Thread: One way to build a '32 sedan

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Ken, tonight I was telling Dan about the slice and dice you were doing on your '32 and right away he said that he saw the one Pinkys did and it looked so much better after the shortening job. He said it was something you don't realize until you put the two side by side, but it really cleans up the proportions.

Pretty ambitious project, but probably not nearly as hard as building a 12 cylinder Ardun.

Don

Steve-I think they make about 300 hp, I think they just sound so much better with the blower.

Brad- thanks, I have a couple other little things I'm going to throw into it also

Don-I sure miss your post I agree with Dan, it's a subtle thing that just makes you take a second look. I hope mine turns out at least halve as good as Pinky's, that thing is really nice.
Ken

Well, now that I'm done with the roadster

I have some time to get back to the sedan. Hot rods and Custom stuff makes a really nice kicked up frame, but I wanted it a little different for the sedan. I kicked it 2" in the front, the shortened the height by an inch starting at the front cross member going forward. set the notch in the for the spring clearance at 10 degrees and drew some boxing plate. Set the drawings to our lazier cutting guy and had them cut out. He made 3 sets for me, one for the sedan one for the new '32 truck and one set in case I screw up!
Ken

Isn't it funny how pretty parts that are cut out of steel can be to us hot rodders? I look at those plates you had done and to me they are beautiful. I bet non car people would look at them and wonder what the attraction is.

Glad to see you are back on this one again.........I was worried you might have taken up another hobby or something.

Don

Had mono leaf , on wifes 32 2 dr. sdn ,all steel car w/ small blk chev. coming back from Oregon on hwy. 5 spring broke.

There have been reports on various forums about mono springs breaking. At one point someone from the manufacturer came on and posted a rebuttal of that accusation, saying that "every spring will eventually break and that they had no abnormal occurances of this happening with their springs." I have never used one, but I can't remember ever having any spring break for me or any one I know.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

There have been reports on various forums about mono springs breaking. At one point someone from the manufacturer came on and posted a rebuttal of that accusation, saying that "every spring will eventually break and that they had no abnormal occurances of this happening with their springs." I have never used one, but I can't remember ever having any spring break for me or any one I know.

Don

Ever since they came out I have used them on everything that has a transverse spring, and haven't had any problems. So far so good.
Ken

Along the same lines, but different, my 34 has a Vette composite mono spring. It cracked and splintered on the way to the Lou'ville Nats several years back. Rare but it happens. No serious damage and no injuries or death, so I replaced it with a new one. Never knew what happened, chalked it up to being an old and tired spring.

Mike- You don't want to live to close to me, I make a lot of noise


Ken, I could live real close, that's not noise, that's music to my ears. All I can say is, turn it up a little, it's not loud enough yet.

BTW, I changed plans on my project, I ditched the LT1. I picked up a complete LS1 & 4L60E combo today.

Mike

The next step is to cut the frame. I'm going to channel it 4" in the front and
3" in toward the rear. I will take 3" out of the frame in the center of the car. That way I won't loose anymore head room than the chop took away. then I will lower the front of the car over the frame 1" at the cowl only. This will give the car an extra 1" of rake and Lower the height in front 1" which will lower my grill shell an additional 2" and keep all the body lines straight.
Then I cut the 1 1/8" pie cut out of the rear section of the frame to raise it
6" in the rear.
When I cut the side rails out I weld a piece of 1 1/4X1/8 flat bar to tie the but weld back together.
I have cut 4" out of the firewall. So the toe panels angle will match where I cut the frame. So when I put the floor in It will give me the stock length toe panel.
I hope the photo's help with this explanation! I'm doing this and I'm having a hard time following this
also there is a shot of how much the front rails will be raised.
Ken

Here is more

Some good info, Ken! Thanks for posting it!!! I probably have as much money in my chassis table as I do in some of the frames I've built on it...but it's worth every penny I have in it. I've had a bunch of different fictures and jigs, had one for deuces, sold it to a guy in Montana a few years back... It was specific for 32's and had many of the same features you've incorporated in yours. No matter what it is you're building, IMO nothing is more critical then to have a good firm table to build the frame on....If the frame and suspension isn't right it just doesn't really matter how the rest of the car is done!!!! There's a whole lot more involved in a build then big horsepower and shiny paint. Your very well documented build threads are proof!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to share all your first rate build information with us!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Some good info, Ken! Thanks for posting it!!! I probably have as much money in my chassis table as I do in some of the frames I've built on it...but it's worth every penny I have in it. I've had a bunch of different fictures and jigs, had one for deuces, sold it to a guy in Montana a few years back... It was specific for 32's and had many of the same features you've incorporated in yours. No matter what it is you're building, IMO nothing is more critical then to have a good firm table to build the frame on....If the frame and suspension isn't right it just doesn't really matter how the rest of the car is done!!!! There's a whole lot more involved in a build then big horsepower and shiny paint. Your very well documented build threads are proof!!!!! Thanks for taking the time to share all your first rate build information with us!

Dave, thank you.
I also believe that if the foundation isn't sound the house falls down. It's worth all the work, but I also want to say any one can duplicate a nice fixture at home. It doesn't have to look like mine to be a good foundation, it just has to be level and strong.
Ken

Hey......a nice KX450F Kawasaki motocross bike in the background! LOL

Hey, thanks actually it's not mine I borrowed it from a friend of mine and was out pulling wheelies and, well, we are trying to get it fixed before he wants it back
Ken