Picked up a ch***is for my '40 coupe yesterday, and the seller threw in a new bolt-in trans crossmember for a C4 or TH350. The only i.d. is two stickers in the box that say "Hot Rod Hell". It's a stamped steel item that looks like a quality piece, with a main crossmember, a couple of large braces, all the bolts, and a tubular piece that the trans sits on. Looks like I may be missing some stuff. There are no directions. Anybody have any info on this company, or who they may be now? The newspaper in the box is dated 2000.
Pretty sure "Hot Rod Hell" was located in San Diego somewhere back in the 80's/90's. Contact Kyle at C & G Ford Parts in Escondido, Ca. I'll bet he will remember something about them.
I will look in my files as I had one of those years ago. They were located in the SD area and built quality parts.
Any help would be appreciated. I'd like to see how this is installed. With the parts I have, it's sure not self-explanatory.
Wow! That's it! I do have all the pieces. Can't thank you enough! That is not at all how I envisioned it, but it makes sense now. You're a life saver. Love the HAMB!
Nice find Okiedokie, I had never heard of this company or this product. It looks like a good frame modification but kind of expensive.
Expensive for a guy with your skills for sure. On the other hand, some one with mine might find it a good deal. I actually had a friend with skills more in line with yours modify my frame in a very similar fashion for a lot less money.
I will print out a copy of this setup and see if I can use any of these ideas when I try to fit the 49 Mercury overdrive to my coupes ch***is. I am glad you posted it . Sorry about hijacking your thread Toolz. I will go back to lurking and watching now.
Hey, everybody is welcome here. I have lots of experience with drag cars, but my rod expertise is very limited. I'm absorbing all the info I can. I ***embled the crossmember tonight, thanks to the picture, and it does look like a quality piece. I'm not sure I would have spent $500 on it, but since it came with the ch***is, I'm happy. Previous owner said he paid $700! It will be a real easy install. After t******* the factory X, it pretty much bolts to all factory holes, just a few to drill. Much stronger than original, and I'll be able to set the motor and trans in from the top since the body is off. Makes locating the motor mounts a lot easier. Thanks again for the help, okiedokie!
I installed one like these in a forty about 15 years ago. There was article in Street Rodder January 1995 installing a kit from JRL street rods that looks exactly the same. I can copy the article if needed.
Hot rod hell was founded by Jon galmuit who after several years of running a full production hot rod shop in old town, San Diego, grew weary of it all and scaled it down. He does special projects out his home in Escondido, ca. as well as working on his own cars. Nicest guy you'll ever meet. Did outstanding metal work on my '49 merc woodie. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thank you Algoma56! I should be able to fab that up using that article. If I use that plan I should be able to put any transmission I want to in the future. My coupe will have a 49 Mercury overdrive transmission this time around but as I age an automatic might look good to me. I had dropped out of rodding in 1981 and did not subscribe to Street Rodder until I got back into it around 1998 so I didn't have that issue in my library. I really appreciate your taking the time to scan and post this .Maybe it will also help Toolz1157 out with his install.
You are welcome. I usually keep a folder of installation instructions, or other articles, in the garage of work I have done. Keep it for future reference, or maybe because I don't throw anything out(wife's words) Anyways, the article photocopy on file had the month and year on the bottom, so easy to check my magazine file. The scanner I used at work, was a different model than I have used before, so didn't come out just right, but at least the pictures and text are there.
The Jalopy Journal
