Quote Originally Posted by oldrodder43
Hey Don. I am a relative newbie, just got started last fall (Nov '06). Got my 17 yr old Grandson working on it with me! And like everybody before me, I badly underestimated everything! Costs, Work, Time, Effort, Costs, Time, Tools, Costs---------etc. etc. But I just knew that I could do it faster, cheaper, easier than the others! So, we were going to have this thing ready for cruise-ins for this summer '07-------------HAH. Reality hit HARD. Here it is near November a year later and --------------- well, I'm sure you all know where we're at. Underfunded, underexperienced, underknowledgeable, and on and on. But, one thing I have learned is patience to work with my Grandson and that quality time with him is invaluable! I don't care if it is never finished as long as we continue to share the time and the experiences. But one thing you can never pass on Don, and others, is the unique ability to turn a DEAL. I have never, NEVER got a bargain, never a freeby, never a deal! I always take a beating. Seems my life story is BUY HIGH, SELL LOW. I am so glad to see this thread, how a REAL person can build something Po' Folk could imitate. To say nothing of the education of how to shop (cheaply). Many thanks. Perley

Hey Perley, sorry I missed your post. Larry M was nice enough to call my attention to it........thanks Larry. First off, welcome to the forum. I try to answer any posts, but somehow missed yours (I've been getting home 2ish in the AM, so I'm a little foggy then )

You sound like the rest of us, especially in the underfunded part. Surprising what this little hobby can cost us, huh? Once again yesterday I stopped at the hardware store for some fasteners for Don's T and got a little bag of various bolts, nuts, etc, and it came to $ 70.00. It seems like I have made that same trip 20 or 30 times so far in the two builds.

I bet your Grandson is having a blast doing this with you, and you are right about the time spent together being invaluable. He will learn lessons from this that will be with him the rest of his life. (and a few choice words when he hits his thumb with a hammer )

Throw some pictures in here of your project, we'd love to see them. I think it is an Essex if I remember correctly?


Jack, I too am falling out of love with Holley pumps. They are all I have used for years, but I think there may be better ones now available. This one leaked right out of the box.

Brad, I may do that and paint the box on the floor. It sure worked better than the method I used to use, triangulating the frame . I feel we got a very accurate alignment doing it this way. I am going to wheel my T over it and recheck the alignment too. BTW, supposedly Don's body is going to be done tomorrow, but even if it isn't done til next week they still are on target timewise. We are pretty anxious too.

Don