Projects Where to start?

Hi Guy's,

I got my new project saturday, a 31 Model A Sport coupe. I'm trying to decide where to start. Its all original but torn down. This will be the earliest car I have ever had. Had 50's 60's and 70's cars in the past. I want to keep it looking traditional. I can see the brakes are definately going to get changed.

Looking at boxing the chassis and fitting a crossmember, who does the best one?

What brakes should I be looking for and also what rear end?

I've been following the builds on here and most seem to go for the 40 Ford brakes. Will they fit on the 30 axle?

I have a stroked SBC 383 on a stand but don't think an S10 T5 will handle it, I want a stick shift car, any suggestions? The 383 is a short block at the moment, I'm going to put on vortec heads and an edelbrock 3x2 manifold.

Lots of questions I know from an older newbie.

Thanks,

Alex

 

I've always liked the looks of 30-31 Sport Coupes. Get a copy of May 1970 Rod & Custom and build a clone of Joe Mac's coupe, I would if I had one.

 

I'm definately going to keep it as a Sport Coupe. Anyone have a copy of said magazine or know where I can get one?

Thanks,

Alex

 

A-boneboy was selling some a while back, he may still have some or know where you can get one.
Here was his sale thread:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133397

Good Luck!

 

To me the sport coupes look better with full fenders. that said I'd sit down and make a plan. By that I mean continue your research just as your are doing now.

Pick the theme for the car and then build it on paper before you start the build. Not here on the HAMB so much but at just about any bigger show you go to you see cars that don't seem to have a real sense of direction and planning. Either the wheels and tires don't blend in with the rest of the car, External engine components don't fit the rest of the build or the interior is all wrong for the theme of the build.

On your engine, have you found a 3x2 manifold that will bolt on Vortec heads as I'm not positive anyone is making one an it will take some machine work to make an older one work.

Brakes, Look cool or stop great. The difference between cool old drums or disk. With drums you tend to get real good at defensive driving.

Personally I'd build the chassis first and get it the way I wanted it so I had a solid foundation for the rest of the build.

 

Thanks, I've pm'd him.

Alex

 

Edelbrock has a manifold specially for the vortec heads.

I am looking at keeping it fully fendered. Just have to get a pair of rear fenders. It came with some new fibreglass fronts and the originals. The originals are too cracked and beaten up.

Alex