That is a very nice looking boby Dave, is it going to take alot of conversion to make it a right roadster? I think that I would like a ride in that girl when it's done!:D
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That is a very nice looking boby Dave, is it going to take alot of conversion to make it a right roadster? I think that I would like a ride in that girl when it's done!:D
Not a lot, Brick. Move the top door hinges, make a cap for the top edge, nothing real big though. Kind of an easy build, actually..
Very cool, thats going to be a great ride Dave. I would love to be going there also.
I put a chrome flywheel cover and the right starter on my car so it doesn't make "That" Noise anymore. I also hide a little more wiring under the dash and put a couple chrome wheels on the rear of the car. They are 14's instead of 15's but wider than what I had on there. It's driving a little better and bark's quite nicely going into 2nd gear!:D HeHeHe! Do we ever "not enjoy" that guys?:D
Does anyone have any idea who may have a "reasonably" priced 4 core radiator that will fit my '48? The radiator I have is leaking now and I am just going to replace it and end my worries.
What are the measurements for height and width????
It's 19" wide by 23" tall, pretty sure, it's dark now or I would go measure it. I will post the exact's tomorrow after I get back from cruising to Willow Springs for a show.
Thought I'd add that there is a picture of the car on page 34 of the sept. issue of HOT ROD .
Very Cool, I'll check it out.:D
Dave, the exact dimensions of the radiator core is 20" x 20". The whole thing including the tanks and mounting flanges is 22 1/2" wide by 24" tall. It's a stock '48 chevy radiator and I have two friends here in town that are not having any problems with thier stock radiators working so I know it is shot. I took it to a show 12 miles away today and it got up to 250 so it's done. I am going to take it in to the shop tomorrow, I hope that that does the trick.
Whats everyones plans for thier cars this winter?
Brickman, I haven't kept up with this very long thread but I look at it every so often. I lost a lot of time this summer working to pay for my 'glass '29 Bebops body but it was beastly hot in my garage anyway so I only got a few things done. Now I am trying to get the chassis finished so I can mount the floor-fenders and cut out the holes for steering column, brake pedal and trans+hand brake. I figure I can only work up to about New Years before it is too cold to work in my unheated garage and then wait until the end of March to get back to it. I am close to discouraged but hanging in there. The next move is to hang the body from a 2"x10" frame I have installed inside my garage rafters so I can move it up and down on ropes for cut-and-try fitting of the floor pan to the chassis. I also spent a lot of time designing and making a wood and cardboard full size model of a 13.6 gallon gas tank to put in place of the rumble seat; it will be lightly padded for a kids seat covering the tank which is being made for me by Rock Valley out of 14 gauge stainless steel for extra strength so some small kids or one adult can sit on top of the tank, it will be covered by 3/8" plywood and thin padding to look like a stock rumble seat. I also admit waiting until the cold season has a lull for the nearby Cobra shop so I can get some help setting up the universal shaft around my steering column and headers. I am going to get some help for this critical step from John York who builds Cobras year round but usually has a lull around New Years so he will work me in to install the steering sometime during the winter. As Bob Parmenter mentioned in a recent post, it takes some fire in the belly to keep beating one's head against a total build and I wish I was just restoring an
existing car, but with help from folks on this Forum I will keep chugging along and eventually get it built, but as of now next summer looks like too soon to finish with what I have to do yet.
Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder
I totally understand the "Garage" Thing Don, I have to take it one step farther for I don't have a garage. I have done 70% of my work outside in the elements. Keep the faith buddy, just keep reminding yourself what will be there to enjoy when you are done. The best thing about building a car is that everything that you do makes you one step closer to being done. I really like the idea of the hidden fuel tank, very cool.
I'll spend the iwinter on the Ranchero and or the roadster. Also went out Saturday and dug my old '71 Ford Pickup out of the warehouse. I've had it for 14 years now and never have got around to finishing it!!! Think I might get it done first, body is in primer, engine and trans are installed. Seat and headliner have been reupholstered and done for about 3 years now, might as well get it finished, I guess.....
Sounds like you have a great selection of projects Dave, and a nice shop too I may add. Some of us sure know how to do it up right!!:D :D Got any spare room in the shop for an old Chebby?:D
No spare room this year, Brick. The garage is quite crowded, but I do have room to work on any of the 3 so I can't complain. Sure is fun just working on my own cars and not having to worry about customers!!!!!
Don,
I think the idea of the hidden tank is a great idea. I would suggest that you find a source of Russian Birch plywood to support the seat. I am in that business and there is no other plywood that has the strength per sq. ft. that the Russian plywood has. It is equal plies of 100% Birch veneer (about 1.5mm each) that are glued together and therefore you get about the maximum MOR (modulus of rupture)& MOE (modulus of elasticity) vs. the thickness of any plywood made. It comes in every thickness from about 3mm (1/8") to about 25mm (1+") and everything in between. For your application any grade from CP/CP to BB/CP to BB/BB to B/BB (in that order will do. That is from the cheapest to the most expensive. You should be able to find it at a local industrial plywood disributor. If you let me know where you live I can get you pointed in the right direction. We are one of the largest importers in the country and deal with many. It will also be much lighter than Home Depot plywood because you can use thinner plywood and still get the necessary strength. If you think it wil get wet ask for T1 (exterior glue).
Hope this helps.
MikeC
I like that marine plywood idea for my back seat support, I want to get very strong plywood to hold some big speakers eventually.
Thats too bad Dave, I guess it's coverall's and insulated underwear again this year! :D I have another engine coming so I will be switching engines out. I hope that there is no snow early this year!:D
The front handles are comming of now then hidden hinges on the front drs. If the money holds out the interior will get done, if my heating bill dosnt kill me
Love the Terraplane Dick.
Purple People Eater.
Great looking car, Dick. I know what ya mean on the heat bill.....
Very very sweet car Dick Lobach, looking good. I am looking forward to maybe seeing some before and after pic's of the interior. I have been doing some of that for the first time and I now really apreciate how much work go's into one. I would really love to see the before and after.:cool:
53 Ford F350
In the last month, grafted in a C30 front frame. Hydroboost with the stock pedal setup. Mocked up the 455 motor mounts and Th400 tranny mount. Currently working on fitting the oversized 24 Gal tank behind the axle.
Looking good, Oldjeep. Keep us updated on the progress. The brake setup should really be first rate!!!!!
The pic is too dark for my cpu Oldjeep but it sounds like a great build. I would love to hear more about it.
I myself didn't make it back from a show in Jonesboro Ark last weekend, I had the radiator cleaned out and he said it was questionable so I figured, why not give it a shoot. I love to drive the car and I am afraid that my impatience cost her a ride on a trailor. I can honestly say that she got great gas milage on the trailor but it wasn't no where near as much fun to drive!:D I am still looking for a radiator if you know of one guys. Here is the pic that with any luck will nevere be seen again.
did it run hot or what brickman ?
Yes lt1s10, it got up to 270 coming home. Going down there in the morning when it was cool out(57')she did fine staying at 160 untill I was there and it went up a little to 180. I wasn't worried but checked the water anyway and it was full. About 30 miles out that afternoon (91') she went right up to 200 and started vapor locking, running out of fuel if I turned anything more then 2000 rpm. She went another 30 miles like that untill we came to the hilly section of the trip and she got too hot. Thats when she got parked and picked up the next day. When I got her home I put in a gallon of water and she ran fine but got hot right away.
if its not to much trouble warm the motor up and as soon as you cut the motor off put your hand on the core of the rad. starting at the bottom . if the core is about the same temp. bottom to top then its not stopped up. if the rad. is stopped up it will be cold at the bottom as much as 1/2 way up.dont waite to long to check it or the whole rad. will get hot. you have to do it as soon as you cut he motor off.
I did your test Lt and she was cold all over and looseing water inside the core somewhere. A friend told me he had an old chev behind his house I can use. I went over there and it was a '48 coupe. The radiator is ok according to my local radiator pro, and as of now is in the car but pretty much seems to be acting the same. Around town it runs at 184.6 degrees (According to a high dollar thermometer) while idling in my drive for an hour. I can go up to it and take the cap off at anytime, so we will see. We are going to another 200 mile road trip tomorrow to a show in Corning Ark. Should be interesting to see how she does, I am still looking for a good radiator.
if it feels cold its stopped up. good a way as any to check them. :cool:
Bill and I started putting some pieces back on the Firebird, next task will be blocking the body a couple more times. The car has an SBC, 4 speed, 4 wheel disc brakes, should be a nice driver when it is done.
and the start of Bill's '59 big window short box Chebbie Apache. Will be IFS, 455 Oldsmobile, 4 speed, 4 wheel disc brakes, lots of other goodies. Should be a very fun project.
1972 Rare Refridgerator Box. Ran Out of paint Had to go to autozone buy a High Gloss Black for it. Also I am having a hard time geting the 548 Dart BBC to fit in it. ( Tips and Hints Welcome ) It's got a Single Racing Bucket seat and a Hurst Ratchet shifter. I think it will be a great Runner due to it is Very Light. I had to Duct Tape the Rear Axle to the Box so I need to touch it up looks a little Raggity. I am thinking of extending the Chassie about 11 Inchs. I will try to get some pictures up soon
:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Light and fast untill the first rain, but what the hell, cheap and easy to replace huh?:D :D :D
Looking busy Dave, good to see you back in the grove. 455 is an awesome engine, a little scarce around here. That truck should boogie pretty good with that baby.
My car didn'y make it home yesterday either, did well going down there as it was only 40 degrees outside but coming back it rattled and pre-ignited and acted like it was vapor locking even though it wasn't getting hot. I think that it's time for another engine, my 350 is almost done anyway, the ol' 305 is toast. What the heck, it's getting to be winter so it's time to tear it down isn't it?:D Here is a little pic of some of us coming back yesterday.
looking good!!!
real nice wagon
Looks like it was a good cruise Brick, even if ya did come home on a trailer. A fresh engine should make everything better by spring.
Yes it was Dave, our season is over here so she is coming apart soon. I have alot to work out, I am looking forward to doing some serious work on her. One thing that I found out in putting 500 miles on her this summer is all the little bugs came out. It's all good, I enjoy wrenching on the car as much as I do driving her.
Awesome thread.....I am nearing the 2 year mark for mine.....engine is done (wild 335" stroker), trans done, rear is going to be rebuilt over christmas holidays...( New aubrun posi with 3.73"s).....minor touch ups on detail painting to be completed. Contemplating putting in a 6 point bar in it, I have all the bars but am hesitant because my interior is currently gutted and being an elky, I do not have a lot of room behind the seats to the back of the cab, interior is in mock up stage this week....I've been staring at it over a couple of beers.....so not 100% yet......can use lexan and mold it to the curved shape of the window, just concerned for the seats behind the headrest and the window.....not much clearance, if anyone on here has an elky and has a bar please send me a message and possibly some photos so i can better see what the fit looks like. Other than that its a matter of unpackaging all my bolts and trim and buttoning it back up........feburary is my maiden voyage date....that way I have time for working out bugs that may appear before cruising and racing season..........Hope everyone is having a good build season........when I can figure out how to post picks I will......good stuff.
How about some pics, 81??? Sounds like it is going to be a neat truck.
I have the dash panel, console, and shifter cover roughed in for my '71. The gauge panel will be a chunk of aluminum with 5 gauges in it. Unsure of the design or layout of the panel just yet.