Hot Rods Progress pics of my Cadillac powered 1932 Chevy Coupe

Congrats man! Where's the pics!?!

 

To have an oil fill that was still convenent I removed the old fill-fuel pump riser, then made a pattern of the lower gasket onto a piece of 1/4" plate. I then took that pattern and welded it to a late 60's Chevrolet fill neck. Works great and also serves as a fresh air inlet for the PCV conversion I did.

As far as the alternator goes, I know it's not traditional but after losing the option of mounting a generator off the factory exhaust manifold casting, I chose to go with a mini alternator down low so it's not so obvious. It's a nippendenso style race car alternator that believe or not is short enough to mount in front of the block!! One small spacer, belt adjustment below and viola!!

 

great work. looks like you've got skill and ambition, try to find a chevy grill and do some metal work. get the lines you want and have the "only" one.

 

These pictures were taken with my phone so they are horrible. I'm working on it again tomorrow so I'll get more. It's covered in mud from taking it down the gravel driveway on it's maiden voyage. I've never had so much fun driving 15mph!!

 

I finished welding up the chop today and cutting out some rust. I haven't decided whether I want to fill the roof or not?? Here are a couple pictures, it doesn't look like much has changed since I sat the body on the ch***is 3 months ago. The small things sure can eat up an 8 hour day, not to mention when you're done it still looks the same as when you started. One of these days!

 

This thing is awesome! I have missed it somehow but I've found it now and love where you're going with it. Most dudes (especially the fellers with a chevy) will tell you not to use the '32 Ford Grille shell. I am not one of them. I think the '32 Ford shell is the best looking and will definitely look great on your hot rod. I doubt very much back in the day they cared much whether it was Ford, Chevy what ever. It got what they had or what they thought was cool!

Love the Caddy motor!

 

When I go to fill the roof, how much or at all, should the center bow curve? Does it match both sides or should the center of the roof be a slight bit higher than both sides? From looking at other early 30's coupes I cannot tell whether the roof panels, either filled or original are flat or have a slight dome to them?

 

Anyone willing to trade a 1933-35' Chevrolet grille shell for my brand new Ford shell and grille by Vintique?

 

I just spent a couple hours working on the decklid. I have an original decklid but it was beyond repair so I decided to make my own. The louvered panels are off an electrical panel!

 

Great ride! Louvres look good, well done!

 

I almost can't believe I'm going to say this but use the Chevy grille. I think you degrade both by trying to mate them together. The grille is the most distinctive element of a 30's era car..............why deny the brand by trying to disguise it?

Frank

 

cool

 

I'm confused, what am I degrading and/or hiding?? The duece grille has been used on every make and model since it was introduced. Sure the Chevrolet grille would have matched the theme but I couldn't stand the 32' Chevrolet grille so I tried the Ford. After seeing it on the car I think it looks better, however I think a 34'-36' Chevrolet truck grille will be better yet.

 

I really like the engine

 

I'd piss everyone off and use the Grille out of my Gas Grille in the back yard ! !

 

Sometimes I feel like I'd be better off. Why can't a car be built to suit a particular style or liking? It always comes down to whether it would have been used 50 years ago or, "You're trying to make it something it's not." I'm not looking for extra credit points for using all Chevrolet body panels or "period correct" part$. I just want a car that I can say I built that looks like it belongs with other guys cars that I see built on this site.

 

You're the only one who has to look at it every day, so make it pleasing to your eye....not some anonymous "they" who don't know you or your tastes.

 

lookin Great! How much did you chop it?

 

Thank you!! I went 4" all the way around. After sitting in the seat last weekend, head-room might be at a minimum. I used a bench seat out of a mid 80's Ford Ranger and pinched the front of the seat to gain some room at the door panels. All that work might be wasted now. I might have to find something that allows me to sit a bit lower?

 

I just started to fab the decklid hinges and latch. As I started to mount the latch I realized that the Vintiques handle and latch ***embly is made to where the handle will either lay horizontal or point upward, not downwards?? On a standard decklid set-up, should the handle face up or down? I've seen them both ways. I can modify the latch to make it face downwards. Thanks again.

 

nothing says hotrod like a cadillac!

 

Decklid handle pointing up or down? I see more up, but some down also??

 

After two weeks of trying to figure out why I could not get the rear brakes to bleed, I realized that when I had the rear calipers off to paint them, I put the right on the left side and the left on the right side. So....the bleeders were on the bottom, which some of you had mentioned checking . Ooops! After I swapped them over, they bled in a matter of minutes! It is amazing how just a little air in a brake system will make it impossible to get a good pedal.

When it comes to turn signals, how many of you guys run them? I realize some states require them and you might not have the choice. For those of you that have the choice, do you run them or not??

 

That's looking good

 

I replyed before I had read all the haters replys. Build it how every you want, as long as you built it. I'm going to run the chevy grill on mine, just because it's soooo rare to see a chevy grill in the see of fords. Any way you do it, it's still going to be a hot rod.

 

Why ask for opinions then get upset when you get them?
Was there a expiration date on the question?

 

The question was in reference to the look of the grille. I wasn't after the bowtie/blue oval debate. It is a hot rod right? If I wanted to build an all GM vehicle it wouldn't have a Ford straight axle and an 8.8" Ford rear end! I was only after opinions on what everyone thought it would look like. For some it turned into, "why are you trying to hide what you have" or all of the sudden it was a disguise? Really? Some of the baddest cars on this forum have different makes of everything on them. If you notice I asked for a photoshop with the Ford grille. Some thought the Chevy grille looked fine, others liked it because it was different and fit well with the overall build. This website is loaded with more knowledge than I can imagine. Everything I read and see here I try to soak up like a sponge. Just because I might not like what someones' replies doesn't mean I don't respect their opinion.

 

Can I say sorry and ask for forgiveness all in the same thread?? I finally listened to all of you guys and sold the Ford grille to a fellow HAMBER. Done some searching online and found what I should have bought to begin with! To all of you that told me to stick with a Chevy grille, thank you! I finally get it! It looks so much better, the lines are great and it screams Hot Rod. Better pics next week.

 

There you go! Do I get to say I told you so? ha ha!

 

I'll take all the punishment. The insert is a little rusted and thin in one spot. I just checked on a new insert, how's $665.00 sound?? OUCH!