Thread: I couldn't build it for $3 K either!

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Thought I would take a few minutes for an update.

Not much photo worthy stuff, but I've been busy.

I mounted the air compressor and valves and tried it out with temporary wiring. Works good. Not having an air tank doesn't seem to be a problem. The bags are so small, they air up pretty quick.

I also made up my mind to go with the 3x2 setup as I had originally intended(instead of a 2x4). The 2x4 would actually have been a little cheaper, but I felt the 3x2 probably has better "street manners". I found out that Hot Rod Carburetion is still in business. I used their parts on the set that is on my 46 and they have been virtually trouble free for 7 years. So, I called them about "recoloring" my carbs and getting some parts and wound up deciding to just let them build the new set for me. I built my last set, but used the best looking cores I had. I kind of feel bad, since I had told someone earlier(in another thread) that I would document the buildup on the carbs. I can still do something on what I've learned about trips if anyone wants the info.

While I was running the emergency brake cables I discovered the rear brakes were shot! The rearend was a freebe so I can't really complain. The price to completely rebuild the brakes was pretty high since I needed drums too, so I called a wrecking yard where I do business. Seems he was flush with S10's. I scored a complete 2000 S10 rear for less than the cost of new brakes(the brakes on the new rear are good). The new rearend also has better gears to boot(3.73 versus 2.73 in the old rear). The new gears should work well with the overdrive trans.

Of course, I couldn't just duplicate the old rearend installation. That just wouldn't be the "hot rod" way of doing it . I took the opportunity to "tweak" the rear suspension a little. That's where I'm at now. I should have some pics to post soon.

I took a couple of weeks vacation to try and finish most of the remaining fab work. Don't know if I'll get it all done as the rearend is taking a little longer than I thought , but I should be close.

Mike

Mike, Bill (Gastrick) has just finished up installing a set of trips on his sbc in his '32, and he told me at Billetproof it is really working well. Said he gets better milage than the four barrel he previously had on it.

Those s10 rears are really a pretty good hot rod donor, aren't they? I have two of them, one under my T and one under my '39 Dodge. I'm very pleased with the one in the T so far, and am certain I'll like the one in the Dodge when I get it running. Lots of ratios, and some are even posi, I understand.

Don

Don

I like the 3 duece setup on my 46. No problems and runs great. I get 14-15 mpg out of them when I'm not pulling the trailer(383,TH350 and 3.25 gears).

You need a set on your T.

Mike

I am going to do that somewhere down the road, probably after I get my '27 back on the street. That way I'll have something to drive while I tear it apart to put the trips on.

BTW, I know this will sound like BS, but it is absolutely true. I had been getting 20+ mpg on the highway with my T. I finally have a couple of thousand miles on it and it seems to have finally seated, it has stopped using any oil at all. Anyway, on the way up to Billetproof I got about 25 mpg, going about 60-65 mph. On the way back on one leg we went 120 miles and I used just over 4 gallons of gas! We filled up in Ocala and when we stopped 120 miles later Dan thought I didn't fill it to the top, so I had him look in the tank. I couldn't get another drop in there.

While I am surprised, I think the combo of 3:00 gears and 30 inch rear tires are really doing it. At 60-65 I am just laying my foot lightly on the gas pedal, probably not turning over 2000 rpms (no tach but I can watch the arm on the carb and it is just off idle) The lack of wind resistance from it sitting so low probably helps too. That is one reason I am hesitant to pull the 600 cfm Edelbrock off, but if your experience and Gastricks experience are any indicators, my milage may actually improve!!

Don