So after throwing this A together a few years ago and building another car, I have learned a few things and have begun the "rebuild" of my coupe. To start, my original build was very low budget and I refused to go the 350 route, so I opted for a 53' red ram 241 Hemi and a 727 ( went 727 because that was the adapter that came with the engine ). The majority of my cash was spent on traditional parts like the body, engine, intake, front axle ( execpt for the discs ) carbs, yada yada, it all adds up. Well the 241 ran, but it was "whipped" pretty bad, the trans had no third and slipped in 1st and 2nd but I ran it anyway, the rear end was donated when I bought the body and turns out it was 2.56 gearing YIKES!!! When I decided to build my POPS a ride, my coupe went on hold and I never finished things like the floor and didn't get a chance to finsh some of the shortcuts I took in round one. So this time around she is getting a completly new engine rebuild ( in the shop now ), a new TCI 727, correct rear end and gearing, a triangulated 4 link, and fixing all those "little things and finishing the floor & dash.. I know this rebuild isn't going sit well with most because it has disc brakes and will be utilizing a cough cough "4 link" and auto, but I am a firm believer in build what you want and I think this car will have a good combination of new meets old. It will be a car that appeals to the guys that like a "patina" finish, a nice comfy ride ( minus IFS up front ), a traditional mill, some cool lines and parts and some home brew fabbed stuff. original 31 build http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138527 29 Sedan Build http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293826
I agree with Bib, it is your deal, money and work, make it like you want. Besides I like disc brakes! Their simple and don't hang out like most drum brakes. Rex
Well, considering it looks like you were probably only 2 or 3 on the first build, it is excusable. But, now that you look about 5-6 and got some experience under your belt, it is good to hear you are planning to do it right this time. Good luck with it. That's a nice looking car.
Funny.. That's my son Nolan... He's five now and loves to wrench. That's a pic of him taking the intake off after I loosened all the bolts.
Need a 55-64 chebby 10 bolt complete rear ( 3rd is a plus but not needed ) if anyone has one local I have CASH in hand and willing to pick up tomorrow
Spent today chasing parts again. Finally found a rear end that would work. 63 Impala, 61" WMS to WMS, 5-4.75 lug pattern I have a 4.11 posi and a 3.08 posi sitting idle, so this is why i choose this diff.. I also fabbed up a basic diff stand that worked GREAT... Including a few pics of my kid wrenching... He basically took the rear end apart
Cool...I enjoyed your last build threads and Im sure this one will be just as good. Keep taking the pics.
napa had all my brake parts on the shelf.. Drums, shoes, hardware kits, and wheel cyl's Tomorrow the plasma comes out I can start gettin my fab back on
Great to see you back Chopperman! I learned a ton on your first build, and put a lot of that knowledge to work on my '30. I plan to do some upgrades as well, so I'll be watching. Your son is a natural and obviously has a great Dad.
Can you send me a LARGER picture of the rear axle with the transverse spring?? What year is it?? and what are you doing with it since you now have a new rear axle? my email is: Pats57@roadrunner.com Thanks, Mike
Hey..Wish my garage looked that neat.. Linkage is complete and getting ready to ***emble the 97s.. If I had your email address I would send you pictures of the linkage and intake..I set it up different.. Duane.
Today i finished up body mounts and started on the floor / tuneel area, but that led into a full on firewall replacement. The old firewall was full of holes and looked pretty rough. Instead of cutting the whole thing out and replacing it, I decided I wanted to keep the original contours without the fuel shut off area and all the holes. The lack of some sheet metal tools led to me the route I took which was to do a "patch panel" While doing the "patch" I also decided to ditch the lower stock kickout of the firewall as I wanted a flat panel, this was my first time at really working metal to change it's shape. I think it turned out pretty good. I post a few pics of before and after. Instead of making body mounts I decided to just go through the frame. I welded sleeves in the sub frame to prevent crushing and I see no concern with mounting through frame. ( Istill need to grind sub frame welds ) I used a universal CJ5 poly bushing kit for the "spacers". They are 5/8" poly urethane
Received a call from the machine shop. Looks like the engine is rebuildable ( well see next week how much $$ ) I'm going to order up the new TCI ****** tomorrow and the intake and carbs will be done soon...
firewall, sub frame and most DS tunnel / floor are done. Duane also finished up my intake and carb rebuilds. Tired.. Going to bed oh, next on the shop equip list will be shear / brake, e-wheel, shrinker/stretcher
hey Chopperman! Its "Montana" haha, happy new year! long time no see. I see your coupe is back on the chopping block, i like what you've got laid out. How serious are you gettin with that little hemi rebuild? -PaX
nothing crazy.. Just a basic rebuild. It will be like a new car when I'm done.. New engine, trans, rear suspension, and 4.11 posi. It will be fun to drive and I will be able to drive it down to billetproof this year... Late
Took a sunday drive up the hill to let the kids play in the snow.. While there, i will called a few parts at summit - New TCI 727 Street Fighter - New TCI 727 converter 1600-1800 stall - Kirkey seat covers - Simpson belts - Line lock Also stopped at Cabelas... Man that place is CRAZY BIG
All I can say is WOW... Machine shops are SLOWWWWWW.... You would think with the economy that they would be banging my engine out ( paying customer with CASH and all )... I'm still waiting on a quote.. ERRRRRRRRRRRRRR......
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