Project Junkyard Dog

Joe Toller · 10-27-2013, 09:02 AM

Project update: The car runs and drives pretty nicely, I changed the fluids and threw a cap,rotor, and wires at it (Accel, off ebay) plus a TFI coil ($5, junkyard) and a 10x2" open air cleaner. I also relieved it of it's exhaust. Then, some junkyard scrounging netted an 8" trak-lok with 4.62 gears from a 69 Econoline van. WOW! This is gonna be fun! I also swapped it to manual steering (junkyard, $50) and found a pair of 15x4 steel wheels off a 54 Ford for the nose. The original slicks from the Buick project (26x9x15 Hoosiers, traded a case of Bud Light) made it onto 15x7 Chrysler steelies. I had great 60 degree weather this last week, but the snow is a comin' so that's it for this year as all I have is a carport and an unheated workshop space. I will start a new build thread this spring.

I will leave you with some 'Rocket tips I picked up...

1) Social Media. Yep, good ol' Facebook is a great place to find parts and sell others. I scored a set of new Hedman Hedders (100), shift light Sunpro tach (40), and a pair of 165/80R15 front tires (100).

2) Find an enthusiast group for your model of car. If the car has little aftermarket resto support (and most rockets won't) it will be even more lucrative. I have sold the power steering assembly, AM radio, gauge printed circuit board, heater assembly, wheelwell moldings, E-brake cable assembly, and wiper linkage for more than the car's original asking price. Should I count it in my total budget? We'll see.

3) If you run a Ford, a cheap mini starter lies under 92-up F-series, some 90-91 Lincoln Town cars, and 91-up T-Bird/Cougar 3.8 V6s. I just learned about the V6; that's where I scored a near new one for $10. Gotta love a messy, old-school pull-your-part yard!

4) Ford 8" rearends are cheap and plentiful, and from what I have read and seen plenty strong for a Dime Rocket. if you can, check V6 Pinto wagons and 68-72 6 Cylinder Econoline vans, they often have 4.11 or 4.62 gears under them.

5) GM has their aluminum rear drums, and so does Ford, albeit not an easy find. 1982 (and 1982 ONLY) Lincoln Continentals (the humpback ugly ones) had a 10x2 aluminum rear drum. I am on the hunt...

I will be using every last speed trick I can, as well as lots of junkyard scrounging, and alot of Junior Stock influences to finish this build. The best part, unlike my Buick, this baby runs and drives! Too bad the dragstrips are closed for the year!

To everyone who has followed along, and given encouragement or advice, THANK YOU!!!!!

10-27-2013, 09:02 AM	#25
Joe Toller Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lewistown, Montana Posts: 550 Likes: 78 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Project Junkyard Dog Project update: The car runs and drives pretty nicely, I changed the fluids and threw a cap,rotor, and wires at it (Accel, off ebay) plus a TFI coil ($5, junkyard) and a 10x2" open air cleaner. I also relieved it of it's exhaust. Then, some junkyard scrounging netted an 8" trak-lok with 4.62 gears from a 69 Econoline van. WOW! This is gonna be fun! I also swapped it to manual steering (junkyard, $50) and found a pair of 15x4 steel wheels off a 54 Ford for the nose. The original slicks from the Buick project (26x9x15 Hoosiers, traded a case of Bud Light) made it onto 15x7 Chrysler steelies. I had great 60 degree weather this last week, but the snow is a comin' so that's it for this year as all I have is a carport and an unheated workshop space. I will start a new build thread this spring. I will leave you with some 'Rocket tips I picked up... 1) Social Media. Yep, good ol' Facebook is a great place to find parts and sell others. I scored a set of new Hedman Hedders (100), shift light Sunpro tach (40), and a pair of 165/80R15 front tires (100). 2) Find an enthusiast group for your model of car. If the car has little aftermarket resto support (and most rockets won't) it will be even more lucrative. I have sold the power steering assembly, AM radio, gauge printed circuit board, heater assembly, wheelwell moldings, E-brake cable assembly, and wiper linkage for more than the car's original asking price. Should I count it in my total budget? We'll see. 3) If you run a Ford, a cheap mini starter lies under 92-up F-series, some 90-91 Lincoln Town cars, and 91-up T-Bird/Cougar 3.8 V6s. I just learned about the V6; that's where I scored a near new one for $10. Gotta love a messy, old-school pull-your-part yard! 4) Ford 8" rearends are cheap and plentiful, and from what I have read and seen plenty strong for a Dime Rocket. if you can, check V6 Pinto wagons and 68-72 6 Cylinder Econoline vans, they often have 4.11 or 4.62 gears under them. 5) GM has their aluminum rear drums, and so does Ford, albeit not an easy find. 1982 (and 1982 ONLY) Lincoln Continentals (the humpback ugly ones) had a 10x2 aluminum rear drum. I am on the hunt... I will be using every last speed trick I can, as well as lots of junkyard scrounging, and alot of Junior Stock influences to finish this build. The best part, unlike my Buick, this baby runs and drives! Too bad the dragstrips are closed for the year! To everyone who has followed along, and given encouragement or advice, THANK YOU!!!!!