I do have one of those! I didnt even think about it, I just grabbed the nearest set of wire cutters! I get that way when im engrossed in something.
desperately needed to clean the shop and do a couple things outside, so I rolled the T outside and stuck the freshly wired dash into it. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM and a (terrible) shot of the coil in its mount. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM and as usual, I can't help but take a bunch of photos. some of the rear, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM some of the front, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:23 PM then I convinced my wife to take a couple photos of me, in it. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM Mike, Dad , and I worked on cleaning, scraping, and getting the motor block ready to go together, and then we oiled it down and wrapped it up. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM I also sandblasted and washed the trans. all in all I just have too many trash cans . Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 5, 2023 at 11:25 PM I'm happy with how the purple changes color in/out of direct sunlight. hopefully this week ends with a assembled motor.
And so, the roller coaster continues. enjoying the warm spurt we are having the last couple days, I've been leaving the door open and getting some time with a daughter and the dog outside while I work. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:21 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM after the sun went down I began to trim the top edge off the bucket, and weld the back edge of the body to the tube structure, significantly increasing the rigidity. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM and that's when the low part of the night happened, I looked over to see a shirt on fire from an errant spark, and under it? my new battery. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM so that was $229 down the drain. pluging on I finished up some welding on the brace work, and started playing with some conduit to see if it would be possible to run a top like I want. the idea... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM mocked up, with me sitting in it... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM little painting on the phone... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM should work nice, and with good sight distance. haven't decided if I wanna make it work or just be a solid roof. I am also planning on having a half tonneau cover to cover the passenger side when not in use, or when in use as covered storage... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 7, 2023 at 11:05 AM the big picture keeps looking better.
Ran a poll on Instagram, got back the results I figured I would. now for everyone to wait and see what color I choose. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 8, 2023 at 7:45 AM also continued welding around the outside of the bucket, trimming and bracing as I went. I then plasma cut out a piece of Sheetmetal for the column drop, file-finished the holes to fit the gauges, and burnt it in. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 8, 2023 at 7:45 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 8, 2023 at 7:45 AM tonight i'll probably just continue welding things together. feels a bit like groundhog day over here.
more good stuff last night, another 4 or 5 hours of grinding and welding. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM cleaned up the steering drop Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM added some fillers to the ends where you can see the dash brace under the dash. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM you will notice the door is shut in this picture... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM I tried to use a late T door striker thingamajig, and I could never get it to work, so I wound up using a bolt. it works perfect. I drilled a hole through the post, and welded in the bolt. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM I then added a 1/8 plate to the side to close the gap and create a doorsill. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM I cut out all the old stuff. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM then made a pattern for some new. that's where I finished off for the night, I finished welding around the top of the Tub, and added more braces. once the doorsill is complete, the car should be really sturdy. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 9, 2023 at 7:25 AM It keeps getting closer to a real car.
Long weekend, but it doesn't feel long on progress, thankfully we are still going in the right direction. On a hair-brained wim, Friday, at 10pm I left my house and headed to @Austin kays shop, to pick up the motor that we were stealing the crank out of, since he had no way of bringing it to my house. Once there we talked about hot rods and looked at all of his stuff, playing around with parts, finally digging out the motor and getting it loaded up into my truck. I got home about 3:30am. the next morning was rough. I drug myself outta bed by 8am, And with enough hot coffee I convinced myself to go outside and retrieve the motor. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM once inside I stripped it so it would be easier to handle, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM now I needed to take the heads off, so I had to flip the motor, that was sketchy. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM but I got it. then I flipped it over again and installed it on a cart. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM This motor only had a few hundred miles on it when Austin decided to remove it. so the stuff inside was nearly new. We wound up stealing the: new HV melling oil pump, Crank, new timing chain, Rockers, Valvesprings, and a bunch of bolts that we needed. then once Austin, Mike, and my dad showed up, we got to work. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM some motors go together easy, . . . this was not one of them. it fought us all day, and at the end of the day we still weren't done. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:20 AM we finally called it at about 9:30 pm. I was pooped.
Sunday after church I started cleaning up the shop, and organizing the parts for our engine building part-two on this next Friday. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM I started digging into the sill under the door, and finally just cut it all away. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM I used the piece of 1/8 inch plate I had cut, and shaped it to the bottom of the door. I had to mock up the whole dash again as well. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM I also continued welding up the firewall, and made a couple more filler pieces. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM then it was time to call it a night before I knew it. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:24 AM
I had yesterday off, (thanks Mr Lincoln) and worked more on welding everything. I made a brace for the doorsill, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM and then I put in a bunch of work on the ill-fitting posts. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM I made fillers for inside the posts, and to capture the rearward facing nut. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM after banging my head against a wall, making some nuts to weld into the body, and cutting the posts 17 different ways, and beating on them with hammers, its finally.... sorta straight. at some point I ground the weld on the top edge of the body down too. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 14, 2023 at 7:27 AM and that was it. I got a lot done, but in the end it doesn't look like it. hopefully this week ends with some noise.
Does "everything" cover it? We had trouble with the tools: I fought getting the semi-stuck keepers out of the valve springs way too long, finally had to construct a tool to remove them (hammers involved to shock the keepers off) the suction tool I got to lap the valves was junk (wound up using a piece of hose on the top side) the ring compressor was just plain garbage ( though it did get all the pistons in, it disasembled itself a couple times in the process) we killed my corded drill trying to ball hone the cylinders and had to go borrow Mikes, Trouble with parts: had a cam bearing get mangled, and thats what kept the cam from going in. the new valve springs my buddy ordered (NOT austin) didn't fit into my early double hump heads, ect.... ect... ect... It did not want to play ball. As hard as it is going together, it should last forever.
Gotcha...just one of those days like we all have sometimes. Mine are typically my own screw up that cause me grief. Oh, and I can relate to tools that fail when needed too.
I really need to do a post on the "torque shaft tool" we developed for single person stuck valve removal.. you guys would get a kick out of it, might have to patent the idea.
I believe it to be homemade, the cuts are a little off, and the holes arent perfectly even. Its just a thick piece of aluminum that was chromed back in the day.
Well, my curiosity says if the motor you got from @Austin kays only had a few hundred miles on it why did you break it all down to rob parts and put them in yours rather than just running his?
had a few minutes to work Tuesday night, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM I had to cut the hell out of the windshield post to get it to sit square-ish Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM then I trimmed the tops off the posts and made them into a more interesting shape. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM I also ground the welds down a bit on the master cylinder notch, and reinstalled it for the time being. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 15, 2023 at 11:45 PM I really liked the way my flames looked, so I made a template out of scotch tape layered on the cowl. ill be able to transfer it over once the car is painted.
A good weekends work, foiled. well not entirely. have I mentioned roller coasters before? Friday we were gonna build the motor. we replaced the cam bearing (number 4) and sent the cam into the block without issue. then the issues started. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM this is a 1997 Block, set up from the factory to support a roller cam. BUT (important distinction) it did not leave the factory with a roller cam. we had all the lifters/pushrods and bought a roller cam just to avoid the debacle of the failing lifters. but what you don't know, you don't know. we failed to realize until we had placed the cam in the motor, that the roller cam has a shoulder in the end to fit a retainer plate, that we didn't have. The milled shoulder for the retainer also means that the bolt pattern on the timing gear is smaller than a standard sbc. So we didn't have that either. So after a bunch of searching, I made an order to Jegs that should be here tomorrow (wednesday) So after a good BS session and a good nights sleep I woke up Saturday with a goal. Paint the motor. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM I got it primed, had to use the white VHT header primer I had because no store near me had anything but dark grey primer. and now for the reveal... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM RED! don't worry, the other parts wont be red. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:37 AM the intake I had was a nice shade of silver but it was beat up and had big ugly casting letters on top of the runners, so i fixed that with a flapper wheel and some sandpaper. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM this is what $59 of stainless looks like. then I took and fixed them. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM they turned out better than I had hoped, but boy my fingers are sore typing now. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM big mock up. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM then it was time for the headers. used a sandblast gun to blast the shipping paint off, then time for paint! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM really though, did you expect something other than white? they should contrast nicely with the red block. I used this KBS "extreme temperature" paint at the suggestion of a buddy who had good luck with it. hopefully they don't immediately turn into burnt marshmallow pipes. A good weekend catching up on the little stuff, ready to finish this motor and get it fired! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 21, 2023 at 7:42 AM
Just cleaned and reorganized the shop last night, getting back to work on the body for the rest of this week. pretty boring. EXCEPT FOR THE HEADERS!!!! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Nothing better than a big gnarly set of white headers. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 22, 2023 at 7:41 AM Ok now back to the body.
High compression pistons, good heads, lumpy roller cam, good valve springs, giant headers and….. a two barrel. you just might have the only under carbed chevy on the planet lol
I almost did that to my bug, downshifting to make noise going under an overpass on the way to @cactus1 house. knocked all the way home. but it DID get me home.
After work yesterday my buddy dropped of an important (and expensive) piece of the puzzle. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM He went down and picked it up while I was at work, new U joints, fresh tube, on the ends I provided. We brainstormed for a minute about the water fitting that I had, that didn't fit the early water pump (bottomed out the hex, too short of fitting) I dug up the old fitting and did a little surgery. half and half makes a long fitting of correct size! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM Then I pulled the body off, and started making the sub structure for the turtledeck and the back of the body to bolt to the frame. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM I also welded in some square nuts for the gas tank hold down. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 23, 2023 at 7:19 AM hopefully tonight the body goes back on for a fitting again.
The Jalopy Journal
