Author Topic: My shop landed another job front halfing a funny car. (update) (Read 3692 times)

Don R · « **on:** October 23, 2013, 03:45:31 PM »

I've been doing some chassis work out in my shop. So far just My Hondas, a back half 4 link suspension on my dragster, a custom board tracker bike chassis and fuel tank. We just got a job front halfing an alcohol Funny car. It's going to be an interesting November.

dusterdude · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2013, 03:47:05 PM »

Way to go don!!!!!

Stev-o · « **Reply #2 on:** October 23, 2013, 03:53:59 PM »

subscribed.... to see pics of the funny car.

Don R · « **Reply #3 on:** October 23, 2013, 05:18:05 PM »

Now the guy wants to keep it quiet. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone. There will be pics.

70CB750 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 23, 2013, 05:56:18 PM »

Subscribed

MoMo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 23, 2013, 06:08:07 PM »

You're doing a good job of keeping it quiet Don

Look forward to seeing your work...Larry

78 k550 · « **Reply #6 on:** October 23, 2013, 06:10:42 PM »

4 links are fun.
Good luck.

Paul

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 23, 2013, 09:16:32 PM »

Got pics of the boardtracker ?

Don R · « **Reply #8 on:** October 24, 2013, 06:06:55 AM »

We just welded up the brackets and made the gas tank on this one.

Our dragster, it's new from the cage back

MoMo · « **Reply #9 on:** October 24, 2013, 06:16:28 AM »

That truck in the back looks really

. Is it yours?....Larry

Don R · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2013, 07:19:49 PM »

No, the pic was from my car clubs Cruise last june. The chev has a small block chev and a home brew patina paint job. The owner is very talented but lacks people skills. He told me recently he needed my running engine stand and how soon could I get it to him. I can't recall anyone saying please. L0L. It might be a loooong wait.

Rumor has it an established shop offered to do the funny car for free. We still have the job. W0W. It was the shop that put the failed back half on my dragster a few years ago. The only reason we started doing work.

MoMo · « **Reply #11 on:** October 25, 2013, 06:42:59 AM »

It should be a real loooooooooooolng wait-as in never. Look forward to the progress photos Don.

mono · « **Reply #12 on:** October 25, 2013, 07:16:39 AM »

congrats! that's awesome

really like that bicycle, by the way! those would sell great here in Toledo or in Columbus to all the hipster crowd. those kids spend buku money on thier fixies.

Don R · « **Reply #13 on:** October 25, 2013, 08:37:14 PM »

The bike isn't much but it's got an awesome tig welded Henderson style gas tank. The owner is a manicial gear head that tried to quit cold turkey. He's hooked for life. He even built a small block at a friends house and never told his wife. They would dyno it at the local college, then tweak it and test again. He didn't even own a car to put it in.

Don R · « **Reply #14 on:** October 26, 2013, 08:47:22 PM »

An intimidating project. Glad my partner is a pro. I'm a pipefitter by trade, he builds pro stock/ pro mod cars. I'll be fabbing the tubes, he does the welding and design where needed.

Stev-o · « **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2013, 08:42:11 AM »

Looks awesome, Don. What motor?

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2013, 12:08:50 PM »

Is that a 750 I see in behind the dragster? Looks like it has a blower.

Don R · « **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2013, 02:43:18 PM »

The funny runs a blown alky Hemi, it has done well in the past. The 750 in the background is an old drag bike with an ARD magneto. It is supposed to be an old school 1180 motor. we shall see when I split the cases to check it and repair the kick start.

rtbmrgl · « **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2013, 05:31:39 PM »

Man Id like to just wonder through your shop and stare at stuff

Don R · « **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2013, 07:23:17 PM »

Thanks, yep I'm a lucky guy project wise. It's been slow since I retired, the dragster ate up all the $$. I backed off on the cars and got back into 750's. My problem is I don't sell things very often.
We took the funny car job cheap, because we know the owners and we want one on our resume.

Don R · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2013, 08:24:05 PM »

On the table, we're jigging up the A arm mounting points before the big cut.

Don R · « **Reply #21 on:** November 03, 2013, 05:03:56 PM »

Well it got the big cut, nothing left foreward of 5" from the motor plate. The frame contans the engine oil vents. It's dripping 70wt all over the place. HA!

NitroHunter · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2013, 06:33:52 PM »

Ahhh Torco 70wt... great Diver hair gel.

Cool project Don.

Don R · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2013, 10:10:50 PM »

Quote from: NitroHunter on November 04, 2013, 06:33:52 PM

Ahhh Torco 70wt... great Diver hair gel.
Cool project Don.

That's a fact! I got under a hot TAD a couple times just to look. W0W. The oil in the face isn't my cup of tea.
This thing was bent and twisted in ways I didn't know possible. We centered the front and back on the jig and the middle was out 1/2". We heard someone added uprights and diagonals while it was sitting on the tires with the engine in it. When the welder got to the pinhole in the top frame rail they exploded the dry sump tank.
'Nuff said.

Don R · « **Reply #24 on:** May 22, 2014, 02:18:38 PM »

The funny car went sideways on it's first pass and took out a timing block. We were nervous. They checked the tires and one was bigger. After a new matched set it went straight 5 passes in a row and lost in the semi final.
The owner is impressed with how easy it steers now and a big name chassis builder checked it out and said it looked really nice.
They won the second race they went to and we're hearing the order for the new car will be a go as soon as funds permit. Possibly two chassis. We're working on a blueprint and I'm finishing up my tube bender so I don't need to borrow one.

We did another board track bicycle frame, this one has a real motorcycle engine, no pics of it.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #25 on:** May 22, 2014, 02:46:46 PM »

Well done Don....

MoMo · « **Reply #26 on:** May 22, 2014, 04:23:24 PM »

Must put a big smile on your face Don

...Larry

Don R · « **Reply #27 on:** July 21, 2014, 02:59:44 PM »

Update, the Foster Racing TAFC is leading the points in it's division and is 7th in the country. Most of the cars ahead of them have claimed all their races for points for the season so if they can continue their performance they have a shot locking up the division points and making a run for the NHRA championship. We're working on drawings for a complete new car and sourcing parts already. It appears I'll need to make some room in the shop again.

MoMo · « **Reply #28 on:** July 21, 2014, 05:41:27 PM »

Congrats Don, that is good PR for you...Larry

Don R · « **Reply #29 on:** July 23, 2014, 10:59:30 AM »

We just got an inquiry from another tuner about a new chassis in his future. We need to get our tools and jig together. And a XL bottle of argon.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #30 on:** July 23, 2014, 11:09:52 PM »

Good work Don.

MoMo · « **Reply #31 on:** July 24, 2014, 08:00:43 AM »

Quote from: Don R on July 23, 2014, 10:59:30 AM

We just got an inquiry from another tuner about a new chassis in his future. We need to get our tools and jig together. And a XL bottle of argon.

Looks as though you may have the start of a great second career! btw, the Golf Cart, Plastic Maggot, Scooter on Steroids (whatever one chooses to call it)has been a great daily commuter-thanks again....Larry

Don R · « **Reply #32 on:** July 24, 2014, 06:58:37 PM »

I liked that bike, I bet it's better with the windshield.

MoMo · « **Reply #33 on:** July 24, 2014, 09:11:25 PM »

Quote from: Don R on July 24, 2014, 06:58:37 PM

I liked that bike, I bet it's better with the windshield.

A windshield, to me, is a must for a daily commuter. I just put a 1984 VF700 Sabre back on the road after many years of sitting neglected. Bike was free and part to repair was 2.50(not a misprint btw). If I can find the HOndaline fairing and bags I may sell the PC and use the Sabre. Larry

Don R · « **Reply #34 on:** October 12, 2014, 07:12:04 PM »

We have another funny car to work on this winter and some updates for the first one too. We're doing a front half, new cage and seat, moving motor foreward and possibly up.

Last years car gets some rear half repairs and new steering linkage.

News:

Author Topic: My shop landed another job front halfing a funny car. (update) (Read 3692 times)