From Ringer

[Ringers]

Been BUSY! But, a lot is happenning around the shop. The T-Bird is finally gone! I told the owner that he really ought to get that thing into this century with a disc brake conversion. Well, he bit. But, it didn't stop there. We went all new fuel and brake lines, KYB gas shocks, new fuel tank, new exhaust, new fuel pump, new dual master and proportionong valve, all fluids, pertronix ignition, 12 volt gauges, new speedo umbrella, starter, sway bars, and all new bushings. Man what a difference! That car is the sh*t now! Quiet, it's a rare one, with the Three Spd manual w/ OD. We rebuilt the carb, burnished the new disc pads and it stops hard. Customer is delighted, which I am glad to report. Here's a few of the car-

One Stinkin' spoiled Shitzu

The Cobra found it's way on the rack and we started tackling that one. Hacked all the old suspension out, fabbed up a crossmember out of 2X2" heavy wall. Grabbed some QA-1s, relocated the fuel filter, left the pump where it was, relocated the suspension stops, threw the old Street Avenger vacuum secondary carb out in the scrap bin, tossed the ford dizzy along with the coil. Installed a new MSD, new HVC II coil, replaced the plugs, stuffed in a 6AL, Bolted a new Holley Ultra HP series, mechanical secondary 750. So now, that car has adjustable ride height, adjustable dampening rate, secondaries on demand, adjustable timing and rev control. In short, it will be a BLAST to drive. The Customer just got back in the country, so we hope to have it on the dyno and delivered by next week. Here's a few pics of this one-

The original spring set up

Fabricating a crossmember

Test fit on the member

Checking out shock angles and mount locations

Installed, but the filter location is hideous

Moved that, fabbed up some brackets, hung it off the crossmember. Looks far better and just makes sense

The brackets are just tigged up Tee extrusion and plate

and last, but not least, Darin got his new dry sump stuff in for the green boat. we're starting to huntdown all those 8 second vee drive boats! Nothing like beating those guys with a ditch pump!!

 

[hurst1979olds]

Those Factory Five cobras are nice. I also like their new 33 Hot Rod. If I were to build a kit I would buy one of them....Is it just a 351w or a stroker in that Cobra. We build ALOT of engines for those FFR cobras at work.

 

[Ringers]

It's a 385 HP crate 351W. We'll dyno it and see what we can coax out of it. They are nice cars, this customer didn't build this one, he bought it already done. Some stuff needed attention. They are well engineered cars and I'm sure are available in many forms with a bunch of options.

 

[DRIVEN]

It's just...so...cool there.

 

[Ringers]

Well, the Cobra left. Customer is very happy. It did 304 at the wheels, not bad for a lightweight rig. We are in the middle of a trailer modification for Ryan Mustoe, of the CDBA. Has a Drag Hydro, called the Mechanical Animal. Super cool guy. Bought an enclosed trailer for his boat, so he wanted his road trailer made into a dolly. I said, Let's airbag it too. Here's what we came up with...
First, lets knock the old axles and buggy springs off

Take some measurements and fab up the trailing arms

Made an air disrtribution block and mounted it under the tounge

Fabbed up some panhard bars out of 4340 DOM

Grabbed an auto adjusting Haldex control valve for ride height

Tossed in some Firestone bags on our fabricated bases

...and "Viola! One airbagged, street legal dolly trailer!

More customer stuff is crowding the shop, I'll post more in a while
Cheers! MFR

 

[DRIVEN]

That's cool.

 

[Ringers]

Wow! If you guys ever feel the need to never go home, just start a shop! I'm up there a minimum of 12 a day,for going on twelve weeks. Some people say this is a good problem, but at times I beg to differ. It's been a while since I posted, so I'll throw a few up. I have posted a bunch on our website, so there may be some double coverage...
So a '70 Big Block Cuda rolls in for a simple pinion seal. I'm busy, don't have time for it, but...what is it? 25 minutes and a bill in parts? Okay.

I jack it up, blocking my boat and Corky's Corvette on the lift.

I notice the brakes are wearing funny and the backing plate is not perpendicular to the axle. I call the owner, with trepedation before I go any further-

He tells me, he just had the rear end installed. It howls like crazy and the rear brakes grab...

I pull the axles, and stick on a couple magnetic levels. LOOK at the flange angle in comparison!!

Out comes the Diff. Full of metal. Someone had narrowed the diff in the mid 70's, but had apparently missed the part of perpendicular alignment importance. Gears are junk. Bearings are junk. Housing is iffy, but it's the right 60 series, the car's a survivor, so I gotta fix it...

Next on the list of having your *ss handed to you. The 240 Z we are building for a RoadKill series, I picked up a WRX diff and axles from Spencer Subaru in Grants Pass Oregon. All used, cheap parts. The WRX axles are different from 240 parts and standard LSU units. Well, I know I should nevertake ANYTHING for granted. I cut and welded the axles to make it all fir the 240 outers. Like this...
Then went to fit the unit in. I called Spencer and told him the issue. He said, " THAT"S where those axles went!! I've been looking for them!!" I informed him, they are junk, as I cut them in half, welded them and tossed the extras.
We need to be objective in our posts, I believe, so, here's the Bottom line on Spencer Subaru. He immediatly apologized for the inconvenience. Is sending replacement axles at no cost to us. Isn't concerned with the loss of the WRX axles. My opinion of Spencer Subaru? CLASS ACT. I would do business with him any day of the week.
Did it cost me time? Yes. Did it put a project out of schedule? Yes. But the fact that he wasn't defensive and offered replacement at no cost and the fact that it was simply human error gets my respect.
The 68 Camaro is in for a Nitrous sniffing 427 Big Block. It is a caged car with a narrowed *ss, wilwoods, big and littles. Plus it's Deathproof!

I've managed to knock out a couple more Air Ride trailers, im my spare time


Been caught lurking about trying to buy almost ANY make/model-

...and of course, I had a carload of goons out collecting money in my Malibu Wagon the other day, went over a speed bump SLOW and still managed to crush my oil pan, So I gotta pull the engine. May as well do the trans and fuel injection. We have boats to race and projects that are on deadlines. I would KILL for good multi talented help right about now...
Cheers! MFR

 

[DRIVEN]

Glad to hear you're keeping busy. I guess that explains the infrequent updates. Keep em coming if you can spare the time. Hopefully you can find your dream employee. Are you working alone right now or do you have some help?

 

[Ringers]

I'm not ALONE, my partner in Crime, Darin is busy on HIS boat prep. Since we, as a crew have sponsorship, we have an obligation to our sponsors.. We HAVE to race. The shop projects I need help on. Just from a time manegment prospective. As a shop owner, we have a duty to provide the utmost. Our service and fabrication cannot be outshined. We are not the cheap shop, therefore, the help we hire has to be on par with both me and Darin. There is always a quality concern. We really give a sh*t about what runs out our doors. We are consistently over budget and behind schedule, but in the end, that is acceptable, as long as the customer is satisfied. Or overly satisfied. You need to fabricate, engineer, wire competently, tune, think, install, assemble, test, project the worst case scenerio, sell that. Pay the insurance, rent, fuel, square footage, lights, comcast, and god help if you have a failure that results in an injury. Either physically or Emotionally. I have a fear of hiring anybody for those reasons. So, for now...I am on my own. Overworked, but still putting out a quality product. Booked out through July '13 as of now.

 

[Ringers]

...Well, we took the 8 second bracket. Ran against a Blown alcohol Hydro Vee boat. Ran an 8.001 to an impressive 8.10. We also took Super E which is a dial bracket. Next month in Dexter, it is a co-sanctioned event NJBA and CDBA so we would love nothing more than to come home with that trophy!! I'll get pics up. Supre busy at the shop, but I'll make the time. WOW!
Cheers-MFR