt enough theclutch pedal was easier to avoid with my foot flat on the floor. I am thinking about raising the bottom of he seats 1-2 inches to see if that helps the ride. Also, recieved the Hagan's Fatties Superview Mirrors. I pulled the trigger on them the other day. Alan Van Zeeland and the team at Hagan's makes a first class act. Give them a shout out.
120860120861120862120863120864120865120866120867
Pulled the trigger on some Hagan's Fatties Superwideview convex mirrors. Quality of work looks great. They are good to work with and I look forward to getting out and seeing how much improved visibility I get. Here are a series of before and after shots.
121081121082121083
Got a kitchen pass this am and went out roaming about. First stop was the local sprint car racer swap meet. Like going to a Chevy parts plantation. They was everywhere. Next I stopped off on the way home and took some shots of flags and of a really great company in the Plano area. Enjoy.
12185012185112185212185312185412185512185612185712 1858121859
Did another series of flag shots yesterday.
122268122269122270
So after 5 years, finally cleaned my wheels up this week. They sure needed it.
122760122760122761122762122763122764122765122766
Replaced my Goodyear F1 Tires with Mickey Thompson 315/35/17's Really made a lot of difference in the ride and handling
Shout out to Grassroots Motorsports Magazine putting Ethyl on Page 32 of the April 2020 issue. Really great to see the appreciation for our cars.
123367123368123369
So I was looking at the car and realized the battery had some sensitive areas exposed to shorts, aqrcs, and so forth. I started trying to work out how to do a reasonably functional and not unattractive battery box. Worked through the dimensions, built a box, then decided to just use a cloth or vynl bag to cover the battery. Still deciding whether to co black or to do it the buckskin color.
123394123391123388123392123389123393123390
Dropped in a local car event this afternoon and walked away with a trophy. Shout out to Outlaw Performance of Lewisville Texas.
123432123433123434123435123436123437123438
So my wife stepped in and helped fabricate a really nice Battery box.
123799123800123801123802123803123804123805
Stopped by the Texas Thaw at Denton's Northstar Dragway. It was their official season start and included a car show. Did not get anything but had a great time sharing and meeting with friends. I really liked th4e T-Model Truck. It had a Corvair engine mounted under the bed. In the engine compartment he had a cooler, two cans of soup, and a V8 juice. So it had a souped up V8
Cheap Gas, no traffic on the highways? I am afraid I am not taking this calamity the way I should be.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRAVTL3YD_0
cob427sc
03-20-2020, 07:27 AM
A least you are practicing proper "social distancing" with others as you appear to be all alone. I can envision alot more progress will be made on projects now that we are restricted to avoiding others and staying home.
By the Dawn's Early Light, our Flag was Still There.
Sitting at a light the other day looked up and found an unmarked car had been following me. I do not really give a **** since I never drive spiritedly in the residential areas but it did cross my mind how clearly and effectively my Hagan's Fatty Mirrors functioned. Guess he had been following me for a while and finally got bored. I am however, not above the occasinal stupidity that would have rewarded his stalk. Thank you Hagans.
124402
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj7OHn1ihOU
Reviewing my videos on the cornering the other day. Need to work on getting more effective footage but a few of the vids did reflect stress on the suspension.
124406124407124408124409124410
Compilations of my social distancing activities on 20 March
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO5RoG2LN78
sread
03-23-2020, 08:39 AM
some great footage Bill! really like the first part cruising the back roads and giving a sense of speed. man, the reflections passing across the hood give this crazy sensation that the the car is going straight as you enter the curves - looks cool!
Really kicks up vertigo symptoms. I often feel like I am leaning forward or to the left and right. I would like to get out and get some shots like that on a NASCAR Superspeedway.
So at the end of the day I have 16 quarts of moonshine sitting around in the garage. I have a friend who is suffering from an incapacitating disease and wondered if they are being affected by shortages. Hang with me here. Ethyl Alcohol is as effective as Isopropyl Alcohol for surface cleaning. So I contacted them to see if they could use some sanitizer. At 100 proof, the white whiskey is about 50% alcohol. So the answer was certainly. The challenge then is to brave the forces of social distancing and make the delivery. In a way, it is like the old days roaring out of Harlan heading for the Cumberland Gap. I am titling this the run to glory. This is the location of the Foundation page for anyone else wanting to contribute.
https://www.thejacksonscottbatesfoundation.org
Went out and did some social distancing today. Here is the video. Enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAxk2I4wBlI
Took the car over to my suspension guy. I have raised the front end and wanted to tweak the alignment. It was in remarkably good shape considering the radical lift I did, about 2.5 inches. I attribute a lot of my success to having a good alignment guy and sticking with him.
124749124750124751124752124753
Also took advantage of some pretty good scenery around the Star Center, having missed Jamie's photo shoot this am.
12475612475512475412475712475812475912476012476112 4762124763
I realize carrying a load of crap in your trunk is not the reason that we built these cars, however, a small number of items can prevent a $150-200 tow bill, especially if you are on a long haul trip like Biloxi in the summertime or the power tour. Had a friend ask for suggestions on what to carry and how to carry it for a long haul road trip. Some of you may recall I have been working on that for some time. Had a friend breakdown at a car show once and we had nothing to do simple fixes. So I went out and bought some Kaisen Foam and made up a couple of place holders in my hidden compartment and populated them. There are a milion combinations and permutations of things to bring, especially on a long haul. My thoughts go sort of like there are really must haves and a lot of nice to haves. Here is my current list:
Must Have
1. Electrical Tape
2. Fuses
3. Zip Ties
4. Dykes/vice grips/needle nose
5. Allen Wrenches
6. ratchet/extension/deepwell sockets
7. Adjustable Wrench of Combination Wrenches
8. Screw drivers, flat blade and phillips
9. Flashlight
10. Cell Phone Charger/USD/Lightning Cable GoPro Cables
11. Rags or wear an old shirt
12. Protection?
Nive to have
1. USAA or AAA roadside service
2. Jumper device or Cables
3. Multimeter
4. Bulbs
5. Jacks (sissor or hydraulic)
6. Chocks for Wheels
7. wrp n Ethyl hand cleaner
What's your list?
124863124864124865
So, went out today and had a little fun on the exit ramp. enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHxVQ6gyhVQ
Here are some shots under stress in the turn
124898124899124900124901124902124903
JOP33
03-27-2020, 05:19 AM
I realize carrying a load of crap in your trunk is not the reason that we built these cars, however, a small number of items can prevent a $150-200 tow bill, especially if you are on a long haul trip like Biloxi in the summertime or the power tour. Had a friend ask for suggestions on what to carry and how to carry it for a long haul road trip. Some of you may recall I have been working on that for some time. Had a friend breakdown at a car show once and we had nothing to do simple fixes. So I went out and bought some Kaisen Foam and made up a couple of place holders in my hidden compartment and populated them. There are a milion combinations and permutations of things to bring, especially on a long haul. My thoughts go sort of like there are really must haves and a lot of nice to haves. Here is my current list:
Must Have
1. Electrical Tape
2. Fuses
3. Zip Ties
4. Dykes/vice grips/needle nose
5. Allen Wrenches
6. ratchet/extension/deepwell sockets
7. Adjustable Wrench of Combination Wrenches
8. Screw drivers, flat blade and phillips
9. Flashlight
10. Cell Phone Charger/USD/Lightning Cable GoPro Cables
11. Rags or wear an old shirt
12. Protection?
Nive to have
1. USAA or AAA roadside service
2. Jumper device or Cables
3. Multimeter
4. Bulbs
5. Jacks (sissor or hydraulic)
6. Chocks for Wheels
7. wrp n Ethyl hand cleaner
What's your list?
124863124864124865
Nice list, we are carrying a lot of the same things Bill...
I also have a can of fix-a-flat, DC Compressor, Fire Extinguisher, Gloves, Viking Quick Start, my Wiper Arm (keep off most of the time) and an Emergency Poncho. I have noticed there are several open cavities under the car that could be utilized to carry some, not so frequently used items. They can be placed in bags and strapped or locked in place, but I have not gone quite that far yet. I am planning on mounting a second, smaller, dry-cell battery with an inverter under the trunk that will charge with the car battery. I will be able to disconnect from the main as required during some car shows, but still run monitor, etc. as needed.
With a trailer/hauler, the entire dynamic changes...floor jack, jackstands, fluids, spart parts (brake pads, belts, plugs).
progmgr1
03-27-2020, 02:35 PM
When I saw "protection" on the list I was expecting to see N95 masks and a box of nitrile gloves, or maybe a box of condoms, but your approach works too...:rolleyes: Thanks for posting the list. It's something I've been thinking about but hadn't got to the point of writing anything down yet. Keith
AJT '33
03-27-2020, 02:44 PM
When I saw "protection" on the list I was expecting to see N95 masks and a box of nitrile gloves, or maybe a box of condoms, but your approach works too...:rolleyes: Thanks for posting the list. It's something I've been thinking about but hadn't got to the point of writing anything down yet. Keith
This is my "protection" for shop sanitizing!
124946
I just reached into the tool tray and picked up a socket....damned, a 10 mm. Told mama to pack up we are going to the Casino while we are hot.Here is a picture of it for those of you tht have never seen one.
124955
I am getting to like exit ramps and no traffic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRKQ5TAd21Q
When I saw "protection" on the list I was expecting to see N95 masks and a box of nitrile gloves, or maybe a box of condoms, but your approach works too...:rolleyes: Thanks for posting the list. It's something I've been thinking about but hadn't got to the point of writing anything down yet. Keith
This is what we consider protection in Texas
125169
Awesome spring in Texas this year. Just noticed the wildflowers exploding.
12525012525112525212525312525412525512525612525712 5258125259
Published some photos of the Hot Rod in the Legion Town organization
http://www.legiontown.org/myflag/6246/keep-her-flying (http://www.legiontown.org/myflag/6246/keep-her-flying)
I republished my last video in 1080, amazing difference, enjoy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIj7S2tFQvo&lc=z23bur1yfn22d3alwacdp435i0211nvmvacwwym3dgxw03c 010c
Just for the heck of it took the exaust pipes off last night and cleaned the tips. I really do like the flangees. took less than an hour.
12545812545912546012546112546212546312546412546512 5466125467
Really good friends from Tennessee snet me some plates this afternoon to use in the garage. They did send me a Tennessee 1933 plate. It certainly has the antique/used patina. The question is to restore it or just clean and clear coat it to preserve it? Any suggestions?
125575125587125588
Interesting virtual car show, made the top 5. Let me know if you can see the post. Enjoy
https://www.facebook.com/wrpnEthyl/posts/10217570035298332
JimLev
04-06-2020, 09:52 PM
Really good friends from Tennessee snet me some plates this afternoon to use in the garage. They did send me a Tennessee 1933 plate. It certainly has the antique/used patina. The question is to restore it or just clean and clear coat it to preserve it? Any suggestions?
125575125587125588
Garage wall plate. Leave the ETHYL plate on the hotrod.
I actually have three versions, one as a custom Hot Rod (Currently mounted), another as a Classic Car (on the wall), and a third as a regular custom plate (Also on the wall) Here is the wall
125810
j33ptj
04-07-2020, 06:31 AM
I wish I could save that first bypass as a sound clip to my phone, that would be awesome as a ring tone, sounds just beautiful!!
I wish I could save that first bypass as a sound clip to my phone, that would be awesome as a ring tone, sounds just beautiful!! The logo or the first pass after the logo? :)
So here is the objective of the license plate drill
125834125835125836125837
Me n Ethyl took a ride down to the essential items store the other day. Now Baptists never recognize each other in the essential items store. I reckon hotrods shouldn't either. However, ran across a beautiful T-Bucket. Also going to fabricate my own louvered hood panels.
12674912675012675112675212675312675412675512675612 6757
I have Don Ross Fabrications generating some engine hood panels with angled louvers. Don is a longtime drag racer with a fabulous resume of successful build projects including several very well known restorations; Jim Nichol's Indy Car, the Scorpion Car, and Don Garlits Swamp Rat II. I am extremely stoked about it. Here is a rough photochop of the ultimate goal. Also had a minor emergency and broke one of my gas springs supporting the hood. Dan Whittaker was extremely grateful and helpful in getting a replacement. You've noticed a lot of Dan's parts on my car, he sent me a license plate from his Cobra. Its a Treasure displayed with the trophies for now, until I find a really cool way to display it.
126896126897
Gained a new meaning to the term essential items. My favorite moonshine company is making hand sanitizer.
126936
Social Distance GTG last night...on the way home...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca9eBNzImBg
Two Tesla's one Ethyl. Can't see the second he was behind me and flew outside on the launch intending to cut me off where the lanes narrowed. I never really saw him after the light.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_fRR--1fRk
In the 1950's and 1960's in Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky on Saturday we'd go to the Bootlegger's to make an illegal purchase of the contents of mason jars. You'd drive down this backwoods country road, past souped up cars that were positioned to 1) escape the inevitable raids and 2) to deal with customers trying to pull a fast one. You'd lay down your money at a designated stump, drive around the bend and come back again and viola, a mason jar full of white whiskey would be there with no one to stop you from taking it. This video is a little long but it is a cool drive down a country road, the distant guitar in the background is me. I wonder if in present times, many of the old folks in the hills are repurposing the stills to double the proof and make hand cleaner. Then there are those blockade runners that have to brave through stupid gubenatorial edicts to deliver the hand sanitizer to a greatful public. Nothing has much changed since George Washington sent the Army into Pennsylvania to quell the whiskey rebellion, cept maybe it hasn't really started yet. Enjoy the car and the drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37wl0Nu4jUI
So back up in the woods we eventually run into the still. On top of that other blockade runners began to show up. Great day for photographs.
12737812737912738012738112738212738312738412738512 7386127387
We went out driving around yesterday and snapped a few shots.
127419127420127421127422127423127424127425127426
Lately, some members have encountered issues posting music to their videos of cruising. While the cars make their own music I am interested in seeing if my own randomized music riffs will provide a background and pass the test. The music is getting better, the issue is playing a randomized tune and melody without encroaching.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLsBrpYr9Ks
Pulled the heads today. Have the Vortec Heads ready to go. Since we had already gone that far I decided to put a Comp Cams Extreme Energy Roller Kit in it. I cut the valve guides so that we can get over .600 lift and widened the spring seats. The Cam I am going with is a 236/242 with 520/540 lift on a 110 LSA. Since we were going that far, I went ahead and added a Holley Sniper EFI to it. We will also add a dual synch distributor. My dreams of a 427 LSx are fading buy I think this will be a pretty fun little combination. Also went out to watch the Flyover.
127876127875127874127873
So one thing I have missed is music in the videos. The copyright hounds have made it nearly impossible to add music to a video without incurring harrassment to no end. I'm trying a new approach, my own arangements of public domain music arranged, performed, recorded, and published by me. I realize some may not like the music but hey, I am learning.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbMnv0U0_Qs
So we are begining to get the new motor together and have come to some conclusions about direction. We're going to a later model block with a one piece rear main seal. We are going fully forged on the internals and it will displace 383 cubic inches. We are figuring the motor will be about 10.5:1. I'll have a .550/.550 Comp roller cam with Vortec 062 heads. we are going to cap it off with a Holly Sniper EFI. Putting a Ram clutch in it temporarily until the Monster twin is ready. We are shooting for 500-550 rwhp and may put a small shot on it, if we begin to itch. Upgrading the water pump and the cooling fan while we have it apart. Also we will add a Don Ross Fabrication louvered Engine hood panel.
129138129139129140129141129142
Most of the new motor is in. The block is in prep, this week should see a lot of progress towards getting the long block built.
129354129355129356129357129358
Got another shot of the car in a magazine today. The July 2020 Volume 32 No 7 of Goodguys Magazine has a picture of the hotrod on page 38. Wasn't a big deal, they just needed some filler space to fill up the magazine so these were shots from a virtual car show. Still, it is a hoot to see the car making the cut.
129423129424
sread
06-04-2020, 06:32 PM
Ethyl is going to feel like a whole different car when she gets out of the operating room...kinda like entering as a respectable middle aged lady....and then emerging as hot 21 year old stripper
Yee haaaa! should be fun!
till you have a heart attack.....lol
JOP33
06-05-2020, 04:52 AM
When is she coming home Bill?
They start putting the engine together next week. I've thrown them a curve asking if I can put an eforce supercharger on it with the Holley EFI.
We got the new motor build back from the machine shop today. It is a one piece rear main seal late model block clearanced for a 383 stroker rotating assembly. We added a Comp cams 550/550 lift roller camshaft, completely forged internals that are internally balanced and we are going to put a Holley Sniper on top of it. The motor has a set of VORTEC head machined to work with up to 650 lift, new seats, seals, springs, plates and rockers. We went with flat top pistons and expect roughly 10.5:1 compression. The Sniper is FI ready but we have not considered going there yet because of the Vortec heads. Whatever I do, the engine should have enough guts to handle. In the process I have upgraded the cooling fan and put a new clutch on it. We are going to wrap the headers and exhaust pipe to see if the new combination cannot be a little more heat friendly. Motor should have the build completed tomorrow and go in Friday. We expect to be breaking it in by Friday Afternoon.
130435130436130437130438130439130440
JimLev
06-25-2020, 12:35 PM
Bill, congrats your famous.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/factory-five-1933-ford-coupe-kit-car-with-383-stroker/?wc_mid=4035:19408&wc_rid=4035:1639818&_wcsid=815BB391C8BF4E8E70C309A0098167BEB942DBE2CA1 AD93D
Bill, congrats your famous.
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/factory-five-1933-ford-coupe-kit-car-with-383-stroker/?wc_mid=4035:19408&wc_rid=4035:1639818&_wcsid=815BB391C8BF4E8E70C309A0098167BEB942DBE2CA1 AD93DThanks, that is certainly a bucket list item
So looking at the engine, it is a two bolt main. I've put 1000 hp rotating assembly into a 400 hp block. Sad thing is that was what I was getting with the flat tappet cam motor I took out. Comes from inexperience on my part. Was really looking forward to this being a fun driver. Wish I had gone with the Firedome or flathead I was contemplating putting in it. Here is the actual layout
13061513061613061713061813061913062013062113062213 0623130624
RoadRacer
06-28-2020, 09:45 AM
I don't understand Bill, why wouldn't the machine shop tell you? Someone surely noticed
I had a disaster at the house and was unable to be present to order the work. I had decided to go with a new block without really having enough sense to realize the latter blocks were two bolt mains. There was a lot of shuffling that went into getting a different flywheel and so forth. I honestly never asked the question. They sent me pictures of the build and I was looking at them and was stunned. They told me that the two bolt mains with arp fasteners would handle 1000 hp. I haven't found anyone that agrees with that. Pretty much 400 hp and about 6000 RPM seems to be the safe bet. I guess pretty much any of them will go there at least once. The machine shop wasn't being dishonest, they just thought I knew what I was doing when they asked the question about whether I wanted a one piece rear main. Had I known I would gladly have had them put the splayed main caps in. Its all on me. Car performed really well with the old two piece rear main seal block and chinese heads. It should still be useful at parades and to sit at shows. Since I seem to be unable to put a really good performing engine in it I have contacted an old friend with a Firedome Hemi and another with several flathead V8s. I will start a build on one or the other in the future, once I financially recover from this effort. I'll have my Silverado to cruise around in.
130648
RoadRacer
06-28-2020, 12:02 PM
Ugh that sucks. But you have the expensive rotating assembly, surely its easy/cheap to find a 4 bolt main block? I got mine for $500 and had it tested/machined. You have sunk cost into that block, true, but that parts are where the money's at, right?
Flatheads surely suck for you.. they look pretty but have comparatively no HP, even when blown. And yours will be covered up anyway.
Btw, I called a drag racing friend of mine, been racing the same '55 in his family since 59, run a ton of motors through it. 283, 350, 383, blown, etc, and he says as long as you keep below 7000, you can get 500-600 hp out of two bolt mains.
"Naturally aspirated you can push 500 to 600 hp (which is a ton of hp to make on the street) keeping RPM under 7000 with no problem."
RoadRacer
06-28-2020, 12:12 PM
You know, maybe you should keep going! I just got this follow-up from my friend Charles. I trust him with all things SBC:
"My brother ran his 2 bolt main 400 in the Chevelle for 20 years without issues. He ran low 11 in the quarter so it was pushing some good HP"
sread
06-28-2020, 03:10 PM
remember what I said about coming out of surgery as a hot stripper - see, she's already giving you grief...:mad:
but seriously, if it is assembled properly with good parts I would go with it - unless you are turning Ethyl into a real race car you may be surprised how long she will live
Ugh that sucks. But you have the expensive rotating assembly, surely its easy/cheap to find a 4 bolt main block? I got mine for $500 and had it tested/machined. You have sunk cost into that block, true, but that parts are where the money's at, right?
Flatheads surely suck for you.. they look pretty but have comparatively no HP, even when blown. And yours will be covered up anyway.
Btw, I called a drag racing friend of mine, been racing the same '55 in his family since 59, run a ton of motors through it. 283, 350, 383, blown, etc, and he says as long as you keep below 7000, you can get 500-600 hp out of two bolt mains.
"Naturally aspirated you can push 500 to 600 hp (which is a ton of hp to make on the street) keeping RPM under 7000 with no problem."
That is a pretty uplifting assessment. I was already getting around 400 to the crank with the old motor on the flat tappet cam and took it to 6500 regularly. I am hoping that the roller cam and Vortec heads will surprise me. On either the flathead or the Hemi I had an interest in the historical and esthetics. I am about of the opinion to set the redline at 7000 and enjoy it.
So the motor is together and will probably be in the car today, hopefully. The shop put a lot attention to detail in the motor. Things like painting the top of the machined area around the intake so all exposed metal is covered and protected from rust. I am really stoked at the quality of work. I think the engine will look good with the polished firewall and polished Hood panel liners.
13081213081313081413081513081613081713081813081913 0820130822
RoadRacer
06-30-2020, 10:27 AM
Yummy, I love me a full roller chevy. Jealous.
Should have put a loud gear drive in though :D
I don't think it is going to spin fast enough to merit one
Drove up to the shop today to get a firsthand look at how things were going. I had gotten a FAST Dual Synch and for some reason it was not meshing up with the MSD/Holley Sniper combination. I chucked the whole thing and ordered a Hyperspark kit. Maybe next week will see this complete.
131074131075131076131077131078131079131080131081
Was a long week. Summit sent the wrong distributor with the hyperspark kit and had to order another. Instead of shipping it from Arlington which would have been at worst two days, they shipped it from Georgia to St. Louis, to DFW, to St. Louis, then back to Tulsa, then over to REady Motorsports. Most excrutiating 5 days of my life. Lesson learned. I could have bought the part in Arlinggton and driven it up, returning the same day. But at any rate, most everything is in. They are checking details, connections and tying up the wiring etc. Should be able to start it Monday.
131570131569131568131571131572
sread
07-11-2020, 01:23 PM
while you're waiting I got a feeling you'll get a kick out of this
https://youtu.be/g2Rp-x59uVY
Thanks, that was fun
131646131647
First start, relatively uneventful. Thanks to Charles Ready at Ready Motorsports for helping guide me to get this together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY9HFWNd9fY
Don Ross is building me engine side hood panels with louvers. Don is a well know nostalgia restorer and fabricator. He has restore at least one of Don Garlit's Swamp Rats as well as the Dragster Jim Nichols Crashed in 67 at Indy. He is currentl;y working on a restoration of the Shark Car, a AA/FD car from the early 1960's. My panels will have louvers.
131929131928131927
Welp she's completed. Some final tuning up and break in/heat cycling. Should have her home by Friday. Really Appreciate Charles Ready at Ready Motorsports for the workhe and his team have done plus the counciling he has provided through the project.
132203
Okay got her home Thursday Unloading her and I hear a thud on the other side of the trailer. rushed around to see what was up and my wife was face down on the concrete sidewalk. Huge pool of blood. after a minute she was coherent and we got her up and in the house. She refused to go to the hospital which made for a long evening. Got her to the Dr's office Friday, aside from some pretty bad bruising and a broken nose she is okay. After 70, falling is a terrifying thing, probably one of the biggest killers. Completely forgot about the car until today. I had an appointment with Don for the final fitment of the hood panels but had to cancel it. The tune wasn't sport on because I rushed the shop to get the car on Thursday. It is a 4 hour drive. Messed with it a bit Friday night and got it idling pretty good, took it out to log some hours. Brand new motor is tight, probably less than 100 miles on it so I am taking it pretty easy. Took it out today and did some tuning logs. Adjusted the mechanical timing which was off pretty badly and have now started the tuning/relearning process. Have a really good tuner coming over Monday night to tweak it.
132428132429132430132431132432132433
AJT '33
07-27-2020, 09:20 AM
Oh my God Bill, please pass along our thoughts to your wife, its the scariest thing I have gone through too. Make sure she's OK!!
FF33rod
07-27-2020, 10:29 AM
Bill, our thoughts are with ya regarding your wife! Was it heat? did she trip? Health stuff is perplexing and scary as we get older.
Steve
RoadRacer
07-27-2020, 10:36 AM
Hey Bill, just saw this - hope everything is ok up there. Let us know how we can help, there's many of us within driving distance..
Actually wife is doing well. Broke her nose and got some bruises on her arms. All in all a miraculous outcome. She tripped over an expansion joint in the sidewalk. One of those fluke things. Falls get dastardly after age 60. Since she has recovered, I have been able to return to putting the car together. Did some EFI tuning. enjoy the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG9UBAVEJRo
Here is a video of the car riding around
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHxI3s-pUi0
33fromSD
07-28-2020, 05:48 AM
Sounds nice...Is that a Holley Sniper you're running?
33fromSD
07-28-2020, 04:38 PM
Yessir, a 4150 Stealth
Nice, I put the Holley Sniper & Holley Hyper Spark system on my 70 Challenger...I really like it.
One thing I had not thought much of was the throttle body propensity to got WOT if a return spring breaks. Had that happen in the GTO once and before I could get the key switched off I was at about 130 mph. when I switched the key off, the steering wheel locked, fortunately straight line. When I switched it back on, WOT again. I finally got it straight enough to shut it off in lockdown mode long enough that when I switched the key to on the motor didn't refire and got it stopped. Someone pointed out only one return spring on my Sniper TB. I added a dual throttle return spring setup today.
132655132656132657
RoadRacer
07-29-2020, 11:47 AM
Ouch, yes double springs forever! One of the most important things to remember on a car.. luckily when I learnt that lesson many years ago it was sitting in my garage, even then it was scary!
33fromSD
07-29-2020, 02:11 PM
Yup...two things on a car to get 100% right all the time
1) Double springs on TB
2) Well maintained brakes
Out tuning the car yesterday and captured some footage, Enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u7nVbtFsYM
HVACMAN
07-31-2020, 08:51 PM
That's pretty awesome. Looks like he couldn't catch you until you got out of it.
Actually I was waiting for him to come up beside me, expecting to do a roll. He just nailed it a few yards back and literally flew by initially. You can see/hear his tires barking when he got around me. He passed me at WOT and I was barely into it. I stopped his WOT pull caught and passed him. The look on his face as I drove around him was priceless. I did let off, I never go past the top of third on these things?
So today was a special day. Went down to Don Ross Fabrication so he could do the final measuring on the Louvered Hood Panels. At the end of the day the panels FFR sells would probably be just as good but I would have had to modify and cut them as well. Don has made these panels out of mild steel. I cannot wait to get them painted and installed. Don is a renowned fabricator. He restored several Nostalgia Dragsters including the Scorpion 2 Car which is current in Garlit's Museum as well as the Nichols dragster destroyed in the famous crash while running Prudhomme in the mid 60's at Indy. He has several nostalgia dragsters in the shop right now.
13281213281313281413281513281613281713281813281913 2820
Catching up on the loose ends. I installed a Lokar flexible dipstick in the new motor the other day. fit like a champ.
132833132834132835
Keeping everything build related together, I did post this elsewhere. After five years of wrestling with the hood hinges on my Gen 1 I discovered a solution put out by Dan Ruth some time ago. The solution itself is simple. Move the bottom mounting ball on the gas struts down one inch. It is so obvious it is silly but seems to work better than it ever had worked before.
13288013288113288213288313288413288513288613288713 2888
Put a new set of wire looms on the car. Since going to the center bolt Votec heads the old school SBC looms don't work. Anyone need a set of the old School Ones?
134042134043134044134045
60's Kid
08-26-2020, 10:36 AM
WRP--Can you show me some pics of how you mounted the rubber seal around your doors? I have seen a couple of different ways. Looking for options.
Thanks Rick
I am away from my photos, iwill get it to you as soon as is possible
134648134649134650
Spent a lot of time at my Dad's house this summer. One drawback is no Hot Rod to fiddle with. First thing up on return home is a short cruise to get the oil pressure pumped up. This new motor has an amazing thrid gear pull.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HfYRFeEKlQ
j33ptj
09-03-2020, 02:02 AM
What was that car next to you trying to keep up?
350/370Z car. I rolled into it from the light, about midway through second he nailed it, what you see is stopping his pull and reversing it.
Went to the Garland Texas Bass Pro Car Show today. Got a best of show award from a previous show. Met Warren there.
13474213474313474413474513474613474713474813474913 4750134751
33fromSD
09-06-2020, 04:58 AM
How much was the maroon camaro next to you going for? Yours is a sharp looking car.
He is asking $69,000. I think this is his first time out trying to sell it
33fromSD
09-06-2020, 12:10 PM
He is asking $69,000. I think this is his first time out trying to sell it
Wow..that's like a Barret Jackson price....... :)
He liked my 33. He is looking for a rail dragster for his daughter
progmgr1
09-07-2020, 03:13 AM
Hey Bill,
That green is looking better to me each time you post a new photo. Can you share a paint code or other info on the finish?
Thanks, Keith HR #894
I posted this in the body section. I want to keep it with the build thread. Been doing major relook at my hinge and hood, hood panels, and mounting hardware. Had a terrible time getting the instructions in the Gen I Manual to work, mainly cause I did not understand thm. Hood was incosnistent, hard to align, opemn, and close. Found an article by Dan Ruth on the old manual instructions had the lower mgas shock mount too high. So I dropped mine an inch on each side and the improvement was dramatic. Hood stays on the shelf when you pop the latch, it closes to the shelf and not the engine compartment. It is also more stable in the wind, farting, breezes, thunderstorms, hail storms etc. It does cause the hood to not open as far. If you need to spend a lot of time *** up in the engine compartment you might consider the requirements as you think through it. 134787 While conducting this advanced study in quantum mechanics I also discovered my own Higgs Bosun with a close comparison of diagrams, photos, and manuals over the years. The damned hardware was not assembled correctly. The scientist, apparently with depth perception problems, misread the diagram, which honestly can be read to say anything you want, sort of like COVID Statistics. So I pulled the hinge hardware and reconstructed it within the constraines of the dark matter and dark energy controlling the universe. 134788 134789 When I put the initial panels on the car I used button head hex bolts. Heck that was the thing. I noticed a terrible amount of damage to my underhood paint. We had alwas had a problem with the resting points of the hood against the car. We ground down the heads of the bolts, all to no avail. I decided to go to countersunk hex headed bolts. Still worried about structural integrity on the hood panels but I like the results. 134790134791134792 Final issue was the access plates on the firewall ledge. The button head bolts had been a long problem. I Countersunk the holes and put in hex headed bolts that sat flush. While we were at it the wife suggested we put foam padding on the hood over the access plates. This covered a lot of the damage and makes for a more solid feeling opening and closing, at least you don't hear glass grinding against itself. Getting due for some touch up anyhow. Thinking when I paint the new Louvered panels I can address the issues. Funny thing, with the EFI, I don't think the louvers were all that necessary, other than looking cool. 134793134794134795
Labor Day Cruising
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXdFy7CiQ8
Run through the gears with the Sniper handheld video taped.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jEKgQav03Q
Backwoods Country Road fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmHEjUtXuKk
We worked some on fitment of the side panels this afternoon. Got the driver's side almost done, a few tweaks still needed. I really do enjoy watching this progress.
13493313493413493513493613493713493813493913494013 4941134942
So stage I of the Louvers is finished. Got them fabricated and fitted on the car, next step is to 121 Rod & Restoration to see about getting them painted.
13510613510813510913511013511113511213511313511413 5115135116
HVACMAN
09-17-2020, 11:17 PM
Looks great Bill.
Thanks. Took her up to set up getting some paint for the panels today. Made a video on the backroads. It was really hard to get that fly to stand still while I glued his feet to the windshield.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUgFpQWNvRk
Some photographs from Drones Point of View (Dennis Cruz) at a recent car show.
135429135430135431135432135433
j33ptj
09-23-2020, 01:39 AM
You are doing 50mph when that picture was taken?? Without a driver...
Impressive!!
On the other hand, it is a low mileage vehicle :)
AJT '33
09-23-2020, 03:51 PM
Some photographs from Drones Point of View (Dennis Cruz) at a recent car show.
135432
Love the Dash Panel!!
135455 135456 ;)
I really like your hydragraphics
So we went out and did a photo shoot with the Hot Rod. We were in Anna Texas. Dennis Cruz of Drone's Point of View did the photo shoot. Lots of Drone Footage and some really good still shots as well. Enjoy
13617813618113617913618013618213618313618413618513 6186136187
Here are some shots from another set
13623413623513623613623713623813623913624013623813 6239136241
JimLev
10-11-2020, 10:33 PM
Bill, where did you get your wiper from? The arm and blade that came with mine is too long.
Nice pics too.
Thanks, my unit was traded from another guy. He had gotten it from Speedway. We had to trim the arm and the blade to fit. I had originally purchased a quick disconnect from Sachse Rod Shop locally. That one was made to mount and dismount as needed. The guy at the shop had a 27 T and needed the removable unit in lieu of the fixed position unit.
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Quick-Mount-1932-36-Roadster-Electric-Wiper-Motor,5513.html
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Universal-Black-12-Volt-Electric-Windshield-Wiper-Motor-Kit,2999.html
More shots from the photo session.
13628013628113628213628313628413628513628613628713 6288136289
Here is an interesting view inside the engine bay with the hood closed.
136441136442
A little crusing action, enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdqxxNKUiI&t=8s
Been fiddling with the Hood a lot. Since the engine rebuild it hasn't fit exactly right. Further. we will soon be finishing the engine panels soon so I have been working to get it correct. Used the GoPro under the Hood to get a better view of what was happening. May not mean much to anyone but it is an interesting perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tEZZeo_oqY
So, after a ton of work I finally got the Hot Rod on the Dyno Monday. I watch way too much YouTube and Facebook so I had a number in mind. The new engine just felt like a beast compared to the old engine. My oldage memory recalled a 320 number on the old engine and I recalled that as horsepower with a larger torque reading. The new Holley Sniper had greatly improved drivability over the old carburator setup. I engaged John Gilliland to put a tune on the Sniper, we were running the basic Snip self learned tune on the new engine until Monday. The tune itself goes into dozens if not hundreds of areas of the engine, fuel, spark, and air combination at the entire range of engine speed, temperature, air density, and a number of other variables the new Sniper has provided sensors to measure. The first few pulls were well below 300 HP to the Wheels with Torque in the 320-330 range. That set the baseline. John went to work changing the timing and fueling, improving the driveability incredibly. Still the numbers only came up into the 320-330 wheel horsepower range though the torque did manage the mid 330's. Studying the pulls and John's seat of the pants intuition, we determined the Wheels were not hooking up to the dyno at all. After the tweaking, which included the fat guy sitting in the trunk, we did a final that netted right at 343 rear wheel horsepower and 358 foot pounds of torque. It was a general improvement in the numbers. But I was somewhat disappointed as my expectations were higher. I really had no idea of how good these results were.
First, going into the session I had no idea what the redline for the new motor was. We saw a clear falloff at 6200 RPM so that is where we set it.
Second the engine suffered an overheating problem with the old setup, often reaching 240 degrees on hot Texas days. On the trip out before the tune we averaged 190-195 degrees, showing a remarkable improvement over the previous engine. With the tune adjustments to idle and cruising timing, on the return the temps dropped to below 170, meaning I need to up the thermostat. The car cruises at about 185 degrees now as opposed to 192 prior to the tune.
Also on the way out I averaged 9 miles per gallon. On the way back with the new tune we averaged 14.5 miles per gallon figuring a near 30% increase in economy while cruising. Of course when my foot gets involed that gets worse sometimes.
My exhaust was designed for a 190 horsepower sbc crate engine with 2" collectors and tubing. The headers are 1 3/4 tubing. I need 2.5 to 2.75 inch headers with 3-3.5 inch collectors and 2.5 inch exhaust piping. Just my opinion
I installed an adjustable 4 Link system a few years ago and have never really gotten that effectively dialed in. I am old and don't bend so well. I don't have access to a rack to take the 4 link adjustable settings and properly set up the pinion angle. That may well have been a lot of the problem with the traction, though light weight needs to own some of it. I need to pay attention to that.
Overall drivability is excellent after the tune. John did a great job. Holley Sniper provide an okay daily driver safe solution and the learning keeps the finicky fuel tables up but the touch of a tuner smoothing out the timing and fueling transitions is a big improvement. In the photos below there are three sheets, two from the old engine done in 2016 and 2017 and the third is from the latest session. All in all a 50-55 rwhp gain and a 36 rwtq gain. over the 2017 session and an 81 rwhp gain over the 2016 session.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOEJEM-Ykbg&t=70s
Fun article in NSRA's Street Scene Magazine about Ethyl. This was submitted before the louvered panels and the 383 Stroker but It is still an honor to be included in their publication. Lots of fun braggin about Factory Five, the 33 Ford hot Rod, and Ethyl. Forgive me if I get somewhat burdensome about it. Anyhow, enjoy the spread.
137210137211
JimLev
11-04-2020, 11:33 PM
I saw it, good article and pics.
I saw it, good article and pics. Thanks Jim
Did a little piece on fabricating the engine compartment side panels. Enjoy
Don Ross of Don Ross Fabrications in Garland Texas recommended a set of side panels with louvers in them. Louvered panels were always a passion, but the fiberglass car was just difficult to work with and the steel liners would make the louvers cosmetic only. Don has restored several nostalgia cars and is in fact renowned for his efforts with examples of his work at the Don Garlits Museum in Florida. Don took one look and suggested we should build the panels out of mild steel. He showed examples in work he has done, and it was easy to agree. The existing panels were dropped off with him to use as templates to work with. Over the next few weeks, it was amazing to watch him turn the mild steel panels into a superb set of engine panels (Figures 9-12).
Don was able to precisely prep and adjust the car itself for fitment and did a fantastic job on shaping the mild steel panels (Figures 13-16). With only two sessions, the perfected the fitment was ready to be installed. Don developed a pin system for alignment of the panels along their lower contact while the existing panel bolts were engineered to ensure that in the end (Figures 15 and 17), two fully functional panel sets wildly different in styling. Three styles exist. They range from the more modern look of the Factory Five parts, to the austere look of the open engine compartment, and finally, the incredible looking and fitting louvered hoods. The raw work was so good enough to consider having 121 Rod and Restoration just put the patina on the panels, seal them, and let them go. 121 convinced me to go ahead and match them to the rest of the car.
13751813751913752013752113752213752313752413752513 7526
FF33rod
11-17-2020, 01:47 PM
Bill
Do you have any info on the "pin and receptacle" pieces that you use for the side covers?
Thx
Steve
progmgr1
11-17-2020, 03:32 PM
Not the same as what Bill used, but I found these on McMaster-Carr:
Dry-Running MDS-Filled Nylon Sleeve Bearing Light Duty, 3/64" Thick Flange, for 1/4" Shaft, 3/8" Long 6294K434
and
Surface-Mount Weld-on Pins 1/4" Diameter, 3/4" Long, Stainless Steel 94742A370
Not cheap, but not ridiculous.
Keith HR #894