Factory Five Racing President and CEO Dave Smith has made an indelible mark in the component car, kit car, and hot rod industries. Once again leaping headfirst into automotive design, FFR’s latest is a remarkable prerunner truck kit that can double as your daily driver. As Dave explains it to the guys, “The idea was to use our chassis engineering and manufacturing skills in chassis and suspension, which we’re good at, and leverage it into a build-it-yourself Raptor on steroids with rabies.” And best of all, it comes at a very affordable price.
Aerosol paints have evolved considerably since Ed Seymour first invented them 75 years ago, and the company that bears his name remains at the forefront of the aftermarket, turning DIYers into artists. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, the guys welcome Rodion Galperin for a conversation about all things aerosol, including the latest breakthroughs in the tech and some helpful tips for mastering your own technique.
On a recent episode of the TV show, the guys were intending to rebuild a ’66 Charger’s 440 block as well as a 4-speed 833 overdrive transmission, but what they found was something neither had expected. “The first warning signs of an engine that is not a runner,” notes Willie, “is when you see (paint) overspray on push-rods, internals, and on the valley pan.” It became pretty obvious pretty quickly that the supposed drop-in runner of an engine was not at all what it was supposed to be. What happened next is the focus of today’s podcast.
Willie and Kevin need to fix a dangerous ball joint problem on this 2020 Jeep Gladiator.
The guys welcome Kyle Fischer of Hot Shot’s Secret back to the podcast to talk not about diesel, but gasoline additives. Gasoline is a more highly refined product than diesel, so are additives really necessary, and are they effective? With so many available options on the market, Kevin asks, “Is that really a secret sauce or is it just a sauce? What is in there and what is it doing for me anyway, do I need it?” You may find the answers surprising.
’66 Dodge Chargers are hard to find in good condition, but this Charger’s owner wants to add more excitement under the hood.
With summer upon us, Kevin and Willie share personal stories of overheating and give listeners tips, tricks, knowledge, and know-how to help stay cool! From OE cooling systems to your weekend hot rod’s system, the guys talk common mistakes and ways to maintain a proper cooling system. Kevin states, “What we end up doing as hot rodders, we obviously increase horsepower, but we build our own cooling systems, we chose a radiator, and we chose a fan, and you know what? There’s a lot of little details that sometimes we miss”.
The guys bring in a friend’s numbers matching 69’ GTO Judge for a frame-off restoration.
The guys have learned a thing or two about blasting over the years, dating back to the days before PPE was commonplace and the effects of prolonged exposure to various media was of little concern. Now with dozens of “Blasting with Byrd” TV segments under his belt, Kevin has become something of an expert on the subject, and today he and Willie welcome Dustless Blasting Marketing Director Kaylyn Starr to the podcast. The company was first to market with a mobile blasting platform that provides environmentally friendly solutions for a plethora of applications and occupations, leading Kevin to attest, “It’s mind-blowing to compare it to anything else.”
The guys discuss buying and selling at Barrett-Jackson, Mecum, and local automotive auctions with Rick Fragnoli the owner of Cleveland Power and Performance. They also trade stories as well as tips and tricks for getting what you want at swap meets. Kevin asks, “So what is your top piece of advice for scoring big at a swap meet?” Rick states, “Cash in hand, you gotta have cash”.
