[Jonsey]

I was going to ask how you set the pinion angle. So the angle of the pinion is 3 degrees lower than the angle of the transmission?

[jal]

Jonsey,
Yes, a negative 2-4 degress based on the tranny.

rtanner,
Thanks for the heads up one the Vega tank. My bro has an 11 second Vega. I'll have to talk to him o locating one and the gas capacity.

`joe

[jal]

Okay Guys,
Don't hurt me too bad but, I ditched on modifying my stock gas tank. I'm going with a poly fuel cell. Probably a Summit brand (16 gal) with the sending unit included. After really assessing the work needed, proper sealing and the tig welding, it seems way too easy to install the cell. Also, it gives me much more room under the car to facilitate exhaust.

Everything on the rear of the car is now complete. I'm hoping to prep the rear and trunk this week so that, I can paint them both on the weekend. Then everything gets reassembled.
I'll post up pics when that is finished. I'm also hoping to order my wheels/tires this week.
Once they're on the car (which is what I've been waiting for) I'll get those pics posted.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season!!

`joe

P.S. I also had no luck locating a Vega tank....

[hojs69]

What size wheels & tires did you decide on?

Regards.

[jal]

I've measured more times than I care to tell anyone but, it looks like.......

Wheels - 15x10 w/6.5" BS Weld Draglites (That's what's currently on the car)
Tires - M/T Drag Radials 325/50/15

[BILTIT]

Did you narrow the rear at all? I was looking at 15x10 with 5.5BS and some narrow but i can get 6.5BS if no narrow is needed.

[Jonsey]

Originally Posted by jal

Okay Guys,
Don't hurt me too bad but, I ditched on modifying my stock gas tank. I'm going with a poly fuel cell. Probably a Summit brand (16 gal) with the sending unit included. After really assessing the work needed, proper sealing and the tig welding, it seems way too easy to install the cell. Also, it gives me much more room under the car to facilitate exhaust.

Everything on the rear of the car is now complete. I'm hoping to prep the rear and trunk this week so that, I can paint them both on the weekend. Then everything gets reassembled.
I'll post up pics when that is finished. I'm also hoping to order my wheels/tires this week.
Once they're on the car (which is what I've been waiting for) I'll get those pics posted.

Hope everyone had a great holiday season!!

`joe

P.S. I also had no luck locating a Vega tank....

I have a similar cell in my car. It works great, but it eats up all the trunk room. It's tough to swallow the $800+ they want for a narrow stainless tank.

How much time would you estimate you have invested in this project at this point?

Looking forward to some pictures of the finished job.

[BILTIT]

I think i will still try a narrowed stock tank. I do not want a cell (very much a street car still).

[jal]

BILTIT,
I did not narrow the rear at all. I really don't need to.. With all the measuring that I did, I should have 3/4" of clearance from the inner sidewall to the leaf spring. Actually, a little more room to the inner well. Once the rear goes back in the car, I'll bolt up the current wheel (8" w/4.5 BS) and see what I have in the inside.
I really spent some time thinking about the tank sice, my car still does see a fair amount of street time but, I think overall, the cell will work better for me.

Jonsey,
I wish I would have kept a stop watch on the work time.. I would say 50 hours, give or take. Not too bad really.
You need to subtract the cigar/beer breaks... LOL

`joe

[jal]

Okay,
The only thing I got accomplished this past weekend was painting the rear and the wheel wells. Didn't post any pics since, didn't think anyone was really interested in seeing a black wheel well or rear...
Had to drive/unload the daughter back to school from her semester break so, that cut into car time.
Ordered the M/T 325/50/15 Drag radials but, they're on back order right now.
I'm hoping to get the rear into the car during this week and finally..... back on all 4's..
Yea!....
I'll take a few pics with the old wheels/tires so everyone can see the extra room.
Currently have 15x8" Weld Draglites with a 4.5" backspace.

`joe

[jal]

All,
Got the rear back in the car last night and back on all 4 paws!! Yea...
I think the wheels/tires combo is going to work really well based on the measurements I made last night.
I have an honest 3" of space from the sidewall to the leaf spring. Actually a little more than that in the new wells.
The sidewall width is the same amount (3.1") larger on my 275/60/15 tires as it is on the new 325/50/15 than the rim width. 10" wide wheel. 13.1" section width.
If I add the 2" in back spacing, I still have a full 1" of clearance from the sidewall to the spring. NICE... I was hoping to have at a minimum, 5/8".
I may order the wheels this week.

`joe

[Jonsey]

Originally Posted by jal

All,
Got the rear back in the car last night and back on all 4 paws!! Yea...
I think the wheels/tires combo is going to work really well based on the measurements I made last night.
I have an honest 3" of space from the sidewall to the leaf spring. Actually a little more than that in the new wells.
The sidewall width is the same amount (3.1") larger on my 275/60/15 tires as it is on the new 325/50/15 than the rim width. 10" wide wheel. 13.1" section width.
If I add the 2" in back spacing, I still have a full 1" of clearance from the sidewall to the spring. NICE... I was hoping to have at a minimum, 5/8".
I may order the wheels this week.

`joe

Thanks for the pictures. Looking forward to seeing some of the final wheel/tire combo.

[BILTIT]

Any concerns with the strength of the narrowed framerail?

I am just getting ready to start my tub/narrow setup next month (still trying to finish the garage!). I have decided on 15x10 5.5BS rims and 28x13.5 MT ET streets.

I was hoping i might not have to narrow the framerail but probably will.

I will narrow the diff as needed once i have the wheels/tires here for measurement purposes.

I have the DSE shackles already, might try and do the tubs myself, will order/make a shock relocation bar mount.

I am mostly concerned with ride height as i dont want stock height, to low for me i think.

I may try the comp engineering relocation pieces, they are supposed to be a bit higher than stock height when done.

[jal]

BILTIT,
Actually, I think the narrowed frame rail is stronger now than before I cut it.
I took the suggestions and used .125" (1/8) steel for finishing the frame notching.
Ain't goin anywhere... The stock frame rail is much thinner than what I used in the notches.

I used the Comp Engineering shock cross member and, it fit really well. Almost no fit issues. Just made adjustments around the frame notching that was done.

I too don't have the stock ride height. A little higher. Maybe an inch.

Post up some pics if you can..
I did order/receive my Weld Wheels. Just waiting on the back ordered M/T's.

joe

[BILTIT]

Yup, i will get some pics up when i get started. You can go to the link in my sig. for some pics of the current height, etc.

I run 15x8.5 3.75BS rims now with 275/60-15 MTDR, can't wait for the extra width and abit lower stance (~2-3''?).

[hojs69]

Biltit, Jal is spot on.

I ended up welding a section of 1/8" on both the inside of the rail and used 1/8" for the frame patch. Since I went coilover, I wanted a little more support for the crossmember. While the floor pan supports the frame throughout this area, the rails are scary thin.

[turbo69bird]

If anyone is intersetd I have a minitubbed 69 hardtop that was alow mileage car with 12 pt cage that I may be interested in selling as a roller. I am looking to do a convertible for the family.

PM me if anyone is interested.

[jal]

turbo69bird,
This really isn't the thread to sell your Bird. There's multiple areas on the forums to place "For Sale" items.

`joe

[Jonsey]

Have you installed the fuel cell yet?

I talked to someone at Rick's Speed Shop today about a narrowed, sumped tank. Only $900.

At least shipping was free to my location.

[BILTIT]

Is that a stainless tank?

I had my stock tank sumped for $75.

I assume the narrowing will be a couple hundred though.