OK, for the weird one of the day! I am building a 20's era "fairground racer". Basically it is a stripped chassis speedster like would have been seen in at the fairground auto races held on the horse race tracks. I need some parts, advice, and any history out there. I am beginning with a 27-50, 1927 chassis that was converted to a flatbed truck in the early 30's

I need a starter, generator/distributor, and the manifolds. I am planning to build a more effecient intake manifold possibly mounting a couple of era-correct updraft or downdraft carbs (more for show than performance). I will use a fabricated hedder wnd large tube side pipe, open, of course.

I need info on hwo to change the way low rearend ratio. I am considering splicing a later model three speed trany (turned backwards) into the torque tube and using 2nd gear as an overdrive... any one done it? will the angled gears cause a problem running backwards, like trying to pus it out of gear? I plan on building linkage that will lock the selector in place. Any chance other ratios are available for the original rear?

Changing the rear for higher speeds also means that I need to improve the mechanical brakes... any ideas?

If you know locations of pictures, written accounts, or other historical tidbits, I would appreciate the help!

Randy

Surely there are people with some ideas out there in Buick Land! How about just some random ideas on the subject!

I'll be waiting.....

I read this when you first posted it, it sounded like a real interesting project. I am responding mostly because I think it is a great idea, not because I can realistically have any credible input!



I think as you are trying to be "era" correct, you can get by with some pretty crude fabrication, they just didn't know the effects of a lot of intake and exhaust info that is taken for granted today.

I don't believe the "angled" helical gears will be a problem. They are cut at an angle to reduce transmission noise. They are "locked" onto the shafts throught the synchromesh units which are non directional.

I don't know, but many Buick rear ends are "relativily" interchangeable. How much newer will just bolt in I can't tell you, but it is reasonable that you can bolt in a higher speed rear end from a newer or larger Buick.

If you are going period correct, why do you wish to upgrade the mechanical brakes. They were "state of the art" at the time!

Here is an image of Phil "Red" Shafer (goggles) with Charles Cariens at Indianapolis 500 in 1931.
http://www.buicks.net/racing/images/red_1931.jpg

Thanks for the response. The early rear is a torque tube monster with brackets specific to the odd cantilevered semi-elliptic springs and I'm not sure whether the rear was used much later or not... maybe 29 or 30 or so. I'll have to check the books. I think that the ratio is around 4.87 to 1... Pretty low, especially when the car weighs around half the original weight! That should help the brakes, as well.

Would love to hear from someonw with experience in lowering by removing leafs, or using lowering blocks on the spring pivot on the rear. Also still need some parts!

I tihink that the overdrive may be the best idea. I'm thinking of shortening the wheelbase from the current 128" down to around 103-108, anyway, so that might be a good place to make the cut!

Now, to find those glass crop-duster goggles and leather helmet!

I've gotten a parts frame for my '27 fairground racer that is an earlier year frame. I carries a number on the tag on the rear crossmember of 788790. I got it because the wheelbase appears to be around 120", shorter than my 27-50 by 8". I want to learn the year model and whether I can use this shorter frame and rearend with my front end and engine/tranny combo. In the alternative, would I be able to use the rear end (or just the torque tube and shaft) on mine and shortening the frame? I'm still needing help on this project... give me your ideas!!!

Randy