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What's a T bucket with V8 like to drive?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by blowby, Feb 16, 2013.

  1. Hackerbilt
    Joined: Aug 13, 2001
    Posts: 6,254

    Hackerbilt
    Member

    This is on the west coast of Newfoundland last July, around 400 miles into our run to the Atlantic Nationals.
    VERY windy conditions (thus my goggles instead of the usual shades), deeply rutted highway, 65 mph cruising...no issues at all.
    Hey...the women are home...the sun is shining and the big block Chevy is just humming along. What COULD be wrong!?!? Hahaha

    Theres no reason a T bucket or Mod can't be a driver, even if its capable of 12 second 1/4 mile rips!
    It's all in the temperment you build into the engine and chassis.

    Oh yeah...and FTF! ;) :D

    <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xpW9OZr-MVE?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2013
  2. Hemi-roid
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 141

    Hemi-roid
    Member
    from Cary, IL

    Hackerbilt is exactly right. A t-bucket is as fast or slow, and as comfortable or uncomfortable as you build it. I know over a hundred T-bucket owners over 50, and they drive the wheels off them. Last June, my daughter and I drove 2000 miles in ours on a week long trip. That's not even a record cruise for us. Several of the guys in my club have over 150K miles on their T's, and one is closing in on 240K miles. Those guys are my heros. Mine has a mere 90K miles on it. They are more fun than you would believe! "Quick" is an understatement.

    Here we are on Route 129 (The Tail of the Dragon) in Tennessee last summer.

    http://youtu.be/i7WsidmBtbY

    [​IMG]
     
  3. roadster1923
    Joined: Jul 1, 2005
    Posts: 139

    roadster1923
    Member
    from Girard PA

    I've owned the sbc powered T-bucket in my avatar for over 25 years, I'm 57 now and it still a thrill to drive! Makes me feel young for awhile.
     
  4. 327Eric
    Joined: May 9, 2008
    Posts: 2,115

    327Eric
    Member

    how do they handle. The only time I have really seen them really thrown around is in this clip from "Hot Rods to Hell". These ones seem to corner pretty flat the way they are throwing them around.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4fjwIC8Dmc
     
  5. Weasel
    Joined: Dec 30, 2007
    Posts: 6,698

    Weasel
    Member

    Buddy of mine loaned me his blown SBC powered Fad T bucket in 1979, drilled chrome I beam, Beer keg gas tank, 4 on the floor, Schiefer Competition clutch that require bionic left leg to depress. Drove it a few miles and scared myself a couple of times. I was limping from leg cramps when I got out with a B-I-G grin. Blue and yellow CA license plate was Goosey - wonder if it's still around? You out there Walt?
     
  6. pasadenahotrod
    Joined: Feb 13, 2007
    Posts: 11,775

    pasadenahotrod
    Member
    from Texas

    Nothing is more fun than a well-built and designed T-bucket roadster. Build them with good seat (save your back and butt, original springs available), toeboards (for best foot position and driving comfort), enough windshield to keep your face out of the wind, comfortable steering wheel and pedal positions, and working suspension (!!) and you've got along distance driver that you'll keep forvever.
     
  7. bobw
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,376

    bobw
    Member

    [​IMG]
    When the weather is decent I always take my roadster. I paid a lot of attention to ride quality and driver comfort. Only problem is the wind comes around the windshield. If it is too windy I wear goggles.
     
    AHotRod likes this.
  8. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Bob, are your radius rods attached solidly to the rear end? Some of the other T photos look to be. I keep reading how that breaks parts when you have to go up a driveway or hit a large bump with one wheel, the diff can't flex the way a front axle does?
     
  9. Keep
    Joined: May 10, 2008
    Posts: 662

    Keep
    Member

    If things go as planned I will be driving mine out to the Atlantic Nationals from Oshawa this year. So far things are looking good!
     
  10. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Where are you reading that? I have not seen anything about it on the HAMB or anywhere else.:confused: I have been into and out of a LOT of steep driveways and I've hit some scary bumps. All with no issue. Not even a close call.

    As stated before, if you build a T right, like any other car, you'll have miles and miles of trouble free driving. A mount breaking off a rearend housing sounds like bad welds or someone who likes four wheelin'.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2013
  11. Jay Tyrrell
    Joined: Dec 9, 2007
    Posts: 1,631

    Jay Tyrrell
    Member

    Fun as hell!
    Jay
     
  12. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,458

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Then you haven't been paying attention. :D It has been brought up on multiple threads.

    When you attatch the rear radius rod solidly under the rear axle then attach both ends to the outside of frame rails, you essentially have a big U shaped sway bar made up of the rear end and the 2 wishbones.

    The rear end can't articulate as it should. Lots of light cars get away with it, but it is not proper.


    In order to have it work properly there has to be a pivot point under the rear end and other pivot points so the rear end will articulate.

    It came up for a full discussion in my build thread and is what led me to redesign the rear suspension for my 26 RPU into a modified triangulated 4 bar.

    http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=460009&highlight=26&showall=1

    If I recall correctly Nimrod had his 36 bones break on his duece roadster because of it and ended up re-doing his rear suspension into a triangulated 4 bar as well.
     

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    Last edited: Feb 17, 2013
  13. bobw
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,376

    bobw
    Member

    Yes, I believe it is better to have a rear two link set up with the bars aimed inboard toward the center of the car. Also, there is an inherent weakness in the '35 Ford radius rods I used. My radius rods have early Ford tie rod ends in the front end which provides for some articulation. With a Model A (Posies) rear spring there isn't much wheel travel. There are no doubt stresses when turning into a driveway at an angle but the strength of the parts and the quality of the welds are sufficient to handle the stresses with a car this light

    I would reinforce the radius rods if I had fat, grippy rear tires and in fact, it is on my "to do" list. I don't accelerate hard because I know the '35 bones are marginal without reinforcement where the forging is welded to steel tube.

    This roadster is a cruiser not a stop light racer.
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2013
  14. bcowanwheels
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 321

    bcowanwheels
    Member

    Hard to keep a t-bucket under 1800lbs. I,ve been building them since the late 60,s and a good safe t is around 2000 lbs. This is with 1/4" frame materials, i-beam front axle,8" ford rear, full wood reienforced body with upolstry, tall glass windshield,iron corvair steering box and a s/b ford or chevy. One thing to consider there is "no" safety equip in a t-bucket at all. If anything happens your gonna be ejected to where only god knows and the power to weight ratio is very tempting to gouge on it. Even with a 2bbl carb when i was a kid with no sence it took a 69 charger with a 440 magnum to beat me. It was a miracle i survived those days. I still have the t-bucket after all these years but now i drive it with respect. There fun and easy to build and as cheap as you can get into hot roddin. I reinforced my cal-automotive body and have 0 stress cracks. If i can help you build one just ask i,ll do my best for ya.
    Bob
     
  15. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Okay, I get it with wishbones, but with radius rods also?
     
  16. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,458

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    I have a friend with tubular radius rods on his. Seems to work well, again I think it's because of the inherent flexibility in the radius rods.

    Not to mention he is running a transverse rear spring so the side to side articulation is limited anyway.
     
  17. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,458

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    On the subject of fun I believe my 26 RPU will be a blast to drive with the healthy 309 Y Block Tim McMaster built for me.

    A street legal go kart that should surprise some folks :D
     
  18. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    That makes sense. I'm a nut for checking my car out every other day or so. I'm confident in how the radius rods work, but check the welds and mounts a lot.
     
  19. BOBCRMAN
    Joined: Nov 10, 2005
    Posts: 846

    BOBCRMAN
    Member
    from Holly

    Mine has been around since the seventies. I drive it every dry, almost dry, day from March to November in Michigan weather. Gloves, scarf, leathers and a BIG smile. Rain ponchos stored under the seat. Never had a weld break. Always gets me home, even after a few, high speed, unintentional off road tours.

    Those big rear tires throw more rain water on the backside of the windshield than you would believe.

    Blown 383 Chevy, big M/T rear tires, white knuckles..
    FUN FUN FUN. Riding it home from the shop makes you forget a real bad day. Time for some more fun.. I've been around for 65 years.
     
    AHotRod likes this.
  20. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    Geez, I'm starting to see one of these in my future. You guys are a bad influence, or a good one I'm not sure. I need a top though, can't take the sun. So I guess that means I need opening doors.
     
  21. Paul B
    Joined: Sep 29, 2007
    Posts: 941

    Paul B
    Member

    Like a bear with a firecracker in his ass mine weighed 1400lbs destroked 307 with a blower. had a leaf spring rear setup didnt' ride bad,but after a couple weeks got boring
     
  22. MO_JUNK
    Joined: Jan 22, 2006
    Posts: 1,196

    MO_JUNK
    Member
    from Rolla, Mo.

    As said a "go kart with a v8". Here's some pictures of me having fun at the HAMB DRAGS. I was 55 years young at the time. Sam
     

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  23. THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Joined: Jun 6, 2007
    Posts: 5,350

    THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER
    Member
    from FRENCHTOWN

    [​IMG]

    Me at Detroit Dragway ca 1970:

    10.36 @ 133 MPH with a .440 lift hydraulic cam

    What was I thinking?
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2013
    AHotRod likes this.
  24. BLUDICE
    Joined: Jun 23, 2006
    Posts: 1,511

    BLUDICE
    Member

    Plain and simple - nothing but pure fun. I had a blast in this, and miss it very much, but boy they will really beat up if you drive it alot - which I did.
    Had a "67 327 w/double hump heads, '66 saganaw 4sp, '57 chevy rear, and the rest you can see.
     

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  25. LongT
    Joined: May 11, 2005
    Posts: 968

    LongT
    Member

    Me 65 Mother in law 89!

    [​IMG]

    Bill
     
  26. 1928chevycoupe
    Joined: Jun 4, 2012
    Posts: 217

    1928chevycoupe
    Member

    I hope the T-bucket won this race! ;)

     
  27. Moon Rocket
    Joined: Dec 26, 2012
    Posts: 540

    Moon Rocket
    BANNED
    from GA

    I got to admit, the MNL looks a lot more confortable than you do! I'm sorry, I'm just not built to put my knees togather like that. :eek:
     
  28. blowby
    Joined: Dec 27, 2012
    Posts: 8,661

    blowby
    Member
    from Nicasio Ca

    He's just hiding the big ole woody he gets from driving the T-bucket from mom.
     
  29. Jamoke
    Joined: Sep 1, 2011
    Posts: 716

    Jamoke
    Member

    I Like that color Blue
     
  30. Thanks for the nice comments on our story earlier. Frank Mazi's T-Bucket ran e.t's in the mid-10's at 124 mph back in the early 1970s, was driven on the street and according to Frank, the T was “very well-mannered, like a big go-kart.”
    [​IMG]
    And, to prove it's versatility, his wife Linda also drove it on the street and ran in the 10s at the strip.
    [​IMG]
    In case anybody missed it, story is at http://www.tbucketplans.com/2013/02/14/frank-and-linda-mazis-10-second-street-driven-t-bucket/

    Thanks
     

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