Indholdsfortegnelse for September 1967 i Hot Rod

The second oldest racing event in the United States is a rather unique affair called the Pikes Peak Hill Climb. Except for interruption by worldwide conflict, it has been an annual event since 1916. Only Indianapolis with five years head start has been around longer. For a number of years, we’ve been addicted to both the Indy 500 and Pikes Peak races and nearly always find an excuse to be at both spots when the action starts. We’ve missed only one Indy race since 1952 and haven’t skipped one at Pikes Peak since our first trip in 1956. We’ve seen a lot of changes take place at Indy during these past sixteen years: new track surface, new grandstands, new car designs, new drivers and increased interest worldwide. In twelve years…

COUGAR-MUSTANG HEADERS These 4-tube competition headers, new from Cyclone, feature flawless mandrel bending void of welds except at the flange and collector. Designed to fit both automatic and 4-speed shifts, they are guaranteed to bolt-on without alterations. Also available are header extensions to route the exhaust direct from header into factory duals. Prices and information from: Cyclone Automotive Products, Dept. HR, 3401 Winona Avenue, Burbank, California 91502. CUSTOM SPORTS HANDLES Functional and attractive custom sports handles, giving auto interiors the latest in Gran Turismo styling, are now available from Vilem B. Haan, Inc., international headquarters for motoring accessories. Made to fit VW and Karmann Ghia, as well as Ford and GM autos, the handles have a highly-polished chrome finish, accented by finest quality solid walnut trim. Window winders are $7.95…

In response to numerous requests from readers for an article on modifying stock automobile wheels, with emphasis on building up wide rims, the HOT ROD staff kicked the idea around a bit before giving me the go-ahead — due to various problems involved. Number one of these is major equipment is needed, without which the resultant job may be far from safe. Then it was recalled that Ed Harding, a high school machine shop instructor who worked with us on an oil pan story recently (May 1967), had mentioned many of his students build their own wheels right in class. Not only was the required machinery available, but the students had expert guidance and received grades for work performed. And so it came to pass that I made the scene…

Conceding that experience is the best teacher, one of the best lessons concerning the effect of air density is taught when you realize an auto-mobile engine “just runs better" on a damp or rainy morning. We've all experienced this. phenomenon, and then probably dismissed thoughts about it after the sun popped out and the air became drier. If this is the case, then maybe you didn't think about air density when you stayed up half of Friday night tuning a race car, then towed it to the strip Saturday afternoon and wondered why the engine suddenly lost some “punch.” The power oùtput of an engine is directly related to air density. Air density is affected mainly by two factors: barometric pressure and the temperature of the air. When barometric pressure…

Boy, I’m pooped! Along with about a dozen other enthusiasts, your scribe has been in the final throes of engineering the toughest trailbike ride of the century, the 500-mile National Endurance Run, Innocently heralded as the Greenhorn Enduro, “a run for the average rider.” But as tough as they said it was (67 finishers out of 285 starters), I kid you not — a trailbike won the crazy thing. Would you believe a teacher on a trailbike? Yup, it’s the old David and Goliath story all over again, for Dave Ekins, riding a 98cc Zundapp two-stroke single, put all of the big bike riders in the dust with his trusty “stomach pump” and an amazing score of only 61 points lost! Presently employed as a motorcycle mechanics instructor by the…

Kelsey Hayes has introduced a line of tools you might like to eyeball next time you’re killing time around your favorite tool counter. Unlike conventional wrenches that bear on corners, the Kelsey Hayes wrench (called Loc-Rite) doesn’t even touch the corners. It bears on the flats of the hex, tangent to the center from the point of contact. Consequently, the Loc-Rite is not dependent on uniformly filled corners. Because of this configuration that places all the force on the flats, the Loc-Rite will fit and turn a bolt or nut when conventional wrenches won’t even fit. Kelsey Hayes applies the same basic design feature to open end, box end and sockets in the usual assortment of sizes and drives. Like we say: Take a look — it’s different.…

Have a spring you want to mount over an axle? Then take a gander at how this guy solved his problem. Running an ‘A’ roadster, with the stock ‘A’ front spring, he replaced the stock I-beam axle with a tubular unit. To facilitate mounting the spring over the axle, he cut out a pair of brackets from ⅜-inch steel plate, crescent-shaped, drilled the upper ends for a piece of heavy-wall tubing, welding the tubes in, and hung his shackles. The reason for making the mounts crescentshaped is to allow room for the spring ends as they deflect outward during operation. Model ‘A’ springs are only 1¾ inches wide up front, so the tubes would be the same measurement in length. This same method can be employed around back, too.…

If it is in fact true that a single picture is worth a thousand words, then this sequence ought to be good for an entire story. And it is (several in fact), because contemporary quick-witted public relations departments do not pass the opportunity of slipping in three themes for the price of one. On the face of it, we see how the Dodge Charger, hemi option only please, receives its spoiler supplement on the regular assembly line — just as NASCAR requires. This establishes a beachhead of legality, something other spoiler purveyors can only vaguely lay claim to. But please note that in the first three scenes the spoiler is only as wide as the trunk lid, and in the last the observer’s gaze falls on a finished product that…

At the time of NHRA’s ’66 World Points Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma, George Hurst announced a “no strings attached“ $10,000 for Super Stock Eliminator of the ’67 points season. The stated intent was to pump new life into stock drag car activity and build incentive among this segment of the sport, then being attacked by many individuals who insisted the fuel and/or funny car(s) were cornering the money/press/spectator market. Admittedly, for Hurst, there was heavy merchandising value behind the move, even though the stipulation of no contingencies (you didn’t have to have Hurst products in the winning car) lent authority to George’s genuine intent to help. Battles among factories and factory/non-factory racers had already had several years’ history, but on a rather one-on-one basis. And even though the newly stuffed…

The DieHard beats every other battery of its size, of any make, in every standard power test. How’d we do it? Through an engineering sleight of hand. You see, every battery of the same Classification has to be the same size. If it were any bigger it wouldn’t fit in your Car. The DieHard has eliminated the usual thick, heavy rubber battery walls. Those thick walls took up valuable space. The DieHard has a much thinner wall constructed of a material called polypropylene that doesn’t have to be thick to be strong. So while it’s actually bigger on the inside, the DieHard is deceptively the same size on the outside. Ingenuity wins again. Because the inside of the DieHard is bigger, the plates are bigger, and there’s more room for…

“Take J/Wax Kit, for example. It’s the only way I know to get a paste wax shine without working like the devil all afternoon. That’s because it’s pre-softened.” “Pre‐softening makes Kit liquefy as it slides on. You don’t do a lot of buffing, either. Just wipe off the haze for a first‐rate paste wax shine.” “You can get that same great shine with J/Wax Instant, too. And J/Wax Paste. Then there’s the long‐time favorite, Carnu—famous for shining the deep down color back. For sprucing up your interior, use J/Wax Vinyl Cleaner. It’s toam and it cleans without soaking, j/vvax cnrome Cleaner gets rid of dirt, rust, and tar. And J/Wax Side‐Wall Cleaner does a great job on black or white tires. “Whatever the job you want done, I’m sure you’ll…

On his day off (not Sunday) he’ll (1) work on This kind of involvement extends to the ads his car’s engine, (2) go to a drag race or, (3) read they read in Petersen Magazines, too. And smart about both in a Petersen Magazine companies know it. He’s one of 15 million Petersen People —the That’s one reason Petersen’s advertising reve-men deeply involved in the world of Petersen nues were up over 40% in the first nine months of Magazines. Each month, these men learn more about what And that’s why Petersen’s imitators don’t have they know more about—their very special interest. This kind of involvement extends to the ads they read in Petersen Magazines, too. And smart companies know it. That’s one reason Petersen’s advertising revenues were up over…

When A. J. Foyt took the checkered flag on May 31st, he joined racing’s most exclusive circle... the three-time winners of the Indianapolis 500. And so did the Eneo Tiger... just a rookie three years ago... now one of the most familiar figures on the racing circuit. Because, of course, it was the Tiger, Humble’s special racing fuel, that powered A. J. to his big Number Three victory. Just as it was the Tiger that rode with Jimmy Clark in 1965 and with A. J. in 1964. And the Tiger is a winner every time in your tank. Because the same people who blend the winning racing fuel also blend High-energy Enco Extra gasoline for your car... the gasoline with the extra punch! High-energy Enco Extra keeps your car running…

Most guys (except drop-outs) have to wear them. At least once. But it’s worth it. Your diploma can be almost as important as your birth certificate. A diploma tells an employer you cared enough about your future to graduate. If you go to work for a new car dealer, a diploma is a big help. It starts you even with the other graduates. Where you end up is up to you. But it can be pretty high. How high is the subject of the free, illustrated booklet, “Your Career in the Retail Automobile Industry.” We’ll be happy to send you a copy. Just write your name, address, and the word “Career” on a postcard and mail it to the address below. Happy graduation. National Automobile Dealers Association 2000 “K” Street,…

Straightening air flow is only one of the aspects of proper carburetor feeding. Providing as much cool air as possible is also an integral part of the plan. Here are two approaches to the problem: one unit designed for a small-block Chevy and one for a 427 wedge Ford. In both designs, hot engine air is at least partially prevented from carb air-horn entry and, in the case of the Chevy, a degree of ram is obtained with the tubing that essentially extends the tops of the carb air inlets.…

A study in organization, that’s what we have here. Note how the cables and lines on this dragster are neatly taped together to avoid the tangled mess that is so frequently seen. The fuel and oil lines that run parallel are taped in pairs; those running along the frame rails are similarly taped together. Finally, the spark plug cables running from the magneto to plugs are carefully separated with rubber blocks designed for this purpose. Farther on, where the cables break off to the individual plugs, they are separated by standard bar-type dividers. Keeping the wires apart in this fashion helps prevent cross-firing, besides making the machine look a lot better.…

Those old Jeep cans never fade away, they just keep coming back for more uses. Here’s a pair being used for gravity-fed water supply in the operation of the race car for which this truck is used. The problem of available water supply is really a problem at some trip facilities, so having a little extra liquid on tap is a sensible backup for those areas where there’s one faucet for every seven dozen racers. ’Course, if water is plentiful, you wouldn’t necessarily need this rig... unless you decided to take a quick shower or somethin’.…

You say you don’t have a lighted tach? And you never thought about it until you rolled the car up to the starting line at your first night drag race? The problem is not at all uncommon and can usually be solved with a minimum of effort and money by attaching a camper-type flash-light to a part of the chassis and simply flipping the switch when the light is needed. This example shows the light mounted to the steering column with a strap clamp passing through the battery box part of the light. As we said, the unit is light in weight, easy to mount, easy to use, inexpensive, is good for many a run and sure beats cramming a flashlight in your mouth to see the tach with —…

A truck battery in the trunk is one of the time-honored ways of adding honest weight to the rear of a com-petition car. This installation is typical of some of the neat, effective installations in use. The big battery rests on two pieces of heavy angle iron which in turn are welded to short pieces of channel iron on each side of the trunk. This mounting is safe, stable and you can bet it adds a bunch of weight. The battery holddown bracket is also made from angle iron and pulled snug on the battery with the long bolts at each end of the big box. Not bad for a little hot rod engineering, huh?…

BIG AND SAFE Dear Jim: What’s considered a safe limit for bore and stroke increases of the 348 Chevy? Based on your suggestion, what will the final displacement be? Gene Fredricks Colorado Springs, Colorado Come on, fellas. How many times have we laid out this business of calculating engine displacements? It’s just about as tough to figure as pouring water out of a boot when the directions are written on the heel. Anyway, stop the boring bar at a 3/16-inch overbore and hold stroke boosts to ½-inch. Stock dimensions for the 348 are as follows: bore is 4.125, stroke is 3.25. With the numbers we’ve suggested, bore size becomes 4.313, stroke becomes 3.75. The 348 has eight holes, so the math work reduces itself to bore times bore times stroke…

HOT ROD MART Requirements:25 word limit per ad, not including name and address. We reserve right to edit copy or refuse ads. While not responsible for accuracy of description, we will reject misleading statements. No ads from commercial firms. Only one car may be listed in any one ad; this limitation not to apply to parts or equipment, however. $10 per ad must accompany each insertion. When photo is included, the rate is increased to $15 per insertion. Due to normal publication schedule, allow at least two months from time ad is received until it is printed. SELL _ ’32 Ford rdstr., 265” Chevy V8, auto., compl. chrome running gear. $1850 or best offer. Will consider trade. Atlantic Florida Corp., P.O. Box 4213, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 305-565-4166. SELL — ’50…

(A) The latest race car to fly the “Big John” Mazmanlan banner Is this chopped-top Austin sedan piloted by Dick Bourgeois, shown at right, when it turned a neat 158.71 mph in 8.92 seconds on a “shake-down” run. This new Whittier, California-based car will likely follow other drag machines “Big John” has owned, and be known as a race winner and record holder. (B) Based on an Exhibition Engineering chassis (Ron Scrlma), the AA/Gasser sports Konl shocks wrapped In custom-made coll springs and retainers. (C) Sans body, the sedan resembles a two-seater slot race car. Chassis main rails are of 2-inch x 3-Inch x.095-Inch wall tubing, supported by crossmembers and a full roll cage. Halibrand mag rims mount Goodyears and Pirellis. (D) Backing up that Dave Zeuschel-built ’57 Chrysler mill…

Afew changes were made for this year’s running of the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb. Most noticeable was the elimination of sports cars which had been a part of the previous nine events. The reason was so that available prize money could be spread out further and heavier in the Championship and Stock classes to lure more top drivers and cars. Transfer from the abolished Sports class was perhaps not as strong as officials might have wished but three of the ’66 Sports drivers (Danny Morgan, Charlie Lowderman, and Don Wilcox) showed up in Championship rides and two, Ak Miller and Bill Daniels, switched to stock rides. There were no factory-backed stock entries this year. Two Toronados were prepared by Frank and Nick Sanborn of Cascade, Colorado, and a third…

Before Tom Medley’s “Stroker Mc-Gurk” departed from the pages of this magazine, many an aspiring young rodding enthusiast had been en-lightened by the strategically placed little placards that adorned Stroker’s renowned workshop. They had impact. Among the assortment of “If it won’t go, chrome it,” “The purple stuff will make it go... at least once,” and “The only substitute for cubic inches is more cubic inches” was one particular proverb that still rings true today. It does, in fact, tie directly into the series of topics we are to begin unfolding with this issue. These subjects relate to the pure fundamentals of performance engine building: the what’s, why’s, how’s and what if’s of everything from cylinder head shaving to oil pump bypass spring stretching, with all the little steps in…

The current trend in engine swaps is leaning toward bigger engines in the family pickup. This is usually the family fun car — camper, hauler, utility vehicle... you name it. When you’re loaded down with a camper, towing a boat and trailer (not to mention a cycle or two), you’re really hurting for horses. Add to this an air conditioner and a heavy-duty electrical system and things can get pretty grim, if you’re underpowered. Recognizing this trend, Louie Senter of Ansen Automotive has come up with a complete kit of engine and frame mounts, as weil as the necessary crossmembers, to install any of the popular big engines into the Ford pickup models of 1954 and later. The installation we’re doing here involves a ’63 401-inch Buick in a ’56…

SHOW SCHEDULES HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA “A World on Wheels,” September 21-24, Hollywood Palladium. “A Worid on Wheels” Show Committee, P.O. Box 361, Lynwood, California. LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA Rod-Custom, Auto-Rama, Motorcycle & Speed Show, October 27-29, Long Beach Arena. Competitors Car Club, P.O. Box 400, Maywood, California 90270. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Southland Roadster & Speed Show, October 1315, Shrine Auditorium. National Custom Car Club Association, P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California. SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA Inland Empire Custom Car Fair, November 3-5, Orange Show Center. National Custom Car Club Association, P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA Southwest Speed Show, November 3-5, Community Concourse. National Custom Car Club Association, P.O. Box 571, Canoga Park, California. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA National Custom Car & Motorcycle Show, November 10-12, Sports Arena. Coachmen & Scotchmen…

Every time you leave the headlights on and run down the battery, you feel like a sap, right? The club is not very exclusive by now. But, Sparton Manufacturing has come up with a neat little device that saves the battery and your temper. Their little buzzer sounds off when the lights are left on and the ignition is off. The buzzing is stopped when the lights are turned off. Neat reminder, huh? The little jewel sells for about four dollars, fits all 12-volt cars and trucks and is small enough to mount under the dashboard. How far was it you had to go for help the last time you let the battery run down? And it was raining?…

A rubber and metal bottle stopper makes a good pressure seal for an oil filler tube. The stoppers come in a variety of sizes and are available in variety stores and groceries. The one atop this small-block Chevy was providing an air tight seal and allowing quick release when oil needed to be added. What is the rubber band doing wrapped around the filler neck? You never can tell when you need a rubber band in the pits and this one will stay in place until needed. No trick stuff — just a little thinking.…

Well, here’s another version of valve cover fasteners. Seems everybody has his own kick going but these do appear to be an excellent method of nailing the lid onto the valve train. The plan is to select a set of long-shanked cap-screws, trim the heads off, drill the T-handle hole and permit the thread-land shoulder to seat on an ordinary flat washer. This’ll spread out the holding load and provide ready access to the rocker arm department whenever lash change time comes. About the only quicker method would probably be to bend the shanks into speed-wrench handles. You know, one good turn deserves....…

Probably the most popular steering box in use today among the funny car set is that from a Chevrolet Corvair. The unit shown here, with a lengthened sector shaft to turn it into a center-steering model, is mounted high, providing plenty of leg room for the driver. These units feature an aluminum steering box, helping to keep the overall weight down. Corvair steering units are not only used in Chevys, but many have been installed in Fords, o Comets, Plymouths and Dodges, some of these built-up by factory-backed racers, too. So it goes to show ya, you can’t judge a car by its cover.…

Tuning at the strip always seems to be less than satisfactory, in part due to the lack of facilities in the field. One problem arising frequently here is being unable to read the timing marks on the crank damper — not because of darkness, but because of too much light interfering with the timing light. A number of the fellows in the recent Plym-outh Trouble Shooting contest showed up with an extension attached to the front of the light in an effort to tunnel that light to the right place. The arrangement is simplicity itself — a short section of radiator hose is attached to the front of the timing light with a radiator hose clamp.…

Of the many uses for a reservoir of compressed air, you can imagine how many of them crop up at the strip. It seems that more and more of the better equipped racers are including one of these inexpensive rigs that consist of little more than a conventional steel tank, an air pressure gauge, a fitting for loading the tank and enough hosing to provide access to whatever it is to which access must be gained. A load of 100 psi is sufficient air to pump a set of front tires four or five times. But if we began listing applications, there’d be little space for the next filler. Use your own imagination.…

So he used Autolite plugs. Like you buy. About $1 each. And he won! With a winner’s purse of over $170,000, you can bet A. i. Foyt didn’t cut corners on anything. The engine of his Coyote Ford cost over $20,000. The fuel-injection system cost $2,000. And the spark plugs? They’re Autolite plugs. Like you buy. About $1 a throw. With so much at stake, how come $1 spark plugs? Because there are no better plugs. Not at any price. That’s why Autolite spark plugs were in three out of the first four cars at Indianapolis. Shouldn’t this kind of spark plug be in your kind of car? Extra! Foyt and Gurney win at Le Mans! Just 11 days after his victory at Indy, A. J. Foyt teamed up with…