Projects LA HOT RODS Get's A 37 Pontiac Gasser Build

Got one welded up, I will dress up the welds after I get the other side welded.

 

Little progress. This is a slow prosses but liking the results.

 

Nicely done James...

 

Well got one rail dressed down. It may be time for a beer now.

 

Got the other rail dressed down. Now need to prep the end of the factory frame get it level and square.



I put slits in the factory rivets for my measuring points. My buddy got the fish plates cut out for me today. With luck I'll get this welded up this weekend.

 

Pretty happy with todays progress. Still have a few more inches to weld, just want to go slow about this.

 

Got a laser out and trying the get the front axle squared up and located. I do have the weight of the car resting on the springs now. Think I'm going to remove some leaf's to get the springs to settle so I can figure shackle location.

 

Those frame horns are absolutely exquisite!

 

Nice work! What are you using for the front springs?

 

They are from speedway.

 

Those frame horns look so right and I know you're taking care to ensure everything is straight, plumb and perfect before the fish plates go on. I'm guessing with a powerfully built 409 pulling that front end up at launch, when it comes back down 60 feet down the track it will be solid as an I-beam.

 

Finally got a chance to revisit this project. I have been battling with measurements and alignment hand just taking my time a double checking. A lot of time with plumbbob and tape measure. I believe I'm getting closer now.

 

Good job !

 

Got the springs and axle tacked in place now. I'll start working on steering box mount next.

 

James,

I see you're using multiple tape measures. Surely you've checked them against each other.

I once saw a similar setup where it seemed to be square but then turned out to be off. Turns out that the tape measures weren't exactly the same. One wasn't correct. When accurate tape measures were used all went well.

 

Good point Mike. They are the same brand used in pairs and I am burning anywhere from 3 to 10 inches for the start of my measurements.

 

Awkward to say the least trying to get the steering box located to figure mounting.

 

Very nice...great pics..

 

Thank you.

 

New front rails blended flawlessly.

 

Yes, yes they did.

 

Trying to get more things lined out. I did find that I had the pitman arm on backwards and was going to end up with a clown car. Now that is straighten out I did a mockup front engine plate to start checking clearance and and up and down engine location.

 

Clever, thoughtful. Caught the pitman arm issue quickly, so not a factor to be concerned about. Always seems like there are hundreds of opportunities to get something wrong or backwards, but taking steps like this goes a long way to cut down the errors.

 

Looking good James's. Nice catch on the pitman arm.

 

Did get the front to drop down and playing with engine plate and steering. I have a problem with the drag link and the oil pan and damper want to live in the same place. As it sets now the crankshaft centerline is at 24 inches. Seem like that is the maximum for g***er cl*** cars. I may need to change up the build plan to a altered.

 

So let's try this. I have a pan and timing cover why not mock it up to my makeshift front engine plate.






Need to get a mock up drag link to see where I'm at when turning.

 

Methodical, deliberate = solution.

 

I made up a makeshift drag link and also bolted the steering box to a piece of wood so I can turn the car right to left and check drag link to pan clearance. I have the engine at 24.5 crankshaft centerline. This gives me 2 inches at straight ahead and 1.5 inches when turning to the right. I will need to figure out some bump stops. Not crazy about the 24.5 crank height but I may have to live with it.

 

With the help of a ratchet strap I have the springs in compression now and still have clearance. Now need to figure some bump stops to stop it at this height.

 

Idle minds can be a dangerous thing. I have been building this car in a g***er direction but have always been concerned with the chopped top and knowing you couldn't do that in a gas cl*** car.
So this has me thinking more of a build in the altered cl***. So I did some different mocking up to help with the visual.
Thinking something in the lines of the 554 coupe.