1967 tubbed street/strip build *HELP*

[67whitley]

This was my first truck and I totally rebuilt it for my graduation day. Then I went a different direction and bought a custom frame so it would be tubbed and a shortbed. The front is a 70 camaro, mid section is truck frame, and back is a four link clip. I started it and never finished it. It has sat outside for many years. Now I want to build it for my wedding day 9-22-12! I need to weld a transmission cross member and need to know if the engine is suppose to set level or be so many degrees tilted back? Also what is the pinion angle suppose to be? I am assuming ill have to custom make a drive shaft. Wouldn't a one piece be better than a two piece with carrier bearing? How do you calculate the rear end gear that you need with tire size. I cant remember the tire size but i know they are m/t sportsman series. Ill have to buy some slicks eventually. The rear end is a 8.8 ford and has a 430 gear installed but not sure if that's what I need.

Thanks in advance Aaron

[67whitley]

more pics

[dbmx66]

im not to sure on the engine degrees, of the top of my head it might be 3-5 degrees, but idk if that really even matters. i see frame rail cars and tube chassis cars and trucks at the truck with everything level... dont take my word on that though. im sure other will chime in.

i think pinion angle for racing should be in the -2 to -4 degree range

i personally would definetly go one piece drive shaft.

if you want to know calculations on weight, tire size, gear size, trans gears, rpm, all that kinda stuff... talk to super73, from what ive seen hes a wiz at those math equations.

great lookin project good luck with it.

[Captainfab]

The carb flange on the intake should be level when at ride height. This should put the crank centerline at aprox 4 degrees down to the rear. The pinion angle should be parallel to the output of the trans, when under load. This means your pinion angle will be slightly down from parallel to the trans output.

[Handfull 54]

Captainfab is correct on those angles. You can find tire size to gear ratios on the web. I use a 4.56 gear with 31 inch tall tires. It is no freeway cruiser but is great around town. Really depends on what type of performance you want. If your looking for a good compromise I would go with a 3.70 or 3.90. Your 4.30 gear will work also depending on your tire size. If you run an overdrive trans, then stay with the 4.30. Don't go crazy with the torque converter either. A lot will depend on how wild the motor is as well as cam size carb size etc. I use a 3,000 stall with a turbo 400. Put some more questions out there as there is plenty of talent and help out there way beyond what I know.

[Super73]

Is it more street than strip?
What RPM are you ok with at freeway speeds? Need to know tire height and transmission you will be running.
As mentioned, for a Carb motor, carb flange should be level at ride height.
Start with 2* of downward pinion angle. But your 4-link bar positions are more important than pinion angle though.
I don't see an antiroll bar on that rear suspension, I would advise you to add one.

[67whitley]

Super73

It is going to be more strip than street. I would just drive it around town not on the highway.To be honest I have no idea whats the best route. My goal is to run 10.50s. With that being said should I go turbo 350,400, or powerglide? Can you run a powerglide on street? I need help with tire size. The tires that are on there are street tires and dry rotted. What is the most common tire size ran on tubbed trucks or does the class you run in dictate what you can run. So you are telling me to put a level on the carb flange and when it reads level to weld the trans cross member where ever it is at that point? I was reading the pinion angle on car craft that you posted and it was stating to have the pinion angle neg 1-3 and the trans tail shaft neg1-3? Did I read that right?

[67whitley]

Super73

What I have to start with is a 60 over 402bbc with 10.5-1 compression flat top pistons. I am assuming it is probably going to be around 375 to 400 hp. A turbo 400 trans with 3500 stall and 430 gear. I have a 454 that I will build for my race engine. I am just trying to get the truck built for my wedding and then keep upgrading with better stuff.

[Super73]

If your intention is to use the big block, but just get it going with the small block, than I would build with the big block in mind. Gear it and stall it accordingly. Since I am not a big block guy, you are going to need others advise on where your planned combo will spin rpm wise. I can help you towards a gear/tire combo that would work with it.

I noticed DJ is running 325/50/15 (28" tall) MT Drag radials on his sons truck. I run the 315/60/15 (30" tall) version of the same tire. I have had good experience with that tire.

I am running a 4.56 gear.

I run a glide in my truck and drive it on the street. I am also running an 8" 5,200 rpm converter. Now, keep in mind, I don't log hundreds of miles a week, but have been known to drive 30-40 miles in it on a nice cool night. Mostly freeway at 55-60mph. Trans temp gets to about 170-180 while cruising the freeway. In town it will heat up a little more.

[67whitley]

Super73

Thanks so much for your advice it really helps. The 402 i am starting out with is a big block as well. Did you understand what I was saying about the car craft article that you posted and transmission angle? Have you ever seen a truck run 10.50 with a turbo 350 or 400?

[Super73]

Could you refer me back the the article you are talking about?

I ran 10.7x with a 4l80e which is a th400 with an overdrive. There are trucks on this site running th350 and th400 trans and going 10.5x or faster.
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[67whitley]

I went to suspension 101 and there is a carcraft link you inserted to explain pinion angle. Oh and I think the guy said he gave me a 4500 stall not 3500. I got the converter in on a trade deal and am just going by what he said because I don't think the converter has any numbers on it... I will have to look.

[67whitley]

The m/t sportsman tires that are on it now are 33 x 21.5 -15. What would be a good size drag slick to run?

[Newtz67]

You may be wise to ask djracer a few questions. His truck has been on pass time, and is pretty amazing. He knows what he's doing.

[Newtz67]

Your truck looks great btw. I can relate to letting something sit for a while. Man, those pics make me wanna tub mine! Good luck on the build, and the deadline!

[67whitley]

Newtz67

Thanks for the complement it doesn't look like much now but that should change. I am going to start a build thread so look for that. Its kinda funny because the way I want my truck is how djracer truck is. Satin black, tubbed, cowl hood, and funny car cage. Eventually im going to paint it gloss black with black and chrome weld wheels and maybe a orange cage.