Hot Rods Getting Over Fear of Cutting up Parts/Making Mistakes

This is a huge point. I was nervous about boxing and warping my frame with no frame table for my one and a half car garage (or two old fords …) Asked the question and got a bunch of nay sayers but a few guys helped me especially “Lumpy 63” to not be afraid and just take my time… he’s also continued to help me with questions I have and couldn’t be more thankful.

Frame got boxed with no warpage, still dead square. Now that frame is a rolling chassis. So also ignore the naysayers and just try it, I’d say. Worst case you have to buy that part again so maybe start with model as or model Ts haha

Gordy

 

I am on my third iteration of the same Model A.

It started out as a conventional closed-cab pickup, with the customary configuration.

It then went IFS, with a reverse-facing 6-71 blown Gen-1 Hemi, mounted mid-ship.

Now, I am working on a custom 60/40 torque split transfer case, for all-wheel-drive, with two quick change differentials.

Sure, it is not something for this board, but love it, or hate it, when you see it you will know it.

You can always have a do-over!

 

Micky , the late Marion Fairchild , the late Bill Johnstone, and Wes always said if all else fails use it as an excuse to buy more tools, think outside the box, improve your skills and prove everyone else wrong. I have done my best not to disappoint them. Have I have I screwed up some ? You Bet !!!!!!!!!! I think of how many times I have pulled it off. Those Little Victories are the great moments that you never forget.

 

Hello,

My brother had a head start of two years of experimentation on hot rods and cars. But, I was eager to learn and he slowly allowed me to do little stuff. As I grew accustomed to being around cars and working on them, I got better in my skills. Cleaning, maintaining, changing plugs, oil, all of the basic maintenance stuff, was my forte.

But, when we started cutting and welding with gas tanks, he had two years of metal shop and was pretty good. I could lay a nice bead, but I could not see clearly through those thick dark glasses and then my beads started moving off center. So, I definitely needed practice.



We had some old angle iron laying around and my brother wanted to make a rolling engine stand. (I was good at cutting with the torch, as it had more light to see what was what.) His idea was an angle iron frame and we would weld steel roller skates on the bottom for ease of movement. There were no swiveling wheels or engine stands as there are today. A couple of wooden blocks for some support and a tie down strap made from old boating dock lines that were inexpensive ropes at the local, marine surplus store.

So, I was welding the angle iron in a nicely laid out form. Since it was scrap, I decided to do it myself and if I screwed up or the welds were not good, then when my brother got home from his after school job, he could always finish it up. But, I was determined to weld the pieces together. The cutting plate, the welding plate and project were all ready and so, I got to work.

I could have made one using nuts and bolts to hold the strong angle iron frame together, but my brother said welded iron is stronger and more secure, once we got ropes to tie it down before we move it around.
I melted some of the roller skate background plate. But that was ok, I was going to paint the finished product black and it was underneath everything, rolling around where we would push it.

Jnaki

I did not feel badly about the finished project. The rolling steel angle iron platform fit the SBC motor, and it moved easily. With wooden blocks and a tie down strap, the frame did not crush and the steel wheels rolled easily from point A to B. I forgot how we were going to go to point C, but that we could lift or slide the one end and then push it forward.

At first, it was the 283 block with the 6 Strombergs. Then after the second coming of the larger 292 c.i. blower spec motor, it still fit like a glove with the straps.

So, when my brother came home, he checked the angle iron frame and my welding. He added in some other rows of beads in certain spots to keep it from flexing when we moved it from the backyard garage on the sidewalk to the main garage. This main garage was where we had the pulley set up ready for removal or installing a motor/trans into any car. Then, he told me it was a good job of assembly. Wow, from the master to the kid… yes!

From that point on, it gave me confidence to be able to do just about anything I put my mind on the process. I had to plan out the process and then assembly was simple. I knew welding was not going to be my "thing," but, I could cut straight lines and weld stuff together. My brother was the minute final welding guy and that was ok with me.

Also, as long as I used the torque wrench for the final tightening, my “gorilla tactics” would not come into play on any installations, anywhere... YRMV
Near national record setting B/Gas + C/Gas Willys Coupe built by the two brothers, waiting in the pits at Lion's Dragstrip, 1960.