 2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
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03-26-09 01:32 PM - Post#1661639
Hi All,
Trying to get my butt back into gear on the 55 gasser project. Want it to look something like this pic somebody sent me recently:
Except mine is a 4dr, but if I can ever find a good set of 2dr doors, we'll make the mod. But a gasser 4dr, never seen one, maybe it's time...
I have a bunch of buddies willing to burn some midnite oil, if I will just step up to the plate and give 'em some direction and let 'em loose, but that's a scary proposition as a lot of you know from personal experience, no matter how talented your buddies might be....
I have an axle I need to narrow, and have a set of wheels for the front, I need to put the wheels in there and set them where I want to get a final hub to hub width for the front axle before I narrow it.
Link to pix on the axle I have.
Not sure just how much clearance I should give on the inside of the front tires to the frame rails (stock frame)) or on the outside to the fender lips. As it will sit high, maybe I should keep it wide, but under the fenders, so I can set the turning radius stops in pretty tight, although there are probably already limits on what the disk brakes will turn to on this axle.
That actually might be my next step, see how tight that axle will turn in, bolt a wheel to it, and see how close to the frame rail I can get it without touching, and see where that puts the wheel when it is straight ahead. Ahhhh, empirical thinking, love it....
But I'm looking for ideas, anybody have any ideas on what I should be looking for when I should set up these front wheels?
Also how much caster should I build into this setup? I was thinking five degrees, it's a street rig, with an occasional pass at the strip. I have the motor specs posted elsewhere on one of my web pages below.
Links to other pix on this project are also available here.
Aloha,
Willy
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
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redlinetoys
Senior Member
Posts: 1520
Reg: 04-17-04
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03-26-09 03:46 PM - Post#1661738
In response to 2Loose
Hey Willy,
Cool ideas. Good luck on your project. I don't have any specific answers for you but thought I would direct you to my fotki site below for a ton of tri-five gasser photos (if you haven't already checked it out).
Should keep you busy for awhile!
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56sedandelivery
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2551
Age: 61
Loc: Everett, Wa.
Reg: 02-26-08
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03-26-09 05:35 PM - Post#1661842
In response to 2Loose
Somewhere on the net, and elsewhere, is a pic of a 55 Chevrolet 210 4 door "gasser" that was taken at the old San Cobble Raceway, on Vancouver Islan d, British Columbia, Canada. Has a suicide mounted straight axle, car is yellow, but I can't remember the owner names on the car. But, it looks cool; you don't need to make your 4 dr into a 2 dr. Dare to be different. Butch/56sedandelivery.
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56sedandelivery
Valued Contributor
Posts: 2551
Age: 61
Loc: Everett, Wa.
Reg: 02-26-08
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03-26-09 08:04 PM - Post#1662003
In response to 56sedandelivery
OK, found the pic. Henderson and Hooson 55 Chevrolet 210 4 dr D/G car. Go to www.thundermountainraceway.com/2007_files/archives... Second picture from the very end of the page. Butch/56sedandelivery.
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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03-26-09 08:32 PM - Post#1662024
In response to 56sedandelivery
Too Cool 
Thanks for finding that....
Aloha,
Willy
PS, Bob at Redlinetoys, yup, I've slobbered my way through most of those pix.... 
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prostreet55
Senior Member
Posts: 629
Loc: Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Reg: 02-25-03
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03-27-09 09:27 AM - Post#1662373
In response to 2Loose
Aloha Willy
this is a link to a straight axle build on one of my favorite cars these days.
SHAKEY PUDDIN
the above link may not be exactly what you are looking for, but do a search on the H.A.M.B. for that car and all kinds of gasser info will pop up that could help you.
im looking foward to your build up. take some pics for us!
later,
Darrin
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cnbell
"10th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 8655
Loc: So Cal
Reg: 04-14-04
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03-27-09 10:50 AM - Post#1662441
In response to prostreet55
That is a great post on a straight axle build and a very cool 55, thanks for the link... 
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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03-27-09 10:50 AM - Post#1662442
In response to prostreet55
Thanks Darrin,
I go to the HAMB from time to time, was aware of this car, had looked at several posts on this car, but had not found this particular thread. Thanks, a lot of good info here. Our group (OD Racing, means "old dudes" not "overdose"....) (Unless yer talkin' bout an overdose of Racin Fuel....) is divided on using the old Ford front axle I have vs making a straight axle up from scratch. I have TIG and can weld chrome moly. We also thought about just cutting off the ends of this axle we have, and shaping them to insert in a piece of chrome moly tubing and TIG'ing it together. I have no fears about that, but like the idea of an old I-Beam style axle, and the one we have is stout!
Time will tell....
Thanks again,
Willy
SHAKEY PUDDIN:
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Ohiosnows 57
Frequent Contributor
Posts: 2024
Age: 55
Loc: N. Canton,Ohio
Reg: 12-17-03
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03-27-09 11:27 AM - Post#1662474
In response to 2Loose
Watch Shakey Puddin
Link to 55 Chevy Gasser Shakey Puddin on Pass Time
Link to Shakey Puddin
-Brent-
57 Bel Air 2-door sedan - Sierra Gold & Adobe Beige originally V-8 PP & PG Trans - 1/16/04
57 GMC 150 (3/4ton truck) 347ci V-8 * 4-speed * long bed * small window - 3/10/06 |
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tjn.
Contributor
Posts: 882
Loc: louisville, kentucky usa
Reg: 02-16-05
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03-27-09 01:15 PM - Post#1662558
In response to Ohiosnows 57
Ohiosnows57, NEAT clip, where was the bald-headed pric$? Thanks, TJN
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57Townsman210
"11th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 5353
Loc: Always garaged
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03-27-09 01:30 PM - Post#1662578
In response to Ohiosnows 57
Fun clips, Brent.
I'd go gasser on the 54 but the Wife won't let me.
Just go for it Willy! You'll figure it out.
Regards.
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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03-28-09 12:49 PM - Post#1663190
In response to 57Townsman210
At our normal (abnormal? ) Fender Friday session yesterday, we started tearing apart the '59 Ford truck axle I have, outside is rusty and dirty, but it looks real clean inside. Will finish the disassembly, sand blast and paint it, and get some wheels for it, then do a trial fit, see if I really need to narrow it or not. This is a budget job, so we are using as much of the stuff we have laying around, the goal is to only buy what we absolutely cannot find, scrounge, or steal from what we have already stashed away here and there....
Some pix here.
Aloha,
Willy
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
Avatar: Bill Stinson |
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 jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 11674
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03-28-09 04:32 PM - Post#1663319
In response to 2Loose
Here ya go Willy.
A little quickie for ya.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
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03-28-09 05:25 PM - Post#1663351
In response to jeffs55
Thoughts of our group on this gasser, is to make it a little different, not a "standard, 2lane blacktop" styled 55 gasser.
Our thoughts, solid front axle, use the '59 ford truck axle we have on hand.
Wide wheels in front, not skinny, looking at 15's, 8" wide, offset a bit if available, narrow the front axle if needed to get best fit under the fenders.
Minitub the back, keep the stock wheel opening, run 15's in back also, at least 10" wide, maybe even 12", as I know they fit from the minitub I did on my hardtop. Narrow the nine inch I have to fit.
The '59 ford front springs are quite long. Easy to re-arch to get a little more height in front. Will check that out at mockup time.
We need to buy wheels, nothing around here we want to use for this project. The front hubs are 5 on 5.5", and we have nothing in this bolt pattern, and I don't want at this time to drill a new bolt pattern in these front hubs. So, looking at new wheels.
Choice #1:
Choice #2:
I like 'em both, but am leaning toward the chrome smoothies. Some of the other guys like the "mag" look better....
Need to order though, so we can bolt 'em up and trial fit the front, and get a measurement for the rear axle.
Aloha,
Willy
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tjn.
Contributor
Posts: 882
Loc: louisville, kentucky usa
Reg: 02-16-05
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03-28-09 05:28 PM - Post#1663354
In response to 2Loose
Willy, does that beer bottle have rust inhibitor in it? TJN 
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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03-28-09 06:16 PM - Post#1663383
In response to tjn.
Yeah, the Friday Afternoon Rust Inhibitor, works really well !!!
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 Jeffrey
Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 3645
Age: 22
Loc: Texas
Reg: 06-21-08
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03-28-09 09:31 PM - Post#1663507
In response to 2Loose
thats gonna be a heck of a ride when shes done
Jeff.
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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04-05-09 11:43 AM - Post#1669344
In response to Jeffrey
I've finally got the front suspension pulled out of the car, that was a job! Most of the bolts were rusted solid and required my trusty friend the "Victor Wrench" to get them off!
And man, do I ache all over, I'm out of shape for crawling around under cars!
My buddy, "The Welder", who is famous for chopping substantial parts off of cars, is pushing me to cut the front frame rails off and put new steel in, just like they did on the "Shaky Puddin" '55 project.
I'm resisting. With the cross-steer setup I want to use, and the steering link behind the axle, it looks like the stock steering box will work quite well for that application. The box seems to be in good shape, seems to be tight, no slop I can detect, so am thinking clean up the stock frame rails, keep the stock steering box, and fit in my leaf springs and axle. But I also have a non-power box and tilt steering column out of a ’67 Olds cutlass I could adapt.
The next step is to get the axle under there with the wheels and tires on it and see how it looks. I think it is too wide, will post some pix when I do that.
I also need to consider where the oil pan will sit relative to the axle and steering, looks like tome for a dummy fit of the motor, but I have a spare Olds big block I can use for that.
I'm actually having a really good time doing this, just wish I didn't ache so much while I'm doing it.....
Oh well,
Aloha
Willy
PS, the new front wheels arrived, put some tires on them, here’s a peek…..
Also a pix of the axle and front springs, back from the sand blasters….
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
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04-12-09 11:33 AM - Post#1674643
In response to 2Loose
Making some progress, got the front suspension pulled out, set up the wheels under there, found out they stick out about 2" too much on each side, so am in the process of narrowing the front axle 4" to pull in the wheels under the fenders....
This photo shows where they will end up after narrowing the axle....
Sorry about the fuzziness, only had my cell phone camera that day....
Now pulling the rear apart so I can do the minitub and put my new wheels (same as front, but 10" wide) and tires in (12" wide tread BF Goodrich street drag radials) and narrow my nine inch to fit. Need to send the axles out to shorten and respline, I can narrow the housing.
Questions I haven't answered yet:
-Use the original front rails or weld on new front rails?
-Drop the motor down enough so blower sits under the hood, or let it stick through?
-Run heavy leafs and caltraks in back or go with ladder bars (don't like 4 links)?
-keep/redo the original bench seats or go with four buckets, probably summit race buckets?
-build custom roll cage, three main hoops, front, middle, rear, removable side bars, so both front and back seats are readily accessible for street use?
-Build fenderwell headers, or keep 'em hidden Hooker Supercomp style, but with electric cutouts either way?
-Use my old 67 Muncie M21 close ratio or put in the DN 5 sp I have? The Muncie came out of my old 442 and still has the Hurst 442 stick on it!
Aloha all....
Willy
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jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 11674
Age: 54
Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Reg: 01-05-06
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04-12-09 01:45 PM - Post#1674696
In response to 2Loose
Questions I haven't answered yet:
-Use the original front rails or weld on new front rails?
-Drop the motor down enough so blower sits under the hood, or let it stick through?
-Run heavy leafs and caltraks in back or go with ladder bars (don't like 4 links)?
-keep/redo the original bench seats or go with four buckets, probably summit race buckets?
-build custom roll cage, three main hoops, front, middle, rear, removable side bars, so both front and back seats are readily accessible for street use?
-Build fenderwell headers, or keep 'em hidden Hooker Supercomp style, but with electric cutouts either way?
-Use my old 67 Muncie M21 close ratio or put in the DN 5 sp I have? The Muncie came out of my old 442 and still has the Hurst 442 stick on it!
Aloha all....
Willy
My personal opinions:
DN 5- since you have one, although the shifter you mentioned sounds like it belongs in there.
Fenderwell headers-just looks wild and cool.
No opinion on the cage. That one will be up to you.
Buckets- 60s-70s style. Since you'll have a shifter in the floor, it'll be better to not have the bench in the way.
Ladder bars- extra big and long so you can see them.
Let the blower stick out like God intended.
If the front rails require a lot of work, or if you think they are ugly, replace them.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
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04-12-09 02:18 PM - Post#1674708
In response to jeffs55
Jeff,
I also have the front buckets out of my old '67 442, they'd be perfect for this rig, but are a bit heavy...
Yeah, I like that idea, keep the shifter off the old Muncie for the DN, and reupholster the 442 buckets....
After all, I saved 'em for something, musta been this project!!!
A buddy of mine did a pro streeter truck with long ladders, and shackles connecting the axle to leaf springs, it handled great, and he could change the height by changing the length of the shackles, within limits of course, and he had a panhard bar on it too for sideways sability, I like that idea....
Slow Old Man = Fast Old Car
Picture Trail
2Loose
Chevys: 55Hardtop, 554drgasser, 554x4truck,
58prostreettruck, 57Olds, 70BuickGS
Avatar: Bill Stinson |
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jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 11674
Age: 54
Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Reg: 01-05-06
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04-12-09 04:29 PM - Post#1674802
In response to 2Loose
Along the nostalgic theme, paint the ladders a bright color like chrome yellow or something that POPs! Maybe even the front and rear axles too.
I remember painting model cars back in the day and we would paint things under the car in different colors so it would show up.
Also, there were standard colors for certian products.
Lakewood traction bars were yellow.
Holley carbs were that brassy color
That's all I can think of right off, but you get the idea.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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Rick_L
Honored Member
Posts: 24724
Loc: Katy, Tx, USA
Reg: 07-06-00
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04-12-09 05:45 PM - Post#1674863
In response to 2Loose
This whole deal is whether you want to make it period correct or some kind of morph.
Period correct:
- Replace the frame rails
- No caltracs, the usual period correct deal was a ladder bar that was too long with the original leaf springs.
- The correct cage wouldn't allow rear seat access.
- The engine location was raised not lowered.
- The 5 speed was not invented yet.
- The car would have the lightest pair of buckets you could find from the era, no back seat. Something like the seat from a sedan delivery, or a foreign version of a delivery.
- The car would not be streetable.
Of course you can build it any way you want.
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2Loose
"9th Year" Platinum Supporting Member
Posts: 3864
Age: 71
Loc: Sandwich Isles
Reg: 03-17-03
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04-12-09 06:11 PM - Post#1674889
In response to Rick_L
Hi Rick, Jeff....
Thanks guys,
Yeah, there are some things about the "period correct" so-called gasser cars I don't like, and I'm far, far from a "purist", so I guess I'm going to borrow a little here and a little there and build a car that I like, sorta what I woulda/coulda/mighta built back then if I had access to what I have now.
Starting with:
-pretty rusty but basically solid 55 4dr that landed in my back yard,
-blown olds 425, not together but all the parts are there and machine shop work done, been looking for a home for this motor for some time,
-choice of 4sp Muncie or 5sp DN,
-59 ford truck front axle/ springs/ steering/ disk brake conversion setup, all parts removed from the ford and dumped in my back yard,
-nine inch Moser rear housing, needs narrowing,
-35 spline Moser axles, need narrowing,
-gotta buy wheels, tires, and a third member,
-assortment of seats around, buckets and bench, probably the 442 buckets in front and a bench in back.
want to make it safe, safe, safe, easy to drive on the street while looking "scary", setup to take at least four people, so yes on a back seat. And it will have a surfboard rack on top!
After all this is Hawaii, so I guess if I needed a motif, coconut gasser beach cruiser???
Heck, might even be a pretty good name, the "Coconut Special"
Gotta go, gotta finish up me taxes and then find some liquid pain reliever, Scottish singlemalt style....
Aloha,
Willy
PS, three of the side glass pieces are cracked, when cleaning out the trunk I found replacement glass, still wrapped up in the original NOS cardboard, didn't know it was there!
Edited by 2Loose on 04-12-09 06:14 PM. Reason for edit: Found New Glass.....
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jeffs55
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 11674
Age: 54
Loc: Shelby Forest, Tennessee
Reg: 01-05-06
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04-12-09 07:47 PM - Post#1674962
In response to 2Loose
so I guess I'm going to borrow a little here and a little there and build a car that I like, sorta what I woulda/coulda/mighta built back then if I had access to what I have now.
That's what I concluded from your posts.
Some are going to hate it, critisize it, love it and everything in between.
Go crazy, have fun with it.
Jeff
55 Handyman
66 F100 project
32 3 Window Coupe project
1996 Silverado short bed extended cab
I actually own 2 Chevys now!
My Pics
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ssffnomad
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 2490
Loc: Saratoga Springs N.Y. U....
Reg: 10-19-00
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04-12-09 08:19 PM - Post#1674988
In response to 2Loose
A little Motivation for Ya, This one is from : Right Coast show in Syracuse
" Over the course of history, the kiss of a woman has poisoned a lot of great minds " - Arn Anderson
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ssffnomad
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 2490
Loc: Saratoga Springs N.Y. U....
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04-12-09 08:23 PM - Post#1674989
In response to jeffs55
This was built by one of our friend,s, driven all over the freckin place. Has A frames/Big Block
" Over the course of history, the kiss of a woman has poisoned a lot of great minds " - Arn Anderson
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ssffnomad
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 2490
Loc: Saratoga Springs N.Y. U....
Reg: 10-19-00
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04-12-09 08:27 PM - Post#1674994
In response to ssffnomad
CTer "Racemad" and myself help on this build.
" Over the course of history, the kiss of a woman has poisoned a lot of great minds " - Arn Anderson
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ssffnomad
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 2490
Loc: Saratoga Springs N.Y. U....
Reg: 10-19-00
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04-12-09 08:30 PM - Post#1674997
In response to ssffnomad
Next Generation of HotRodders
" Over the course of history, the kiss of a woman has poisoned a lot of great minds " - Arn Anderson
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ssffnomad
"4th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 2490
Loc: Saratoga Springs N.Y. U....
Reg: 10-19-00
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04-12-09 08:38 PM - Post#1675001
In response to ssffnomad
"Racemads" 55 Nomad Gasser
" Over the course of history, the kiss of a woman has poisoned a lot of great minds " - Arn Anderson
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