As alot of you that have already given me a vast amount of guidance know, Im starting my first "hot rod" project a 53 special 150 , and am seeking some veteran advice on where to start and what to focus on first. My gut instinct tells me to get my 235 installed, rip out the 6 volt system, rewire the whole car, and attempt to get it running. I, as many of us are, are on a somewhat limited bugdet, but have set aside about $2000 to get started with. I have the 235, I have the original 3 speed, stock suspension seems "ok" right now, brakes need completly redone, or replaced, gas tank and lines need cleaned, floor pans will eventually need replaced, and I need to complete bolting on my 54 front end. Wiring as I stated all needs replaced, (cracked, torn, broken). So as you can see, I have alot of work on my hands. What are the best places to start? I plan on buying the 21 circuit wiring kit Gambino's sells, along with the NCA 12 volt conversion kit, Gambinos taildragger kit, some stock 15x5.5 inch steelies, and alot of other misc. parts. Am I headed in the right direction? Heres some pics... http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/100_0110.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/100_0105.jpg http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/100_0107.jpg Thanks in advance Jaison
Get the thing on the road as fast as you can. First time projects that get bogged down so you never get to drive it makes you discouraged. Drive it and you will keep working on it and stay interested. Be safe with what you do but let the extras come last - get good brakes, steering , wiring etc so you can drive the car and it will be much more enjoyable project.
Yep....undercarriage first......brakes and suspension. paint your engine bay......put in your driveline......paint that nice empty dash and doortops......wire it up.....get it running.....paint One color of primer (for now).....put the windows in.....SCRUB those door trims and put a seat in (for now, until you fix the floors...you should try to show us how bad they actually are) If you can do all that starting with a couple of grand, you're doing REALLY well! and ofcourse, there'll be plenty of help here on the HAMB ! stop and post pics at each stage for tips, and GLORY !
I agree with 6inarow. Get it on the road and then worry about the cosmetics. You wanna enjoy it before it turns into a gossimer strand. Besides...getting the thing road worthy is, in my thoughts, the "test" to see how dedicated to a project you are. Customizing is fun, but to have that fun you gotta put in alotta time and wrenching. Have fun and run it ragged! Brian
Brakes, tires, steering, and suspension. That way you can drive while you fiddle, tinker, rebuild, rework, whatever on everything else. If you don't mind having the car just sit, then you can start in many other places instead. Have fun! (If you are a HAMBer then that's a given, I guess). Deluxe
Heres some pics of the floor. Pass side is about the same as the drivers, no holes bigger than a nickle really. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/Picture001.jpg Heres more/newer pics... 54 front end swap started.. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/Picture005.jpg Junky back seat... http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/jrolla2k3/Picture004.jpg Jaison
im workin on my first too. my goal is to get it tagged and drive the wheels off of it. that way i get a little motivation to save money. i have no budget but just throw small***** at it when i get extra cash. i am dyin to drive it though. the old guys at my work think im crazy cause im excited to drive a car with a 3 on the tree and drum brakes! i cant wait. good luck!!!
hopfully you have the glass. thats going to eat alot of that 2grand. looks like ya got a real sound car there for your first project. good luck on it and have fun.
Im dying to drive mine too, just sittin on that old bench lookin out over that looooong hood...well, it gives me wood. And yeah, I have the rear glass, heck if I didnt, NCA sells the rear for $375. I actually have a 53 150 rear window, and a 210 rear window thats for sale since it dont fit! Any takers? Jaison
Just get it running as fast as you can. Even if it isn't raodworthy you can start it and move it around. That's a big motivator. I had a 51 Ford that was a turd but ran (after a new flathead) and a Willys jeep that was also a turd but ran, and a 340 Duster that was the same, and I had a blast with them. My current project is a junkyard refugee f-1 that I am nearly 6 years into, and it is a whole nother ballgame. Much more fun to drive and fix up as you go, instead of a hunk of metal in your garage. Thankfully, I have almost completed the f-1, so I guess it's worth it, but there have been a lot of times I'd like to have an old car to run around in.
Yeah, I need to drop the 235 in, figure out my bellhousing/clutch/clutch fork issues, and get 'er runnin. Thatll be a big push in the right direction.
Get it together and drive it like you stole it! The floors dont look to bad where you cant work on them as you go. Just make sure it runs and definitely stops cause you will want to enjoy the car the next day! It looks like a real good start !
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