Hot Rods 31 Chevy wood structure and hotrodding

I'm very nearly at the point of pulling the trigger on this sweet early production 31 5 window. I had been looking at Model A's when I stumbled on this car and wasn't aware that the Chevy's were mostly wood internal structure. I want to drop in a dual quad Nailhead drivetrain and am concerned because i'm not up to speed on the possible issues. it does appear there are a couple soft spots at the bottom of the cowl braces that the door hinges are attached to but no sagging or door alignment issues.

 

repair, tighten or replace the wood where needed, it will work fine.
my 33 here with all the wood.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/33-chevy-3w-time-for-a-cool-change.863287/

 

My first thought was hot rodding and wood structure don't belong in the same sentence.

 

I say Pick your poison.

I built and put my 31' on the road in 73'. Didn't have any money and didn't even think of replacing with steel so went back with wood. I still drive it today but occasionally have to push nails back in, replace missing wood screws, and tighten hinges. Body alignment will always require maintenance if you drive yours much. Chevrolet had "TSB's" (technical service bulletins) back when these cars were less than five years old, regarding sealing leaks, fixing squeaks, aligning doors, etc. which only proves they required attention even when they were relatively new. I like mine with the wood as it add character. I would like to have steel structure as it would eliminate periodic maintenance. Whats really cool is when i give it a bath it tightens the wood and eliminates all squeaks and rattles................Early Chevy's are cool because there are so few around (compared to Fords)..........So do you know why there are so few Chevy's around? .................... Because when they leaked, the wood rotted, body literally fell down around itself and no one wanted to take on the challenge of fixing them.............. They were thought to be much more inferior to cars with steel structures.

Its takes a real man to build an early Chevrolet! ............just kidding!

 

What he said^^^

 

Thanks for the input. i've decided I dont want to deal with a wood reinforced car. at least not one that is almost entirely an internal wood structure

 

I'll say a wise choice. They are nothing more than a wood crate with the Tin nailed on with what amounts to Carpet Tacks in most places. Even the main sub rails the body mounts to the frame on is a 2"x 8" plank.

 

Good looking Chevy.