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Projects Building My First Roadster in San Francisco

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by J.Ukrop, Sep 7, 2020.

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  1. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,473

    J.Ukrop
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    Bill Blake is a real treasure. Getting to profile him was one of my favorite newspaper assignments, and it was an honor to see the story on the front page. I don't really do any newspaper writing anymore, but I would like to get back into it on a local level later in life. And thanks for sticking with me!

    Such a nice break. It's always tough to come back home after such a great time, but I have a car to build here in the City by the Bay.

    Yes we are! Next step, transmission rebuild 101!
     
  2. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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    I have a few more small updates that I'll add later, but I figured everyone following this build would get a kick out of this short video. Here's the engine turning over with the starter and the transmission attached. Seems simple, but it's a huge milestone. This engine will run. And when it does, we're all going to celebrate together.

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/guXSXDAozyI
     
  3. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,561

    Tim
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    Heck yeah!
     
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  4. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    Today, I popped the top off the '39 trans and everything looks pretty good. I still plan to rebuild it to make sure it's road ready. I also ordered my first batch of transmission parts, and I plan to buy more tomorrow. I didn't have a ton of time in the garage, but I did start soaking the lower brake adjusting nuts to prepare for disassembly tomorrow.
    IMG_5064.jpg
    No update too small—we're making progress.
     
  5. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
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    Tim
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    Need a kroil sponsorship lol
     
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  6. Six Ball
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
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    Six Ball
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    from Nevada

    Those starters have a sound of their own. That takes me back, Thanks
     
  7. Jeff34
    Joined: Jun 2, 2015
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    couldn’t agree more with that. Was that with a 6V or 12V battery @J.Ukrop
     
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  8. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    It’s a 12V battery, and I believe the starter was converted to 12V back in the 1990s. I’ll take a picture of the tag next time I’m in the garage.
     
  9. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    It's been a weekend for the books. Hot rods, choppers, hamburgers, surfing, warm weather and so much quality time with friends. I have a lot to share, but I'm exhausted. Before I go to bed, I just wanted to post this here. We did it. We finally fired up Version 2.0.
    IMG_5258.jpg
    Full story coming soon. For now, here's the video.

    https://youtube.com/shorts/DG-x7cGqEzk?feature=share
     
  10. 41 GMC K-18
    Joined: Jun 27, 2019
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    41 GMC K-18
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    @J.Ukrop
    "Less honky, more tonky indeed"
    So cool that the sound of that flathead firing up, put that grin of accomplishment on your face!
     
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  11. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
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    Fuck yeah dude!
     
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  12. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 7,575

    RodStRace
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    Sounds great! happy for you and the people that helped, that's a milestone.
    I know you have been careful on this build and things were done right as possible, but that picture of you in front of the chassis sure makes those front frame rails look crooked. You aren't twisting the pic instagram style, are you? :p
     
  13. Congratulations Joey!! Sounds like you had a cheering section there for the big event.

    Life is good!!
     
  14. Woogeroo
    Joined: Dec 29, 2005
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    Woogeroo
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    from USA

    The flathead Gods will be pleased.
     
  15. Jeff34
    Joined: Jun 2, 2015
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    Sweeeeeet! Let me guess...6AM alarm for the neighbors?
     
  16. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
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    Bump to the top, been watching the videos all day lol
     
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  17. Six Ball
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
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    Six Ball
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    from Nevada

    Surprised you weren't sitting on a cate, steering with a rope, and touring The City! You have so much self control.
     
  18. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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    Major updates, replies, recaps, tall tales and more happening soon. We've just been having some fun in the sun with old cars! IMG_5395.jpg
     
  19. Rad! Hey Joey quick question. What width are the tires you have on those 16s?
     
  20. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    They're Firestone 600 x 16s up front and 7.50 x 16s on the rear. I think I got them through Summit or Jegs because they had free shipping.
     
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  21. Right on, thanks bud.
     
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  22. Mr. @J.Ukrop I've taken the several days here and there and read all 107 pages of this thread and have truly enjoyed the ride! Sort of sad that I don't have the story to read when I'm not busy at work:p I'm definitely looking forward to following from here on out.

    I've been helping @48fordnut here and there with his Av8 roadster and have truly enjoyed the car and friendship I've built with him. These cars are old souls that continue to bring old souls together.

    Keep the positive attitude and smile on your face! Your doing an amazing job bud!
     
  23. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    Thanks for taking the time to check out the thread. It's been a long, winding, extremely fun road thus far. It's amazing to think how far we've come in the past three years (!) This thread has turned into a gathering of friends from around the world, and I've learned something from each and every one of you. Welcome to the party!
     
  24. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    IMG_5178.jpg
    I'm on the move again, but I have a full update of the Northern California Roadster Run and transmission rebuild day #1 soon!
     
  25. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 19,561

    Tim
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    from KCMO

    Teeeeaaaaaaassse
     
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  26. Column shifted hotrods are the tits. Hope there's more pictures of this one!
     
  27. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
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    Hi, Rod. My 6 pairs of gennie rails all looked like that, and my 3 pair (!) of repro rails also do: (not as much as the pic suggests) Reason is that the taper from the firewall forward continues to the tips of the frame horns, which are (were) slightly 'tweaked' out for the front tie bar.
    I've 'doctored' some up to look less conspicuous, but that 'crook' is built in.
     
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  28. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 7,575

    RodStRace
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    They just looked off and I thought I'd tease him a bit. Didn't think after all the work that they WERE off, as mentioned.
    Example of insta edited pics, which I was humorously accusing him of doing.
    In particular, notice the door behind the second one and how it's not straight?
    Enjoy, Mike!
    [​IMG]
     
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  29. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    J.Ukrop
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    When I returned from my stay in Southern California, I immediately began thinking about the next steps. That Saturday, I made my way north to catch the beginning of the Northern California Roadster Run and then start the transmission rebuild at David's.
    IMG_5182.jpg
    Rolling into the lot, there were roadsters as far as the eye could see. Nearly every single one was flathead powered.
    IMG_5179.jpg
    I soaked up as much as I could, taking notes for my car.
    IMG_5173.jpg
    It's amazing how far away all these cars felt when I went on my first roadster run. Now, I'm closing in on making it a reality.
    IMG_5185.jpg
    After the cars roared off, I sat in my truck daydreaming of being there next year with my A-V8. About 10 minutes later, I saw two roadsters roll up. I felt like I had seen them before, but I wasn't sure where.
    IMG_5193.jpg
    "Charlie?! Kelli?!" I couldn't believe it. My friends from Portland had bombed down there to go on the run. After catching up for a frantic second, they linked up with the rest of the group and were on their way. Such a small world!



    Charlie and Kelli host the Harvest Drags every year in Oregon, and it was so good to see them in my part of the world.
     
  30. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
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    From there, I made the short drive to David's, more excited than ever. After catching up on the latest projects, we started the transmission disassembly. To make things more fun, David and I both tore down transmissions at the same time. His was a side-shift 1940 trans and mine was a 1939 out of a running 1932 five-window.
    IMG_5196.jpg
    Looks good. It shifted through all the gears and the teeth seemed to be in nice condition. But, like any project, there's a lot more than meets the eye.
    IMG_5206.jpg
    It didn't take too long to empty the case.
    IMG_5202.jpg
    And we then inspected every part.
    IMG_5201.jpg
    For better or for worse, most parts weren't up to par. That's why we're rebuilding it!
    IMG_5203.jpg
    I even got my own coffee can!
    IMG_5198.jpg
    We were able to take a customer's Model A to the post office to burn some old gas.
    IMG_5199.jpg
    I thoroughly enjoyed being in a sedan (especially one that had a full interior). There were a few similarities to Version 1.5 of my car—and plenty of differences.
    IMG_5214.jpg Parking lot inspiration.
     
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