Hot Rods Spalding Bros Repro, for "Too Tall" Ganahl.

I do not know about or have I ever seen a torque tube driveshaft. I find it odd that they are not a hollow tube to take the torsional forces like our modern driveshafts.

 

Ford used an enclosed tube driveshaft from 32-36, and some in 37, before going to the 6 spline solid shaft. Chevy's employed a tube through 1954, and Buick though 1960. The 35-37 tapered tubes were a favorite of Hotrodders for exhaust systems.

 

All welded up.

 

Ford later puts a center bearing in the torque to stop vibration.
We ran into this when we built a 2 seater outlaw sprint car it had bad harmonic vibrations because of the extended length, we finally went to a Carbon Fiber Drive shaft tube like in 35-36 Fords and this stopped it. We also put a Carbon Fiber tube in a regular WOW 410 car but we spun the splined end loose in it and went to a steel shaft in it. Smiley’s still has 4 school cars that we use, those things are fun to drive.
P.S. I really appreciate you sharping you talents with us. I would really love to have one of your dirt track T . Frank

 

Maybe Smiley needs some school Track Roadsters, for the older set !

 

I have made laps in my 29 at several of the dirt tracks while we are having school its flathead powered and my present build before I changed the windshiels
Being 78 and Smiley being 80 we dont see many old folks.

 

When Scotty's Muffler put the Cad Hydro in my roadster over 50 years ago, they shortened the solid driveshaft to an acceptable length, ground the spline off it, stuck it in the link and stick welded it together. Over the years I broke lots of drive parts, but never that one.

 

Sure Jim, but you have a reputation for being gentle on parts.

 

WOW!

 

New guy on the HAMB. saw this and must say I still have the R&C issue with the track roadsters and this car has always been one of my favorites. Mr. Strode is definitely a master craftsman. Has this car been finished yet? If so where can we see some more images of it in color, and/or a video of it running?

 

Thanks Dave, it was long pull to get it to this point. Pat is working on getting a clutch built, and is waiting on a transmission. He has been busy with the final touches to his newly built 33 sedan, then he can concentrate on the Spalding. Thanks for your interest.

 

Make sure Pat gives us the details of his clutch. There's some of us on here with Cyclone adaptors that would like to know!

 

By the way were the front hubs on the original car 1940-ish Lincoln Zepher? Those hubs would help on my project to reduce the scrub radius.

 

Going back and looking at the construction of the front axle it looks like a sleeve is inside the axle where the ends weld on. What wall thickness is that inner sleeve? I made my tube axle for one of my projects using 2 inch 0.250 wall dom milling the ends for the kingpin bosses. Of course I welded them in before making brackets. I made clamp on brackets, one of which pivots like Kurtis did on Indy roadsters, but they are heavy. I want to make bracketry similar CAE had, and your axle construction method will allow me to ket them on the axle. Thanks

 

Dave, The front axle was built by BC Choppit on here. The ends are built with a flag welded to the boss, wrapped with a sleeve, fully welded, and machined. The king pin bosses are honed, for a perfect fit. He then inserts the ends (with a minimum of 2" inserted into the 1/4" wall tube, and welded. I had him leave one end off, so I could slide the link plates on, and weld the one end. I can't find the photos of the end, prior to the install. If you contact Bill, he will show you how he does it, and build one if you desire.

 

Thanks. I can picture what it looks like from your description. I guess I'll be making a new axle that way, or using the heavier swing sleeve already made.

 

Love the build thread, picked it up from Pat's Rod and Custom in the garage post, so maxed out thru all 53 pages in one go! Just curious with the tooing and froing what did the wheelbase end up at?

 

^^^^^^ first post kiwitudor, - welcome to the HAMB !

 

As I remember it came out at 100". Pat called today, and is starting back on the car, now that his 33 is finished. He rounded up, most of the parts necessary parts to make it run.

 

The scary big wide world lol Cheers

 

So Marty, Pat, how about an update. Even if it's just "still collecting parts, more next month". We're all getting anxious to see more... PLEASE!

 

Just curious Marty, do you use 7 inch clutches in your cars?

 

Dave, Pat is making headway, perhaps he will give us an update. I do know, he has the clutch issue handled, trans is back in, and and ready to plumb the brakes. He has been a busy guy !

 

Pete, we normally use 10" clutches, as they are street driven as well. Pat's is a different deal, he was having problems, getting the clutch and flywheel installed, using the Cyclone adapter bellhousing.

 

Marty, a 9 1/2" clutch will fit a Cyclone. I was lucky enough to find an Aussie XB GTHO Falcon 9 1/2" twin plate that I think will squeeze in. Making a 5/16" mid plate to space the bellhousing back a bit for clutch cover clearance. That's with Packard trans and Hildebrandt adaptor mated to the Cyclone. I won't know for sure until I get the machining done and bolt it all up. Probably an over kill! If Pat wants to go to a diaphragm type rather than Long style, I think Jaguar 6's used a 9 1/2" single plate.

 

Thanks Mike, good info.

 

Pat wrote a great progress update on the Spalding in his current Bi-Weekly Blog. Some good reading !
https://patganahl.com/2021/05/03/twofer/

 

Thanks for the heads up!

 

Dang! I don't have the balls to cut up my Cyclone. My 9 1/2" twin plate Falcon clutch looks like it will work, but it would've been easier to do what Pat has done.

20210421_091156 by Gofannon posted May 3, 2021 at 2:37 PM

20210421_091047 by Gofannon posted May 3, 2021 at 2:37 PM

 

It's Pat's Birthday today, watch this !
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPmYhNVLnaV/