Front Engine Dragster Build

[@sdnkjohnson]

Mike, old school hot rod building is really cool. l like the way you explain your ideas and the process of putting the dragster together. I would add to the steering mount, you are going to be holding on flying down the drag strip. Great videos as always.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thank you 🙏🏼. Yeah. I have it mocked up now. I’ll add the other mount in the future before everything comes apart. Having a blast building this thing. Thanks for following along and enjoying my process.

[@EdwardSterritt-k9k]

coming along looking good

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@floridian7143]

Thanks for sharing, always interesting and enjoyable.

[@bobgaylord8883]

I agree, Mike - it need at least two bolts to hold it securely. Great video.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@bobgaylord8883 in the works 😎👍🏼

[@miker7294]

Love what you’re doing. Keep it up.

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

Man Mike it's getting better and better but remember "build your car the way other people think you should build your car" lol man some people its just crazy.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@papasmodelcarroom8450 haha. Ya. I’ll make sure I remember that. The way other people say o should build it. 🤣🤣🤣.

[@danandersson3556]

Man! This is REAL hotrodding!! Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪 👍🏼

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks for following along 😎👍🏼🤙🏼

[@Ecosse57]

yeah the mount looks very good but i'd also agree adding another bit for the next stud over to keep the mount from pivoting.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

I’ve got it all templated at this time. Just need to add the piece when I get to that point. 👍🏼

[@Ecosse57]

@@ThisOldHotrod it's coming together real nice.

[@OGTtom]

Great work , thank you for posting

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@OGTtom thank you 👍🏼

[@garygoetz8624]

Like’n your steering support bracket A few slow shake down runs will tell you what and what not will work Incredible fabrication and ideas 🏆

[@TheCrackerBox]

Thanks for another , Brother !

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Yes sir

[@brianvandemortel6710]

Another thing checked off great video Mike

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Yes sir ! Big moves coming up in the next few videos 😎🏁

[@timothynewkirk2654]

Great Video to start my day! BTW Lightning Holes Rule ! ...Newk from Kentucky

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks for being here ! 😎👍🏼

[@Romans1966]

I really enjoy watching your video's. This dragster build is something i have been wanting to do.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@Romans1966 thank you. I hope you get to build one someday.

[@aussiejas6599]

great stuff

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks! I appreciate it

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Looks great Mike!! Thanks for the video.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks Doug

[@Nathan-mw8bv]

Good morning, great way to start my day.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@bobhalstead1879]

Killer build ,sumptin from nuting.kiss build

[@dalewyatt1321]

Maybe an extra tab both left and right, who knows the forces that may need to take. BUT: love your work.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@dalewyatt1321 there’s very little side to side force on it. Having one additional mount should be more than enough. 👍🏼. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@davidhyson9910]

Hey Mike!

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@davidhyson9910 morning !

[@glennnickerson8438]

Looking good Mike! Don't know if it would help but The Kingpins built a front engine rail (w/ a 348/409). Made a few appearances at New England Dragway and The Kingpins Season Closer. Plenty of video on the Tube. Hope it helps!

[@ThisOldHotrod]

Thanks Glenn. They built it for our event we put on. It actually made several passes in Oxford. I know all about Matt and Jeff’s car. Not sure how that helps me to be honest. It’s a 409 w a shortened Powerglyde and a 9”. Cloned after the Mooneyes Dragster built in the early 60’s. They did an amazing job. I’m sure I’ll be racing Matt in May. 😎🤙🏼

[@glennnickerson8438]

@ThisOldHotrod Thought it might help with ideas or give you a visual starting point.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@glennnickerson8438 I’ve talked to Matt in the past about it. I have build photos he sent me as he was building it. I appreciate the thought.

[@robberry1949]

Please insert a bush in your column support so it won't gall on the shaft when vibrating due to bumps in the strip

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@robberry1949 it’ll be fine.

[@waynespyker5731]

Could you add a horizontal flat tab on the right against the housing gusset? It could have a clearance hole for a mounting bolt after drilling and tapping the gusset. I cringe seeing a human draped atop the rear axle housing as remembering the Jack Chrisman Mercury accident, axle housing rotating during acceleration and returning during braking. Can a 3rd removable gusset plate be added to the center section or 2 added at the frame/housing junction? I like this videos opening photo of dual hair pin side roll bars roll cage. Outlawed but they are classic dragster.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

The center section will have an aftermarket pinion support to eliminate any rotation or failure of the weak pinion on the 9”. I already have it. I’m not using this particular center section. I have a new one that is spooled w/ 4:56 gears. There will also be additional plating and safety guards over the rear and universal joint. I’m going to do the necessary safety requirements needed to be as safe as I can be considering.

[@stevenbranch7362]

Hay Mike I am not liking you steering shaft pointing back to you. safety is what I am worried about. If you were to come into contact with a wall or guard rail that shaft would go right threw you killing you. I would make the shaft collapsible or use a butterfly collapsing wheel like we run now. Just saying. Your build is looking great I like it a lot.

[@ThisOldHotrod]

I appreciate it. Hoping not to hit a wall. It’s all part of the risk in doing what I’ve done my entire life. BMX, Motocross till I was 40 and now Hotrod’s. There is risk involved. Hope I don’t hit a wall

[@jamesruiz1776]

Ok but ur build looks nothing like ur rendering pic ..not ..right chassis..wheels .. narrowed rear end etc ..way to wide to even call it a dragster or Rail ..

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@jamesruiz1776 my rendering pic ? The thumbnail you mean ? I’m not building that car. It’s simply just a photo. If you go back in time into the late mid 50’s you’ll see countless dragsters and early rails similar to what I’m building. So I appreciate your comment, but you’re wrong. Enjoy.

[@jefft7968]

Strange comment, friend. This build has a bunch of videos, including at least one with the actual body mocked up on the chassis. How did you manage to look at one random thumbnail of "A" (not "THE") front-engine dragster and determine that Mike is building his car wrong?

[@ThisOldHotrod]

@@jefft7968 maybe he’s not the expert in “dragsters” that he thinks he is. 😂🤙🏼

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

When you have no idea what's going on You should probably watch a few more videos before you start making comments