Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[stovens]

Some fine lookin cars Jim. Have fun at bike week!

[J. Robinson]

Here (finally!) are a couple of pics of the finished intake loosely stuck on the engine with just a couple of bolts. I vacillated for a while on what color to paint it. When I asked my old friend Dick York (www.dickshotrodplace.com) what he thought, he suggested a process he uses to make steel look like cast aluminum (No, it does not involve sandblasting and, no, I can't tell you - He swore me to secrecy!). I tried the process and here is the final result. After I get back from the Daytona Dream Cruise this weekend I will ship it to him for his carburetor magic...

[oldrodder43]

WOW, great job on that intake Jim. I like it. It looks like a factory part (almost) Whatever you put on that for a finish musta rubbed off onto the valve cover! Perley

[J. Robinson]

Nah, that's just overspray... Ya know, you would think that as many S-10's, Fieros, and other GM cars that used that engine, there would be somebody who makes a custom valve cover for it, but I haven't found any yet. I guess I'll just have to paint a stock one...

[Bob Parmenter]

[QUOTE=J. Robinson;367159you would think that as many S-10's, Fieros, and other GM cars that used that engine, there would be somebody who makes a custom valve cover for it, but I haven't found any yet. I guess I'll just have to paint a stock one...[/QUOTE]

Or, take some measurements and see if there are any other covers that will fit over that one. There are a couple applications out there today that guys have done to mix things up. Early to mid '50s Olds and Cad, mid 50s Lincoln covers fit right over SBC tin covers. Some will call it deceptive, others will see it as yanking people's chains just for grins. Or you could do like Pat did on his old engine before going to an LS, paint a name in appropriate script on it. In his case the obvious choice was Studebaker. In your case the sky's the limit. How about "Offenhauser", or Millier, or Packard, or..............well, let your imagination run wild........................hmmmm, maybe Borgward? Trabant?

[J. Robinson]

Not a bad idea, Bob. I've seen some of those applications you're talking about. it just never occurred to me to do it here. Is this what's called a "DUH moment"?... or maybe a "brain fart"? I'll keep a look out for something that will fit over it...

[Bob Parmenter]

You could post up some dimensions here and have the gang measure what they've got on hand to help in your search.

Another thought is to add something to your existing cover to change it up (might have to relocate PCV to make it look cleaner). Some aluminum bar stock cut and shaped appropriately could be made to look like a finned cover. Also, those fake Olds covers come with the wire cover, which is sold separately, that could change the look. Again, let the mind run wild, the possibilities are endless. Or, that cover looks cast, maybe you could swing a deal with Gary to do his sign maker magic on some engraving.

[stovens]

Lookin good Jim. Once those carbs are on there it should be real cool.
A simple valve cover may be just the ticket to keep people focused on the cool carb setup!
Any thoughts to the air filters?

[oldrodder43]

Any update on your carbs Jim? I'm having withdrawals, what with no news. Perley

[J. Robinson]

Nothing new yet. I have the manifold ready to go to Dick's Hotrod Place, but I've had something to do every day for the past three weeks that have kept me busy until after the post office and/or the local UPS store closes. Now I'm vacillating on the finish that I put on it. Maybe red would look better..? Or satin black..? Hopefully, I'll have some time later this week to sit in my "pondering chair" and stare at it for a while. Maybe I'm overthinking this...

[Whiplash23T]

Hi Jim, I'm new to this club (if that is the correct name) and have spend the last few days reading your build thread. I must admit that I have had to go back and reread some of the input from fellow members in regard of how you have nutted out problems etc. I have enjoyed your thread and also have learnt a great deal from it,thankyou. Now I know you were going to use those bucket seats then changed to a bench type of seat that really got my attention,but towards the end of your threads you stated something about using bomber type seats. Why I'm asking is that I am almost at the stage of working out seating for my Bucket and want to get away from that sitting on top of the Bucket to sitting inside my Bucket feel. I had not thought of the idea of using (oh heck,my brain has gone dead) ribbon I think then foam to form the seat base as like you and your friends,my T will be driven and not trailled, so must be comfortable to drive and when I arrive to theplace I'm driving to ,I don't need a walking frame to be able to walk.I also noticed that you havn't posted for awhile so I hope all is well up your side of the world.
Cheers Whiplash.

[J. Robinson]

Hi Whiplash and welcome to Club Hotrod. Yes, all is well here. I have been sidetracked on home improvement projects and not spent any "quality time" on my T build for several months. Also, we have been having one of the coldest, longest winters in history for our part of the country, so when I do have time to do anything, I end up staying indoors quite a bit.

Like you, I want to sit down low in my T. I have studied the old "track T's" of the late 1940s - early 1950s and most of the drivers of those cars sat down low. The high seating position with a tall windshield and really tall top is a trend that came about with the fad-T's of the 1970s. There's nothing wrong with that, just not for this style car. I also needed to get down low enough that a rollbar wouldn't look out of proportion. The first set of seats looked like they would be just the right thing, but the shape of the bottom boosted them up too high when I tilted them back to a comfortable position. If I attempt to remove the upholstery and re-shape the bucket, then the upholstery won't go back in. So, rather than ruin a perfectly good pair of seats, I have put them aside to use on a '64 Falcon gasser project that is awaiting my attention.

The wood frame with web straps in the bottom is nothing new; upholsterers and furniture makers have been building seats like that for a couple hundred years (since before springs and foam rubber were available). The straps will stretch and move slightly to relieve pressure on the tailbone and hip joints... Now, however, I am considering tearing it all out again and getting a pair of bomber-style seats. Military surplus aircraft seats were the common type of seat used when the "Roaring Roadsters" dominated the short tracks of the post-war era and I think they would look good in my roadster. Whatever/ whenever I decide, it will be posted here.

In the meatime, check out the thread below. Don (Itoldyouso) started out to build a "budget" T roadster. He blew the budget early on, but built one of the nicest T-buckets I have seen in a long time. The pics don't do this car justice; in person it is just fantastic. http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23618 .

Post some pics of your car on this forum. We all like pictures!

[Whiplash23T]

Thanks for your rapid reply Jim. I will try and upload some photos of my T and I will get in first.... The steering wheel is on the right/wrong side and yes, it does make the problem of fighting your way around the starter motor for the steering box.

[Whiplash23T]

Hey Jim, Am I right in shout out one loud HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you today. I also started in on Don's Itolduso site and agree..... awesome car and well worth the 200 + pages.....need read,thanks.

[Whiplash23T]

Sorry I forgot to post a better photo of my T.