Projects StNick's - 1957 Ford Custom 300 Build - Progress Begins!

StNick won't go for it, that was my vote too!

Man, we've come a long way in just shy of two months.... Post #78

Thanks for all the encouragement!!

 

crazy. looks like there has been a lot of progress ...looking damn good


Posted from Jalopyjournal.com App for Android

 

Are those the 8.5" Torquethrusts? Looks like you could take .250" off the backside of each and gain a bit more clearance for the sidewalls, but they're still gonna rub a bit in roll. Option 2: Narrow the housing a bit (.500 - .750" each side). Also, can you move the axle rearward .500" (new ladder bar to axle brackets + offset pin axle to spring)? However you solve this, I'm certain it'll turn out great - like the rest of this build! vic

 

They are actually Ansens, 8.5 or 9 - I'm going to measure them tonight.

All good options, we have been talking about narrowing the housing 1" on each side. I didn't think about moving the housing back, that might work too!

 

DO NOT CUT THE OUTER WHEEL HOUSE - Please. Narrow the rear, cut the wheel down, move it back but ... don't cut the outer fenderhouse.

It'll look kick ass with that tire tucked up inside the factory tub.

Nice start of the headers .... all you lack is ... finishing up

PACO

 

The 57 is really tight in the rear opening area. I narrowed mine 3/4" each side. Still
not enough room for shit. My fenders were cut 40 yrs ago and redone recently
to look more stock.(street tires) I can live with it now.

Might as well tub it.

 

A lot of those old fords seemed to stuff the tire an inch to an inch and a half to the front of center in the rear well. I was told it was to allow the old ford shackles to cycle correctly. I asked a nostalgia galaxie race car guy and he told me he ran new springs with the centering pin 1 1/4 inches to the rear of stock to get a taller tire in. Since you are running sliders and ladder bars, you could move your ladder bar mount an inch back and check that out. Just a thought.

 

I gotta agree with St. Nick. From the pictures it looks like the height of the wheelwell with respect to the rim and tire is just right and too close to consider doing a radius. It looks really good as it it is. Narrow the rear end or go for more offset in the wheels. This from a guy who'll hack sheetmetal in a heartbeat.

 

Actually they are Ansen's, 15x 8.5" or 9" w/3.5" back spacing.

Yours looks really nice! Nice wheels too!

We talked it over last night, if we take out 1.5" on each side we will have plenty of room in-and-out. if we had too we could use a .25" wheel spacer to move it back out. We are going to buy aftermarket axles anyway, so we'll just do it all at once.

• Narrow the housing 3" total
• Aftermarket Axles
• Auburn Pro Series 31 spline posi - do any of you run one of these?
• Gears 3.0 or 3.27ish
• Brakes

We also made a list of the big items that are left with a rough guess on $$

• Fuel System $700-1000
  • Tank
  • Fuel Pump (mechanical or electrical?)
  • Fuel Filter
  • Fuel Lines
• Rearend $1000-1500
  • Narrow the housing 3" total
  • Aftermarket Axles
  • Auburn Pro Series 31 spline posi
  • Gears 3.0 or 3.27ish
  • Brakes
• Cooling System $500-750
  • Radiator
  • Hoses
  • Overflow (Dr.Pepper Can)
  • Fan
  • Belt
• Electrical $250-350
  • EZ Wiring 12 Circuit Harness
  • Misc switches, connectors, shrink tube, bulbs, etc
• Interior $750-1500
  • Recover seats
  • Carpet
• Exhaust $1000-1500
  • Build headers
  • Mufflers
  • Exhaust pipe

I'm sure I missed something...
I'm sure I underestimated too!

 

Aaaahhh - what the hell - dollar here dollar there - I'll just sell more on eBay - that's whats nice about being a hoarder like myself - still have the shoes I wore in highschool - got lots of stuff I can sell - It'll be nice to have at least 1 project done and running - thanks to Mike - then he can start on his '22, '32, '32, '33, '34, '40, '49, '50, etc - hey - for a Chevy guy Mike you sure do have a lot of Fords - I have a lot more projects myself - about a dozen early motorcycles and half a dozen cars - say - is there anyone out there who wants to buy a late 30's V8-60 midget or a late 40's Crosley TQ midget - how about a 54 Austin right hand drive Taxi - Oh, how about a 'T' bucket - Hummm - Don't think I'll ever get to those projects - Hey Mike - lets go lay some rubber - - - - -Verrroooommmmmm

 

This is a very cool thread. I had a great time, and im looking forward to watching more.
Cheers.

 

How about a link on a few of those items...

T-Bucket

V8-60 Midget

50's - 60's V-Drive Boat, Willy's powered

Chrome 9"

Really old Midget Skeeters, 30x90 cars for sales too

 

Got a few things ordered this week - Auburn Posi - wire harness - radiator - alum fuel tank - fittings, line, filter, pump (OMG - in 1964 when I got my first 406 3x2 4-spd I spent a whopping $200 - this fuel pump alone cost $300 - WTF - I'd best not complain though - not good for the BP) - OH - Called Hurst Racing in Oregon and ordered a godawful bitchen set of rear skins (http://www.hurstracingtires.com/1093440.html) - check em out - 28 3/4"x8 1/2"x15" PIE CRUST - Cheater Groove - Capped on RADIAL 235/75/15 - Whoo Hoo - Mikes got one of his pals lined up to begin the headers and narrow the rear end next week - HEY - do you smell that - It's burnen rubber in the near future -

 

It doesn't look like a lot of progress....

But, we've got all the body mounts done, fabricated, welded, drilled, bolted, shimmed, etc.

Now we are working on the front clip, we need to get it mocked up so we can start on the headers.





HAMB DRAGS here we come!!!!


TJJ on iPhone

 

I worked into the early hours of the morning on the sewing machine.

I have all the material from another project and got the hair-brained idea I'd do the seats myself.

I tore off the old seat covers, split seams and used the panels as patterns.



I sewed some pleats and attached two pieces together. I'm impressed with my mad skills!!




TJJ on iPhone

 

Its been 2 plus years ^^that was April 2010 ^^ today we got the front clip back on the car!

 

Looking goood!

 

It's been a long week already

Monday Mason helped me get the trim off the front clip in prep for paint.



Aunt Patti stopped by yesterday and helped with the painting efforts and cleaned the bathroom!! THANKS!

"Careful, that thing is loaded!"






Progress was also made on the Headers, Todd has been by all week cutting, fitting and welding (Silicon Bronze is awesome!!)










I'm headed back to the shop!! More later!

 

Buckets of pipes



We put the front clip back on to see how things lined up





I worked on the drivers side today









Vrooooooom Vroooooooom!!


TJJ on iPhone

 

Nice work on the headers. Sometimes I wish I had a big block in my 57 but I'd just get in trouble with one. So I just stuck with the yblock and do alot of tinkering. Keeps me out of trouble.

 

A friend gave me a sign in January......

I don't notice it when I'm in the shop, but in many of my pictures I keep seeing it, "Red Dog".

Head Scratch, "What is Red Dog?" I ask myself.

a google search reveals its a BEER! Of course. I only drink Root or Ginger beer........

Funny, I think I may hang something else up there.

 

I love those headers!!! Will you be running the inner fenders and just cut them to go around the headers?? Also, what kind of clearance do you have between the headers and wheels when they are turned?? I'd love to put some fenderwell headers on my '57 Ranchero. Keep up the great work!

 

Drivers side is built, just need to finish weld! Awesome!!








TJJ on iPhone

 

that is really looking good. the headers look bitchin

 

Still working on headers....

 

Looking good, guys ---- keep it up!


Malcolm

(Mike, I was just in Aurora on Thursday only. Sorry I didn't have time to get away from the project site.)

 

subscribed. Keep at it gentlemen, it's gonna be a good one for sure.

 

Looking good guys!!! I`m still thrashing on the `29 roadster...see you at MOKAN

 

Great build,it's been fun watching!

 

Thanks guys, we have a lot left to do in a short time.

New tires...





And new paint...





TJJ on iPhone