Straightliner59 Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 For over twenty years, I have been pondering and preparing to build a replica of The Surfers dragster. I have now been educated by one Roger Lee as to why my two initial attempts to build the chassis were not right. Turns out that the things I'd read, and heard about the chassis, over the years, didn't provide the whole story. The plans from the old Popular Hot Rodding article are only useful for the front-half of the car, and for the roll cage, itself. The back-half, previously unbeknownst-to-me, was actually a copy of the chassis that Rod Stuckey built for Karamesines (not, as is most commonly written, an RCS/Frank Huszar chassis). Roger provided me a plan for that chassis, along with a couple of notes regarding the chassis. The car was front-halved by RCS, and they moved the differential uprights forward four inches--so, that's where that all came from. Armed with the two drawings, I used my favorite photo program to scale the drawings to one another, gave one some transparency, so I could see what I was doing, and overlaid them. I then imported that composite into AutoCAD, and drew the attached plan, using only the sections of each drawing that were pertinent to the Surfers car. I submitted the new drawing to Roger, and now my chassis drawing is "Riceman certified"! I'm about to head out on a couple of quick errands, but, I'll be melting solder, later this evening. I mentioned that I have been planning this project for many years. I wanted to make this my best piece. I have several new things I want to try with this project, not the least of which is to complete a project with a brass chassis, and an aluminum body. Now, I have done a body in aluminum, and a couple of "playing around" chassis, and I feel confident that I can put it all together! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Sounds like a great project Dan, I'll be following. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddyfink Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Finally! Git'R Done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 7 minutes ago, Daddyfink said: Finally! Git'R Done! Hahaha! I am ready. Armed with the new plan, I have one side of the chassis soldered together. I set the engine/motor plate assembly on top of it, and held a slick in its approximate location. Already, the iconic look is forming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 2 hours ago, afx said: Sounds like a great project Dan, I'll be following. Thanks, JC. I hope it's a relatively smooth journey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 29, 2019 Share Posted July 29, 2019 Big thumbs-up for this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 29, 2019 Author Share Posted July 29, 2019 7 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Big thumbs-up for this one. Thanks, Bill. Here's hoping I can pull this one off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mooneyzs Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 This is going to be a cool build. Looking forward to seeing progress on this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 Thank you, Chris! I hope to have at least the back-half of the other side done, before I go to bed, in a few hours. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Yoder Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 Definitely going to follow this build! In case anyone is interested, here is a YouTube link to the first of a 50+ video series about the Surfers: Looking forward to updates! Later, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 30, 2019 Author Share Posted July 30, 2019 Thanks, Lee. I had a small setback, but, it's fixed, so I can move forward after work, in the morning. Thanks for the video link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Yoder Posted July 30, 2019 Share Posted July 30, 2019 No problem. I have watched the entire series. It’s pretty interesting from a historical point of view. In one episode Tom Jobe tells of how the scoop was thought out and designed. Later, Lee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaryR Posted July 31, 2019 Share Posted July 31, 2019 This should be a good one! Riceman KNOWS his dragsters that's for sure and a very good guy! The Surfers are legend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted July 31, 2019 Author Share Posted July 31, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, GaryR said: This should be a good one! Riceman KNOWS his dragsters that's for sure and a very good guy! The Surfers are legend! No doubt about the latter two! As for the first, I reckon we'll find out! I've "known" Roger for quite a while, now (almost 20 years), and he never ceases to amaze me, with is knowledge. An example: When I submitted my plan made from the composited images to him, the first time, I had gone pretty much Stuckey back-half (roll cage included), RCS front-half. Roger said "Make the roll cage 3" taller. When I did, the roll cage height matched exactly, the height of the Popular Hot Rodding drawing! All I could do was shake my head! Edited July 31, 2019 by Straightliner59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STYRENE-SURFER Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 On 7/30/2019 at 7:48 AM, Lee Yoder said: Definitely going to follow this build! In case anyone is interested, here is a YouTube link to the first of a 50+ video series about the Surfers: Lee, thanx for that. Fascinating videos, learned a lot from those. Daniel, will be following your project. What a cool FED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 Thanks, Kurt. Glad you're along for the ride. I dug out some parts to stand in for the blower and manifold, and did a quick mock up. I think I'm on the right track (no pun intended). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 2, 2019 Author Share Posted August 2, 2019 Now, a couple with the chassis and axle at their proper elevations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintagercr Posted August 2, 2019 Share Posted August 2, 2019 I will be watching this build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 4, 2019 Author Share Posted August 4, 2019 On 8/2/2019 at 4:05 PM, vintagercr said: I will be watching this build Thanks, Steve. Okay, I finally have this right, and got the "Riceman Stamp of Approval". Next step is to install the frame uprights and diagonals, then I can move on to straightening out the rear chassis loops, and installing them, and the torsion bar and bottom cross tubes and diagonals. Questions and comments are always welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted August 4, 2019 Share Posted August 4, 2019 Chassis is come along nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 9, 2019 Author Share Posted August 9, 2019 (edited) On 8/4/2019 at 5:22 AM, afx said: Chassis is come along nicely. Thank you, JC. I had a terrible bout of frustration, installing the uprights and diagonals on the left side of the chassis, so, I took a couple of days break from it. I installed the diagonals for the right side of the cockpit area, this morning. I'll get the rest of the right side done, over the weekend. Then I can move on to putting the chassis together. As you can see in the comparison photo, I need to shorten the upper rear chassis loop. Otherwise, I think it compares quite favorably to the real car. I've included a couple of shots of an engine I started fourteen or so years ago, that I may use. If not, I'll do up the unpainted one in these photos, and use it. I am considering installing studs for at least one of the heads, so I can open one side of the engine. Should I do that, I will likely make pistons for that side, and fit them into aluminum sleeves, for the cylinders. Thanks for looking! Questions and comments always welcome! Edited August 9, 2019 by Straightliner59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 11, 2019 Author Share Posted August 11, 2019 I got the uprights and diagonals installed on the other side of the chassis. Thanks to Roger's guidance, it went much more smoothly than the first one. My soldering is a little rough, but, it'll clean up! I'll be making a new wing, because I m not happy with the veneer I used--it has a paper backing, that messes with the finishing of it. I'll also be reworking the motor plate, to correct its profile. Thanks for looking! Qs and Cs always welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 12, 2019 Author Share Posted August 12, 2019 Having finished installing the uprights/diagonals on the second side of the chassis, I did a little cleanup, then installed the torsion bar. I shortened the upper chassis loop, then soldered it and the lower piece in place, before installing the rear upright. A little more cleanup, then I will make the torsion arms, begin work on the front axle, and redo the motor plate. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codi Posted August 13, 2019 Share Posted August 13, 2019 A guy with a soldering iron in his hand. Life doesn't get any better. I'm enjoying seeing this thread progress. You too move fast and the car looks good. cheers, tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted August 13, 2019 Author Share Posted August 13, 2019 Thank you, Tim. If this is anywhere near as successful as your altered, I will be ecstatic! Over the past three years, or so, this whole hobby has become much more zen-like, for me. I wish I'd figured out that part, you know, 45 years ago!grin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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