I spent time with the people at The Detail Zone, FAST, Edelbrock, and Holley. I learned more from a guy I ran into at the 56 Ford with the Mod Motor installed (I don't remember the vendor). He had a wide range of experience with EFI systems and had built several unique setups. It's just too hard to get into a meaningful discussion at a busy event like this one. I didn't even make a contact that knew anymore than what I know or can learn right down the street at VCP.
The things I learned from the event:
1. You will never see all 15000+ street rods
2. Even with great shoes and feet that see a bunch of walking, blisters will happen
3. A paint job can cost more than my whole car budget and you will never pick a color in this environment
4. The people at this event were very polite, most were very considerate of those taking pics
5. Running hot rods with Ford Mod Motors are rare, I saw 2 actually running
6. The FFR 33 didn't seem to be a popular choice with the die hard rodder
7. I totally underestimated the quiet protests about the 30 year sliding scale, it was a robust effort.
I think next month I will buy my MSII, Jimstim, and relay board. I meet a guy at church this morning that had a bunch of coil packs, EDIS 8's, and assorted other items in his way. I'm going to initially wire it all up for COP's and ditch the EDIS (maybe) when the MSIII add-in board is available.
I've been playing with the software that's available for MSII and MSIII (when released) and it seems pretty easy to use. I need to hit the forums to clear up some of the configuration questions I have come up with so far. It's a big advantage having the Mach1 tune files in Delta Force, some of the tables can be populated with a cut and paste. At least it appears that easy now. I should have the tune ready well before I get the box built.
I now have a Netbook setup for my tuning operations. The size and power are perfect for this type stuff. I just did some tuning on my son's 02 GT which is now up again with the twin turbo/forged 5L setup. I also installed a Delta Force tune in my Mach1. I kept Delta Forces on my old computer and that's a bonus because I'm able to view the Mach1 template files on it while setting up my hot rod initial tune in TunerStudio for the MegaSquirt.
I'm going to hold off until the end of September to buy the MSX stuff because some progress is happening with that set up. I'm very interested in the option of using 2 computers for tuning and recording to SD cards.
It won't much but actual work was done on my hot rod today. Wayne stopped by for a visit and after that I worked on my kitchen for a couple of hours. That lead to lunch, grocery shopping, and then about 2 solid hours of work on the car. I did some measuring for fuel lines and removed that coolant line in the valley that was rubbing my firewall.
The temperature is starting to break and I should be able to spend some time in the garage again. I need to pull the lower control arms to cut the adjusters and dig out my bumpsteer kit. I think that combo may solve my toe issues. I stacked on some weight and played with the ride height and I think we have it set. I sure hope the temp stays down, it was nice to get back to work on the 33. G
Love your build.. I really like the Ray Hendrick modified... being from Southern Va. My dad use to carry me to South Boston speedway and watch the "flying 11. Watched him many times at Martinsville Speedway...
Love your build.. I really like the Ray Hendrick modified... being from Southern Va. My dad use to carry me to South Boston speedway and watch the "flying 11. Watched him many times at Martinsville Speedway...
There is a good chance that we were at one of those tracks at the same time. My dad was usually a few cars back in #91 which became my race number for a short while (motorcycles). Ray is thought to have more race wins than any other NASCAR driver. As I'm sure you know, he would race anywhere, anytime, in anything. You don't get the name "Mr. Modified" for no reason. Most of the modified drivers from that era would never get to drive for the modern nascar, they were kind of rough around the edges.
My dad drove 37/38 Chevy Coupes during the 60's and early 70's. Most of his cars were BBC or the old 348/409 derived race engines. He retired from weekly racing as the "Coupes" were phased out. I loved those days spent at Martinsville, South Boston, Hickory, and Strawberry Hill in Richmond. Our home track was Langley Speedway and I would love to go back there in a vintage or Legends car. Thanks for reminding me of some good times.
I would love to build a street version of the Tant&Mitchell #11. My dream is to use a 37 Chevy 5w Coupe but with a BBF using VCP stacks. I would love to hear the chebby guys cry about that combo.
I've noticed that you are doing a pretty involved 4v build, but I also saw you posted somewhere that if you had it to do over again, you'd go with a big-inch Windsor. Any particular reason? Cost...complexity?
I just ask, because as I daydream, I switch back and forth between doing it as simply as possibe, to adding ever more "bells and whistles." Both have their attractions, but I'm guessing by the time I get to it, finances will have a larger role in reality than they do in my day dreams.
I would use a SBF because it's much easier to find an inexpensive lumpy cammed but well behaved performance engine. It's pretty expensive to put thumper cams in the DOHC and the dang thing is so big. I don't have much in my drivetrain when you consider I sold some of it off to go with the stacks.
I don't regret using the DOHC (so far) but the SBF would have made my life easier. I would probably have it running by now. Most of the things I'm doing are not "needed", like the COPs as an example. I could also have an ECU already but I just want to use the MS3, which is still in beta. Almost all of my issues are self-inflicted.
It sounds petty, but finding an engine with that lumpy cam sound is a big reason why I'm switching to a SBF. I love that sound!
Mark.
That's part of the experience, I love the sound. I don't think it's any worse than putting a hemi in something just for the "look" or painting something for a sinister visual.
Who was your dad.. I bet I remember the name.. I even remember seeing the Wood brothers modified at SB, the back seat car... Remember the car that Sonny Hutchins drive for the Wood brothers that had the 427 in it.. He crashed the hell out of it the first time on the track... then they put a 289 in it with webbers.. The car was the solid burgundy with gold 21 on it.. one of the prettiest modified I ever say.
Love the look...
Have any of you mod motor guys seen these valve covers for the mod motor.. they are pricy but awesome
Check out http://www.sullivanperformance.com/fordhome.htm
Who was your dad.. I bet I remember the name.. I even remember seeing the Wood brothers modified at SB, the back seat car... Remember the car that Sonny Hutchins drive for the Wood brothers that had the 427 in it.. He crashed the hell out of it the first time on the track... then they put a 289 in it with webbers.. The car was the solid burgundy with gold 21 on it.. one of the prettiest modified I ever say.
Love the look...
Have any of you mod motor guys seen these valve covers for the mod motor.. they are pricy but awesome
Check out http://www.sullivanperformance.com/fordhome.htm
Yep, very expensive when you add up all the parts you need.
My dad used the name Vern Williams because racing was not something he needed to be involved in as a plant engineer for a major US manufacturing company. That name also worked well when he drove a "taxi" in his home town (in SC) for several years. It was the kind of taxi that never saw a fare but normally had plenty of liquid cargo.
When my dad was young he made too much money driving the "taxi" to get involved deeply in racing. After taking advantage of the GI Bill he spent more time on his career. He was friends with Joe Weatherly, Runt Harris, Ray Hendrick, Al Grinnan, and Eddie Crouse to name a few. He ran most often when the popular tracks were Chinese Corner in Norfolk, Moyock, NC, and Hickory. He really slowed his racing in mid 1970. It was unrelated but we regularly missed races after Gene Lovelace died after getting out of his car at Southside that year.
yeehaa, the house is almost ready to list so I'm in the shop right now.
I have to yank the front suspension for some cutting and mods. After that we finish the brakes and start on body stuff and wiring while I wait for the money for the ECU and a few other items. I have not rec'd anything from FFR for a few months but I will be calling them to get the rest on the way.
With any luck I'll have to find a friend with some open shop space or get a storage space for the car. That would mean the house is sold and we will be close to moving on to the new house. I took ALL of my paint money (plus) to get the crew started on construction to reduce the time without a shop.
Some of you guys have asked about the house we are building so I will attach some pics of the plans. There have been some minor changes that added a few hundred SF to the shop area.
This is the site plan
1st floor shop and garage area
2nd floor shop and garage area (shop is lofted, garage has a bonus room)
Thank you for sharing your house plans. The design looks really nice. I started on a course to become architect in High School but changed directions in college. I'm still a sucker for a good set of house plans.
I'm envoius of the square footage you will have, especially in the garage. Here in southern CA that house would cost well over a million even in this depressed economy. Is the single door garage on the right of the plans your Hot Rod build area?
Keep us updated on the house sale and on your build. We have all benefited from the extra time you have dedicated to the Hot Rod Forum - Thanks for the great contributions. Best wishes on a prosperous New Year!
Jeff
__________________
Jeff M
Hot Rod #77 - Delivered 6/22/09; First start 8/14/10; Go-kart 9/6/10
Yes the side with the single door is the shop. We have some alternate versions of the plans that provide a second door on the side or back. I'm working with the developer to get a few other changes but he has a look for the houses he desires. He seems to be thinking more our way since we purchased another lot about a mile away with it's own pond. My parents are considering a move down here so it gives them some options.
We don't need the formal dining room or the office but they seem to be important for resale. Like most families we know, most of the time we end up in the most comfortable area of the house and ignore the rest. With that in mind we plan to have no TVs etc... in the bedrooms. The kitchen, family room, and back porch will be our comfort zone. The bonus room over the garage will be the man cave and game area.
I just hope we don't tie up so much money in the house that cars are outside the budget.
Quote:
Originally Posted by madmax33
Geoff,
Thank you for sharing your house plans. The design looks really nice. I started on a course to become architect in High School but changed directions in college. I'm still a sucker for a good set of house plans.
I'm envoius of the square footage you will have, especially in the garage. Here in southern CA that house would cost well over a million even in this depressed economy. Is the single door garage on the right of the plans your Hot Rod build area?
Keep us updated on the house sale and on your build. We have all benefited from the extra time you have dedicated to the Hot Rod Forum - Thanks for the great contributions. Best wishes on a prosperous New Year!
G-
The man cave is perfect above the "assembly room". The Man door in the shop will be nice in the winter. It's about 35 deg. in south florida, I'm sure yous frezzing your wilsons off. (coming from a man originally from Boston)
House looks great, I'm glad to hear you and the mrs. are having a good build experience.
Now go get our shine box and get back on the 33 already
G-
The man cave is perfect above the "assembly room". The Man door in the shop will be nice in the winter. It's about 35 deg. in south florida, I'm sure yous frezzing your wilsons off. (coming from a man originally from Boston)
House looks great, I'm glad to hear you and the mrs. are having a good build experience.
Now go get our shine box and get back on the 33 already
From the man full of dreams
Hi dreamer,
I think the house is going to be great. We're looking forward to seeing it go up. I was just in the garage and it was 61 deg. thanks to the heater on low. It's cold and wet outside.
We did some small refinements this week with the window in the bonus room looking out to the shop, it's bigger now and has a built in bench. The ceiling in the garage has been enhanced some to allow me to install up to a 14 foot fan from the Big Ass Fan Company.
I did get all my exhaust parts laid out tonight so as soon as my last piece gets here from FFR, I will be hanging pipes. We keep delaying waiting for the MSIII ECU but it looks like it's not going to be available in time.
At work we have the 20 foot Big Ass Fan in our hangar. Amazing how much air it moves even dialed down. It's a hangar big enough for 3 Falcons and a G5
We don't have a BA fan in my hangar at work. It's big enough for 4-6 of them. This weekend will have 3 UH1H, 2 UH72 Lakota, 4 C12s, 1 UC35, and 1 RC12 stuffed in there. There is still some room to spare but it is your hangar too. Your tax dollars at work.
I finally made an entry in my builder log for something worthy. I test fitted some coolant lines, located and drilled holes for the brake res, and cut my outer tie rods.
At last the dang thing rolls smooth. I should have cut 1/2" off of each but somehow talked myself into 3/4". They should be fine but like I said 1/2" would have done the trick.
FYI my builder log is just a simple excel file that tracks construction time, research time, and total cost. So far I'm 170hrs into the build, 160hrs of specific research, and just over $31K. Over 1 year into the project.
I just checked my bumpsteer kit and they should only need a 3/8" cut to work perfectly. Here are some pics of my rough cut outer tie rods that should have been cut 1/2". Even at 3/4" they could still work but won't look as good as the aluminum parts. I'm gonna cut them on a lathe Monday.
The car is up on jackstands for some other redo work.
Are you putting vendor stickers on the inside of the firewall? I like it!
Yes, we always did something close with my dad's race car. If somebody put a wrench on the car or a component we got them to sign one of the interior panels. It was neat seeing folks stopping by when they knew a fresh car was in the shop. I've got one of those panels on the 33 now but I only have a few signatures so far.
I have a few personal stickers on there too. Army retired and the mandatory POW/MIA are the ones that come to mind. My hot rod mentor "Don" told me early in the game that he never had a car without an "Honest Charley" decal on it. I took the hint and consider it good luck.
Geoff,
Looks great.
What is the final length of your outer tie rods after you cut them?
What brand is the reservoir you used?
Greg
I think they were 5.75 from the center of the grease fitting hole to the end, prior to cutting. That would make them 5" now. I'll try to measure them again to make sure.
The res is a Kugel part but Lang at LKM had them on hand at one point. They don't come polished but they polish up real easy.
Thanks,
Mine are 5.75 and according to FFR I should not need to cut mine.
Their engineers told me the old ones on the first few kits were too long and needed to be cut, but the 5.75 length rods were correct.
Guess I'll wait to see, once I get some weight in it.
Thanks for the info for the reservoir.
Greg
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