My 23T *pics*

Hey guys this is my first build just thought that you might like to see some of my progress, any advice or comments are always welcome

http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj16/minchione333/My23T/?albumview=slideshow&direction=reverse

 

It's getting there. Have fun.

 

Anyone else have any ides or suggestions?

 

lose the automatic and make it a 4 spd -nice project other wise!

 

Thats what I was thinking, i have access to a 4spd. May just do that.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Since you asked for opinions, here's mine: don't run a SBC.

 

What would you go with? I know that the sbc is overdone. I was talking to a guy over the weekend about a Rocket 88, and a friend of mine has a flatty I could use.

 

Personally, I would use either an early (5-bolt) 221/260/289 or a flathead. Most of the other early V8's (other than the SBC) put a whole lot of weight on the front end.

 

Hey guys, here's some more progress on the roadster. Im on my second coat of gloss black and just got my chrome smoothies on monday. Hope you like it, and as always comments are always welcome.

 

Sorry here are the pics

 

Here's a couple more

 

Looks like you're making great progress. I'm running a SBC in mine, but if I could have, I would have liked to run a flathead. It's always cool to see another T Bucket coming up. Keep the updates coming.

 

Thanks man, I appreciate the kind words. Im running a small block chev as well for the time being. Will probably go to a flatty down the road.

 

Well dressed flattie looks nice, but after even a really basic SBC you will feel like you are moving in slow motion!

 

Thats what worries me.

 

I would NOT use a 5 bolt 221/260/289. Use a roller cam 302/5.0 from any 85-95 Mustang or any 5.0 V8 Explorer. Looks identical to the 221/260/289 except for the number of bolts holding the trans to the block. Why look for a hard to find old 5 bolt engine when the common as rocks 6 bolt bellhousing pattern 289/302 is everywhere? I feel that's carrying the "traditional" thing a little too far. But do what you like.

Also the flathead is no light weight. It weighs close to 580 lbs.

In contrast, the 302 is only ~450 with iron heads, the giant EFI intake and other stuff on it. Go with alum. heads, an alum. carb intake and minimal accessories and I am positive you can get under 400 lbs.

 

Thanks for the input, I will keep that in mind.

 

There is absolutely nothing wrong with running a Chevy. There is a reason they made them from 1955-2002. They're good, compact, reliable, strong running motors. I'm just imagining a conversation from the early 50's:"Geez, don't run a flathead, EVERYONE is running a flathead!"

 

I cant argue with that, I am running a sbc for now and if im happy with it then it will stay.

 

Hey I think a properly dressed small block Chevy would loook great in the bucket. What does not look right is a cheap chrome dress-up kit on a small block. yuck.

A 4 or 6 2-barrel carb intake, finned valve covers, etc... oh yeah.....

 

No chrome dress up for me, im not into all that much flash.

 

Hey guys thought you might like to see a couple of shots with the body on the car, put the floor and firewall in this weekend. Sorry for the shitty shots camera phones bite the big one.

 

Nice build journal pics. Stay with the SBC 'til you get it complete and rolling so you can enjoy it sooner.

 

thanks for the kind words, and I am going to stick with the sbc. For now!!!

 

Nice project, hope to be in your shoes with one myself in the next year or so. Any idea who made the body? Im hoping to find a used one myself thats complete with the floor and everything like that, and then build a frame for it.

 

With just a few simple changes you can go a long way looks-wise to distinguish your T from the crowd. By all means use the SBC but try to use an exhaust that doesn't sit outside the frame-- more doable if you don't channel the body down over the frame as most bucket builds do. Either tight-fit headers or some iron manifolds would have more old-tin cachet. Also some vintage looking induction such as twin Strombergs would give a lot more old-time flavor compared to the inevitable four-barrel. Keep the look going by resisting the urge to mount huge fat rear tires---maybe some piecrust slicks and Firestone bias front runners. They are sold in 15 inch sizes. All that, plus keeping the chrome to a minimum, would make the rig look less like the much copied Fab T style monster tire rig and more like a 30s vintage roadster.

 

So I call my car a T roadster.
Tfeverfred has a tastefully done T. not flashy, just enough bright to say I'm a hot rod, SBC and looking good. SBC is a cheap way to go,
that's traditional.
Long T has another, a stretch body, and understated, SBC, too, a real nice car.
Mine is SBC, too. 90 inch wheelbase, wire wheels, stick. REALLY fast.
No flash either.

Who you need to impress? I just gotta keep me happy.

Frank

 

My Body was done by a local guy, but not the best quality. I would have liked to go with a metal body but having a hard time finding anything useable without having to use patch panels on 3/4 of the car.

Unfortunately i did chanel the body so it will have the headers that come over the frame rails. I couldnt agree with you more about the tires, I am running chrome smoothies from wheel vintiques. Rears are 15x7 and the tire will be an L78 15 4' www, fronts are 15x5 with a 560 15 2 3/4 ww all coming from coker and they will be bias ply. As for the chrome there wont be all that much im not into the flash at all.

Hey Frank, when I set out to build my chasis with another hamber ange 33, we decided that stretching the wheel base would make for a nicer ride as well as add a much different stance to the car, my wheel base is 114 inches long, and she looks mean.

 

My wheel base is streched, headers outside the body and running a sbc <object width="425" height="344"><p...e" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>