Grey Motor Drag Car Build

[Blacky]

I read the whole build on the HAMB, can you tell me more about the steering box setup ?

[BS]

I read the whole build on the HAMB, can you tell me more about the steering box setup ?

Hey blacky,

Steering box is from an early suzuki Sierra flipped upside down. They have a breather on top which leaks fluid everywhere so it's been drained, pulled apart, cleaned, packed full of grease and adjusted to suit with the breather replaced with a bolt. Suprisngly works well. They are pretty strict with steering free play when it comes to tech inspections.

Flange that connects to the main steering arm to the steering box is home made and supported with half a conrod and bigend bearings. Steering arm is also him made but you can probably buy something aftermarket off the shelf. All the rest of the front end is aftermarket socal gear.

Hopefully that helps. I can take some more photos if you are interested.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[BS]

Massive couple of weeks getting the car done and through tech. On the dyno tomorrow for a few days of breaking the car in and tuning before I make a couple of shake down runs at Carralbyn 1/8 mile. Initial fire up video and detailed updates in link below.

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic? ... source=app


Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Errol62]

Sounds bangin’ BS


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

[Harv]

G’day BS,

How is the Hambster going? Last I can see from the HAMB, the “tuner” had made a mess of it Plenty of Strommie tuning bits here if you want to have a go yourself.

Cheers,
Harv

[BS]

Hey Harv,

Yes he sure did. Despite me telling him to ignore the existing flywheel timing marks that is exactly what he did not do.

This resulted in him trying to set timing off TDC at about 30 degrees ATDC and as a result it wouldn't run properly. To rectify, and I have no idea on his thought process and what he was trying to achieve he decided to disconnect one set of points as im running a modified dual point distributor. This then rubbed and on the rotor button and did a fair bit of damage to dizzy where wires have rubbed, arced out and got tangled. He also lost a number of fastners off the body panels and told me he couldn't tune it anymore because the radiator was leaking...

After ripping the brand new radiator out and getting it down to the local radiator shop for a pressure test it was fine.. i put it back together, sent the dizzy back to Dave at vintage racing developments and parked it. I was over it. The only dramas I've had with this build is when I've had an "expert" do something. Lesson learned.

Then covid hit and I had been stuck in WA since march as i had to make the choice of keeping my job and income or returning the family in qld. Pretty difficult decision with a young family but I went with the option that kept a roof over their heads and food on the table. Its been tough.

Anyway, I managed to recently get home for 2 weeks. I measured TDC and made some proper timing marks on the full metal jacket balancer, dropped the repaired dizzy in and refitted the cooling system and it fired first pop of the starter. Amazing what setting things off TDC will do. I've balanced the carbs, made some modifications to the linkages and set the static timing as per Dave's advice and it starts fine and runs ok but i need to do some more studying of harvs guide to Stromberg tuning and have a go at it myself to finesse it and get it right.

Its been a prick of a year but at the end of the day all my problems are first world ones. Who knows when I'll be home next but it gives me time to do a bit more homework on the tune up. No doubt I'll have some questions for you Harv.






Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Harv]

Its a beautiful machine. Glad to hear its slowing progressing despite the tough year. It would have been damn hard yards doing a few months without your young family. I've had similar - locked out of Queensland until a fortnight ago, but fortunate enough to have been able to work from home.

.. i put it back together, sent the dizzy back to Dave at vintage racing developments and parked it. I was over it.

Dave is good people, and really understands the kit he works with.

made some proper timing marks on the full metal jacket balancer,

The Ross balancers are great, though the centre bore clearance to the crank is a wee tight. I did the same on the FB, piston-stopped the engine and marked the balancer, made a little pointer and bolted to the timing cover. Its a hell of a lot easier to set timing than trying to find the flywheel at a distance through 50 years of crud.

Hopefully the border to WA stays open, and you get some time on it. Give us a yell if you need any Strommie bits.

If you ever make a trip to Bernaraby or WSID, let me know and I'll come out for a sticky beak.

Cheers,
Harv

[BS]

Thanks Harv,

Yes it was never meant to turn out as nice as it has. The original plan was to put it together with what I had laying around but I just kept improving and redoing things until I was happy. Probably not the most efficient way to go about building one but I've learnt a heap through the whole process which to me is what I think its all about.

Yeah I guess I've done some difficult/dangerous stuff career wise but the last few months has by far been the hardest. Having your destiny in the hands of so many incredibly stupid and selfish people has been extremely frustrating. Looking at it from a positive spin though ive managed to keep the bills paid and food on the table and I guess that's the best I can do for my family at the moment. So many people are way worse off than me.

I totally agree on your comments about Dave. The amount of info and knowledge he has past on has been incredible. I would not hesitate to use him again.

With the balancer we had to give it a bit of a haircut to get to fit within the provided specs. We have also machined and threaded the snout of the crank so we could also use a retaining bolt. I did my TDC piston stop measurements and made a pointer out of a fire extinguisher bracket before marking the balancer. As you say way easier than using the flywheel marks. My flywheel is a billet steel SFI rated flywheel and to be honest I don't think I took enough notice on where the timing mark was when I put the flywheel and clutch on which is why I told the tuner to ignore the marks....

Im currently at day 7 of iso in perth before i can go back up to work so I plan to spend a bit of time reading your stromberg guide over the next few days. I'll be sure to have 100 questions for you..

Once all this snot is over and I can get the car to where I am happy I am planning to run it anywhere and everywhere I can. I'll keep you posted on my travels and if it aligns with you being in the area you are more than welcome to come and support. Hell I might even put you to work!!! Payment in BBQ and beverages of course

Cheers
Brendon



Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[BS]

Escaped the iron curtain of WA to catch the tail end of school holidays to spend some time with the wife and kids. Oldest son was back at school this week so got a few more little things crossed off the to do list and got it to "drive way test" stage. Need to do a bit of study on Harvs Stromberg guide and sort the tune as well as getting the builders string out for a wheel alignment and it should be track test stage ready finally

https://youtu.be/AZaiKsj1Y4E

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

[Harv]

[Blacky]

[In the Shed]

Hey Brendon

Good work mate, sounds tough I see your looking after the youngster there by giving them a set of ear muffS

Regards
Stephen

[BS]

Finally got the car out for the first time. Managed to get 4 runs under the belt at the Carralbyn 1/8 mile drags. Car handles awesome but was running like a bag of shit. I’ve got a lot of homework to do on the tune up but all part of the fun. Will be some video footage soon.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Harv]

[Errol62]

Well it is a start


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie