Bellytank build - Power by the Fabulous Flathead Ford V8

Great work - love those tankers

 

I don't know where you could find a set of those block off plates, I've been on the look out for another set myself with no luck. There out there somewhere, surely somebody on here has a spare set.

Thanks for the compliments, attached are a few pics of the main cage structure welded together. Lots of hours of final fitting, cleaning, and some weird position welds.

 

You mention flathead as if there is some other engine that's appropriate. I can't imagine what it could be. Of course, a flathead!! (smiling)
Now you've done it. You MUST keep us all updated with photos and words. Otherwise....I dunno what'll happen, but it won't be pretty!!
(GREAT build)

 

Looks great! I like your rotisserie.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

 

Yeah I agree, nothing more appropriate than the flathead.

The rotisserie was quick and low tech, but very useful.

 

great thread. I've always like bellytankers. just another on a long list of cars I want to build. keep em coming.

 

Are those hydraulic cylinders from Speedway?

Great Job BTW

 

Love this thread!

 

WOW.......nice work

 

The hydraulic cylinders are Wilwood, I got them from Summit, most people sell them, Speedway probably has them as well.

Wilwood p/n is 260-1304 for .750" bore, they also make a .625 & .70 bore versions.

 

Now that you have started the welding can you return all of those hose clamps to the Amish hardware store ?. Really lookin good!!

 

BTTT Are we goin racin this September????

 

I do believe I must admit to defeat for making it this year, that is unless I win the lottery and can quit my job. So I guess 2011 it will be.

Better to do it right the first time.

 

That Cage looks awesome! Great job!
How have you gone about actually attaching the tank to the body?
And how did you go about cutting out the holes for the front and rear axle to get it right, and so the tank still looks like it sitting right? hights? Did you have to work out what size tyres you were going to run first?

 

Any more updates? First fire perhaps?

 

No new updates worth mentioning, just getting seat belt mounts finished and a seat that I can fit in.

For mounting the tank the bottom half bolts to brackets on the frame, the top half bolts to the bottom.

I had tire size figured out in my cad software ahead of time fo the stance and clearance I wanted. When it cam time to cut nothes in the body I had the axles removed and suspended the frame from engine cranes. Then, after much hesitation I cut the notch for the rear and front axles. I did end up making a new front spring perch to correct the stance, the springs did not compress as I expected.

 

Great thread. Great build...........But where are the updates?

Please tell me this build was completed.

Cheerz!

Rootz

 

Yeah! I'd love to scratchbuild an 1/8" scale model of this little puppy...

 

Exactly- Did you finish it?

 

Wow, its been a long time since any update so here we go. Still in process, working on it as much as possible, so many details.

Last summer I had to take a break to pour new concrete in the garage, so the tank got rolled around the block into my wife's garage. This proved to be quite the experience with limited ground clearance.

The pictures will speak more than my description but have worked at plating the rear of the cage and sealing the engine compartment from the drivers area. Some of the pics show bellhousing shield and lower frame tubes for added stiffness. Also some tubes and plates on the front of the cage for foot protection.

One main change has been changing from a water tank to twin radiators and electric fans for engine cooling. I was afraid with the water tank capacity if I could keep the engine cool, especially if ending up sitting on the line idling for too long. This also allowed easier access and mounting of fire extinguishers and a few other items.

Also parachute frame, gauge mounting & canopy frame, headers, etc...

Still a huge list to do, alot of parts laying around still to get mounted.

More pics to follow.

Andy

 

more pics

 

some more pics

 

The tank above the bell housing will serve as an upper radiator tank & fill point, electric water pumps will drawn from there and push through the radiators into the block.

that's all the interesting pics I have for now, time to get back to work.

 

Woa! Yeah! I feel like Christmas just came unexpectedly!

Man! You are an ARTIST! As my ol' Dad would say, you ain't afraid of a little elbow grease. Either that or you've got a well-trained chimpazee! What a shame all that beautiful work will need to be painted.

Couple of questions:

Where are the lower shock mounts going to be?

Did you make those leaf springs yourself? Are they made from spring steel or what?

All power to your elbow mate. We're cheering you on.

Rtz

 

....which is just what I'm doing at the moment.

Well, maybe not this little puppy but an RC belly tank lakester anyway. Sorry to hijack the thread for a moment but if anyone's interested, or especially if you can help me with suspension dimensions, please send me a PM. I'll start a build thread on HAMB if there's enough interest.

Cheerz!

Rtz

 

This needs to go BTTT. Great job, Andy

 

Mmmmmmmm. I am in love with this thread! Superb work! Good luck with your quest. I've got a few smaller tanks that have been calking my name for a while. I've thought about using them in Siamese fashion. Can't wait to see more of this.


Too many cars, so little time!

 

I love it. Another kool build. can't wait to see it finished.

 

Lookin' good!

 

super cool!