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I don't post much but I have been following this from the beginning. Thank you for saving a piece of history! I can't wait to see more!
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thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened. There are some pictures coming! |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3502898)
thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened. There are some pictures coming! Looking forward to the pics :coolcowboy: |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3502898)
thanks for following along! I was going to have my son help me post some pictures saturday after the drag races but by the time I got home he was leaving.
We had a wreck at the strip, something happened to my friends car at 130 mph. He flipped more than 14 times, we had to cut him out and flight for life took him to Denver. He was strapped in good with the proper safety equipment and he should be OK. There is alot to be said about rules and regulations, they saved his life! Accidents happen fast, so at least use some common sense and listen to more experienced people. It was a reasonably good outcome for what happened. There are some pictures coming! I wish you friend a speedy recovery! Glad to hear he had the proper safty equipment. I'm sure that was not a fun experence for you as well, I hope I never have to see a crash like that. |
What was really amazing about the crash was the condition of his car.
The doors, fenders, hood, trunklid, front suspension, all the glass, steering wheel and the grill were scattered all over the track, but the roll cage wasn't even bent. The floorboards were made out of aluminum and you could see were his feet were hitting the floorboard and actually ripped the aluminum. His safety equipment ( and the man upstairs ) kept his arms and body inside the car , he still has all his body parts intact and is recovering quickly! If anyone wants to say a prayer for him his name is Dale. He is in his late sixty's and has some broken bones that will take awhile to heal, he had a full face helmet on but but his face was still bruised badly. He couldn't open his eyes for two days. I wear an open face helmet but I will be buying a new full face helmet and tightening up my seat belts for the next race, if Dale was wearing a open face helmet I don't think he would have made it. Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and concerns. We can go out and have fun, get wild and crazy as long as we don't get stupid, accidents happen so be prepared. |
wow, thoughts and prayers to your friend for a speedy recovery.
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Originally Posted by glassdave
(Post 3503188)
wow, thoughts and prayers to your friend for a speedy recovery.
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Happens quick on the strip. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your friend .................
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Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3491462)
I got all of the gauges and excess wiring removed. Removed the steering wheel and the instrument panel, I am down to the original panel and the bilge area is down to mostly original configuration. I am going to power wash the inside of the boat and see how well it cleans up. Anybody know how to get contact cement off? I am hoping the steam cleaner has some effect on it.
Had fun last weekend at the dragstrip, won pro class for the second time in a row. I think it was a little more luck than skill but the car ran great! If everything goes right I might be able to start mocking up the engine mounts tomorrow. Those engines that I took out weighed alot, this boat is so much lighter it is unreal! The turbine only weighs 400 lbs and the crash boxs are light also. I bet this turbine conversion will only add 600lbs. I bet those chevy big blocks with the turbo charges and transmissions weighed in at 1800 to 2000 lbs each, anybody have a better guess than that? I also found out that the engines I removed were LS-7 454s, 12.5 compression with a solid lifter cam. They were pretty wild motors for the 70's. Looks like they are in real good shape, of course with the turbo charges the compression ratio was changed along with the cam. I have a nice 6-71 blower that would work good on one of them, but I would have to find a good project to put it in also. |
Originally Posted by golfmaxgolf
(Post 3517508)
Lacquer Thinner will break down contact cement. MEK also cuts it With either one try and get it outside and wear a respirator. Rich
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Originally Posted by golfmaxgolf
(Post 3517508)
Lacquer Thinner will break down contact cement. MEK also cuts it With either one try and get it outside and wear a respirator. Rich
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Color slide
I had gone through my mother's photo collection over the past couple of weeks and I found about 20 color slide of the Thunderbird during testing. I will try and scan and post them soon.
David |
david
Thanks for the extra effort! I am really looking forward to seeing them! These should be good! |
:nicethread::signs069: Any updates?
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No real updates, just been rebuilding airplanes. I am a one man show and have 14 planes in various stages of repair or flying, keeps me pretty busy. I plan on getting back on the boat within the next two months. Just picked up a real nice Navion, 68 mooney, and a maule m-5.
I have everything for the thunderbird except for some large pulley's and some shafts, the turbine is setting in the boat and positioned. My hopes are to get it operational this year. My brother inlaw saw it for the first time in person, boy did he love it. Dave was the one who had the 36 ft spectra that got stolen and cut up. He said if he still had the spectra he would trade me straight across. I told him that would be tempting but I would keep the thunderbird, this boat is too unique. |
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3642203)
No real updates, just been rebuilding airplanes. I am a one man show and have 14 planes in various stages of repair or flying, keeps me pretty busy. I plan on getting back on the boat within the next two months. Just picked up a real nice Navion, 68 mooney, and a maule m-5.
I have everything for the thunderbird except for some large pulley's and some shafts, the turbine is setting in the boat and positioned. My hopes are to get it operational this year. My brother inlaw saw it for the first time in person, boy did he love it. Dave was the one who had the 36 ft spectra that got stolen and cut up. He said if he still had the spectra he would trade me straight across. I told him that would be tempting but I would keep the thunderbird, this boat is too unique. Got any pics of the Mooney? Here's a pic of my old '66C. Miss it everyday. |
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I actually have two mooney's, they are unique in there own way. The 1963 m-20 has a N number of
N6664U, A close friend of mine was real excited about going for a ride until he saw the N number. He won't even sit in it! I am thinking of putting a devil on it for nose art :). The 68 M-20 is painted all black with orange and silver stripes, everybody thinks that one is pretty cool! It was a doctors plane before I got it, was babied up until 4 years ago needs some TLC. I don't have any good pictures of either plane. |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3642203)
My hopes are to get it operational this year.
Wellllllll any progress? :D |
Originally Posted by RT930turbo
(Post 3980970)
Wellllllll any progress? :D
I keep hoping to run into some original ST-6 pratt and whitneys but have had no luck. I have got the drives figured out just need to order the parts. |
I almost forgot about this thread. My brother in law showed me a you tube video about the pioneers of offshore & they talked about the first turbine boat blowing away the competition ultimately causing it's disqualification. Then POP here we are again. Hope things are going well for you & you find the parts you need. Would love to see that boat in the water. Randy
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Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3981893)
The only progress I have made is the decision to put two turbines in it instead of one, these turbines are 700 hp each so it should go pretty good!
I keep hoping to run into some original ST-6 pratt and whitneys but have had no luck. I have got the drives figured out just need to order the parts. |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 3642273)
I actually have two mooney's, they are unique in there own way. The 1963 m-20 has a N number of
N6664U, A close friend of mine was real excited about going for a ride until he saw the N number. He won't even sit in it! I am thinking of putting a devil on it for nose art :). The 68 M-20 is painted all black with orange and silver stripes, everybody thinks that one is pretty cool! It was a doctors plane before I got it, was babied up until 4 years ago needs some TLC. I don't have any good pictures of either plane. I'm actually just curious but whats the significance of the N number? |
Originally Posted by glassdave
(Post 3990912)
I'm actually just curious but whats the significance of the N number?
BTW, my NYS Drivers license number ends in "666" as well :/ |
Originally Posted by 4bus
(Post 3991000)
N "666" 4U - "666" is regarded by many as "The number of the beast" AKA the Devil. Superstition that something bad will happen. As I don't normally subscribe to superstition it is alive and well in everyday America. Many buildings in cities do not have a 13th floor for the same reason.
BTW, my NYS Drivers license number ends in "666" as well :/ I couldn't care less and it is fun to see the expression on peoples faces when they see that N#. |
Want to sell her yet?
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Turning out to be a great thread! :) I am in Denver and getting ready to gear up to start my build of a Gentleman Racer/Off Shore style boat (of my own design) made of wood. And I have been thinking about Turbine power in mine.
I also play in the fixed wing dept. as well and I'm in the middle of a Ultimate 20-300S build as well... You might want to contact Bruce about your turbines.... [email protected] He maybe able to help you out on your engines. |
This boat will never move under its own power.
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Originally Posted by hogie roll
(Post 4179821)
This boat will never move under its own power.
I don't know you and you don't know me but I can tell by your post that you are a real dick head. |
Originally Posted by Outlaw Racer
(Post 4179544)
Turning out to be a great thread! :) I am in Denver and getting ready to gear up to start my build of a Gentleman Racer/Off Shore style boat (of my own design) made of wood. And I have been thinking about Turbine power in mine.
I also play in the fixed wing dept. as well and I'm in the middle of a Ultimate 20-300S build as well... You might want to contact Bruce about your turbines.... [email protected] He maybe able to help you out on your engines. I have 4 extra turbines if you need one. They are 700 hp with 1755 ft lbs of torque. Stop by sometime and I will show you my operation. I rebuild airplanes and restore cars. I have a Yak-55 unlimited aerobatic plane made in Russia I am just finishing up and a nice Cessna turbo 210. I have 14 planes in various stages of flying and repair. I am a one man show so I keep pretty busy!! If you fly up I am right across from the airport 7V8. I am a A&P/IA and know turbines good enough to be dangerous. I would love to get back on this boat but I have to make a living first. |
Originally Posted by racesdad
(Post 4173856)
Want to sell her yet?
thanks |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 4179988)
Outlaw racer
I have 4 extra turbines if you need one. They are 700 hp with 1755 ft lbs of torque. Stop by sometime and I will show you my operation. I rebuild airplanes and restore cars. I have a Yak-55 unlimited aerobatic plane made in Russia I am just finishing up and a nice Cessna turbo 210. I have 14 planes in various stages of flying and repair. I am a one man show so I keep pretty busy!! If you fly up I am right across from the airport 7V8. I am a A&P/IA and know turbines good enough to be dangerous. I would love to get back on this boat but I have to make a living first. As for the turbines I may take you up on that offer!? how much are you asking for them? Yeah I will have to come out one day before it starts snowing and we can talk planes, trains, boats and automobiles |
I have great news!!!
I bought this boat from Mike Chodack from maximum marine 7 years ago and I just got a call from him. He is cleaning out his warehouse and he found the original V-drives and rudder for this boat!!!!!! They are being shipped today and should have them next week. So another piece of the puzzle has been found!!! I would like to find two original ST-6 pratt and whitneys for it, those seem to be more rare than this boat! I also need two 3 speed truck transmissions from the early to mid 60's, and some shafts and props. |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 4190478)
I have great news!!!
I bought this boat from Mike Chodack from maximum marine 7 years ago and I just got a call from him. He is cleaning out his warehouse and he found the original V-drives and rudder for this boat!!!!!! They are being shipped today and should have them next week. So another piece of the puzzle has been found!!! I would like to find two original ST-6 pratt and whitneys for it, those seem to be more rare than this boat! I also need two 3 speed truck transmissions from the early to mid 60's, and some shafts and props. Jeff |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 4190478)
I have great news!!!
I bought this boat from Mike Chodack from maximum marine 7 years ago and I just got a call from him. He is cleaning out his warehouse and he found the original V-drives and rudder for this boat!!!!!! They are being shipped today and should have them next week. So another piece of the puzzle has been found!!! I would like to find two original ST-6 pratt and whitneys for it, those seem to be more rare than this boat! I also need two 3 speed truck transmissions from the early to mid 60's, and some shafts and props. What kind of transmissions did it use? |
I was talking to O dell yesterday and he was under the impression that the transmissions were from a 56 -57 Chevy pick up. They were 3 speeds.
They were modified by removing some gears and putting a short tail shaft on it, that's my best guess since there are no drawings or people that I can ask directly that worked on his boat. Worst case scenario I could use some crash box's but, I sure would like to get the correct parts. If anybody has some info or pictures of the transmissions that would help a lot. Thanks!! |
Originally Posted by 1965 thunderbird
(Post 4191416)
I was talking to O dell yesterday and he was under the impression that the transmissions were from a 56 -57 Chevy pick up. They were 3 speeds.
They were modified by removing some gears and putting a short tail shaft on it, that's my best guess since there are no drawings or people that I can ask directly that worked on his boat. Worst case scenario I could use some crash box's but, I sure would like to get the correct parts. If anybody has some info or pictures of the transmissions that would help a lot. Thanks!! Try Richie Powers or Sonny Miller. Brownie may know as well. Jeff |
What is your Email? I have pictures of the transmissions.
Sonny Miller was working for Merrick at the time and knows a few things about your boat. Call him, he doesn't bite! http://california500.com/ Jeff |
Sonny is a wealth of information from the glory days of boating. He has forgot more that most people know. Do you know you never forgot anything....you just need to recall it, and some times that takes time.
Keep on Ticking...Bud |
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