Everybody that is currently building a car...

Started on the exhaust for the Plymouth, 2 1/2" tubing with mandrel bends,
Flowmaster mufflers. Headers are almost done, too but I didn't take any pics of them. Soon as the headers and exhaust are done they're off to get coated. Another pic of some of the parts going into the Mustang as it starts going back together!!!!

The pickup is a '66 Chevy. It will be getting the full treatment, IFS, 9" Ford rear, triangulated 4 bar, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc., etc..... Engine will be a big block with a 700R-4 trans. The cab is getting new floors, rockers, and cab corners. Must be kind of a rare truck, has factory power steering and factory air!!!!!

That's a great bodystyle to work with, Dave. What kind of bigblock is going in?

Nice suspension setup. I think down the line when economics afford, I'll probably do the same to my '48.

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Originally Posted by falconvan

That's a great bodystyle to work with, Dave. What kind of bigblock is going in?

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Don't know how big, just another chebbie I guess.....

Figured I would give an update....its been a while.

El Camino: Got the frame finished and went the extra step to box in the rear portion of the frame as well. I've spent the last 2 weekends welding and grinding...and welding and grinding. :LOL: Added my own version of a rivnut before boxing for the gas tank straps. Boxed the tank supports because someone had cut the ends off of one side and tack welded them to the frame...:confused: Any way....now the tank will be easy to pull if needed. We welded all of the joints for the crossmember/rear spring support. The rivets looked to have a little wear...rust tracks coming from them. Also made some 1 1/2" coil spring supports and welded them in giving it a nice 1 1/2" rake and allowing me to raise the front an inch if needed. I found the driveshaft to have a 1 1/2 degree final angle but the rod ends on the upper trailing arms had less than 1/2" of threads in the body :confused:. Called QA1 and Ballistic Fabrication and they both told me the same thing. A rod end should have 1.5 times the shank diameter buried in the tube....in my case 1 1/8" of threads. I opted to buy a rebuildable johnny joint from Ballistic which has a shank length of 3.25" allowing me to have the required threads in the tube and allows me to adjust the pinion angle to match my new suspension. Installed the new radiator from Champion. Looks to be a fine piece and fit. Now the entire radiator support opening had nothing but fins in it....no tanks. This thing is a 3 row alluminum (welded not epoxied) and they boast its ablity to cool up to 800 hp. We'll find out. Also pulled the 14" puller fan and replaced it with a 16" fan. Everyone knows how I feel about buying things that are stamped with an overseas maker.....dont like it. But!!! This fan is simply amazing. I had the grill out doing some work and my son turned it on...it sucked the hat off my head. No kidding!!!! I am sold on this fan if it lasts. Other than it being loud and pulling a lot of ampereage.....it should be a nice add-on for anyone having trouble with their fans. I got it from FFDynamics. One of my sons import buddy's sold me on the idea. Next on the agenda...relocate shock mounts....replace missing sections of the bed floor (I found that the smugglers box lid from a 68 has the same floor patterns as the previous years....it was a lot cheaper than buying a full bed floor). Also add the wheel tubs.

36 Chevy: Finally....yes....finally got my fuel tank back. Wish I had just bought a tig and welded it myself. :LOL: Got the fuel pump from Tanks modified to it shortest depth...and mounted. Orded the 16" sending unit from ISSPro. Still deciding on the mounting position within the frame but at least I'm doing something on the 36 again. Wish I had put a touch of epoxy on the frame before leaving it idle for the winter....have some rust to remove now.

Glad to see everyone still enjoying their projects. Keep it going folks.

Dave G

Way to get 'er done.

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Originally Posted by falconvan

Way to get 'er done.

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LOL's. Thanks for the encouragement Falconvan. It seems my project has taken a back door to my son's project. Guess thats what us dad's are for. :D

The motivation we get from each other on this site is pretty cool; I've got more done in the last three years than in the last ten. I'm in the same boat with the kids car; I'm working on my youngest son's 94 Firebird; he wants to change it from a hard top to t-tops and have it painted. But I've got to give him credit, he's out there working with me and not complaining about it. It's great bonding time and he's learning a lot. My oldest son always wanted the cool car but getting him to help me actually build it was like pulling teeth. His 69 Chevy truck we (I) built has been sitting for six months at his mom's because the tilt wheel is about to fall apart. I told him to pull the column and bring it to me, then I can fix it and he can put it back in but he wont take the time. I might end up owning that truck again one of these days. Is your boy pretty good about helping you?

Falcon and Stovebolt - I kept telling my wife kids must be good for something! She never wanted any and so she has to be the extra set of hands for me now and again. Wish I had a son with similar interests to promote a project of theirs and mine!:D

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Originally Posted by falconvan

The motivation we get from each other on this site is pretty cool; I've got more done in the last three years than in the last ten. I'm in the same boat with the kids car; I'm working on my youngest son's 94 Firebird; he wants to change it from a hard top to t-tops and have it painted. But I've got to give him credit, he's out there working with me and not complaining about it. It's great bonding time and he's learning a lot. My oldest son always wanted the cool car but getting him to help me actually build it was like pulling teeth. His 69 Chevy truck we (I) built has been sitting for six months at his mom's because the tilt wheel is about to fall apart. I told him to pull the column and bring it to me, then I can fix it and he can put it back in but he wont take the time. I might end up owning that truck again one of these days. Is your boy pretty good about helping you?

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At this time Dustin is showing interest....I must admit its my own reluctance on some things that restricts what he does. I'm getting better though. For years I've had the attitude......"If you want it done right (or perhaps "your" way), do it yourself". My problem has always been patience. He asks some of the oddest questions. And it doesnt end. He asks me things I just dont have any idea how to answer. I keep explaining that he has one of the most amazing sources of information.....the internet....something I didnt have when I was his age. He prefers to just ask. Again though.....I am getting better to let him help. We've gone over the process of how a motor works so many times I'm blue in the face. LOL's. :LOL: I had to learn from asking questions at parts stores and digging through Hot Rod, Car Craft, etc etc, magazines. My dad knew nothing about cars and had no interest in them other than getting to drive them and change the oil. I have to learn to be a teacher now so he can pass the same on to my grandkids someday. PATIENCE. Its like learning a whole new trait. Wish me luck. He want so bad to weld.....so I give him some refuse steel plate and tell him to weld away. Then I spend half the day showing him how to separate the wire from the nozzle and or the tip. LOL's. We use the release agent but too much of it just makes it drip on your welds. PATIENCE. Next week I'm going to let him to all of the spraying of the epoxy on the frame. I told him if he gets a run no big deal. He'll learn. He also has a major problem with getting the feel of torqueing bolts. LOl's. Either too loose or too tight. He busted a new tail light lens this weekend putting the lens on. I didnt tell him. I noticed it and ordered a new one. This training session may get expensive. :eek: PATIENCE.

Dave G

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Originally Posted by stovens

Falcon and Stovebolt - I kept telling my wife kids must be good for something! She never wanted any and so she has to be the extra set of hands for me now and again. Wish I had a son with similar interests to promote a project of theirs and mine!:D

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My wife tries to help....she just doesnt have the umph that needed for most of my stuff. LOL's. But bless her heart. She has "By her self"...changed the spark plugs and the wires on her Town and Country. Thank goodness I pulled up when I did. She had the firing order messed up a little. She tried to change the ignition module too....but I finished it up. I've learned that when she asks for my help with something.....I really need to get on it asap or she will attempt to do it her self. My ex wouldnt have dreamed of even trying. I love this lady. Impresses me more and more every day!

That's great that your son is jumping in there. Learning to weld and paint at a young age will put him way ahead when he does his first solo build. I should cut my oldest boy some slack. He is working full time at Valvoline and he's doing a great job. They've got a great training program and benefits for young guys; they really teach them about the whole car and it's workings, not just changing fluids.

It's really neat that you are teaching your son.

My Dad was a mechanic at a packing plant and got his training in WW2 as a aircraft mechanic. He would never let me touch a wrench, all I got to do was wax his cars and boat. I too learned by watching others, hot rod magazines, Chiltons. I did take a couple of shop classes in High School that helped; Automotive and General Metals.

I taught my son everything I knew about cars. Mechanical, bodywork, painting and welding. He's had five jobs besides owning his own business, and all but one, he's used the skills I taught him.

He took Automotive industrial machineing at the local vo-tec, and with them skills He showed me how to rebuild an engine. They also taught him better welding skills which in turn He has again taught me.

My dream is that some day we will be able to work on his 66 Mustang Fastback and finally get it done.

He's now 39 years old and a "chip off the old block."

Nice fastback! The body looks ready to paint!

I see those photos and think, the hard part's already done! Now the fun starts, putting it back together. My father and I put a lot of cars together over the years. He didn't live to see my Chevy come to life in its newest form, but he did help with it in the beginning. Good luck to you guys, can't wait to see the Stang finished!
BTW...in 1967 or 68 my dad took (I think) a 66 Mustang 2+2 Fast back and put 59 Caddy fins on it, 63 Imperial headlights, and T-top...wish I still had that crazy thing!
-Chris P
http://53chevyhotrod.com

http://53chevyhotrod.com/images/66Mustang.gif

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Originally Posted by ChrisPFlorida

I see those photos and think, the hard part's already done! Now the fun starts, putting it back together. My father and I put a lot of cars together over the years. He didn't live to see my Chevy come to life in its newest form, but he did help with it in the beginning. Good luck to you guys, can't wait to see the Stang finished!
BTW...in 1967 or 68 my dad took (I think) a 66 Mustang 2+2 Fast back and put 59 Caddy fins on it, 63 Imperial headlights, and T-top...wish I still had that crazy thing!
-Chris P
http://53chevyhotrod.com

http://53chevyhotrod.com/images/66Mustang.gif

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Very cool Chris. Your Dad did a nice job!

That's far out looking! Any idea what ever happened to it? I'd try tracing the original VIN to see if you can locate it.

I wish...that pic was taken in Wildwood, NJ in 1968...summer before I was born. My father didn't keep any info on it and sold it that year. For all I know it could be in a collection or rusting away somewhere...sure would like to find her though

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Originally Posted by stovens

Very cool Chris. Your Dad did a nice job!

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Thanks, he had a blast with that ride

Tom,

Oh wow. That wouldve been a cool job. Aircraft mechanic. When I hit my first teen year there was a fellow within a mile of me with a mechanic shop and his specialty was radial engines. He was restoring an old bi-plane and had always promised to teach me the ropes. Rats if he didnt close up shop with-in a couple years and move away. Last I heard he was an airplane mechanic at the airport in Yellville. My plan if funds permit.....as much as I love these old cars......finish my truck.....and jump into airplanes.....finish getting my private license.....and finish someones ditched home built. Like the Lancairs http://www.lancair.com/Main/legacy.html and several years ago with a loan I couldve built one but today.....ouch! Guess I'll have to settle for something much cheaper. Like a homebuilt ultralite! Joke!

BTW. That'll make a tough machine.....the fast back!


Chris....thats a slick Chevy. I couldve had a 49 for a $100 a few years ago in driveable shape. Wish I had grabbed it and stored it.

Dave G

Thanks Dave, much appreciated...hey, I'm new on here, I wanted to see more pix of your truck but can't figure out how?
-Chris

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Originally Posted by ChrisPFlorida

Thanks Dave, much appreciated...hey, I'm new on here, I wanted to see more pix of your truck but can't figure out how?
-Chris

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Just click on the camera icon under the profile name. I was on here for quite a while before someone explained the same to me. :o

Dave G

Right, the little Camera! Makes sense now! Thanks Dave...truck looks great, gonna be a real head turner

Ya that 66 fastback has some straight panels, you should have seen it before we started; it was a real wreck. We put in new floor pans, rear frame/trunk, inner and outer wheel house, quarters, door skins, and fenders. Had it put on a frame straightner, did a lot of sand blasting, and a lot of little repair stuff. Just about poured Rustoluem primer on the underside/frame. All of that was done in '87/88 and has just sat around in various places since then. He's got all new interior parts, several 289s bored to the max, cam, lifters,............. on and on. It just needs to be put back together. But it ain't gonna happen until I get my coupe done.

Did a nice photo shoot with my wife and the car on Saturday, pix came out great...if anyone's interested you can check them out at http://53chevyhotrod.com - click on the "Current Pix" icon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChrisPFlorida

Did a nice photo shoot with my wife and the car on Saturday, pix came out great...if anyone's interested you can check them out at http://53chevyhotrod.com - click on the "Current Pix" icon.

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Nice pics. Looks like you two are having fun! :D

got me a toy - 66 then moma wanted an older ride so up popped the 23 t - not near enough time for one little on two - need to replace fenders on 66 and rewire it -- motor is stout 350-- 23t is a salvage old old build and rust so i has to back to frame to sand blaster -square one miss 3

At present I'm ordering parts again for the 36. Man I forgot how much I dislike getting all of the little stuff together. AN this.....adapt that....**)
It'll be more fun putting it all together.....if I can remember what goes where. Too many notes floating around the shop....and the house....and at work.....in the Blazer.....the Jeep. :LOL:

Dustins El Camino is on hold till the weekend. I'll get some pics this weekend. Hope to be able to start it again this weekend. The battery keeps going dead. Going to have to figure out where its being drained at. Probably the fuse/relay to ground I just added for the rad/fan circuit. Or maybe the "NEVER START" just bit the dust. :LOL:

My car used to eat batteries like candy. When it was 6 volt, I had to buy a bus battery just to keep enough juice to start it. Then I switched to 12v, and it killed them in 4 or 5 days not running, and ate die hards about one a year. Finally I put an aux. marine battery(with the isolation/charging kit) in the trunk and ran all the goodies off of that...stereo, neons, dvd...and now the main battery stays charged while the trunk battery goes down about a half a volt a week when I'm not running it. Not too bad, I can live with that!

Having gas problems. I don't think I'm getting enough fuel to the carb. Starts hard, runs for a few seconds and idols down and conks out, unless I keep revving it. Last time this happened was in 1992. Found dead spiders in the gas line and a bumble bee plus a lot of dirt in the tank. Looks like I might have to start blowing things out again. Oof.

After a year off im back to finish 35 project.Pics link
http://s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/35dodge/

Gonna be a kewl one, Evolvo! Betcha you don't pull up to a stoplight beside another one that looks just like it!

Got the headers and exhaust, brake booster and master cylinder done on the Plymouth this week. Also started running some of the fuel and brake lines and making the rear coilover mounts. Going to install the floor for the final time on Monday, should have the body off the frame and on the rotisserie by the end of the week.... Got the wiring harness back from the guy who did the mods on it and the ECU. He really did a great job cleaning up the factory's wiring mess!!!!!

did some work on the donovan 735. crower has the TI rods they said there making the 2 rods .that is not what i wanted at this time. there was some screw up . they do not like calling guys back on there part .so it all falls down on me like i am the s.o.b now .oh well:(

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Originally Posted by Who-me

After a year off im back to finish 35 project.Pics link
http://s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss211/35dodge/

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The car looks good! How's the progress on it, and how was the year off?? Like to try that sometime!!!!!!:LOL::LOL::LOL:

Wussup guys George here new to the site!
Building a Custom 48 Chevy Fleetline Pro Street
A ton of subtle mods cars about out of metal mock up
mods include.
Fenders welded to the body tilt front end aswell as the top of the hood open up eraly merc style shaved emblems and locks and firewall
flipped the bumpers moved them closer to the body, custom valance panels
rear belly pan and, ah hell i'll just get you some pics, lol
Later George

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...va/Game167.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...va/Game178.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...va/Game144.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...uppart2045.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...rtBlock010.jpg

A few subtle mods!

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ontclip018.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Column005.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...cePanel080.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...cePanel078.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ellypan041.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...erpanel055.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ova/21G023.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Ramair001.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Ramair004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Ramair025.jpg

http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ova/21G012.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ailgate002.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...owMount035.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...owMount030.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Panels004.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e.../Panels022.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ntheair028.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/e...ntheair015.jpg

Wow Goerge! You've made some progress since our last conversation on the other site. Impressed!

Dave G

Great car and some really great work on it! Thanks for putting up the pictures!!!!!

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Originally Posted by ChrisPFlorida

Did a nice photo shoot with my wife and the car on Saturday, pix came out great...if anyone's interested you can check them out at http://53chevyhotrod.com - click on the "Current Pix" icon.

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Interesting car, I've never seen anything like that. Maybe that's why I like it so much. Kudos on the website too.... although the LOUD noise it makes when you open it up was a little embarassing when I opened it up at work.. :LOL::LOL: