Old Iron
Well-known member
[cl[cl[cl
Big Block Bantam
- Thread starter bob w
- Start date
Help Support Rat Rods Rule:
DozerII
Well-known member
Cool 
smallfoot
He's rockin' the "Nuttin Special"!
Never had a doubt it would start.
Torchie
Me either...
soltz
The Rat Captain
Super duper [cl. Road Trip
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bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
Thanks for the encouragement and support. It yard drives. It's loud,.It's peppy. It stops. Made a couple laps around the house. Tomorrow, the road.
After fretting about interior room, and changing the roll cage three times, I can't reach the steering wheel when I sit with my back against the seat back. 'Course I'm a little feller. It should be saleable to normal size people.
After fretting about interior room, and changing the roll cage three times, I can't reach the steering wheel when I sit with my back against the seat back. 'Course I'm a little feller. It should be saleable to normal size people.
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Old Iron
Well-known member
[cl Awesome lookin [cl
smallfoot
He's rockin' the "Nuttin Special"!
Great shot!
bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
I'm A Dinosauer
Went for a couple mile ride before it got too hot out. It ran okay. Trans fluid was low. It slid into the next gear. The water pump was screeching. Went to the parts store. Their computer doesn't go back far enough to cover small block Chevy short water pumps. Corporate took the store's paper catalogs away. Except for the ones they hid. It was there we located the right pump. They even had one, left over from when the store was a different franchise.
If it cools off enough later in the day I'll go round the block again.
Went for a couple mile ride before it got too hot out. It ran okay. Trans fluid was low. It slid into the next gear. The water pump was screeching. Went to the parts store. Their computer doesn't go back far enough to cover small block Chevy short water pumps. Corporate took the store's paper catalogs away. Except for the ones they hid. It was there we located the right pump. They even had one, left over from when the store was a different franchise.
If it cools off enough later in the day I'll go round the block again.
05snopro440
Well-known member
After my first ride in my 46, it needed a water pump and a starter. That stuff happens. You're getting there!
28sawrig
Well-known member
That doesn’t sound bad for the maiden voyage, if it was any better you’d be laying in bed all night wondering what going to happen the next voyage 🛠
bob w
Still crazy after all these years!
The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Wednesday I drove around the neighborhood in ever increasing circles. About ten miles.
It ran good enough that I chanced going to Gruber's Thursday afternoon. It was well received by the guys. Lots of questions. Minnesota Nice was prevalent cuz nobody criticized it.
The Good: It moves under its own power, quickly. Visibility is good. Interior room is fine. Steering is good. Ride is smooth on smooth roads. It's loud but I'm half deaf so I like it. The noise doesn't reverberate in the cab. No leaks. No overheating.
The Bad: It rides rough on rough roads. It has a little bump steer, which I expected. Brakes need adjusting. There is a shudder under semi hard acceleration. Feels like it is in the converter. The 4,000 stall Hughes 9" converter was a $90 swap meet purchase. It most likely is damaged goods. Don't want that much stall on the street although it isn't too bad. Switches are in an awkward place. Shocks and rear springs are too stiff.
The Ugly: There's overspray all over it from other projects. It is out of proportion. The front axle needs to come back, which isn't all that simple.
It will stay as is for now. I have other winter projects pending.
Wednesday I drove around the neighborhood in ever increasing circles. About ten miles.
It ran good enough that I chanced going to Gruber's Thursday afternoon. It was well received by the guys. Lots of questions. Minnesota Nice was prevalent cuz nobody criticized it.
The Good: It moves under its own power, quickly. Visibility is good. Interior room is fine. Steering is good. Ride is smooth on smooth roads. It's loud but I'm half deaf so I like it. The noise doesn't reverberate in the cab. No leaks. No overheating.
The Bad: It rides rough on rough roads. It has a little bump steer, which I expected. Brakes need adjusting. There is a shudder under semi hard acceleration. Feels like it is in the converter. The 4,000 stall Hughes 9" converter was a $90 swap meet purchase. It most likely is damaged goods. Don't want that much stall on the street although it isn't too bad. Switches are in an awkward place. Shocks and rear springs are too stiff.
The Ugly: There's overspray all over it from other projects. It is out of proportion. The front axle needs to come back, which isn't all that simple.
It will stay as is for now. I have other winter projects pending.
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earthman
Fascinated by rolling objects!
Love everything about this little car!
DozerII
Well-known member
It's always a great feeling when you have confidence in your new build.
Old Iron
Well-known member
That's not too bad of a punch list.
The axle being too far out front is the same mistake I made with my 33 Pontiac, never did like the look.
The axle being too far out front is the same mistake I made with my 33 Pontiac, never did like the look.
smallfoot
He's rockin' the "Nuttin Special"!
Mostly good news on a 1st trip! That's good news...
Skip
Well-known member
I'm with smallfoot. And it ain't like its ugly or anything as is. [cl [cl
Bamamav
Well-known member
A little long in front, but not much. Probably helps handling being longer. Might be squirrelly if it was shorter.
Torchie
Well-known member
Looks good in that picture.
Great that you got to take it out for a ride.
I’m jealous.
Torchie
Great that you got to take it out for a ride.
I’m jealous.
Torchie
BillM
Well-known member
There's no better feeling than those first few rides. And you forgot one other "good" - the door art!
soltz
The Rat Captain
Looks good !
