CLASS RACER FORUM - 8.50 index build

CLASS RACER FORUM (https://classracer.com/classforum/index.php)

- Class Racer Builds (https://classracer.com/classforum/forumdisplay.php?f=58)

- - 8.50 index build (https://classracer.com/classforum/showthread.php?t=80621)

8.50 index build

Hello all, long time member, just never had a class car.

One year ago I had a bad top end wreck with my 8.50 index Malibu that I built, owned and raced for 27+ years. Car made a hard left past the finish line, put me into the wall which then caused the car to barrel roll as many as 7 times I'm told. I don't remember any of the accident, so no apparent cause was found.

https://youtu.be/GbIMbO3kSD0

https://i.imgur.com/B0lIZI7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QoCWtFg.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/aLKvDDn.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/oNl7emW.jpg?1

A couple weeks after the crash I was able to source a body to begin building again. My dream car was gone so the new car would simply be a purpose built race car, chosen for ease of parts availability, low purchase cost and light weight.

https://i.imgur.com/ISq8okm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8ceXfZJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dqS9SrJ.jpg

I have many, many pics of the build in detail, not sure how much interest there would be to see this project.

Re: 8.50 index build

The first car looked very nice, i'm sure this one will be too. I am always interested in any build!
Keep up the good work and keep posting please!

Re: 8.50 index build

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith 944 (Post 650091)

The first car looked very nice, i'm sure this one will be too. I am always interested in any build!
Keep up the good work and keep posting please!

Will do, gonna be alot of pictures to post. lol

Re: 8.50 index build

https://i.imgur.com/3mhNCQ4.jpg

Found alot more rust than I was hoping for. One area I really didn't want to get into was the front frame rails which have a reputation for rusting out under the master cylinder and combination valve.

https://i.imgur.com/g5V1Hmm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/RZyKN5g.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CJLd2kl.jpg

I tried ordering a replacement frame rail kit but didn't like how it was going to install, plus I found an issue with the factory placement of the passenger rail, so I decided to make my own. Drew them up on CAD at work and cut them out on the cnc plasma.

https://i.imgur.com/zIUTAJC.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5d5qTPk.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Fc6nc3m.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/g5lhPe9.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/T6k3hKU.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/flVgbaf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EzURAbg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JgqeDbs.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Y55amBf.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/vBypGIm.jpg

Re: 8.50 index build

At this point the front end was rebuilt as far as I could go for the time being. I was ready to start the tube work but was waiting for a bay to open up at work to get started.

So in the mean time I worked on building the rear housing. First was a mockup and measurements of the rear wheel/tire combination.

https://i.imgur.com/YpA55Hl.jpg

Then the rear could begin with welding on the 4 link doubler plates.

https://i.imgur.com/qDFyrs5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/t2c6VSP.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/Tj9nKgE.jpg?1

Housing and 4 link brackets being fixtured up.

https://i.imgur.com/caB3bhY.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/zLRKxXT.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/iI4BG1R.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/vLWYFct.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/aWqOpn2.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/cFWV0hD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Xa8hdks.jpg

Once all the welding was done the housing ends could be fit which is a very time consuming/tedious process to get them perfectly square to the axle centerline.

https://i.imgur.com/rXmh9yM.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/0XJWY6B.jpg

A fixture was then made to hold the housing to the chassis table.

https://i.imgur.com/JSR2goy.jpg

About the time I was completing the work on the rear, a bay opened up at work so I transferred the car to its new home.

https://i.imgur.com/v9PsGOx.jpg

...and now tube work could begin.

https://i.imgur.com/HZmeP6b.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JxmSo4z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/OO0Pa9B.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5bmG0W9.jpg

Re: 8.50 index build

I believe they call that rust trap you replaced a torque box.
Really amazing quality work. Might I ask what your line of work is?

Re: 8.50 index build

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireSale (Post 650114)

I believe they call that rust trap you replaced a torque box.
Really amazing quality work. Might I ask what your line of work is?

I pretend I’m a chassis builder at work. Lol

Rocker/torque box was just one of several areas with rust. I kept cutting till there was no more rust. Lol

Re: 8.50 index build

Excellant workmanship. Glad you got back on the horse after having a bad crash.

Re: 8.50 index build

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Stout (Post 650118)

Excellant workmanship. Glad you got back on the horse after having a bad crash.

Thanks you. Doing my best to get this done in a timely manner, but still takes time. For the next few months it will be out of my hands waiting for body/paint, plus waiting to get the engine back.