70s Willys Gasser

[noname]

I had this big Hemi painted with Alclad sitting for a couple of years and thought I'd do something with it. Then I got this idea to redo a Willys I did a while ago and wasn't quite happy with. Should be an easy fit except this was the Willys street rod so I'm not sure if the tranny tunnel will need to be worked for Hydrostick fitting. The Hemi does come with the Willys Gasser kits afterall.

So I've never used one of these big bad Hemis before so I thought I'd do something else out of character. I'll use the great big fat slicks that came in a number of Amt kits such as the 57 Vette Gasser. This would place the car in the 70's somewhere as this size tire was not available in the 60's. So far everything I've built was in the 50's and 60's. So this will be different for me and should be fun.

Got the body ready to be stripped and repainted. I don't find oven cleaner works as well on laquer as it does enamel. I'll let it soak a little longer.

The chassis will have to be cleaned up as I made it rusty for the last build. I made the interior a little rusty and made the door panels to look like they were stripped. I'll have to remove the push button shifter (forget what they were called) and add a stick shift.

Here is the Hemi and the wheels. In the pic is a nice set of rims I picked up at Drag City Casting.

I'll see what I can get done but I warn you, this is third build I have on the go right now. But you know how it is, you work one while waiting for progress on another.

Edited October 20, 2011 by noname

[noname]

That is what I was trying to figure out Dave, when these tires came out. They actually measure 16mm=16" wide. But they probably could pass for the tires you are talking about. I found a pic of the Willys used in the movie Hot Rod (1979) and that had some pretty fat tires in the back.

[W-409]

This is going to be amazing build, can't wait to see more. Gassers are my favorites and '41 Willys is great looking car so this is going to be great. Rear wheels and tires look very good, great choice.

[Modelmartin]

Those slicks first came with the mid-engine Garlits dragster from MPC in, I think 71?

[Dr. Cranky]

That interior is perfect. Love it.

[noname]

Thanks folks. I'm still trying to get the paint off the body. I also had to get some acrylic rust off the chassis while trying not to bother the inteior as I want that as is with a shifter added.

6bblbird tells me that it is unlikely (although not impossible ) for a car into the 70's to have a Hydrostick. So I may just cut it off and add a 4spd. That way I may not have to mess with the tranny tunnel. Which actually I already did over on the last build.

The plan was that this car is a car put together in the 70's from maybe some 60's left overs. Now I don't know how many cars like this would have run those fat a tires. But, you know some people would have put them on just to look cool if for no other reason. You know how some guys put too much cam or carb on a motor that is otherwise stock?

[Mooneyzs]

This is a totally cool build! I am digging it.

[noname]

Glad you like Mooneyzs.

I was going to cut the tranny off the Hemi and realised I already had a Hemi minus the trans. and I tranny minus a motor in my parts box. All I had to do is join them. I also had a set of valve covers for this engine already painted.

I went ahead and reamed out the collector pipe for a more realistic look.

I sanded the tread on the slicks. I'll try to tone down the shine on the sidewalls with some dullcoat. I also had to add some styrene to the wheel backings so they would meet the rim inside these fat things.

[krassandbernie]

Looks great so far Matt! I was a bit disappointed after reading that you plan on stripping the body..........it would look killer just the way it is........'pulled out of the barn, swap in the Hemi, rear, etc......and go racing'.........just like in the movie "Hot Rod"! LOL! Can't wait to see more! Ed

[noname]

Thanks Ed. I hope you are still making those awesome rims.

Don't worry, I'm thinking on at least having part or all of the front end in some sort of primer. Probably black or grey. I won't make it toooo pretty.

[rustybill1960]

I like your subject, got a soft spot for Willys myself, anyhow,

I like the way your going with the build.

I will be watching

Thank You for sharing

Later

Russ

[noname]

Glad you are enjoying this RustyBill.

I painted the engine and attached the tranny.

I got some of the paint off the chassis but not all. I went ahead and painted it flat black after scratching some rear springs and shocks. This will be weathered a bit soon.

Thanks for looking.

[noname]

Hey guys, I was planning on putting the dual carb set up on my blown Hemi but am having a time figuring out where the fuel pump should be. After looking on the net it seems mostly the fuel injection had the cam driven pump coming out of the front of the engine. But I can't find a good reference pic for the two carb set up. Anybody?

Keep in mind this is an older style Hemi set in 1970's. Thanks

[Truck parts]

Looking good so far

[noname]

Thanks Truck Parts.

Okay Dave, maybe that is a way to do it. Kinda like some of those old flatheads?

[noname]

Thanks Dave, I'll try to Google an image.

Those old magazines sure come in handy. I'd like to have some from the 50s and 60s.

[Dr. Cranky]

I keep coming back for more. Great progress. Please keep it going.

[krassandbernie]

Matt, drop me a line (lowcab36@epix.net). I have some photos that might be of some interest to you........Ed

[noname]

I got the eingine together. I spent quite a bit of time trying to make the throttle linkage. Not very happy with it. Just used what I had around (including guitar strings). VERY difficult trying to work with such small pieces. I've got to get me some of that aftermarket stuff sometime. Maybe some scale fitting, nuts and bolts etc. Actually some smaller diameter styrene rod would have been a help. So difficult trying to cut up a 1mm size piece of styrene and drill a hole in it!!!! I've had better luck with fuel injection. It's less complex than carbs. Sorry for ranting.

[Sixx]

I got the eingine together. I spent quite a bit of time trying to make the throttle linkage. Not very happy with it. Just used what I had around (including guitar strings). VERY difficult trying to work with such small pieces. I've got to get me some of that aftermarket stuff sometime. Maybe some scale fitting, nuts and bolts etc. Actually some smaller diameter styrene rod would have been a help. So difficult trying to cut up a 1mm size piece of styrene and drill a hole in it!!!! I've had better luck with fuel injection. It's less complex than carbs. Sorry for ranting.

Looks pretty darn good to me!!

[Dr. Cranky]

Nice, nice, I love it.

[Foxer]

This build reads just like a 1:1 coming together in someone's garage back in the time frame you're doing. I'm loving watching this!

[noname]

Thanks guys. I may try to go at that throttle linkage again. Not sure. I was focused on making it small and in scale. Maybe too small now.

Anyway, there isn't too much left to do. I may not detail the chassis too much. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I find very few people see the underside. I'd like to weather it a bit though. Maybe a bit of rust.

I'll say one thing, these Hemis are GIANT!!!

[caine440]

Think it looks outstanding so far.

[gasser59]

Loving this build and the Hemi looks great. Yes, they are huge, one of the reasons I love 'em so much. Power on!!

Can't see the throttle linkage from here so don't kill yourself over it. Dual carbs are a challenge to build a linkage for and look correct. Take your time and it'll happen.