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Old 04-10-2022, 06:58 PM
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Default ‘56 Chieftain gasser completion

I just completed a two year project of building a ‘56 Chieftain gasser. I thought I would share some pictures of the build and finished product. I apologize for not documenting throughout the build but am willing to share any of the details. Many thanks to Bill Eveland for his guidance along the way. It has a ‘67 400 stroked to 461, turbo 400 and Dana 3:73 rear end.
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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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Old 04-10-2022, 07:00 PM
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Awesome!

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Old 04-10-2022, 07:11 PM
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Great looking gasser!

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Old 04-10-2022, 07:24 PM
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Fantastic!

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Old 04-10-2022, 08:43 PM
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Love it, nice work!!!

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Old 04-11-2022, 01:09 AM
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Lookin' good!
Will we see it a Norwalk?

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Old 04-11-2022, 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Jack Gifford View Post
Lookin' good!
Will we see it a Norwalk?
I need to get some passes in with it, but my plan is to have it there.

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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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Old 04-11-2022, 12:05 PM
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Awesome build!

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Old 04-12-2022, 09:43 PM
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Great job!

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Old 04-13-2022, 07:35 AM
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Great job!

Thanks! I still need to work up a combo to use that Wentzler I got from you.

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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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Old 06-20-2022, 06:12 PM
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Excellent! Love the color combination. I rarely look in the ‘60 & older thread as I have a ‘63. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
I’ll be looking for some race results . . . . should be fun.

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Old 06-20-2022, 09:11 PM
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cool car. are you running the 9.3 rear? im building a 57 chieftain. ive got a long way to go. those pics are great motivators. enjoy the ride.

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Old 06-20-2022, 10:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ponchonlefty View Post
cool car. are you running the 9.3 rear? im building a 57 chieftain. ive got a long way to go. those pics are great motivators. enjoy the ride.
Thanks! No I’m running a Dana 60 in mine. The 55-56 rear ends are not strong at all. I think it had 11 spline axles.

Good luck with your build.

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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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Old 06-21-2022, 09:22 AM
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Very Very Nice! Thanks for posting it!

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Old 06-21-2022, 12:12 PM
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It isn't "complete" until we see a timing slip from your local dragstrip.

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Old 06-21-2022, 12:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Hanlon View Post
It isn't "complete" until we see a timing slip from your local dragstrip.
I have one but that still doesn’t complete it. Shakedown 1/2 pass on 6/3 in left lane. Something let go on transmission during next burnout. Going through it right now. It did show some promise and handled pretty well.
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Tom

1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
  #17  
Old 06-21-2022, 02:53 PM
ponchonlefty ponchonlefty is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom63LeMans View Post
I have one but that still doesn’t complete it. Shakedown 1/2 pass on 6/3 in left lane. Something let go on transmission during next burnout. Going through it right now. It did show some promise and handled pretty well.
that's not bad. what number you after? oh, do you know the weight of the car?

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Old 06-21-2022, 07:23 PM
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Quote:
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that's not bad. what number you after? oh, do you know the weight of the car?
I do not know the weight of the car yet but assuming that it’s 3800-4000. I was hoping mid to high 10s and might get there with some tuning. Still a long way to go with both me and the car. I have bigger plans if necessary 😎

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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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Old 06-21-2022, 07:40 PM
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Great looking car and nice work, but on gassers, aren't you supposed cut the rear wheel wells with a jig saw?

Just kidding...

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Old 06-21-2022, 07:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankieT/A View Post
Great looking car and nice work, but on gassers, aren't you supposed cut the rear wheel wells with a jig saw?

Just kidding...
Getting a little rub with 29” tires, I might get there yet 😂
I have a hard time bringing myself down to just making it functional

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1963 Lemans -428 +.030, SD Perf KRE heads, turbo 350, 9" Ford 3:90, 11.01@121

1956 Chieftain gasser, 461 stroked 400, SD Perf ported E-heads, turbo 400, Dana 3:70 10.40@125
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