Thread: '37 Dodge sedan

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Have you given any thought to widening the rear fenders? How wide is your original rear axle WMS to WMS?

I'm not too keen on widened fenders, just doesn't suit my tastes in most applications. Not to mention, these fenders would be an absolute bear to widen, as they basically fall imediately down from the beltline at a steep angle. The problem is that the rear frame is so wide that the new axle, or just about any other modern equivalent, ends up with the rotors almost directly underneath the rails. Which is no bueno when it comes to axle articulation.

I want to run wider rear tires anyhow, so tubbing it slightly is going to be required anyhow. I don't like the idea of cutting and narrowing the frame, as it's a big chore, but right now it seems like it might be the best option. I'll have a clearer idea of what course will be best once I finish the panel work and get the body off the frame.

Maybe a Jag IFS rear suspension would work back there better? The rotors and calipers are on the center section and not out at the hub. Just trying to throw ideas out to ya. I had ideas of moving my rails in at the rear but found widened fenders for my car already. For now I'm going to run them. I'm not sold on them either but it beats cutting more of the body away. You have to do what you have to do though.

For now, I've mostly accepted my fate: I will be narrowing the rear frame rails, and I will be loosing a bit of trunk space. But I have ideas to gain some of it back, and I like the project more than the final results anyhow.

Besides, now my little helper is taking an interest. Gotta have something for her to do!
IMG_20180730_164844493 by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

When I saw the picture above and the words "For now, I've mostly accepted my fate" I thought you were going to say your little friend is not going to let you have this car, it's theirs now!

Originally Posted by stovens

When I saw the picture above and the words "For now, I've mostly accepted my fate" I thought you were going to say your little friend is not going to let you have this car, it's theirs now!

I'm sure that she'll try to lay claim to it at some point. I already have a savings account set up for her to use if she decides she wants to build her own. She'll have to earn every penny, but I figure it's best to have the funds on tap when that point comes, rather than her losing interest in it.

She's usually down for a nap when I get home from work, but the wife always brings her out after she wakes up. Her current skills are best suited to the "creating more work for Daddy" category, but she loves being in the shop, playing with my tools and sitting in the driver's seat. Seems like I better hurry up and get this one on the road, its definitely good motivation thinking about taking her out for her first "date" in this thing. Lots of trips to DQ in our future.

So I've been thinking about floor space a lot lately, mainly in the toe board/firewall area. I want to save as much space as possible for my feet by pushing the engine as far forward as I can. The grill shell is pretty deep from front to back, and wide enough to push the radiator forward at least 6-7". Are there any reasons you guys can think of to not push the engine forward? How far past the front cross member is too far for the center of the engine to be moved? As far as looks go, I'm not concerned about the engine being too far forward of the firewall, I can make something to tidy that up later.

Most importantly, are there any safety concerns with locating the centerline of the engine forward of the front wheel centerline?

Typically a hot rodder type would want as much set back as allowable.
Get the engine weight as close to the firewall (or further back) to better balance the car.
More weight over or forward of the front axle and you'll lose handling.

I actually took the time to measure the engine bay tonight and I don't think I'll have an issue. My main concern was losing floor space because of the bell housing, but I don't think it'll be much of an issue now that I've actually measured the engine AND the car for comparison.

I might have to move the radiator forward a couple inches, but I'm pretty sure I can set the engine just off the firewall and not have to sacrifice much of the toe board to accommodate the 4L60e.

Been slowly chugging along, working on bits here and there. I bought a pretty beat up fender that I found on Craigslist and cut a patch out of it to repair mine. Turned out pretty good, I think.

IMG_20180826_161321183 by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

I left the taillight and bumper bracket holes to use in lining up the panels before scribing the patch outline onto the fender. What's nice about fenders is that they're removable, so I can toss them in the English wheel after welding, instead of hammer and dolly work.

IMG_20180826_161003414 by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

That fender is looking really nice!

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

That fender is looking really nice!

It still needs some love, but it's going better than I expected. Lots of shape through a patch that large, and not much room for error. I was amazed at just how different the two fenders were. I measured from the center of the lowest light hole to the upper left corner of the bumper bracket hole. The fenders that came on the car we're 1/2" different, but the fender I used to patch mine was almost 2" off! Must have been made in a different plant, but I would never have guessed there'd be that much difference.

Well, its been a while since I did anything on the car. Spent the summer and fall focusing most of my spare time on preparing for deer and elk hunting seasons. My hunting partners and I decided to put a bigger effort into succeeding this year, and we managed to do about 50% better as a group than we have in previous years. Turns out, bow hunting isn't easy. Who knew?

Anyhow, with the season over I'm back to work on the car, hopefully on a more regular basis. No in process pics, but here's where I left off tonight. Basically the same repairs that we're done to the passenger side, but this time its easier because I've already done it once.

IMG_20181209_194238215_LL by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

IMG_20181209_194217364_LL by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

Back side of the cowl. Everything was stripped down to clean metal, hit it with Ospho and covered with epoxy.

IMG_20181209_194259658 by Ryan Mazingo, on Flickr

Nice work on the sedan! As for the bow hunting, I appreciate what you and your cohorts go through! There are so many deer around here that bow hunting seemed to be the only "sporting" way to hunt. I bow hunted for about 30 years for deer and realized that if you "score" about half the years you're out hunting you're doing good. I enjoyed it immensely, wish I was still able to do it!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Nice work on the sedan! As for the bow hunting, I appreciate what you and your cohorts go through! There are so many deer around here that bow hunting seemed to be the only "sporting" way to hunt. I bow hunted for about 30 years for deer and realized that if you "score" about half the years you're out hunting you're doing good. I enjoyed it immensely, wish I was still able to do it!

My main focus is on elk, you get a lot more meat out of an elk then from a deer, and I live in one of the few states that sells tags over the counter for them without going through a drawing system. Its a lot of fun being in bow range of a screaming bull.