i have an old Iron horse MTB and am in the process of converting it. it has a horizontal front facing dropout, and i was wondering if i can get by without a chain tensioner(the dropout is about 1.25 in long...guessing). Also due to the drop out facing forward will this bike be a bad canidate for a ss with all the torque i will be putting on that wheel?

No, you don't need a tensioner with horizontal dropouts. There's absolutely nothing wrong with forward facing dropouts. In fact, it's preferable since you'll be running a rear brake........keeps the rim aligned with the pads regardless of position of axle on the dropouts.

Sweet, the rig job should be done today. i'm running it on the stock crank and cassett, it will get me by untill i get out of alaska and can actually get decent components. i'll strip it down for paint this weekend.