Thread: General Guide??

Tweet

Hey guys. So this is a total newbie question, so let me have it if you feel the need haha . I have done a few restorations with my dad, but never a complete build. I want to do one on my own, a build from the frame up that is. I know it's not fast, or easy, process. I have pretty good mechanical aptitude from being around the shop growing up and working on the family cars.

I am wondering if there is/are a manual/manuals or general books you guys would recommend I read before jumping into this project with both feet. I kind of have a general direction in which I want to head, but I am lacking some knowledge in areas that I would like to read up on first.

Thanks for the help guys. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Kevin

We have it a lot easier to get this kind of info today than we old timers did in the past. We had to rely on the latest issue of Hot Rod or Rod and Custom showing up at our door, or things we learned by making mistakes and by watching our buddies do work on their cars. Today with the internet a whole world of information has opened up and you virtually can find how to's on every subject out there.

The first step is to find out what kind of car you want to build, some like roadsters, some like coupes, some like traditional type cars, some like more modern street rods, etc. Find one that turns you on and then plan how to build your car similar to that one. Go to lots of shows and get down under the cars you like and see how they did what they did.

Finally, have at least the body, engine, and representative tires BEFORE you start building the frame (or ordering the frame). You need to mock up your car with pieces of wood, jack stands, concrete blocks, and anything you have handy to get the ride height and stance you are after. Having those components there will allow you to sit back and see if you like what you have created, or if things need moved around yet.

Don

the rear tire sizes and wheel offsets are as important to the build as anything--it determines housing,axle, frame clearance and if body or fender work is needed to get the finished look

I read Jay Storer's "How to Build a 1933-34 Ford Street Rod" cover to cover before I even ordered my roller body/chassis, and I found it to be a good "overview", magazine article approach to the information. There's also one for '32's and one for '35-'40's. Like Don says, first decide what you want to end up with, then plan, plan, plan before you start spending money. Jerry's advice on rear tire/wheels is 100% on target. I bet I spent a month trying to decide on my wheels & tires to get the right (in my eyes) stance, and I went to several shows where I looked more at tires than cars. Links to the soft cover books I referenced:
Amazon.com: How to Build a 1933-1934 Ford Street Rod HP1479 (Kit Car) (9781557884794): Jay Storer, The Editors of Street Rodder Magazine: Books
Amazon.com: How to Build a 1932 Ford Street RodHP1478 (9781557884787): Jay Storer, The Editors of Street Rodder Magazine: Books
Amazon.com: How to Build A 1935-1940 Ford Street Rod HP1493 (9781557884930): Editors of Street Rodder Magazine: Books

Thanks for the insight guys. See, I had no idea that the first thing I purchased should be a body, engine and wheels/tires. Great info. I will look into the books you mentioned Roger. Thanks again guys. Keep the replies coming as I can use the help, obviously.

Out of the 3, having the body there is the most important. The engine does not have to be the final one that will go into the car, an old, similar engine is fine for mock up purposes. But you need to figure out how much room you need in the engine room for fan and distributor clearance on both ends. The tires and wheels are just there to establish wheelbase and can be any old wheels and tires. Some people have even cut round circles out of plywood to simulate the diameter of the tires they plan on running and using those for mockup.

You have to think of this process as if you were building a house. You wouldn't just start laying block for the basement without knowing what kind of house would go on top of that foundation. Similarly, you wouldn't build the frame without knowing how long and wide it needs to be to fit the intended body, or how much kickup it needs to sit at the ride height you want.

Don

All very true statements. Thanks

I would have to caution you in no uncertain terms----that on a t bucket maybe the wheels/tires only need to be cardboard circles that you color with magic marker, but on anything else you want the whole wheel tire combo /offset amounts for body/frame/fender/brake clearaance/stance, etc

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

I would have to caution you in no uncertain terms----that on a t bucket maybe the wheels/tires only need to be cardboard circles that you color with magic marker, but on anything else you want the whole wheel tire combo /offset amounts for body/frame/fender/brake clearaance/stance, etc

So true. If your after wide tires on a conventional car you MUST have tires and wheels before. So you know what you have to do to the frame inner fenders suspension. Probably a good thing to do for now would be figure out what you want. then ask how to get to step 2. Every one on here will help and this place is policed close enough where you shouldn't get into any trouble. most of all ENJOY your build

Use the forum to your advantage send PMs emails whatever we all will try helping

Geez I wish I read this 4 years ago!

Thanks for all the replies and insight. I really feel a lot more confident that I will have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips with this site. I will definitely keep you guys up to date on how everything is going. My new shop is being built right now, so I have to wait for that to be finished. Once it's done, then the real fun begins (if I have decided on what to build that is). Thanks guys. All the help is really appreciated.

So what kind of car are we building here? T-Bucket, Roadster/Coupe, Mid-30's to '48 Rod, Muscle Car or Late Model Street Machine? What kind of drivetrain? Help us understand what ballpark you're playing in here. (Sorry - we were typing at the same time....)

I want to build a '32 Hiboy. The drivetrain is the main area where I lack a lot of knowledge. I am leaning towards a 383 for the power plant (not opposed to something else though), but don't know about a tranny. I want a 5 or 6 speed manual for sure. Other than that I am still just researching. What are your thoughts? Like I said before, I am very open to suggestions and ideas. I pretty much have a blank canvas haha. I like so many things that it's hard for me to decide exactly what I want....

Originally Posted by kcs83

I want to build a '32 Hiboy. The drivetrain is the main area where I lack a lot of knowledge. I am leaning towards a 383 for the power plant (not opposed to something else though), but don't know about a tranny. I want a 5 or 6 speed manual for sure. Other than that I am still just researching. What are your thoughts? Like I said before, I am very open to suggestions and ideas. I pretty much have a blank canvas haha. I like so many things that it's hard for me to decide exactly what I want....

For a '32 Hiboy I would look at N&N Fiberglass Reproductions N & N Fiberglass (assuming you're not going Brookville or SAR for repop metal) and buy their Premium Roller. I went with a '33/'34coupe as I live where it gets cold and wet, but the '32 is an easier build - straight lines up front. IMO you will not find a better value than N&N for glass, and you cannot find better people to work with than Duane & Scott. If you're sold on the 383 that's fine - I elected to go Ford-in-Ford with a 347 Stroker, but that's just me. The Ford is quite a bit longer and harder to shoehorn into the space than a Chevy. Another really neat choice, IMO, would be one of the newer modular Fords, a 4.6L or if you could find one salvage their new 5.0 - they're awesome looking when set up for an open chassis - very wide, but look super cool. My next one may be a mod motor - I don't do Chevy in Ford, or Ford in Mopar. Lots of people use the T5 tranny from Mustangs, but IMO they don't hold up well to higher HP and torque. My choice was a new Tremec TKO600 which has a 0.64 OD 5th gear - cruises just under 2000rpm at 70mph in 5th with 4:11 rear gears - gets up to speed wicked fast, but then cruises easy. It's not a cheap choice, but it is pretty well bullet proof if you buy the right one for your power level. Their 6spd is awesome - both 5th & 6th are OD ratios, with 6th 0.50! Just watch your gears and torque band. Others will have other ideas.

WOW! That right there is a lot of info to take in haha. But thank you. I was actually thinking of going Ford in Ford, I just hadn't looked that much into it. Yet that is. I will definitely be looking into the N&N stuff. I definitely want to go on the new/newer side of things with the drivetrain (new purchase, not necessarily new technology). I will check out the transmissions you mentioned as well. As far as price goes, I have saved up a considerable amount to do this with, so I may as well do it right and get what I want. I have the rare opportunity to work as much as I want with my job so I go through spurts where I will work like crazy to save up a good amount in a short period of time haha.

As far as chassis goes, do you recommend buying a complete roller or going with a perimiter frame and x member and building up from there? Being this is my first "build", I was thinking that purchasing a roller would be the best choice for me until I learn all the ins and outs.

Thanks again.