spare change and leftovers

[duke182]

ok, i"m in!!!

to start, let me say that i grew up on drag racing. my dad raced, i raced a little, dad managed several tracks in the area, and he owned a speed shop for seventeen years. for the first 23 years of life, i spent almost every weekend at a track somewhere. eventually i couldnt see spending the kind of money it took to compete for $800.00 purses, and my attention turned to street cars. kustoms to be exact.

kustoms are great. i'll always own one,or more. the thing is, i've been wanting to go racing again for a while. after much research on the subject, i have decided that HA/GR is for me.

i plan what will probably be the most low dollar effort to date. if not the slowest. although that last part really isn't part of the plan.

there will be nothing high tech about this build. it will be built with spare change and leftovers. the spare change will happen when it happens and the leftovers will come from my junk pile and the remaining inventory form my dads speed shop that closed 15 yrs ago, when he died. time to put some of that stuff to good use.

this "car" will be built to my interpretation of the "spirit" of the bug.
as i see it, it will be a fun low dollar effort, built with what i have and what i can afford. major emphasis on fun.

it's a good thing i enjoy fabrication as much as any other part of this hobby,because track time may be quite a ways off with my budget.

my goals are:
-build the car to HA/GR specs
-run in the no E class @ the local independant track
-take the car to the hamb drags and possibly a few events in the tulsa area as money allows
-to be on the track in less than 3 summers
-to build the car for less than $3535.35, a completely arbritrary number
-to be consistant in the bracket class
-to go faster every pass at hamb events
-and last but most importantly to have fun and make some new friends

i haven't touched the first part yet, but i wanted to get this post out there to make myself accountable to someone other than myself.
this way i really need to back up what i say.

i will use this thread to chronicle my success or failure.
i suppose i have between now and the 2012 hamb drags to make this a reality and not just more bullshit talk from some dreamer.

thank you to ryan and all you guys with cars for the inspiration.

the clock starts now.:eek:

pictures soon.

[64 DODGE 440]

Hey duke...sounds like you have the right take on what this is all about. Looking forward to seeing your ideas come together. The grins make the effort worthwhile.:D

[robt500]

i haven't touched the first part yet, but i wanted to get this post out there to make myself accountable to someone other than myself.
this way i really need to back up what i say.

haha! This is my exact way of thinking. I made a comment in bobw's build thread last Oct. and I felt like the Babe. "calling the shot" if you will...

[ThingyM]

Duke.. I to have been in drag racing for eons..Started in 1953,, Haven't had so much fun in years as I have had in the HA/GR car...Both building it, And going to the races.. BTW. For your $3535.35.. You should be able to build 3 cars...

[ScottV]

Hey Duke ... Welcome.

$3535.35 that is a HUGE budget !!! As long as you don't get anything seized by the IRS !!!

[duke182]

Duke.. I to have been in drag racing for eons..Started in 1953,, Haven't had so much fun in years as I have had in the HA/GR car...Both building it, And going to the races.. BTW. For your $3535.35.. You should be able to build 3 cars...


like i said, thats just an arbitrary number. coming in that far under budget would be awsome. time to sharpen the ol bartering skills i guess!!!

by the way, i really like what i've seen of your car so far.

[duke182]

Hey Duke ... Welcome.

$3535.35 that is a HUGE budget !!! As long as you don't get anything seized by the IRS !!!


i read a little about your troubles, what a bummer.

any luck getting your stuff back?

[17dracing]

You will have fun, that is for sure ! and yeah you should come in way under budget . I'm getting ready to build me another one ,I had so much fun in my last one .My old man helps out in running our local track .So I might even leave mine there this year ! I'm just getting ready to start my build and hope to have it going before april. Good Luck !!!!!

[bobw]

You can build a car pretty cheap. Adding horsepower, now THAT costs money!

[46 rat]

Hello, DUKE 182

I Also grew up around drag racing and hotrods. These things look like alot of fun. I have been watching them for a couple of years. Maybe by watching your build i will start 1 to. I have collected a bunch of parts for one. Can't wait for pics.

[duke182]

a few options to choose from for my build:

[duke182]

more stuff to choose from:

[duke182]

possible body

[duke182]

future tow truck??

[duke182]

i scored the front wheels i intend to run.
i hauled a load of scrap yesterday and spotted the in the pile. the guy told me to load em up and i could have them for weight.
what are they?--35 ford wires, great shape.
what they cost?--about 95cents each based on weight.

i also decided that the car will be powered by a 235-6cyl backed by a four speed. more decissions and pics later.
until then, thanks for all the inspiration and encouragement so far.

[bobw]

You won't have any problem meeting your budget with deals like that! I'll bet you already have a 235 and 4 speed. Maybe you'll run into a 261 hauling scrap.:D

[ScottV]

Heck that SD probably has a 235 and a 3 speed. Use that and drop something torquey in there to tow with (Cadillac 500 and a overdrive auto perhaps !!??!!):rolleyes:

[duke182]

at one time it did, but it's already beenthrough a couple small blocks, a big block , and a short stint on the drag strip, believe it or not.

it is patiently awaiting a heart transplant along the lines you mentioned.

[nexxussian]

at one time it did, but it's already beenthrough a couple small blocks, a big block , and a short stint on the drag strip, believe it or not.

it is patiently awaiting a heart transplant along the lines you mentioned.

Sounds cool.:D

OT as all get out but the ideal (if it weren't for cost) would be the Duramax W/ the 6 speed Allison (double overdrive).:D

[Papa Tom]

i started building mine after i returned from mokan last year i have the frame econline frt axle 8.8 rear 235 3 spd cage from my sons old mud bogger offy 2x1 intake i have less than 800.00 in it rolling hope to get finished when it warms up its been cold here in north alabama

[bobw]

Papa Tom, You should start a thread of your own and post lots of pictures for us to enjoy.:)

[duke182]

Papa Tom, You should start a thread of your own and post lots of pictures for us to enjoy.:)


i second the thought.
and by the way, good luck on your project, Papa Tom.

[ThingyM]

What, Another one>??? GREAT!!!! Lets see some pics when you can....

[Papa Tom]

thanks i will get my wife jan to post some pictures i'am not to computer savay when it comes to that going to billit proof in gainesville next week hope to see robert from fl. talked to him at mokan and lakeland billit proof drags he gave me some good info. on building it

[REJ]

Tom, I will be there. Be pulling in late Friday night and will have the HA/GR with me.
Robert

[duke182]

just another post to let you know that progress on the world's slowest build thread is still that, slow!
today i ventured into the woods and scored the seat i intend to use, so i guess you could say that the first official piece has been obtained. now i just need to make up my mind about the rest of it.

the seat is out of a 1969 bradley gt, that i traded for some time ago. i think it should work nicely. may have to widen it some to accomodate my considerable girth.

[duke182]

figured i would post an update.
this project has stalled but is not on the shelf yet.
a few months back i was away on work and some no count pos decided that my stuff looked like car show give away goodies.:mad:
their good fortune and my bad that i was gone.
unfortunately for me they hit me for several loads of stuff. everything from scrap to really good parts. about $6000.00 worth, including many of the parts that were earmarked for this project. the list was nearly three pages when i filed with the sherrif.
well thats the sob story.
now all i can do is move forward. it may slow me down but i dont intend to let it stop me. on a positive note i still have the frame rails and the engine i intend to use as well as the seat. :D
when things get back on track and i actually have something to show that resembles an active project i will add some pics to the thread.

p.s. f&%k a thief!!

[duke182]

not progress by a long shot
but two more definate parts that i will use.
these old bottles make great gas tanks so when i saw this one i grabbed it up.
i also now know for sure which frame rails i will be using. i just have to dig them out. they started life under a first series 55 chevy p.u.
they did a stint as a jacked up stump jumpin mud buggy and they are going to evolve into a ha/gr hotrod.

[duke182]

i know that i havent been able to show much of what you could call progress yet but i keep hopin that if i keep findin and pullin out old pieces and junk that some elves will sneak in my shop and build me a race car.

anyway i have the front end i intend to mate to the frame rails i mentioned above.
it is an old ford piece that i dug out of the pile. it was use on the front of a bracket raced t-bucket years ago.
the original spindle was modified to accept a 70's era nova hub with long studs.
it was originally taken out of service because it doesn't have provisions for brakes.
i dont think that will be a problem for this project. i doubt i will out run the rear brakes with the setup i intend to use.
i also figured since weight is always an issue i would concede to a pair of super trick wheels for the front. no restoration required and i will disquise them with moon discs and paint. the tires are 6.00-15 2ply bias ply units.
i also aquired a 1957 chevy rearend that i will press into service.

[duke182]

im sure im boring ya'll to death with my shots of parts but every time i find a part that can be applied to the actual build, it helps keep my motivation up.
i figure when the pile gets big enough it wont be long before the cuttin and weldin starts.
anyway here is another relic i intend to attach to my version of an ha/gr.
i found a usable free radiator.

[64 DODGE 440]

im sure im boring ya'll to death with my shots of parts but every time i find a part that can be applied to the actual build, it helps keep my motivation up.
i figure when the pile gets big enough it wont be long before the cuttin and weldin starts.
anyway here is another relic i intend to attach to my version of an ha/gr.
i found a usable free radiator.

Not bored at all, I think we all started off with piles of parts and every one you collect is that much closer to having a race car. Keep at it and keep posting pictures, it's fun seeing it all come together.:D

[ScottV]

Not boring me either Duke ... I just wish mine wasn't stored so far away, I got a bunch to do on it !!!

[duke182]

thanks for the encouraging words ya'll.
i hope to have more to share soon.

[Old28]

Duke, We all started in the same place, just keep doing a little each day and it will happen. Some days I just sit there looking at the parts and building it in my mine. I am having more fun building this car than my last one that ran 8.20's and if this one runs high 12's I will be a happy camper.

I will say that at first I was not going to do a build thread on the car as I am not all that good with putting two written words together, but I did and it is a lot of help on questions and you will get a lot of encouragement from people. Put lots of pictures even if the are of the parts only, we love pic's.;)

[duke182]

i know that i am a long way from needing a trailer but i have a candidate.
i have a newer flatbed with a tool box etc but i really think it would fit this type of car to be hauled on something a little more basic.
recently i lost the use of a chicken house that i had been using to store some of my junk.
included in that junk was an old single axle trailer that my dad built to haul a race car that he and a friend built many years ago. i think i will rebuild this trailer and use it to haul spare change and left overs where ever it goes.
sorry for the crappy picture

[64 DODGE 440]

Cool, I like the idea of home built trailers for the home built cars. :p

[duke182]

well here are a couple more pieces for the pile.
the switch came from a battery jumper box and the bottle
is from the left over pile.
it is not the one i posted earlier.
this one was used as the fuel tank in an anglia project years ago and then as the fuel tank for an injected flame thrower set up.
i found it and figured it would save a little time and effort.
i started cleaning it up and made a mounting strap.
a little more work on both and i will be satisfied.

[duke182]

was a little bored and thought i would use my limited artistic ability to put my vision of an ha/gr on paper.
this is the basic idea of my plan.
hope you enjoy.
suggestions or complaints are welcome.
next step: nhra rule book just to see how the pros do it. lol!

[Old28]

I like the idea's you have put in the drawing. If your rails are 3x2'' rectangular I would run the holes in the frame the full length, but if you are going to run an un-boxed frame I would not put any holes from the front of the motor to the rear axle. There is a lot of torque from the inline 6 in this area. You may want to think about boxing this area. I love the look of a drill frame and axle setup.;) Keep getting those parts together.

Do use the NHRA rule book for driver area (Altered Spec). Have fun building.:D

[duke182]

old28
the frame is just the channel type from an old pick up truck.
i intend to remove the stock cross members and build my own tubular pieces.
i also will most likely use your idea to box the frame from the motor back.
even so i may still add holes to this section on the outside of the rails.
i know the holes will not take away from the vertical strength of the rails and i figure the cage will add to the tortional rigidity, so i dont think a few holes will cause a problem.

[Old28]

Duke -- That will be a different type frame and will be interesting to see how your plan comes together. If you box the frame from the motor to rear end I would cut all the holes you can both inside and outside for the great look and to save a little weight. :)

Remember cross members and X bars keep the frame in alinement. Don't count on the cage structure to do that job, it is there to protect the driver only, but your right that it will add some rigidity to the whole package. This is only my take on an idea and the only one that matters is yours. ;)

You got a real good plan and your headed in the right direction. Hope you can start building real soon. Best of luck.:D

[ThingyM]

Duke.. I just thought I'd let you know that you have to have 2 straps on your gas tank.. They will not accept a single strap... Just little things like that is what your going to have to watch on your build....

[duke182]

old 28
the holes will definately be there to lighten things up. if i see enough strength in it to drill the inside i will. i am a big fan of lightening holes so they will be used throughout this build.

as far as crossmembers go, i agree, they are what will provide strength to the frame. i intend to make them from round tubing for strength and weight savings.
i also intend to build the frame no wider than necessary to hold the drivetrain and the seat.
i want to keep it long and narrow except for the stock axle requirements. my ideas might take more work than some but i figure i'd rather spend a little time than a lot of money.


thingyM
thanks for the heads up.
i figured as much on the straps. it only makes sense that you would want the tank as secure as possible.
that was the only piece of strap on hand at the time.
i will have to find or buy another to fab up a second one.
then i think i might drill and polish them for a more finished look.

[duke182]

here is a pic of one of the bodies i mentioned in another thread.
i am contemplating modifying this one to use on occassion.
also is a pic of some old boat anchors i picked up recently including another stovebolt motivator that will most likely donate to the cause at some point.

[64 DODGE 440]

here is a pic of one of the bodies i mentioned in another thread.
i am contemplating modifying this one to use on occassion.
also is a pic of some old boat anchors i picked up recently including another stovebolt motivator that will most likely donate to the cause at some point.

Cool! Another HA/GR with a Bucket!