1930 Chevy sedan build thread...trying for 3K.

[buckroseau]

Fairly new to club hot rod site. Been watching and learning from others for a few months now. Not new to working on vehicles, but new to the hot rod scene.

In early September I drug home a 1930 Chevy 2 door sedan with intentions on buidling up some sort of hot rod. After figuring out a game plan I started tearing into it approx. the end of September. So...been working on it now for about 2 months. Not a blazing pace, but none the less...getting some time on it on the weekends when I can. I have been meaning to start some sort of build thread but, just haven't found the time in the evenings to get it going and post pics.

So, now that I am 2 months behind on starting a thread and it's going to take even longer to do.... I figure I better start it and keep it current. I'll start posting pics tonight and some quick text and try to bring it up to date. Hopefully some of you veteran's and new guys will chime in with some ideas and help.

Thanks, Matt

[buckroseau]

These pics were taken the first week in September. Pics that the guys wife took while we were loading it onto the trailer. The guy in the blue shirt owned it.....his Dad bought it brand new back in 1929. After it was loaded he asked me to swing by the shed. Dug out 5 original wheels that still had air in them.

Matt

[buckroseau]

Next 4 pics are when I had it backed into the driveway. Nothing changed, just a few more photos of what I drug home.

Matt

[Itoldyouso]

It looks really solid and pretty complete. Gonna make you an nice project there. I'll be waiting for each update, this looks very cool. What are your plans, fendered, fenderless, etc?


Isn't it funny to think the air in those tires might be 80 years old? I just removed some tires off of the '46 Merc wheels I used on the front of my T, and there was still air in them. Coulda been from the '50's. It was strange to think about that as they were deflating.


Don

[buckroseau]

It looks really solid and pretty complete. Gonna make you an nice project there. I'll be waiting for each update, this looks very cool. What are your plans, fendered, fenderless, etc?


Isn't it funny to think the air in those tires might be 80 years old? I just removed some tires off of the '46 Merc wheels I used on the front of my T, and there was still air in them. Coulda been from the '50's. It was strange to think about that as they were deflating.


Don

Hi Don,

Give me a about another half hour or so and another dozen or so more postings. The Chevy truck is about the end of September. I should have it upto speed in the next hour and that will answer a few questions.

Thanks, Matt

[buckroseau]

First pic is a pic of a 1940 Ford front axle of a truck my neighbor gave me.

Next 2 pics are of a rear axle out of a 73 Ford truck a guy at work gave me.

Matt

[buckroseau]

I purchased a 1975 Chevy 2wd truck about a week later for $200 bucks, had a 350 Sb and Th350 tranny. It had been sitting since 1989 when it started having some carb trouble. I rounded up another 2 barrel carb for fun, swapped it out and got it running. It actually ran very nice after I got it started. Drove it onto the trailer and hauled that POS home.

Once home, rolled down the windows, stuck the pallet forks through the windows with loader tractor and after pulling the cab mounts off lifted the cab off. 2 body mount bolts up front and then front clip rolled off. A couple minutes with the gas ax and I lifted the motor and tranny out. After the drivetrain was out I cut the frame with the torch, folded the frame rails in and welded a $22 hitch on it and some saftey chains. 5 days later the trailer I made was in the local trader paper...sold for $300. I got $72 bucks for the cab, front clip and remaining frame for scrap steel.

Matt

[buckroseau]

Few pics of the motor after I removed it and set it on the trailer and then about an hour with the preasure washer and castrol super clean.

Also, couple sticks of 1.5" x 4" x 11 ga. steel I hauled home for frame material.

Matt

[oldrodder43]

WOW! Veeerrrrryy COOL Matt. And VERY nice work. Club Hot Rod has GOT to have some of the Country's BEST fabricators! That Chevy sure looks mean. NICE. Keep the posts coming, I still got a lot to learn! oldrodder43 perley

[Itoldyouso]

Matt, let me say up front that this is a very very impressive build. Your work is professional, and it is cool that you are taking the time to post this for our enjoyment. I loved every part of it.

Now, please forgive me for mentioning one thing though. Please do not use those rear radius rods to locate your axle. Ford never intended them to take the kind of stresses they will be under in the manner you are using them. The original intent was only to brace the enclosed driveshaft tube. There have been numerous cases of these breaking or bending badly. I think the single rod end in the center may also prove to be a weak spot for you.

Please read this thread on the HAMB about one set that broke:

http://jalopyjournal.com/forum/showt...hlight=wrecked

I am using split bones on the back of mine, however they are an aftermarket set made by PSI at one time, and designed to work in this capacity. They are much heavier than the original Ford items, and have forged ends, not cast.

During my build a lot of good people took the time to question something I had done, and my own Son took me to task on some things I was doing too. In most cases, they were right, and I rethought and redid some things to correct those areas. I hope you understand that I mention this only to keep you or some other person from getting hurt. After hearing Megans story about her T ending up on it's side, I am more concerned with safety than ever before.

Aside from this one thing, the car is perfect IMO.

Don

[Ron B.]

Very nice, I love the old sedan's. Please answer this for me, why does it seem that most of the old tin is in Minnesota? Everytime I look at something good for sale that's where it's alway's at.

Ron

[brianrupnow]

Very nice and well documented build. I have to agree with Don about the rear radius rods not being strong enough. Looks like great quality work, and I am looking foreward to watching the rest of this build up.---Brian

[217-z]

Very nice build..

[mark craig]

all I can say is wow nice work

[Rickomatic]

Great sedan. I am very appreciative that you are taking the time to document this. It helps guys like me that have about 1/100 of the skill and knowledge that guys like you have.

Rick