Alright so yes im starting another thread on another build but oh well. I'm 20 and this is my first actual build. I have a 29 Model A sedan and my plans are to do an "S" sweep in the rear of the frame and maybe sweep the front up a bit. Chop the top at least 4" and run a 390 big block ford (different right?). Going to college, working part time (40 hours a week is part time right....) at a parts store who thinks minimum wage is way too much to pay people to work and trying to build a Model A kinda sucks but here goes nothing! Just a couple pics to get started... hopefully will get started on modifying the frame this weekend... who knew i would change my mind after i got it boxed?!?!
I don't know about a big block in the basically original model a frame. I dont think it will hold up for you long term.
Great piece of steel to start with. I wish I could have figured out how much I love this when I was 20. But hell, I'd probably have a parking lot in my back yard by now. Good Luck!
Update!!! So i havent done anything to the car for about a month, had two deaths in the family and like 6 feet of snow( not quite that much but oh well) anyways going to order tires in the next couple of weeks and wanted some opinions. Anyone run the firestone bias ply whitewalls from coker tire im looking at 890-15 for the back and750-14 on the front my wheels are 15x8 and 14x6 (a little wide but it was a good deal) pictures would be greatly appreciated... anyone have pictures of the 3 inch and the 5 inch whitewalls? oh and even though the frame is boxed it is getting cut when i get my tires and it will be swept in the front probably 4 inches and at least 8 in the rear...not gonna sit it on the ground but want the tires to fill the wheel well. thanks again!
yea the whole front end is all from speedway, and I honestly dont have anything else to compare to but the axle went together very well so sure i like them
Hey ethanm good luck with the build, and keep us posted. I'm 23, out of college almost 2 years now, so I know how it is to try and build a car from scratch with no money. I worked at a harley dealership and made decent money, but that went into living more than the car. Wish I knew about the hamb then, but looks like you found it early enough. Just ask if you have any questions, and keep focused, you'll get her done! BTW, I like the 390 ford idea, very cool, very different. What about trans?
im 21 and know what its like. just remember its an un-curable disease. un-curable in this case meening a good thing! keep us posted!
Quick poll too. 390 ford with a c6 auto or 400hp crate 355 and a turbo and a 4 speed... have the 355 crate motor already in another car and my buddy can get turbos pretty cheap. the 390 is different but would need a complete rebuild Opinion time!
The 390 is alot more weight than the 355 but 2x's the cool factor go 390. Nothing beats a Ford in a Ford.
looks like a good start. what do you pan on using for a center crossmember and tranny mount? i suggest you build some sort of X or K member to really stiffen up that frame i'm not trying to be critical , but it would have been easier to fill those extra holes in the frame before you boxed it
go with the 390 !!!! sbc's in anything has been done to death . besides turbos don't look right on A's unless you run a full hood . why not run a 4spd behind the 390?
4spd toploaders are expensive! i have a 3 spd manual ford for the 390 but i think im gonna be close on room with the 390 cuz its a big bi*%$ so i think just an automatic with a good shift kit, stall would be good haha my cousin has a really nice tubing bender so i will have a some sort of tube style crossmember and it will get get a rollcage too just to be safe
Way to go, ethan! You seem to have a good attitude...you'll do fine. You've got a lot goin' on what with school, work, and now building a rod, but it'll all be worth it later. Bust ass now, while you're young and have the energy. I screwed around too much when I was younger. Time flies like you can't imagine, and you'll thank yourself later for workin' hard and stickin' a little money away, doin' good in school so you can increase your earning potential...and stick even more money away, and the most fun...actually building a real hot rod now, to make some wonderful memories for later in life. Not to say us "old" guys can't build hot rods too...of course...I'm workin' on building my first real hot rod, and I'm 52. But doggone it, it's nice if a guy can enjoy it when he's young. Later in life, you'll enjoy remembering..."Yup, I remember when I built my very first hot rod...had a blast with it...those were the days, man!" That's the way it should be. I know I'm goin' on, but I'm just trying to encourage you. Happy for you. I wish you all the best. Enjoy the build. Keep us posted. Good luck with everything. Rick
Automatic transmissions are easier to install than a standard shift trans, and it's not the installation of the trans itself that's so challenging, it's fabbing and fitting the clutch linkage in a limited amount of space. (Hydraulic throwout bearing can help.) But I think the difficulties are worth it after all, when you can have fun bangin' gears! LOL! As far as the smallblock/390 decision goes, it depends on how much money you have to spend, and how soon you want it on the road. The 390 may be cooler, but the smallblock can get you going sooner, and maybe with less $. There's always the option of changing it later...or not. If you're up to the challenge though in regards to dollars, engineering, and time...go with the Ford!
don't let any one tell you not to run the 390 because i run 455 olds with a 400 trans and dual quads and also i get more looks then if i had a crate 350
haha my buddy has a 440 mopar in his 29 sedan and the looks we get with the lakesides opened up is so awesome! and it hauls
i can imagine. i have a freshly built 383 in my (big!) chrysler newport and that thing gets it pretty damn good when i get the 4 barrel opened up. i can only imagine what a 440 would be like in such a tiny little car. awesome.
390 all the way. The small chev are everywhere, you can walk through the woods and find them, but they are cheap, reliable and make power. But go with the ford. I would suggest a manual, but a stout shift kit in a C6 could still be fun. I re did a 289 thats pretty high strung and very aggravated at low rpm and even though it isn't "pure tradition" its not a small block chevy. I like the 390-gets my vote!
looks like it will be the 390, onto the question about tires... anyone running the firestone bias ply whitewalls? really like the look of bias ply but like the reliability of radials... never had bias plys but hear they can be scart main concern is that im looking at an 890-15 for the rear and it seems like it is gonna look huge.. anyone have a picture of one on a car?
Reminds me of the old days. Keep going. You're doing fine. And keep the photos and words coming. We wanna see!!