Thread: Followed Me Home, '33 Build

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Made a day trip run to N&N Saturday, and this followed me home




The back calipers (Explorer) are dragging on the back rolled edge of the wheels - we put 1/8" washer spacers on at N&N, but they still drug so we just left them loose to load, then tightened them for the ride home. Last night I mounted the third member to eliminate any axle slop, checked clearance and did some creative grinding on the top outside of the calipers for clearance. Had them off & on three times last night before I got tired and called it a night Almost there, but need one more pass to be good. I should have taken a "before" shot of the caliper for reference, but thought it was going to be a one pass thing and done I think they will be OK, but I suppose I could be looking for a different caliper that tucks in a bit tighter...
The last shot is the 347 stroker waiting patiently for a trial fit.

Very nice.....wonders if I throw it a bone it will follow me home

Cool, Duane sure makes sum nice stuff .

Roger, some stray puppies are worth keeping, this looks like one of them.

Mike

Good start for a nice rod. Post pictures as you progress with the build.

The good news is it shouldn't be leaving little piles around the yard that need picking up.

Nice start...........

Looks like about time to get all the parts put together Roger!!!! Is that the engine you got from Sehr's???? N&N really puts out a nice product!!!!

Awesome car! Wish more of these would follow me home too!
Don Jr

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Looks like about time to get all the parts put together Roger!!!! Is that the engine you got from Sehr's???? N&N really puts out a nice product!!!!

Yessir, that is Scott Sehr's handiwork on the 347. I am going to be excited to get it on a chassis dyno one of these days - promised Scott the results when we get there.
I have the engine from Sehr, and a Tremec 5 speed package (everything to couple it up) from Mike Forte. Put the 4.11 third member from JustRearEnds in last night to get the axles more stable - will have to do a "final" install later with silicone for the gasket, but it is in place. Will only lack the driveshaft to complete the driveline, and an accessory drive setup for the front. Sehr fixed me up with a balancer spacer package that came with the SFI balancer - should eliminate at least some of the spacer headaches I've been reading about.
Lots to do, but the initial smile has not diminished yet. I know I will have questions, but I also know that this is the place for answers.

Scored a pair of '86 Fiero seats today, kind of rough but everything works, and only $30 for the pair The foam on the driver's bolster is split a bit, but an interior guy says they are OK and the foam can be repaired. Not sure if new foam is available or not...

Originally Posted by rspears

Scored a pair of '86 Fiero seats today, kind of rough but everything works, and only $30 for the pair The foam on the driver's bolster is split a bit, but an interior guy says they are OK and the foam can be repaired. Not sure if new foam is available or not...

pick up another pass seat and use the foam on the driver side

The interior guy told me that the Fiero seats are often used by rodders, and that they have an upper brace point where the headrest attaches to the seat back where they can be cut down. He shot me a ballpark price of $300 to $325 per seat for new covers in good vinyl. There's a place, Mr. Mike's, that does custom leather/vinyl for Fiero's and several others, and you can get really nice covers in leather-ette for $375, or leather for $750. Custom has low back, cheaper ones retain the headrest. Honestly I kind of like the idea of a headrest in the event of a rear end collision - been there in the '60's and remember the sore neck for days/weeks. However, the headrests will be clearly visible through the back window. Not sure I care, but still thinking.

Headrests or no headrests??

Roger, are these the Fiero seats with the speakers built in, plans to use the speakers? I worked for Pontiac in the '80s during the Fiero years, I thought they were very cool cars, especially when the V6-5sp GT came out. It's a shame that by the time the cars were becoming fun Pontiac pulled the plug.

Originally Posted by Mike52

Roger, are these the Fiero seats with the speakers built in, plans to use the speakers? I worked for Pontiac in the '80s during the Fiero years, I thought they were very cool cars, especially when the V6-5sp GT came out. It's a shame that by the time the cars were becoming fun Pontiac pulled the plug.

Yes, the driver's seat has the speaker perforations in the headrest - will have to see about them when the interior is stripped off. I'm not sure about the passenger seat - as I look at them the passenger side is a slightly lighter shade of gray, likely just age, but then again it could have been changed out in the 24 years it's kicked around I had not really thought about using those speakers, but it is probably a really good option - those and a woofer in back might be enough for my non-discriminating ears. The tinitus blocks all the real highs, anyway...

If you have a good interior guy, he can make new foam to replace any of the foam that is bad. I seriously considered Fiero seats when I was planning my '32, but I opted for a bench.