Hi everyone, I am new to the forum as a member but have read and learned so much from you guys already but I finally got one of my own to customize and could not be more excited! First build so excuse my ignorance or dumb questions. I got a full fendered, hood restored 1931 2 door Deluxe in great shape that runs but the wife does not feel safe in it / I also enjoy performance. I am going to keep the body and interior as orginal / untouched as possible. My goal is to make this my daily driver as well as a bit safter, more reliable and amore fun with keeping the iconic styling of the time. I do not have a huge budget and am wiling to be patient and build it correctly without spending 50k. After doing a bit a research of what it would cost to improve the original engine, frame and suspension I have decided to build what I guess is considered a resto mod hot rod. ( I am going to keep the working rolling chasis and look for a cheap body or truck to put back on it. Where I am now: I found an amazing deal on a 65 mustang 289 with a 4 speed trans that I just got running. I also got a boxed in frame, 8 inch rear with coil-overs. I also got a mustang 2 front end / 35-40 ford front end with it. I want to keep the fenders & hood but upgrade the drivetrain . technology with what I have now. I got a used speedmaster Serp kit to make the engine as short as possible and pushed it back as far as I could without hitting the Alt/ AC compressor on the heads. I would like to modify the firewall as little as possible but am willing to do what I need. I would appreicate any insight, advice as I do this transition to fit the engine as clieanly as poissible as well as opinions on the best front end / with as little alterations to the fenders firewall as possible. Here is also a short list I still need to figure out, Thank you in advance for the help! Battery Location Front end - Mustang 2 or Dropped Straight axel Pedals - Braking Gas Tank & Filler location Heating / AC other than vintage air
You’re going to need to modify the firewall, some reverse it ( take it out and put it in backwards). Go with a dropped axle.
In order from the edited version. Safe is go, stop, steer, then gets into protecting the human cargo. This starts with seat belts, a collapsing steering column, can include updated door latches, and at that point it gets into major changes. You can't really build in crumple zones, side protection, air bags and such without major changes to the original car, if at all. Understand this is close to a hundred years old. If you or your spouse require 1990s safety, it isn't going to happen, let alone 2020s safety. As said, the solid axle is going to fit better under the fenders. Do some searching for Model As with MII. The results should provide an idea of the expenses and compromises required. That engine is going to be a tight fit under the hood. Grab a tape and see if it will work and consider cooling, too. If A/C is a requirement, it's going to take serious work. The firewall flip is going to be the first step, or a replacement, since this isn't HAMB style anyway. Pedals - either under floor or up on the firewall. Considering the packaging, probably under floor. Braking - You already have rear drums, get discs that fit the front spindles and a master probably with a booster, all sized properly. Gas tank - common points are saddle tanks or behind rear seat. Explore your options. HVAC - Vintage is the leader in the field. They have been doing it a long time and are proven. If you want other companys, figure out what features you want, if you can reuse the current compressor, and cost plus after sale tech help meets your needs. Since you are building more of a modern Street Rod than a typical HAMB style ride, some of your questions won't be answered on the main board, but you can still try searches here for the individual parts and systems. There is some great info.
I'm not sure what you are saying, but if you have a nice body and ch***is, I would not recommend putting a different body on it. That can turn into a nightmare getting something that will look and fit well. Build what you have and when its all done and looking nice, your wife will probably like it........ especially when it gets attention and she makes friends with other car owners . As for the front axle, you will probably need to buy an aftermarket kit to mount something that looks good and fits under the front fenders and looks right. I've seen some older "conversions" that just ruined the looks of the car. Someone else may know of one that will work and look decent, but I'm not aware of any. Now don't read that as me being against independent front suspension. I'm going to use one under my 32 Coupe. If you live anywhere near Louisville Ky, I would recommend coming to the Street Rod Nationals next year where you can price and compare them. I purchased a TCI set-up from Pete and Jakes. I found that they have a nice set-up and their shipping was several hundred dollars cheaper than the others I priced. They also include a sway bar with theirs while it was a $300 option on at least one other companies product. Thats why you need to educate yourself on what you get for your money. It was about $500 difference in my case. Also, you can see lots of other examples and sellers of things you need. Many offer show discounts. If its not too far, you might save enough to pay for your trip. You might want to consider just rebuilding your stock front suspension if money is too tight. Then if you find it unacceptable, upgrade later on. Here are a few pics you can see some of the different ones and how easy they are to add to a vehicle. Below is an example of a cobbled up one. Personally I would not do it as you may get into some steering geometry issues, but its just "ugly" (IMHO). And a few straight axles.
Great advice thank you so much! I have made some good progress. After looking more into it I am going to leave my 31 alone and nice and get a new 30 body and drop it on and just have 2 The engine & trans is mounted and ended up fitting just inside the frame rails nicely! I have ended up going with the mustang 2 front end from horton Hot Rod in Canada that mounts the arms outside the frame so the fenders fit. Still working through but have found that the front driver side end of the frame is bent 1/2 low. Any suggestions on bending the end 15" upward 1/2"? Thank you!
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