Thread: Project Blue - 1932 3W Coupe Build

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First off hello to the forum. I am new to the world of forum's like this but I am sure I will be needing help as I progress through the fun of building the car.....so I hope everyone will help!!!

I am taking a fairly basic approach to the build since this is the first "total car" I have built. I used to turn a few Camaros, Chevelles and Firebirds in the late 70's for extra money. I have dreamed of building this car since I was 15 (which is more than 30 years in my rear view mirror) so it will be a blast. I thought about the building the FFR 33 but it was just not quite what I wanted although it is a pretty nice car

The frame arrived this week from TCI and it is roughly assembled. Lots of chrome and polish. 4 wheel disc brakes, 3.70 gears, IFS, Bobbed on both ends and pinched in the front.

I don't plan to adjust and tighten everything up since I will disassemble for paint later....at this point I figure I will locate determine routing for all items and then disassemble and paint before final assembly. The body will be from Outlaw Performance and should arrive later this month. The motor will be a SBC and the tranny a TH350. The drive train should be installed in the next 5-7 days.

I will take a few pictures and if I can figure out how to post them I will.

Thanks in advance to those that I hope will help by answering all my questions

Good luck and do post alot of pictures because like pictures.
BradC

Welcome to the forum and to the world of "people who are broke because of cars." Sounds like a great way to start a project, and as Brad said, please post lots of pictures, we like em.

Don

Welcome. Should find lots of 32 folks here to lend a hand when needed. Looking foward to seeing your pics.

Welcome aboard from a felloe Duece Builder owner

Nightbird, welcome aboard. You will find lots of great people here with valuable information that they are always willing to share. Don't hesitate to ask for help.

I'm also building my first "total car", very similar to yours. It's a '32 3w coupe on a TCI chassis with an LS1/4L60E combo, I'll be using an N&N body. I'm looking forward to seeing your project move along and as others have said, we love pics!!!

Mike

Thanks for the warm welcome and the inspirational pictures (DA34GUY)....you have some sweet rides!. I will try to get a few pictures posted later today. I am going fenderless with a 3 piece hood and it is a coupe that has been chopped.

The big 'Back to the 50's" show is in MN in a few weeks so I am hoping to get ideas on wheels and tire sizes as well as paint and interior. There are a lot of items to consider but I couldn't think of any better way to distract the mind from work!!

Thanks everyone...I will be here often looking for sage wisdom and support

Here is my first attempt at adding pictures. Hope it works

Nice lookin pile of parts....

Now I have to turn it into something!!!! Hopefully the result will look half as good as your rides. Every time I see them I am in awe!!

Dan

Originally Posted by thenightbird

I don't plan to adjust and tighten everything up since I will disassemble for paint later....

Dan, here is a suggestion given to me regarding the nylon insert lock nuts supplied with the chassis components. Save those for final assembly since you don't want to use them over and over during the trial fitting. I took an inventory of every nylon insert nut on the chassis and took the list to a local nut/bolt supply house and bought regular nuts and lots of flat washers to use for preliminary mock-up. The cost was only about $20-25. Hope this helps.

Mike

Nice pile of parts - and you will be happy with the TCI chassis. I'll caution you on one thing though - I have a '31 version. TCI installed the motor mounts in the wrong location on mine - 1" too far back for my SB Ford. It gives you lots more fan to radiator room, a positive with a SB Chebbie but can play havoc with the firewall. So instead of only having to dimple a couple of spots on my Brookville firewall for transmission bolts I had to do a complete rebuild.

Regardless of what problems I had, my chassis turned out nicely with black powder coating to contrast with all of my chrome and stainless

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Welcome aboard from a felloe Duece Builder owner

DA34Guy, great large pictures.

Guys,

Excellent comments and advice.....I like the suggestion of Mike52....The local hardware store will be seeing me soon!!

I will also measure up the motor mount later tonight to make sure it is properly positioned. Having the motor in the wrong place would certainly cause a problem.

Thanks again....I can see I am in the right place for help!

Stay tuned...you will see more pictures in the coming days.

Dan

Originally Posted by IC2

TCI installed the motor mounts in the wrong location on mine - 1" too far back for my SB Ford.

I also had a similar problem with my TCI chassis, the frame mounts were off ¾". The engine mount on the side of the block would not line up properly with the frame mount. We had to grind off the frame mounts, reweld them in the proper location.

Mike