Thread: Newbie here

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Hi room - New Guy here - old rodder from the 50's getting back into it - afraid I need alot of help - and will certainly appreciate anything you all can do- many thanks in advance - live in the Fallbrook, Calif. area - have a project car - 46' Ford 2dr Sedan - 85' Iroc-Z 305 TPI - 700R4 - Mustang 2 Front end - just finished building a new shop in backyard - lift and all - no more rolling around on the ground for this old guy - talk soon - Thanks - Charlyg

Welcome Charylg,

I don't know wether you got my e-mail but never the less you made it. These guys know what they are doing here I think you will like it. Tons of info and if they don't know there will be plenty of links offered to figure it out.
Bigg Redd

How about doing something exotic and unheard of for a Ford? Maybe by putting in a ford Flathead motor in it or any ford motor at that! Or maybe even a straight axle!

What is wrong with straight axles? Do you think they dont turn around corners? The mustang 2 ifs is a very poorly designed setup. People forget they were designed for subcompacts not full size cars.

I dont even know what to say about putting a 305 with a 700r4 in a 46 ford. Does ford not make any motors or motor parts anymore? Are there no more flatheads or 302 s anymore?

How about something really different! Put a manual trannsmission behind your engine.

All my cars are either running flatheads or straight axles. The only over head valve egines I have are in cars that are running straight axles, and those two arent registered.

Originally posted by suedeplymouth

The mustang 2 ifs is a very poorly designed setup. People forget they were designed for subcompacts not full size cars.

Okay Suede, I gotta ask after a harsh comment like that. How many MII/Pinto suspended cars have you had that taught you that lesson? Have you had some factual experience that you can share with us?

Just wondering since there are several thousand rodders out there that have had just fine experience with MII geometry. In my hot rod experience I've had both the beam axle systems you adore, and the MII based system. In fact, right now I have 3 cars with beam axles, and two with MII setups. They each have their purpose, but set up correctly, they work as expected, sometimes better. But then, I've only been doing this for 40 years, so I'm always open to fresh input.

Well for one thing im an offroad ralleye nut. Ive offroaded and raced since I was 9. Ive wrecked probably 50 cars, at least a dozen 75-82 stangs. Theyre cheap and when stripped damn quick. Best of all youd usually get them for free. Theyd all die the same way, the front end would give out, get twisted, bent or something. Youd jump a little hill a dozen times then suddenly it would bend.

As far as the mustang 2 setup is concerned, just because a lot of people are doing something doesnt make it right. Do you not realize the fact that there is a hundred companies making airplane grade alluminum parts for the m2 ifs is that the design must be too spindly? A straight axle will never bend on you like that. You get no where near the ride comfort but the cornering ability is the same.

You said there are several thousand rodders using the m2 ifs setup? There probably is at least that. But theyre street rodders not hot rodders. The "hot" emphasizes performance over looks as to where "street" means I want this thing to act and drive exactly like a new Cadillac.

You may have been playing with cars for 40 years, but im 3rd generation hot rodder. My grandad raced model T's and later A's for cash. My dad did the same with dodge powered A's in the 60's.
I may not be in Hot Rod magazine like either of them or even living in socal anymore but I still haunt the dragstrip in my slow ass plymouth.

Suede, you are abosolutely right, the stock units with the stamped arms are weak. However, all the ones I have installed use DOM tubing for the arms, and on many I have used the Heidt's spindles instead of stock Fords. These units are very well built, the geometry is perfect, and the ride is great when set up right. Saying they don't hold up doing the baja think is like comparing apples to oranges, it is not what they are designed for. I'm not a big off road fan, but I have noticed the racers for the most parts are all using IFS fronts, reinforced with lift kits and very long travel suspension systems. I've been at this hot rod stuff for awhile, and much prefer the ride and handling of an IFS to any straight axle I ever owned. Why does this make me a non-hotrodder???

Welcome Charlie,

I'm glad to hear you're back at it, the guys here are great, and have heaps of advice to listen to :d. with stacks of experience to back it up.

Hope you stick around, enjoy the ride, enjoy building your rod, and make sure you share some knoledge back this way.

Have a good one, and see you round,

Outback

Well suede, now that we're all better informed on your hot rod prowess I'm sure Charly can feel a lot better about your "warm" welcome.

For one thing I meant that as a half joke. For the other if your a street rodder dont call yourself a hot rodder.

Welcome to CHR Charlyg... Got any photos of that 46 Ford... Sounds like a cool ride!!!

Dave Brisco