Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Yeah, but that is a DRY heat, or so they say.

You can keep 110.


Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Yeah, but that is a DRY heat, or so they say.

You can keep 110.


Don

i was not dry.i was dripping wet you could not drink water fast enough

Don,

28º in Minnesota in January is WARM! We dont even wear coats when its that warm. -28º though is c-c-cold!

Yeah, everybody up there was kind of ticked because it was so warm. The lakes were not frozen thick enough to drive on to go ice fishing. You guys are REALLY into your ice fishing up there.


Don

Awesome thread Don!

I really appreciate your attention to detail.
Rolling the frame rail end over the front crossmember was super clean!
The aspect I can really relate to is the Alternative Engineering (of mice and men).

Keep up the stellar job.

Thanks Tom. I've seen some pictures of some of the members cars in the galleries, and there are really some spectacular creations in there, and some people on here who are really really talented builders. I don't measure up to some of workmanship of these, but I just build very basic cars. I look at some of the things they do and wonder "how the heck did someone think that up and actually build it?"

But by the same token, I have always noticed that what seperated a really nice car from one that is just ok is the amount of time and effort the builder spent on the little details, like brackets that he or she took time to shape and finish a little better than simply cut out of steel and left rough. That is why I am trying to make the brackets and gussets a little bit pretty and thought out.

I always refer to my Kid, and his building skills, and must sound like a broken record. But when I look at the car he is putting together I realize how talented some people truly are. He "sees" things differently than me. We look at the same part we want to build, and he will say "you know Dad, if you made it like this it would be cleaner and look better." and in 99% of the cases he is dead right. He will walk by me when I am in the garage working on the T, and I see him quietly studying something I am doing, and I think "oh-oh, he's going to tell me a better way to do this." And most times he does, and most times he is right. I have learned a lot from him, and just 10 years ago it was me teaching him how to do these things. He has simply surpassed anything I ever could do with shaping metal into a car. When his '29 hits the streets it is going to blow some minds, and I wouldn't be surprised if it ends up in some magazines. It is just so well done and unique.

But thanks for the encouragement Tom, and everybody else who has been so patient and supportive. This build has been a whole lot of fun so far, and this forum is probably the biggest reason for that.


Don

Well, I am no longer transmission-less. I won the one on Ebay tonight. They had a opening bid of $ 365.00 and a buy it now of $ 1075.00, and I was the only bidder and they forgot or didn't put a reserve on it , so I got it for $ 365.00 plus $ 85.00 shipping. $ 450.00 total. I have already bought a C6 and another turbo 350 from these people, Jackson Racing Transmissions, and these guys are the best. On Ebay they have a 2000 feedback with 100% positive, so I am not the only one that likes them. It should show up sometime late next week or the following week.

I started tonight on making up my driveshaft hoops and will post some pictures tomorrow when I get further along in that. In the meantime, here is a picture of my NEW (well rebuilt) turbo 350. Oh, it comes with a stock convertor which should be ok for now. If I bump up the cam I will go with a higher stall model later on.

Don

Thats good one step closer. How's the budget??

Itoldyouso, I too really enjoy following the project, very nice work, you are a fine craftsman.

Would you mind posting a link to your tranny connection from ebay? I have a buddy looking for a rebuilt 350. Not to mention its always good to have a connection in the favorites box.

If you ever want to come on out to Colorado and do some fab work, look me up I would love to have a true professional work on my 37. Supposedly we have more days of sun than any other state.


I am also curious on the budget.

Thanks for the nice words. If you would have seen me running around with my glove on fire from welding, you might reconsider that "craftsman" thing. I really am far from that, but I think if a guy just takes his time and spends a couple extra minutes on things it makes them a little prettier and better. But thanks anyway.


The budget. I was afraid someone was going to ask. I haven't sat down lately to tally it up, but here is a rough estimate from what I can do off the top of my head:

Last time I totalled it was $ 2512.00

Fiberglass supplies $ 53.00

plywood $ 20.00

Transmission $ 450.00

Sub total $ 3035,00


Now, I am not sure how to add in the front spindles, brakes, tires and wheels I borrowed off of my ' 27. I think I would have to put in $ 1000.00 there, because Buick brake drums and early Ford brake setups are getting pricey. I guess I have to do $ 1000 to be fair. That puts my theoretical budget at $ 4000.00, which isn't really too bad, considering I have put some semi-pricey parts on that the car really could have done without ( like the slicks, Buick drums, built trans, etc)

In my head, I think the car will come in spending about $ 1500 to $ 2000 more, at least I hope so. But that's what I see right now. However, if I see some deal on a blower...............................

Aside from those expenditures I really haven't been spending much. I have been doing more fabricating than buying, and some days and weekends I don't spend a dime on it, which really feels pretty good.


Thanks for asking and for keeping me honest.


Don


PS: I was just thinking about this the other night, I still feel I could have hit the $ 3000 number if I would have done it by buying a running donor car at maybe $ 500 or $ 600. and using every piece off of it possible, like engine, trans, rear axle. I know I have built some cheap cars that way in the past. My Jeep truck is a perfect example. I have a total of about $ 1500.00 in it, including the Mustang 5.0 engine, paint job, and the $ 200 I paid for the jeep to start with. So I know it can be done. I just got a little carried away with this T, and wanted it to have some extras.


Oh, I just remembered I spent $ 103.00 at speedway for the steering parts. Sorry, missed that one.

Hey streetrod, I forgot your other question about the source of the tranny. I am not good on computers, so I can't post a click on link, but here is an item number, and if you put that in it will pull up one of thier transmission auctions, then you can go to "sellers store" and pull up everything they have on ebay at the moment.

Item number: 260027589799

I really like these guys, and if you look at the feedback (2216) and a positive 100 %, it really speaks volumes. I really don't know how they do it for the price, but as I mentioned, this is the 3rd one I have bought from them. They use only real heavy duty parts like clutches, and modify some internals that they have found need modifications to work properly and hold up. Even this base 350 I bought is rated for 500 HP.

I have no vested interest in telling people about them, aside from the fact rodders like to tell other rodders where a good deal can be found. Even when you factor in the shipping of $ 85.00 to $ 135.00, it is still a great deal.

The junkyard wanted $ 175.00, and I had to pull it out myself. So for $ 275.00 more I got a totally rebuilt and built tranny, with torque convertor. I couldn't pass it up.

Don

Originally Posted by DennyW

I was thinking of what you said about the extras. If you think about it, even if someone buys a new car, they usually end up putting on like vent shields, different tires and wheels, maybe a spoiler, and a possible engine add on. (turbo). The reason I mention that is because of the extra's you used. Just a thought.

Denny, good thought, and true. I plan to drive this car as much as I drove my '27, so I just wanted it to have a few frills that moved it up a notch or two on the fun scale plus make it a little nicer.

I didn't get the undercoating and tinted glass though.


Don

How DO YOU DO THAT STUFF??? You always amaze me how easy it is for you to pull up these things and get them posted. It's a big deal for me just to get this thing turned on.


Don

Windows XP. The system is ok, it is the operator that is deficient.

Don

Thanks Denny. Well, think I'll head over to the shop and actually do some car work instead of sitting here on my butt all day.

Don