Tech: Gasser straight axle Puddin style

You sir are one lucky guy! Nice work and a killer car! Mike (and you) have the skills!

 

I am a newbie here but just wanted to say that this thread has blown me away. The 55 you have is first,extremely cool,badass,neat,groovy,and whatever else you could add........throw on a great straight axle swap with awesome fabrication by your friend,an injected big block,and low 9 second time slips all while being as nostalgic as can be. Speechless,truly bookmarking this thread.

I am reminded by a few of the rides my Dad worked on in the early 70's in our garage,a altered wheelbase 56 Chevy,Fuel Altered Fiat Topolino and our own straight axled 37 Chevy coupe.

Top notch work my friend and a 55 I would love to have in my possession.

Subscribed!!

 

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said about this car and this post. It's excellent.
Just curious though, how long did all this work take to complete? And what was the weight difference, if any?

 

That's just too cool! Its one thing to plan out a project, but even more to plan out the pics and capture all the build details for us. Thanks for sharing your awesome '55 with us. It make's me regret selling my '54 2-door post last summer.

 

Great information and a "NICE" job.

 

Honestly I forget how long it took. We both work full time and have lots of other things going on. But it was several months.

Before the car had the axle, it weighed a little over 3000lbs but we haven't put it back on the scales. I'm guessing it lost around 100lbs.

 

My hat goes off to you and your buddy,,,AWSOME build..


If you & your buddy want more work, i'm doing a 53 , the workmanship is very impressive,, i would send out my car without a second thought..


Good luck with it,, Again Very Nice........

 

Excellent tech post. Great step by step pics. BAD ASS car, thanks for sharing

 

Fantastic. Great tech and a great looking car.

 

...did you guys do the rear radius'd wheel openings? If so, how was that done?
By far a most excellent post and car!

 

No that was done many many years ago. It's a real hack job. Sheet metal, rivets and a LOT of bondo.

Thanks!

 

Great write up and awesome work.
This gives me a lot of inspiration as to what to do with my 55

thanks for sharing !

John

 

I just bought a '55 Pontiac that was gutted, front A-arms rusted through....the only reason I bought it was this post and the one of the '55 chevy with the hemi with a straight axle. I'm going racing with my fellow club member Don Moyer and his AMC powered Willys the Rebel Reaper. I'll be the one that is about 4 seconds slower Poncho Villa rides again!

 

oooooooooooooooh shiny!
nice job clean,nice welds.keep up the good work

 

This may be the dumb question of the decade, but where is the radiator?

 

The "radiator" is a transmission cooler that is mounted horizontally under the Eelco tank. The engine runs on methanol so I usually have more of a problem trying to build heat...

 

Very nice post SP55. Thanks for taking the time to photograph and post the process. I learned a lot!

Looks like you're having fun with that hot rod and isn't that what it's all about?!

 

this was a amazing thread.. i remember reading it when i joined... it blew me away... and tell yourself and your friend you did a magnificent job!

 

wingnutz, No I only have the 2 engine travel limiters along with the motor plate and mid plate.

 

I thought for sure my drag link bounced off the oil pan. I looked everything over real good and saw no sign that it hit anything.

There is not a lot of clearance, but I dont have a lot of travel in those leaf springs either. That run was definitely a good test for the new front end.

 

Thats one awesome 55, I'm building one myself and i can't wait till it's done. I was wanting to know what size rear tires you are running?

 

Man, what an awesome car! Thanks for the posting of this frontend build, it helps alot. How is your rearend setup?

 

They are Mickey Thompson ET Drags, 33x10.5W-15 on 15x12 Ansen wheels.
I'm thinking of switching to 16x13 Halibrands with 13.00-16 M&H Racemasters.

Ford 9", braced housing, Moser nodular center section, spool with 5.13 gears and 35 splined axles. S&W 42" ladder bars with coil over shocks.

 

I've been meaning to link the wheelie video on this post to show how well the axle held up under extreme conditions. I honestly think I would have been in big trouble with a mild steel Speedway or MAS axle....

 

That car is bad azzzz! Wow, what a video that thing hooks like crazy. You have done a great job setting it up.

 

thanks for posting the wheelie.been trying to catch it on TV .love the car .

 

Could you tell me what kind of rearend setup and suspension you are running?

 

r1932 coupe look 4 post above yours

 

It doesn't matter how many times I see it, I never get tired of it.

 

Thanks, I totally missed that.