Thread: tin-man has some questions, it begins.....

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[QUOTE=tin-man;456576]

Originally Posted by Arrowhead

The slot car handling and 2100# curb weight are also some nice attributes

Arrowhead, my compliments on such an great characterisation of the cars abilities, so, does that apply to a T bucket as well? Can you help me apprecaite the attributes of why people such as yourself pick a T bucket over say a Deuce? Both are visually pleasing but I'm of the opinion the T bucket is for sedate older folks whereas the deuce is for bad boys. INCOMING, LOOK OUT!

Cheers, John, AKA, tin-man

Talk about incoming!! John, you seem to have missed the point of Arrowhead's post. He's a builder and supporter of the FF33 kits, and his statements relate to that specific vehicle. Now as for your statement about T-buckets being for the senior citizens in old folks homes?? I'll let you defend that one yourself - hope you packed the cast iron underware in your ExPat pack....

[QUOTE=rspears;456578]

Originally Posted by tin-man

Talk about incoming!! John, you seem to have missed the point of Arrowhead's post. He's a builder and supporter of the FF33 kits, and his statements relate to that specific vehicle. Now as for your statement about T-buckets being for the senior citizens in old folks homes?? I'll let you defend that one yourself - hope you packed the cast iron underware in your ExPat pack....

Roger, to the contrary, I totally got his post and complimented his description of his cars handling abilities, this was in addition to my earlier post #4 on this thread congratulating Arrowhead on his remarkable tenacity and endurance during his build. If you check that post, 34_40 sent me the link Arrowheads Hot Rod Site which was a fascinating read and was a well documented introduction for me being a newbie to the business of hot rods. Also, and if I am not mistaken, Arrowhead responded to one of my original questions as to height of the front of the car to the ground.

As to the T bucket remark, I like both the T bucket and the deuce, but to my novice eye when looking at the for sale sites they have been offered with what appeared to be smaller engines than say what is typical for the deuce. Now maybe I have not seen any T buckets with BBC or Fords and being the case mea culpa for making an observation that was not entirely correct. Regarding the older folks crack, yep, I expect that may stir the pot a bit, but then again it was all in good fun, right? I am of the opinion the distinction between the older folks and bad boys will be taken in the spirit it was pitched as being pure hyperbole. That said I am curious why somebody selects a T bucket over say a deuce, probably just personal preference, but I thought I would pose the question.

So there you have it, I don't generally explain my actions, but being new to this forum I thought it best to do so. Did I do right?

Now where did I put those cast iron pants?

Cheers, John, AKA, tin-man

John,
Speaking from one of those older folks perspectives "that of which I am", The pants might be a bit of an overkill. You probably only need the COD PIECE.

Originally Posted by Bug

John,
Speaking from one of those older folks perspectives "that of which I am", The pants might be a bit of an overkill. You probably only need the COD PIECE.

Bug, since I don't have a cod piece, err, hmmm, maybe I start again, OK here we go...."speaking of those fine folks that drive T buckets" what was/is the compelling motivation for that choice of ride, just curious, can you share, are there stories here that would be of interest to the group??

Cheers, John, AKA, tin-man .......................phew, hope that did it.

No,John,,you dont see too many T buckets with B/B's in them,,cos I think you will find,that the average bucket weighs considerably less than any deuce,,whether it be steel or glass,so the power to weight ratio,with a warmed over S/B,and a short wheelbase,is sure to be a trouser packer,,and an interesting handling package at that.. You need to try your hand in a blown B/BC powered streetlegal bucket,like hotrodtodd has,down here,in NZ..

Originally Posted by lamin8r

No,John,,you dont see too many T buckets with B/B's in them,,cos I think you will find,that the average bucket weighs considerably less than any deuce,,whether it be steel or glass,so the power to weight ratio,with a warmed over S/B,and a short wheelbase,is sure to be a trouser packer,,and an interesting handling package at that.. You need to try your hand in a blown B/BC powered streetlegal bucket,like hotrodtodd has,down here,in NZ..

Robin, thank you for that explanation. John ,AKA, tin-man

John,
I apologize, I thought your were confused about the FF33 build, as I did not take (and have not taken) time to go to the other hot rod site linked. I was only going from what had been said here, and it seemed to be off. My mistake.

Regarding a deuce and "necessary" power, my '33 highboy coupe is pushing about 425Hp and 475ftlbs, and I can tell you it is a handful to drive at WOT. Fun?? Sure, I love every minute in it, but if I were doing it again I would likely go with a much more sedate crate engine in the 300HP range. For me the added power of a big block is going to be severe overkill in a light vehicle like a fiberglass coupe. The added weight up front is going to affect your handling, and unless you're going to have it built for hard core drags or nostalgia gasser wars you're never going to need that power. Now if you're wanting it purely for the "WOW" factor, more power to you (pun intended). As a cruiser I'd bet you'll be much happier with a nice small block without too many bells & whistles other than the desired bling for the open hood look. Just my $0.02 on the subject, and you can take it for what it's worth.

Roger,
I think I have John on the right track.
He started this out askin about a non trad 33 car with a BBF
After many emails back and forth, he's on to the "real deal" now
( I think)
Got him all hot and bothered about doin a "Old Crow"
type roadster in YELLER, with a (as he said 2 me) Bad ass 355 SBC !!!
We'll see, when he get's back to AZ and pulls the trigger

John - I don't think anyone has answered your question as to why someone would choose a 'bucket over a '30s car. My response to this would be several fold. First of all, complexity. A 'bucket is usually pretty simple to build. Next would be for those with limited space - a small shed will house a 'bucket and its pieces. Then there is the need for limited tools and lastly - cost. A very nice 'bucket can put together for less then 10,000USD - and in many case, much less.

And as far as age - IMO, you have it in reverse. Younger folks will go the 'bucket route for the above reasons while the older folks often have a financial 'nest egg' and can afford the costs for a '30s rod - and to build one of them, think $30,000 and (mostly) up. I built a 'bucket in the late '80s - the cost was less then the driveline of my '31. I'll let Arrowhead answer about his, but I can assure you that it was well done. Mine - as far as engine, it had a heated up Ford 351W, handled very well, accelerated like a scalded cat and stopped well. And it would attract more spectators at a show then most '32s But I do like my '31 lots better

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Roger,
I think I have John on the right track.
He started this out askin about a non trad 33 car with a BBF
After many emails back and forth, he's on to the "real deal" now
( I think)
Got him all hot and bothered about doin a "Old Crow"
type roadster in YELLER, with a (as he said 2 me) Bad ass 355 SBC !!!
We'll see, when he get's back to AZ and pulls the trigger

That's good, Don. So all we have to do is work on that one, flawed letter, swapping the "C" for an "F" and maybe drop eight from that "355" number?? Should be good to go, then!

Originally Posted by rspears

That's good, Don. So all we have to do is work on that one, flawed letter, swapping the "C" for an "F" and maybe drop eight from that "355" number?? Should be good to go, then!

Roger - he can keep the 355 moniker as long as it starts with something like ..... 351W+.030



...

oops, double post. sorry. tin-man

[QUOTE=rspears;456613]John,
Regarding a deuce and "necessary" power, my '33 highboy coupe is pushing about 425Hp and 475ftlbs, and I can tell you it is a handful to drive at WOT.

Roger, please help me understand WOT, thanks, John, AKA, tin-man

with something like 17x15 rear tires you would need a narrowed frame and a pro street type approach--not traditional and in my opinion not good looking--stay with something no more than 10 or 11 wide

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

with something like 17x15 rear tires you would need a narrowed frame and a pro street type approach--not traditional and in my opinion not good looking--stay with something no more than 10 or 11 wide

Jerry, Now this is the exact type of feedback I am looking for, thank you. I guess you guys have to be real patient with us newbies in that we have our druthers and out of not having a full grasp of the do's and dont's of the craft put forth suggestions that are certainly doable, but are either not practical, none traditional or would entail major mods to portions of the build and thus add to the original build costs.

OK, I give up, I guess when I pull the trigger I'll just have to send Don tons of progressive payments, sit back, let him do what he does best and then drool and provide all the oohs and ahhs when I picks up the deuce.. err, well, something kinda like that.

I am beginning to understand now how some some people can wind up building DONKS, they don't have the expertise available to them that is right here on this forum, either that or they don't listen.. Cheers, John , AKA, tin-man