Hot Rods >>>1935 Ford Coupe: An Idiots Guide To Buiding A Hot Rod<<< PART 2!!!!

Well some of you might remember my first part of my '35 Ford Coupe build seen here...



http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394271

If not, you didn't miss much but I'm picking up some momentum now. When I first got the car I had a simple plan to get it running with the 350 that was in there when I bought it, lower it and add some wheels and tires. Now I have been hunting parts and picking them up when I can to build this car as I would in my dreams. I switched from a '78 4bolt main 350 to a "correct" 1956 265 Chevy engine that I picked up in Fayetteville.

The engine is being finished up by my friend Scott as we speak and will include....

'56 Block
'57 Heads with port and polish job.
.125" over to a final CI of 283
097 Solid Lifter Cam ground from a new stick to exact specs
Original Set of Offy Staggered bolt valve covers
Weiand WC4D 4x2 intake with 94's on top
Restored '56 Water pump
Restored '56 Generator 12v

I even went out of my way to get the correct Hurst mount with spacers and AD-75 anti chatter mounts for the motor as well. I get stupid about these things and it's probably why it's taking me so long but since it's really my first car that I am building I think being picky isn't such a bad thing. Here's some pics of the goodies I collected...



Here's the intake on the old engine...






These are being sent off to polisher this week...


VC's have a couple fins ground off where space was an issue. Maybe on an old Hot Rod who knows!


I'll be using a Electric fuel pump ( one of the few non vintage parts that I plan on using) It was a pretty common thing to use with these Hurst mounts back in the day...


Bench building the Generator....


Both Generator and Starter were donated by my Uncle Vic (krusty40 here on the hamb). They were off his '56 Chevy so they are correct for the motor.
[/IMG]

NOS Delco Voltage Regulator. I'll probably hit this with black when I am doing the firewall...


I also started losing my mind a week ago and found myself grinding the stock exhaust manifolds so I can chrome them. I have since calmed down and abandoned the chroming idea but I am still grinding away so that I can have them Jet coated semi gloss black. They were really pitted and I did not want to spend money for a new set so I took a collection from my friend Jeremy off all his old Rolocs so I could do this. I figure about 6 hours and these will look awesome!




The transmission issue has been a complete nightmare and looking back now I might have just gone T5. I originally thought that the trans that came with the car was a full synchro'ed '39+ trans but was disappointed when I pulled it and found no Synchros and a "48" case. So the hunt went on for another one. I ended up getting a two'fer deal and bought them from a HAMB member. Well one is really beat and the other looks ok but appears to be one of those early '39 transmissions from what I read on Van Pelt. It seems that there where two types of Synchro'ed transmissions and the Deluxe models got the better of the two. I unfortunately did not haha!!! But it's not like I'm going to notice the difference very much. I mean going from Muncies and T5's to and early Ford trans is a completely different ball game. Here's the one I plan on using...



Those "chipped" teeth on the main shaft are normal for early synchro transmissions from what I have read.


So this is where the "IDIOT" in the title comes from. When I decided to use a '39 rear in this car because I wanted to save the 35/36 rear for my '32 I thought by counting the revolutions on the driveshaft I could determine the ratio. Well I was wrong and it cost me a bunch! I thought what was in there was a 4.12 R&P and so I decided that because I was using a '39 trans I would need a better high way gear. Before that I thought a $10 gasket and some paint would be enough for me to throw it back under the car. Well after I decided that a 3.54 would be better that price started climbing and climbing. I was luckily enough to find a Mercury 3.54 R&P that night on ebay for $250. When I got it it looked great. When I took it to my friend Tom he pointed out that a Mercury was a couple inches longer due to wheel base so we were going to need to cut it off and weld a 6/6 couple to it. $$$$$$$$$$

Then he called me a week later and told me that the ring and pinion where not just not a matched set, but not even made to go together in the first place. So for the life of me I could not find the sellers info and I owed money to Tom for the work already done. I then found a brand new set of 3.54 gears through a HAMB member and they happened to be the last set they had. I paid another $350 for those now. Well a day after those came in I found the seller's info and called him. He was really cool and said he would send me the correct set right away even though I already bought the new set and sent them to Tom. Oh well I thought I would sell them when I get them. I have not received them and that was two months ago.

So not that it's going to make the story short I picked up the rear end yesterday after TOM finished it and it's going to be awesome. But the real kick in the ass is when Tom told me that the gears that were originally in the car were 3.78's not 4.12 so I could have left those fuckers in there!!!! Hahaha!!! $10-$1000 in no time at all.





Back at home waiting for a bath and some paint...

 

This Idiot likes what you're doin' Jeffery!

Nick.

 

I'm subscribing right now. Thanks, and please keep the updates coming.

 

Hot Rods >>>1935 Ford Coupe: An Idiots Guide To Buiding A Hot Rod<<< PART 2!!!!

I like how you describe me in the title HAHA. Very cool. Slim

 

Question!!!

My steering box is as tight as I have ever seen, but there seems to be a collar broke. Anyone know where to get another? Haven't found anything in my Carpenter's catalog.



Couple months ago I POR-15'ed the rust free floor...



I bought a seat off YANKEEMIKE and found out later it was a '37 seat. The price was awesome so I scooped it up and thought I would figure out the details later...


The bottom mounts is where the problems comes in. '37-40 have a flat floor and '35/36 have a kick up in the front. Here's '37 mount...


I did end up getting a '36 seat mount which I plan on making it work with the '37 seat. I would like to order a LaBarron Bonney wood kit so I can fab up some mounts and make one of those fancy flipping coupe seats that '36's had.


Since we are talking interior, I will say that the car will eventually have a completely black interior with pleated seats and door panels. I also plan on getting that dahs in the shiniest coat of black paint available. I also plan on getting a few things chromed including the steering column, ignition lock, fender struts, dash water fall, and hood cowl mount and they'll be there this week.


Which also brings up question 2!!!!

I plan on running '53 Desoto gauges on the '35 dash. I like them because they are a 3 pod unit like the original '35 gauges were but with a little nicer look. I also had these and love them so I felt that a proper home is necessary. But there is always the option of running my '39 Cadillac set even though I feel like I should save these for a post war roadster one day.



'39 Cads..

 

Fun with cars. It really is coming on nicely. I like the combo your running. Do you know if you would have to cut the chassis and/or floor to run the T5?

 

Good Job Dude... I would run the 53 desoto gauges for sure..

 

I have been working on getting the suspension all together and I should be making it whole this week. I would like to formally thanks Jordan Graham aka 5wbomber for dropping me the baddest axle this side of the equator. He straighten the axle and dropped it and had it back to me with in a couple weeks. He's the fucking man and was really cool to talk to.

Although because we are friends and he's my homie I got a little extra naturally....



It was a shame to cover that up...


Through the help of a HAMB tech thread I reversed the eyes on my rear leaf spring. Marked out lined avery inch...


Made my own jig...


Boo ya!!


Radius'ed the second leaf..


Ordered longer shackles from Vern.


Called Pete & his buddy Jake for some chrome u bolts for the front end. I ditched the bottom part because it's a bit street roddy. I'm going to use the originals with the chrome u bolts.


Riley-Auto.com aka Vaphead aka Eric aka sweet dude sent me this monoleaf for the front too!


Brakes are ready...well the front at least.



The back I am dreading since the axles seals were shit.


Front cross member is clean and revealed some awesome old fab work! It's pretty stout.


Spindles are ready to go now too. I painted them then realized that I did not drop the arms to clear the axle. "Idiot".


More shit.

 

Looks good so far, I like the Desoto gauges better but that my opinion.

 

Everything looks killer!! I can't wait for the assembly. We need to have shop night at your place soon.


See you when I get back.



BloodyKnuckles

 

Busy lil boy......love the post

 

Next up is what has been taking the most time. The firewall was pretty rough when I got the car. Not rust so much as the rough sheet metal work and holes created in the firewall from what seemed to be the work of THOR and his mighty Hammer.



Fellow HAMB member ABONES sent me a freebie '35 Ford firewall to patch the mess I had. Thanks dude, that was really nice of you. I hope to be sending what I did not use to another HAMB member in need this week.


Marked out what I wanted out...


Garbage out...


What's going in...


Started welding it up with a few "idiot" mistakes...


I then patched up the two small holes with thinner sheet metal by mistake which was a pain in the ass and cause a lot of chasing blow through because I can't weld two different thicknesses well.


Patching up more holes...








Jeremy, Del and Scootermcrad walked me though my first attempt at body work. Thanks dudes!!!


Shot it with sealer last friday and it looked pretty good!












Current state...

 

QUESTION!!!

Are you guys feeling the Voltage Regulator....

Passenger side top????


Or just below????


Any other suggestions for it? I would like to keep the engine bay and clean and clutter free as possible all while keeping that old timey feel to it. I don't want to hid everything but more put them in proper places.

Lastly my In Laws last weekend gave me a father's day gift even though I'm not technically a father I feel. They said it could go in the coupe and I have to agree it's perfect!!!! It's in incredible condition and looks to be a late 50's piece which is going to cool pull out and take the little man for a stroll at cars shows.




Only 2 weeks left or less until the birth of my first born child Memphis. I am going to try to get out there as many nights as I can before he comes so I can get this car back on the ground and sitting properly. I'd also like the engine between the fenders again and painted that beautiful color '48 Ford Typhoon Maroon!!!! If anybody wants to thrash these next few weeks let me know I will be forever grateful. And if that's not enough, I will provide a lot of beer.

 

I think you just need to relocate the rear wishbones and there is a "x" member plate that you can buy that looks like a piece of cake. Other then that, a s10 T5 should come right out of the same hole in the floor board that a early ford trans does. If I don't like the '39 I'm running or it breaks I'll be doing this in a couple years.

 

Hey not all the photos are coming through...
But dig where you are heading.....
Brian

 

Glad you could use the firewall. Keep up the good work.
Rob

 

Jeffrey, I reckon the box you show has the later "better" synchro's.
They are better too, I had the early type in Old Rusty and it was ok, but the box I fitted last year with the later synchro's is really sweet. I reckon Ford had to pony up for the improvements to allow the column shifts to work nicely. - shorter levers need better synchro's to keep the loads lower.
The seal you show on the steering box could possibly be left out - I don't think I have one on my car. It is probably there to stop stuff getting into the box rather than oil coming out - gravity will keep it down there in the box.

Digging the build - 36's are one of my faves.
Mart.

 

Might be your internet connection since there are so many. Refresh and see if that works.

Thanks you again Rob. That was super nice of you dude and I hope to shake your hand one day and meet you in person.

 

Not tooo shabby!!

 

I just stumbled onto this report,, I would like to make a few corrections to your title if I could. First of all, quit beating yourself up with this term idiot,, I like to call it Learning curve, or high price of education. That said,, I know a few idiots and none of them could do the quality of work that I see here. I say, keep up the good fight and congrats on the young rodder coming,, I really dig the stroller.

 

Thanks everyone for the nice words. I appreciate you guys looking.

Boobie, you could have seen it first hand but you refuse to come over. Haha!!!

 

jj, as said previously, I am so fucking proud of you bro...

the car looks great and everything is coming together nicely,

now if we can just get that 265 back!!!



I have another test this week after I take it lets have a bust ass session!

not in a all the real girls kinda way either...

 

so I really didnt mean for that to sound as gay as it does...

okay I'm gonna shut up now...

 

Looking good.... I'm right behind ya with very similar lowering and suspension upgrades.

 

Hahaha!!! Let's do it!!! Thanks a lot dude. You've taught me a ton.

 

Looking great man.

I went through much of the same mess with my '38. An early Ford done right sure is worth it in the end though.

I can't wait for more updates.

JH

 

Looks GREAT man! Keep going!

 

Scooter, I'm hoping to have that in black next weekend like we talked about. I'm stoked for you to see it in person as a fellow 35 guy.

 

Dude....



Fucking radical awesomeness!! Looking REALLY good, bro! I have the lock collar for your steering shaft. Send your addy to me again and I'll drop it in the mail for ya.

 

Wow!! It is looking amazing!! I cant wait to see it done. HHHMmMMM...Maybe it is time for me to start thinking of building a hot rod!