Thanks guys.... I won't claim to be any good, but I'm learning. And Don, it's thanks to the old guys that I can have these tools. I could never afford to buy them if there was no sympathy in the world. Honeslty I just got lucky!
Wow. You got a lot of ambition taking on a project like that. Obviously you've taken care of business so far and I gotta say it looks pretty damn good for you "not knowing what your doing". You may not have been taught how to do things but the engineer in you has sure taking the reins just fine. I was curious in the older posts what you were going to do with the frame. With the cowl and engine on there didn't seem to be enough room for the rear end stuff lol. Was that where the frame was rusted out like you we're saying or why cut the frame in half. Glad you are getting the use out of the torch. I still need to get one but at this time getting time away from the wife and 1 year old to spend out in the garage is hard to come by so I guess I wouldn't really use it much haha. Keep up the good work. Your gonna have yourself a pretty unique ride when it's finished.
I can't wait to see driving that around town.Not sure when but I hope to be there to see you driving down Airport way.
Have never seen a rear brake set like that before, interesting the many different ideas manufacturers had years ago. Very innovative and surprisingly effective. They look to be in reasonable shape although the old seals (possibly leather) do not hold up as well as modern seals. By the way, nice build.
Ya the back half of the frame was eaten away on the vertical part of the "C" channel so thin that I was going to have to replace almost all of it... It was cheaper to buy square tube than have some channel bent and boxed. You can see in the new pics that I added another 5'3" where the back of the cab ends. I plan to have 33-34 ford bed dimensions and wheel placement. Ya me too! Maybe even this summer if I bust my ass!! Haha I heard the brakes were strange so I just had to see for myself. I was pretty impressed with how they held up. I'm assuming it is asbestos???? Thanks for all the comments guys.
I worked for 20 minutes on the floor but... I am still deciding the fate of the cab. Mr. Dillydally has been hangin' around a lot lately.
Haha, no only the little boxed parts, 4 pieces and 6 welds. Thanks! Here is a video of my 302 idling at juat above a thousand rpm. Not the best recording but it makes me happy. didnt work... sorry guys.
Gahhhh why didn't you guys tell me to run the banger when I started this thread!!! It's all your fault!!! OK, it's too late now, but that dodge banger would have been cool to hop up! I just came across some old dodge speed parts and got to thinking about the banger that came out of my truck. I guess I should just keep going and not dwell on the "what if--s"...
definately a cool project interesting to watch not only the progress of the ride but also how your skills improve subscribed
Body work time and this thing is wavy.... very wavy. I even got mom and dad to come out and sand with me... It was pretty cool.
-No chop -No oversized graham roof cap (was 3.5" thick) -replace glass in stock frames -Steel floor -NO BONDO My plan is to make an inner structure from 1" square tube (0.063 wall) to replace the wood and butt weld the 5 back panels together around the 'skeleton'. This means filling all the nail holes that held the body together , haha I haven't counted them... There was a wood and vinyl top but I think I'm gonna try to make a sort of cap for the top out of steel.
The parts are long gone. It was an eBay add for a complete Detroit Lubricator carb (stock) a set of Stewart Warner fuel pumps; one good one for parts, magneto, and an aluminum cylinder head. It was custom???? Had a small crack no markings and it didn't look like other dodge heads. The owner didn't know where it came from or what it was, but he wouldn't send me measurements or a pic of the head next tons ruler so I could judge the bolt pattern so I passed on the deal. noboD, if I can find it again I will pass on the link in a pm. It might have been for a fast four. If you need parts to keep a dodge going Romar DB (romardb.com) is a thee place to go. If you need it he can make it. Old guy has been doing dodges for longer than I have been alive. He has old manuals, a laundry list of hand made parts and good prices.
So.... it's spring break for me! I have a few days before the tests kick in after break so I wanted to ask some of you huys.... what do I do with these "black stains"???? The sheet metal is a lot cleaner now than in the pictures but i'm still left with this black transparent spots... sand paper/wire wheel/3m plastic bristle brushes have all given thier life in an attempt to remove it but it just polishes up to a nice grey shine. So the questions are; what is it, and what do I do with it? (insert that's what she said comment here)
Put some rust inhibiter on it and roll! it'll be fine!! I wanna see this thing up, running, and done!!! Gonna be cool!!!
Yup, cover it with rust inhibiting paint such as tremclad or por 15 that will keep oxygen off it and arrest further oxidization. Love this build!
It looks like the carbon scale from when the steel was made. it is very hard to remove. I agree with the others, prep it and paint over it, you'll be fine. Sent you a PM.
I have decided to just become the next poster child for por 15. To get the majority of rust out of the inside corners I hooked up some long hoses to my little sand blaster and went to town... My compressor struggled with this so it just isn't an option for the entire body, but the outside will be easy enough with a sander and wire wheels.
Three things to mention: I am reading about molasses, electrolysis, and acids for the rust... I will take pictures of that and maybe do a tech post if it works, but i have to wait till liquid water is a posibility. I am working on planishing the top of the cowl because there were two depressions that I forgot to take pictures of... sorry, but the metal finishing is coming along with some frustration with the reverse curve. And finally, I legally own this truck and have it registered in my name thanks to fryguy (Paul Fry) doing some leg work for me!
Austin, I am glad I could help out. I knew it took a while but PA is sometimes a pain with the older titles. I knew not many people would have a Graham truck title so when I came across one in my stash of old titles, I knew it was meant to be. Your project is coming out very nicely and hopefully before you know it, it will be on the road. Fryguy
Being an avid reader/viewer of builds on HAMB, yours fall into a unique category. It is inspiring to see a young man learning to use his brain, hands, and heart (your realization about the four banger engine reminded me of some of my own choices and regrets). Make no mistake, building a Hot Rod is an art. Some paint by numbers. However, the history of this great effort has a few masters, whose efforts egg those of us who aspire to continue on and prevail over all obstacles. Reading about the old timers who pioneered this fine insanity is definitely worthwhile, in that some of what 'tetched' them rubs off. You need not understand philosophy to understand what you learn on your own stands well against situations where improvisation and good old American ingenuity help you not only to prevail but to endure, to misquote a fellow native. Plus, I like fact you decided not to whack off the greenhouse in favor of a pillbox. Scenery counts when you're cruising.
Great work. Glad to see a youngen inspired to build a Hot Rod.Keep up the Good work. Have been to Anchorage twice and Valdez once. Hope to see your part of AK in the next few years. Beautiful country.
Eddie I'm ready for it to be on the road but I have a looooong way to go. Im hoping it moves under it's own power this summer. My biggest obstacle is steering... it interferes with the pedals and exhaust at the moment. I hope it's not on the road before I know it! All kidding aside, you saved me a lot of grief, along with another fellow here in town. Thanks, that's a good way to put it haha. A couple other people pointed out that it might be neat to leave it tall and I took a liking to the idea. I will probably always regret letting the banger go. Send me a pm If you do, I'll do my best to point you in the right direction!
The Jalopy Journal
