I found this Ford about a year ago, it was hacked up pretty bad, no glass, no decklid, one and a half doors and a viscous chop that was covered in bondo. I figured since I have no idea what I'm doing, I should definitely buy it. Don't judge me too harshly though, my heart is in the right place, as you will hopefully see... This is my first build, so please let me know if I'm doing something wrong! I'm glad to get all the help I can... and maybe someone else, who is also green, can learn from my mistakes as I go along. It came sitting on an s-10 frame, the original front fenders were totally trashed, they had pt cruiser headlights grafted into them -no joke- and no rear fenders. The b pillars were hacked up for some ridiculous suicide door set-up, this being a long-door model, it really looks stupid. The guy had a sbc sitting out in the yard, I said "no thanks", I don't hate the sbc, but the intake was off on this one and it's not where I wanna go anyway... I did take the LS1 trans though, for future trade value. So the plan is to make it into a more original style hot rod than it was gonna be. Put it on it's proper frame, give it back it's flathead motor etc. The budget is real tight though, every nickel counts. The plan was to build it from the ground up, start with frame and chassis, then engine and trans, then the body, but the money situation makes it so I do whatever I can afford at the moment. I scored a '46 frame and original flathead... I'm tearing the flathead down- last night and tonight, I'll post some pics later.
Nice work! It is all a learning process...and you'll do plenty of learning on this build, but coming to the H.A.M.B. was one of the best things you could have done to start. The H.A.M.B. is a great source of knowledge and advice to aid you during your "rescue operation" Glad to see such a sad and hacked up '46 Ford end up in some far more appreciative hands then the previous owner and give it new lease on life. keep up the good work and the updates coming!
Good luck. The 42-48 Fords are just about Henry's finest car. I parted out a 46 Fordor Super Deluxe last year. Despite being put in the open under trees for 50 years you could feel the quality. There are lots of 42-48 threads on here and everyone here will appreciate the route you've chosen. Ed
You got one good project thats for sure.One more thing take youre tim and sdo it right the frist time.You will thank youreself later.Good luck!!!!!!!
Atleast you're doing it better than hacked up with a sbc sitting outside! I'm excited for you! Good Luck!
That IS a cool project! Lot of work to be done... but that can be good, in the end, because it gets done the way you actually want it, and you're more proud of it, as compared to something you just went and bought...
Great project. Good engine choice. I'd find a a original replacement firewall. That has ugly written all over it.
Been a long time... I tore the block down and sent it to the machine shop- frank Ezolds in Westfield - its been almost a year... I've been dropping money on it when I can- Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Removed a ton of bondo This is supposed to be a drip rail... I think I'm f'd... Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Yeah it does... There is so much wrong with this I'm not sure what to do. I've already started going over a lot of the welding that was done on the floor, bu the whole thing is full of cold welds and ugliness. I'm not sure I could ever make it right. Should I keep going? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
It only as bad as you want it to be. You have surely seen what fellows have started with on this forum. There is no such thing as giving up. Good luck
My plan is to re-do all the crappy welding on the whole car. I've got a mig welder and enough skill to at least get some decent welds. It might not be real pretty, but I think I can make it solid/ safe. After the welding is done I'm gonna be facing the bondo issue again... Is lead realistic? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Do a search on lead here. That would not be my choice. Just because the welds are ugly doesn't mean they're not good. Some of the best x-ray welders I've worked with at Babcock and Wilcox had the ugliest looking welds you have ever seen.
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