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My first hot rod build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ethanm, Jan 12, 2010.

  1. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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....:confused:) 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!

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    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?!?!
     
  2. monster
    Joined: Feb 1, 2008
    Posts: 209

    monster
    Member

    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.
     
  3. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,034

    chaddilac
    Member

    it will if you box it!!! :D

    keep posting!!
     
  4. ratster
    Joined: Sep 23, 2001
    Posts: 3,593

    ratster
    Member

    looks boxed to me, your doing good kid
     
  5. Fordguy321
    Joined: Oct 16, 2009
    Posts: 421

    Fordguy321
    Member
    from Arizona

  6. blt2go
    Joined: Oct 27, 2009
    Posts: 551

    blt2go
    Member

    looks like some good steel to start with. have some fun with it, and don't let it turn into work.
     
  7. Beef Stew
    Joined: Oct 9, 2008
    Posts: 1,253

    Beef Stew
    Member
    from So Cal

    did you get those batwings from speedway? if so, how do you like them?
     
  8. 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!
     
  9. I SMELL SMOKE
    Joined: Mar 6, 2008
    Posts: 1,527

    I SMELL SMOKE
    Member

    looks like a nice start!!!
     
  10. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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!
     
  11. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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
     
  12. Anderhart Speed
    Joined: Nov 8, 2009
    Posts: 356

    Anderhart Speed
    Member

    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?
     
  13. CrusadersNV
    Joined: Feb 1, 2010
    Posts: 158

    CrusadersNV
    Member

    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!
     
  14. Master of None
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 2,279

    Master of None
    Member

  15. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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!
     
  16. Master of None
    Joined: Dec 18, 2009
    Posts: 2,279

    Master of None
    Member

    The 390 is alot more weight than the 355 but 2x's the cool factor go 390. Nothing beats a Ford in a Ford.
     
  17. 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
     
  18. vintagetinman
    Joined: Oct 22, 2007
    Posts: 157

    vintagetinman
    Member

    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?
     
  19. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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
     
  20. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,884

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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
     
  21. draginsteel
    Joined: Oct 21, 2007
    Posts: 463

    draginsteel
    Member

    Let's see an update. Love those sedans
     
  22. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,884

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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!
     
  23. May Street Relics
    Joined: Mar 17, 2008
    Posts: 38

    May Street Relics
    Member

    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
     
  24. ironandsteele
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 6,010

    ironandsteele
    Member

    badass start you got there. big block? you got nuts. keep us posted.
     
  25. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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
     
  26. ironandsteele
    Joined: Apr 25, 2006
    Posts: 6,010

    ironandsteele
    Member

    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.
     
  27. Anderhart Speed
    Joined: Nov 8, 2009
    Posts: 356

    Anderhart Speed
    Member

    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!
     
  28. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    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?
     
  29. ethanm
    Joined: Jul 16, 2009
    Posts: 39

    ethanm
    Member
    from Indiana

    getting ready to buy tires...3 inch white wall or 4 inch going with coker bias plys
     
  30. Flatheadguy
    Joined: Dec 2, 2008
    Posts: 2,037

    Flatheadguy
    Member

    Reminds me of the old days. Keep going. You're doing fine. And keep the photos and words coming.
    We wanna see!!
     

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