what yall think? ive had it for a year and a half, but school and work keep me occupied, and money is always a factor
I believe that picture of the original has a banger in it, but now there is a V8 flattie sleeping there. Looking good, save the banger for a neat speedster or cheapo rail-job.
looks like a nice start. since you asked what we thought....i think you should get rid of those heims on the split bones and use a tierod end. that would look more traditional
im not crazy about the heims myself, thats why im trying to keep them under the car and out of direct visability. and yes, it did have the 4 cyl, and i am in the process of rebuilding it. dont know what ill do with it, but ill keep it for something down the road. so the only big change is the 51 motor and tranny, and a different paint scheme than he had. already has a 32 front axle, and im gonna keep the mechanical brakes too. lots of people are telling me they wont work, but i see that as a challenge. it has a different dash, im still trying to figure out what its from. ill post a pic, maybe some of you will recognize it
bbanks12, If it was mine I would go with hydraulic brakes due to the increased weight and horsepower. First it involves your safety. Second if you were ever in an accident the insurance company would say (if they could) it was your fault for updating the motor and not the brakes. Charlie Stepehns
thats what i keep hearing, but I'm hard headed and i think i can make it work. if not, itll be a good opportunity for update later
Well I figured 3 months have passed and it was time for an update. I have found that the dash is from a 1934 Buick Series 50, and I also discovered it is as difficult to find gauges to fit as it was finding out what the dash was from. Regardless, whoever did the conversion did a fairly decent job. I found some newspapers in the door, I guess used for vibration and sound deadening. I spent about 3 hours unfolding the front page of a September 1944 Los Angeles Times with the headline "Win at Naples", and thought that was pretty neat. The car also had a '32 axle put on around that time as well, and the windsheild stanchions are leaned back. I find it interesting that someone spent the time to do these modifications without upgrading the motor to a V8, and thought it was also pretty cool that it was built during the war, as the September 1944 dates on the papers were consistent on many other newspapers in the doors. Anyway, heres some pics. Enjoy, and I'm open to criticism, good and bad.
It's come a long way from where you started. It looks real good. That dash is really cool and so is the checkerboard remnant on the gas tank. Why the shifter and the tractor seats?
Thanks. The shifter was just a random idea i had, just wanted something different than the skinny stock shifter. As for the seats, my granddad was a farmer all his life, and I wanted to incorporate something from farming into the car. I liked the checkerboarding too, it was something my grandma and her friends did when they were in high school. I'm still undecided as to whether or not I will try to replicate it though.
Project looks good, I would go hydraulic brakes for sure, also replace grille shell with 32 car or "A". IMO.
are you running the buick gauges as well, did you find some to fit or did you modify the dash to accept common gauges? pics? thanks Ben
well i got her runnin tonight. actually the first flathead v8 ive ever heard lol. i figured it was as good of a time as any to post a few more pics.
Glad you posted more. Looking like some good progress. Relax and enjoy yourself a beer (not one with a screw top)..... Bryan
O, and I am very satisfied with the mechanical brakes! I talked to some of the guys at snyders antique automotive, and they said stick with them as long as i rebuilt them properly, and the car stops very well.
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