1965 Ranchero 445

[BOutlaw]

I like the vinyl magnetic sticker idea. I'm not big on product endorsement because I'm not gonna get any contingency cash, but what a good idea for a name on side of car. I guess these car wrap vinyl sticker guys would be able to create a larger magnetic stick on, like your "Rory McNeil" sticker on the side.

Regarding the use of a C4, I considered that, but with the adapter and the trans it would have been way more than a C6, and since I'm just basically turning race gas into noise, it just wasn't the best financial decision.  I have heard the C6 really robs HP and I really don't have any to waste, but I think the engine is in the 450 to 500 range and Im very happy with how it performs.

Thanks again for your comments

[e philpott]

If I named my car I would have " Torture Chamber " on it , lol , my Buddy's 57 Chevy Gasser  is called the Dog by friends but the car says Junk Yard Dog and is on the cover of the latest Jegs catalog

[BOutlaw]

The 57 wagon on Jegs catalog is a way cool gasser. The name seems to fit the car, although it certainly doesn't look junky. I'm still searching for the right name. I guess Ill know it when I discover it...Ive never named a car, just called it what it is, like the "coupe" and the "ranchero".

I hope the nice weather holds thru the weekend, I want to test the ranchero, if possible, see if my "miss" is gone, and check the intake/adapter upgrade.

Thanks again to everyone for all the comments and advice.

[manofmerc]

As far as c-6 transbrakes go .A man in Canada Frank Merkel make the best trans brake to my knowledge .He can be found on the 429-460 forum I have his trans brake in my comet drag car and it has worked flawlessly .You don't seem to be ready for a trans brake but keep him in mind .He is a c-6 guru and willing to answer your questions .Doug

[BOutlaw]

Thanks Doug, its nice to hear from someone with first hand experience on a workable C6 trans brake. As you noted, I'm not sure I'm ready for a trans brake but after your post, I checked and Merkel seems to be the guy.

Looks like tomorrow is another weekend washout in Mississippi, so not able to test...again...maybe next weekend. I replaced the MSD cap and rotor and I think I can actually tell a difference just buzzing the engine to 5500, so I think the cap and plugs were the miss issue all along. When ever I can run again, Ill post the times with the new intake and adapter.

[thatdarncat]

Looks like tomorrow is another weekend washout in Mississippi, so not able to test...again...maybe next weekend...

That's not bad, opening race weekend canceled up here due to a foot of snow on the way. Next weekend not looking good either.

[BOutlaw]

FINALLY got some rainless weekend weather here in central Mississippi. Took the Ranchero to a small local track east of here for test and tune Friday nite. Ist runs with the new FE Power intake adapter and Yates 351C intake. I also phased the MSD distributor (adjustable rotor)and added one step colder NGK spark plugs. Other than these three changes the engine is exactly as before.
Prior to these runs Friday nite, the best time I had ever run was a 6.80, and a 6.85 and that was in the evening on a well prepped track back in early March.  The other runs in March were all 695s averaging 1.55/1.60 60 ft.
The First run Friday nite was a 6.83, 1.49 60 ft, 100.34 mph, 2nd, 6.81, 1.499, 100.57, 3rd was 6.86, 1.47, 99.15 (with a 200 lb passenger), last was 6.797, 1.486, 100.78.
The miss I had from the last outing where I over revved the car is gone. I suspect it was a combination of sparkplugs, crappy MSD cap, and rev limiter set to low (Thanks Blair)

The track wasn't prepped at all and got so wet later I put the car on the trailer. I'm very happy with the improved times and believe that the car is capable of more. I'm still learning how to drive the car and seem to be making small improvements with regards to consistency.

I was concerned about the 60 ft times with the single plane intake but got my best 60 ft times ever. The car just felt different. I  want to thank Jay for his help. I'm very happy with the intake and adapter and the excellent service I received.
I just ran the valves in preparation for next weeks race and they were all good, along with the rockers and pushrods. I guess I'm ready and very excited.

If I could just get in the 6.60s, Id be happy and quit buying race parts......

[jayb]

Glad to see that intake is working for you Brad, the 60 foot times indicate that you have better ETs to come...

[Blackhawk2]

Hey Brad,

Love the look of the car!  I have a question.  I am also building a 65 Ranchero and I want to put a straight axle under it.  Where did you get yours from?  Do you know the measurements and are you happy with it?

I haven't been able to dig up any real credible information on installing one of these in a ranchero.

Thanks in advance for any info.

[e philpott]

More generic but a good read on whats involved parts wise and set up

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/Gasser%20Sales%20Info.pdf

https://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/916-3903.pdf

if its for hard core wheelies WAC Customs has chromolly axles

[BOutlaw]

Straight axle install pretty much per Speedway instructions, except with shackle in front rather than back. I also reinforced stock frame rails with 3/16 plate. So far axle holding up well but no hard core wheelies. I would go with ford spindles rather than Chevy as disc brakes for the Ford are much larger. I went with Chevy because the spindles were slightly larger than the early Ford offered, big mistake, Chevy spindle has 9 inch rotors, and now I'm having trouble holding the car.

[Blackhawk2]

Thanks for the information guys.

One more question.  Do you know what the hub to hub measurement is?  I want to keep it relatively stock looking as far as the width.

[BOutlaw]

I'd have to measure the car to get hub to hub. Just measure your track width you have now. I went a little wider on track width just for looks. Be advised the front wheels you plan to use may affect track width depending on back space of the wheels. Also, the gasser axle kit from Speedway has the same 9 inch discs whether you use Chevy or Ford spindles. You could order brakes separate and they may work a deal in exchange for the smaller brake/rotors included with the kit.
Good Luck

[BOutlaw]

I used the 48 inch wide straight axle from Speedway, with Chevy spindles in kit, hub to hub is 56 1/2 inches. With Ford spindles, 48 inch axle, hub to hub is 56 1/4 inch.

[Blackhawk2]

Thanks for the reply.  That's what I was looking for.