Thread: 41 Willys Gasser project

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Weather been a bit on off today but managed to get a bit done amongst the interuptions.

Originally was using a Vega box but just not enough clearance on engine as its a bit lower in the frame than most, Alternative was to use a Land Rover box, these are very underated and easy to mount and work real nice.

The box is fitted with a built in column which was no use to me so i cut it off just above the top bearing, doing this means a oil seal has to be fitted on top of the top bearing, a 1.75" OD 3/4" ID seal presses straight in.

The iiner column was then cut down, the majority of it is tube but the bottom couple of inches is bar so 2 flats were ground on it and then it was fitted with a double D UJ.

I will bore a 2" hole in the side rail when the engine is next out as the hole has to have a sleeve welded in to the hole, also the mounting bolts need sleeves welding in also.








While having a tidy up i came across a pair of shocks i had bought at some time, they are new and had the right dimensions so i thought i would get them fitted today.








The shocks had a 2 bolt lower fixing so that was removed and i spun a couple of adaptrs up on the lathe for the shock to mount on and also space them off the front axle slightly.








The top mount was made from 1/8" flat plate, a few holes were added so they are slightly less boring.








All welded and bolted in place.

I like that box, Steve! Looks like a real nice size to fit in and if Land Rover built it it's probably tough as nails, too! I like the shock mounts, too! I've noted that most gassers have the shocks mounted vertical on the front of the axle, like your's are Steve.... Do you know if there's a particular reason for this, or just a personal preference deal?

Hi Dave, i seem to have problems getting into the site these days 8-(

I mounted the shocks straight up as thats the way they are designed for, when they are laid over they lose a certain percentage of their efficiency. always makes me laugh when i see cars with them mounted at 45 degrees as they ain't doing much damping at all.

Yeah, I've got a chart somewhere leftover from circle burnin' that shows percentage lost at a given angle... Before the days of rebuildable and tuneable shocks, used to use shock angle as a chassis tuning aid. But the very max recomended was 20 degrees.... Got to be useful then, now we just order the valving we want with the mounting angle remaining constant.

Nothing quite so technical on this one Dave, these are what i had laying around

Well, that works too! About all a gasser needs on the front is something to cushion a bit when the front wheels land!

Too right Dave

Spent yesterday evening making up some 60's style wheelie bars, I did a bit of searching around and got contacted by an old gas racer from the 60's who gave me the info i needed.
I started with a pair of 5" OD steel wheels with a rubber tyre that i found on ebay, then my mate Mark Bull donated a pair of 1956 International truck springs which i cut 3" behind the centre bolt.
Next i plasma cut a axle mounting bracket from 3/8" plate and used 56 Chevy truck U bolts to clamp it together.
I'm pretty pleased how they came out !!! Just hope i don't need them !!!

Nice! Didn't realize they use leaf springs for those, but I imagine it gives the flex and support you'd need.

I guess they used what was about and readily available Steve

I'm like Steve Stovens, didn't realize that they used multiple leaves like that, but it makes sense that they will give you an increasing force with added compression which is ideal. Great installation detail, as usual.

Lookin great Steve as usual. You are building one of my favorite cars here with this Willys. Keep up the great work. Don Jr.

We were talking about you and your Willys at the shop tonight, Steve. It is really coming along nicely.

Don

My question is wouldn't one axle that ran from one side to the other for the wheelie wheels to mount on be a stronger more equal part??.I am guessing you would want both wheels contacting in a torque twist situation and not say just one which I would guess would not steer the car straight in a single spring rebound.


I guess what I am saying is one axle from eyelet to eyelet would help keep the springs square to the car as well.

No hot rod is complete without some Cornbinder parts...............