Indholdsfortegnelse for February 1994 i Hot Rod

THE OTHER NEW FORD ’94 THUNDERBIRD SUPER COUPE All of the hoopla and excitement concerning the new Mustang overshadowed the other good news at Ford Motor Company—namely, an updated exterior styling and completely new interior for the Thunderbird. The Super Coupe (shown) is still available with its supercharged intercooled 3.8L V6 while a 4.6L modular V8 is a new optional engine for the LX. The Thunderbird also receives Ford’s new EEC-V ECM for better engine management. The body received a fresh nose, rear fascia and side molding, producing an aggressive look fitting for the family sport/musclecar. The interior has also been redesigned and features a wraparound instrument and control panel similar to the one found in the new Mustang. The seats, door panels and console are also new. Finally, the…

Project Fast-Forward F-Body will cover all the bases when it comes to upgrading an early third-generation Camaro to current standards, including appearance. While the ’82 Z/28 was bold and trendy when it initially hit the streets, it is dated compared to the later third-generation cars. The body changes Chevrolet made over the 11-year production run were limited to front and rear fascias and side moldings, but the later, smoother pieces made a tremendous difference in the car’s image. Since the changes included only those trim pieces, updating an ’82-’84 Z/28 or any year third-generation base-model Camaro to ’85-’9O or ’91-’92 specs is pretty straightforward. Mike Paradis and Leon Miller at Cars, Trucks & Concepts handled the conversion for us while fixing minor body flaws and spraying the car with the…

A few years ago, the Unocal oil company convinced the government that older cars are a major cause of air pollution. Unocal also swung a deal to get pollution credits for destroying those cars, allowing the company to continue producing air pollution from refineries if it destroyed the equivalent number of cars that, in theory, would make the same amount of pollution in one year as the plant. The cars were purchased from individuals for about $700 each. Rumor has it that the smog credit from each car is worth around $1600 and that gas companies buy and sell the credits, but we couldn’t verify that by press time. Today, over 10,000 older cars have been destroyed, and California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District has enacted Rule 1142 and…

Everyone’s definition of a real street car is a little different. Most will agree that, with a couple of exceptions, the Pro Street cars at this year’s Fastest Street Car In America Shootout were right on the ragged edge of what you could call streetable. Mark Tale was looking to improve-on last year’s first-round loss, and he did exactly that by winning the race in spectacular fashion, including a massive engine explosion in the lights in the final round! The ’67 Camaro was originally built to conform to the i BA NMCA’s now-defunct Top Gun class rules, which required mufflers and DOT tires. To do that, car builder Mike Matheos designed the NHRA-legal, 1 5/8-inch mild-steel tubing around a B I massive 8-inch engine setback and the largest Flowmaster mufflers…

Understanding the basics of metals, what types of metals are required for different applications and the processes to make those metals will allow you to get your hot rod running great right out of the box—and keep it that way. The basic question that needs to be asked is, “What is metal?” If everything on earth were broken down into its most basic form, there would be over 100 documented pure substances left called elements. Those elements cannot be changed into any other material—they are as simple as a material can be. Some of the more common elements on earth are oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. A metal is an element or combination of elements that has some or all of the following properties: can conduct electricity, can conduct heat, is…

Last year, we celebrated HOT ROD magazine’s 45th anniversary, but we haven’t put away the party hats just yet. In a continuation of the festivities—as well as to provide a way to help inform our readership of a new Hot Rod Harleys bimonthly magazine—we’re taking our Harley-Davidson motorcycle coverage to a new level. The project you see taking shape here will become a one-of-a-kind commemoration of HOT ROD’s history, which will be especially significant because our founder, Robert E. “Pete” Petersen, was a Harley guy during the earliest days of his career in publishing. This bike is dedicated to him and to the heritage he has established for all hot rodders. And if the idea of building your own bike sounds like something you’d like to pursue, you’ll definitely want…

RAT-PLANT Q I have a Chevy 454 engine that I would like to drop into an ’80 Z/28 Camaro that had a 305. Who makes the necessary parts (engine mounts and exhaust manifolds) to make this conversion? Brian WunderlichBurlington, Iowa A Big-block Chevrolet engines will install on small-block-engine frame mounts. A Camaro could be bought with a big-block through 72 (and the Camaro chassis is primarily the same from 70-’81), so use motor mounts listed for a 70-72 big-block Camaro. Factory cast-iron manifolds for this application will be difficult to locate. Hooker Industries (Dept. HR02, 1024 W. Brooks, Ontario, CA 91762, 909/983-5871) makes 1 3/4-, 1 7/8-, 2- and 2 1/8-inch primary-tube headers for this application (see the footnotes in the Hooker catalog for fitment comments). All accessory (power steering,…

Let’s face it: Many of the high-profile cars that appear in magazines are just pretty faces—Hollywood hardware with fake facades. Many of them couldn’t lay down a respectable number on the dragstrip or even put 100 miles on the clock without major difficulties. The good news is that engineering is on the rise in hot rodding. As an example, take a look at Danny Shaffer’s ’55 Chevy. Danny wanted a bad ’55—a street machine that not only looked evil but could perform the part as well. Like every hot rodder, Danny wanted the car to be capable of both blistering dragstrip escapades and mild street manners. That’s why he joined forces with Fred Moore’s Eagle Productions in his own backyard of Bakersfield, California. Fred is a self-taught fabricator and engineer…

Members of the street-rod movement recognize the name Gary Heidt. He’s the guy behind Heidt’s Hot Rod Shop. For those who don’t know him, Gary builds and sells independent front suspensions (Superide or Mustang II) and related chassis components—something he’s done since the day he switched from engineering dentist-drill bits to designing chassis packages. His ’33 three-window caused the switch. “In the’spring of 1978,” recalls Gary, “I bought the coupe from my pal Dave Spoeth. It was an Uncle Daniel, with totally stock sheetmetal and a semirace flathead under its hood.” The car underwent a series of owner-induced upgrades—a chronology of suspension changes, drivetrain and driveline alterations, body modifications (Gary taught himself metal massaging, then chopped and filled his own top) and a rebuilding of the original interior. Then, nine…

The 200-mph taxicabs of NASCAR’s Winston Cup series have proven to be the best show in town, bar none. Ever since the days of the Southern ’shine runners taking weekend breaks from racing the law on back roads to race each other on Saturday-night dirt ovals, nothing has matched the visceral thrill of 40-plus 2-ton sedans screaming around a racetrack at insane speeds, three abreast through comers, knocking each other around more often than not. It’s an all-American sport with a culture all its own. One of the reasons that Winston Cup is so popular is the limitations on technology that the rules impose, making it hard to win a championship simply by throwing money at a car (which is definitely the case with most other forms of racing). Look…

The How It Works series has up to this point been an explanation of the automobile’s basic operating systems, from the engine’s four-stroke cycle all the way to the differential. We’ve intentionally glossed over the individual parts and minute details to instead look at the whole picture. But now that we’ve covered the major components, we’re going to get increasingly technical and start focusing on the individual parts, which make all the difference in how these systems work to make a car go fast. Last month’s How It Works explained the hows and wherefores of piston design. This month’s installment will run rings around that subject—literally—as we discuss how piston rings work and why an engine needs them. A piston’s function is to draw in the air/fuel mixture, compress it…

Rod runs (or rod parks, take your choice) can provide observers with a peek into the future—especially if the events are regional in scope and attract cars that aren’t what one would call pro built. For the last 11 years, the Shades of the Past car club—a live-wire group of street rodders from Knoxville, Tennessee—has staged a revival of the old Gatlinburg rod run, which they renamed Pigeon Forge. Pigeon Forge XII is scheduled to be held September 9 and 10, 1994, and is open to all ’48-and-earlier street rods. In addition to the fun and haps, the boys will be giving away a Deuce Vicky and an unfinished ’33 three-window for those who enter prior to May 15. Additional information can be secured by contacting Shades of the Past…

Hot rodders are known for making ice cream from horse manure. That’s not an easy task, but it’s one we seem to enjoy. Bill Presta started his S-10 project with a theft-recovery vehicle that had been completely shipped. That was fine with Bill, since the initial cash outlay of $200 left him plenty of dough to build the truck the way he wanted to. In a year’s time, Bill’s truck went from stripper to Streeter. He had Mike Thomas narrow the rear framerails 3 inches and mount a ’78 Camaro rearend using Bell Tech Nitro Drop shocks to control the bounce. The front received Bell Tech 2-inch-dropped spindles and Bell Tech springs. Boyds wheels reside at each comer covered with BFGoodrich rubber. Since the engine bay was empty when Bill…

It’s cool to drive a vehicle that requires both arms and the strength of Schwarzenegger to turn a corner. The suspension has more ups and downs than the current economy, and it’s a battle just to keep the car in one lane as you drive down the road. It’s cool, that is, for about the first week. Then a combination of fatigue and concern for safety takes over and suggests that maybe the 30-plus-year-old chassis needs an update. If your car or truck has an independent front suspension, a complete rebuild using stock replacement parts will probably make its ride and turning ability a little more livable. But that won’t decrease steering and brake effort, and you will still have ancient suspension geometry. Straight-axle-equipped vehicles are even worse. If enjoyment…

Eddie Van Halen is recognized by most people under the age of 30 as one of the best rock ’n’ roll guitarists of all time. Eddie is also a hot rodder, owning a Pro Street ’56 Chevy, a Nomad, a GMC Syclone and other high-performance vehicles. So it’s not surprising that Eddie has become involved with one of our sister magazines, Sport Truck, to build a cool, late-model truck. While the typical appearance and stance mods will be performed on the truck later, what turned us on were the performance fixes. The truck left the GM assembly plant as a six-cylinder base model with an automatic transmission. That just wasn’t going to punch the ticket for Eddie, but rather than ruin the reliability of a new vehicle by installing a…

BILLY ROY’S LONE STAR TOY Big-block, four-speed Camaros get the HOT ROD staff all aquiver with excitement, so when Bill Roy’s IROC Metallic Blue ’68 SS graced our mailbox, it was immediately placed in the “must run’’ Readers’ Rides file. Bill’s Euless, Texas, baby runs a 461-inch Rat motor with a Competition Cams stick, MSD electronics, an 850 Holley on a Chevy factory intake and Jet Hot-coated Hooker headers. The Muncie four-gear runs a Lakewood scattershield and Hays clutch and flywheel and sits ahead of a 4.10-geared 12-bolt. Chassis Engineering subframe connectors and traction bars _ help multileaf springs put it to the pavement. PILE TO WILD It’s too bad we can’t show you the “before” photo of Richard Willis’ ’56 Chevy because you’d be amazed at how much work…

Mark Grimes is Omaha, Nebraska’s equivalent of pro-pelual motion. He’s built more Pro Streeters than the Pope speaks languages, and his offerings represent a car-ticulative mix that includes a ’62 Nova, a ’65 Malibu, a ’72 Vega, a ’76 Chevette and an ’87 EuroSport… not to mention this ’68 Cadillac and another that’s under construction. Meanwhile, Mark is filling the void with his Pro Street Cad-vertible. “I bought the ragtop from the original owner’s son,” says Mark. “After I sold my ’62 Nova, I decided to tub and scrub my convert.” He teamed up with Jay Thompson to modify the frame, then replaced a portion of the original running gear with a 9-inch Currie-prepared rearend plus Monroes on the front and Carreras in the rear. As for rollers, try a…

You’ve just spent two weeks’ of time and two months’ of paychecks on a small-block for your street machine. It’s installed in the car; all the hoses are hooked up; the wiring appears to be correctly plugged in; there’s oil in the pan, gas in the carb, and the key is in the ignition. For first timers and veterans alike, this is the most anxious part of engine building: Lighting the fire for the first time. Will it start? If so, will it stay running? Will something break? Is fuel going to spew everywhere and burn your pride and joy to the ground? Slowly, the key is turned, the starter begins cranking, and… The end result depends on how much preparation was involved. If you did everything necessary, and the…

Project Freeway Fats is a ’39 Ford Tudor sedan. In this series of stories, we’re detailing the fabrication, restoration and assembly details of the car using some of the top builders in the country as sources. Many of the build-up techniques involved are common to all street rods, and many more are common to all types of hot rod projects, regardless of year, make or model. Project Freeway Fats is designed to draw upon those techniques and illustrate how to build a reliable, durable, daily-driven street rod. The emphasis will be less on flash than on function, and the greatest stress will be placed on the car’s handling, performance and safety. In the automobile’s earliest days, frames consisted of nothing more than a couple of straight rails and two or…

Believe it or not, HOT ROD is actually covering the Mopar Nationals. You MoLovers have been haranguing us for years to go to the Nats and many letters to this staffer (your resident Mopar dude) had been ignored as it looked like we’d never come check out the Pentastar action. But you finally convinced Editor Steve that the Mopar Nationals is the place to be, so we were on the plane to Indy. Indy! That’s right, 1993 was the first year that the MoNats moved from the Columbus, Ohio, location to Indianapolis Raceway Park. The big surprise was that—even though IRP is a serious venue that handles huge events such as the NHRA U.S. Nationals—no one was prepared for the monster turnout at the Mopar Nats! Each spectator in the…

Many of the more tasteful Harleys currently being built incorporate custom tricks that were originally seen on late-’50s lead sleds. That was before the more gaudy trends started, such as the overuse of trenching, total body reconstruction and angel hair. Instead, the idea was to stick to the basic design and add parts from other years or models to make the vehicle unique, tasteful and smooth. Most importantly, it had to have the look. That was probably the most trying part of building a custom. Some people obviously had it, while others obviously did not. We think Ron Simms of Bay Area Custom Cycle in Hayward, California, captured that look with his ’92 FLST Custom Harley. Even though this bike is built on an FXST (Softail) frame, Ron calls it…

FRONT CONTROL INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION Art Morrison custom builds complete front suspension assemblies for most years and models of vehicles popular for drag racing and street machining. The independent front suspension is designed to use 7172 Pinto spindles and steering assemblies as well as Morrison’s A-arms and coil-over shocks. For more information, contact Art Morrison Enterprises, Inc., Dept. HR02, 5301 8th St. E., Fife, WA 98424,206/922-7188. WHEN YOU’RE HOT… HIGH-TEMP COATING Metallic Ceramic Coatings, Inc. (MCCI) now offers Jet-Hot TDC, which is a new high-temperature coating that MCCI claims accelerates heat transfer through the walls of exhaust components. The coating acts like fins on a heating unit to transfer heat to passing air. For more information, contact Metallic Ceramic Coatings, Inc., Dept. HR02, 5602 Orchard Rd., Pascagoula, MS 29581, 601/769-2701. BILLET…

A bloody hand streaks through the air, discharging the offending 1/2-inch-drive ratchet into an excursion through the garage wall. The only thing more that you can thread a HeliCoil insert into the hole. The inside diameter of the HeliCoil insert is the same size as the original threads, making the hole useful once again. The kit we used piercing than the pain is the howl of agony that announces to neighbors three blocks down that you’ve stripped another bolt. While the prospect of ruined threads is never a joy, the solution is simple. All you need is the appropriate HeliCoil kit to permanently repair the damaged hole. With a HeliCoil kit, a stripped hole can be drilled and tapped to a larger size so was the HeliCoil part No. 5621…