Project 1968 Roush-Fenway Cyclone

[Goodale Engineering]

Hello all,

Just joined the forum, figured I'd post some pictures from my current project.

Chassis: Roush Fenway RK200 Road Course Chassis

Body: 1968 Mercury Cyclone

I work overseas so this will be a long drawn out build, but decent progress so far. Body will be hung by Metal Master, Inc. - Charlotte, North Carolina.

https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112320&stc=1https://www.pro-touring.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=112322&stc=1112352

[shortrack]

Very Cool.....Been there putting classic sheetmetal on a Nascar chassis!

Are the doors going to open as stock??

[chunger]

Nice! Don't see many Cyclones around here!

[Goodale Engineering]

Hello shortrack!! I thought I might find you here.....been following the Chevelle build for a while, I have always wanted to do this, and seeing your build convinced me I wasn't totally crazy. This is going to be all racecar, as close as I can get to Gen 6 chassis technology, under the cyclone skin. Will see local track days in Phoenix, and some open road racing/hill climbs. Keeping the door seams, but they won't open.

[Goodale Engineering]

Something like this, but lower ride height with some trick aero touches.

[Justin@EntropyRad]

Awesome project!

[Josh@Ridetech]

Sweet! This is going to be cool.

[shortrack]

show some pics of the hardware on the chassis :)

[Goodale Engineering]

Still learning the picture posting process, seems I either double post or none at all......anyway, trying to fit both cars in a 24' trailer, this should make it a little easier!

[Goodale Engineering]

Some of the hardware:

[Goodale Engineering]

A true Arizona car

[Goodale Engineering]

Of course the day we left is the one day a year that it had to rain...

[Goodale Engineering]

It took us 4 days to get over there, taking our time with 24' v-nose trailer. We stopped in Midland, Shreveport, and Birmingham. It was well worth it though. Oh and I found out the truck runs out of diesel when the tank reads "50 miles to E."

[Goodale Engineering]

Here's where the magic happens, Jim has been hand fabricating body panels since before I was born, so I am confident the car is in good hands.

[Goodale Engineering]

A few more shots

[Goodale Engineering]

Back home, and time to source an engine. For this project I stole the Yates engine out of the stock car, I don't really have an plans for that car right now, so I figured I'd pull the motor and freshen it for the Mercury. Dry sump set-ups sure are messy....

[72BBSwinger]

Awesome project!What a project, who wouldn't love vintage/new stock car?

[kerryt1]

Can't believe you posted this junk!

Subscribed. Looking good, can't wait to see the result.

[shortrack]

Nice!.....is that a T101?

Did my PM come through?

[NOT A TA]

Wow, just WOW! This is going to be an awesome car!

[chunger]

Not too familiar with these "Yates Engines". It appears it's running the Yates High port cleveland style heads, but are they mounted on a windsor block? And is that a Super T-10 behind it?

Could you share more details of this engine/trans combo.

LOVE the build!

[Goodale Engineering]

Nice!.....is that a T101?

Did my PM come through?

Yes! Got your PM, thanks for the chassis paint code. We spoke at length about how exactly they paint these cars. From what I understand they stay bare metal until the body is on, then somehow manage to spray the interior and underside/engine compartment. On the newer Gen 6 bodies, they can actually remove them from the chassis.

Maybe I'll suggest that to Jim, I know I'll be able to remove from the fenders forward. As for the body, it will get a coat of primer and matte black wrap.

On the trans question, I believe it is a T101, it's a magnesium tex racing case, so I assume that's what I am working with. I sent it out last week with the shocks to my friend who works at Roush Fenway, he has a trans guy and will rebuild the shocks per their Sonoma setup.

[Goodale Engineering]

Not too familiar with these "Yates Engines". It appears it's running the Yates High port cleveland style heads, but are they mounted on a windsor block? And is that a Super T-10 behind it?

Could you share more details of this engine/trans combo.

LOVE the build!

Very good questions. Yates C3 heads, on a cleveland style SVO block. Not sure on deck height, probably 9.2?? This was what evolved from the 351 cleveland, with the early parts and pieces coming from Robert Yates and Ernie Elliott. After the C3 heads came the Yates D3 heads, now old technology. Currently they run the FR9 motor. As for the transmission, this is a T101 from what I can tell, square cut gears, dog box style. No clutch pedal on upshifts, rev match with some clutch on downshifts. Also old technology, as they now run Andrews transmissions.

Fun facts - Roush Fenway Racing rents their engines from Roush Yates engines every weekend to the tune of $80k
- Roush Fenway also leases their transmissions every weekend from Andrews, I believe they go for $40k a weekend.

[Goodale Engineering]

An update on the engine:

Successfully made it to the engine builder, got it completely torn down. Everything looked good, no immediate areas of concern, although there is evidence of a main bearing failure, and what appears to have been a broken valve spring. Right now this is on hold because I don't need it yet, planning to order parts/send parts out to have them freshened and get it back together by Jan. 2016.

[Goodale Engineering]

Chassis Completely Stripped Down

[Goodale Engineering]

Here's some quick pictures of the rear end, the Merc wheelbase measures 116" and the RFR chassis sits at ~106". The original plan was to stretch the ass end, and clip the fenders to make the chassis longer and car shorter. After talking it over last week, we still need to make up 3 inches, so the car is headed to Hess Racecars for a new front clip. Anyway, the rear end is done, I'll update pictures once the front clip is done. Almost time to start handing body panels!!

[chunger]

A Clevor nice!

What is the timing cover from? It appears to be a super thick casting of some sort?

[Godbolt]

Subscribed!

[Goodale Engineering]

A Clevor nice!

What is the timing cover from? It appears to be a super thick casting of some sort?

The timing cover is a magnesium piece from Ernie Elliott circa later 1980's, early 1990's. The engine builder's name is stamped onto all the parts, I forget but can check when I am back in the U.S. again. Anyway, the car sat in a storage unit for a few years in Detroit, and the timing cover is ruined. A combination of acidic antifreeze and dissimilar metals has eaten into the magnesium. I am in the process of sourcing another unit, hopefully I can get a hookup on something from Roush-Yates.

One thing to note is that it has specific mounting points for the dry sump pump, that's why an ordinary timing cover won't work. The new ones also include motor mounts, which is an advantage to getting a new one, as they cut the arms off this one with a grinder.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

What is the od and width of your tires? Same size front and rear?

[Cop Magnet]

Wow, and I thought I was guilty of just grafting an old body onto a new frame...this project is awesome!

[shortrack]

What is the od and width of your tires? Same size front and rear?

99% they are 15x10 x27" high. All four the same. same as mine

[Goodale Engineering]

What is the od and width of your tires? Same size front and rear?

Shortrack is correct, tires are wheels are 15x10, tires 27" tall. I have another chassis and the previous owner ran 26" tires up front, but they should all be the same height.

If I were running an oval, the RF/RR would be taller and LF/LR would be smaller, but this is going to see road courses mostly.

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Will the rims be DOT approved? I have been looking at Basett rims for my truck 15 by 8" but I am really thinking I want 10" wide but they are not DOT approved.

[Goodale Engineering]

Will the rims be DOT approved? I have been looking at Basett rims for my truck 15 by 8" but I am really thinking I want 10" wide but they are not DOT approved.

Ha, I don't tend to follow the rules, because these wheels are rated to go well over 200 mph, most "DOT" factory wheels certainly couldn't say the same. I run slicks on the street too, it is Arizona after all, it never rains.

Go for it, or go to roushyatesparts.com, they have race-used rims for $50 bucks, it's a steal IMO.

[Ghiaguy]

This is gonna be great ---- Keep up the great work

My friend picked up two zero lap cars, left over from Sonoma, and pieced them together from used parts from the different NASCAR teams -- Got the brakes from the Wood Brothers Daytona winning car for one of them -- -- then he went and put Chevy engines in them from Van Gordon -- go figure LOL

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2015/10/photobucket16911333252918952-1.jpg (http://s586.photobucket.com/user/Fiatdude/media/photobucket-1691-1333252918952.jpg.html)

[Josh@Ridetech]

I have a new dream for my cars now..

[shortrack]

Will the rims be DOT approved? I have been looking at Basett rims for my truck 15 by 8" but I am really thinking I want 10" wide but they are not DOT approved.

You can buy brand new Aero's up here from Karbelt or Grisedale'a for $120 each avail in 1" offsets

[kerryt1]

Bump for updates.

[Goodale Engineering]

Unfortunately, no photographic evidence of progress. I am still overseas at the moment, but the tentative plan is to leave AZ with the engine, wiring, exhaust, etc. at the end of April, arriving in NC early may. The next thing I post will hopefully be dyno numbers, and a link to the dyno pulls. As it turns out, Metal Master in North Carolina scored a contract to build 12 trucks for the Nascar CWS, so the mercury has been collecting dust. I am trying to hustle them along, but it is a wise decision for them to focus on the some actual racecars for now. Target completion date is end of May, June 2016.

[Goodale Engineering]

I finally have some progress to report, $27 oil prices put the project on hold for a few months, but now we should be good to go. I am scheduled for the dyno Monday, and attached are some pictures from North Carolina. On the road headed east next week with the engine, and the rest of the parts that are still here in Arizona.

[SoopernovaAJ]

This has to be one of my favorite builds on here. Love how it's coming along.

[Goodale Engineering]

Finally got the engine done, and made the drive from Arizona back to North Carolina, it was 120 degrees when I left, so I don't mind spending the summer on the East coast. We made 684 hp/ 496 tq, and it was about 110 in the dyno room that day. We estimate a little over 700 with better conditions and with oil up to operating temp, that should be more than enough. As on most of the old Nascar stuff, the teams would engrave the date of last inspection for each part. The distributor says February 1993, and other parts of the engine show dates in the same time period/late 1992. It's amazing what this old technology can do, these old Ford's just make horsepower by mistake! Redline is around 8200 rpm, single Holley 870 cfm carb, 110 octane, running Gibbs XP4 oil.

[Angelo]

Your building what just became my new dream car. Don't keep us waiting long for more updates. I need my fix.

[MichaelUser]

I love it I have thought about this for some time. I found a couple (recent sprint cup mopar motors for sale) and wanted to do something. I like the OE wheel well openings compared to CY's Merc, but either way this is way cool. Keep up the great work.

[ICrombie]

Super cool project, a V8 revving to 8k and a full nascar chassis will make this one really unique car when it's done!

[E.rodz]

cool concept! i love different and this is definitely different! love it can't wait to see more!

[Goodale Engineering]

Factory wheel openings....for now. Unfortunately the track width of the cup chassis is going require us to massage the fender openings some. Rest assured they won't just get radiused and hacked like a dirt car though. Such a shame to cut 48 year old pristine sheet metal...

Not familiar with CY's Merc, drop a link

[MichaelUser]

Factory wheel openings....for now. Unfortunately the track width of the cup chassis is going require us to massage the fender openings some. Rest assured they won't just get radiused and hacked like a dirt car though. Such a shame to cut 48 year old pristine sheet metal...

Not familiar with CY's Merc, drop a link


Hello,

I was being a lazy typist, but I meant Cale Yarborough (CY) picture you posted earlier. The wheel wells are trimmed slightly. Keep up the great job.

Thanks

[Goodale Engineering]

Just got back overseas, I spent a week in Charlotte with the guys putting it all together, I'll let the pictures explain....

[Goodale Engineering]

and more...

[Goodale Engineering]

I'm sure the Mercury purists hate me right about now...while the guys from MetalMaster hacked away at the body, I mocked up the engine and trans.

[Goodale Engineering]

Last post for today, but much more to come....jetlag is killing me and the connection in this country is too slow! We set the engine height with some shims on the crossmember under the oil pan, and used the scissor jack under the tailshaft to set the drivetrain angle. I believe we set it between 1.0 and 1.5 deg, which is what they usually target with these chassis. The entire car is fixed to the surface plate, so we could used the plate's centerline in conjunction with the laser to find true center for the drivetrain components. I think we will have to shim it some at the engine plate, the trans was still sitting about 3/8" towards the driver side.

[ryeguy2006a]

That is just awesome!

[Goodale Engineering]

Jay made quick work of the hood support. The guys have been in the business since the 80's, so this type of work took them back to good old days of Nascar, when they still used factory components. The hood weighs about 10 pounds now, down from the 40+ before.

[Goodale Engineering]

After some fender lip trimming, we dropped it on. It was much easier than I thought, once the body was on, they decided what else needed to be cut, and we pulled it back off for final trimming.

[Goodale Engineering]

We had to use the doors and fenders to see if the rake was correct for the body. We used bar magnets and cleco's to mock these up.

[Goodale Engineering]

After centering the body, and checking tire clearance, we trimmed some more of the wheel wells without ruining the factory wheel lip openings. It was pretty incredible to see how easy they made this look.

[Goodale Engineering]

Then it started to look like a car

[Goodale Engineering]

Everything went pretty smooth getting the body set up

[mildcustom2]

Very impressive !!!

Reminds me of the Ken Block Mustang Hoonicorn. Not much of the original car is left when done but still a very impressive street machine.

[Goodale Engineering]

Eric knocked out some engine plate mounts as well, should make pulling the motor in and out fairly easy.

[Goodale Engineering]

Jay did a beautiful job blending the factory Mercury cowl area with the new cup car firewall, it was pretty incredible to watch. We had to set the ignition system in first to see if we had clearance, and it fit perfectly. There were many things that just happened to fit, which saved us a bunch of time and work. I re-fit the spider bars to the front clip, and bolted them up.

[Gil]

Badass work !
Just awesome
Gil

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Incredible, I love it!

[brawls43]

Man this is looking so awesome, I love it!

[drflex]

love it

[linkstar69]

Subscribed

[shortrack]

Looking good

[Goodale Engineering]

Car is off the plate and on jackstands, throwing parts at it for the initial assembly

[Goodale Engineering]

The only fab work left is the Aero front end conversion (seen above), car is a Mercury Cyclone Spoiler, but we are making it a Cyclone Spoiler II. Can't have the front end acting like a parachute. I will take more pictures next time, as most of the work now is tedious - plumbing, wiring etc. Below is the airbox setup, pulling air through the cowl.

[Goodale Engineering]

There's the airbox with the lid, clears the hood by about 3/4" - had to run a 1" carb spacer instead of the 2" we dyno'd the engine with, not sure how bad that will hurt the top end. I got the fire bottles installed but it sure took a while, I didn't have pictures of how they were originally installed from Roush. Butler came through with my seat the day before I had to head back overseas, unfortunately being so tall is proving inconvenient, I am going to have to mount it flush to the floor essentially, and cut out the existing seat brackets. I now understand why they recommended I build the entire car before disassembling it for paint....the saga continues

[Cop Magnet]

Fantastic!

[Ripper]

Killer project man!

What do you think the total weight will be when finished?

[1965gp]

This is sooo cool. Need more pics!

[Goodale Engineering]

After a short hiatus, the project continues...

[Goodale Engineering]

Car is back on the surface plate. Got the windshield supports done, then laid out the exhaust exit. Fitted the lexan, now time to pull it all apart for paint.

[Goodale Engineering]

https://youtu.be/gIuToMaIUn8

[Goodale Engineering]

https://youtu.be/d--NwfZzKyw

[Goodale Engineering]

https://youtu.be/KWQvNDulfYM

[1sikride]

Two thumbs way up

[galaxie460]

This is hands down my favorite build on here, great job

[1968CamaroSS_Sam]

Very neat project. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Goodale Engineering]

Just got the car back from Spraker Racing, they threw down some chassis grey and hot rod black

[Goodale Engineering]

I started with the front suspension, installing the shims and dowels in the same orientation as when I removed them. The car will have to be aligned and re-cambered/toed, but this will give us a good starting point. I am using SD20 to clean the parts prior to reinstalling them, this is what the cup teams use in between practice sessions and before the race - it works wonders.

[Goodale Engineering]

Next I had to refit my brake lines to make sure they fit, and then flare the ends. I also had to install the Tilton pedal assembly, and fluid reservoirs. I threw the steering shaft in as well, since it was easier to get it done now rather than later.

[Goodale Engineering]

I bolted in the rear sway bar, as well as the front sway bar and end links. The steering box is installed, and next I will need to connect the box to the steering column. So far so good.

[MOREHORSEPOWER]

That is going to be one bad ass ride when done !!

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Awesome

[wfo guy]

Nice stuff! :)

[andrewb70]

This reminds om of the Cooper Head Chevelle from about 2001-2002...

http://www.superchevy.com/features/65158-1970-chevrolet-chevelle/

[ryeguy2006a]

Very cool project.

[69stang]

I love this level of fabrication. Looking good!

[813Demon340]

Wow!!! How did I not see this sooner! Amazing project with such a cool car, its great to see a Cyclone done up like this. Keep up the great progress!

[cornfedbill]

Way cool!

[Goodale Engineering]

Just a quick update, and one of the only decent pictures I have of the car. MetalMaster had to relocate shops, so I had to throw the car together and bring it up to my garage in PA. Dad and I drove down and made it a roller for the time being, but some of it will have to come back apart. Here's a preview of the car at ride height before being loaded into the car hauler.

[Josh@Ridetech]

Very cool! The stance turned out awesome.

[JRANGER]

Pretty Badass

[wfo guy]

I hope there's no more surprises before completion!

[Goodale Engineering]

Since I've updated this last, we got the rear end and motor/trans back in the car, and it is back in Pennsylvania. I rebuilt the rear with some new inner axle seals, new gasket, and fresh Joe Gibbs gear oil. I had an spare set of wheels powder coated gold, and picked up some Sonoma road course tires from a cup team in Mooresville. Right now I am finishing up the dry sump oil lines, and fitting some new -16 send/return lines to the tank.

[Goodale Engineering]

With the lower ride height comes some challenges, and the rear driver side truck arm appeared to contact the dry sump tank towards full travel. My engine builder gave me the go ahead to section 2.25" inches from the tank, without any concern for the lost capacity. (originally 5 - 5.5 gallons) Next I just need to clean it up and have it welded back together. Rear fender extensions got bolted up with some custom foam gaskets.

Up front I bolted up the radiator expansion tank and ran all associated lines. I had a problem finding a fitting to work for the suction side of the oil pump, so I had to die grind the Ernie Elliott engine plate and managed to get a -12 swivel to fit. Little things like this are taking most of the time in putting the car back together, but progress is slow and steady.

[Goodale Engineering]

Unfortunately the "free" garage I had in Pennsylvania found a buyer, so it's back in the trailer and on to the next shop space, which I still haven't found yet. I think I'll head back to Mooresville for help with the setup, then possibly back to Arizona for the time being. It was back overseas for work on January 30th, so the Cyclone will sit in storage until March 1st....here's a few shots of it rolled outside; keep in mind the front end has about ten turns in it so the car can be loaded into the trailer.

[wfo guy]

Too bad about the garage. Being gone for months gives the brain a re-fresh so you're ready to go? :)

[Motoracer838]

Love this build, can't wait for the next phase...

Joe

[Drewstang]

This thing is just bad ass.

[76TA]

Keep the updates rolling in; please!

[Jonathon]

Any updates?

[Goodale Engineering]

Happy to say that after sitting in the car hauler for almost a year, I have re-started this project with a goal to be done by April. Right before the new year, I took the car to Mooresville for some help with the wiring harness. The car is now at The Garage Shop and I should be picking it up later this week. In addition to the wiring, they are also going to have a driveshaft made as the original was too short after stretching the chassis. After picking the car up, I will be heading west back to AZ where I will finish up the fuel and oil line plumbing, as well as a basic exhaust system. Not much to see but here's a few photos.

[Peanut1959]

Thanks for the update. Can't wait to see your "first drive" post!

[Tsaints1115]

Bad. Ass.

[BK2LIFE]

Happy to say that after sitting in the car hauler for almost a year, …….. I will be heading west back to AZ.
I see your location says Scottsdale. I’m in phx, would love to lend a hand or even just see car in person.

[Crazy Horse]

Darn!
This is the first NASCAR/Muscle Car "Marriage" that I have seen where the proportions look spot on!
Can't wait to see the finished build!

[STREET T/A]

I have been wondering where this car has been. Can't wait to see more updates. Are you going to paint it black with the gold 13?

[Sbeck09]

Hopefully you will have this out on track or at least at some Phx shows. I'd love to see this in person.

[jaybee]

Love the car!

[ProjectSideOiler]

Nothing short of Incredible! I was drawn in on the very first page when I saw the body at DVAP. But, when I saw it being turned into a Cyclone II I was beyond hooked!

Absolutely love the build. I am In north Phoenix but Scottsdale is across the street. I too would love to see the car at some point.

Not sure if I caught what plans were for car when done?

[Goodale Engineering]

I don't know where to start, I feel bad for not updating this thread but life happens and I now understand how some people end up with old cars sitting around that they're "going to finish" at some point. Since the last post it has been nearly 2 years, most of which the car has sat untouched. The good news is that in the past few months I've tackled a lot of small items on the car, and even cranked the engine over the other day. Here are two pictures of the car in its new home in AZ. I am picking up the last 3x braided lines this week, and the car will be ready to fire for the first time very soon. I think some friends are going to come over for the inaugural start.

Anyway, more to come soon if any of you are still following!
203756203755

[chunger]

ALRIGHT! I'm glad this project isn't dead. Happens way too often with cars. Looking great, keep at it!

[andrewb70]

Eager to see this thing running and driving!

Andrew

[eversaul86]

Love this build. Nice work! Plenty of motivation for me!
Martin

[MSTSFabbed]

Heck yeah! Glad this is still around. Good luck and excited to keep watching, this thing is sick!

[813Demon340]

I hope you get this beast up and running soon! Bad ass build.

[Pingar]

Glad this got bumped up and the pictures still work. Can’t wait to see this running and finished.