Projects Glass '32 5 Window

I know it's a little late in the game but if you were to use a zips riser you could raise the water pump 5" and center the fan on the radiator, as it sit's you most likely going to have to add a electric fan to aid in cooling. HRP

 

Have to admire all the excellent craftmanship to have put into your project!!!!---Don

 

I gave that a thought, but decided to try the shroud first! So far so good, however when I get her on the road, that will prove it out! Also I mounted the entire engine and trans higher in the chassis to get closer to the centerline of the radiator. That’s why I put in a tunnel on the floor and a custom trans/bell housing cover.

 

Being an old aircraft mechanic, and owning my own small shop, the more your skills grew the more customers you would get!

 

Hope I don’t need another fan!

 

I have most of the stainless brake lines made, fit the coilover shocks and set the front ride height! So far so good. Soon to be chasing dot 5 leaks and get here tight.

 

Finished all the stainless brake and clutch plumbing. Time to bleed and chase leaks. I am using Dot5 fluid, main reason is it’s not a paint stripper!!! Had Dot5 in my last car, had no issues. Borrowed an Eastwood flare tool from a friend, totally the best double flare tool I have ever used! When all bleeding is complete, I can actually drive her around! Oh wow!!!

 

My thoughts exactly. Haven't followed this thread post-by-post but have checked in from time to time, and I really like the way this car has come together. It has "the look"! Well done.

 

Here’s some pics, if they load!!

 

Clapping sound!!!

 

OK, good day, finished the clutch system, filled with Dot 5, bled it by myself, chased one fitting leak, and finally it works!!! Pushed in the clutch, found all 4 gears with the shifter and even reverse! Wow, it could move, if I trusted the hand brake? Fuel system is in, waiting on the sender unit. Put some gas in the tank and see if she runs, and spin the gears!!! Closest master cylinder is for the clutch, pedal pressure is good!!!

 

Things went great today! Put some gas in the tank, hooked up temp electrical and fired her up! Ran great, smooth power, used the clutch for the first time ever, with the sbc running from the tank in the trunk flowing through the new fuel lines. Pushed in the clutch, put her in first and slowly let out the clutch, wow the tires started spinning in the right direction and felt good. Pushed the clutch back in, shifted into second, no grinding at all and the tires spun up, same story for 3rd & 4th! What a good feeling. Put her in neutral and pulled the hand brake, the wheels stopped quietly! Got brave and spun up each gear, no grinding on the shifts up or down! Put her in reverse, the shifter rod needs to be adjusted for the detent. Ran her for 30 minutes, never went over 180. No puking or leaks! Could not be happier! Front brake parts next to finish the brakes! Then out for her first drive!!!!

 

Great progress!
Won’t be long before you will be smoking some tires!!!

 

Neat!

 

Nice!

 

Note: This is not meant as a slap against Jalopy Joker. I used his post simply because what he said is true.

Looks like a lot of people are very accepting of his fiberglass car. I certainly am......and I got a steel body I'm gonna build. One thing I found out is that each has its own good and bad points. When you get a new steel body, the first thing you need to do is try to get paint on it to protect it. With a fiberglass car, there is no hurry, and if someone really enjoys driving their car in all kinds of weather......the fiberglass car owner doesn't have to worry about rust starting in some small corner that he couldn't get paint onto. I guess one of my unfavorite things in the hot rod society is people who always try to find something wrong with a build rather than just enjoying the fact that someone has similar interests and has built an expression of their way to do it.
Stop and think for a moment how much of an impact fiberglass cars have had on the ability of our hobby to thrive. I'd guess there are more fiberglass 32s today than steel ones. So actually, the "steel only" guys may be in the minority today. I'd say its best to quit "pickin flyshit outta pepper" and come along for the ride....even if you kick and scream. Personally I just enjoy seeing a good looking and good running car...period.
Not into the snobbery of perfect nostalgia and trying to demean someone because their heads don't have double humps, or their engine doesn't have the correct breather pipe or the dipstick is on the wrong side, or heaven forbid its a fiberglass replica.
Keep up the good work Splitbudda, this is a great thread and I bet a lot of people like it and may use it as a reference to build their fiberglass car. Thanks for posting

 

Thanks, when you are a big do it yourself builder, such as myself, a post like yours is the highest praise I could ever get. I believe my work is from the heart! I love building my cars my way!! And to have them being appreciated by others is the icing on the cake (double chocolate please)! Besides I think that comment jalopy joker made all those years ago motivated me in some strange way to make it the best I could! So far so good! And the truth be known, I could not afford steel back then, and sure as hell can’t afford it today!! Thanks again!!!

 

I'm the one who appreciates an opportunity to see what a dedicated craftsman is doing. I'm from the camp of wanting to drive a car that I built...........and I mean built. I'm cataloging all the pictures from this thread because many of the pictures show true details and can be referenced during my build. Keep up the great work, and when you get it finished.........post a video.

 

Thanks again!! I will continue to post, pics included! I love what I do. Always have been that way! That’s why I spent 50 years in aviation! Last job, senior inspector, responsible for big detailed inspections on corporate Falcon jets, 900, 2000, and the 7x models. Being OCD was required!

 

You build a good car @Splitbudaba
It doesn't matter as much to me what the car body is made out of but rather what the person who builds it is made out of. At least in my book (which is mostly color-in). Keep it up, enjoying the watch. BB

 

As promised, I fabbed up some galvanized metal to secure the center floor board sections! Holes are dimpled to keep the screw heads flush!

 

Time to shift gears, fiberglass work! Started on the doors! The doors come as an outer and inner skin! They don’t fit for shit!!! The right door has been roughed together, using stainless hinges and repop latches and window regulators! See pics! Had to cut up inner skin to get it to fit the opening. See pics again on the assembled inner skin! You can see where I cut it and spliced in at least 6 spots. Even the outer skin was cut short! Still more fitting to do, then make it pretty!!

 

We're hav'n fun now!

 

Not sure fun is the correct description!!

 

I purchased a set of original 32’ ford 5w coupe door latches from a nice guy here on the HAMB! Priced the reproduction pieces! Wow! Expensive! Looks like all the parts are available for the original latches. So time to hang the doors and get the latches in! At least one of the parts will be an original part! Might get to brag about that!!

 

Well life has thrown me a curve! Sunday I was out front pressure washing our house! All of a sudden I heard an explosion and felt a shock wave! Turned around and our friends garage across the street had flames pouring out of the doors going up the two story structure. I immediately called 911 and got the fire company’s on the way! They ended up losing the whole place and their cat! We have been helping them all week! Sobering experience! Kinda showed me just how fast things can change! Preliminary cause is his golf cart! So I have switched gears again on my build plans. I am finishing the brakes and wire her up! If some misfortune should strike, I can drive her to safety if the circumstances allow! Luckily there was no wind or it could have been a lot worse for all!

 

That is horrible! I am glad they are safe. Do you know if was an electric cart? Electric golf cart fires are not uncommon. I have seen several just on courses.

 

Yep it’s an old electric cart and he had just serviced the batteries! Gassing or a short could have done it!!!

 

The last on I saw burn was so hot that fire extinguishers had no effect. Fire truck had to drive out on the course to foam it. Birdie bottle probably didn't help. I hope your neighbors are well insured. It would still be horrid to lose all your stuff.

 

Funny thing is he was getting ready to lower his insurance, but hadn’t! Lucky!! They’re all fine, but dealing with all this in your 80’s ain’t no fun!!! When I first saw the fire it was so loud, I thought a big old tree was falling over! And later his 1000 rounds of ammo went off and a small propane bottle exploded and shot thru the back wall! Messy!