Team Twirl'n HAMB Dragster O/W Build

[Toymaker]

We built our HAMB Dragster over a year ago but I thought I might show folks how easy it would be to go racing with a few donated parts. With the ANRA Open Wheel category 10 seconds and slower it's a breeze to compete and have a blast! So here goes and don't hesitate to ask any questions. Rocky


March 3rd 2008
Sounds crazy but I gonna try to have my HA/GR built by Dragfest on May 2&3. It won't be a true HA/GR because the engine I have is a '68 Ford 6cyl with an automatic but it will be built in the spirit of the BUG in the sense that's all I have. I plan to put a manual trans in it as one comes my way. So far I have gathered the engine, trans, 4:11 8" Ford rear end complete, and a'48 ford PU straight axle and steering box. I also have a Jegster chassis kit with plenty of tubing I can replace later. Yesterday I trimmed the 'fat' off the PU front end and I pulled the engine today. I may fade and not complete by May2 but I'll take it any way. I appreciate all the support you guys offer on this site...............here we go!!!!!



I just got thru cutting my springs (1/4 elliptic) and removing the E brake cables. I'm gonna run the engine as-is for now (it did run a year or so ago), it got some water in it but it freed up pretty easy and I hope the tranny is good. It really helps finding a complete ready to run front and rear end.
March 3rd 2008 The cage will probably be 1 3/4 since I have a bender and those materials also. The main rails will be 3x1 1/2" .120 or .095 wall, I could use some feedback on that. I have given some thought about the slingshot conversion but I have to stay on track to get this done.
gonna use mild steel, 3 x 1 1/2 .120 wall, picked up the material 2day! I'm leaving for the March Meet tomorrow, so I'm physically in a holding pattern (my brain is still building like it's on 100% NITRO). Not much progress the last 2 days, got my lug pattern template made to redrill the '48 front hubs and made my 1/4 elliptics.
March 21st 2008 Well after 2 weeks away from home it's time to get after it. This week I fabbed the front spring brackets, cut my frame tubing, found a 37 ford front end that I split the wishbones, cut down my spindles and got my Coker's to name a few things accomplished. I'm gonna try a "Dragster Build Night" this weekend and I'll post pictures of the progress.



I'll post more later

[Toymaker]

March 23rd 2008 Far from done but it rolls! When I mounted my rear tires up I found a 2" difference in the rollout (one is 93" and the other is 91"), something to watch for. So far I've spent $70.00 on the frame, $230.00 on the rear tires and 35.00 on the front wheel seals. I never thought it would be so cool, fun all rolled in one to build something so basic. My friends and family (the Team Twirl'n crew) are the best!


The guys at Coker are the best, they fix my tire problem no questions asked!
March 27th 2008 I drug the six out and cleaned it up to fire on the floor and found 2 stuck valves. So now I add a ring and valve job to the "to-do" list!!
April 3rd 2008 Well after a long week I finally got the engine runnin'. It started Saturday @ Pick & Pull pulling an engine and trans I thought I could use but it turns out it wouldn't fit (Ford Changed the bellhousing in '80) between my frame rails. So I yanked the head off and put it on the old short block, rebuilt the carb and distributor, fabbed the engine and tranny mounts and fired it tonight. Now it's on to the Drivers compartment and cage. Recent purchases were the long block $102.00, carb Kit $20.00, Points and condensor $30.00 (don't ask), gasket set $32.00 and some odds and ends. Only 30 days left 'til DragFest!

Been working on the steering and got my steering shaft extension (almost) done for the F-1 box. I cut the 'drop arm' off the splined section and machined a hub out of it that press fits into 1 5/8 tubing. Then I cut a slot into the tube/hub combo, welded a tube that a 3/8 bolt will go thru that will pinch the hub after I slit it. The steering shaft is also notched for bolt clearence to help assure it don't fall off. I also have the drivers compartment bars all fitted, made my water pump block off plate, water fill tube with cap and most important got my carb scoop ($25.00) mounted.....................24 more DAYS!

[Toymaker]

April 11 2008 Got the steering box mounted, steering shaft support made, and my roll cage bent up. The cage came out a little wide but it's as tight of a radius my homemade bender will do. Plus I ran out of 1 3/4 DOM and with money tight I really like the looks of it I still need to add the helmet bars and will install the other 2 bars (making it a 5 pt) after Dragfest so I can run ANRA's Open Wheel category. So much to do with only 22 days to go!



April 13 2008 Well......The steering is laid out using 1" .120" wall tubing ($25.00/ 20')with inserts welded in I machined out of 1/2" 'Hi-nuts' using 1/2" Rod Ends($22.00 pr). As far as geometry I just gave myself plenty of options and will see what works best, the box needs an additional brace to stop it from deflecting. I still need to fit the remaining diagonal. leg and helmet bars before we tear it apart Saturday for final welding. I know the car will be considerably slower than my 11 second door slammer but I'm d**n excited about runnin' it! Sent my entry in and feel fairly confident we'll have the car ready by Race Day, it will be there regardless.
19 Days, Rocky

[Toymaker]

April 20 2008 After a week of no progress we got after the HA/GR Saturday. After fitting the diagonal supports we took it apart and welded up the cage, front end and 'capped' the frame rails. fabbed the master cylinder and battery mounts and tacked in the fuel tank brackets. This project is an effort of many people, my great friends Bud and his son Jarred, Hippie, John, my son Lee and new 'Team Twirl'n Racing' Member Tom but above all without the full support of my wife I couldn't hammer on like I do. Anyway back to the build, last week I added to the purchases, $60.00 for more materials (10 ft each of 1 3/4, 1 1/4, & 1") and a $100.00 for 5 pt harness & rollbar padding. A few more pics, for ideas and recommendations..................12 more days, Rocky



APRIL 20 2008 Wheel Base?

[Toymaker]

APRIL 20 2008 Wheel Base? Started wih a 20' piece of tube, cut off 19" for a x-member then cut it in half for the frame rails. With 12" 1/4 elliptic front suspension we ended up with a wheelbase of 117".
April 23, 2008 Brake Handle Ratio info. I found some info on Airhearts www.airheart-brakes.com/pdfs/..._Selection.pdf and Mark Williams www.markwilliams.com/braketech.aspx websites.
April 28 2008 Well we got the brakes, master disconnect, seat and belts, steering, throttle, done and the 'zoomies' ($25.00 for 6 1 1/4" EMT bends that measure 1 1/2 OD @ Home Depot) tacked together this weekend. The small things are kick'n my rear and the only issue we had today when we took out for its first drive was the front tires want to bounce. We have the body, firewall, wiring, the bounce issue and a few loose ends to finish up. It's going to be a long week! 5 more days, Rocky

[Toymaker]

May 2 2008 The photos suck due to poor shop lighting and they were taken before I added the helmet bars. I have a few minor issues still to deal with but I think we are actually ready!

[Toymaker]

May 5 2008

-I totalled up the purchases for the HA/GR and this is what I came with;
(2) 10" hose clamps for borrowed Fuel Tank.................$2.50
(6) 1 1/4 EMT tubing elbows for zoomies.....................$30.00
Axle Perch Nuts and King Pin shims...............................$14.00
LED Light and chrome bracket......................................$10.0 0
Front wheel seals............................................. ...........$40.00
Trans rear seal.............................................. ..............$13.00
Points & Condensor......................................... ............$35.00
Carburetor Kit............................................... ...............$20.00
Trans pan gasket and filter............................................ .$6.00
Drag Link Rod Ends and jam nuts.......(1/2").................$22.00
Fuel Filter and carb Gasket............................................ $8.00
Oil Filter............................................ ............................$6.00
Engine gasket set............................................... ..........$33.00
Carb Scoop............................................. .....................$27.00
4qts trans fluid............................................. ................$11.00
-24 fitting for fuel cap and misc hose............................$13.00
Engine for head and spare parts..................................$100.00
Materials to build Chassis(I had some materials on hand) .......$150.00
Rear Tires............................................. ......................$250.00
Welding wire and gas............................................... ...$100.00
Steering Wheel............................................. ................$25.00
Front center caps.............................................. ..........$15.00
Total _______(I added it in my head)____________$925.00
-I know there are a Number of Items missing but you'll find friends (I have some great friends) to help ya out. A recap of the missing items; I had the engine, trans, and sheet of aluminum, 20' DOM Tubing (actually leeberz's aluminum), U-joint, Motor Oil, wiring, switches, 'friend' supplied Ford 8" and mastercylinder, 'friend' supplied seat belts, front end, front & rear wheels, The battery and Master Disconnect switch supplied by Joe's Battery Service and Leisle Electric, 'friend' loaned fuel tank, 'friend' had a large selection of materals to choose from, 'friend' supplied the used HD front tires, and we built it.
-Don't forget to cosider the cost of your safety equip. (suit, gloves, helmet, etc.), luckily our shoe had all that and I built the car with a sealed floorboard to keep the suit cost down. I know this statement is over used but the time spent with family and friends, making new friends, and the interest in the car is PRICELESS!
-The engine is a stock 200 Ford and it ran only a 15.23 @ 88 mph best but the crowd loved it. I'm working on a pair of Strombergs (leebrz has a GRIP of em for dad to choose from, "I love my son"), had some wire wheels fall into my lap (thanks Thingy') and bought new tires for the front.
-The next event for TeAM TWIRL'N is a car show here in Fresno June 14th, entered to thank a couple of our sponsors, Truck it by Cerutti & Sons and eat Great Mexican Food @ Guadalajara Mexican Restuarant.

[ivan]

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I want one. enjoyed the pics

[jrvanosten]

we got a chassis, engine and some parts we could sell ya....

[bud]

Good Job it looks great.

[Toymaker]

Thanks Bud!