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24 Articles

Editorially Speaking

Frequently, one of the HOT ROD staffers comes up with a better idea for an editorial than I do, and this month, is one of those times. Feature Editor Dave Wallace, the author of HOT ROD’S semi-regular “Endangered Species” series, has done quite a bit of research on a subject that demands your immediate attention. Please read what he has to say; it just may help to save our sport! My first and last high school “Government” class, circa 1966, wasn’t all bad. Unfortunately, though, it was taught every day to 200 students in an oversized classroom by three male teachers who alternated the duties of lecturing (through a microphone) and peacekeeping. Distractions were constant—beginning with the sight of 100 female classmates—and so was background noise. (You should’ve been there the…

Editorially Speaking

’59 IS MIGHTY FINE Enclosed is a picture of my 1959 Corvette. The car was purchased in the summer of 1977 and since that time has been rebuilt from the frame to its new windshield. I am a mechanic at a local Chevrolet dealership, and this has made the job much easier. With the help of my friends at work, I have replaced the old frame, added a 12-bolt rearend from a Chevelle, completely rebuilt the front suspension, and installed the engine. The engine consists of a new 350 4-bolt main, new set of “turbo” heads, 11:1 TRW forged pistons and an Edelbrock manifold with two 660 Holleys. Being employed at the dealership has been a great advantage in getting new parts. Paint and bodywork was done at work by our bodyshop…

SMALL VIC-TORY “Vic the Voice-Controlled Vette” is a bright red 17½-inch-long battery-operated replica of the real thing that drives forward, backs up, and turns in a circle at the command of a human voice. The product, an industry first, is sold by Schaper Toys, Dept. HR-1, P.O. Box 1426, Minneapolis, MN 55440. WASHING MACHINE A universal self-priming positive-displacement windshield washer pump developing approximately 18 psi for a 14cc/second flow rate is sold by the Nefco Div., Neiman Industries, Inc., Dept. HR-1, P.O. Box 824, Cadillac, MI 49601. The body is constructed of corrosion-resistant glass-filled nylon. Shipped with all necessary installation hardware, the unit has a dry-run capability of up to one minute. A MOUNT TENDERED A cast-aluminum filter mount (part No. 2375) for dry sump oil systems, or wherever installation limitations require a remotely mounted…

MAGAZINE HOT ROD NATIONALS

CREDENTIALS: Entry confirmation will be made by return mall. All Identification materials, windshield sticker and two (2) admission credentials will be Issued only at the HOT ROD Nationals Registration Office prior to and during event upon presentation of confirmation letter. AMOUNT ENCLOSED WITH THIS ENTRY: HOT ROD Nationals: $___ ($25 If postmarked by June 1, 1980; $30 at Registration. No mail entries postmarked after June 1, 1980, will be accepted. NO REFUNDS). FREE SWAP MEET SPACE: A 10x10 space In the Swap Meet Is Included with each car entry. Please check here If you will be participating ____Yes___ No SWAP MEET SPACE ONLY: To participate In the Swap Meet only, entry fees are $25 for each 10x10 space If postmarked by June 1, 1980; $30 at Registration. No mall entries postmarked after June 1,…

MAGAZINE HOT ROD NATIONALS

Roddin’ At Random

KEEN CLAIMS $5000 ET PRIZE Four-speed bracket cars aren’t supposed to win the big ones, but Earl Keen’s classy Saturn 1 recently won the biggest bracket bash of them all: the $50,000 U.S. Bracketnationals at Byron (Illinois) Dragway. Keen’s 440-powered, 4-speed Duster exactly duplicated its final-round 10.49 dial-in (at 124.65) to bag an ET-1 cash purse of $5000, plus a $1000 bonus from Direct Connection and other contingency prizes. ET-2 winner Richard Anderson drew $2000 and ET-3 champ Frank Mommsen took home $1000, plus contingencies. CORVETTE CLUB OFFERS LOW-BUCK INSURANCE If the high cost of Corvette insurance gets you down, consider the new Lloyds of London coverage available exclusively to members of the National Corvette Owners Association. Comprehensive, collision, and even theft coverage is offered at a yearly premium cost of five percent…

Roddin’ At Random

Thunderous ’Bird

I love it. Fords in Chevys, Chevys in Fords. Take West Covina, California’s Rick King, for instance. He bought a 55 in 65 from his dad. Rick’s choice was either sticking with its weak-sister Y-block or opting for something a wee bit stronger. Obviously, the latter route was taken. “The reason I put the blown big-block in my ’Bird.” King opined, “was the simplicity of the swap.” That figures, but I think he had other things in mind. Give a hot rodder some horsepressure and he’ll use it. Providing this particular street ’Bird with some 10.57 e.t.s and 130-mph speeds is a ’67 Chevy rat motor equipped with such power producers as TRW pistons, a King-designed cam, Weiand intake manifold and a combo Hampton/Mooneyham-prepared 6-71 Jimmy blower. But check out the carburetion.…

Thunderous ’Bird

THE HART OF DRAG RACING

We kids who grew up dreaming drag racing dreams, and later came to write about our favorite sport, are fortunate. The very men who gave us drag racing, the world’s first all-American motorsport, are mostly with us yet today—and mostly available for in-the-flesh HOT ROD Heritage interviews. The guy we tracked down for this month’s installment is nothing less than the Father of Drag Racing, and we found him well indeed at the ripe old age of 68. “I didn’t invent drag racing,” cautions C.J. Hart. “Heck, that sort of thing’s been going on ever since there was cars!” In the late Forties, “that sort of thing” still meant racing on either the California dry lakes or the public streets, for lack of better places. Cloyce J. Hart was a mechanic,…

THE HART OF DRAG RACING

THE CHEVY NOMAD

The 1955-1957 Chevrolet No-mad is a very special vehicle, which enjoys a unique status among automotive enthusiasts. No other station wagon has ever achieved such tremendous popularity: Restorers, collectors, hot rodders and racers all covet this most influential station wagon. It seems like the Chevy Nomad has always been popular, but that isn’t so. It was not at all in demand when it was first introduced—sales were very disappointing. The Bel Air Nomad two-door station wagon accounted for only .48 percent of Chevy’s total 1955-’57 wagon production of over half a million. In terms of sales figures, the Nomad was a dismal failure; but in terms of styling influence, it was a resounding success. The Nomad is the car that brought station wagons out of the boxy, trucklike era by showing…

THE CHEVY NOMAD

PHOTOGRAPHY: C.J. BAKER, BRUCE CALDWELL, TIM MARSHALL, BOB McCLURG, BOB SMITH…

Without reservation, I can honestly say that the American Bantam was the only ugly car to come out of Detroit in 1932. The reason 1 can feel comfortable expressing this studied opinion is simple: 1 once owned a ’32 Bantam-bodied A/Altered drag roadster! For the most part it was as fast as it was ugly. However, we may have found the exception to this rather sweeping generalization, because Jim Mathis—a fabricator from East Detroit. Michigan—has actually fashioned one of the most attractive ’avenue altereds” in this country. Jim, who was working for Race Craft’s Ron Fournier, was already tuned into the program when he went out to look at an Anderson Industries fiberglass ’32 Bantam body and a set of American 12-spoke front wheels a year and a half ago. “I’ve always…

PROVEN PERFORMANCE: THE BIG-BLOCK CHEVROLET

The big-block Chevrolet is the second most popular performance engine in use by enthusiasts and racers today—exceeded only by the small-block Chevy V8. There are many reasons for this popularity, but the availability over the past 15 years of excellent high-performance factory parts, at comparatively low prices, for these engines has a lot to do with it. Additionally, making a big-block run and live is relatively easy. Even though its power output is not as efficient in terms of horsepower-per-cubic-inch as many other performance engines, its sheer size and breathing capabilities permit it to produce maximum torque and horsepower figures that are exceeded only by far more exotic or expensive engines—such as the Chrysler Hemi or the Ford Cammer. This makes the big Chevy one of the very best values…

PROVEN PERFORMANCE: THE BIG-BLOCK CHEVROLET

With tinkering in his blood, a drag strip to run for a living, and a hundred-dollar Nomad hulk sitting in his yard, there was no way in the world that Wisconsin’s Dave Lindemuth could construct a common concours cruiser. He needed something more for a ride than just another ’55. A stone-stock old Stovebolt, as pure as it may be, simply didn’t say enough. And a quarter-mile mimic, however strong the occupational influence, just wouldn’t be practical. Dave’s everyday iron had to be more than just restored, but it had to take him to work as well. Ridin’ iron is what the man demanded, and this wind-driven wanderer, one of this month’s cover cars, is what he got. Immaculately finished in blindingly bright Ditzler hues and rolling on BFGoodrich rubber stuck…

Some people will never understand why drag racer Jim Mar-tin went and chopped his perfectly good ’56 Chevrolet Nomad. But then they couldn’t believe it when Martin chopped the top on his last Low Roller, a two-door ’56 Chevy 210 wagon. Anybody who knows Big Jim, 35, the owner of Clean’s Racing Transmissions, will tell you that this 15-year veteran of Southern California’s ET Bracket wars doesn’t much give a hoot what people think about the backyard bodywork that removed four inches of window space from his low-rolling Nomad. Big Jim likes his ’56 Chevrolets fast and low, so he builds ’em that way: This 427 fat-block wagon runs 9.90 seconds at 135 miles per hour in Pro Gas trim, and the car measures merely 50 inches at the roofline. A one-time…

Like a 9/16-inch box-end wrench or a piston ring compressor, basic mathematics is a tool. It provides a means by which certain information can be determined before something “mechanical” happens. HOT ROD’S Shop Series has progressed to the point where we need to develop some methods of analyzing car or engine performance before or after either has demonstrated what it can do. So sharpen your pencils or charge the batteries in your favorite pocket calculator (assuming you have any pockets that require calculating); this month’s story should be a proof reader’s paradise. First, we should mention that all formulae and example problems will be presented in the English system of units. A conversion chart (to some of the metric system) is provided so that you can see how inches relate to…

The end of the track was in sight. After 11 months of hard work, our Mustang Magic project car was almost finished. All that remained were a few little details and a trip to the drag strip. Unfortunately, the dreaded Project Car Corollary of Murphy’s Law was very much in effect. That corollary states: “Murphy was a raving optimist.” We suffered a few setbacks, but in the end the problems were solved, and our ’65 Mustang project car is happily cruising the highways and byways of Southern California. The first item of business was the exhaust system. The engine sounded great with open headers, but that can get old quickly, especially if you don’t enjoy being stopped for equipment violations. To keep with the performance aspect of the car, we decided…

Contemporary engine swaps no longer emphasize the traditional high power-to-weight aims of an engine exchange. The brute acceleration requirements of yesteryear’s swapping rodders have given way to the more practical parameters of our times—namely, economy, handling and everyday functionability. There’s a whole new generation of enthusiasts out there who are going to have to approach the subject of swapping with plenty of fresh perspectives, and not a whole lot in the way of hands-on experience. Hopefully, this review will shed some guiding lights. Basically, engine swaps can be divided into three categories: common (V8s into Pintos, Vegas and the like), oddball (Super Duty Pontiac power in a Porsche), and strictly OE (original equipment). It wouldn’t really, be practical to look into all of the permutations and combinations that fall under any…

Perpetually a pro showman. Tommy Ivo’s assaults on the quarter have always been slick, interesting and quick. In the early Sixties, he was actually the first fueler pilot to race against a jet, but for rather obvious reasons, Tom’s now decided to ride on the other side of the afterburner. Ivo’s current strip show Ts this 6000-horsepower Ron Attebury creation that looks more like a fire-breathing fighter/interceptor than a race car. But covering the course in six seconds at 260-plus should be quick to convince everyone witnessing Tom’s latest straightaway acceleration act that this flaming missile is more than just a low flier. It’s the dragster of the Eighties, and judging from the crowd’s reactions to “burner pops” and a few hundred feet of tail flame, we’re sure they agree.…

THE GREAT WHITE HOPE

Hope springs eternal, especially during Speed Week. Hope comes in many forms. Good salt. No wind. Entry into the 200 MPH Club. And a successful return run from Wells before qualifying begins. Hope includes Kiwi Bill Ward. Ward traveled half a globe to try his luck on the Great White Hope. It cost him and his mates $13,000 to make the trip with their ’29 A-bodied C/Street Roadster. They were hoping for 150, but instead went 170. However, his hope for a new record died in a return-run spinout. But wait until next year…. Gordon Hoyt, SCTA’s president, had been waiting seven years. He had a higher hope in mind. His goal was the elusive “Two Club,” a dream envisioned by every salt racer. Hope was all he could muster on…

THE GREAT WHITE HOPE

valve lash adjustment

Most factory and specialty camshaft manufacturers specify that valve lash should be set with the engine hot, or hot and running. Such a procedure is a hassle and, at best, messy. In some cases, such as with certain turbocharger installations or adjustable pushrods, it is virtually impossible to do. Consequently, we’ve gathered some information on how to correctly set valve lash while the engine is cold (room temperature) and shut off. Our procedures also work for doing initial assembly or a rebuild of an engine. Before we can make much sense out of our cold and static valve lash adjustment tips, it’s important to understand why “hot and running” is so often specified, and why valve lash is required in the first place. As an engine transitions between room temperature and…

valve lash adjustment

The Redcoat is Coming

In Seymour, Indiana, Dave Carothers’ garage protects a ’49 Thames Panel, its ’glass doghouse (with handmade grille) and tilled seams and root insert overlaid by a Candy Cranberry red coat. A Cadillac-quality interior, courtesy ot Gene Fleetwood, can be seen through the sliding side windows. But the cause of the Anglia’s stamp-out act was its Yankee drivetrain, full-boogie 350 Chevy backed by a Clutchflite trans and 4.11 Olds rear, and Summers Brothers axles turning Ansen wheels with Firestone stickies damped by Delco shocks. Goodyear Front Runners are used up front (where else?) with Monroe shocks. Running against this wicked rod is certainly no tea party—we advise any rebels (AMC or otherwise) to drop the hammer long before they see the whites of its headlights!…

The Redcoat is Coming

YAMAHA’S XS11: THE MIDRANGE KING

It seems that every large displacement motorcycle does some CBX six-cylinder Honda is, at the time of writing, the king of the quarter-mile machines. It flat gets from one end of the strip to the other quicker than anything else in showroom trim. And the Suzuki GS1000 undoubtedly Handles better than any other 100cc or larger machines. It goes around corners like it was on the proverbial rails. The 1980 Y am aha XS 11 has something it does better than any other bike, which makes it one of the most impressive motorcycles you can ride: “v’” The one thing the big Yamaha does better than any other stock motorcycle is accelerate in fifth gear from | cruising speed. If you’re heading down the road at * 55/60 mph, and you want to…

YAMAHA’S XS11: THE MIDRANGE KING

ALL SYSTEMS STOP I own a ’67 Ford Fairlane with a 289 engine and a 2-barrel carburetor. The problem is that as soon as I put the car into gear after starting it, the engine dies. It does this two or three times before the engine will keep running. When the engine is hot, the problem doesn’t occur, but if the engine is cold, it’ll do it every time. Ron PfautzReinholds, Pennsylvania This sounds like a simple case of too lean a choke setting, or possibly an inoperative choke. Adjust the choke mechanism to close the choke plate a bit more on the cold engine and check the choke for proper operation. With the engine cold, depress the accelerator about halfway and then release it. Remove the air cleaner and observe if the…

WANTED—Complete original MoPar 426 Hemi, or complete Hemi engine. Also would like Dodge Daytona, Plymouth Superbird or big-block Cu-das. Send description and price to W.J. Hawk, P.O. Box 191, Jefferson City, TN 37760 or (615) 475-4752 after 6:00 p.m. SELL—70 Chevelle coupe SS396. Black stripes, blue vinyl top, white interior, AM/FM stereo tape player, 4-speed, cowl induction, posi. Power steering and brakes with air conditioning. W.R. Bowsky, 103 W. Dampier St., Inverness, FL 32650. WANTED—73 GTX Roadrunner. Prefer red with white stripes and interior. With all options; must be in excellent to mint condition. Send photo and price to John Rash Jr., 25 Susan Ln., Council Bluffs, IA 51501 or (712) 323-2146. SELL—’69 Mustang Mach I. 390 automatic, blue, white interior. Never modified, completely stock, including factory chrome wheels. One owner. $3000 or…

TOOL CRIB This month’s selection for Tool Crib is something that has been around for a long time, and belongs in the toolbox of any hot rodder who likes to do his own carburetor work. We’re referring to a number size drill gauge. A number size drill gauge is simply a tempered steel plate with precision gauge holes in it for size 1 through size 60 drills. Such a drill gauge is especially useful for verifying wire drills when doing carburetor work, or whenever numbered drills must be used. A drill gauge plate also has a great deal of information engraved on it. Naturally, the drill numbers are engraved next to the appropriate gauge hole, as is the decimal equivalent, but also noted are the tap drill and body drill sizes that…

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