Projects First rod in almost 20 years. 30 Chevy roadster.

Hey, I haven't been here in a while, been busy building bikes. I wasn't looking to get back into hot rods but got a pretty solid deal on a recently "restored" 1930 Chevy roadster. The wood is solid, rebuilt engine, looks to be at least 90% ish complete. Runs and drives. Pretty excited to do a little bit of cleaning up, stripping down, and hotrodding. Nothing crazy, as I can't find much speed equipment for this straight 6. Just a bit of traditional hop up. Figured I'd make a little build thread here and see what fun can be had from the old car.

Quick jumps to notable posts:
Starting on the 261

 

Very nice! And complete too.

 

The first order of business was pulling the gas tank and radiator to get them boiled out. I had noticed a bunch of sediment in the bowl on the fuel pump. Radiator was looking a bit sad also so off they went. Trying to figure out the best way to flush some corrosion out of the block while I have it apart. I'm also thinking about just upgrading to the sealed bearing water pump to ditch the packing. Finally, I'm pulling the spare tire, fenders, and other non-essentials.

 

Looks like a great project. HRP

 

That is my DREAM car- you change your mind, PLEASE let me know!!!

 

The 194” had little available in the way of speed equipment. I think they were made up thru 1936 as the 37 had a 216. If someone here has the port spacing something newer may fit. Good luck as I have always liked those early 30’s Chevrolet roadsters.

 

Cool project! I look forward to seeing this. Below is a '29/'30 roadster on the lakes prewar for some inspiration.

 

Oooh now that I like. If the wheels are original to the car it would be a 30 from my understanding. Definitely something to strive for. Looks like they de-arched the front springs, and I'm assuming blocks on the back to lower it. Would love to see what was done engine wise to get that speed.

 

This is going to be cool! Subscribed!

 

Primo, you can use later hydraulic truck brakes and still retain those wire wheels- are they 19's?

 

Here’s some inspiration from back in the day!

 

Yep, 19s. I had read that about later hydraulics. I've got a line on another 1930 rolling chassis. I think the plan is to snag it also to build while I put around in this one. Planning later hydraulics, 235 six, 5 speed, quick change, bleed sweep, dropped axle, and boxed frame.

That's rad!

 

Anytime you can start with such a nice, complete car it's a great way to go! That's about as good as it gets for a build to be based on!

 

Yeah, I have a complete set of factory 1929 accessory 21" wires for when I find a convertible-

I know I've got the proverbial doorknob for the house, but they were too nice/rare to pass up, and yes,
SOMEDAY I WILL find a '29-30 convertible

 

I know where there is a 29 coupe but no more roadsters...

 

Another Chevy roadster!!! I'm in. Those wheels will clear the drums on the front of the Huck brakes. Not the rear as far as I know. That engine would be far more unique than a 235. It's the one that started the Chevy six legend. I don't know how different the innards are from the '28 and earlier 4s but They were built in the day. Intakes 7 headers would be easy.
Here are some specs"
1930 Inline 6
Displacement : 3179 cc | 194.0 cu in. | 3.2 L.
Power : 40 BHP (29.44 KW) @ 2600 RPM
Bore : 3.3 in | 84 mm.
Stroke : 3.8 in | 95 mm.
Main Bearings : 3
Cylinder Block : Cast-iron
I don't know if there is any thing here about these sixes but here is a link to a 75 page thread here about the fours and the crazy things racers did to them.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/1928-chevy-4cyl-motor.463465/

I don't think these springs had a bunch of arch in them. Be careful with dropped axles they can get ugly fast if you are hunting a Ford stance. But they can be cool as Chevys!

 

Nice car! @Countn'Carbs makes his 6 banger sing! Dave to the courtesy phone please!

 

@cactus1 Thanks for the heads up on this thread and hope you and your family are doing good buddy. @Primo what a gem and congratulations on scoring such a great car!! And heck you're just down the road from me in Black Forest to boot!! I'll be watching and looking forward to seeing your updates - Great Score!!!

 

Interested in seeing what you do to hop up that 194. I’m toying with keeping the original chassis and engine and going that route while I scavenge parts for a 235 and build a new frame.
Keep us updated.

 

Needs a chevy 261 or a 302 Jimmy

 

Ok, so the front main cap ended up being thrashed due to being torqued down to a bent front motor plate. I found a new cap, and clearance checks out to about .0025, I think I'll run it. Still need to try and straightened the front motor plate though.

On the other front, I found a line on a 1954 GMC 453-30 with a 302 straight 6. I'm going to try and snag it for the motor. I also found a 37/38/39 three-speed out of a truck. From what I can determine I *MAY* be able to keep my closed driveline with this combo. I'm leaning towards a little drop in height and full fenders at this point.

 

A hemi fits (mostly).

 

Nice start for a project! The latest Rodder's Journal has a feature on a '31 Chevy Roadster, top notch build.

 

I'll definitely have to snag myself a copy! I don't buy many magazines but do collect ones with Chevys in them as they seem to be somewhat rare.

 

It's been a while... Over the winter tried to get the old 194 running well enough that I could run it in my small town fall parade but it seemed like every step forward with that engine was two new issues. So rectify the situation I decided a whole new slew of problems was needed. For a while I thought about something cool like a GMC 302 but ultimately decided that with my limited time and funding that may be a bit of a stretch and settled to begin searching for a 235. I still wanted to to keep a Chevy 6 to keep things a little different. During my search I stumbled across this 1958 261 so I figured it was only a couple hundred dollars, why not? Now I'm stuck here at work with my new motor sitting in my truck and I don't even know if it turns over.



Should be fun!

 

A buddy of mine has a 29/30 coupe with a 216 in it. He has a thread here,
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-29-chevy-the-rajo-special.1183115/
with some info on what he did to the chassis for the '37-62 Stovebolt to fit, since the dimensions are a little different. The thread is out of date- the car has been running/driving since April with a stock 46-48ish 216, Sharp dual with Rochester B's, lakes headers, a T5, and 3.90 Task Force truck center section stuck in a 39 truck axle housing. I'm pretty sure he ended up adding more clearance at the firewall.
Here's a couple pics I snagged off his social... Everyone's been too busy to get together and actually do a little photo shoot with the car since it's been on the road.



Following now so I can see your progress.

 

That's rad! I just read that whole thread last night. His is top notch, I am blown away. Mine is going to be pretty straightforward build just a simple hotrod to run around with the family.

 

I gotta stay off eBay... After reading more posts and articles than I can count I decided on a dual carb setup. Since I'm in Colorado the Multipower (Edmunds) seemed to fit the ticket. Now for exhaust.

 

You said 261 and the blue one is a 216, two different engines but both cool and string Chevy sixes. The 216 is much maligned because of its babbitt bearings and no pressure to the tods but it is a great engine. The 261 in the "big block" of that engine family. Fill pressure & incert bearings mark it easier to build. Either will be sweet! If not the stock engine probably the best choice is the 261. Of course it will lead to other choices.
I've never seen an Edmunds just like that one, very cool!