G/F class lakester in Wichita, Kansas

[Rex Schimmer]

The "Star Spangled Banger" FBF/l was (is) owned by Bill Manley from Santa Rosa and was originally built by Dick Russel a noted fabricator that worked for Parnelli Jones in So. Cal. It was made from "spare" Indy car parts and sported a 159 cu. in turboOffy that made about 1000+hps. It used a Weisman tranny and that was its limitation because they could not find a ring and pinion that would allow them to go much faster than their record or 262 mph although they had plenty of power they didn't want to over rev the Offy. Bill had been going to Bonneville for years and even though he had some pretty stout equipment he never set a record, which is something he really wanted to do. He put his son, Brian, who had never been to the salt, in the lakester, he got his licencees and then set the record at 262 mph and his comment was "What is so hard about this"!!!! They say his dad almost hit him!
As I understand the Star Spangled Banger may be for sale and they have found some gears for the Weisman that will allow it to go over 300 so it mite be some competition for you John.

Rex

[Dynoroom]

The "Star Spangled Banger" FBF/l was (is) owned by Bill Manley from Santa Rosa and was originally built by Dick Russel a noted fabricator that worked for Parnelli Jones in So. Cal. It was made from "spare" Indy car parts and sported a 159 cu. in turboOffy that made about 1000+hps. It used a Weisman tranny and that was its limitation because they could not find a ring and pinion that would allow them to go much faster than their record or 262 mph although they had plenty of power they didn't want to over rev the Offy. Bill had been going to Bonneville for years and even though he had some pretty stout equipment he never set a record, which is something he really wanted to do. He put his son, Brian, who had never been to the salt, in the lakester, he got his licencees and then set the record at 262 mph and his comment was "What is so hard about this"!!!! They say his dad almost hit him!
As I understand the Star Spangled Banger may be for sale and they have found some gears for the Weisman that will allow it to go over 300 so it mite be some competition for you John.

Rex

Rex, I would be curious about gears for a Weisman transaxle too... 

[Ron Gibson]

IIRC, If that is the same transaxle Al used, it is based on a 12 bolt GM R&P. I think Al got a set or two of the 2.13/14 R&P that Lingenfelter (sp) had made.

Ron

[ggl205]

"I understand the Star Spangled Banger may be for sale and they have found some gears for the Weisman that will allow it to go over 300 so it mite be some competition for you John.

Rex"

Rex, I would welcome the competition.

John

[ggl205]

Dyno room, try contacting Can-Am Racing in St. Louis, MO. They have just about everything in spades for old and new Indy cars.

John

[Peter Jack]

The website is www.canamcarsltd.com/ . He has huge stock, lots of cars you'd likely recognize, and is a really good guy to deal with.

Pete

[ggl205]

OK, I have exhausted every known fastener I think will work to secure my fiberglass body but am not happy with any of them except the Camlock 4002 series 1/4 turn with a Plus-Flush grommet. Only problem with Camlock is the $15 or so price tag each. Dzus fasteners are economical but will eventually auger out the glass hole so I am not over joyed about using them. So, what are you guys using for a reliable fitting on fiberglass that does not break the bank?

John

[manta22]

John;

Try these self-ejecting Dzus fasteners:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Self-Ejecting-Quarter-Turn-Fasteners-500-Inch-Grip-Pack-10,1573.html

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

[Speed Limit 1000]

http://autofab.com/c-335610-fabrication-goodies-dzus-fasteners.html

https://www.amazon.com/iJDMTOY-Finish-Release-Fasteners-Bumpers/dp/B00JJYPATO


Have you seen these?

Johnboy

[ggl205]

Neil/Johnboy:

Yes, I have seen an even used some of them before. The self ejecting Dzus are good but I would like to avoid using a riveted aluminum plate on top of the glass. What do you think about a doubler plate on the back side? There are some super strong adhesives that will avoid using rivets. To make the tapered Dzus flush, I would have to ream a taper in the fiberglass. Does this sound like a weak idea?

John

[Ron Gibson]

A very fast liner was that way from 1976 on till retirement.
You could glue on the ss tapered washers, called a half grommet, takes a little bigger recess to keep the Dzus level.

Ron

[ggl205]

John;

Try these self-ejecting Dzus fasteners:

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Self-Ejecting-Quarter-Turn-Fasteners-500-Inch-Grip-Pack-10,1573.html

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Neil, it is looking more and more like Dzus with reinforcing and backing plates is what I will use. Not many more affordable alternatives. I will just have to live with the less than desirable aero.

John

[ggl205]

A very fast liner was that way from 1976 on till retirement.
You could glue on the ss tapered washers, called a half grommet, takes a little bigger recess to keep the Dzus level.

Ron

Ron, these are EXACTLY what I was looking for. You are a life saver, my friend.

John

[ggl205]

It has been a long road completing the lakester body shell but the last two finishing laminations were put down last night. Some sanding will take place to remove seams, overlaps and runs but this will be minimal. Can't wait to pull the shell and begin working on the car again. Just five months till WoS so no time to waste.

John

[tauruck]

Good luck on the glass work.