Big Block Bantam

[bob w]

I very much appreciate all the kind words, gentlemen.
Yes soltz, you will learn about "squirrely", I'm sure.
OI, I agree. Lots of work to change it now.
BillM, you're right. The artwork is cool.
It looks good from some angles, not so good from others.
The problem is I was trying to build a streetable drag car. It can sit for the winter and I'll ruminate about it.

 

[bob w]

Well, it finally made it from storage to the garage. There's changes coming. Going to make it more streetable. The 13 to 1 pistons are coming out of it. So is the shuddering turbo 400 transmission. It will get flat top pistons and maybe large chamber heads. The 350 turbo with trans brake from the recently sold Crosley will replace the 400. It will still be quick and I might even race it. If it's a 13 second car, I don't care. I'm getting old, folks.

 

[dutch]

It`s a cool car and it will always be whatever drivetrain it has.

 

[smallfoot]

^^^ agreed!

 

[Old Iron]

Very cool hot rod

 

[lowbudget50]

It looks good!!! I also hate dealing with parts stores these days. I order most my stuff from summit when ever I can! Makes less stress hahahHa

 

[zzrodder]

Right on Bob! You will never run out of projects it seems.

 

[bob w]

What's my Fiat doing creeping in here? Well, I changed the front wheels from Weld Rodlites to oem Mustang II 5 slots. The Mustang II wheels match up better with the aluminum 5 slots on the back. I bought 4 bolt rotors to replace the 5 bolt units. These wheels are 13" but the tire diameter is identical to the ones that were on before.

 

[bob w]

The engine and trans

are pulled. A bare block and the 350 trans are mocked up. Let the fab work begin.

 

[Bamamav]

Do you ever sleep BobW?

 

[smallfoot]

You put us all to shame Bob!

 

[soltz]

You work is always top Notch nosh !,

 

[bob w]

Made a transmission crossmember for the 350 Turbo. I'll weld 'er in tomorrow. Unpleasantly hot and humid here lately.

 

[Old Stuff]

Absolutely love the Fiat. First time I ever saw one was in 1978(9?) at Houston Int'l Raceway. Has been THE dream small street car ever since.

 

[bob w]

Yes, Old Stuff, Fiats have the "look". Probably from their drag racing heritage.
Pulled the pan on the 406 and realized I can't just replace the pistons. The crankshaft, rods and pistons all have been lightened. I doubt I can find a lower compression piston in the same weight range.

 

[Old Stuff]

Might be a bit much, but would re-balancing be an option?

 

[kasselyn2928]

Great Build Not sure how i missed it all this Time!

 

[bob w]

Thanks for nice comments. Upon further investigation, I decided to have a spare 400 crank turned and buy new high performance rods and pistons. All I'll be using from the original block is the block. Should be around 400Hp, which in a 2300 pound car should be pretty snappy.

 

[bob w]

Pistons and rods have arrived. The crank is still out. I had a spare pair of adjustable coilovers. Took the springs off and replaced the too stiff rear shocks on the Bantam with the coilover shocks.

To get a better driveshaft angle the tailshaft of the trans was raised. I also changed the pinion angle by shimming the ladder bars. Raising the rear of the trans and changing from a 400 Turbo to a 350 means making a new floor over the trans. A project for today after the Honey Do's.

 

[bob w]

The relocation of the transmission and the switch from a TH400 to the TH350 changed the floor enough that I had to make a new tunnel and toe boards.

s.