Thread: T Bucket-Start

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Nothing is tied down, lots of welding still needed.

So we got the engine stubbed in today. Now we can set the steering box and brake master

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In that bottom picture it looks like the front of the motor is to low.

We do not have the wheels I want on it yet and therefore have not set the ride height. The purpose of this was to make a decision between a Corvair steering box or a Vega box and the linkage required. The engine was stubbed as aligned to the frame for that purpose. We have a lot more to do to the front end before we get that settled down. Of course I may be wrong, this is my first one and my friends are trying to work around my decision making. My next task is to purchase the end result wheels, or at least decide on their dimensions so the guys can make those final adjustments.

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I put my engine slightly high on the front just to gain a little foot space. It is all a juggling act on these little cars.

Originally Posted by Driver50x

I put my engine slightly high on the front just to gain a little foot space. It is all a juggling act on these little cars.

You might notice that the transmission is simply resting on a steel strap. We we’re really trying to see if we could run the steering shaft from a reverse corvair or vega steering box. Also to figure out where to mount the box to the frame and where to mount the brake mechanism to the frame. We also discovered that the power glide had no transmission mounts in 1955, it used the bell housing. Going to shift to a TH350. Now we have what we need we are just waiting for me to t=get wheels close enough to what I will ultimately put on the car so we can finalize the ride height and start planning the floor board. Currently the body sits a little back from normal, about 3 inches.

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So the progress on this project and others has been very slow. In early 2021 my dad suffered a fall and was hospitalized for three weeks. When he was released we had to put him in a 24 x 7 skilled nursing care facility. He lived nearly 700 miles from me and really wanted to stay near his home. Rather than move him to our area I kept him where he wanted to be. 200,000 miles and two years later I lost him on December 31 2022. He is certainly in a better place, one he would rather be in. I spent two weeks every month in his home near the nursing facility. Over the time I spent many hours talking to him and revealing in the wonderful stories he had to share in life. I really missed my hot rods but not enough to even consider devoting time to them instead of him. Best investment I ever made. My friends in the DFW area who helped me have been the best suppoters one could ask for. They've done their best to support me and keep me cheered up through the tough times. I look forward to getting back to work. I may in fact finish the T-Bucket here in Tennessee by the lake dad and I enjoyed so much. For those of you here who have truly made me feel welcome, thanks. Watching your builds and sharing thoughts has kept me going through many long nights. Hopefully things will brighten up now and progress will pick up.

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Sorry to hear about your Dad, lost mine many years ago. The pain of loss goes away after awhile, but the memories last forever.

Sorry to hear this news. My own dad is in a nursing home now.. He's "forgotten" words so he hasn't spoke in a few years.. can see it in his eyes, he knows what he wants to say.. just doesn't remember the words. Sounds like your dads final year(s) were good ones with your help.

I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that you were able and willing to spend so much time with him over the nearly two years. My daughter gave me a little framed box with a month of daily healing thoughts when I lost my wife almost 6 years ago, and I still have it beside my computer. One card, "Like a friend, memories walk by our side and comfort us." You gathered a ton of sweet memories that will help you deal with him being gone from day to day visits. They will be treasures for you.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. You for sure made the right decision to spend that time with him. You can't get that back and now have more memories to last a life time.

Working on the ride height for the T-Bucket now. Build has been on hold through both my Dad’s cancer and mine. Idea is to get the wheels I am going with and then set the ride height

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Took my Grandson out to the shop the other day to show him the T. Lots of cool projects going on out there

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Sorry to hear about your cancer WRP, it definitely sucks. Your grandson will look great in the bucket T!

So kind of getting over the surgery and starting to pick up pieces. Got in the disc brake kits and spindles for the Bucket today. Looking forward to cooler weather in Texas and being able to hit a few licks at the car.

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