Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Don,
I just got my goodies from Be-Cool and can't wait till this weekend to get my welder to finish my cooling system and it's was like Christmas.
Something I got to thinking about and thought I would give you a heads up. If you are using the roller cam that came with your motor you will be OK, but if not, you need to use a dist. gear for the roller cam as it is a different material than a regular cam. You also need a fuel pump rod that is compatable also or you will trash the cam. You may know this, but I couldn't help butting in .
Jim

Pops, you're missin' the boat. Call TLC right now!!!! I smell a show called "Roadster Build-off"!!! Do a little yellin' and screamin', mutter under your breath a little, throw some rat rod "pitman arms" at the camera, kick a cat...................................on second thought.............never mind!

Jim, good points, thanks. I am going to use an electric pump, but the dist gear is something I will have to watch.


Bob, I like it !! I can get one of those "wife beater" shirts like Paul Sr. and start ranting and raving all the time. Heck, it made them a zillion bucks, so it's worth a shot.


Don

From our understanding the only differance would be the TEE SHIRT

Oh, youse guys.


Don

A lot happened at the shop tonight, unfortunately, not much of it was my T getting anything done. My plan was start prepping the engine block to build it, but first I had to remove the black paint the machine shop sprayed on it. He has never painted an engine he has machined for me before, and I am not sure why he did it this time, but it certainly did me no favors.

I tried a cup brush on an angled grinder, sanding discs, and finally aircraft stripper, and nothing was making a dent in the thick black paint he used. I have no idea what this stuff is, but it is really tough. So, tomorrow I am taking the block back to him and am going to have him hot tank it once again, which will necessitate new cam bearings and freeze plugs being installed. But if this stuff doesn't come out of all the pores I am afraid my epoxy primer and final paint won't stick. Really put a problem in my way that I didn't need right now.

However, Dan and Don got lots done on their rods. Dan got a lot of the parts he had ordered, like his custom made Sanderson headers, and his Bomber seats. He also got his new pulleys and Olds 442 aircleaners for the tripower setup. Everything he put on tonight looked really good, and it gave him some renewed enthusiasm to get this thing finally done.

We also helped Don get the motor mount installed in his T bucket, and we slid in a dummy engine and used his new C4 to get things lined up. Everything went like a charm, and he of course had to put his dual quad set up and headers on to see how they were going to look. In one night he made more progress than Dan and I make in a couple of weeks. Of course, our cars are complete ground up builds, and his is the Total Performance T, so many of his components are simply ready to weld on.

Here are some pictures of both of their cars with some of the new stuff bolted on. Now if I can just get this stupid paint off of my engine.


Don

So what is stashed away under that tarp ??

Another question have you ever thought about adoption . ( I'm available )
LOL just kidding a bit.

Great Rod's coming along i see.

Aircraft stripper wouldn't budge it hhmmm . Maybe this is what i should shoot my frame and suspension in Don.

'84 Capri that was first Don's, then I bought it from him, and then he bought it back from me. We have had it for 10 years, and neither he nor I have ever finished it. It is destined to be a drag car, and already has the suspension and stuff done, just waiting for an engine. The 302 he was building for it is going into the T, so he will have to bulld another one some day.

He just said last night that after the T is done that will be his priority. I tried buying it back from him last fall because I have a built 460 sitting on a stand just waiting for a body, but he wants to keep it this time. We'll see.


I'd adopt you, but I can't afford another kid. lol. I have no idea what he used to spray that engine, but it is some tough stuff. I'm playing hookie from work today and have the engine in my trunk to take back to him to have it stripped. He won't be real happy about that, but I have no other choice/


Don

In between the time he has owned it and I have owned it, each of us has done some things to it. The 8.8 rear is all done, it has subframe connectors and torque boxes, lift bars, and a D and D front suspension. There is a 10 point roll cage kit sitting inside waiting for Dan to weld it in. I was going to build a 460 drag car out of it, and Don likes 5.0's better, so who knows what it will end up being. One thing for sure, after this many years, it won't ever leave the family. Maybe my Grandson will finish it. (he's 5)


Don

You know Don, you don't want to rush into anything.

Don,What front brakes are you using on your son's T? Looked like a stock factory rotor and hub assembly to me. That's what I wanted to use,but Speedway insists that they are much too heavy,and I should use their Wilwood kit,which of course is much more expensive. Congrats on all 3 cars coming along nicely,I couldn't get that far on $3000. in beer,let alone have a car too! Hank

Well, to tell the truth, we haven't gotten there on $ 3000 either. I have sort of gotten carried away a little on mine, and Don has gotten WAY carried away on his, and as for Dan, he never did have a budget in mind, and since he is single too, he can indulge himself a little. But, I swear I will do a car under $ 3K and finish it in the future.

As for the brakes, they are one of my Ebay scores. They are mid-'70's GM with an aftermarket mounting setup, whose, I don't know. The guy in the ad said he replaced these with a Wilwood setup on a customers car. I couldn't pass them up because the spindles, calipers, and mounts are chromed, and have the '49 -'54 Chevy spindles I needed. I have to admit, they are a little heavy compared to Wilwoods, and if they prove to be so, it will be a simple matter to switch over, as the spindles are already machined. But I don't think they will be a problem as they sure are lighter than the drum setups I run.


Don

Don,

I found your great thread this morning while searching for "wood". I have spent the last couple of hours studying your craftsmanship and techniques. Since I have to tilt my head back to read the screen through my bifocals, I may have to give it a rest. But this is one great thread! I too was looking to build a cheap T-bucket, but after running the numbers on Total Performance site and checking with Ebay, it is obvious that you can buy one cheaper than building. But when one does this, you miss out on the learning experience. Below is the bucket I bought for $6651.00 Now if the ice and snow would go away, I could run up to Missouri and pick it up.

Reg Mason

You do realize that there is NO structural support in that body dont you? (at least none I can see in the pics) You're gonna have to glass in some wood or something or its gonna crack and wobble all over the place!

I can't tell if that is the way it is or not, my eyes are not that great either, but everything else looks fine. All in all, you got a good deal, because if you start adding up the items, you couldn't duplicate the car for that kind of money. There are always things you have to do, and things you want to do to make it your own, so that is where the learning experience you mention will come in. I like the look of the car a lot.

Have fun when that white stuff goes away.


Don