Build Thread: 1937 LaSalle / Family Hot Rod

[37 Caddy]

I was so happy to see the brake lines against the freshly painted frame that I forgot to mention that I also finished painting the frame. This is a rattle can paint job, but it should make it look presentable for the time being. Down the road once I have gotten the car put together the way I like and put some miles on it, I will blow it all apart and have the frame done right. It has far to many random holes drilled in it and it could be much prettier. Nevermind that it is still full of dirt in some places. I also threw in a shot of the engine while it waited to go back in its home.

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Frame rear.JPG

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[37 Caddy]

I couldn't resist sharing this picture with you all. This little guy is a big reason we are building this car. We enjoy going to car shows together, but they are not as much fun if you haven't brought a ride to show.

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In that corner is a bucket that has all the fasteners from the Suburban I stripped for the engine. They are dirty, but it has accelerated the lessons about washing your hands before you eat or touch Mama.

By the way, the fuel tank and pump show up this week. There is some more fabrication in my near future.

[bluestang67]

Caddy its looking good . The steering is there a chance of placing in some stops to keep tires from hitting . Also if this is done will it still have a decent turning radius with them . If not you may have to get a lower profile but maybe keep the 16's . When i installed the rack i think they still suggested stops .

[Dave Severson]

Looks like your helper is really getting into the project!!!! Sure does make it a lot more fun when you have such good help!!!!!!

[37 Caddy]

bluestang:

I can't figure out where I would put the stops. Any advice would be appreciated. Although, I have pretty much come to the realization that I need smaller tires. Not only do they rub the frame, but they hit the fenders all to often as well. I will likely end up with 15x7s or 16x6s. The current rims are 16x8s.

[bluestang67]

They could be placed on the lower control arm . This way when spindle comes around it will contact them . May be able to find some for you app or mod something to work for you .

[37 Caddy]

I have been messing around with the car lately, but nothing worth reporting on. I am still waiting for my gas tank. Apparently the shipping is free for a reason. The truth is even if I had gotten it, I would just be staring at it waiting to find time to fabricate mounts.

My goal this week is to clean up the firewall. It looks like swiss cheese and I can't imagine what half of these holes were for. I started by pulling the body out of the backyard and sanding off the primer. I will be using a mig welder so with the metal exposed I have no problem getting a good ground. Here are some pictures.

firewall 1.JPG

firewall 2.JPG

I will post more pictures as I start filling holes. Wish me luck

[37 Caddy]

Well the firewall is all buttoned up. I filled 45 holes. About 20 small holes, 20 quarter size holes, and five large holes. It is not perfect but I am pleased with how it turned out. With a little sanding and a light coat of filler it could be great. The best compliment I got was from my wife who didn't believe it was our car when she saw the completed picture below. Thank goodness old metal is thick otherwise I could have never patched the firewall with my inexpensive flux core welder.

firewall black 2.JPG

cadillac plaque.JPG

[37 Caddy]

Well, I haven't posted in a while although I have been doing some work on the Caddy. I have been on hold due to waiting on a fuel tank. It is a tanks brand universal tank but everywhere was out of stock and Tanks was waiting for some to come in. Well, long story short I finally got a tank 3 months after I ordered it BUT only because it has some minor damage. Actually, they told me it had a dent around the sending unit and that they were worried it wouldn't seal. I got it yesterday and I can't find any such dent and it looks as if it should seal just fine.

So I am getting down to fabricating some brackets to mount it and then plumb it and I have some questions. I am running an in tank fuel pump with a return, supply, and vent. There are two filler options: on top or on the side. I will install it on the side and cap the other hole. Tanks provided a plate. Some day I will install a sending unit. Now my questions: What is the barb on the side of the tank for? Is this another vent? Should I just cap it and use the vent on the fuel pump unit? There is also a threaded hole on the bottom front of the tank. What is it for? Should I just plug it?

I will try to send pictures lateron my progress. I may actually be close to putting the body back on.

[37 Caddy]

I have successfully installed the fuel tank but I still need to figure out what to do with all these holes/openings. Specifically I am trying to figure out the hose barb and the threaded hole on the bottom front. The threaded hole is now behind the strap. (and under the masking tape)
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I sincerely appreciate any help you can offer.

[37 Caddy]

A quick update:

The engine is in and the wiring harness is plugged in.
The exhaust is completed.
The brake lines and master cylinder are in.
The battery has been relocated. This required several re-engineerings but now the battery is under the trunk and yet still easily accessible. The battery is hung from the frame and the battery box covers it but does not support the weight of the battery.
The fuel supply and return lines are 95% complete. I am waiting to put the body back on before I make the final cuts on the fuel lines.
The gas tank is in, next I will plumb the fuel pump and cover the extra holes.
The undercarriage wiring harness is installed all the way back to the tail lights. I still need to wire the front end but I need to work on the radiator mounting and get the fenders back so I have something to secure the wiring to.

Once I seal up the gas tank and fuel pump I will be ready to get the body out of the back yard and back on the frame.

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[37 Caddy]

Any ideas on how to wire the taillights? I am installing 41 Chevy taillights using the 92 Suburban wiring harness. As you can see in the picture the wiring harness has four wires: black (ground I assume), yellow, green, and brown. The 41 Chevy tailights only have two wires: red and black.

Wiring is not my strong point so expect a lot of questions. Thanks

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[halftanked]

Nice clear pictures! You might run into some problems hooking up your taillights,as your suburban probably had seperate brake lights and turn signals. If so,it's going to take a little more work hooking things up,if not, you are good to go. As far as what you have pictured, hook the black taillight wire to the brown harness wire for parking lights,and the red to the green wire for turnsignals. Black on the harness is generally backup lights,the other wire in your photo looks to be white,and could be a ground. Hope this helps you, Hank

[falconvan]

Looking good, 37. Nice job on the firewall.

[37 Caddy]

Thanks for your help on the wiring. However, what looks like a white wire is actually yellow and I the black wire tracks back to a ground. I also stated that there was a red and black wire on the 41 taillight, it is actually a black and green.

The suburban did have separate bulbs for everything, if I remember correctly. Is there some kind of relay I need to make them work with the one bulb tailights? Can I just splice two of the wires together?

I have very little clue when it comes to wiring.