64 CAR CRAFT AUGUST 2019TECH NOTES
Who: Ken Bigham
What: 1966 Chevrolet “Chevoom”
Funny Car
Where: Gettysburg, PA
Engine/Induction/Transmission:
Chevoom was originally powered by
a 1956-vintage 354 Hemi stroked to
402 ci. As the restoration gained
momentum, a used 354 Hemi replace-
ment was purchased. Unlike the
stroked original, he opted to keep it at
354 ci. It was treated to a full rebuild,
which included the installation of
Ross 9.5:1 racing pistons and Molnar
Technologies billet connecting rods
mounted on a stock forged crank. The
heads are also stock, but received a full
rebuild and are capped off with a set of
Moon valve covers. Induction is handled
via a Weiand manifold crowned by a
Hampton blower and Hilborn Shotgun
Injection. Shifting the gears is carried
out by an Art Carr 727 Torqueflite. It is
shortened and mates directly to the
rear via a set of Chrysler Marine
U-joints. The headers were custom-
made from stainless tubing and are
faithful reproductions of the original set.
Electronics: The 354 Hemi wears a
vintage Mallory Super Mag Magneto
310 LA and a Mallory Super Mag trans-
former. It is pure old-school dragster
hardware.
Rearend: The rear installed in
Chevoom is a standard 1965 Chrysler
83 ⁄ 4 housing. It has a set of 3.90:1 gears
and heavy-duty rear axles.
Chassis/Suspension: On a 1966Chevelle, the stock wheelbase mea-
sures 115 inches. On Chevoom, that
was stretched to 129 inches, with
12 inches added to the rear and
2 inches at the front. To achieve that
custom wheelbase, Chevoom’s chassis
was constructed from two widely
spaced double rails that form a truss-
like frame over the rear axle. They
taper at the front, ending in a dual
crossmember. At the rear, the sub-
frame that holds the drivetrain in place
was constructed out 2x4 square tubing
and holds the engine, transmission, and
rear axle together as one removable
unit. It also holds the coilover shocks in
place with cups welded at both ends.
The entire unit is held in place by pins
and can be quickly removed by discon-
necting the rear shocks and brake lines.
Bolts that can be moved to three differ-
ent positions for wedging the suspen-
sion retain the top spring supports.
Up front, a straight tubular axle with
wishbones on both sides, along with a
transverse leaf spring and tubular
shocks make up the front suspension.
A Studebaker Ross steering box posi-
tioned on its side allows the pitman
arm to work directly on a long drag
link. Heim joints are used at all suspen-
sion and steering pivot points.
Brakes: Chevoom only carries drum
brakes at the rear. They are vintage
1965 Chrysler units measuring 9x2.5
inches.
Wheels/Tires: Cragar S/S wheels are
used at all four corners. The front set
measure 15X7 and wear Goodyear BlueStreak 7.10X15 tires, while the rears are
15X10.5 wrapped in M&H Racemaster
11.50X15 slicks.
Paint/Body: The body is a one-piece
fiberglass unit with separate fiberglass
fenders, doors, trunklid, hood, and front
and rear bumpers. The only actual
Chevelle body parts used consists of
the cowl, windshield A-pillar posts,
radiator support, hood inserts, and tail-
light housings, while all the chrome
trim is OE stock. The paint on the car
has a Moon Eyes Yellow basecoat with
graphics applied and then sealed with
a clearcoat.
Interior: The interior on Chevoom is
spartan. It has a full rollcage that Rupp
had installed as a safety measure. The
aluminum panels are original and are
secured by Dzus fasteners for easy
access to the Hemi. The missing fiber-
glass seat was replaced and securely
attached to the chrome-moly frame
that anchors directly to the framerails,
while the steering wheel was picked up
at a swap meet. The aluminum instru-
ment panel is original and it houses
replacement oil and water temperature
gauges, and an oil pressure gauge
was added during the restoration. The
tach was also missing and replaced.
Bigham’s high school friend, “Shorty”
Forsythe, stitched up the missing car-
pet, rollbar padding, and the padded
roof section.C
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