Projects My first 33 Chevy 5 window build

Finished installing the vertical slats to the grill, not perfect but should clean up nicely. Now on too the mounting brackets.

 

Got the grill removed from the shell...no hammers were harmed in the process...it came out as planned. Mounting tabs installed. Now I need to finish up the last bits of cosmetic welding. Then decide on what coating to put on it.



Not perfect by no means, but not bad for $60.00 in material.

 

NICE build!

 

Mixerman you did a really nice job on you grille insert! How did you bend the perimeter rod?

 

In a vise by hand, and a hammer. It took about 4 hours to get it to where I was happy with it. Too make it easier, I did it in 4 pieces.

 

I think it turned out really good with your process. Can't tell it was four pieces. Lines up nice and good spacing of center bars.

 

Thanks, I did get half of the welds smoothed out today and hopefully the rest tomorrow, then I'll post a pick of the raw finished grill. My brother-in-law has a powder coat oven and we're going to try the chrome powder, he claims it looks pretty good for powder.

 

Great job on the grill! I’ve often thought that might be the path to take and wondered why more folks hadn’t tried this. You made it look easy though I’m sure it wasn’t.

 

Thanks,...easy?...just time consuming, and it helped to watch a video on u-tube by "Scott Rods Garage" I did a search for "36 chevy grill." I know mime is a 33 but the process is still the same. When all else fails...u-tube could be your friend for ideas.

 

Got the grill shell mounted, and the head lights in a mocked up position.


Now my question:
The headlights are pretty much even with the grill shell. Do they need to go ahead are further back?




This view is with the front wheel turn full to the right. It appears to have enough clearance.


This at a different angle.


The back side of the grill shell. I still nedd to add a couple of pices to these cut outs. I have no idea why they were cut out by the previous owner.


Closer look at the grill shell mounting to the crossmember.

 

Super nice job on your grille , A 33 grille has no trim ring ,only 34 35 has the trim ring ,the trim ring on a 33 shell is the shell itself

 

Thanks for the info, learned something today. Makes me feel much better about the grill shell.

 

One more item finished on the 33. Unfortunately in the "Lone Star State" we're still required to have a front license plate on our vicheles. Not a big fan of this rule, it's just not a good look for the front of some cars.

Expired plate that came with the build...


Here's just the bracket...sorry for the out of focus pic.


The problem with the "V" spreader bar is it doesn't work good on a straight plate.


It took awhile to get the brackets layed-out, looks nice in this state but still not a fan.




I'll probablely not install it untill I get pop'd, then I'll have it to install.

 

Nice work!!

 

I like where this is going. Gives me some ideas for my 36 Chevy.

 

Thanks, If you'd like I can post more detail pics of the trans crossmember.

 

Headlight placement looks great

 

Thanks for the input, I did move them about an 1-1/2" forward just to give more clearance with the top shock mounting bolt.

 

This is for "NHbandit"

1) The crossmember main body is 1 x 2 x 3/16" rectangle tubing.


2) The outer mounting is 1" dia. x 2-1/2" long with a 1/2" hole.


3) The trans mounting plate is 3/8" TK x 5-1/2" wide and is long enough to cover the bottom of the rectangle tubing, with 3/8" TK gussets.


Bottom side of crossmember




The brackets that attach the crossmember to the frame. I chose to bolt it in the frame to make removing the trans if the need arises. Brackets are 1/4" TK.


This shows the bracket angle of the engine and trans to the frame.


I know it's over engineered, but I always do that to my designs.

 

building a frame out of square tubing for my 35, what wheel base is yours? 33 probably different from 34/35 I'm assuming

 

Some were around 109-1/2" to 110" wheelbase
Click on link below, it has some info. on 33, 34 and 35, dont't know if acurate.
Chervrolet 1934 (classiccarcatalogue.com)

 

Masters and standards will be different as well ,need to know if your 35 36 is master or standard

 

Mine is a standard. Was just curious of how long it was. I’m running a 33/34 ford front axle and a 9in rear.. doin 30/31 inches from the firewall to front wheel.. overall I want to say I was thinking 107”

 

Another one of my non-money spending project, indirectly related to the 33. The material was already purchased before the wife had me slow down on the spending for the year.

Trailer ramp upgrade....

This is the crappy ramp setup that I had to work with...a accident waiting to happen for sure.


Here is one new ramp compaired to the old setup.


Both ramps, so much better.


My custom trailer I built myself, just a tad bit heavier on the bottom side than a normal trailer.


Now waiting for New Year to get back on the "33"

 

Trailer looks great. “ too strong never failed”

 

While waiting for the weather to warm up to start the body work. I figured it's time to install the exhaust..

I got the chassis up high enough and strapped down. All the wood is, wood screwed or bolted together and wheels strapped to that, it's pretty steady. I don't plan to roll it around on the tire skates


This has the frame waist high, hopefully this will eliminate the up and down on my knees

My exhaust kit should be here in a couple of days.

 

Finally started working on the exhaust. First step was to locate the mufflers.
This is the only section of the frame that allows room for the muffler.


The only problem was the inlet was not lined up with the hole in the crossmember, but a couple of 45's and it lines up perfect.


This end of the muffler pipe will have a custom exhaust pipe flange that will go thru the hole in the crossmember. I want the exhaust to be easy to remove.


Next is to map out the 180 degree pipe to go over the rear axle housing.


Tomorrow is make exhaust flanges.

 

A little more progress on the the exhaust.

I got the passenger side muffler installed, with both exhaust pipes run passed the axle housing.


Rear axle is sitting at ride height.


So far I've been able keep all the bends in the pipes to 45 degrees. Driver's side


Passenger side


Passenger side muffler inlet pipe


Rear view of the exhaust running over the diff housing. I have about 1/2" clearance between the pan hard bracket and top of pipe with bump stops bottomed out.

 

I temporarily fixed the tail pipes to recheck clearance of the pan hard bar and the top of the axle housingand bottom of pipe to diff tube

This is passenger side with the rear shocks fully extended, not a clear view of the 1/4 to 3/8 clearance between the pan hard bar and the top exhaust pipe.


Here's a better view of the not so good clearance. I've marked a spot where I'm going to message a slite dent in the top of the pipe to be sure it dosen't hit.


This is the driver's side view, with no problem of clearance here and plenty of gap at pan hard bar and exhaust pipe.


Here's a view of the driver's side frame sitting on the bump stops, it seems to be good clearance.


Passenger side the same.


I was on a roll today and finished up the fit from the header to muffler on the passenger side. This section is the lowest in the frame, just because interference with the starter housing.


Starter clearance.


View from header section snaking around the trans and over the trans crossmember. (I still have to rebuild the tranny, that's why it looks so nasty)


View from crossmember to my custom exhaust flange.


Had to make it this shape for ease of removable. This flange will go thru the hole in the rear crossmember. Not a big fan of the exhaust U-clamps.


View of the finished pipe looking from the driver's frame.


Hopfully I should finish up the driver's side this weekend.

 

Gr8 work Mixerman—-homemade grill shows masterful workmanship and thought. Mixerman is my neighbor and “go to guy” when I need help with my 36 Ford—always willing to help with the thought process and gr8 fabrication skills add even more to the success of the final product.