Good evening all. Here is a few update pictures and I have a few questions as we need some help. First from the photos do you think the engine is too far away from the Firewall ? The motor mount kit and tramsmission crossmember came from the same company Ch***is Engineering in Iowa and was ordered for our 51 chevy frame. Could it be because we are using a 38 cab ? Second as you can see from the photos the door gaps on both sides are very wide at the bottoms but they were the same gap before I cut out the floor to channel the body over the frame.The sill plates are still intack and have not been removed. Any fix you folks can think of will help a lot. Enjoy. TOM (Tired old man)
On our highboy roadster project we kinda centered the engine in the opening between firewall and radiator first but I thought there was too much space between it and the firewall so we moved the whole rig back a couple inches. Back of flathead engine at the fuel pump stand is about 1" from the firewall (I just measured it-a stock style firewall, not recessed). The back edge of the left head is right at 3" from the firewall. Visually the body/firewall kinda "flows" into the engine - but we still have room (kinda) to work in the back of engine area. And yes, I tacked and moved the engine mounts at least 4 times till satisfied! And great lookin patina on that cab!
Thanks guys. We may move the cab forward some. We may wait until the grill shell goes on but have not found one yet. You don't think this 'Young Gear head" my Grandson is having fun with his first hot rod do you !!!!!! LOL.
Anyone have an idea on how to fix the door gap problem ? Thanks for your time and talent. TOM ( Tired old man)
HEY LAWMAN...believe me you will be glad the firewall is back-when u drop the dist. in. not to mention all the room for work space. it just looks strange to you know. man u can never have too much room HA! CALL ME POP.
Right you are "Pop". Lots to research and question before done but thats the fun in doing these things. !!!! TOM (Tired old man) Here is a few more update pictures. Got it in the shop to do the floor.
You will need to square up the body before you do ANY fab work on floor etc. The widening gaps from top to bottom indicates the bottom the back panel has shifted backward, the uneven bead match at door and jamb indicate a slight tweak of the back panel and likely worn hinge pins/hinges. Check the doors for sag in the hinges. Line them up and tack weld in place at the cowl. Slide the cab bottom forward and align gap and door beads to jambs and tack weld in place. These operation will require someone in and out of the cab, minimum two, maximum three sets of hands to help out. Then check all gaps etc., cut and tack weld in angle iron or 1" conduit in triangular pattern inside from front to back and side to side. This should give you a stable cab to work with for mounting to frame in correct position and fabbing up the floor.
it looks to me like the cab is sitting a little far back on the frame, but that really depends on the grill/hood you plan on using. I'm building a very similar truck and I'm using a 36 chevy hood and grill with a 37 cab on a 46 chevy truck frame. on mine the firewall sits about an inch from the back of the spring bracket.
You are more than welcome to come look at my truck and take any and all measurements you way need. I only have about an inch between my firewall and distributer and the fan I had hit the bottom radiator outlet. I'm not far away and all this stuff is pretty much done. Give me a call sometime and drop buy. Are you in Meade Co.? I'm getting ready to do a project for Flaherty primary center. Latr man, it's looking good.
Good Morning B, Have most of my problems worked out now but thanks for the offer of help.My wife is the manager of the lunch room nextdoor to the school next to your project. Hank (Tired Old man)
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