OK, I have read the thread about building a Trad Hot Rod for less that so many bucks etc. The deal is always the same. Some are in the business and other are not. Some have good connections and others are lucky ate the sawp meet. The question here is what kind of things have you been able to get for free and how did you do it? I just got a set of Buick alum drums that were on a 70's built 34 Ford hot rod. The new owner of the car wanted disc brakes, so I wen and told him what to order and made sure he understood what exactly that he had. I will also help him install them and for that he gave me everything from the spindle out. They look to be early Ford backing plates. New cyls, shoes, bearings and seals. Just need cleaned up and installed on my 37 Ford spindles. I have received "gifts" before but this one was nice.
Got a free 350 Chevy motor, was a runner until his Black Lab tore the tarp off of it. Was a case of come and get it out of my yard. So I did.
Well...... I guess it's free if your time and knowledge aren't worth anything. Otherwise, I think it's barter, which is usually a good deal for both parties. I've done it quite a bit to keep cash expense down. Larry T
Buddy of mine at work bought a new house. House came with a 289 out of a 68 Galaxie in it's garage He's not into cars and wanted the room. Though it'll probably find it's way into my 65 Mustang.
I once got a wide ratio Muncie, complete with Hurst shifter and Chevy bell housing, for free. It was lying in the middle of a guy's back yard, and when I asked him what his intentions were for it, he replied, "That thing? It's shot. You can have it if you want". Funny, when I got it home and removed the side cover, it didn't look "shot" at all.
Yes,Time is very valuable. When you are trying to build a car for low bucks and it is not taking the rent money away.........call it barter or call it free, but please call me. I may not have the time to do this kind of stuff much, but seems I have more time than money these days.
I kinda have a deal with a local junk picker. He brings by any old car lookin stuff. Before He takes it to the s**** yard. Most is **** but once and a while i get lucky.
After years of begging & searching I got an old Chrondek Christmas tree. One of the best freebies I've ever gotten.
Lotsa junk for free. A banjo rearend, with spring and torquetube, a model A front axle, a '32 front axle, an extra front wishbone, a homemade frame from under a '34 truck, two '35 wire wheels, a GMC truck hood, a couple wide five wheels, an Offy 3 X 2 nailhead intake, some cool old lever shocks, a chrome fuel log, a cool foglight, a box full of small parts, a nice tractor grill shell, and a Ford 2.3 engine with a five speed transand lots more junk too small to mention........
That is a nice deal. Never know what will show up and I am sure glad that the good stuff is not going to the s**** yard to be turned into more new KIA's or Hunadi's
Years ago, I scored a complete Chevy 283 from the house my GFs mother was renting. Engine was complete except for the carb and exhaust manifolds. Looked like it was torn down for a rebuild that never happened. Then while cleaning out a neighbor ladys garage, after her husband p***ed away, I scored tons of tools, old small block Chevy parts and a trio of Stromberg 97's in a box I the attic. I just about ****ped myself on that one. Still cleaning out her garage when time allows, she just wants it all gone and the nice thing is there is no time limit.
I got 2 32 chevy pickups for free, just asked, an the owner said get them outta here! -it never hurts to ask
Just back in November, I got a free 283/PowerGlide and the rest of the '66 Impala that is was in. Widow was an in-law of my wife's boss and wanted it gone. Yeah, just that simple.
if *FREE* means no out of pocket cash outlay (not including gas money)... lessee.... buddy swapped his rebuilt 326 for a rebuilt 400 in a pontiac... he was gonna give it to the gorillas who installed the motor... got that for free. buddy swapped a nice lo-mile original 283 for a crate motor... he said... you pull it you keep it. there were three motors sitting behind the shop for about 20 years, a couple with 3970010 blocks. boss said... if you dont find a home for them, they go in the s**** bin. they went home. got a free 55 chevy rear end from my other boss. got a free early 50's frigidaire when they remodeled the break room. still works like a charm. free t-bucket frame (HAMBer) free model T frame (HAMBer) Free model T cowl (HAMBer) Free roller wheels and coil springs (HAMBer) Free 14" aluminum slots (s**** metal bin at shop) free model A springs. (rat rodder) i'm sure there's more.
My entire truck is bartered except the nickel and dime stuff for installs. I traded the entire pickup for a huge tattoo. Traded the busted *** engine for a set of heads. Sold the old heads and used the money for headers. Traded the big ugly tires for a 305 short block. Blew up the 305 and traded more tattoo work for a built up 350. Traded tattoo work, pinstriping and logo design for a rebuilt ******. Traded some good wide tires I had laying around for a set of whitewalls, etc. etc. etc. Sometimes I feel like Radar O'Reilly with all the horse trading I do. I'll venture to say that I have less than $700 in actual cash in my truck. Anyone want to barter for body and paint work?
well, i got a free 305 outta a wrecked nova. Also got the gas tank and the rearend. I got a free Carter AFB, Free steering wheel, Free steering colum, free brake and clutch master cylinders, free generator, free radiator, free bench seat, and some other little odds n ends. Glad i had a job at a junkyard this summer.
I got a 1957 Fiat Spider convertible from a local for free.He said take and build it since he will never have the time or cash to do it.It will be the wife's hot rod someday soon. Mike
350 short block from a building I helped paint. Ends up being a 300hp 350 out of a '69 stick vehicle. Pair of 461 fuelie heads from my brothers neighbor.(he wanted $20 for the pair at his garage sale.they didn't sell,so he gave them to me!) 2 piece Snap-On tool cabinet from a company that was closing down. ***orted tools from the same place.
I have gotten a lot of free stuff that I'm not going to bore you with the details, but the trick is to see who has junk in their yard in your area. A few cases locally, I have swung by and looked in the pile, found radius arms for example, and the home-owner was happy that I take them with whatever they are attached to to make his pile smaller. Get home, cut off what you don't want, and drop it at the metal yard. I got a 52 Pontiac Chieftan Deluxe Straight 8 car for free, 'get it out of here' type thing, a free SBC, free 46 Chevy Cab--- you just have to look. Also, go to the junkyards that are off the beaten path. It might be worth the extra hour drive to find something cool and cheap. I got a complete I Beam axle for $100 at a junkyard no one visits. Yes, time is money, but sometimes it takes time to save money.
4 model a wheels, front axle, underdash A/C units.. were all sitting in the guys shop when I picked up a car I bought from him, he gave me those so he could have his space back. I've given some good stuff away, recently a '41 Banjo rear end.. and now I'm trying to give away a rolling 1947 Buick 50 Frame/suspension/axles/trans.. but no takers so far.. find it here and let me know if you want it : http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332748
Did it hurt when you took the tattoo off? Sorry, I just had an image of someone peeling their tattoo off to swap for a truck. Speaking of swapping for a truck... I'll trade interior work for a running pre '64 truck. I've gotten a few things for free just for asking but mostly s**** stuff from work.
Oh yeah... i forgot the BIGGIE... a guy i know gave me an 80 gallon air compressor and a big parts washer just to get it out of his garage.
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