My GF has a grandson who visits with us for a week or so every summer, from San Jose CA. He'a always had an interest in old cars, and the highlight of our time with him is usually a road trip in one of my Sleds to Gettysburg, the Leadsled Spectacular, Macungie, or some other show. Well, he turned 15 this year and wants an old car. So this summer, he's going to stay with us for about 6 weeks, and I'm going to give him a crash course in mechanics, ch***is, welding, and fabrication. Bodywork will probably be next year. Luckily, a good friend traded me some work (I'll chop his next car) for a project he determined was too much for him to go through right now. The 2 door Lincoln will be my next "Super Top Secret" project (Shhhhhhhhh), and along with it, came a 4 door sedan parts car. We decided to build him the 4 door. We've been pretty lucky all along here, I bought a 92 Caprice that a guy at work had an accident it.....here's a good motor and trans. I had a Camaro subframe out back that was doign nothing at the time....another friend changed out his "new" car's bias ply tires for WWW radials, so we've got whitewalls....another friend took off a malfunctioning Holley carb, and donated it to the cause. Now, I am planning on cutting off the roof of the 2 door, and a fellow HAMBer offered up some 2 door hardtop doors, just for shipping (rough shape, though), so eventually, we'll convert it to a 2 door hardtop. But to start, let's get a good foundation! He disconnected and removed the engines from the Caprice and the Lincoln all by himself, with my instruction. He then diss***embled the subframe, and sandblasted it to bare. We had to narrow the frame to match the Linc's width, so I clamped together some angle iron and 1 x 2 tubing to keep things in alignment, and welded this to the subframe in 3 places. He then cut out 3 in. out of the center of the sub, and we aligned it by reclamping the tubing/angle together, 3 in. closer together. I then showed him how to figure out centerlines, axle centers, wheelbase, how to X measure frames for square, and how to level the car correctly, and set it up to subframe it. We got as far as being 100% sure everything was level, square and lined up correctly, and tacking the frame in position. This week, we'll cover making transition plates, and fishplates for strength, and welding, tho I'll probably do all the welding, he'll do the templates, cutting and clamping together of everything. I know most of you don't approve of subframing, or using SBC's in non-Chevy cars, but for a 15 YO to be able to afford this build, it's the best way, IMHO. The Linc front end parts cost a fortune (like 175$ ea. for rebuilt ball joints) so the subframe will give him better ride, handling and stopping, for about 1/4 the price. The same goes for the engine, Chevy parts are cheap and reliable, and the Linc engine would cost 3 times the Chevies to rebuild (and this one doesn't need rebuilding right now, just conversion to carb/distributor) I'm supplying some of the initial costs, but he's taking over payment for parts when he gets home and gets a part time job. I just wanted you all to see what a great job a young man can do, if given some encouragement, a place to work, and some 'schooling'. So, HAMB, meet Austin Keathley!
get after it! when the "that's not trad" guy come knocking, give 'em the finger when You drive by them at a high rate of speed.
That's very cool of you to teach him the ropes. I wish I had somone teach me, I'd be a whole lot farther ahead than I am now. Keep us updated. later shawn
Nothing better than getting a young 'un interested in 'REAL' cars before their friends take them to the dark side and end up with a Honda or worse. Frank
Thats great! What a crash course in car building. Sure he is doing some things many of us would not but at 15, that rocks!
chopolds, It is great to see someone willing to show a youth how to do a car build.And it's going to be a long road but worth every minute of your time and his.You are giving him a skill that he will keep for life and use in the future to build and fab on his own.Teaching the right way to build and getting the hands on will be great for him.At 15 year old he can soak up info liike a sponge...LOL And will be building on his own soon..... Steve
Way to go p*** the torch, that way there will be someone interested in our old rides when we got to sell'em to go into the old folks home.
Chopolds you rule! Keep after it and way to go.Everyones happy except who's ever doing the wash for the next 6 weeks.
Chopolds, when that kid gets back to Cali, have him come to L.A. and strip his doors If you don't have a use for those stock control arms and spindles let me know. I got quite a few pieces if you/he needs something.
Chopolds,That is a really great thing that you are doing with him. Taking him under your wing and teaching him all thats involved in car building. Hopefully he will never get borred with it. Some kids just loose focus too easily these days. I have a question,When you take out the 3 inches in the center. Wont there be issues with the tie rods being too long and not have enough adjustment. I never seen this done like that. And found it interesting.
I'll answer that one. You then take 3 inches out of the center link, sleeve it , weld it, and presto your right back at factory specs.
thanks chopolds for EVERYTHING youve done for me past & presant. ive been waiting to build a car with you since i rode it the olds (i always thought it was gonna be a chevy but the linc is just as good if not better) my p***ion of cars is building more than ever thaks to you. HAMB guys any feed back you can give will help a lot. oh and if you havent already guessed it im Austin Keathley A.K.A. Pink Weasel
Way to go teaching the kid on the hobby! can't wait to see it as it goes through it's transformation.
Way to go chopolds. Some guys won't like the sub or Chevy, but I think your plan is right on for a safe reliable budget build. I've been driving a '39 Pontiac coupe with the same combo (well 400 sbc) for close to 20 years with no problems.
hey austin,,,,you rule! glad to see you so into the project,,,,,keep at it, and you'll have yourself a pretty neat little kustom.....learn all you can,,it'll just keep getting better from here on out,,, mark,,,thats a really nice thing you are doing,,,sure wish someone would have helped me along when i was that age,,,
The Jalopy Journal
