Thread: Everybody that is currently building a car...

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Started on the exhaust for the Plymouth, 2 1/2" tubing with mandrel bends,
Flowmaster mufflers. Headers are almost done, too but I didn't take any pics of them. Soon as the headers and exhaust are done they're off to get coated. Another pic of some of the parts going into the Mustang as it starts going back together!!!!

The pickup is a '66 Chevy. It will be getting the full treatment, IFS, 9" Ford rear, triangulated 4 bar, 4 wheel disc brakes, etc., etc..... Engine will be a big block with a 700R-4 trans. The cab is getting new floors, rockers, and cab corners. Must be kind of a rare truck, has factory power steering and factory air!!!!!

That's a great bodystyle to work with, Dave. What kind of bigblock is going in?

Nice suspension setup. I think down the line when economics afford, I'll probably do the same to my '48.

Originally Posted by falconvan

That's a great bodystyle to work with, Dave. What kind of bigblock is going in?

Don't know how big, just another chebbie I guess.....

Figured I would give an update....its been a while.

El Camino: Got the frame finished and went the extra step to box in the rear portion of the frame as well. I've spent the last 2 weekends welding and grinding...and welding and grinding. Added my own version of a rivnut before boxing for the gas tank straps. Boxed the tank supports because someone had cut the ends off of one side and tack welded them to the frame... Any way....now the tank will be easy to pull if needed. We welded all of the joints for the crossmember/rear spring support. The rivets looked to have a little wear...rust tracks coming from them. Also made some 1 1/2" coil spring supports and welded them in giving it a nice 1 1/2" rake and allowing me to raise the front an inch if needed. I found the driveshaft to have a 1 1/2 degree final angle but the rod ends on the upper trailing arms had less than 1/2" of threads in the body . Called QA1 and Ballistic Fabrication and they both told me the same thing. A rod end should have 1.5 times the shank diameter buried in the tube....in my case 1 1/8" of threads. I opted to buy a rebuildable johnny joint from Ballistic which has a shank length of 3.25" allowing me to have the required threads in the tube and allows me to adjust the pinion angle to match my new suspension. Installed the new radiator from Champion. Looks to be a fine piece and fit. Now the entire radiator support opening had nothing but fins in it....no tanks. This thing is a 3 row alluminum (welded not epoxied) and they boast its ablity to cool up to 800 hp. We'll find out. Also pulled the 14" puller fan and replaced it with a 16" fan. Everyone knows how I feel about buying things that are stamped with an overseas maker.....dont like it. But!!! This fan is simply amazing. I had the grill out doing some work and my son turned it on...it sucked the hat off my head. No kidding!!!! I am sold on this fan if it lasts. Other than it being loud and pulling a lot of ampereage.....it should be a nice add-on for anyone having trouble with their fans. I got it from FFDynamics. One of my sons import buddy's sold me on the idea. Next on the agenda...relocate shock mounts....replace missing sections of the bed floor (I found that the smugglers box lid from a 68 has the same floor patterns as the previous years....it was a lot cheaper than buying a full bed floor). Also add the wheel tubs.

36 Chevy: Finally....yes....finally got my fuel tank back. Wish I had just bought a tig and welded it myself. Got the fuel pump from Tanks modified to it shortest depth...and mounted. Orded the 16" sending unit from ISSPro. Still deciding on the mounting position within the frame but at least I'm doing something on the 36 again. Wish I had put a touch of epoxy on the frame before leaving it idle for the winter....have some rust to remove now.

Glad to see everyone still enjoying their projects. Keep it going folks.

Dave G

Way to get 'er done.

Originally Posted by falconvan

Way to get 'er done.

LOL's. Thanks for the encouragement Falconvan. It seems my project has taken a back door to my son's project. Guess thats what us dad's are for.

The motivation we get from each other on this site is pretty cool; I've got more done in the last three years than in the last ten. I'm in the same boat with the kids car; I'm working on my youngest son's 94 Firebird; he wants to change it from a hard top to t-tops and have it painted. But I've got to give him credit, he's out there working with me and not complaining about it. It's great bonding time and he's learning a lot. My oldest son always wanted the cool car but getting him to help me actually build it was like pulling teeth. His 69 Chevy truck we (I) built has been sitting for six months at his mom's because the tilt wheel is about to fall apart. I told him to pull the column and bring it to me, then I can fix it and he can put it back in but he wont take the time. I might end up owning that truck again one of these days. Is your boy pretty good about helping you?

Falcon and Stovebolt - I kept telling my wife kids must be good for something! She never wanted any and so she has to be the extra set of hands for me now and again. Wish I had a son with similar interests to promote a project of theirs and mine!

Originally Posted by falconvan

The motivation we get from each other on this site is pretty cool; I've got more done in the last three years than in the last ten. I'm in the same boat with the kids car; I'm working on my youngest son's 94 Firebird; he wants to change it from a hard top to t-tops and have it painted. But I've got to give him credit, he's out there working with me and not complaining about it. It's great bonding time and he's learning a lot. My oldest son always wanted the cool car but getting him to help me actually build it was like pulling teeth. His 69 Chevy truck we (I) built has been sitting for six months at his mom's because the tilt wheel is about to fall apart. I told him to pull the column and bring it to me, then I can fix it and he can put it back in but he wont take the time. I might end up owning that truck again one of these days. Is your boy pretty good about helping you?

At this time Dustin is showing interest....I must admit its my own reluctance on some things that restricts what he does. I'm getting better though. For years I've had the attitude......"If you want it done right (or perhaps "your" way), do it yourself". My problem has always been patience. He asks some of the oddest questions. And it doesnt end. He asks me things I just dont have any idea how to answer. I keep explaining that he has one of the most amazing sources of information.....the internet....something I didnt have when I was his age. He prefers to just ask. Again though.....I am getting better to let him help. We've gone over the process of how a motor works so many times I'm blue in the face. LOL's. I had to learn from asking questions at parts stores and digging through Hot Rod, Car Craft, etc etc, magazines. My dad knew nothing about cars and had no interest in them other than getting to drive them and change the oil. I have to learn to be a teacher now so he can pass the same on to my grandkids someday. PATIENCE. Its like learning a whole new trait. Wish me luck. He want so bad to weld.....so I give him some refuse steel plate and tell him to weld away. Then I spend half the day showing him how to separate the wire from the nozzle and or the tip. LOL's. We use the release agent but too much of it just makes it drip on your welds. PATIENCE. Next week I'm going to let him to all of the spraying of the epoxy on the frame. I told him if he gets a run no big deal. He'll learn. He also has a major problem with getting the feel of torqueing bolts. LOl's. Either too loose or too tight. He busted a new tail light lens this weekend putting the lens on. I didnt tell him. I noticed it and ordered a new one. This training session may get expensive. PATIENCE.

Dave G

Originally Posted by stovens

Falcon and Stovebolt - I kept telling my wife kids must be good for something! She never wanted any and so she has to be the extra set of hands for me now and again. Wish I had a son with similar interests to promote a project of theirs and mine!

My wife tries to help....she just doesnt have the umph that needed for most of my stuff. LOL's. But bless her heart. She has "By her self"...changed the spark plugs and the wires on her Town and Country. Thank goodness I pulled up when I did. She had the firing order messed up a little. She tried to change the ignition module too....but I finished it up. I've learned that when she asks for my help with something.....I really need to get on it asap or she will attempt to do it her self. My ex wouldnt have dreamed of even trying. I love this lady. Impresses me more and more every day!

That's great that your son is jumping in there. Learning to weld and paint at a young age will put him way ahead when he does his first solo build. I should cut my oldest boy some slack. He is working full time at Valvoline and he's doing a great job. They've got a great training program and benefits for young guys; they really teach them about the whole car and it's workings, not just changing fluids.

It's really neat that you are teaching your son.

My Dad was a mechanic at a packing plant and got his training in WW2 as a aircraft mechanic. He would never let me touch a wrench, all I got to do was wax his cars and boat. I too learned by watching others, hot rod magazines, Chiltons. I did take a couple of shop classes in High School that helped; Automotive and General Metals.

I taught my son everything I knew about cars. Mechanical, bodywork, painting and welding. He's had five jobs besides owning his own business, and all but one, he's used the skills I taught him.

He took Automotive industrial machineing at the local vo-tec, and with them skills He showed me how to rebuild an engine. They also taught him better welding skills which in turn He has again taught me.

My dream is that some day we will be able to work on his 66 Mustang Fastback and finally get it done.

He's now 39 years old and a "chip off the old block."

Nice fastback! The body looks ready to paint!

I see those photos and think, the hard part's already done! Now the fun starts, putting it back together. My father and I put a lot of cars together over the years. He didn't live to see my Chevy come to life in its newest form, but he did help with it in the beginning. Good luck to you guys, can't wait to see the Stang finished!
BTW...in 1967 or 68 my dad took (I think) a 66 Mustang 2+2 Fast back and put 59 Caddy fins on it, 63 Imperial headlights, and T-top...wish I still had that crazy thing!
-Chris P
http://53chevyhotrod.com