Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Therein rises a mental image . . .

Mr Rifle, I beg you not to have any images of my backside.

Anyway, as I stated earlier I am now driving my T, and other than a few mild hickup's it has been a blast. I describe it as a go-cart with alot of horsepower. It does take some getting used to the quick steering, I was really concerned what it would be like on the freeway, but it tracked straight and really drives well. I do think rear shock's are in order, but the front friction shock's seam to work well enough. Having never driven a car like this I am very happy.

I really want to thank Don for the inspiration when I didn't feel like working and the guidance that everyone else has put into this thread, I almost don't want you to finish because of the fun we have here. But by no means is my car anywhere near what Don's car is in quality, and is nowhere near finished, but the weather is still warm, and I am driving.

Sorry if the post seem's choppy, but people wont leave me alone at work.

Ron

Well.... wow, this thread is nothing short of insane. The car looks GREAT. I started reading every page at first then, every few other pages, then said screw it and went to the last few.

So my question now is, how much do you have in the car all together? I was reading trying to find out but then my hair grew so long while reading i had to stop and get a haircut.

And all in all, i think your motivations for this thread were great. I must admit, im a young rodder, but definately not inexperienced for my age... but i also know that theres ALWAYS room to learn and that sometimes the young bucks should just sit back and observe the old rod gurus at work.

Ron

Your T is looking pretty good. I like the flat paint look on it with the red wheels. But on the interior pic, what on earth is all that laying on the passenger side of the car?

What are you talking about Ron when you say "not the quality?" YOUR T ROCKS!!! It sits right, and has a really cool look to it. You've done a fantastic job on it, and best of all.........YOU ARE GETTING TO DRIVE IT.

Isn't it the greatest feeling when you turn the key and it fires up, you slip it into gear and it gives that little jump, then you are moving down the road? I love the animation of it all.....watching the front tires go around, the carb(s) shaking at idle, the sounds from the exhaust. It's the best. Plus, in an open car you experience every sight and smell, just like you said, a go kart with four wheels. I am so happy for you and can't wait until I get to the point where you are.


46ford, thanks for the nice words. As for how much I have in at this point in time..........a guess is maybe $10,000 in actually out of pocket for new parts, and also putting a reasonable value on parts I had squirrelled away in my shop. I don't think it could be much more than that really, but stopped counting at about $ 6,000.

Duane, I think what Ron has on his floor are some of those folding seats that you use at car shows. Looks familiar to me, because I had to carry mine in exactly the same place in my '27. Roadsters are not big on space, so you put stuff wherever you can.

While we are talking, last night Dan and I just went to the shop to play around. Didn't feel like getting anything serious done, but we put his body back on his '29 so that he can make a cover plate for over his shifter, and I did some small stuff on my T. One thing I was happy to find is that there is lots of room around my gas pedal. I was worried because the hump is right there, and so is the brake pedal, but I still have room to slip my foot in there comfortably. I will have to drive right foot gas, left foot brake, but I do that sometimes in my regular car anyway.

I also wanted to put on my new gas tank to see how it looked. The one I used for mockup got lots of shop rash from banging and dropping it a couple of times, so I got a new one and kept it safely in the box until last night. We got it in place, and it seems to fit pretty well, and I like the bobtailed look it gives the car. I didn't want one with a sending unit to keep it cleaner back there, but it's 11 gallons so fuel range should be pretty good. I will just have to remember to check it often.

Finally, we have been talking about putting some kind of scallops on the side of the body to break up the satin black a little, and Dan did a quick layout in tape of something he thought might work. I like it, and think I will do something like that in the same orange as the other parts, then have a pinstriper outline it in white. Kinda looks old timey, I think.

Keep racking up those miles Ron !!!


Don

Don, you killed it for me I was going to say those were federally mandated side impact bars, or extra fuel tubes, but you are correct the chair's were still in the "trunk" from the Goodguy's show. You are correct about lack of storage space I said I wanted to build some bomber seats, but I don't think I could live without that 1 square foot of storage under the seat.

I have learned a few thing's though, the TP performer windshield look's good, and is very clear seeing how you look about 4" over it. Make sure the Lokar throttle cable nut is really tight at the firewall so it doesn't come loose and hold the throttle at a steady 3000rpm. Make sure your brakes are good so when your throttle is hung in stop and go traffic for a mile with no berm you dont rearend that high$$ trailer queen in front of you (four wheel drums and I didn't hit anything).

Now I think I'm close to letting someone I love ride in it with me.

Ron

Don,

Thought you'd like to see the scallop before you painted. The paint scheme looks great! Your T is looking really good - keep it up.

Mike

I like the big tank but I am new on the bobtail look. It's very lakes roadster but has no storage at all. Where does the battery go in your car? (I should know this I know) I don't know, I guess that the box and the turtle deck are just fancy covers for the tank anyway. Looking good and should be running in no time.
I love the scallops too, very cool.

Wow Signshop, that was really nice of you to do that.......gives me a better idea of what it would look like, I think I like it. Thank you.

Ron, I like the Performer windshield slanted back too. That is what my Kid is using on his TP car too. At first we mocked it up with the straight up and down brackets, but the slanted ones just look swoopier. Glad to hear you got it stopped in time. Do you have dual throttle return springs on the carbs? I can see where that might be a little "disconcerting."

Now if you will excuse me, I have to stare at the picture Signshop did for me for a little while...............cool !!!


Don

No problem - anytime. I hope it helps. I've been doing the digital editing for my job (signs-facade design - Did you want some brick or stucco on there too?) for years so I jump at the chance to do something cool and exciting.

mike

Brick, I tucked the battery down low on the frame kickup. It was the only spot I could find. Had to use a little Odyssey battery. You are right, on a normal t bucket with bed or turtle deck, they serve to hide the tank and battery most times.


Don

Ok cool, that is some great craftsmanship, very well done. You have given this project alot of thought and it looks like everything is dropping into place very nicely. The small battery is very cool, and still has the amps eh?

Mike, not only have you given me a better look at what it might end up like, but I also got a new avatar and screen saver out of the deal too. I see you did the interior for me also. Wish the actual work was that easy.........and cheap. lol Thanks again.

Brick, thanks, but I have had a few little "redesigns" along the way in this project. Funny thing though, my camera NEVER seems to be working that day !

One example is the hole for the brake pedal. It keeps getting bigger and bigger. We tried slipping the body over it, and I had to get out the airsaw a couple of times till it fit. No real problems so far though.

Don

I blew up Mikes rendering to get a better look at it. Pretty sure I will do something very much like this.


Don

Me likem!!!!!! Don, that just kind of tops the whole thing off. Mike, your a genius.

Don that scollop does fit to a T . Looks just right in it's size and color contrast . Allways have been a flame look for me but that really fits well . Idea's come from the thought but the new photochop has brought it into sight . That really helps for the finish .