Indholdsfortegnelse for November 1949 i Hot Rod

Hot Rod|November 1949

EDITOR’S COLUMN

STREET RACING In the past, HRM has made it a point to keep “on the fence” about the more controversial issues of the sport. However, when a point is reached where the smallest minority can undo the good work of the majority, it is felt that sides must be taken. This editorial is in reference to the recent street racing incidents in Southern California. A handful of young folks, with a lust for reckless excitement and a lack of interest in the rules of survival, gathered some weeks ago on the well-exploited Sepulveda Boulevard near Hawthorne, California. They met to compare automobile speeds (in gears and at top speed) as well as each others’ nerves. Theirs was a selfish purpose, with no constructive aim. The effect of these activities on…

4 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

RUSSETTA COMPETITION CUT-DOWNS

The September 18 Russetta Meet at El Mirage will not be remembered as the season’s most successful gathering. After the punishment of seventeen time trials on its surface this season. El Mirage is about ready to succumb. The proceedings started at the late time (for Russetta) of 6:25 A.M. A changeable breeze slowed the meet nearly all day by alternately clearing and obscuring the course. A distinct contrast to the August meet of 333 runs was the small total of 192 for this meet. Time was not the limiting factor, as the meet was stopped at 2 P.M. by the contest board because of unsafe surface conditions. In spite of unfavorable conditions, seven contestants qualified for record runs, with four sue-cessful in establishing new records. Successful qualifying runs were nearly…

5 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

WHAT’S NEW

The latest news note from the Tulsa Sports Car Association relates that new officers have been elected to guide the group. They are: President, Jim Hobock; Vice-Presidents, George Green and Bill Balwin; Secretary-Treasurer, Gene Bach-olar; Social Chairman, Wayne Servace; Public Relations Officer, Randy Wells. The club is still seeking a suitable garage for use as a meeting place and workshop. Four new members recently brought the total to 45. Hills-McCanna Company of Chicago has announced that the firm of Cole-Schreiber of Encino, California, has been appointed exclusive representatives for their magnesium alloy racing car wheels and parts. The Encino firm already has a stock of wheels and will have additional parts in the near future. S.C.T.A. has been given a chance to get a timing strip of its own. That…

3 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

IT’S IN THE BAG

THE “NEW LOOK” The “New Look” on the Hot Rod Magazine for October 1949 bears no comment but the best. Your dehydrated versión makes a neater publication, easier to carry around and read in between jobs. “Mother’’ will like it better too … it won’t present the usual “droopy effect in the magazine rack.” All in all, your new, smaller size publication is swell. Now bring the size down on “Motor Trend” and we’ll be all set. Good luck to you all. John H. Olson, Jr. San Antonio, Texas No sooner said than done. Motor Trend has taken on its new size with the November issue.—ED. SPEED DIRECTORY About two years ago I bought an old ’32 and did what I could to fix it up. I live in Hawaii,…

4 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

EXPERIMENTAL JOBS AT S.C.T.A.

At a meet that was highlighted by countless new ideas and ingenious contraptions for gaining more speed and engine power, the S.C.T.A.’s fourth dry lake meet of the 1949 season was run on September 24 and 25 at El Mirage. With the shortest course of the year (made necessary due to the lack of satisfactory running surface), many exceptional speeds were attained and three new class records were established. Most outstanding performance was that of the Xydias and Batchelor Streamliner, which turned the meet's fastest speed at 178.92 mph over the 1.3 mile distance of the course. Driven by Dean Batchelor, this car later made the required two runs in opposite directions for a new ‘C’ Streamliner record average of 174.33 mph. The car, October’s HRM cover car, is a…

6 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

KNOW YOUR IGNITION

With compression ratios as high as io to i and engine speeds of 5,000 to 6,000 rpm, the Ford V-8 or Mercury hot rod engine of today has made necessary the development of an efficient and reliable ignition system. The battery type ignition as used on the majority of hot rods consists of a standard distributor converted to use 2 coils instead of the usual single coil. Although the hot rod owner is thoroughly familiar with his ignition system, this unit complete with its coils, condensers, resistors, breaker points and primary and secondary wires appears to the casual onlooker to be a very complex and confusing piece of equipment. Actually, though, an ignition system is made up of several separate and distinctly different parts, each dependent on another for proper…

16 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

ENGINE CONVERSION Chevrolet

In considering the Chevrolet engine for possibilities as a high output power plant, investigations must be made from two approaches. The individual’s approach to the problem will be dominated by how much money he wishes to spend, and how much output he wishes to obtain from the modified engine. With these considerations in mind, we will first examine the stock Chev engine for possible modifications; and second, investigate its use as an out-and-out racing engine, as represented by the Wayne conversions. Basically, the Chevrolet block possesses certain inherent qualities which make it desirable as a high output unit. These qualities are: overhead valves for easier engine breathing, adequate bearing area and rigid crankshaft to withstand high output loads, and a large-bore, short-stroke ratio of 1.07. The first promising point of…

8 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

WALT’S “SHOP TALK”

Q. I bought an A-V8 a while ago that has a ’36 engine. If I bore it out to Merc bore, will the walls be too thin? The engine already has a ¾ cam, is ported and relieved, has high compression heads and a dual manifold. If I buy a Merc block and start all over again, it will be much too expensive. If the walls will be too thin, what is the limit I can bore it to? James F. Fears El Cajon, California A. Many builders are running early V-8 blocks bored out to Merc size (which is .125 inch over). At the same time, builders using Merc engines bore them to .125 inch over. Q. I have a ’35 Chevy and the knee action has gone out…

4 min

Hot Rod|November 1949

TOMFOOLERY

THE SANTA MONICA YACHTSTER! Seen at the beaches this year is the Santa Monica Yachtster model built by Stroker McGurk’s second cousin. He was unable to decide between a car or a boat, so he compromised. This unique beach speedster combines the finest parts of hot rodding and yachting into one fine translucent package. The body, modeled after the Pismo Beach Aquarium, consists of two layers of transparent plastic with room for a fin or two in between. A hot engine uses the body liquid for cooling, and in turn warms the water to just the right Fahrenheit to keep the tropical fish at ease and happy. Power take off is supplied by a standard 6 volt Long Beach eel carried just forward of the fireproof bulkhead. Normal marine gear…

1 min