Happy birthday to your son, Denny. And 20, I remember it well, I was trying very hard to not get seasick on a Navy scowl named the USS Magoffin. :CRY:
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Happy birthday to your son, Denny. And 20, I remember it well, I was trying very hard to not get seasick on a Navy scowl named the USS Magoffin. :CRY:
Could I suggest that it might be time to change it? :LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by BradC
Thanks Jack with my feable mind I sometimes forget..............what was I talking about
Brad
Big day today, got Don's T up on wheels with the engine and transmission installed too. :D Had a few little adjustments to make along the way, especially getting the front disc brakes to fit exactly right, but a little massaging got them done.
He has a bunch of stuff showing up tomorrow from Summit, Speedway, and Total Performance, so tomorrow night we can get things like his tie rod and drag link installed and dial in the alignment and driveshaft angle.
I have to say it really is coming out pretty nice, and he is thrilled. Still a lot to do, but not as much as we had a couple of weeks ago. Still pushing for having it fired up by the end of next weekend. If that happens we have a good shot at Thanksgiving in Daytona.
Don
That looks nice!!!! I like the clean look of the colors,they go together well.
I think you may need a carrier bearing on that drive shaft........:rolleyes:
Thanks. I'm not sure if he needs a driveshaft........just some u joints bolted together. :LOL: :LOL: Hope the driveshaft shop charges by the foot. :LOL:
Don
Don,
You guys are really moving along. It really looks good. I have to be honest, when I first saw the blue I didn't think much of it. But your son is right with the chrome and white walls it really looks killer. Great work!
Ken
Thanks Ken. I felt the same way. He painted the engine first, and when I looked at it I wasn't impressed because it just looked like a stock Ford blue engine. But now that things are starting to get bolted on I have to say it is really a good choice. The pictures don't really show it as it is either, the color pops against the polished and chromed stuff. I think when he gets his white interior in there will be enough contrast so it doesn't look overdone in blue. He still has a lot of shiny stuff coming today like tie rod. drag link, steering arm, etc so that should break it up even more.
Last night it was fun watching him sit there and stare at his car. He was like a 6 year old at Xmas. :D :D I'm also glad Dan won out in the argument we had last year. He was convinced he wanted to build Don a new frame and I said the one we had was fine. He finally just went out and bought the steel so that we had no choice but to build the new one. Now that I see how it came out I have to admit he was right.
Don
Don,
It's really neat to read your messages and picture you watching them and being so proud of them. You are a great Dad!
Ken
That blue couldn't have been a more perfect choice. Awesome job!
Thanks Ken, I know I dote a lot on them, but I can't even begin to imagine what my life would have been without having them.
Thanks also Falconvan. Glad you like it.
BTW, there is a new frame going together in the shop, Going to be pretty bullet proof I think.
Don
Come on, after all we've been through together your going to hold out on us now.I think someone should post a pic of your girlfriend just to straighten you out.:LOL: :LOL:
Will a picture of Pops and his babe do?
:3dSMILE:
Don spill the beans quick before we see more of you . LOL NAA just kidding around but Bob on the other hand knows you .
The blue and chrome is another contrast that looks great together like your T Don . Really has some wow look built right into it . Both these cars are some that will stand right out in traffic and have people gazing at the lights.
Thanks guys, and you too Bob, that's pretty funny. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
I never was one who could keep a secret, but all I can say is that a new frame is going together in our shop because Dan it taking his RPU a different direction. Dan just loves fabricating stuff, and I think he was bored now that the car was almost done, so he tore it all apart and is redoing everything. Don and I thought he was nuts, but now that we see what he has planned, it will be a better car. The one upside is that Don and I have been the recipients of lots of cast off parts. :D :D
Got a little done on Dons T tonight, nothing major, just some of the small stuff that holds you up. I spent 4 hours on the phone today trying to get his water pump and pulley situation straightened out. Talked to March Pulleys, Edelbrock, Summit, and Brassworks. Problem was we are converting a serpentine roller engine to v belt and nothing we bought was lining up. Finally got what we think is the solution, and have parts coming overnight that should do it..........I hope.
We did get his tie rod and draglink on tonight, plus his starter and other misc stuff. Pushed it outside just before it got dark for a couple of shots. Now it's time for my usual 2 AM dinner and bed. :eek:
Don
Don, can't wait to see both of them side by side, push your frame out there next to each other.
Brad
Frame looks great Don. Know what ya mean on the pulleys, just put a serpentine on mine that had originally been a V-belt. I got away with a shim for the water pump pulley and relocating the alternator....
What is Don running for exhaust? The reason I ask is if he is going to use something that uses the bolt on flanges that come with the headers they tend to leak on each side of the connection. I know! Does anyone have any suggestions on sealing them? Sandersen uses three bolts which I know works fine but the two bolts just don't seem to clamp evenly enough to seal.
Ron
Brad: He and I are going to have to line up when we get them done to see who is the fastest. :D Actually, I think he would smoke me, that little 302 is nothing to mess with, but maybe I'll hook up better with the slicks. :cool: :D
Dave: What a nightmare something as simple as pulleys ended up being. He wanted March pulleys and their set is designed around early Ford bolt pattern water pumps (late pump has a different pattern) plus he has a high performance harmonic damper and the offset is slightly different so we needed a spacer. I think we ironed it out yesterday though but it took getting a conference call between Summit and March and me to do it.
Ron: I wondered about those flanges leaking too. I have the Sanderson headers you describe with the three bolt flange on my '27 and they never had any leaks. He is going to have some pipes bent up to do under the frame and exit as straight pipes. There is no room for mufflers. He bought these Patriot Headers from Speedway and is second guessing that decision I think. Sandersons just seem a little better in some respects perhaps.
Don
Have you considered something like these? http://www.torquetechexh.com/powersticks.htmQuote:
Originally Posted by Itoldyouso
I didn't know anybody was currently making the chambered exhaust like the old Camaro ones. Really compact and short too. Thanks Bob, I've bookmarked that site and will pass it along to him.
Don
How different do you guys think those will sound from a glass pack/cherry bomb?
I have one of the cherry bombs on the truck now and it appears to be the same design inside ,...with no glass,but it does not have the chambers crimped in it..............
Now that my engine is broke in,I want to add nice stainless headers and true duals,but room is a issue,these would be nice in my application also.
I think chambered exhaust sounds a lot better than a glass pack. They can be loud, but in a good way. I have them on my '40 and absolutely love them. A buddy had them on his '57 Nomad and while they sounded great, they were pretty loud and he finally swapped them out. It seems like a lot of the sound will be determined by the engine and size/length/run of the exhaust.Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnlee28
When my buddy who owned a muffler shop was putting exhaust on my '40 the first combo he tried was a set of Flow Masters with 2.5" pipe. That sucker had a drone at certain speeds that would drive you nuts. He tried several different set-ups and finally found the right combo with the chambered and slightly smaller pipes. The difference was incredible, even in the power the car gained with the chambered.
Don and I spent most of last night trying to sort out the misaligned pulley setup. Who would ever have thought that such a simple thing as pulleys would turn into such an ordeal?? :(
For any of you going the same route (small block Ford V belt setup) here is what we have learned.
First of all the engine is a 1985 roller cam engine that had serpentine belts originally. We wanted V belts because they look less modern. Don ordered a Chrome Summit water pump and March V belt pulleys. Got the water pump on, and when we installed the pulleys on the crank and water pump they were about one inch from being in alignment. Spent 4 hours on the phone with Summit, March, FlowKooler, and Edelbrock yesterday and finally determined we needed a Flowcooler pump for early '70's 302, and a 15/16 thick spacer from March for the crank shaft. Had those parts airfrieghted in.
Last night got them on, and the alignment is now ok. Went to put the alternator on, and it sits back too far by about 1.5 inches !! Called Summit last night, they don't have a clue. Today I spent 3 more hours on the phone with March and Summit, and come to find out March makes the pulleys but designed them around stock Ford alternator mounts, which we do not have. March does not make an alternator mount for that application.
Got back onto Summits website and found a set of Ford Racing pulleys that will bring the belt back far enough to use the alternator mount March does make, so those two pieces are coming overnight and should be here tomorrow. Hope they are correct. Right now we have about $ 800 worth of pulleys, water pumps and alternator mounts sitting on the floor that won't work, so Summit is going to be getting these back as soon as we determine the new stuff works.
I also found out the Tech line at most of these companies are useless, they just work from the catalog or website, and I can do that. I really needed a Ford small block expert to say what parts went with what parts.
By the way, Dan is still remodeling his A, the grille needs chopped and the back rails cut to fit, but it is looking good so far IMO.
Don
Is is really 'reconstruction' or just still construction? That thing is too cool. Once he gets done 'redesigning the wheel' that'll be a sweet ride!
Good Lord! The last time we saw a pic of Dan's RPU it was a roller getting close to being a driver. Now it looks like there's nothing left but the body and the front axle assembly!:eek: :eek:
Yeah, he wanted to take it a different direction, so he is knee deep in modifications right now. I think it will end up pretty sweet though when done.
Like I said, he just loves building them.
Don
Don,
That's called "Truckus Interruptus." :LOL:
Or maybe Roddus Operendi :LOL: **)Quote:
Originally Posted by Henry Rifle
Seriously, though, if he enjoys the building process that much maybe he should be doing it for a living...:rolleyes:
And what will he build next out of the parts after he changes his mind... LOL He does such great work I wish for his continued vision to see a finished project. Tell him it doesn't have to be prefect, I'm jealous of his work already.
Brad
Tomorrow is supposed to be the big day...........supposedly I can pick up my painted body from the shop !!! :D :D :D Have to call them in the morning to confirm a pick up time, and man am I excited. :3dSMILE: Sure hope it came out nice, gloss black scares me, but these guys have a great reputation, so it should be fine. In any event it will sure be better than what I could have done. I'll post some pictures tomorrow night if it happens.
Today I worked on Don's T for him. The new pulleys and alternator bracket came in and they actually line up. The combination of Ford Racing pulleys and March alternator bracket did the trick. I still have to modify the alternator adjustment rod a little because Don bought this high output alternator that is physically bigger than the normal Ford unit, so I have to swing it out further to clear the block. No big deal, I can do that tomorrow.
The driveshaft shop whipped out his driveshaft in one day........all 10 and 3/4 inches of it. :eek: I got it painted and installed, which is one more hurdle to maybe us getting the car fired up this weekend. We prelubed it last night and got 70 pounds of oil pressure on my drill spinning the preluber, so everything should be pretty well oiled up inside.
I also got some stuff done on my T. The brake lines are now all run and tightened up, and the fuel line is also done from tank to carb. I just have to do some undercoating on the body and it can go on for the last time.
Here are some pictures of the new pulleys and driveshaft.
Don
Don you guys have to be pro builders LOL . You grab nothing and in a short time you have a sharp looking car going together. The Grabber blue looks super against the chrome items . Its just enough of everything to get the great look you guys have accomplished .
That's good news on your body.:D :D You need to, somehow, make sure the guys at the first shop see you bringing it home. Let 'em see how a "real" shop does business...:rolleyes:
Your son's car is lookin' good. I think you guys are going to make it (Turkey Run) with no problem.;)
Thanks guys. Now I am pretty confident that at least mine will make it. GOT THE BODY BACK FROM THE SHOP THIS MORNING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D
I couldn't be happier with the results, especially considering it is gloss black. I can't say there aren't a few little nicks, like on the dashboard, but I could care less.........for what they had to work with (inexpensive fiberglass body), and what they charged me ($ 1500.00, plus I tipped the painter and body prep guy) I got a heck of a job.
I'm so glad everyone was pushing for shiny vs satin, it is just going to look so much better and more finished. Now I just have to undercoat it and it can go onto the frame for the final time (I hope) I think I have to take the grilleshell and headlights to them too, because there is no way I could ever get them as glossy as the rest of the body.
Don's body should even come out nicer, being that it is blue and won't show as many flaws as gloss black. Couldn't wait to post these pictures. :D
Don
It's looking great, Don. I find myself waiting everyday for your latest update. I have really been enjoying your build. :) :)
Thanks Duane...........BTW, how are you feeling?
Don
I am feeling pretty good. Just a little ache once in a while in the surgery entry area if I move too fast the wrong way. No big deal. Thanks for asking.
WOW !! :toocool: :toocool:
Don
Hats off to you for recycling old stuff into a functional rod. I hope I can get my truck on the street for under 3k. So far it was 2,500.00 for the truck as is. About 220.00 for battery(non lead acid), coil, points, and condensor. The brake stuff came with the truck so that is just my time, but registration was 200.00 at the California DMV, so I guess I have about 80.00 to work with! Prices for just about anything is outrageous in catalogs. If you tried building a new vehicle using their aftermarket fabricated parts you could easily exceed 30K for a stock truck! P.S. forums like this save us all a lot of time and money, with the years of experience and advice all of you guys offer. Thanks. Steve.
That Black is beautiful!!!! Are you still going to do the scallops? It would be a shame to cover up that great paint job.:HMMM: