Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Tonight I didn't get a whole lot done, because Mondays are a bear at work, and I didn't have the energy to get real deep in anything, but I did start to brace the body on the frame so I can begin wooding it. I got it all squared up and clamped. Every fiberglass body, especially these bare T bodies, require a lot of shimming and clamping to get them straight before you glass in the floor and supporting framework. This one was no exception, and I found it out about a half inch on the drivers side, but with some wooden blocks and clamps I got it pretty square.

Proobably tomorrow night I will go to Home Depot and pick up a sheet of 3/4 inch plywood for the floor and backrest, plus some firring strip kind of wood for the top edge of the body. I see no need to get anything like marine grade, because I will encapsulate all of the wood in fiberglass, rendering it waterproof. I will buy exterior grade though, as this is what I used on my '27 about 18 years ago, and it is still in perfect condition.

Don came over with another load of parts that came in for his T bucket. It looked like a speed shop after we got them all in there. All he is waiting for is his Total Performance order of an interior, '32 grille and radiator, a wood kit, and some minor items. His wheels should be here soon, and the tires did show up.

He and I are going to start building both of our engines in the next week or so, paint them, and then bag them for final installation later on. Nice to see all of this activity happening. Now we have to get Dan moving on the million little items he has left on his '29. We offered to work on his tonight, but he says what he has left are basically one man operations.

Here are some pictures of my T all blocked up and ready to start doing the floor. The last picture is of Dons little buying spree.


Don

Don
This has to be a exciting time three rods coming together at one time. You have to be a proud parent being able to work side by side with your sons. GOOD DEAL

Originally Posted by cffisher

Don
This has to be a exciting time three rods coming together at one time. You have to be a proud parent being able to work side by side with your sons. GOOD DEAL

Yeah, this will probably be the last chance I have to do this, so it is lots of fun.


Don

Itold sshhh im 50 . I have 2 sons 29 and 25 . Older boy offers but his schedule doesn't match mine . We work different shifts . My 25 son i only see his mechanical skills when he needs help on his cars. So with that i enlisted my 20 yr old daughters B/F (lord help me) to give me some help . He is smart and learns at a alarming rate . I'm beginning to enjoy him being around more since his labor is free (LOL). No really he's a great kid .

Itold the family experience alone will put you well into the 100's .

We are now in awe of your building skills, and your son's spending skills. Just kidding please keep us up to date on his progress also. What transmission is Don running?

TCI streetfighter with a 2600 stall converter. I tried to get him one from my favorite place, Jackson Racing Transmissions, but they are out of C 4 cores, so he went to Summit. Should be a good combo for the light T.





Don

Don,What front brakes are you using on your son's T? Looked like a stock factory rotor and hub assembly to me. That's what I wanted to use,but Speedway insists that they are much too heavy,and I should use their Wilwood kit,which of course is much more expensive. Congrats on all 3 cars coming along nicely,I couldn't get that far on $3000. in beer,let alone have a car too! Hank

Well, to tell the truth, we haven't gotten there on $ 3000 either. I have sort of gotten carried away a little on mine, and Don has gotten WAY carried away on his, and as for Dan, he never did have a budget in mind, and since he is single too, he can indulge himself a little. But, I swear I will do a car under $ 3K and finish it in the future.

As for the brakes, they are one of my Ebay scores. They are mid-'70's GM with an aftermarket mounting setup, whose, I don't know. The guy in the ad said he replaced these with a Wilwood setup on a customers car. I couldn't pass them up because the spindles, calipers, and mounts are chromed, and have the '49 -'54 Chevy spindles I needed. I have to admit, they are a little heavy compared to Wilwoods, and if they prove to be so, it will be a simple matter to switch over, as the spindles are already machined. But I don't think they will be a problem as they sure are lighter than the drum setups I run.


Don

Don,

I found your great thread this morning while searching for "wood". I have spent the last couple of hours studying your craftsmanship and techniques. Since I have to tilt my head back to read the screen through my bifocals, I may have to give it a rest. But this is one great thread! I too was looking to build a cheap T-bucket, but after running the numbers on Total Performance site and checking with Ebay, it is obvious that you can buy one cheaper than building. But when one does this, you miss out on the learning experience. Below is the bucket I bought for $6651.00 Now if the ice and snow would go away, I could run up to Missouri and pick it up.

Reg Mason

You do realize that there is NO structural support in that body dont you? (at least none I can see in the pics) You're gonna have to glass in some wood or something or its gonna crack and wobble all over the place!

I can't tell if that is the way it is or not, my eyes are not that great either, but everything else looks fine. All in all, you got a good deal, because if you start adding up the items, you couldn't duplicate the car for that kind of money. There are always things you have to do, and things you want to do to make it your own, so that is where the learning experience you mention will come in. I like the look of the car a lot.

Have fun when that white stuff goes away.


Don

Don---You are doing a great job. I have thought right from the beginning that you were doing a lot of 'optimistic estimating" in regards to the finished cost. I have built too damn many over the years to think it was possible to build for 3K. Thats okay though--sometimes if you sat down and truly added up what everything was going to cost, the project would never get started. And, in the final concencus, you will have a great little rod, and have provided yourself and all of us people following your thread with thousands of dollars worth of "entertainment.---Brian

Thanks Brian, as always from you, very nice words. Now if I can talk you into buying that homemade shifter from me. I think I'll turn it into a doorstop.


Don

Don bought this one in 1996. Story guy pulled it to build for owner, car was sitting in the street. Police came by because it hadnt moved and found it was a stolen car. The guy told Police he had the engine they told him its your's . Hence he"s a chebby man i got it for $50 with low mileage just clicking over 50k when he pulled it. He rents the house from a friend of mine.

Ok only T talk from here Dad (LOL)

Don you sure was . Save the shoe's you were wearing they have to be the luckyest one's you have. When you take up golf play in them . I'f you ever decide to sell the shoe's let me know i may be interested. (LOL)

New at this but a car guy all my life. A 3k car can be done , with a shop full of old parts and giving it a rat rod build .You guys see if i did enough research.

Car $3800, IFS $2400, Im hoping to come in under 10k just building a driver. I will attemp at sewing my own interior before i buy a kit. I allready have the drive line $500 spent on this. 5.0 , T5 5spd , and 9inch.

I reserched alot right here from all you PROFESSIONAL"S. Follwing this thread and alot of late night reading them all .

Don no matter the cost the grin at the end is what it's all about . and seeing your pics thru out this thread is great . This for us new guys give's us brain storming for idea's . Thank You