Well what can I say other than "Hi". Im Roan, im 21 and im building my first hot rod, a steel T bucket of unkown year. I paid way too much for the original steel body and after seeing how flimsy it is, Id have been happier with a glass one. Ive collected tons of parts for it, just havent****embled it yet, or really know how to. Ive picked up a complete ford hydrtallic front end from a 194?, a ford rear( dont know what type), a T rear spring, a cool old swap meet steering column from who knows what, ive bought a real T frame and a model A frame which is way too wide to use, ive bought an ebay cut down windshield,ive bought a brass T radiator which is tiny, and a almost as short 1932 ford grill with a radiator as well, ive got a chevy aluminum 4spd(dont know what type), but I still dont have my 265,283 or 327 yet that I want. I really wanted to go with the retro rod look, but all ive done is spend all my extra cash and fill up my garage with parts.
Dont be mad, but you are a man with no plan... sounds like you have some good parts to make a nice ride. This is a good place for help, I think you may catch some flak for your approach to your car. Why did you buy these parts? Did someone tell you to? Did you read it in a magazine? You need a build plan to tell you what you need. Just because its old parts you bought, they may not be useable, or not practical to your application. Educate yourself on your project!!! I learn something new every day....from the HAMB!!
Ive basically learned what little I know from Rod and Custom, Garage magazine, Car and Kustom Deluxe and Baracuda. I admit, I pretty much know squat about mechanicals, I grew up with hot rodded Subarus and Hondas and an old 1300cc VW dunebuggy. I pretty much bought what all the cars in the magazines had and what everyone told me to get, its really drained me financially, im sure ive been screwed all the way on prices, and ive still yet to do anything with it. I could really use some help since ive got no idea where to start.
I've been collecting parts all my life, and still don't have a plan, sure beats putting money in the stock market. Can you post a photo of your T body? We can tell you what year it is and get you pointed in the right direction. Knowing what you have is step one. Good luck!
well I dont have a photo of it, but I half a roll of film I can use up on it and put the best pic on here and see if you could tell. It looks just like the 23T everyone has, except this is a real steel one and really flimsy.
mal, you are one of the few folks that have stopped by the HAMB with a good intro/inquiry. It sounds like pop culture has gotten you to buy parts. I suggest you read and listen here, and hit the search function to find the info you desire..............
Ok, If it looks like a '23 then it only has a door on the right side, 26-27's have two front doors. You'll need to get a wood kit to reinforce the metal body. You need to get some parts catalogs from Snyder's and Lang's, and get farmilar with the parts that you'll need to get the body back in shape. then you can do the same with rod parts suppliers.
Well its only got the one door on the right side, though its missing the lock to keep it closed so it just hangs open. Ive seen 26 and 27 T's and know that this isnt one, this has the tiny front cowling and looks just like the glass 23's at all the car shows. Thanks for the tip off about needing a wood kit, I guess thats pretty much just an easy but long thing to install.
I know it doesn't mean*****, BUT, for what it's worth, I can't remember ever seeing a tasteful "T" with a brass radiator. And I'll be the first to actually say it, as much as I LOVE the small block Chevrolet, there are MANY other options for cool hotrods. You've come to the right place. Judging from your first couple of posts, I can tell that you are the type of person that is going to learn more than you could ever imagine here. Welcome!
Well if I shouldnt use a chevy sb then what should I use? Like an Oldsmobile 303 or 324 rocket or a Buick nailhead? The only motor I know of thats available right now to me is a Chrysler 413 with the four barrel carb and an automatic behind it. Could I still use my chevy 4spd behind it, I mean if they make an adaptor plate to do it? So I definately shouldnt go with the brass radiator then?
That's just MY opionin on the radiator. Olds Rockets, Nailheads, Ford flatheads and Y blocks are cool...the list goes on. That 413 would RIP! I was just pointing out that considering most of the sources you listed above, while I love Chevy Small Blocks, you don't NEED one to have a cool, fast,fun, hot rod.
Well what I wanted to build was a T bucket but with a short windshield and where you sat low in it, I hate these ones where the guy is sitting a mile high in it with that straight up and down steering. Well that and I wanted the motor to be taller than the car, thats why I bought the cut down widshield and frame for it. If I dont use the brass radiator I could use the short 32 style one. I guess that the brass really wouldnt look right on the type of car im trying to emulate.
Not to scare you, just to put thing into perspective... I came onto this place 2 1/2 years ago, already knowing a BUNCH about mechanical*****, several old cars, 2 engine "rebuilds" under my belt... I read it DAILY, ask a bunch of questions... I too know what I want, but dont have it... STILL a little short on knowledge. My freinds are in awe with my tool collection, it still isnt enough... I've built NOTHING myself (to speak of) so far. Yep, hope you're up for a STEEP learning curve. Absorb what you find here like a SPONGE, find some local people to help you out. But, like as was said, you got some good parts, wise to hang on to them and keep letting them clog your garage, until you got the knowledge down and the plan straight. Good luck! -J
Welcome, To bad you got ripped off from the word go.Maybe you should have started on a running project that someone else had to sell.Keep your eye out for a running project to learn on but by all means keep the T body you have at the moment.This certainly is the place to keep your spirits up if you are tired of looking at your pile of parts and thinking, "when will i be able to drive it" , Good luck.
There are a few reasons why I really like this guy, and his intro. 1. He's 21.. starting off young and already moving into something that interests him, the reasoning behind it? Who cares- saw some cool mags and said "that's cool." I like that. 2. Into cars - We all know VW's are cool - Hondas/Ricers, hey whatever floats your boat in my opinion, they are cool in their own right. Not that this is the place for them, but they are the hot rods of their day. 3. A pile of parts - More than I have to build a rod. 4. Willingness to learn - asking questions - not getting TOO discouraged.. MAL - I can tell you are discourged somewhat but don't be.. I have been here a while now, and I have learned a ton even by sitting back and reading (see my post count vs. time here). Chime in when I can, but eventually, I will build my 5 window powered by a Lincoln V-12... THEN I'll be asking MUCHO questions.. You have stumbled onto the right place.. I can't say enough good things about the HAMB and it's members. A great group, ALL of them, and all for different reasons. Oh yeah, the brass radiator? Ebay it and buy a flatty for that rod.. and welcome! TinyE
<font color="green">Welcome to the HAMB. A newby who can admit he needs/wants help instead of blowing in here with a bunch of false Bravado and getting his**** handed to him. It does sound like you have the 23 style bucket as the 26-27 does have a longer cowl. If you can post pics of your stuff we will help you figure out what you have and how to put it together. RASHY </font>
Ahhhhhh. A breath of fresh air. Welcome. You are off to a damn fine start. Sounds like you have what you need to just about finish that thing. You just need a plan of attack. Hell as much as I don't like SBC if you have one run it. It's really cool to see someone come in here with a good attitude. Now let's get some pics and see if we can't help ya plan that thing out.
welcome to the board! lots of good advice here, some things you might not want to hear at times but these guys know what they are talking about and they won't BS you when you ask a serious question so take heart in knowing you come to the right place for help slap some pictures up of your project and your pile of goodies and let these guys know what you got, need, or don't need myself I know***** all about them nice old cars and wouldn't have the stones to buy one in a million pieces so your way ahead of me
Welcome to the board Roan. Sounds like you have a nice bit of parts together for your project. One thing to keep in mind, the parts you currently have may not be exactly what you need but you may be able to swap them with someone else who has what you are looking for. Good luck.
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