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Posted

6-21-08146.jpg Ok, simple question here, what do YOU think about this hot rod car ? I'm asking for YOUR opinion.

Now be aware, this may get moved to the model question area or maybe even tacked on to some obscure post we haven't seen in a long while. :D

Posted

Looks like a great way to enjoy racing without killin your wallet. but its got to be fun.

Posted (edited)

Building a racing flathead that will stay together is NOT a cheap way to go to the drags.

The narrowed body shell was done a lot on the lakes, and when drag-raced was typically accompanied by a narrowed rear axle as well, which I think would make the car look better, but I can live with it as is...having seen a lot of identical setups. Still, Mickey Thompson and other pioneers discovered early in the game that a narrower rear track helped directional stability out of the hole

But what REALLY puts me off my stroke is the roll cage. Yeah, I know, safety safety safety blah blah blah...but it ruins the otherwise cool period look of the car.

Edited by Ace-Garageguy
Posted

Building a racing flathead that will stay together is NOT a cheap way to go to the drags.

What REALLY puts me off my stroke is the roll cage. Yeah, I know, safety safety safety blah blah blah...but it ruins the otherwise cool period look of the car.

This sums it up for me too.

Posted

I could live with the cage, but the car would have to be a bit longer and wider and the cage would have to as well............wonder how it would look with a period Caddy V-8 in it?

Posted

Looks like a great way to enjoy racing without killin your wallet. but its got to be fun.

This is exactly what I was thinking.

I think it's kinda ugly,,but then again see above

Posted (edited)

How is it cooled?

Typically, after a while in the early days of organized, two-cars-at-a-time drag-racing, there was no cooling on some of these cars (to save weight) other than what was supplied by the water in the block. You light it off, pull up to the line, and do your run...then shut down pretty quick. Flatheads are BAD about cracking when overheated, so it's not the smartest possible setup.

Some old drag cars that look like this also had small remote water tanks (and much larger tanks were common on lakes cars, but more to cut areo drag than to save weight on the lakes)...and the pumps circulated coolish water that was changed between runs.

Some cars being built these days in this particular look have radiators hidden under the rear bodywork.

Edited by Ace-Garageguy
Posted

For the short time it is started and raced there isn't enough time to over heat the water if that is what is used. For every few pounds removed. the car will accelerate quicker.It looks like with everything removed, the car is on the ragged edge of weight removal (no front brakes, narrowed body, etc..). If you look to the left side of the engine there is a silver tube with a blue cap. That should be a reservoir to collect/cool the water as it expands in the block. Somewhere (the cap usually) is a way to relieve the pressure from expansion after the race. If they are running alcohol, the engine runs even cooler due to the low BTU of alcohol. After the race the system will likely be hooked up to a pump and cooler water to circulate and cool the engine for the next round.

Posted (edited)

WHAT ? No front brakes ? :o

You don't think yer gonna get by tech without any carb covers do you ? Bakersfield-%2759-Don-Garlits.jpg

Edited by Greg Myers
Posted

Doesn't do much for me, then I am a factory stock kinda guy.

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