[billnparts]

That’s great. Look forward to seeing you again.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Hi Bill. I ran a 2.3 in my Fiberfab for over 20 years before I killed it. I now run a 302 V8. Theres a lot of fabrication involved to make that swap. The 2.8 V6 has been used also.

What is the issue with the 2.3? No crank? Crank, no start? Make sure the timing marks are correctly aligned and the distributor is positioned correctly. I was once stranded when the gear on the balance shaft that runs the distributor had become loose. That shaft also runs the fuel pump.

Worst case, if you fail to get it running, there are remanufactured 2.3 engines available. Most of these come with a warranty to boot. Installation kept simple.

The 2.3 is a pretty reliable engine. Ford used it in the Pinto, Mustang, MustangII, Fairmont, LTDII, Ranger pickups, and several Mazdas and Mercurs. Good luck and keep us posted.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

As always, Thank You, Steve.

I understood nothing clicking on that link. I’m glad we have you.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

The link works smoothly. Booked Thursday to Saturday nights. Looking forward to Spring…

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

My Fiberfab is not VW based…BUT…late last century when I began to assemble the body I could get nothing to line up. Finally, in frustration, I contacted the factory in Florida. (That’s how long ago it was. The factory was still in existence.) The man I spoke to said that they don’t follow the manual. They begin the body assembly from the rear. I tried that and, surprisingly, everything fell into place when I got to the front. Whether that might work for you I can’t say, but it might be worth a shot. Good Luck.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

I plan on being there although I’ll probably tow up and place the car in the Race Car pavilion.

With any luck I’ll be able to tow it home.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

This is a great addition. I watched all the videos of the Ford TD chassis build and was reminded of all the steps I skipped and all the modifications I’ve made over the years.

The links for these should be added to the Library.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Alan, I’m sorry that I will be of no help to you. I run a Ford TD. I simply want to express concern that there has been no response to your post from the VW contingent. This is highly unusual.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Well another Virginia Beach event is in the books. Beautiful weather for the ride down and back with Saturday producing some spitting during the show, but the ride to and from the show were dry. We had a modern day tent revival on the beach by the hotel Friday and Saturday night. This is my photo dump.

 

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Still on schedule. Racing’s over. The cage is off and the seat is out. The windshield is back on. I just finished swapping the 4:11’s for the 3:40’s. A couple more little things to address yet, but we should be ready. Can’t wait.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Congratulation on your purchase. Sounds like you found a nice one. Welcome.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

I think that’s a better bet to enjoy a country drive. It’s very pretty, but I know nothing concerning the VW based TD’s.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

It looks like a fun piece. Lots of cosmetic things to address, but that’s minor. The framework looks solid besides looking like I welded it. As long as the welds hold it doesn’t matter what they look like. A road test would be necessary to see how/if it flexes under all that power. The 9″ out back with the 4 wheel disc brakes is a good addition. I think if you like it, grab it.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

All the VW based replicas share the same basic platform. You’d simply be autocrossing a rebodied VW. Anybody out there think that’s not true? I think it would just be picking a TD with the engine of your choice. There are TD’s out there with a Scooby swap. Hope you find what you need.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

I removed the Fiberglass boxes that served as the seat base and simply replaced them with a pair of angle iron. One piece on the plywood seat bottom and one placed on the floor. This dropped the height by several inches and eliminated the “Dino Flintstone” problem.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

The late great Royal Hendrix did a wire wheel conversion on his TD. He claimed it was not easy. He should have a thread in here on it.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

In the short time this has been posted we have three entries. Lets see if we can fill this up with our members. With “Rockstar Parking” we can group on the tarmac in front of the museum hangers. We can all parade in from the Oceanfront.

Photos from previous years.

Plane rides are available

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Hoping a VW owner chimes in here, but when I swapped the engine in my front powered TD, the cable was much longer than needed. I simply added a loop in the cable and routed it with a long arc. Several years and no issues. Too long is a better problem than too short. (Many jokes applicable)

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Here’s a video from an unknown photographer showcasing the event. Very well done.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Ken, I ran the 2300 Pinto engine for years. Bored out, cammed, headers, 4 barrel carb, etc. I eventually killed it at a Hillclimb. I ignored a misfire and put a hole in a piston.

Currently, I’m running a Ford 302 V8 crate motor. 300 hp, 348 ft/lbs torque with Sniper injection. A big jump from the 2.3. Still running the same 5 speed and Ford 8” rear.

If you are interested I still have a slew of 2.3 parts. Heads, cams, headers, bell housing, new pistons & rings to name a few. That 2.3 is a great motor, I just decided to go big.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

The electrode tip of the spark plug dropped off. Loose in the cylinder, it destroyed a valve and valve seat. It also damaged the piston.

The end result is its getting a new short block and cylinder head. Not exactly what I needed to hear.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Tow Car Update…

For those of you who are not aware, my Subaru that I was towing my MG to Carlisle with decided it didn’t want to continue about 25 miles from the hotel. I nursed it in but had to get my tow car towed back home.

This morning I went to the Subaru dealer to empty it out. They had looked at it and said the transmission was OK but the engine had a dead miss in #3 cylinder. Plugs were done a little over a thousand miles ago. I gave them the OK to pull and check that plug and to swap coils around if necessary. If that doesn’t clear it up then they’ll have to get into the motor.

On the plus side, I was forced to drive the MG home. I kept it at 4,000 rpm @ 90 mph the whole trip down the PA Turnpike. Not a cop in site.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

I can see it 🤓

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

Very close to perfect…and…Good enough for who it’s for…Words to live by.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

[billnparts]

I had planned to arrive Thursday but not quite that early. I suppose a change of plans are in order.

Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"

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