What is going on.....

[ThingyM]

I am just kinda wondering why the HA/GR site is falling on it's face. We use to have great discissions, Photos, and just plane ol' good BS,ing..
Seems that all has come to a hault.. We out here in the shakey state, are trying to get the HA/GR class moving. As of last count, There should be at least 8-9 cars either finished or almost finished. Haven't heard from the Okie state in ages. Bob sets up there by himself in Minnesota, We are trying to figure a way to get him down here for a race or two.. Where is Roy, 2B. Randy, Brad, Plus a bunch more.?? Do their computers freeze up during the winter months..???
If we don't keep this site going strong, People are going to loose intrest real fast. Rocky (Toymaker) has been busting his butt to keep intrest up here in Cal.. And thats why we are getting more cars, more races, And more shows to go to.. So how about jumping on here once in awhile and letting us know that you haven't fallen into a deep, dark hole yet...JMO

[Katuna]

I'd been wondering the same thing. I chalk it up to the time of year, hopefully. Chime in boys.

[REJ]

It is the off season for everyone except you guys in California.
Most everyone is either making modifications to their cars, especially the ones up north, if they can get to their shops!!
I plan on pulling mine down after the Billetproof meet the end of Feb.
Robert

[64 DODGE 440]

"Deep, dark hole"?? Nah...just too damn much "normal life" stuff this time of year.;)

Don't worry Dick...there is progress happening out here, just not a lot to talk about yet.:p

[moparsled]

I have indeed fallen down a deep, dark, hole.

my HA/GR build has been at a complete standstill for months now, and as much as it's been on my mind lately, I still don't have the time or the dollars to invest right now.

I started going to night school a bit over a year ago, so I was putting off alot of things/projects that I am finally catching up. I figure if I can get that stuff done I can better focus on the HA/GR when I DO finally get back to it.

My 9 year job at the street rod shop has been fizzling to a slow death for a while. Fortunately the school pulled me in and asked me to take a leave of absence as a student and return the next term as an instructor!! I taught part time and gave 6 weeks notice at the rod shop. Unfortunately things sped up when I took a full week off at the shop to cover my lead instructor's absence for a conference. I lost a couple weeks of full time pay at the rod shop, and as of the last day of December I am no longer on the books. I return to school the 11th as a full time instructor.

[mudflap261]

Well mr. Thingy us senile old men are forted up until the temp gets up to at least 50. We cant afford to heat that big old shop.at 600 a month the car is all a part so we can install another roll bar .tulsa went nhra,we dont know if they are going to let us race next year . They dont return e mails or phone calls. There are so many rumors floating around it is unreal.you boys out in calif just keep on building were are suspposed to have two more being built time wil tell .hope you get a sunburn. Its 17 degrees as i type this

[QQMOON]

Its all Happening over Here Hotrodmatt just made us a new web site check it out

www.hambstergarage.com (http://www.hambstergarage.com)

QQ

[Katuna]

QQ - Awesome web site! And I love the logo. Any decals(wink, wink, nudge, nudge)?
That would be a great idea for the States too. Link it on ANRA's site among others. Wish I were more adept at this internet thing. Sometimes the HAMB isn't for the faint of heart or the timid.

[mudflap261]

Looks like you guys have got your act togather keep the good work

[bobw]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh179/rwstillwater/crosleylettering008.jpg
Great website QQ. Drewfus writes well, too.

Here's one of the winter projects. Putting in a higher horsepower 406sbc and making some other improvements.

I have the slant cylinder head for the HA/GRa in a shop getting cleaned and crack checked. Preparing for oversize valves.

[bobw]

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh179/rwstillwater/Dec22update001.jpg
Here's the other diversion this winter. 1940 Plymouth. I have the MustangII front in and S-10 Blazer leaf springs and axle in the rear. This will be the Hambster tow vehicle.
Sorry for the non-Hambster junk, but the thread asked, "what's going on".:D

[Drewfus]

I have the slant cylinder head for the HA/GRa in a shop getting cleaned and crack checked. Preparing for oversize valves.

Great minds think alike....;):D hopefully my slant will wake from it's slumber soon, with a bad case of the shits....;):D, gotta catch up to those Mangrove Mountain guys who have hit the ground running...

M.S. Sorry to hear about your work 'transition', trust the change will bring forth new (and positive) opportunities,

Drewfus

[Old6rodder]

Funny you should mention it ...........

Today was the last day of my annual 2 1/2 month Rose Parade float insanity, we just put'er back in the float barn at 1830 this evening.
Typically 10 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week with half a day off each for Thanksgiving and Christmas (for New Year's we get to take a little ride down Colorado Blvd :cool:). This starting the last week of October (following the ANRA season finish race) and ending the fifth day of January (the last day of our float's showings).
This year's parade netted us the Governor's Trophy (best floral representation of life in California), our fifth award in as many years. :D

The first thing I always do is sleep for a week. I'll let y'all know what's next on the HAMBster after that. :p

[348chevy]

I have been doing nothing on the dragster. The engine is buttoned up so no dust or moisture can get in and that is it. It was 0 degrees this morning and is 11 at noon so working out there is not a thing to do. I plan on redoing the roll bar to meet NHRA specs. but that is all I'm going to do this year. If Tulsa doesn't run then I'm going to run at Ozark outside of Springfield. I'll run slicks there because I will be running bracket. I have no money to really go all out with more engine work just gaskets and look at bearings. I would hope that more people in this area would build cars but I think I need to run at Ozark more than once a year to spark more interest. I spent over a month in the shop building things out of wood for Christmas presents and It was miserable some days because of the cold. It is hard to get motovated to work on cold iron. :D Roy

[Hudsonator]

I have become a HA/GR spectator. If nothing else, economics are putting me in the bleachers and I don't really see any "play money" coming down the pike anytime soon.

If anything, maybe we'll blow the cobwebs out of the Custom tractor and get it back out on the pulling track. I sorely miss the sound of a mopar flathead hitting 5000+ rpms. Reworking those carbs won't cost much and I've noticed the class participants have gotten down to a group it would be competitive with. We'll take our archaic mechanical jollies where we can find them.

[Four Banger]

I have recently had some health problems, and my daughter has a chronic illness that has left her unable to work for the forseeable future. My first priority is taking care of her. My toys can come later. My Harley is for sale, and as soon as it goes, I'll have some disposable cash to go forward on the HA/GR project. Till then, I'm working on my Oldsmobile powered Morris Minor, since I have most of the pieces needed to get it done. I'm hoping to be back at work on the Hambster by mid summer. I check the board daily to see how the others are doing, and seeking inspiration. I'm still planning on attending one of the Eagle Field meets to look up you California guys and see your cars in action! THAT will light a major fire under my ass for sure....! Happy New Year everyone, and best wishes.

[moparsled]

I have indeed fallen down a deep, dark, hole.

my HA/GR build has been at a complete standstill for months now, and as much as it's been on my mind lately, I still don't have the time or the dollars to invest right now.

I started going to night school a bit over a year ago, so I was putting off alot of things/projects that I am finally catching up. I figure if I can get that stuff done I can better focus on the HA/GR when I DO finally get back to it.

My 9 year job at the street rod shop has been fizzling to a slow death for a while. Fortunately the school pulled me in and asked me to take a leave of absence as a student and return the next term as an instructor!! I taught part time and gave 6 weeks notice at the rod shop. Unfortunately things sped up when I took a full week off at the shop to cover my lead instructor's absence for a conference. I lost a couple weeks of full time pay at the rod shop, and as of the last day of December I am no longer on the books. I return to school the 11th as a full time instructor.

WELL SHIT!!!!

guess my hole gets a little deeper and a little darker.

I went in this afternoon to meet with the program director at school, presumably to fill out paperwork and get me lined out for the term starting Monday. Turns out he's been blowing smoke up my ass for eight weeks- there's no position for me.

filed for unemployment-----anybody hiring??

[bobw]

Man, this hasn't been a very upbeat thread. Except for the Australian contingent it sounds like everybody is either to tired, too broke or too frozen to do much this winter. Throw in the uncertainty of Tulsa. I sure hope things work out for the better for those guys in need.:)
I just sent in my application to put the Hambster in the 54th annual Gopher State Timing Association "Rod & Custom Spectacular" in March. We have to have our "March Meet" indoors up here.;)
Tomorrow I will put a new connecting rod in my snowblower. Then I can blaze a path to the back garage to get the HA/GRa out and into the front garage so I can prepare it for the show. Hopefully, there'll be enough snow melt by March so I can find my trailer.:eek:

[REJ]

bob, just fire the hambster up, and with those side pipes, you ought to be able to make about two or three passes and melt all of the snow up there!!!
Surely melt enough to find the trailer.:eek:

[348chevy]

Hey REJ the cold is coming your way. It snowed again last night and is 11 degrees now with minus 5 tonight. I swear the earth has tilted or something because Minn. can't be much colder than what it is here. I went out in the shop and it is 22 degrees. I could turn on the propane heater but I can't afford to keep it going long. The Guys from Tulsa are working on this years races and hopefully the track's switch to NHRA won't snarl everything up. :)Roy

[64 DODGE 440]

Hey REJ the cold is coming your way. It snowed again last night and is 11 degrees now with minus 5 tonight. I swear the earth has tilted or something because Minn. can't be much colder than what it is here. I went out in the shop and it is 22 degrees. Roy

It must be that "Global Warming" thing all the folks on the TV keep talking about. It's 42 here this morning and supposed to reach 70 this afternoon.

[esfoder]

Just bought the family farm. Due to course my woman and I had to remodel the WHOLE HOUSE before we moved in. 10 acres of hay to play with next year. Kind of sad cleaning out my grandads stuff from the shops. But I can't keep it all. Havent even started to slow down yet to work on the my projects.

Good news is now I cant hear the Mexicans partying it up all night.

Dusty

[Four Banger]

Hey bobw, it ain't all doom and gloom. Life just gets in the way sometimes. I'm not taking a six month setback too hard, myself. Hell, in reality it's probably a good thing in my case. I get to finish another project that's been on the back burner for nearly four years, as a result of not having the ready cash to do my HA/GR car. All those parts and pieces I had rat holed for my Morris Minor are long paid for, so I'll do what I CAN do for now, and what I really WANT to do later. I see it as a win win situation. And if I can get the little Morris finished in time for our annual Oldies but Goodies event at Firebird Raceway, I'll be able to take it out and blast it down the strip a couple passes and get myself "inspired" to kick ass on the dragster. Let me see....2100 pounds of car....325 horsepower....now where is that Moroso "Dream Wheel"???

[QQMOON]

Hey bobw, it ain't all doom and gloom. Life just gets in the way sometimes. I'm not taking a six month setback too hard, myself. Hell, in reality it's probably a good thing in my case. I get to finish another project that's been on the back burner for nearly four years, as a result of not having the ready cash to do my HA/GR car. All those parts and pieces I had rat holed for my Morris Minor are long paid for, so I'll do what I CAN do for now, and what I really WANT to do later. I see it as a win win situation. And if I can get the little Morris finished in time for our annual Oldies but Goodies event at Firebird Raceway, I'll be able to take it out and blast it down the strip a couple passes and get myself "inspired" to kick ass on the dragster. Let me see....2100 pounds of car....325 horsepower....now where is that Moroso "Dream Wheel"???


Hey Four Banger Attitude is everything GOOD on YA

QQ

[17dracing]

Hey all ! Thinking about building another HA/GR !! Had a blast in mine ,and everyone loved it at the drags !! I'm just one of those guys that has to much fun building stuff !!! Sold mine ,built a honda chopper sold it ,now finishing up my 28 model A sedan , But miss my HA/GR car !!! It's on cliffordperformance.net now , not sure who owns it now .But I still have my drawings to build again !!! I have never had so much fun !! And damm ,it would look sweet behind my sedan :cool: Keep your heads up ,because it's a kick back to what was !!! In fact our local track is going to have some heads up racing this year . Now thats getting back to the days ago !!!

[Old6rodder]

That picture's at a Famoso meet. The car was driven by one of the Vegas Heat folks' wives. Wish I could recall her name, seemed like a decent sort. We keep hoping to see'em again at the ANRA meets or Dragfest.

Last I heard it was being pepped up a bit.

[Joe Hamby]

(What is going on?) Has the float coating wilted? Has the silver slipper re-apeared? Will the Rappid Rabit come out of the brier patch? Will that falcon motor do some more wheelies? Has Mr Moseley put down some black track lines? Has anyone heard from the lady with the 17dracing car? And has anyone found the 00 Okie Outlaw, it went to the left coast? Is there any new cars that I can put on the burnout list? What is going with Katuna?

[ThingyM]

Hi Ya Joe.. Yes we have put down 2 tire marks each time we ran the car,,3 times at Eagle field.. There is going to be more.. Dick M:D

[Katuna]

Well, the latest. Got all my steel for the frame. The body's ready for pickup so I'll be truckin' down to Hesperia on the 15th. Just scored a sweet early Mallory dist. converted to Pertronix from GMC Bubba here on the HAMB and slowly beating the stuck intake valves out of the flatty.

One of our biggest obsticle has just been where to build it. Had a great location in town at our drivers shop but office politics made thing a little shakey so we scratched that. Looks like we're going to build a shop out of a couple horse stalls out at my Dads ranch. How's that for that old timey way of doing it?

As soon as we start laying things out I'll probably do a build thread. I don't think we'll be as blazing fast as Rocky and Lee's build but if we can get it on the track before the end of the year I'll be stoked.

[64 DODGE 440]

Well, the latest. Got all my steel for the frame. The body's ready for pickup so I'll be truckin' down to Hesperia on the 15th. Just scored a sweet early Mallory dist. converted to Pertronix from GMC Bubba here on the HAMB and slowly beating the stuck intake valves out of the flatty.

One of our biggest obsticle has just been where to build it. Had a great location in town at our drivers shop but office politics made thing a little shakey so we scratched that. Looks like we're going to build a shop out of a couple horse stalls out at my Dads ranch. How's that for that old timey way of doing it?

As soon as we start laying things out I'll probably do a build thread. I don't think we'll be as blazing fast as Rocky and Lee's build but if we can get it on the track before the end of the year I'll be stoked.

Good show Katuna...looking forward to seeing your progress.

[348chevy]

Hey Katuna you should be able to pull the toilet seat looking keepers out of the flathead and take the retainers apart out of the block. It has been years since I worked on a flathead but I never had any trouble taking valves out. :confused:Roy

[64 DODGE 440]

Actually...LIFE is going on...today is my "second birthday"...two years since my open heart, valve repair surgery. Feeling great and looking for this to be the best year yet.:D

[Drewfus]

Hey all ! Thinking about building another HA/GR !! Had a blast in mine ,and everyone loved it at the drags !! !!!

Rock on, go for it....great to hear that you enjoyed the car, 2nd time round should be much better (& quicker):)

this time do a build thread....;):D:)

Cheers,

Drewfus

[ThingyM]

Hey 17.. Did you know that your car is in the Clifford Manifold catalog on line,, Look it up, pretty cool...

[17dracing]

Yeah I saw it on accident ! I was needing parts for a straight six project and seen it ! I about poop 'd my pants ! I did a build diary on that car . Will have to find it ,don't remember what the title was . I was going to build 3 but only got mine done . Then had too much fun ,to finish the other one I started , for a X-friend .I'm going to run a chevy straight 6 in the new one also . My old man wants to help build it ,so that will be kool :cool: since he is only 20 miles away instead of 2000 now .

[Katuna]

Hey Katuna you should be able to pull the toilet seat looking keepers out of the flathead and take the retainers apart out of the block. It has been years since I worked on a flathead but I never had any trouble taking valves out. :confused:Roy

Roy-The valve guides are very tight in the block. I have a guide removal bar and I can't budge them that way. I pulled the exhaust assemblies by lifting the valve stem, dropping out the keepers, pulling the valve out, removing the spring (only launched one!) then driving the guide down from the top. Got pretty fast at it after about three! The intakes all have rust and some are stuck off the cam lobe up in the guide. I've been soaking them and I'll get back on it next weekend.

While I'm thinking about it, and it's been asked a million times, does anyone have or know of any spindle mount wires for Ford spindles? I've looked everywhere to no avail.

[Rand Man]

I've got a set of 19" wires, but they ain't cheap. I'd love to use them to build another HA/GR, but I don't know if I ever will.

The Speed Merchants team is still alive. Brad is helping me build a 400 smallblock for my slingshot.

[Katuna]

[QUOTE=Rand Man;4779043]I've got a set of 19" wires, but they ain't cheap. I'd love to use them to build another HA/GR, but I don't know if I ever will.

Well, let me know if you ever have a soft spot for a poor, humble, up and coming HAMBster builder (hintity hint, hint:D).

[bobw]

Man, I'd add a partner if he brought a pair of spokes to the party!:D

[64 DODGE 440]

While I'm thinking about it, and it's been asked a million times, does anyone have or know of any spindle mount wires for Ford spindles? I've looked everywhere to no avail.

I know that they make them, but we are going the cheap way and just using Model A ford bolt on wires...found a pair of 21" cheap and they look great. Old6rodder is using 19" model A wheels on the Barn Job. They may weigh a bit more but I figure the weight will keep the wheel stands from getting too high.:p

[97]

Hey OldSixRodder , Does this warm ya winter jollies ??
http://www.nitrogeezers.com/images/CagleRED1_copy.jpg

Too hot here to build racecars!! :D:D:D

[97]

and this one is "interesting"
http://www.nitrogeezers.com/images/UnknownDragster5_copy.jpg

[ThingyM]

That rear engine car was not Gary Cagles car, Nor did he ever drive it.. There is a possibility that Clark Cagle (No relation) might of had his hands on it, But thats it.. That thing was an accident looking for a place to happen...

[Joe Hamby]

One of the original Thunderbolt drivers died in Tulsa this week. Burl Hawkins 77. He had gone to the factory to pick up a thunderbolt in 1964, Burl was a Ford man, driving 406, 427, while running his used car lot in Tulsa, selling specialty cars, a lot of muscle cars. Then when the Hemi plymouths came out he got one of those, The tranny messed up and he crashed on the tulsa drag strip, and was in critical for a while, that was in 1965, that ended his drag racing. He was one of those guys that when you saw him he was smiling.
On a different subject there was a 3.3 earthquake just north of Okla city at 4 this morning.

[Old6rodder]

That rear engine car was not Gary Cagles car, Nor did he ever drive it.. There is a possibility that Clark Cagle (No relation) might of had his hands on it, But thats it.. That thing was an accident looking for a place to happen...

Dick, that's Red Case's ride, the (Clark)Cagle-Case-Callahan car. It was one of three nearly identical styled cars (two of'em not his) that ran open like that with hemis. It was no more dangerous than Speed Sport or Jocko's which were the same style, just with body works on'em.

He lost one to Garlits at the first "California Challenge" (in Texas) east coast/west coast meet.
http://www.teamtriumphtexas.com/nhra.htm

.... and in Garlits' words (about half way down the page, "Showdown in Houston");
http://www.mybestyears.com/DonGarlits.html

Case later died, in a slingshot car.

[ThingyM]

Dick.. I worked on Bob(Jocko) Johnsons car when it was being built (The first one) it was much safer than that car by a long shot. I can draw you a blueprint by memory of that car. Even to how the mold was built. It's true we didn't have the knowledge of how one should be built, So some were much more safer than others. And I knew Clarke, Whos machine shop was on the corner of Lakewood and Alondra in Paramount. He probably just built the Chrysler, As he did for many people for "B"ville, Drags. Boats etc. And he had a beautiful 32 street roadster with of course a Chrysler in it.. That thing still looks scary to me......

[Old6rodder]

Right you are, Cagle did the engine. Never heard of the car being a handling problem though.

The only one I recall having a problem with a short wheelbase middie using a straight front axle was Speed Sport's first build, they went to a dropped one right away and cured it.

Sorry Dick, I'd assumed you were referencing the stability of the design. It occurs to me you may be refering to the lack of roll bar, cage or anything much in the way of that. In that you're quite right. But then, most cars were under protected in the early & mid '50s, not just the middies.

Scary? You bet, that's what makes an open car (especially a middie :D) fun, isn't it. :cool:

[348chevy]

You mentioned Gary Cagle and I wonder how many people remember that he had B-Fuel slingshot with a Binks spraygun in front of the injector? He gave me spark plugs when I raced and Torco oil. Really a friendly guy.I don't remember him ever having a oddball car most of the ones he drove that I saw were pretty straight forward. I asked him about the spraygun and he said it sprayed in to keep it from leaning out on the top end.:) Roy

[ThingyM]

Roy,, I knew Gary quite well, Still hang around with his son Troy. And talk with Fran, his wife quite often..Just before he died, We were going to put together a copy of his yellow roadster (Newhouse Special) I was building the car, He was to furnish the running gear.And a 300" chrysler, But just as I finished the car, Thats when they found him dead in his motorhome right after a weekend at El Mirage.. The car is being run by another guy now..

[bobw]

You guys keep telling stories. Great information and entertainment while I feel too flu-like to go out to the garage.

[ThingyM]

Bob,, Iffin you got the Flu.. For god sake, Don't cough in my direction....hahaha
Get well soon.....

[OBFB HA/GR]

Just thought I'd let all you northerners know that today it's gunna be 94 degrees and 'bout 98% humidity ,even more in my shop . you guy's complain about it being too cold to work on your car , well we think it's too hot to go out in the shop.Last night around 6.30 I did check all the wheel bearings and brakes on my trailer before we head off to the Nostalgia's in February

[storm king]

Addressing the original question, I was going to do a HAMB dragster, but the more I thought about it, the more I thought it just a tad too restrictive.
So I'm going off in another direction, building two altered type cars, although very similar in nature to a HAMB digger, I will narrow the rear ends a bit, and probably run automatics in them. I'm building them with /6's in them as something I can let my employees take to Beech Bend and play with whenever they want. Probably do one T and one Bantam.

[bobw]

I still have the borrowed JB2 tubing bender. At the steel yard yesterday I spied a quantity of 1 5/8" .134"wall tubing in the half price rack. There's a couple 292's in the corner of my garage along with a race prepped Powerglide. Almost makes a guy want to build a digger where the driver sits behind the rear end. You know, a companion for the HAMBster.
http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh179/rwstillwater/SnowScene001.jpg
Oh, and this is sitting in the trees behind the house waiting...

[64 DODGE 440]

What the heck Bob.......that body would look cool on the HAMBster.:D

[ThingyM]

Hey,, I got one of them thar things (Body) on my other car...I think they call it a Torpalino or sumting like that.....hahaha...,

[bobw]

It's cold and windy and snowy so I needed a mood altering activity tonight. Watching ANRA racing on Youtube did the trick. I saw Rocky in the winner's circle with the Mav and Dick and crew there with the HA/GR. Your season isn't that far off. Good luck in 2010.

[robt500]

I've been lurking around the HA/GR forum for a while but never had much to contribute. I'm intrigued though and decided last Oct. to start a build that will pass NHRA tech so I can enjoy running it close to home as much as possible. I started a build thread... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=440083

[64 DODGE 440]

Stuff is happening...film at eleven...(or next week.......OK soon:p)

[superbinder]

Thanks alot, guys. I got the HA/GR fever. Can't sleep, thinkin and buildin in my mind.Let's see flat head dodge, slant, chevy6 or ford? What about corvair, nope engine hangs out back, what if i..........................

[Joe Hamby]

Welcome Superbinder. I don't know which way a corvair motor turns. If needed maybe you could turn a regular rearend upside down. Light motor, no radiator, it is not a V motor and not an inline. I would love to see it on the burnout list. Joe

[nexxussian]

As I understand it you had to flip the diff in the 'Vair transaxle when you did the Crown V8 conversion and made them mid engine, so I suspect the 'Vair turns the same way as the V8 (as you flip the diff to make the trans mid engine, instead of rear).

But that's best of my reccolection, so not necessarily accurate.

[bobw]

Back in the 70's there was a T bucket with a 'Vair engine in front. It was featured in a magazine and was at the Street Rod Nationals. I don't know what driveline it had.

[ThingyM]

Hey wait just a minute... Remember when I asked if I could put my Corvair motor in an HA/GR car..???? Everybody said "NO" My Corvair motor runs really strong... Tears the crap out of the Vair 4 speed transmissions...

[Joe Hamby]

If I remember corectly at that time, I did say build it, I think? but that's just me. It's only a theary, but I think that apposed or pancake make a lot of torque.