How to build a simple gasser

Hey Guys,

I started this build in the Outlaw Diecast, Attack of the Gassers thread, but to make it easier to find, I'm putting it in it's own thread.

Here are the cars I am starting out with...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160428_212113_zps0pxwkvdh.jpg

This is the last time you will see them in their stock form...a '55 Chevy Gasser, a Viper fte, and a '67 Chevy C10...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_121018_zpsvznrvzov.jpg

I like to drill the rivets on a drill press and to hold the car in a vise. If you have ever had a drill bit bite into the chassis and whack you in the fingers, you'll know why I prefer this method...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_121144_zpsbydifcxu.jpg

To get the donor fte (faster than ever) wheels out of the Viper chassis, I cut the little tabs holding the axle in. I won't be needing this chassis, so the tabs don't matter...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_122932_zps2faprljw.jpg

These are the parts I need...the '55 Chevy Gasser chassis, the donor fte wheels and axles from the Viper (they are the correct size and length), and the '67 Chevy C10 body (because it is the correct wheelbase...and because it is cool!)

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_123444_zpskdribntt.jpg

The wheels and axles will pop right in. And, because I didn't destroy the tabs in the Gasser chassis (I carefully folded them up)...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_123652_zpskd6pyjdo.jpg

I like the 4-into-1 collector style headers on the Gasser engine, so I will be using them...the rest of the interior will be from the C10...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_123927_zps7d6geh10.jpg

As you can see, there are a lot of leftover parts...but, I might be able to use a few things ...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_123941_zpsyolybstx.jpg

There is going to have to be some fitting done to make it work, but it isn't all that bad...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160430_123752_zpsuilzoxp1.jpg

But, before I do any fitting, I need to glue in the axles with J B Quick Weld. I cut little squares from a hot wheels blister (we all have them laying around). I cut a little slit in the square that let's it slide over the axle...this holds the wheels equal distance from the chassis and centers the axle...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160507_193616_zpsa6cnh0sf.jpg

I glued these one axle at a time, starting with the rear. Put a little JB Weld on the axle and once starts to get a little tacky, put it on the alignment jig. I used the front wheel 'backing plates' to align the car on the jig...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160507_193954_zpsayymfim6.jpg

With the rear wheels in place, I repeat the process for the fronts...this time, using the rear wheels to align the car on the jig...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160507_195702_zpspgiowzi7.jpg

After the axles are glued in and I check to make sure the car rolls straight, I glued in the engine and started cutting down the C10 interior to fit.. 

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160508_183241_zpsljcfgvce.jpg

I would have liked to cut a hole in the hood and had the blower sticking up through, but, the C10 already has a cowl induction hood, so just  cut down the engine to fit under the hood...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160508_183301_zps3tgonika.jpg

After some gluing, with JB Quick, the body is glued in place. Since it is a pick up, I would have just added weight in the bed, but it didn't need any, coming in at about 38 grams. I liked the blue paint, so, will call this one, 'ready to go'...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160508_183358_zpssry5h2rh.jpg

I did have to grind a little off the bottom of the chassis to clear the ground (the fte's are a little smaller than the 5 spokes...or, I got a little JB under the axle, not sure which). I think it came our pretty cool...

http://i1074.photobucket.com/albums/w407/critterwerks/20160508_183408_zpsafz3nsse.jpg