hi --
this isn't a new build, it's a continuous build, i guess... i built a roadster from a 1961 Rambler American, shaved off 800 lbs, it weighs 2250 with me and a half tank of gas in it... rambler six powered. been driving it over a year, reasonably hard. i made it to (vintage) rally, long desert road trips, work, etc. i've driven it from here in Los Angeles to Santa Fe NM and back, then Tucson and back, recently, through the Panamint and Death valleys.
here's the car...
on the way home i stripped the synchros off the stupid T96 transmission. again. if you've never heard of this trans, there's good reason, it's a total piece of crap, the major feature of, besides overdrive, is that it fits in the hole. i wasn't even shifting it hard, just 2 to 3 on the freeway.
the current project is to install a 1998 Mustang axle so that i can run the thoroughly modern (erm) T14 transmission... i have one, in great shape. adapting a T5 is "obvious", but the gears aren't a good match for this motor, and this chassis is really a 1956 Nash Rambler and has a number of weird features that make it more difficult (like no transmission crossmember) that complicate things.
the current rear axle is all Nash -- rambler folk call it the "big nut" axle because the rear end of the driveshaft attaches via spline and locking collar that requires 300 ft lbs applied with two comically large wrenches.
i'm ditching the big-nut rear for the Mustang part. gotta get it narrowed first (this week). that will put 2400 engine rpm at 64 mph in 3rd (1:1). i'll also get rear disc brakes, which to be honest, i don't need; i have hotrodded (ventilated) oversized (Gremlin) drum brakes up front, given the light weight they're fine. so a scarebird kits up front.
with the mustang rear the T14 slides in the hole. clutch and T96 shifter work as-is. the trans is the least of my worries (famous last words...)
the rear suspension is also custom. it used to be a leaf setup. it's now a rigid wishbone with panhard, air springs over each axle tube; geometry-wise, it's a torque tube, sort of like a single "truck arm" but the front end is a huge heim joint a few inches in front of the front U-joint. the one i'm running now has problems and so on the Mustang rear i'm improving it (and making it adjustable). zero axle wrap, very small pinion angle change, zero articulation binding, super lightweight, you can make 'em at home, etc. i don't know why it's so rare. i don't have good pics of the current setup but will make 'em for the new one.
so the current build is to get the axle narrowed, wishbone built, axle in place, transmission, brakes (hyd and park) in, driveshaft made.
i'll post pics as i go. work starts hopefully in the morning.
this isn't a new build, it's a continuous build, i guess... i built a roadster from a 1961 Rambler American, shaved off 800 lbs, it weighs 2250 with me and a half tank of gas in it... rambler six powered. been driving it over a year, reasonably hard. i made it to (vintage) rally, long desert road trips, work, etc. i've driven it from here in Los Angeles to Santa Fe NM and back, then Tucson and back, recently, through the Panamint and Death valleys.
here's the car...
on the way home i stripped the synchros off the stupid T96 transmission. again. if you've never heard of this trans, there's good reason, it's a total piece of crap, the major feature of, besides overdrive, is that it fits in the hole. i wasn't even shifting it hard, just 2 to 3 on the freeway.
the current project is to install a 1998 Mustang axle so that i can run the thoroughly modern (erm) T14 transmission... i have one, in great shape. adapting a T5 is "obvious", but the gears aren't a good match for this motor, and this chassis is really a 1956 Nash Rambler and has a number of weird features that make it more difficult (like no transmission crossmember) that complicate things.
the current rear axle is all Nash -- rambler folk call it the "big nut" axle because the rear end of the driveshaft attaches via spline and locking collar that requires 300 ft lbs applied with two comically large wrenches.
i'm ditching the big-nut rear for the Mustang part. gotta get it narrowed first (this week). that will put 2400 engine rpm at 64 mph in 3rd (1:1). i'll also get rear disc brakes, which to be honest, i don't need; i have hotrodded (ventilated) oversized (Gremlin) drum brakes up front, given the light weight they're fine. so a scarebird kits up front.
with the mustang rear the T14 slides in the hole. clutch and T96 shifter work as-is. the trans is the least of my worries (famous last words...)
the rear suspension is also custom. it used to be a leaf setup. it's now a rigid wishbone with panhard, air springs over each axle tube; geometry-wise, it's a torque tube, sort of like a single "truck arm" but the front end is a huge heim joint a few inches in front of the front U-joint. the one i'm running now has problems and so on the Mustang rear i'm improving it (and making it adjustable). zero axle wrap, very small pinion angle change, zero articulation binding, super lightweight, you can make 'em at home, etc. i don't know why it's so rare. i don't have good pics of the current setup but will make 'em for the new one.
so the current build is to get the axle narrowed, wishbone built, axle in place, transmission, brakes (hyd and park) in, driveshaft made.
i'll post pics as i go. work starts hopefully in the morning.