ISO Drifter f/a in WI

[kawi53x]

Doesn't have to be immaculate looking at a project idea with one

[Tory944]

So haven't a lot of others!!!   That's probably why there aren't many left!

[kawhead]

for a project a reagular drifter is the same less hood.....

[Tory944]

Regular Fan Drifters are not the same...

[kawhead]

whats different?

[Tory944]

Well...   first major difference would be the F/A uses a steel belly pan and Fan's used aluminum.

[Tory944]

I am not sure why Kawi would have used steel over aluminum for the F/A.  I was actually "happy" to see the steel pan...   I was going to weld a bracket on the front for a radiator (mod sled).  The chassis as a whole prob not a lot different, but obviously the seats, gauge panel, etc are different.     T

[Tory944]

LOL.......    if I only make one mistake in my life, I'll be doing pretty well!  I took another look at the belly pan on my F/A Drifter and guess what?  Aluminum.  Oooops.  So....   maybe not as different as I thought!  The F/A pans were painted  black and I had some old bolts in the bottom of the pan.  The bolts rusted, so I assumed it was the pan that was rusty.  Nope.  Took a nail and scratched the black paint.  My sincere apologies!

  Now that I feel like an idiot, other than the seat...  now I am curious if/what other differences besides the engine!  Track and suspension the same too??

[Interceptor398]

440 Drifters have a support for the chain case mounted to the top.

[kawhead]

just a few details....the f/a was going to be the 'sell like popcorn'cheap sled,but people were tired of the f/a hassles,temp related bogs,burndowns,etc.tory,if thats your biggest mistake i'll hire you

[kawhead]

and fan drifters are cheap.....   and easy to find

[mark]

I bought a Drifter F/A brand new back in the day and it had a steel pan on it. I'm sure a steel pan was cheaper to manufacture than an aluminum pan. Enricher only, and no primer on the F/A as well. 
I sold the sled a couple of years ago because I just didn't have the storage space for it in the garage any more. I still feel bad for letting it go!!

Mark

[Tory944]

What I find most interesting is the F/A seems to handle much better than the Fans.  If the chassis and weights are close, I must be losing my mind.  I think they are both rated at 365lbs +/-.  I just had both my 80 F/A and 79' Fan out in the field.  There is a noticeable difference in handling.  Hmmmmm.

[kawhead]

imo you will find a difference in spring settings/limiter strap/bolt locations....but there is a little less weight on the nose of a f/a

[Tory944]

You're prob right...  I am gonna do some measuring and see if things are the same.  Thanks.   T

Going to pick up two F/A Drifters this weekend.  One of them has a quad plug Tigre engine.  It runs...   anxious to try it out.