Can we build a hot rod in 3 weeks?..........

this is what we are starting with

 

here is the motor mocked up, free small block boat motor because it was in
a freeze. cracked the side of the block.

 

We wanted to raise the motor up so we made so risers out of 2x4 steel
which also are the motor mounts.



we did not make this frame, Neil got it with the body for a hundred bucks.
since we are in a hurry we are not going to change anything on it.
Just get it on the road and driving.

end of day one.............. motor mounts welded on and wishbones mounted to frame, front and rear mocked up with body.

 

I think its possible. i was going to try for 4 weeks myself, but then came to realize none of my friends are any good at fab work, and im not in a club so looks like the goal will be 3 months instead.

good luck, and keep us posted

 

three weeks oh hell ya you can do it looks like your already off to a good start

 

day two

we made our own brackets to hang spring so it would fit frame.
we cut the tubes off of 46 front bones to hang the shackles



then we welded in the perches to the wishbones. these are 37-41.
we actually split each bone along its length and welded in 5/16" plate
running top to bottom for about 10" of length, right where the perch goes
through. so it is welded on both sides and running through a 5/16 plate.

 

still day two

here is that 46 front wishbone, we are going to use it for the rear unsplit



here is the ****** mount. the wishbone will mount on the front
side of it and the ****** mount is on the rear of the tube.

 

Three weeks? ****, Marshall here on the HAMB did one in nine days, or something like that.

You can do it.

 

I have not take pics every day so here is day five
mounted front shocks


we also weled gussets to the ******/ wishbone mount
mounted the doors and mounted the front spring
here is end of day 5

 

Thanks for the encouragement guys, we are doing this after work on nights and weekends. there are four of us trying to get this car to paso.

we mounted the steering box based on an idea that C9 discussed here on the
hamb.
we took a flat head connecting rod and cut off just the bearing end.
we are using a steering box from a 59 volvo, donated, so we ground the
flanges off the box so it fits in the connecting rod. then c notched frame
and welded one half of the connecting rod in as the c notch boxing
then set the steering box into notch and bolt down cap. we are welding
the cap to the box so it cannot move. all in all it worked out pretty good.



we also shortend the pitman arm as much as we dared. it ended up a little
stiff since the steering box only has three turns total, so turn fast but with
more effort.

 

here is a pretty good trick for dressing up a steering column.
we used a ford truck column tube over the volvo steering shaft. we cut off the big bell normally on the end


then we used the bell off of an air horn from a boat.

a little grinding and fitting


and you have a stock looking column for a bell wheel

 

that colum idea is awesome,i'm gonna have to jot that one down ,great way to be resourceful......

 

here is a better pic of the ******/wishbone mount




we made our own brackets to mount the wishbones to the rear end, I don't have very good pics but here is when it was tacked in place.
I am aware some of you may not like this style of mounting a rear solid.
but I read alot of info on the hamb as well as talked to alot of older
race car builders and drivers. if it breaks I'll let you know.

 

this is day 8
we are using lever shocks on the rear
so we welded tabs on the rear and used clevises and threaded rod to tie them together, this is a bad pic




we also used another connecting rod cap to mount the column to the dash
and we adapted 57 ford pickup pedals to fit the 60 chevy dual master, the
fire wall was already bored and I had the pedals, we also bent the pedals and
turned the pads from horizontal to verticle to hang down more.

 

man I hope my photo bucket works

here is day 9
rear end is in and tank is mounted and drive shaft is in

 

we are putting zoomies on this thing, because we are cheap and they are
fast. so here is the baffles we are putting in.

your looking at the end which is further in the pipe, it has a 1/8" hole in it
and 3/8" holes down the side
then we put a bigger fender washed on the other end which has a 5/8" hole
and fits in the 1 3/4" zoomie.
i would grind off the coating next time, nicer to weld and breathe.

we cut the flanges off some fenderwell headers to use

we also got the motor plumbed and the headlights mounted and radiator and shell mounted

 

neils daughter came over to help bleed the brakes while we built the zoomies

Kind of funny she never wanted to help on his buick but she is into the hotrod

here is the end of day 17

what do you think are we gonna make it? hahaha

 

she looks like a pretty cool chick,haha.....

i'd put a few dollars on ya makin' it ....

damn,impressive,man....

 

here is motor with plug wires and generator and valve covers
steering is hooked up


here is the dash and shifter hooked up to chevy 3 speed manual

got to love those bus seats we got for free

 

here is the end of day19
just need to finish wiring and fill her up and fire it.


maybe tommorow we will get it running.
see ya then.

 

SANTA ROSA DOPE SMOKERS!!!!

That things looking good... Shake it down before Paso, eh??

 

Cool build.. This is getting better..

 

There is some great work there guys. That column bell it an amazing idea.

Best post I have seen in a while!!

Keep us posted

 

Wow, Great work. Now thats what hotrodding and building is all about.
And to think we have been farting around with a traditional T for three months.
And we still have work to do.

 

I'm going to try to build one in about 10 days, starting Monday!!!
(Any GMB's that are up for late night thrashes, PM me!!! )

 

that pitbull looks just like my ol pitbull (rip) ohhhh

 

I've seen it done on TV so anyone can do it.

 

What a bunch of animals and takin' time out for pics.

HOOOOWAHHHHH,I love it.
T.OUT

 

Hey Dad-Your going to ruin your daughter! Just like mine did me-I was about that age when my Dad bought me my first car-49 Ford Pickup-He showed my how to shift and turned me loose in a field. Fast forward 30 years and last night I was asking my 79 year old father if he would teach me how to lead on my next trip home to Missouri! Sure do love him!

 

Way to go!!!

Dedicated and determined rodders can get LOTS done in a short amount of time! DirtyT took his car from a gutted hulk surrounded by parts to a running, driving vehicle in about three weeks, and it looks like you're gonna make it, too!!!

(Now, we just gotta get Steve's 34 built in the next TWO weeks!!! )