Projects 1955 Chevy Southeast Gassers Build

KEEP GOING DONT STOP NOW

 

Dad machined the ladder bar extensions and got them done, yesterday. And we got pretty far tonight. Gonna cut the ladder bar crossmember tomorrow and get it tacked in, and get the ladder bars tacked on. Dad had to mill the ladder bar mounts for the rear end housing where it's a bigger axle tube truck housing. Nothing ever just sticks on.

 

How long are your bars?

 

43" in honor of The King.

 

I guess I'll have to do at least 44!

 

Haha! 42" is the minimum.

 

Why would you want the minimum? I thought the longer was better for bite? Mine are 48 on the Cuda.

 

There's a lot of different theories, Quain's are 50" I think.

 

If you add the brackets, mine are 50 from the center of the rod end to the center of the axle housing. I'm sure it has something to do with horsepower. I'd think the lower the power, the shorter the bars. Takes more power to lift with a long arm compared to a short arm. What do you think?

 

That's my theory too. Light car or high power, long bars. Heavy car or low power, shorter bars

 

If ya check out my avatar you can see my bars!!!! Before anyone asks it was supposed to be a street car, that's why they angle in to the middle. Was supposed to help it turn. Then I decided on it being a race car.....right after I meet Quain...

 

Been messing around a little with engine location and headers. We've figured the header deal out and the headers are gonna look mean. I believe that this is gonna be a real contender in D gas.

 

Is that where the front tire goes ?

 

That's about where it goes, give or take half and inch. Once we get the rear end under it we'll know for sure.

 

I'm impressed. Gotta love a 55 chevy

 

Your Hot Rod is way cool !

 

Any plans to put injectors on the 57?

 

Maybe if I come across a cheap setup once dads car is done. I'd like to eventually.

 

Well the ladder bar crossmember is in, the ladderbar brackets are welded, and the housing brackets are on. It's fighting every step of the way but we're making progress.

 

Also scored an old fiberglass seat with cover at the Farmington Dragway swap meet Saturday.

 

I have a Torsion Tube Doug Nash tranny that would look good in that car if you didn't already have one.LOL

 

Dad stuck an axle in it and cut the quarters enough to get one of my wheels on it. We haven't narrowed the housing up yet so the rear tire will be in an inch or so, but it's gonna look mean. Dad had to try it on too. He said it fit a lot better than the anglia did. LOL

 

Tell him he looks right at home in there!

 

Keep the updates coming..

 

any thoughts on how to get TWO cars to the track next year? Maybe its time to start looking for ramp truck with a hitch? Things are looking great, cant wait for next year.

 

The frame is notched and raked to get the ride height down, and it gave it instant caster at almost 10 degrees. Gonna put a Ron Pope tube axle under it, but it's getting there. It'll be a roller soon!

 

We're gonna use two trucks and two trailers next year. Hoping to eventually upgrade to period correct trucks too.

 

Picked up dads tow vehicle this weekend. All original 35k miles 472 with a 400 turbo

 

Don't look like no truck to me

 

Caddy motors have gobs of torque and make great tow vehicles. Just get a set of Air Lift bags for the rear coils and air shocks. You will enjoy the ride. The trunk is big enough to think it is a truck.
I have put Caddy motors into several pickup trucks. To use for race car hauling, big improvement over the originals.