Projects OT: Ratrod reckoning

You DO get the basic premmise that this something he is fixing, right?!

 

Amazing. Taking a concept to production in that amount of time is incredible.

 

Looking at your work, it's obvious that "fabrication" does not mean "making this up as I go along". Incredible work (ethic).

 

The builder of the Chrysler sedan was/is a HAMB member from Salt Lake City. As undriveable as that car was, the construction techniques were far more sound than this car.

Yes, membership has it's privileges. When you provide sound advice and construction methods on how to build a proper and safe vehicle, the subject matter can stray from the expressed motto.

Now please go to the top of the page, select "thread tools" tab and unsubscribe yourself from this post. I don't want you to suffer any further trauma.

I am sorry the ***le drew you in. Now you know better.

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More parts added into the mix and the front half of the frame is taking shape. The four bars are fabricated using 1.25" X .125 DOM steel tube for the uppers. The 1" clevis at the front and the salvaged 3/4" HEIM at the rear. The lowers are 1" X .125 DOM steel tube with a 3/4" clevis at the front and a 5/8" HEIM at the rear. The linkages connecting links from the shaft bellcrank and guide link have bronze bushings and sleeves to allow free but controlled movement. The front of the lift shafts are connected to the batwings using standard 1.75" spring shackles.

 

I think one of the moderators needs to get on here and threaten to ban anyone who utters a negative word against the whole "rat rod" and "off topic" whining because I see plenty of great engineering advice that anyone can apply to their builds. I don't like rat rods but I'd read anything ElP posts because he knows what he's doing and this is evidence of that!

So man up or get out..

I really dig the body lines of the Hudson. One of the most underrated bodies out there and I have to say, I'm really glad that you're running with this suspension style as an unique body deserves an unique frame. This one is turning out great.

 

The bag setup is genius. It would take me forever to render that up in SW, somehow I get the impression you're good at it

 

With the new modern design software and the computer controlled plasma cutters in the hands and mind of a skilled fabricator like Elpolacko, your can take a concept to production in a very SHORT time. Computers are NOT just for surfing the internet. They have increased the productivity of the American worker by thousands of times. With the right software and computers controlling the tools, even amateurs like myself, can produce quality parts and ***emblies; PROVIDED we have learned the requisite skills, like welding, and machining and learned the engineering behind the design. Add experience and a business sense like Elpolacko's and you have a gold mine.

Its threads like these that keep the membership of the HAMB growing. Others HAMBers that have similar skills are B*** and T-Man and many others I don't have on the tip of my typing fingers. Their willingness to share their experience and knowledge make the HAMB what it is.

 

Lots of good stuff here. I know my limitations and would not try to cobble up something that might work or might break and send me sliding into oncoming traffic.

 

This thread is not O/T, The differance is he didnt build it and put it on the HAMB as his own work, we find cars in all different states of disrepair, barn finds, s****ped hulls, field cars and even rejects like this hudson, Elp is saving it, no different than if he had pulled it out of the s****yard himself. Carry on good sir, Carry on..


Godspeed
MrC.

 

I think something else alot of you are forgetting is that this customer of Elp's wants the look of a rat rod not a traditional car. In turn that is what ElP is building but SAFE!!!!. His customer does have basic knowledge of cars but did not know the build techniques of building a hot rod and relied on some other HACK SHOP!!!!!!!!!! to build his vison. ElP is building what is his customer wants and that is customer service, and at the same time teaching his new customer what was wrong with the car and how to build something safe and reliable. I was there at the same time when he drove up to Elp shop and what he told Elp about how it drove was nothing short of a horror movie and sent chills down everyone spines that were there that day. It may not be our cup of tea here on the HAMB but the build tech and how to correct something so wrong is the point of this entire thread.

 

If only he'd gone to you in the first place there would've been enough money to do it all right.

Well done for taking it on and giving him something worth having.

 

The day came and the Scud-Hud was to become a bit more Sir and a bit less Rat. Dr Marvelus and I scuttled the Hud from the two post lift to the fabrication table and continued to centerline and level the Hud out. Clamping it to the table we realized how out of square the frame was, twisted and deformed. The engine and trans were pulled from the solid mounts and the cutting began.







The weld slime was removed and the remaining frame chunks were trimmed to a reasonable size and condition for me to attach my new front frame section to.

 

That's brilliant, Steve. Can't wait to see what you're doing for lateral location and steering. Subscribed.

 

Aye Chinga! Es muy mal!

I see no diamond, I reckon it's all goats ***.

Steve will sort it out. It'll still be ugly as hell, but steve and the boys will make sure it's a safe and sound machine.

 

I decided a long time ago if I do a coupe/sedan I'd go straight Joe's Speed shop or sids in Guthrie admit my lack of knowledge tell them what I want and how to achieve it (but reading this I'm going to learn a lot more)

 

ELpolacko- your work is amazing. My hat is off to you for having the stones to take on this project. That front clip will not only be functional and safe, it's a work of art! Dr. Marvelus is doing a damn fine job bending up some tin to replace the swiss cheesy stuff. You guys are awesome for taking on the project of corrective surgery!

 

Steve,
I just scrolled through a few of the pictures and haven't read any response or your feedback. I have to say that the car is a lot like one that I have been working on as of late, not the Rat aspect but the general workmanship. I am seeing that what they did well they did real well and where they dropped the ball it was not just dropped but slammed down with vigor.

The car although a little wonky actually has some good prospects as rods go. I am sorry that the fella got himself in as deeply as he did with the wrong shop and very glad to see that it has landed in your hands. I know that you will do right by the fella and when it leaves it will be leave in good shape.

 

keep up the good work dude. I always enjoy your threads, educational and entertaining at the same time

 

There is a big difference between the the threads of people showing off their Rat Rods, and this one.

The Rat part of this thread is only the "Before" part of it.

I'm interested in the "After", and what ElP does to get there.


The way I see it this thread is not Off Topic.



Its really unfortunate that we have a trend that spawns these kind of "creations".

Its good to see this one died the way it should have.

Broken up for its usable parts, and re-done right.


Automotive Darwinism...

 

How about this:
Change the name of the thread to-
How to fix a ****ed up abortion of a pile of **** in order to keep the financially ****-wrenched owner of said vehicle alive in case he ever decides to drive it.

Better? Now go put some ice on your swollen clam and have a Fresca.

 

Thats some good looking repair work sir!

 

Bet your heart kept dropping as you got further into this beast. Gotta say, your design work on the front end is amazing, as usual. Shame he didn't come to you first.

 

Ha!

 

Keep at it Steve, you got balls. I also feel that a few folks here have their feelings hurt since this car might be hitting a little close to home?!

 

The workman ship, as always, is amazing. I dont think I could have thought of that bag set up even after I saw yours! I am still confused yet figured it out. Outstanding!!

 

Not that ELP needs protecting. I see poor work in the const. Industry. It is nice to see someone show correction measures as this info is always invaluable somewhere in the future. My .02

 

Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!! As I said before, Steve isn't letting you guys in on the half of what is up with this thing. I'm not talkin' 'cause he does things his own methodical way as far as posting, and I would have just spilled ALL the beans in my first post. Let's just say I walked around this thing for a good hour when I first saw it and discussed the concept of criminal negligance.

 

Yes thank you kind Sir's for the compliments. To the haters, I have no words to comfort you. I am truly sorry for your distress. I am sure there is very little here in these posts you will find useful in your future builds. Please accept my deepest apology for offending your sensibilities.


Forward chaps!

Mr Funk asked me to inspect every element of the car to ascertain the proper function and serviceability. While ***embling the front suspension to set up the new steering arms, I needed to remove the brake rotors from the spindles. Upon pulling the dust caps I found blacked grease. I am familiar with the type of grease, it was Lucas Red Tacky and was gritty and burned. Not only that I noticed there was not a tang-washer in sight! This was a disc brake kit ordered directly from Speedway Motors and I would be a bit dismayed that the kit did not come with one. Regardless of whether it was supplied or not, there was a machined and zinc plated spacer between the outer bearing and the spindle nut.

I inspected the bearings, there was a liberal amount of grease applied to the spindle stud but superficial amounts were packed into the big end of the rollers. It also appeared as if the protective coatings the bearings were shipped with was not removed and this contaminated the bearing grease.







Moving on from that, I fitted the king pins to the new Model A axle and modified the Speedway caliper brackets to work with the CE bolt on steering arms and cut and threaded a proper tie rod.





It was about this time when I realized what type of vehicle these RadRodsters are trying to emulate, I think they are enamored with the Fuel Coupe but just miss the mark by a bit.

 

hell I am still trying to wrap my head around it all!

 

the builder saw on NASCAR tech that the racers do that to make the car go faster in qualifying by not having as much friction, so if it works for Bubba ....

By a BIT?