Hot Rods Lil' Tantrum 55 Chevy Gasser

In honor of my friend Tom Jones and his days of owning the car, I am sticking with the same moniker.

We are not changing it a lot, but will be building it to be mostly period correct and to run with the Midwest Gassers.

Tom sold it to me as a roller. As of now, we have a new 5.57 center section installed in the twelve bolt, new rear brakes, Aluminum slots, front and rear, with slicks and skinnies.

I had been waiting for a home from my 1966 Chevy 327. It is blown and mechanically injected. Vertex mag with tach AND pump drive. It took a long, long time, but the rebuild is done and it was dyno-tuned to right at 600 HP and over 500 pounds of torque on E85.

It will be backed by a race-built B-W Super T-10 that can be slam-shifted.

Due to the configuration of the engine, we decided to install a straight axle to give us clearance. It just so happened that I had one in inventory. 1953 Chevy pickup axle that has been modified with a very easy disc brake kit. We will be able to use the stock steering box. Pretty easy transformation.

We have quite a bit to do, but hope it can see the track before snow flies.

 

I'm really digging this. More pics please!

 

sorry, I won't be posting a lot of photos. Just too busy.

 

Lil' Tantrum is pretty much ready to go to the track. I hope to get there yet this fall. During winter, some additional artwork will be added to the exterior.

I am very happy with the way it turned out. We put a lot of thought, time, money and effort into bringing Lil' Tantrum back to life.

 

Cool beans.....

 

Like it a lot! Almost a less is more, plane jane scenario, Love the slots with the charcoal grey.

 

the plan is to get to the track on Sunday for some test/tune. Great Lakes Dragaway at Union Grove, WI. Be there!

 

Very cool. I'm likin' it a bunch.

 

Great lookn' five five ya got there!

 

Nice. Thanks for posting the pics

 

Holy crap that's cool.

 

Live action

 

Thank you for recording and sharing.

This is the maiden voyage. First time under power since 1972.

Nice easy pass that ended with issues. The hole in the timing cover tells me we have a problem.

 

In the cragar timing cover? Is it repairable?


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Yes and yes.

We will dig into it soon and post the findings

 

That car is Badass

 

I love that car , Alot.

 

bob get it fixed there is one more weekend before the grove closes. we will be there again this sunday on nitro. or come out with something else.

 

Very Cool...............

 

Turns out the engine builder DID NOT use Loc-tite, lock washers or a keeper on the cam gear bolts. The bolts backed out, but did not come out completely. At higher rpm, the gear likely wobbled and through the timing chain. Obviously that is not a good thing! Fortunately, there is plenty of clearance, so the damage to the pistons was very minimal and easy to repair. All the valves were bent. The spacer for the old Cragar timing cover was damaged beyond repair, but the cover is fine. The spacer was a cast piece. My brother was able to water-jet me a new piece from billet aluminum plate and bore the holes properly.

Did I mention that to pull the heads, the engine had to be pulled? Due to the set-back, the Magneto is directly beneath the windshield and cowl. So...to remove the intake, the Mag must come out and to get it out means the engine was pulled. It was probably a good thing to do anyway. We gave it a thorough inspection while it was out. Nothing to be addressed.

The heads are back and we are just waiting to reassemble. Due to the weather and snow, shop space is very limited.

We will have it all ready to go by spring.

 

Nice car , do you know what the seats are out of? thanks

 

no, I would only be guessing

 

Really nice Bob

 

Joecool: Those look like '67-'68 Firebird seats to me.

 

My guess was Camaro or Firebird

 

I missed the HAMB for a few months and missed all the excitement!

Very cool car Bob!

We'll have to catch up later this winter/spring!

Cheers mate....

 

Once again...I wish there was a "That Sucks" button.

 

I don't know how I missed this 55 chevy gasser in my back yard. My dad and I are talking about building one we have a 55 chevy gasser from the 60's built for great lakes.

 

I will gladly show it to you

 

I will be taking you up on that Bob.