donsrods
Well-known member
It dawned on me the other day I was approaching the upcoming Billetproof drags all wrong. I was trying to put a totally brand new car together in the next 3 months, and there was a chance I wouldn't make it in time. However, I do have my old 27 roadster sitting that I tore down 9 years ago to freshen up a little, and I just never got back on it again. It would be much easier to get this one running because there is no fabrication work to be done, just repainting everything and replacing a few worn out parts.
As a little history, I started to build the car about 20 years ago and it took about 6 years to finish it. I drove it pretty much daily for 6 or 7 years, and it got a little tired. So after I got back from Daytona one year the flaws were starting to bug me (overheating in traffic, losing power, etc) I tore it down to redo some things and finally paint it. That was 8 years ago!! Life got in the way, and I did other projects in the meantime, so it just sat, collecting dust. Luckily, I stored all the pieces except for the Buick drums I stole for my 23.
This car never left me down. I ran a 78 Ford truck 302 with some minor work.......heads, cam, two fours, etc. The transmission is a top loader 3 speed Ford with Hurst shifter, and the rear end is a 9 inch Ford with 3:70 gears. When originally built I did get the frame and suspension finished in paint, but the body was always in purple tinted primer. Now, the purple paint on the frame looks very dated to me and I want to lose the red suspension this time around.
Yesterday I spent the day sanding down the frame (Glad to see the purple go) and I am probably going to paint it satin black, the same as what I plan for the body. The suspension is going to be off white this time. Biggest change is planned for the motor.........I have a 90 Mustang roller engine that I am going to take to the machine shop for the usual hot tank, bore 30 over, line bore, decking, etc. I want to use the same X cam my Son Don is running in his T, has a super nasty idle and comes on like gangbusters. I will still use the 2 x 4 setup, but with new carbs, and probably some aluminum or good cast iron heads.
The 3 speed will stay because it is a tough unit and I like the "oldtimeyness" of 3 gears. I am going to go much deeper on the rear gearing this time, maybe 4:30's or maybe even 4:88's. I know these are not highway gears, but that is not what I am shooting for this time, I want a hard launch. My 68 Mustang ran 4:88's and it was fine on the street even though the tires were not as tall as my 27's will be. This time around I think I am going to go with 8 inch Hurst slicks and front tires.
Here is a picture of the 27 when I was driving it years ago......
And here is the frame after DA-ing it yesterday.
Here is how it sat for years, after stripping the purple primer off the body.....
Don
As a little history, I started to build the car about 20 years ago and it took about 6 years to finish it. I drove it pretty much daily for 6 or 7 years, and it got a little tired. So after I got back from Daytona one year the flaws were starting to bug me (overheating in traffic, losing power, etc) I tore it down to redo some things and finally paint it. That was 8 years ago!! Life got in the way, and I did other projects in the meantime, so it just sat, collecting dust. Luckily, I stored all the pieces except for the Buick drums I stole for my 23.
This car never left me down. I ran a 78 Ford truck 302 with some minor work.......heads, cam, two fours, etc. The transmission is a top loader 3 speed Ford with Hurst shifter, and the rear end is a 9 inch Ford with 3:70 gears. When originally built I did get the frame and suspension finished in paint, but the body was always in purple tinted primer. Now, the purple paint on the frame looks very dated to me and I want to lose the red suspension this time around.
Yesterday I spent the day sanding down the frame (Glad to see the purple go) and I am probably going to paint it satin black, the same as what I plan for the body. The suspension is going to be off white this time. Biggest change is planned for the motor.........I have a 90 Mustang roller engine that I am going to take to the machine shop for the usual hot tank, bore 30 over, line bore, decking, etc. I want to use the same X cam my Son Don is running in his T, has a super nasty idle and comes on like gangbusters. I will still use the 2 x 4 setup, but with new carbs, and probably some aluminum or good cast iron heads.
The 3 speed will stay because it is a tough unit and I like the "oldtimeyness" of 3 gears. I am going to go much deeper on the rear gearing this time, maybe 4:30's or maybe even 4:88's. I know these are not highway gears, but that is not what I am shooting for this time, I want a hard launch. My 68 Mustang ran 4:88's and it was fine on the street even though the tires were not as tall as my 27's will be. This time around I think I am going to go with 8 inch Hurst slicks and front tires.
Here is a picture of the 27 when I was driving it years ago......
And here is the frame after DA-ing it yesterday.
Here is how it sat for years, after stripping the purple primer off the body.....
Don
Last edited: