Indholdsfortegnelse for June 1992 i Hot Rod

Ray Ward was an aviation nut and a hot rodder with a problem. Ward won the ’88 “Tri-avia-thon” event (a climb rate, top speed, and low speed contest) sponsored by the Experimental Aircraft Association, but his reign of glory was subsequently snatched away. Regaining the title required more horsepower, but the sky-high price of a competition aircraft engine left Ward with only one reasonable and affordable option: small-block Chevy power. If you thought a street machine V8 swap was a nightmare, try fitting one to a plane. Propeller dynamics require a prop speed reduction unit and variable pitch prop to achieve the rpm and speed desired. Next, he adapted an FAA-mandated twin ignition system that is solved with a twin-pickup distributor and two MSDs. Drastic altitude changes require an electronic…

It has been more than 20 years since Dodge has “diced it up” with the General and the Blue Oval battalion. But this season, the Ram is on a rampage as the Dodge Division returns to the classic road racing venue of the SCCA Tide Trans-Am series. Tommy and Bobby Archer will pilot the pair of radical racing Dodge Daytonas. The cars are powered by 310-inch stock-block V8s for a top speed in excess of 180 mph when geared for the big tracks. The return of Dodge to the Trans-Am series is good for the series and even better for us race fans. Once again, the Big Three will battle it out on the streets (and road courses) of America. May the best team win.…

Less than a month after Houston-based PetroIon, Incorporated’s Slick 50 Engine Protectant had posted a $50,000 bonus for the first driver to top 300 mph, Kenny Bernstein claimed the prize during qualifying for the NHRA Motorcraft Gatornationals. Utilizing the drivetrain combination perfected by Dale Armstrong and recently tweaked by new crew addition Wes Cerny, Bernstein didn’t just creep up on the 300-mph door, he smashed it flat. Prior to his momentous top-speed run of the event, the best was Pat Austin’s 292 mph pass. Bernstein’s record-breaker was an amazing 301.70—coupled with a best elapsed time of 4.823 seconds. When those numbers came up on the finish line tote board, the crowd went justifiably ballistic. Meanwhile, Bernstein’s competitors were still in line to run, and they reacted as if they’d taken…

In recent years, automotive enthusiasts across the nation have been losing hope of ever owning a performance car.’ Gone are the days when you could find a modern-day hot rod in a used car lot, and while the frenzied rush for musclecars has declined, their prices have not. Chances are, if you do find an affordable Z/28, a 440 Six-Pak Mopar, or some other classic, it is probably not what it seems to be. The good news is that there are affordable alternatives to these and other high-end hot rods. There’s a wealth of real-world drivers that have the potential for performance and, in some cases, the look of their overpriced counterparts for considerably less money than you might imagine. Just check out the classified section of your local newspaper…

At a glance, this ’32 Ford highboy serves as a reminder of days gone by—a holdover from the ’50s when burgers were two bits and Elvis was King. Today, nostalgia brings back wide whites and Ford caps that roll down a modern road, as lake pipes ring with the sound of a six-throated small-block Chevy. Jim Inglese spent many years of his life fitting hot rods with high-tech induction systems, so its no wonder that he returns to the past with his latest hot rod. In keeping with its old-time look, a dropped tube axle is found in front—a four-bar, leaf spring, and tube shocks position the axle with JFZ discs and calipers at each end. A 9-inch Ford rearend with drum brakes is suspended in a similar fashion, with…

Universal joints are a noglory item. You can’t chrome ’em, and they don’t make you go faster. However, worn U-joints are a safety hazard and should be replaced at the first sign of a "clunk" in the driveline. Lakewood offers replacement performance joints with high nickel content crosses and no zerk fittings. Zerks are great for greasing, but they weaken the joint. We visited Cannon Engineering in North Hollywood, California, to install a set of hi-po U-joints. SOURCES Cannon EngineeringDept. HRO610921 Chandler Blvd.North Hollywood, CA 91601818/50841123 Lakewood IndustriesDept. HRO68700 Brookpark Rd.Cleveland, OH 44129216/398-8300…

It’s tough to keep your hot rod clean and dent free. Even if you park and hike half a mile to the mall, you’re still bound to get tagged once in a while. Repairing sheetmetal dings is familiar ground for most hot rodders, but repairing flexible bumpers is not. This really is no problemo because the technique is similar, the material requirements are just different. Here’s how to do it. SOURCE Cars, Trucks, & ConceptsDept HR0615201 Oxnard St.Van Nuys, CA 91411818/782-5291…

A superb paint job is simply a matter of preparation—before, during, and after applying the final coat. But the finish is dependent on a series of steps one must take to ensure its luster. Thanks to Tim Beard and John Carambia of John’s Rod& Custom Paint, who served their apprenticeships under the critical eye of famed rod painter Don "Buffalo" Thelan, we can you how to take those last important steps. DO’S AND DON’TS: Don’t let water spots remain on urethanes. If left in the sun, the chemicals in tap water will eat into the paint and ruin its surface. Try and be comfortable when you’re sanding and polishing—use knee pads. Every body will see it, so don’t rush through the steps. Don’t change to a finer grit paper until…

Knowing how much fuel pressure reaches your carburetor is indispensable information when tuning or increasing the fuel demands with more power. Most fuel pressure gauges are simple to install and can be removed once everything is dialed-in. Unfortunately, most gauges must be mounted outside the vehicle to avoid having fuel in the passenger compartment. However, Auto Meter offers fuel pressure gauges that can be mounted inside the vehicle, thanks to the use of a fuel isolator. The isolator contains a diaphragm that transfers the pressure exerted on it to a non-compressible, non-flammable liquid, which operates the gauge. This way, the gauge can be permanently mounted inside the vehicle, which not only helps you tune your fuel system but can tell you instantly if there’s a problem! SOURCE Auto Meter Products,…

Back in our July ’91 issue we took a brief look at Var Millet’s (it’s pronounced “mil-lay”) ’50 Ford custom as part of our “Hot Metal Cruisers” section. We were so impressed with his car that we decided to give you a closer look at this low-buck, home-built hot rod. Like many of us today, Var has far more time than money, so he utilized his professional skills as a welder to rework the stock lines of this coupe. The chassis and drivetrain were also brought up to date and combined with original and late-model components. While the stock frame retains its front suspension, the coil springs were cut for a lower height and a firmer ride. The original ’50 Ford rearend was then replaced with a 9-inch Ford that…

As with anything in life, the more good choices there are available, the more difficult the decision becomes. For example, there are more than a dozen different aftermarket small-block Chevrolet heads on the market, and cost usually narrows the choice down to two or three. From here, it’s fairly easy to choose the best one for your application. However, if we listed all the camshafts available for small-block Chevrolets, it would probably be more pages than this entire issue! The prices are all comparative, and they more or less look the same. So how do you choose a cam? Usually, the decision is made by talking to just about everybody you can get to listen, including friends, speed shop service people, and even the cam manufacturers themselves. Cam manufacturers are…

If you’re looking to stand apart from every other Corvette on the highway, check out Eckler’s sleek new Phase III Ground Effects pack-age. Each component is constructed of high-quality, hand-laminated fiberglass coated in a soft-sanded gelcoat that requires only minor preparation prior to priming and painting. With Eckler’s complete set of instructions and mounting templates, the various panels can be installed at home in just a few hours. Once in place, the Phase III package will give your ’91 or ’92 Corvette 200-mph looks, even at a stand-still. So contact the good folks at Eckler’s to find out how easy it is to look ballistic. Information: Eckler’s Industries, Dept. HRO6, Box 5637, Titusville, FL 32783, 407/269-9680.…

As of this writing, Troy Trepanier, the mad rod master from Manteno, Illinois, has completed the rectangular tube chassis for his ’50 Buford. Instead of using hydraulics for that ground-pounding look, Trepanier incorporated electric ball and screw motors that raise and lower its rear suspension four inches. Moreover, Troy-boy replaced the old straight eight with 510 inches of rotund rodent. Mods include an unusual induction package that employs a sheetmetal intake fitted with both an Accel electronic injection system and a John Meaney-designed three-stage nitrous system. The motor makes an astounding 890 lbs-ft of torque and 800 hp on nitrous! Boyd-built, Steve Stanford-designed billet aluminum rollers ensure that Trepanier’s latest runner will be as street worthy as his Victory Touring green Impala. Best of all, Trepanier’s mighty "rodmaster" is scheduled…

Here’s a Dare-To-Be-Different idea that’s all wet! It’s the Amphicar, an amphibious auto with twice-props that make it a land yacht in the most literal sense of the term. Amphicars were produced in Germany from 1960 to 1967. The manufacturer decided not to keep the project afloat when impending legislation of catalytic converters conflicted with Coast Guard regulations. Despite aquadynamic styling and functional fins, the Amphi offers little hot rod appeal. The way we "sea" it, a smallblock and a Toronado tronsaxle would make the Amphicar a neat little lakester?…

One of the hottest names ever associated with performance automobiles returns to the road with the ’93 Mustang Cobra. Developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Team with assistance from three-time World Formula One champion Jackie Stewart and famed racer and instructor Bob Bondurant, its combination of handling and ride quality was maximized with revised shocks, antiroll bars, and suspension bushings. New 17x7.5 seven-spoke directional alloy wheels join with P245/45ZR17 Goodyears to apply the hardware. The 5.0L powertrain was also improved with a larger intake manifold feeding large port heads with roller rocker arms. The flow capacity of the fuel pump and injectors was increased, and the engine control computer was recalibrated to meet economy and emissions standards. Improvements were also made to the clutch and transmission, while rear disc brakes were…

Do you feel the need, the need for speed? Or do you dream of having the bad-dest-looking street ride in the city? If you do, then you’re already a hot rodder at heart. Now all you need to do is put that energy to work and build yourself a hot rod. Because rule number one in this sport is that hot rodding is a participant event. you have to get involved. For those of you already involved with the sport, you may want to pass this story along to a young guy or gal interested in high-performance cars since this story is intended to help them out the most. What we are presenting here is a strategy for becoming a competent hot rodder with the least ’ amount of frustration…

High-output electric fuel pumps are necessary when fuel delivery becomes critical to engine life or performance, as in high-horsepower or nitrous-injected applications. We visited Mark Hamilton at M.A.D. Enterprises to learn the right way to install Mallory’s Comp 140 electric pump. SOURCES M.A.D. EnterprisesDept. HR0615180 Raymer St.Van Nuys, CA 91405818/786-5725 Mallory, Inc.Dept. HR06550 Mallory Wy.Carson, NV 89701702/882-6600…

Ever since the first hydraulic braking system was designed many years ago, technicians have sought out new ways of bleeding these systems of unwanted air, which can create a mushy pedal and inconsistent braking. With the Mityvac vacuum pump, you can bleed your entire braking system quickly and easily by yourself. And there’s no need to pump the brake pedal, because this system draws air bubbles with vacuum rather than pushing them through with pressure. It’s easy, it’s fast, and it works! SOURCE The Eastwood CompanyDept. HR06Box. 296, 580 Lancaster AveMalvern. PA 19335800/345-1178…

PASHNS 1 Randy and Rhonda Tippit dubbed their ’60 Impala "PASHNS 1" (pronounced patience) because that’s what it took to build it—over 18 years of patience. Randy inherited the car from his mother after the engine blew up in 1974. Since then he has logged over 462,000 miles on the Impala! He also married Rhonda in it, but they divorced because of the car and Randy’s obsession with hot rodding. They later remarried and now have two daughters, Nikole and Stacie. Whew! Then in 1984 the couple decided to "restore" their Impala in a ’50s/’60s style, and the entire car was taken apart before it was completely rebuilt. The body is mostly stock with a few customizing details. The taillights are ’59 Cad units that were sunk three inches, and…

HOT TRUCKS It’s no surprise that pickups are one of the most popular ways to go hot rodding in the ’90s. Everywhere you look, trucks are being slammed, polished, and smoothed with the latest in mechanical and visual variations. To meet this ever-increasing hunger for high-quality hot rod hardware, new manufacturers are producing innovative products at an increasing rate, while existing companies continue to expand with an amazing array of parts and pieces. These include interior components, body updates, suspension mods, horsepower hop-ups, and everything in between. To give you some idea of the wealth of components that are currently available for your pickup, we’ve brought together a few examples that are sure to please. Whether subtle or sensational, the parts are here. All you have to do is decide…

A REAL HOT RODDER’S CAM Q I installed a 3O6 duration, .447-inch lift cam in an otherwise stock 350. Needless to say, I was shocked when I experienced less power and much more gas consumption. It was almost enough to make me quit hot rodding. What did I do wrong? Jock WilliamsHannibal, Ohio A All of us have made the mistake of over-camming an engine at least once. An engine is a combination of parts that, when they are chosen wisely, can produce plenty of horsepower. Long duration camshafts are necessary when you have an exhaust that can scavenge the cylinders very efficiently and an intake that can fill the cylinders full of air and fuel. Typically, stock camshafts are too conservative, but your cam choice held the valves open…

When Chet Herbert introduced roller tappet camshafts to racing in 1950, he established an upper echelon of performance hardware that continues to carry that hard-core mystique. The roller tappet design liberates cam lobe specs from the restrictions inflicted by flat tappets. Rollers use a very small tappet-to-lobe contact area that allows a more radical rate of lift per degree of cam rotation. This has traditionally been reserved for racers who combine frightful lift and duration with the abrupt opening and closing rates offered by roller cams. While rollers used to be strictly race track fare, more recent use of hydraulic rollers by both GM and Ford has allowed them to migrate to the street where they can provide less or equal duration than the stock cam, but with far greater…

TRANSYLVANIA TURN ON Even though the Baltic States are in political turmoil, all is well with Steve Andersen’s Frankenstude. Builder Greg Fleury has completed the basic body mods and chassis construction and has commissioned Cary Weisner to finish the metal work and paint detail. Meanwhile, Thom Taylor, Frankenstude’s designer, is selling ¼-scale (49x19 inches) hand-laid fiberglass copies, like this one, of his creation. But be forewarned, they aren’t cheap! For more information, call Ground Zero Design at 714/661-7217.…

In our February ’92 issue, we mentioned Valvoline’s tech tip campaign where you could share your tech ideas with hot rodding legend Boyd Coddington. Here’s the final word on it. Valvoline has launched a campaign where you’ll be able to let Boyc know about your hot rodding ideas. Look for the Valvoline ad with the removable insert card in this issue and the July issue. Jot down your tech tip, send it in, and it will be forwarded to Boyd for his review. I: your idea is chosen by Boyd as one of the most creative, practical, innovative, anc logical, you’ll receive one of hundreds of great prizes such as Valvoline’s remote con trol cars, racing hats, or posters. Each submitted card, whether it has a tech tip 01 not,…

First we had CadZZilla. Then Frankenstude. Now it’s CheZoom. The guys behind CheZoom, which began as Thom Taylor’s total rework of a ’57 Chevy, is Mr. Gasket himself, Joe Hrudka and wheelmeister Boyd Coddington. As in the case of CadZZilla and Frankenstude, little of the original car will be retained. CheZoom will be supported by a Golden Gate bridge-like, 2x3-inch rectangular tube frame and suspended by ’92 Corvette underpinnings. Its powerplant and drivetrain are also from a LT1 Corvette. As you can see, its radically reworked envelope will approximate what Robbie Vandergrift runs on the Super Mod circuit. CheZoom is scheduled to be completed by October of 1992, which is just in time for the ’92 SEMA Show.…

CadZZilla, FrankenStude, CheZoom. Mad sheetmetal scientists have set the potion in motion with the creation of these motorized monsters. The latest in this warped trend is a ’48 Packard Clipper from Dave Koffel, the man who brought you the killer Mopar Bl cylinder heads. Koffe’s “Pack-Mad” started life as a four-door, but the pillars were moved forward and the doors merged into one per side. Innocent acres of sheetmetal have been chopped, channeled, nosed, sectioned, and tubbed. Custom sculptured handy work graces the roof, trunk, fender skirts, and dash. Under the cavernous hood of the mean Packard is a Kof-fel-built 498-inch low-block Mopar with 9.5:1 compression, a mild hydraulic roller cam, Bl heads and intake, and a single 750-cfm Holley. The snarling mill twists up 604 lbs-ft of torque at…

When Chris Ferruchie was in high school, he was fortunate enough to work at a service station that employed a few older guys that were into hot rods. Two of them owned Olds 442s and the other owned a wild ’65 427 Chevelle. If Chris was really good and finished all his work, they would allow him to wash and wax their cars on Friday afternoon before their big dates! That was a ’69 Nova and countless Camaros ago, and Chris doesn’t have to wash and wax anybody else’s hot rod to buy a fast ride. His latest ride started as a recovered stolen ’82 Camaro from a local salvage yard. The front sheetmetal was missing as was most of the interior, but it was exactly what Chris was looking…

Customized commercials are caloric. From half-ton short boxes to extended-cab one-tons, they’ve become perfect fuel for the hot rodder’s torrid touch. Rod builders like Boyd Coddington, painters such as Pete Santini, and dealerships such as Richard Hibbard Chevrolet (Claremont, California) and GMC Truck Center (Santa Fe Springs, California) are modifying and selling these beautified beasts of burdens at an astounding rate. The reason is simple. These highway hotties have trick wheels and wide weenies, wild paint schemes, cool rolled pans, punched louvers, and an aftermarket grille. Best of “haul.” enterprising dealerships are doing the option thing once again. They’re stocking (with a full factory warranty and financing) real fullsize trucks with such eye appealing goodies as Boyds or Alcoa wheels, Bell Tech suspensions, and color-coordinated tonneau covers, in addition to…

The contrast between the Oakland Roadster Show’s America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) and the Michigan Hot Rod Association’s (MHRA) Riddler Award winner couldn’t be more stark. Dennis Varni’s AMBR winner is the essence of hot rodding—a classic ’29 A on deuce rails. The MHRA’s Riddler ’32 champ, which is owned by Jim Stewart, is what rodding has become—a subtle blending of ancient sheet-metal with fully machined billet parts. Yet both award winners have one thing in common. They represent mirror images of hot rodding’s four “Fs”: fit, finish, function, and finesse. These four Fs will be the focus on why Varni’s street roadster and Stewart’s street sedan were chosen to be this year’s gold dust twins. ’29 HIGHBOY ROADSTER DENNIS VARNI/LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA Veteran readers of Rod & Custom magazine…

The reasons for replacing an early points-type ignition system with a GM High Energy Ignition (HEI) system are endless. Not only will it clean up the engine compartment by placing the coil on top of the distributor, but you’ll never have to change or adjust points again! A salvage yard distributor can be rebuilt or an aftermarket HEI system can be installed to provide a stronger high-performance spark. Another benefit to using a factorystyle HEI is the readily available replacement parts. Installation is a breeze, but Mark Hamilton at M.A.D. Enterprises points out some important items that should receive attention during the installation. As with any electrical work, begin by disconnecting the battery. You’ll need to reconnect it to perform our resistance test, but disconnect it immediately afterward. Quicker and…

Considering the abuse that front grilles are subjected to, it isn’t surprising that they can become the most thrashed part of your car. But that’s no excuse for leaving them that way! In this how-to article, we’ll show you a quick and easy way to improve on the ravages of time. Just tape off the area to be painted, sand it, prime it, and paint it in a color that makes the most out of your car. For this story, we used a Krylon spray can silver acrylic enamel that contrasts well with the Marina-blue body color.…

Making an early musclecar stop as easily as it accelerates can be as challenging as fitting four adults in an early Camaro. But the extra stopping power gained from upgrading to front disc brakes is well worth the effort. For some models, there are salvage yard swaps that will work and are plentiful in some areas. For models which can’t be upgraded with salvage yard parts or if parts are not available in your area, companies such as Global West, JFZ, Stainless Steel Brakes, and Wilwood make kits that include everything you’ll need to do a complete disc-brake upgrade. Every self-respecting hot rodder should make sure that his or her ride stops as well as it accelerates, and front discs can help you stop a little short of your expectations!…

Drag racing is the standard measure of a hot rod’s performance, but many rodders have never actually raced on a dragstrip. Here’s a basic primer on what you need to know to look like a pro at the bracket races.…

While there are countless updates you can make to your car, the one you’ll come in contact with the most is the steering wheel. Installing an aftermarket wheel is easier than you might think, and the rewards are well worth the effort. So get your hands on a new wheel, and take a turn for the better. In addition to its large selection of steering wheels, Grant also offers a vehicle security system that makes it impossible for a thief to drive away with your car. Mounted between your column and steering wheel, it’s almost invisible. The key to this system is that it allows the owner to remove the steering wheel and attach an end plate when the car is parked. Upon returning, the driver simply removes the end…

If you had a car called a “Beaver,” you probably wouldn’t consider it Pro Street material. As silly as it seems, that’s the name that was destined for Dodge’s new A-body in 1971. Thankfully, Dodge changed its mind and dubbed it “Demon,” a moniker more conducive to the red-hot and wicked creation you see here. When Kenny Richard bought this 72 Demon 340 it was a 8500 clapped-out bracket racer. The financial and mechanical burden of racing soon crossed paths with connecting rods hanging out of the block, so Kenny chose the show car route. Flaming red paint, an owner-stitched interior, and a set of obese Mickeys contribute to a winning stance. A monochromatic engine, transmission, underbody, and bumpers don’t hurt either. It’s very clean and very contemporary. With a…