Projects "Sexy Sadie" Custom Shoebox Build Thread...PICS!

Now to the fun stuff... I started to Peak my hood today. I used 1/4" square stock and just put it on it's edge. Then I welded from the 1/4" stock down onto the hood so the hood wouldn't get too hot. Hopefully the pictures do justice. I think I will end up leading it eventually to get it super smooth.

 

I'm only going to run the peak to the middle of the hood- Any suggestions as to how to remove the depression where the trim was from the middle of the hood to the cowl-edge? I had thought about cutting it out and welding new metal in or just slicing it in the middle and then pounding it out. Which way would be less prone to getting wavy? Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

Any help from the morning crew? I also go a little too excited when putting the peak in the middle of the hood and it got a little wavy- any remedies?

 

Cool cool cool. I dont do body work but welding for a living has taught me to heat and quench in the right places when things get skewed. That might help ya...?

 

Looks good. Depending on how much the hood warped you might need to shrink it then do a little hammer dolly work. Don't over work it though. It might work harden then you are screwed. If it does then anneal it and dolly it out.

 

The phrase " work harden " gives me the chills.

 

When I shrink it do I shrink around the outside of the oilcan area or do I go from the middle out? What is the definition of "work harden"? I guess I got a little too impatient... Probably cocky because the front part went so smoothly...

 

I would work from the low spot, when you heat the steel you spread the molecules out making the area larger which should eliminate the oilcan. To work harden basically means you heat treated the steel and made it less workable, not a big deal in the sheet metal world, you can anneal the steel again to bring it back. I made the joke beacause ive work hardened a 3.5'' cube of stainless trying to drill with a dull bit too fast. My mistake. lol. Like i said im not a body guy. Hope I can help.

 

My mistake, i meant high spot ^, you need to quench the steel to get it to hold its shape. You can do this with a wet rag. Heat up the high spot to get it on the same plane as the rest of the panel and then quench it with a wet rag to "freeze" the molecules in place.

 

Thanks SniffnPaint- so If I have low spots then do I jsut quench in between them in the highest spots? I obviously haven't had to shrink metal before! Would it help to flip the hood over and then heat the low spot on the bottom? we're talking a 3"x6" area here...

 

Yep, but remember the low spots would become the high spot when you flip it. LOL. Youll get it im sure.

 

Thanks again- I'll try it out on wednesday and I'll post results... (or I won't post until I've got it figured out) My dad also brought up my other '40 hood so sometime in January we can louver it. More updates to come!

 

I like the 350 Olds... Mainly because once you get the engine bay set up for a 350 (or any later Olds V8) you can drop in a 400/425/455 to make that custom shoe box go like a raped ape...

I love the direction your goin' with it though.. Can't wait to see what it looks like when you get to the chop and hard top stage..

Good luck!

 

Both rockers were rotted to hell. Fortunately, SkoFord had a set of rockers that were half aftermarket and half fabbed at home, so I had some new metal to start with. I welded those pieces together after trimming them down. A few test fits and it started to shape up pretty nicely. I started with the passenger side and the driver's side will get done today. I've still got a lot of work to get done on the floor. Here is the results- I'll post more pictures with more detail when I do the driver's side.

 

What's a traditional custom without traditionally frenched headlights, right? I acquired some '54 Ford rings from a fellow club member and got right on welding 'em in. I then decided I wanted a peak in the headlights to mimic the hood, so I formed that out of 1/4" rod and shaped some 18ga metal around it so I wouldn't have to use so much lead....

I used up all of my lead anyways....

Just a note to those that attempt leading- It makes it much easier if you've got another set of hands. Guy #1 should be working the heat and the paddle, and guy #2 should be adding lead when needed. This is the best formula from my experiences.

Thanks goes out to fellow Suedes members RacerJ and Sixinarow for being my second sets of hands.

 

Anyone know how to get Eastwood to be an Alliance Vendor?

 

I got the lead all smoothed out as best as I could. I had to add a little here and there...

Here's a sneak peak for all you good folks out there.

 

Those lights came out perfect!

 

Thanks Dirtybird- I've still got a lot of fine tuning to do yet- not to mention the whole bottom side of each bezel needs to be leaded in yet...

 

Killer job on the frenched headlights!

That whole thing looks like a ton of fun!

Keep up the great work dudes.

Sincerely,
Cheatercarl

 

Thanks CheaterCarl!

 

A little more progress on the headlights.

 

first time i've seen the hood and completed lights. Looks great!!!!

 

I had a 350 Olds and Turbo 350 in my 51 Merc for about 100K miles. About the only problem with the install is clearance at the bottom of the firewall. I think I had to massage the lip that sticks down a bit. I'd suggest slipping it in with the trans and getting the trans mounted where you want it with the engine in the right proximity to the firewall and then level it and build the front mounts.

 

Those lights came out awesome. you just made me decide to do mine

 

Thanks Mr48Chev- I'll be getting to that right after the chop- I want to get most of the aesthetic stuff done first- just the way I am.

Glad to be an ispiration ev88f!

Thanks Lowpunk- hopefully you'll see it in person soon!

 

Nice work!

 

That means a lot coming from you Andreas! I hope mine will be at least half as nice as yours!

 

Well Thanks!

After seeing your work with the hood and headlights ill understand your roof are going to be just great

 

looks good

love the lead work