Lots of questions

[sketchy]

First off, thanks for any and all help, advice or slaps across the head.

Building my first frame with the aide of a friend who builds drag cars. Unfortunately neither of us have built anything like this from scratch and I am unsure exactly how to go about figuring what needs to go where or what measurements should be. I have seen the exact frame style I want to build and will model mine after one built by member Truant on here. I do not have a metal body(fiberglass) but I like everything from the design to the stance of his. With that said how do I go about figuring this thing out? I will begin building a mockup frame out of 2x4's in the morning and hopefully go from there. I know what I want it to look like in my head but have no idea how to translate that into an actual rod. I believe I have or have figured out most of the parts I plan to use as I just went with what I have seen others use which I have liked, now I need to figure the puzzle out.[S

 

[Sam_Fear]

Mock up sound like a heck of a good start! Helps if you also have a motor and know what tire sizes you'll be running. I hear it's a good idea to give yourself a few extra inches for the motor. What kind of suspension will you be running?

 

[sketchy]

I will be using an 80's camaro rearend, rear coilovers, 4 link triangulated rear suspension, suicide front end(I believe but fear this may make everything seem to long) with front radius rods. I have a sbc350 to go in. I hope that kinda sounds like I know what I am talking about, I am really winging this. I really want to use a 32 shell on the front but unsure how to go about figuring in what type of radiator to use and mounting. I really want to go low with this which is why I plan on going with a front and rear Z'ed frame and channelling the body mildly. I am planning on going with an actual fan on front of the sbc unless an electric one makes more sense. This is a budget build in every sense of the term and fear making a mistake.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Look up either of Boneheads builds. Long looks good. Plan on keeping the frame 3-4" off the ground, depending on how good your roads are. 4" is a safe bet. Keep in mind how much room the trans tunnel will take up in the cockpit.

Someone else will know how much space you'll need to figure for your springs.

 

[sketchy]

Elbow deep into my wood mock up frame. Anyone know how wide the frame rails should be? Primarily I am trying to figure out the width in the motor section. I dont know which type of mounts I plan on using for the motor but is there a standard width?

 

[sketchy]

Did a little research, man its hard to know what exactly to search for on here to find what others have done, lol. I will make the frame rails 26 1/2" up front.

 

[donsrods]

Sketchy, the width at the front crossmember will sort of be dictated by the width of your grille shell..........with a suicide front you generally slip the grille shell down between the rails. The 32 shell is a little wide, which might make you have to make the the rails further apart there.

I ran into this when I started building the frame for my new rpu project. I wanted to us a Model A grille shell and it is wider than the T shells I have used in the past, so I had to move my rails out an extra inch so the shell would slide down inside the rails.

I am heading to the shop in a little while to feed the stray cats, and will gladly measure the 32 shells I have and my Son has on our cars.

For reference, here is what I mean about how the grille width dictates the spacing of the rails.

Don

 

[sketchy]

Don please let me know when you can the width of the 32 shell. I plan on starting the front kickup(z) right at the firewall and unsure how much frame rail to leave from the firewall forward for the motor, fan, radiator ect...

 

[sketchy]

I must admit I am finding this harder than I thought.

 

[donsrods]

Ok, Sketchy, I measured our 32 shells tonight and give or take the widest part (at the rear) is about 21 inches. It was hard to get a good measurement because we have electric fans and pulleys in the way, but that is pretty close. The shell tapers wider as it goes rearward.

I also measured the model A shell I am using on my rpu project, and surprisingly it is also 21.5 inches. What that would mean is that the front crossmember on your car would be the same width as the one I pictured above, 25.5 inches overall. Deducting two side rails that are 2 inches wide, that leaves 21.5 to slip the grille shell down into the rails.

Since it sounds like you are building a Z'd frame a lot like mine, I will dig out some pictures and post them to give you some better ideas.

Don

 

[donsrods]

Here is a picture of my bare frame right after we got it welded up. The inside width at the front crossmember is 21.5 and the inside width at the rear crossmember is 29.5. The front is kicked 4 inches and I forget what the back is, but somewhere around 16 inches, I think.

Don

 

[sketchy]

In my haste to make things happen quickly I may be making a few mistakes that are going to come back and bite me later. Don thanks for getting me those measurements. Alot of the frames I see online are making their frame railes 26 1.2" wide, I wonder what grill setup they propose to use? Based on those measurements I dont want to leave space in between the rails and the side of the shell do I? Don whats an rpu? Do you know the overall length of that frame your building not including the perch?

 

[donsrods]

RPU is roadster pick up. I can measure my frame for you the next time I go to the shop. I go there every night around 7 pm. The frames you are seeing on line are kinda made to be one size fits all, universal. So they give a little more room to fit more applications.

Show us some pictures of what you have so far.

Don

 

[sketchy]

Seeing your work and the work of alot of guys on here I am embarrassed to even show what I am trying to turn into something. I will try to get the mock up frame finished tomorrow and put some pics up. Whats the recommended spacing to leave oil pan clearance?

 

[donsrods]

Pan clearance depends a little on how long the wheelbase is.......a short car can get away with a little less than a longer wb car ( as in going into driveways, etc) I have had them as low as 4 inches but 6 is about the usual, I would guess. Some people build a skid plate of heavier material under the pan, but I have never found it necessary to do that.

Don't ever be ashamed to post your stuff, we love to see it and it will be how you learn.

Don

 

[sketchy]

Is the rear kickup on yours angled to any specifics? I plan on using the top of the back rail to support my trunk area would this be a bad choice? I then plan on angling the rear kickup like yours but didnt really factor in any real angle just what I thought looked good. The more I look at this thing I just find myself more and more confused. I know what I want just cant figure out how to factor what all goes into it. The frame is what throws me. On one hand I could build something similar to yours, rear kickup and the rail on rail front but will I be able to get the body low(only channeling over rail), and leave clearance. How much drop should I reasonably expect to see after the motor and tranny weight is on the front? I am afraid of building the frame and finding out as I continue the build that I made it all wrong to do what I want. Sorry guys just venting some frustration.[S