Tri-Five Gassers...

back when I was in High School guys were using 55-59 chevy pick up front ends.....kinda wide unless ya really go high.I liked the econoline front end from the mid sixties....and we put them under every thing from tri-fives to early novas,and even a couple of falcons.You guys in the north west the man we had do them is still in Milwaukie Oregon his name was Guy Mitchell.....

 

Here's a local 55 that runs a BBC

http://www.rodandpiston.com/components/supersize.asp?id=cruise/elmagrille08&n=17

 

Hey Curly, did you just use the original front frame rails and removed the front crossmembers? Kinda looks that way from your pics. What axle did you use?

 

I made my own crossmember across the front where the leaf spring perches mount. I then cut out the original crossmember and now I'm in the process of boxing in the frame rails. I ordered up a midplate and a front motorplate from AllPontiac.

For an axle I went with a stock Econoline. Springs are Ebay specials for a trailer. Hindsight being 20/20 if I was to get springs I would probably go with the slightly longer ones from Speedway.

 

If I may ask.

Did most tri five Gassers circa 1960's have the 10 percent maximum

"Engine Set Back"?

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Is it or rather would it be accurate and believeable for a Gasser builder now NOT to have the 10 percent maximum Engine set back?

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If there is a Gasser built with a 10 percent maximum Engine Set Back
how would a 4 shifter be configured? Were mostly auto transmissions used in this configuration?

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I know there is a firewall 55/57 specific now available. I simply want to make the most accurate STREET Gasser possible so I must have wipers, heater, lights, ect. Thank you kindly.

 

if your talkin drag cars yeah alot did set them back.HOWEVER most the street "gasser" axle cars that ran the street it was all about the look,and serious horsepower under the hood, personaly I like that idea the look and makeing it streetable

 

Saw this post so I dropped in. Posted these today on the Art Show.

 

love those wagons guys!!

 

Nice drawings, they remind me of the Trosley Cartoons work.

 

Thanks petritl.
I posted this before going through the whole thread and noticed a
comment on how these cars don't make good gassers. I'll leave that up to the experts.
I assume they mean performance wise?

 

Tri 5's have a great engine location as is. The front spark plug on small block is a good two inches behind the spindle centerline as is.
You won't get that from any Nova , Camaro or Chevelle. My pop ran his '56 B/G with stock engine location and factory front suspension until '63-'64. He raised the stock upper A-arm mount up and used ball joint spacers for more front travel and made his own "Super Stock" leaf springs out back. This worked very well. Just remove the front pumper, raise the front a little and get the right wheels/tires and you got a great start. The photo here is March Meet '63

 

PS. If you want a manuel trans without the linkage hassle, use a hydraulic throw out bearing. You can get them from McCleod, Hays,
Ram, Wilwood etc.

 

I am finishing mine up and will try to make the billetproof NW show.

jp

 

So many awesome gassers, each one a little different,all of them bad. Mine uses a 49 ford F1 axle and springs,standard 55 steering box,2x4 chassis rails,works fine with my big block.

 

Here's 2 of the best from Britain. "Honky Tonkin" (the dark red one) runs regular low 9s and gets a foot or more of air under the front tyres on every run. "Roarin' Rat" (the bright red one) was built in the late 70s, way before any gasser wars revival. Both cars now run in the Gasser Circus at various events in the UK and always put on a top show.

 

One new pic and one rescanned

 

With all the gasser luv round here, I'm surprised this one nosed over.

 

Ill keep it going. After I got my 55 I started searching for other chevy gassers to get some style ideas. Didnt know it but apparently gasser doesnt mean nose high.

Then I found this mother, Ive started mapping out a spring behind front drop axle with radius rods and a 4 link for the rear because of this one picture.

 

cause there are a couple others about the same thing..........

 

The new front end is taking a pounding!!!! Should be in the mid to low 9's once the carbs are figure out!!!!

 

That fitty five hauls ass! I line up against you on the first round of qualifying.
Mike Morgan took a great photo. It looks like it could have been taken back in 1970.

http://bowtie0069.fotki.com/2009-march-meet-famoso/dragfest-2010/img-3397.html

 

this is my friend tommies 55. as the story goes , it was a drag car in the 70's that was called the KANSAS CITY MADMAN. the car came from st. matthews, s.c. any body know anything about it?

 

it just sits to damn high!!

 

somebody please tell me where i can get a clear hood scoop like this.

 

Car belongs to Bill Cileo. He's also the driver. I did the front and rear suspension fabrication for him. He's also a HAMBER, but he nevers post pictures, soI did it for him.

 

Hears mine still in the work's

 

Nice 56 Butch, love the green. Think I saw paint pics on another thread. Really great detail.

 

heres mine almost done .

 

here's mine! and two of my buddies!