The Front Engine Dragster Thread.

[powerglide]

I'm thinking of building a car and I am looking for information and Ideas. feel free to post up cool old pictures as I'm sure there isn't enough of us guys on here that will keep the thread rolling on just ideas and questions alone(plus, pictures are cool;)

Powerglide

[powerglide]

And here is my "Blueprint" ;) and after doing some measurements, there is no way in hell the cage can be that low.

[powerglide]

Tom Hoovers ride. MN Dragway.

[powerglide]

[A/Fuel]

From a pure looks standpoint the lower cage looks better, and I wonder what the chances are of parts flying over your head. The newer style where you sit up higher always seemed to me like it would make a good basket to catch flying parts. I worked on one that someone took a low cage and added the extra hoops so it was legal and it was a real pain for the guy to get in and out. There were a few times he was still struggling to get out by the time we got down there to pick him up.

[Silver68RT]

Here's mine. It was apparently built in '69, 180" WB, 400 SBC, and went 8.94 @ 145 on my 2nd licensing pass, which was the last time I had it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5f1wL4hhFg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzyCMUCNoPo

[oldsman71]

neat car!!!!

[oldsman71]

NOTE: also alot of F.E.D info on the HAMB message board. use the search button
and you will find a ton of stuff. Befor asking questions make sure you learn their rules

[A/Fuel]

Here's mine. It was apparently built in '69, 180" WB, 400 SBC, and went 8.94 @ 145 on my 2nd licensing pass, which was the last time I had it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5f1wL4hhFg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzyCMUCNoPo

Thats a nice car and (since you are running it) apears to be legal, but could you shed some light on the modifications to the cage that have been done. Looking at the pics and videos the main sholder hoop appears to be origional, but I'm uncertain about the cage, it looks like it has been changed.

[Silver68RT]

It had an expired IHRA cert when I bought it, so I ordered the SFI spec for 7.50 and slower FED's. It needed the helmet bars added, and a couple of other bars, one under the seat I think. I had to change the way the harness mounted, add a new trans shield, firewall / flexplate shield, and rebuild the rear end. I don't know if the spec's changed since, but it sailed through cert no problem. It's a chrome-moly chassis, and I'm pretty sure it had a clutch and hand brake from some leftover brackets.

It had stock Mopar 8 3/4" axles that had been cut down and resplined, and a cast iron mini-spool. The axles were twisted 2 teeth off. Scary. I went with Strange 35-spline axles and a Mark Williams spool. I also had to have the rear end widened by DTS so I could fit the 12.00-16 M&H's on the 16x11 Halibrands I got off eBay. I should have gone a different way with the wheels. 40-year old magnesium wheels probably are better off on a cackle-fest car than going 150+. I also kept the 4.30 gear, which is way too much. I was into the rev limiter before the finish line.

[A/Fuel]

How is the 8.75 attached? do you have a plate between the pig and axels? 3 bolts?

[starterguy]

This is a great thread as I was just thinking about this myself! As for your design were you thinking of something like this the ones this guy built http://www.condercustom.com/ATF/rail/godrail.html These are unbelieveable.

On a different front I sent away for info on some FED plans and kits in the mid 90's from a company called Heritage Chassis from Canfield, Ohio. I was sent the info and received lots of stuff from the owner Norm Anderson. Do any of the BS family out there know what happened to them?

They advertised in all the big mags of the time (HotRod, Street Rodder, etc) But they were a litle early on the curve. They were selling 150" FED's and a Dragmaster Dart copy and the prices were reasonable. Did anybody else see these?

[Silver68RT]

There's a triangular plate welded to each axle tube, 4 bolts per side to the chassis. Nothing between the pig and the axle, but there's another plate up near the snout that's bolted to the top of the pig near the front, I think it might be using one of the pinion snubber holes. The driveline shield is mounted to that plate. Full length PG, with a coupler. The shifter is mounted to the pig using pinion snubber holes.

Pictures might be easier.

[powerglide]

Yes, Tim's cars are Badder-Ass-er(as the "other" Chad would say)! I get lots of my inspiration form Tim's cars and stories! Crazy ass ideas and tons of talent! I will see if I can get him to join in on here.

This is a great thread as I was just thinking about this myself! As for your design were you thinking of something like this the ones this guy built http://www.condercustom.com/ATF/rail/godrail.html These are unbelieveable.

On a different front I sent away for info on some FED plans and kits in the mid 90's from a company called Heritage Chassis from Canfield, Ohio. I was sent the info and received lots of stuff from the owner Norm Anderson. Do any of the BS family out there know what happened to them?

They advertised in all the big mags of the time (HotRod, Street Rodder, etc) But they were a litle early on the curve. They were selling 150" FED's and a Dragmaster Dart copy and the prices were reasonable. Did anybody else see these?

[powerglide]

Hell ya on the pictures! Very cool ride! And one quick question, roughly, how far is your ass from the ground and does it wheelie hard? Some say with the longer glide, they don't wheelie as bad? OK, sorry that was two questions....

There's a triangular plate welded to each axle tube, 4 bolts per side to the chassis. Nothing between the pig and the axle, but there's another plate up near the snout that's bolted to the top of the pig near the front, I think it might be using one of the pinion snubber holes. The driveline shield is mounted to that plate. Full length PG, with a coupler. The shifter is mounted to the pig using pinion snubber holes.

Pictures might be easier.