Projects Road to Redemption: 49 Chevy Coupe Build

Success! If I have learned one thing, it's when shit doesn't work, walk away and sleep on it. Glad I did. I remember that there was tension on the inner rocker where the floor brace butted up to it. I realized this was causing the crown. I sectioned a blade width out of the floor brace, clamped a 2x4 to the rocker, and used a Porta power against the concrete footer in my garage to move the whole things in. Then I welded up the floor brace and re tacked the rocker to the floor. Much better now. Even reveal. Glad I didn't cut the top of the rocker!!!

 

I was planning on that, but then I was afraid it would distort the crown in the rocker. Glad I didn't mess with it.

 

Thanks! Been watching your thread closely. Looks like you will be on the road in no time

 

Looks great! I'm glad you were able to get to the source of the problem instead of a fix that danced around it.

 

Sorry, I didn't see this and get back to you. But you obviously got it handled. Looks much better. Nice work.

 

Thanks man

 

Had some time to kill at work so I made this real quick from some scrap...

 

So... I decided to take a break from the sheet metal work. I found a guy in Ontario who only deals in 49-54 chevys, so I'm going to head out there next weekend and pick up some patch panels. So I decided to work on the headers

 

Driver side first. I am upgrading to a 54 steering box, so I cut my old one up for ease of mock up. Then I clamped a bar across the frame to have a base line to put the collector. I'm gonna run v band clamps anyways. I hate dealing with collector gaskets. I put a 1" piece of tube tacked to the bar, so that I just have to play connect the dots between the header and the piece of tube. More pics tomorrow.

 

I took it into work to weld it up. I tacked it all together with a mig. One of the guys had his purge set up already out, so I figured why not. The HAZ is far from perfect, but it's gonna look just fine once it's coated. Now I'm debating whether or no to grind down all the welds. Might keep them...

 

Your place of employment is like Santa's Workshop! Trying hard not to be jealous.

 

what were those headers originally for? chevelle? or 80's G body? looking for different exhaust options for my 51 with all the stock front end on it.

 

Haha thanks man

 

Shorty camaro headers. If you go back a page or 2 on my thread I posted a screen grab of the headers from jegs website. It has all the info on it.

 

Well I haven't posted in awhile, but I have a goal of at least driving it to Ventura in 7 months, so here's the passenger side header tacked up. Gonna take it to work to tig weld it. The driver side needs a 4 inch straight section added on so they terminate in the same position.

 

Very nice! What are you using for flanges?

 

I'm actually gonna use v band clamps. I hate exhaust leaks so I'm avoiding flanges.

 

The level of patience to build headers like that is something I'll never obtain. Looks great!

 

Thanks man. I'm doing the easy part! Didn't even have to fab the primaries...

 

Got a new job, and I have been super busy with work, but it's a pay increase, so I have been steadily buying new parts. I plan to get the rear axle centered and welded to the spring pads this weekend. Doing the math tonight...

 

Nice you're back posting. I thought the rear end was already in? Maybe I should't say this, but my nephew finally returned the 51 Bus Coupe to me after he'd lost interest, and since I was already committed to other projects, something had to go. The 51 still needed body and paint work, chrome, and most of the interior, so it did't make the cut. I sold it to the son of a friend, who will probably flip it after doing some of what it needs. If the nephew had't been dragging his feet for the last 1 to 1-1/2 years, the 51 would have become the drag car; instead, an OT car is currently underway to fill that need of mine. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

It's just bolted down. The axle pads aren't welded to the axle tubes yet. They need to have the leaf pin hole welded and re drilled to move it back a half inch

 

So I tend to jump around on my builds, cuz as we all know one thing effects 10 others, so before I continue on the exhaust I wanted to get the rear axle centered so I don't have any surprises when I finish plumbing the exhaust out the back. I welded the old holes closed on the axle pads and drilled new ones. Before and after pics.

 

I have just found your thread and its AWESOME. It has inspired me to really start into my car. Thank you for your post and pics.

Sent from my SM-T310 using H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

I'm glad I can help.

 

Haven't posted in awhile. Been busy stacking chips. There is gonna be a lot of progress in the next 2 months. I have a pretty good pile of parts collected. In the meantime, here's some progress. I think the chrome needs to be black. Opinions welcome...

 

I will send you a black one for the chrome one!!!!

 

For what it's worth, I like the little bit of chrome.

 

I like the little bit of chrome too. What about doing the lettering on the valve covers in black to break up the orange a little?

 

It's not the best chrome job. Has a bit too much texture to it. Maybe I will keep the chrome for now.

Cretin, black letters on the valve covers would look cool. I'm pretty sure somebody makes decals...