The Elephant In The Room: unloading the load from a B-body.

[fullmetaljacket]

Mine is heavier than a tin pan for sure.
Doug

Thanks for verifying that D.

 

[Badvert65]

I ran into the same situation with transmission pans. I kept the factory steel deep pan because it was lighter.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I ran into the same situation with transmission pans. I kept the factory steel deep pan because it was lighter.

Yes, but it really does depend on the type of aluminum pan though. A cast aluminum pan is indeed much heavier than stamped steel pan, but a fabricated sheet aluminum pan can be the lightest in some designs. I know that my aluminum sheet transmission pan is lighter than all the ones I have had on before.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Here's an of image of the pans oil well rear wall. It's a simple 971 Moroso 6 quart pan modified with a semi-ellipes rear wall to clear the center link movement. This is what I was thinking of having fabricated in aluminum.

 

[Badvert65]

OK, just for kicks, I bought a bunch of OE style aluminum lug nuts. They are 1/2-20 w / 3/4" wrench size. These are stupid light, so much so that I am afraid to use them,

That is 1.07 OUNCES for a set of 5, or 0.216 OUNCES each.
Like I said, they are scary light

 

[fullmetaljacket]

OK, just for kicks, I bought a bunch of OE style aluminum lug nuts. They are 1/2-20 w / 3/4" wrench size. These are stupid light, so much so that I am afraid to use them,
View attachment 1740121
That is 1.07 OUNCES for a set of 5, or 0.216 OUNCES each.
Like I said, they are scary light

It all depends on what type of aluminum they are made of. Those lug nuts look like they have some other metals inside which could mean that they are strong. Did you purchase them from a reputable circle track/race shop outlet?
I keep an eye out on the high profile aluminum types used on the Steelies Dan wheels and they are fine.

 

[Badvert65]

I did buy a set of the same aluminum lugs you pictured. Those things are really well made. The ones I pictured were just an ebay item I saw. I sent a message to the seller asking if he knew what type of aluminum they used (they were made in a New Jersey machine shop).

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I did buy a set of the same aluminum lugs you pictured. Those things are really well made. The ones I pictured were just an ebay item I saw. I sent a message to the seller asking if he knew what type of aluminum they used (they were made in a New Jersey machine shop).

They look sweet and should be fine, but it doesn't hurt to know what they were cut from.
I'm sure the F.A.S.T guys would love those. I know I would if I were competing in that class. Like any two metals meeting at the altar, a dap of anti-seize should be introduced to keep 'em happy.

 

[Badvert65]

OK, those OE looking lugs are 6061 aluminum. I might give them a try. I also have similar looking lugs in titanium, so I am covered whichever way I go.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

I did buy a set of the same aluminum lugs you pictured. Those things are really well made. The ones I pictured were just an ebay item I saw. I sent a message to the seller asking if he knew what type of aluminum they used (they were made in a New Jersey machine shop).

OK, those OE looking lugs are 6061 aluminum. I might give them a try. I also have similar looking lugs in titanium, so I am covered whichever way I go.

6061 is strong.
Just make it part of an annual check point program as should be done with any of these stressed out cars.
Anti-sieze and no power gun. I like tightening mine by hand on a breaker bar. After that, a once over snug is for peace of mind. I do the same with regular steel luggers.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

There's a good few of these keeping castle nuts in their place underneath.
Weigh close to nothingness. Only to be used once of course.

 

[Badvert65]

Quick question, will antiseize seal against water, like say...exhaust manifold studs?
Asking for a friend.......

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Quick question, will antiseize seal against water, like say...exhaust manifold studs?
Asking for a friend.......

No. Its properties are not suited for water stoppage.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Apparently GM was slipping special parts out the back stage door with the arrival of the new unibody Mopars. There was probably a whole network of engineer spies and loose lips afoot back in those days.
Allegedly, Don Nicholson's '62 Bel Air super stock was sporting an aluminum dashboard by evidence of one of the Ramcharger members somehow slipping a magnet onto the dash and it mysteriously falling from grace.

If someone is walking around the pits with a magnet in their pockets, no matter which brand they were loyal to, there must have been a high level of deceit and masquerading amongst the troops.

Just goes to show you that "if you're ain't cheating', you ain't racing".

 

[dvw]

Quick question, will antiseize seal against water, like say...exhaust manifold studs?
Asking for a friend.......

White Teflon paste sealer is your friend for this application.
Doug

 

[fullmetaljacket]

My friends '68 Hemi was restored to beyond perfection, but not without a few tricks here and there.
Here's one of them. These splash rain guard flaps with clips, 7 pcs in total for a set can weigh up to 1-3/4 Lbs.

What you see here installed is a gasket type foam material that looks like the originals and weighs in the ounces.

Thought I would post because he finally installed them this week.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

As far as finally installing stuff, I'm guilty of not installing some items that I had fabricated years ago.
Here's a photo of one of my yet to be installed aluminum glove box door hinges in comparison to the steel unit. The glove door itself is aluminum and currently installed with steel hinges because I just didn't have the time to finish fabricating and installing these aluminum bad boys. I'll get to it later this Winter.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Either these cars were crude right out of the shoot or the restoration of this Candymatic 2% was not trying to hide the battle scars of 1960's drag racing. This bumper's physical health would be a catastrophe for a 100 point show card field, but I love the scars of real deal hitman cars. Reminds me of the NYC street race cars that I've witnessed within the last 50 years.

The disposability of these cars and their respective aluminum parts didn't fair well back in those days I guess. I've heard stories of aluminum doors being gutted out on the back side in the heyday like if they weren't light enough already. LOL.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

To tell the truth, I'm not quite sure if this was posted on this short thread many moons ago, but here goes.
What you're looking at is not a drilled out distributor clamp, but rather an aluminum one out of the small catalog of a gentleman by the name of Frye racing. Nice piece and working flawlessly for over 20 years. Weighs a fraction of the factory piece.

This guy who was a senior citizen was just as **** on lightening stuff on his '63 Plymouth as anyone here with the disease. I think he has either retired from this kind of work or retired entirely.

 

[fullmetaljacket]

Titanium dip stick anyone?
Tempting........... but no, it's a factory steel one believe it or not.