Hot Rods B&B Speed '30 Ford Coupe - Build thread

The frame rails, k member and cross member are working there way to me so:

I built this while I wait - I know its not much but I managed to squeak out a Body table last night.
I needed something to get the body off the floor and at standing height because of a bad back.
It will also allow me to move the body around my shop and have a solid foundation for striping, body work and chopping.
I still have a few more gussets to add, but I should have the body on it tonight.

 

Body table looks good and solid. Having it on casters is a smart move. Your body should be bolted to the frame when you chop it. Alternately, you can bolt it down to your table with the stock body blocks. 1/2" plywood shims under the blocks will give clearance so you can open the doors.

I am 6'2" tall and long in the torso. My 31 Model A coupe is chopped 3". Just about the max for me.

 

Bib,
Thanks.
Thats the plan. It has a 3/4" plywood top and was designed w/ supports under that that run in sequence with the coupe body mounts so I can lag it down.
I can also do any cross bracing of the interior of the coupe by screwing to the wood and limit the welding to the body.

I am currently thinking of doing a 4"F x 3"R chop.

 

Got the table finished and the body on tonight.










This will work out perfectly for setting up the body work and the chop.
It also gives me 4' x 8' x 12" of storage below.

I have already started to do mark ups and measurements for the chop.

I placed four strips of masking tape down the doors and cab.
Having a level table allowed me to measure up on those four strips 65" from the floor.
I then marked down each strip in 1" increments giving me plenty of options.
This was primarily for photoshop visual before I actually dive in, because I don't think I am going to do a typical straight chop on this one.

 

Nice!! That table is awesome!

 

Here is a little before and after test.

 

Like it!

 

O.K. So I have been talking to Scooter. He keeps trying to slip ruphies into my drink so I will chop it more.. ( xoxo)
My idea is to keep the body on the frame rails proper, no channel, and then recess the floor only ever so slightly so it is the only thing sunk below the frame rails for more leg room.
I know I will have interference with the K member to work through.
Anybody have any pictures of this being done? I know I have seen it somewhere.

 

For shits and giggles and for Scooter.
Another two inches.

 

Do I hear a sawzall ??? The chop depends on the "look" you're going for. I prefer the first chop. The proportions are easier on the Eye. Justa opinion, and you know what they say about
opinions !! Good luck with what ever you decide.

 

We are leaning towards the first one also.

Here is the blower we are putting atop the Merc Flathead. (actually one just like it)
Sized close to a 4-71.

 

cant wait to see it done

 

Well life had put a halt so far to this project but I did finally manage to get out and start attacking some little things.
When I first got the coupe I had suspected some sketchy work. After stripping into it I found the top of the roof line had tons of fiber / bondo on it to cover up this seam fold.

I removed all of the bondo here and many other spots on the body.
This is what I found.





After a little love the seam is starting to disappear. Drip rails are shot and will need to be replaced. Previous owner must have loved bondo. Guess I didn't run the magnet over the body in the right spots!



After a little more work of stripping and straightening here is where we stand.

 

Man it's been awhile.
Glad to say today was a productive day for the coupe.
Part's collection wise anyway.
I went to see an old friend and got squared away on the project and parts.
I picked up a set of 32 rails and 32 center & rear cross member.
I got a model A front cross member and 40 Ford commercial wishbones and axle.
(found out when I was unloading it the axle is bent may have to try and straighten it)
A 32 grill and insert.
Struck the deal on the motor, blower and a side shift 3 speed tranny and a steering column with shifter to free up the floor space.
It was also determined today that I will be running a Halibrand Culver City V8 rear..( Go figure)
Future ambition for the front is to be using Halibrand 6 pin spindle mount, oval windows possibly mounted to early 50's Halibrand indy style "lobster" calipers.

Photos to come tomorrow.

 

Well it's not much but here are a few shots after dragging them out of the truck.



Found out the front axle is bent. I will need to find a big press here is town to straighten it.




I love the "swoop" look of these commercial front ends.

 

Don't know about commercial. I have the same font end straight out of a '48 Ford car.

 

The wishbones are 42-48 passenger car. Also used on 42-47 1/2 ton pickups. The perch bolts are 42-47. Good hot rod fodder.

However, the axle, bent or not, is a dog. Any 28-36 axle is a better choice. This is because the distance between the king pin and spring perch bosses is wider and this gives you more room for your tires when you need to make a tight turn. A particularly important consideration if you split the wishbone to the front rails.

 

NOT used on 42-47 pickups(they had parallel leafs and no bones at all).

 

Hmmm...how did I miss this thread?! That is an awesome looking coupe you have there! I can't wait to see it in person.

 

Corey,
Sorry I missed you Saturday and Sunday. Everyone had real nice things to say about you.
The Bar-B-Que was insane.

About the bones. Seems they had quite a few applications. I actually have two other identical setups that came off 46 sedans.

I will take the axle concern into consideration.

I am thinking now about using the entire X member out of an abandoned 46 sedan, cut to fit, as the center section for the frame.

I hope to make more updates soon as soon as I stop traveling for the other job.

Thanks for the comments.
Nate

 

Thanks for the input and comments guys.


Small text update only: (photos to come.

Got the three speed side shift tranny, clutch, cage and plate.
Got two side shift linkage boxes.
Got a couple column mount shifters and columns.
Got a box full of Flathead accessories.(dizzy's, wires, fuel filters, gas and water pumps.
(I still don't have a good idea of how much is there yet.)
Got a rear to mock up before the Culver rear even touches the project.
Got umpteen sets of heads for both early model 21 stud and 24 stud flatties.
Got a good set of Offy aluminum heads that will be used on the project.
Got a torque tube, which I am still not sure if I will use closed or open drive line.

I am talking to a friend right now, who is using my shop. who has a complete 36 Zephyr dash with gauges, pulls, boxes in pristine shape including the waterfall that I am thinking about using in the project if we can negotiate the deal. It'll be a real expensive and somewhat rare dash to cut in and fit. (NO it's not for sale to anyone else.)


Considering cutting down a 46 Ford car X member for the coupe.
It's real beefy, but the weight will disappear when it is trimmed to fit.
Not to mention I very much like the looks of those X members.

Goal is still to keep ALL parts pre 50's (in spirit). Got a great start.

 

p.s. Didn't I tell you I was building one also?

 

I knew you had a coupe, just didn't know you had a build thread here!

If you're ever home in the near future on a Thursday, Friday, or a Saturday, call or text me, and I'll drive my coupe over (weather, and son permitting, of course ).

Sounds like you have a great pile of parts to use!

-Corey

 

So I like Flat Heads and am always on the look out for them.

I started with one.

Yesterday someone stopped by and now I have 5. I have three 21 studs and 2 24 stud 4" strokes.
One 4" stroke Merc and one 4" stroke truck block.

I got about 50 or 60 misc flathead parts. Independet engine mounts, front mount dizzies, fuel pumps and filters, oil bath and regular air filters, water pump and motor mounts.

I got the aircraft blower. 471 size-ish with some pretty rad external oil lines for lubrication. It is the one picture above. Now It can start to design the intake and carb mounts.

I got a bell housing trans adapter that mates the later model 4 speed to a flatty.

I got so much other stuff I have yet been able to catalog it.


I also had the greatest great conversation with an old friend and ton of old timer tuning hints for my blown Merc flathead I am building for my 30 coupe.

The car now has almost every part, except for the rear quickie) to mock it up as a roller and get the frame ready to work on.

Despite all of my other troubles in life, yesterday made up for it!!
I am pretty excited.

I know I am lame with no pictures but I am at work and they will come tonight.

 

All those flatheads and cools parts and you can't even reply to my EMAIL! And yeah, what's up with NO PICTURES!!!?? Geesh...

 

Awesome! Can't wait to see that car come together!

 

Ouch....That hurt...
BUT well deserved. I'll play catch up very very soon with the drama in my life.
I have been out of the loop and away from ALL technology for the last month or so doing a little cleansing................

 

O.k. So little progress but for me right now any movement forward is good.
Here are a few shots of some shop organization.



The Flathead collection (Going to stay with the Merc)




Blower set up cause I couldn't help it.






Offy Aluminum finned heads and A Halibrand non quick change center section I picked up.



That's all for now.

Thanks,
Nate

 

I need to quite posting at 2 a.m. LOL

 

You have too much stuff for your own good! You even have a Craftsman chainsaw and a supercharged table top!