See Ken, I WAS able to keep it secret!! :p :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: Sorry Bob, he says Florida is a better test bed (at least that's what I THINK I heard :rolleyes: )
Don
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See Ken, I WAS able to keep it secret!! :p :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: Sorry Bob, he says Florida is a better test bed (at least that's what I THINK I heard :rolleyes: )
Don
Naughty naughty :p .
Kinda had an idea it wasn't just 'thrown' together - but............
great work, can i be adopted. jonathan
Bob-If you are serious we do have programs like that, but it has to be a serious effort, 1000 miles per month min. weekly feed back reports, things like that.
We are talking to Don on a east coast distributorship, we found a building in his neighborhood now I just have to talk him into working. I think this retirement thing might be hard to break :LOL:
Remember, this was your idea :D
Back to the project, finally the interior panels are done. Next the interior guy will come over and select the foam density to get my ride height right with the most comfort. Then I can put the steering column in.
Here is what the final hood release will look like. I'm thinking of adding another brace in the center since my hood is extended 4". I'll see after this part is mounted if it needs it.
Ken
Sorry, I haven't posted for a while. My wife had a knee replacement, I knew that was going to happen but I had know idea it was going to be like this. This is an ugly surgery. Everyone probably knows someone that has gone threw this, but I didn't. I hope I never need one. My wife is a very strong independent person, but this has wiped her out.
So, there is no way I will make the finish date I was hoping for. I have been working on it but not to the point I was hoping for.
The fuel and electrical system is done for the injectors and the battery and stereo system is mounted, that all my progress.
Ken
Ken, More amazing work! I got some work done on my '29 today since the weather is improving but your '32 is out of sight! In a previous picture you showed circular holes in the cockpit sides for speakers? I am only replying because my wife had BOTH knees replaced TWICE! The first time was a dismal failure but the second time was done by a different surgeon and has turned out great. We are having new fun walking daily in a nearby mall. As long as there is no infection, joint replacement can be a great thing. Unfortunately for me the high quality of your work has me looking over my shoulder when working on my car and there is no way for me to keep up with that quality BUT (!) I will keep slogging on and do the best I can and hope metallic maroon will hide a lot of boo boos.
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder
Don,
I have followed your construction on your car. You certainly have nothing to hide, you have a very nice and well constructed car. How close are you?
Wow, your poor wife to have to go threw that twice, I'm glad to here it's finally working out.
Yes, those holes are for speakers, there will be two in the doors also. And thank you for your very nice comments.
Ken
Ken I'm so sorry to hear about your Wife's surgery. I bet that is painful and makes for a very slow recovery. But the upside is that she should be much better than before the surgery once she heals. I know people who have gone through it and most said they would have done it earlier if they knew how much improvement there would be. I wish her well.
I was just thinking the other day that we haven't seen you on here lately and I was wondering what you were up to. What you have been able to get done is spectacular, but that is the norm for your work.
Don
A couple of folks that I know have had knee or hip replacements - I understand that it is not an ordeal that you look forward to for fun and giggles.
Ken, I'm sorry to hear that she has had to go through that period of pain and suffering though she should be able to regain any lost mobility and it will only be a bad memory in a few weeks. Keep her comfortable and happy - the car will wait a while.
Ken good to see you up and posting. Knee surgery is brutal. I've observed a total knee and total hip surgeries while in school, and you just have to think, god that must hurt, just watching it! I won't go into details, but wish her a speedy recovery, and I guess your stuck vacuuming out the shop for a while!:CRY:
I'll give you a ring when I get to S. Cal. and see if your still up for a visit. Steve.:)
High tech hot rod.............high tech wife...........sounds like a good combo to me!;)
Best wishes for a good and speedy recovery for her.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter
Yep, some guys have it all! :D :D On that note I would like to comment on Ken doing this thread, and I hope he doesn't mind me doing it.
I kinda pushed Ken into doing this thread, he felt it wouldn't have a broad enough appeal to be interesting and that it might come across as showboating. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ken has explained each update in a clear, interesting manner, and his pictures speak volumes about the quality of work he does. I think this is one of the best threads on building a car that I have even seen, and from talking with some of you I know you look forward to each update as much as I do.
What is great about seeing a car of this level come together is that it makes each of us want to bring our own cars up a few notches too. I may not be able to turn out some exotic bracket that I see someone else make, but I sure am going to borrow parts of it and try to make something similar myself.
Just wanted to thank Ken for taking the time and effort to post these updates and pictures.
Don
And that comes from the guy with the number one thread on this site. I thank everyone who is willing to show us lesser beings how to do it right. That very much includes you Ken.
I would like to thank all of you.
I hired this 20 year old Swedish girl to help out for six weeks, which is up
this Friday, she didn't cook very well, and her house cleaning skills were not very good either. But I decided to extend your contract to the end of the year and give her a raise. Bob probably has a photo of her :LOL:
Actually I have been grocerie shopping, cooking, laundry, dishes, and taking care of my grandson. I appreciate my wife a lot more now. My wife read all your comments and wants me to relay her appreciation for them.
I will continue posting the build on my roadster, hopefully I am able to pick up the pace now. I want to hear it run :D
Ken
Steve-Looking forward to meeting you, have you ever been to the Donut Derelicts?
If Bob doesn't have a picture of her, I DO!!!!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: (this was the only one appropriate to post :rolleyes: :LOL: )
Don
Best wishes to your wife, Ken!!!! That is a very nasty surger to go through!!!! But they sure do use some trick materials in the replacement!!!!
The car is coming along great!!! I always figured a projected completion date was someplace between a WAG and wishful thinking anyway!!!!
Knowing you Ken, she had to wear her official uniform "at work".........Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Thurm
Hey Bob, how come Ken gets NICE pictures and I get those refugees from an ugly contest???????????? :confused: :LOL: :LOL:
Don
Because mom always liked him best.
:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Donut Derelics? No but sounds like a fun place, or maybe where retired cops hang out!:LOL:
Seriously, I'm looking foward to the visit as well. I'll take my camera, and shoot some photos of anything Ken lets me! I'd love to see the truck in person. Glad to hear your wife is well! Steve.:D
You BETTER be takin' good care of her, Ken. When that new knee heals up she'll be able to put her foot in your backside a lot quicker than before!:LOL: :LOL:
From Itoldyouso: I kinda pushed Ken into doing this thread, he felt it wouldn't have a broad enough appeal to be interesting and that it might come across as showboating. Nothing could be further from the truth. Ken has explained each update in a clear, interesting manner, and his pictures speak volumes about the quality of work he does. I think this is one of the best threads on building a car that I have even seen, and from talking with some of you I know you look forward to each update as much as I do.
I agree 100%. Keep the updates coming, Ken:D
Another thing to add.... Next time someone comes around whining about "cookie cutter kit cars", be sure to refer them to this thread and Don and JR's threads so they can actually see what it takes to build a car instead of just imagining!!!!!
Her knee is made out of Cobalt and Teflon, it's really heavy.
Bob-I knew we were all related :LOL:
Steve-If you go to http://socalcarculture.com/index.htm and click on cruise nights at the top (although some of the best ones ore in the morning) you can get your fill. If you want to go to the Donut Derelicts let me know. There will be 250 to 300 nice cars there at 6 am. Sat.
J.Robinson-Your car is really coming along, looks really good.
Dave-I think you hit the nail right on the head. There have been and are so many cars built on this site and none of them are the same. The people and information give here is like none other, in my opinion.
Ken
Ken, I hope your wife continues to heal well. I know the therapy will be tough, but pretty soon she will be happy she made the decision to have this procedure done.
Dave really called that one correctly about what it takes to build a car, and seeing some of these cars in person is even more of an eye opener. Last year at Turkey Run I had the pleasure of finally getting to see two of the cars from on here.........Bill's (Gastrick) '32 Ford coupe, and Jim's (JRobinson) model a coupe. It is one thing to see bits and pieces of them on our screens, but when you actually get to climb over and under one of these cars you start to appreciate the individual personality and creativity of the owner. Each car has little touches that make them totally different from every other '32 or Model A on the road.
Ken's car (and his other cars) are probably (undoubtedly) the kind that make you go WOW when you see them up close. Even looking at the pictures I find myself saying "how the h*** did he even think to do this or that the way he did?"
The hours we spend shaping, forming, bending, drilling, cutting, welding, etc pieces of nondescript sheets of metal and fiberglass into our own personal work of art is what makes this hobby as much fun and as rewarding as it is. Even when we cut or burn ourselves we shrug it off as an offering to the car building Gods. Each car DEMANDS a certain amount of blood letting. I guess it is a bonding thing between us and our creation.:eek:
The other thing is that regardless of if you have an elaborate, fully equipped shop or are doing your build in your backyard, every one of us appreciates you posting your story and pictures. I, and I know everyone else on here, love to peek into your world for a little while and see what you have been up to. The builds that all of you are taking the time to document and put up for us are one of the most popular parts of this and every other forum. Please don't EVER think that your offerings are not worthy of posting..........you make our day when you do them. It also raises the bar for the rest of us and in turn makes our own cars even better.
Finally, please don't be afraid to goof up some portion of your car and admit it. Jack (Henry Rifle) took us through his trials with getting his coupe to turn out as nice as it did, I had my own little screwups like my tunnel disaster, and others have posted when things went south on them. It happens to every one of us, and sometimes it is refreshing to see that even people who have done this for a long time get into some corner that they have to work out of.
I hope more and more of you do what Ken and so many others have done by starting a thread and letting us become part of your build. The thread I did on my T was one of the most fun (or as my Sons would say.......FUNNEST) things I have ever done. Toss a cat or one of Uncle Bob's pictures into the mix every once and a while and you really have something there!! :LOL: :LOL:
Don
Ken, I think your build reminds us of what many of us had hoped to see on the TV shows about Foose and Codington....the chance to watch a true craftsman build a no-compromise hot rod. Unfortunately the crap and drama got in the way of the building on the TV shows. With you we are seeing the real story. Your build is far beyond what most of us can even dream of but WOW....what an inspiration. Thanks again for letting us share.:D
Heck - this is real life, not drama for the TV masses - and for sure the quality of Ken's cars are better especially if you take a close look at Foose' latest, the P-32.Quote:
Originally Posted by RestoRod
Don-When I read your post I honestly don't know what to say, except I will do my best to give good information and hope someone will find it useful. Thank you for your kind words you inspire me to work harder.
RestoRod-You are right, I have friends that have and do work at these places and for some reason they just turn these shows into a circus atmosphere, it's a shame, there are some real craftsman out there that they make them look like fools sometimes.
IC2-That P-32 just doesn't look like something out of his shop.
I was working on my gas tank filler spout today. It is really tight in that area, I had tried several different approaches but couldn't get anything to work. When I get stumped with something I just move to another area and do something else. That was the case today, I went to the motor to work on the thermostat housing. I can't use a stock housing because of the way my radiator is designed. So we made a plate to bolt to the water pump then I will weld in this stainless tubing at the correct angle, then the alignment will be correct for the radiator. After that was made I picked up the thermostat housing to put it back in the box to return it, I looked at it again and saw my filler neck for my gas tank. I cut away everything I didn't need and there it was the correct angle and everything. Sometimes I guess it's all how you look at something.
Ken
That would be known as getting your money's worth Ken!!!!! Kind of like Happy Hour., 2 for 1!!!!! Both look great! Seems the smaller the CHALLENGE the longer it takes to come up with a solution.... The little things that are often overlooked are what makes the difference in the quality of the finished product!!!!
Ken, is that fuel cap one of those pop up kind? If so where did you get it? I lost the file on the reference for one I'd saved.
Dave-You are right, the things that look the cleanest and simplest or usually the most time consuming.
Bob-Yes, it's a motorcycle gas cap,I get them from a friend of mine, Matt Hotch, his shop is Hot Match Custom Motorcycles in Fullerton Ca.
Ken
Dave is right, it is the million little things that stand out as superb in the end. I wish I had the ability and patience to this end. What I do have is the ability to appreciate others like you Ken and what you put into your cars, as well as all the others on this site. You guys are my electric family who gi:D ve me ideas and help every day!:D
Trying to get the exhaust finished up. These are some of the pieces used to fabricate the exhaust, then you can see it going into the muffler. I haven't tried this before with a single muffler but I like the idea of not having two mufflers under the interior of the car. I have never had a street rod with air conditioning before so I'm trying to thing and eliminate things that would generate heat to the interior. There is three firewalls in it and each will be insulated, with the engine oil in the firewall I want to make sure the heat stays out of the interior. It's all three inch material.
Ken
Ken,
It looks great. What did you do after the manifolds/headers as far as joining the two sides together. Are you going to run it out just on one side or the center ala Corvette, like with an oval tip? I never knew how much "fun" it was to weld up an exhaust system until I did it:rolleyes:
IC2-It's dual exhaust all the way back I just showed you one side. The muffler has two inlets and 2 exhaust in it with a balance tube all in side. I'm stopping it just as it shows. I don't like to see the exhaust tubes coming out the back.
Ken
OK - that makes sense - it sounded like 2 into 1 then a single tailpipe which is what my '94 & '97 4.6L T'birds had(suffered?)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Thurm
IC2- If you go to the 6Th page you can see the muffler and see the inlets.
Ken
Thanks Ken - (and I do have to admit to terminal CRS because I remember the posting and thinking it's gonna get hot that close to the floorboars. )Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken Thurm
Ken
we'll be down this weekend to go to my sister in laws wedding. Hope to hook up and see your projects. I'll give you a call when I get there. Steve.
WOW.. Sad to say it, but I am accually extremely upset! Simply because i ran out of stuff to read! I've spent the past 2 hours on THIS THREAD, drooling over your rod, ur creativity, CLEANLYNESS!!, and just the amount of work that has been put into this so far!! Ken you are my new found idol and this makes me want to quit my full time job and go do my OWN stuff! haha but all in all, you have caught a valued reader!! keep on making this thing an amazing creation!! ill be watching! looks amazing!!