Topic: CRAFTSMAN B/P BUILD

[Tom Fox]

Back out to the garage once again!!! I figured tonight was a good night to haul the mower deck down to the garage to make a “DECK” for my racer.

We are going to get around 12” of snow starting sometime tomorrow and if I didn’t drag this deck from out behind the shed now, it could be buried for a while!



Here is the deck with the two sections cut off to be used.


Here is one of the above cut sections that I have marked to “THIN” the deck to be about as thick as my running board.


Here it is trimmed to size and being held up againd the running board.


Another view. With the rear wheel width set at 37.5” the deck halves fall about 1.5” narrower then the rear track width.


Here it is tacked into place.


Another View that shows the thickness (or lack of!) of the deck.


Yet one more view!



The other side was done just as a duplicate to this side but didn’t bother taking pics!

So…..They both need final welding and molding into the running board then I can check that item off the list!

[eddiehenjr]

That looks pretty awesome!  I thought they had be deeper than that, but if that's right, you can really slam it close to the ground with good clearance!  Nice job!

[Squidd]

There's still a 4" ground to frame minimum...and a 2 1/2" ground to deck minimum to consider....

Without "channeling" the body over the frame (which you can not do) the thinner deck won't help you "slam" (lower) the overall effect...

But actually, the "higher" ground clearance on the deck as shown, avoids "dragging" thru the dirt ruts on the track that sometimes develop...

[DanW]

It also prevents catching the deck pieces on any tree roots that may be in the backyard during a test run... 

[Tom Fox]

I copied how George did it on his build. Made 100% sense and looks so much better than a low hanging deck.

As you guys mentioned, something less to get hung up on as well!!!

As of this writing we are going to be getting 10-14" of snow....So I'm glad I did this part of the build last night!

Tonight I will make the hood latch, drill the chassis for the new engines bolt pattern, cut a slot into the rear panel for gear clearance and make the guard.

Now if I can get Don to ship me my gearbox, pullies and gears I should have a  rolling chassis ready for an engine with about four (4) more hours worth of work!

Then engine time......

Just did a quick calculation of money spent to date for all parts used, some spares, 2 engines, and a misc steel that I didn't have around the shop......................




........$1865.00!!!

I didn't even get to the engine yet!!! I have a feeling that this engine is not going to as "wild" as I thought it was going to be

At least I know a have a good solid chassis!

I'll do a few things with the engine but can't spend to much on it at this time. (Still have to put together two more racers for the kids!)

[eddiehenjr]

There's still a 4" ground to frame minimum...and a 2 1/2" ground to deck minimum to consider....

Without "channeling" the body over the frame (which you can not do) the thinner deck won't help you "slam" (lower) the overall effect...

But actually, the "higher" ground clearance on the deck as shown, avoids "dragging" thru the dirt ruts on the track that sometimes develop...

Yeah, I guess I was thinking about it the wrong way

On my mower, I think I'm gonna just do what everyone told me.  Build up the frame steering and brakes first, and then worry about my motor.  I might just run it stock for a season and hope it holds together.

[Squidd]

With a good chassis, solid prescice steering, smooth rolling wheels and good brakes....you will do just fine with a stock motor...

[LVine2001]

The way I see it you have options.

#1 Run it with whatever engine mods you can afford and just have fun. Depending on the level of competition in your area you might be ok.

#2 Put a stock flatty in it (relitively inexpensive) and run IMOW for this year. That way you can still be competitive (in class) and you have a year to get the handeling setup nailed down and save a few $$ in the meantime.

Just my .02

[Squidd]

#2 Put a stock flatty in it (relitively inexpensive) and run IMOW for this year. That way you can still be competitive (in class) and you have a year to get the handeling setup nailed down and save a few $$ in the meantime.

That'as kinda what I was getting at...

If your starting with a limited budget, you can either have a "half built" motor on a "half built" chassis and run mid pack or worse...
Or you can have the killer smooth prepared chassis and the exact same stock goverened motor as everybody else and have a darn god shot at running up front...

Than the following year...with the same kind of budget...you already have a complete and smooth chassis so go all out on the motor of your choosing...that prepared chassis (as long as it's long enough) will run in any of the other classes...

[Chris]

As of this writing we are going to be getting 10-14" of snow....

Yeah, we're supposed to get hit really hard out here

I have a feeling that I wont have power for at least all of Wednesday, and more than likely won't be able to get out of the driveway...

[eddiehenjr]

I'm gettin the snow right now!!

The way I see it you have options.

#1 Run it with whatever engine mods you can afford and just have fun. Depending on the level of competition in your area you might be ok.

#2 Put a stock flatty in it (relitively inexpensive) and run IMOW for this year. That way you can still be competitive (in class) and you have a year to get the handeling setup nailed down and save a few $$ in the meantime.

Just my .02

That's what I want to do, but I'd be lucky if I can get a flatty and still have the chassis and everything in IMOW condition.  Right now, I have a 17.5 OHV... I'd hate to downsize.

[LVine2001]

That's a single? if it is you might be ok for this year, in C/P. Being that it's a new class it's the first year for mow-st guys.
Sure there are some that will go wild, they always do.

For the most part I think the learning curve on the OHV will keep everyone in the same boat for at least the first half of the season anyway.

[eddiehenjr]

That's a single? if it is you might be ok for this year, in C/P. Being that it's a new class it's the first year for mow-st guys.
Sure there are some that will go wild, they always do.

For the most part I think the learning curve on the OHV will keep everyone in the same boat for at least the first half of the season anyway.

Yeah, it's a single.  Just a stock OHV single.

Yeah I see your point... since it's a new class, it may not be that big/experienced.

What do you mean "learning curve"?

[Tom Fox]

Well, decisions, decisions, decisions.....................

I know I do not want to move down to a governed class so IMOW is out.

Forget A/P for my mowshine will be to big and heavy

S/P could be a possibility

C/P was my initial intentions but that was because I have 2 40CI engines...may still go the CP route with the opposed twins mostly because other than some standard performance upgrades (porting, valve train, shaving, and cam) that is all that can be done due to nothing avail...so that kinda keeps the cost down!

B/P--I would really love to run this class for the speed...but really don't think my budget right now can afford it.

F/X...Down the road!

[Squidd]

Well, decisions, decisions, decisions.....................

One of each...!!..