Well Read
Dennis Parks has authored a number of books on building hot rods, but his latest, the Hot Rod Body and Chassis Builder's Guide, has to be the most comprehensive yet. It covers tools required, various suspension types, how to fabricate a chassis from scratch or modifying an original, bodywork from patch panels and making hoods, and final bodywork and paint.
With sections on working with fiberglass, building a steel fuel tank, and even safety wiring brake rotors, there are useful tips for novice and experienced builders alike. For more information contact Motorbooks at www.motorbooks.com.
Dashing Good Looks
Santa Cruz Speed & Custom's X-Dash is the newest addition to their product lineup. This design is based on a traditional oval insert shape highlighted by a vintage aircraft-inspired X in the center, with the speedo mounting raised above the other gauges for a distinctive look. Made from aluminum, the X-Dash is available in either a satin smooth or a triple-chrome finish.
The five-hole dash accepts a standard 3 3/8-inch speedo and four 2 1/8-inch gauges. Approximately 5 inches tall by 17 inches long, it mounts to any flat dash with four stainless 10-32 socket head cap screws, which are included. For more information contact Santa Cruz Speed & Custom at (831) 406-0126 or www santacruzspeedandcustom.com.
Wheel Clean
Dayton Wire Wheel has been in business since 1916, and the most often asked question has always been, "How do I clean the wheels?" Whether wire or any other type of wheel, the main ingredient has always been elbow grease, but all that hard scrubbing can be significantly reduced with new Dayton wheel cleaner.
With your car parked in the shade, spray the cleaner onto cool wheels and let it sit for a minute before washing off the cleaner and road grime, a time-saving process that will produce new wheel shine in less time. This is a benefit that will surely appeal to wire wheel owners, though the product will work on any wheel. For more information contact Dayton Wire Wheel at www.daytonwirewheels.com or (937) 438-0100.
New Boss
The NASCAR homologation Boss 429, available in '69-70 Mustangs, has been an object of desire for Ford fans ever since, and 40 years later Jon Kaase Racing Engines is able to make some of those desires a reality with its Boss Nine 429-460 crate engines. Based on a high-nodular cast-iron cylinder block that can accommodate 429, 460, 521, or 600 ci, power output options range from 500-1,000 streetable horsepower. The 10.30-inch deck height block uses a cast crankshaft in the 460ci version (600 hp). Engines with 521 ci and beyond are founded on a 4340 steel crankshaft, with 4340 forged connecting rods and diamond forged pistons. For use with pump gas, the compression ratio is usually limited to 11.0:1 or less. Kaase caps the short-block with new aluminum cylinder heads fitted with stainless steel valves and roller rockers.
Hydraulic or solid roller camshafts are options, and the engines are supplied with a single plane intake manifold for 4150- or 4500-style carburetors. For more information contact Jon Kaase Racing Engines at (770) 307-0241 or www.jonkaaseracingengines.com.
Heat Rises
Vintage Air has redesigned its Water Pump Riser, which raises the water pump and belt-driven fan 5 inches to clear the chassis crossmember and centers the fan behind the radiator on early Fords. The new all-in-one cast aluminum unit features new cast-in bracket bosses for alternator and compressor brackets and is designed to clear most dual four-barrel and tri-power systems. Accessory brackets are included with the riser.
Although designed for early Ford applications, the riser will be useful in other applications where an engine-driven fan is too low to pull air through a sufficient area of radiator core. It fits most small-block Chevy and 4.3L V-6 applications and uses a '63-75 Chevy six-cylinder water pump. For more information contact Vintage Air at (800) 862-6658 or www.vintageair.com.
New Bones
Speedway Motors now offers all-new split wishbone-style radius rods modeled after Ford originals, with forged yokes, but engineered to provide correct caster, eliminating the need for any cutting, welding, or other alterations typically required when splitting original wishbones. Each wishbone measures 40 3/4 inches from the front perch bolt centerline to the end of the 11/16-18 threaded rear bung, which makes them direct replacements for Speedway's Curtis-style radius rods.
Available plain or with lightening holes, a 1/2-20 threaded insert just behind the yoke allows the installation of a shock mount or spring perch, providing an easy way to set up a spring-behind axle front suspension on cars with I-beam axles. For more information contact Speedway Motors at(800) 979-0122 or www.speedwaymotors.com.