so i've been collecting parts

Rick, that 55 dash isn't for this build. Needs a flat dash me thinks.

 

If you build your own tank you can fit it between the kickup and the body. The tank would be a bit narrower at the bottom than the top

 

MAAAAAAN! this thread kicks ass! great job so far it really looks simple, clean and classy.

 

your car is fantastic
j

 

looks good rick! thanks again for the get together, we all enjoyed it.

 

when life gets in the way of things and progress slows on the build. i like to look up old build threads from brian bass. he's been an inspiration. i only wish he would post more.

i decided to run the 31 chevy tank so i'm keeping the seat riser. i'm using 3/4 inch oak plywood for the base.



i have to find space to mount my battery under the seat. here's a look at what i'm dealing with. there's a c channel x-member and the stanchion i made for the rear body mount.



so i made a cardboard pattern and climbed underneath to mark where it was safe to recess the battery. i cut out a battery sized hole in the cardboard but soon found out that up on top, the seat frame gets in the way of simply dropping the battery in. no problem, i'll just move the battery opening a little forward.



i cut that part of the floor out of the same 13 gauge metal i used in the front section. i shifted the battery opening forward an inch and a half and cut it all out with my jig saw. i wish i had a plasma cutter.



i know the camera angle makes it look like the x-member is in the way but it's actually a straight shot to the ground when viewing directly above the opening. i'll make a box for the battery to sit in. i can go 4 1/2 inches and keep the box level with the bottom of the x-member and frame but i think i'll go 6 inches deep. that way the battery will only stick up above the floor 2 1/2, 3 inches at the most. both sections of floor and the gas tank are too large for my blast cabinet. i've found several places locally to sandblast those items for me.

 

here's the beginnings of the gas tank mounts. i'll post more on them next week.



i've had my pitman arm done back in the fall. i need to clean it up some. i don't know about making a blister for it, i'm thinking maybe just an eyebrow over it. i don't know. i need to pull the wheel and drum off to get at the steering arm. it needs to be heated and bent up about an inch so that my draglink runs parallel to the bone.

 

Looking good Rick. Keep at it all it takes is a little at a time (at least that is what I do)

Jim

 

baby steps. i whipped up some tank mounts. both the cradles and the straps to hold the tank in.





i welded my license plate bracket to the driver's side tank mount.



i'll rubber line the cradle and strap so it won't be metal to metal contact. in the above photo, you see the polished stainless mounts i purchased for the 37 ford tail lights. i need to drill a hole in the frame down under the car and chase a wire through the frame and then cap off the frame ends.

 

i then got started on the tank tunnel. the origami lessons i had during my therapy sessions came in handy, the basketweaving, not so much. the tunnel is 4 1/2 inches wide, 9 inches long on the top and taper down to 18 or 19 inches, i forget, at the bottom.



fold up the long sides and then bend the ends up to close the angled gap. i figure less welding doing it this way instead of making it in 3 pieces.





i'll weld up the tunnel and take it over to a friend and ask him to tig weld it into the bottom of the tank. the tank sits 3 inches lower than it would without the tunnel over the crossmember.

i cleaned up my pitman arm a little, it looks good.



the only other news i have is i decided to run a grant flamethrower distributor.



i'm working on the dash, going with engine turned. i'll have pics of it and probably the drag link too. oh, i picked up some lever action shocks from an mg that i'm going to use on the front. after the shock mounts are done, i'll turn my attention to the small things like brake line mounts and other things i've overlooked. i'm considering putting it on the road in bare metal and work out all the bugs before blowing it all apart for paint.

 

Lookin good Rick.

 

Lookin good Rick. Funny 37 lights are what I'd planned on running, but below. If you're using the tranny mount that was in it isn't that low enough for the battery to clear sitting down low?

 

hey jack, the trans mount is still in it. i'm not going to use it but i thought i'd keep it in there for the added integrity. i'm just going to raise it up a few inches. i'd love to add a polished and louvered aluminum belly pan before i call it finished. it's been a fun build. i can't be more pleased with the stance and proportions.
i'm in nogiciations on a quickchange. it's special so i hope it comes through.

 

the stainless 37 ford tail light mounts are from so-cal. i saw them advertised in the new parts section of rod & custom a while back and thought they were cool.

 

As I've said before I kinda screwed up selling that. But the good part is you're doing a great job with it

 

i'm not using the trans crossmember that jack had intended to use but i don't want to cut the whole thing out either. it's made from 2x3 rectangular tubing. i'll weld another piece in 3 or 4 inches higher and remove everything below it.

i made the tunnel for the gas tank. it holds water, no leaks. it holds roughly 2/3's of a gallon so i'll end up with a little over 9, maybe 9 1/2 gallons capacity. i build up too much heat mig welding, so i dropped off the tank, tunnel and a new bung at a friend so that he can tig it for me.



the tunnel allows the tank to sit 4 inches lower, over the crossmember. i want to thank badshifter once again for the tank.



i'll solder some brass bungs in the side of the tank to mount this neat float gauge instead of using the tried and true method of sticking a dirty stick in the tank to see how much gas is left. either way is better than a lighted match.

 

i used a short piece of tubing with a bearing at one end for the steering column. there looks like enough room between the wheel and dash for a turn signal switch. speaking of dashes, i mounted a piece of 12 gauge for mine. it will get covered with an engine turned piece of aluminum.
i have 1960 vintage stewart warner speedo and tach that will go either side of the steering column and the off to the right, i'll mount 4 40's,50's vintage curved glass, crescent pointed stewart warners in a row with a pair of hooded lights over them for illumination.





i know, kind of hard to make out but it's the engine turned aluminum i purchased for my dash.

 

and i leave you with the obligatory shot of the dirty panhead.

 

Any time you want to bring it back feel free. LOL

 

you know, when i would put a bike together in the past, i would visualize it first and never had a problem turning that vision into reality. but when it came to building cars, i found it a little harder to achieve my goals.

with the exception of getting a little sidetracked on which gas tank to use, this is what i envisioned when i first saw the ad for the tub and frame. i couldn't be any more pleased with how the stance and proportions turned out.
thanks jack but i think this one is a keeper.

 

I think in exchange for keeping the bike and house clean and buying you nice car parts she should at least be allowed to ride in the back seat.oh wait,neither car has a back seat.nevermind

 

I understand. That's why my ass is sometimes black and blue from kicking myself.

 

Looking pretty nice, my friend! Maybe we need to hammer a blister for that side steer set up???? Are you planning to have glass cut for the windshield?, or just plexi? Stu

 

windshield will be glass. i'll be fabbing up the front shock mounts and a battery box soon and then turn my attention to a whole lot of welding.

 

my buddy val soldered the brass bungs for the fuel level sight gauge. i like it.



the ford houdaille shocks i had were a tad too large to mount up for front shocks so i picked these up.

 

I'd sure build me some weed sweepers for the exhaust. They'd look good on the cast headers you have.

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hey those wheels are on my wagon

 

yowza

 

Dag nab it...that's a sweeet' lookin' ride you're screwing together ! Like the tank height especially well. Nice eye and flow my friend. That car begs for black paint.......almost looks like you could tie it up, and set it down into 1958, and none would be wiser. Get your leather cap, and aviation goggles picked out ! Wooooo-E ! Fun, fun, fun......