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

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It is such a thrill to finnaly jump behind the wheel and take a drive fo the first time. I did mine last week and this week we are putting a balanced drive shaft in and fixing the rattle in the exhaust. It actualy was a shock that it was the extent of the problems. I put some pics in the gallery I think, my computer skills are miserable at best.

Any new pics Don? I am curious to follow along with the progress, how much room is there from the bottom of the dash to the firewall? Just for curiousity's sake, would something as short as a mid 80's camaro column work?

Brickman, thanks for your interest. Today I messed around with a 3/4" dowel whittled into a double-D shape on the end and I found there is plenty of clearance around the header over a pretty wide range of angles. The real problem is that the firewall curves on the left side so I am planning to put a 3/16" thick aluminum plate across the gap and bolt it to the 1" square tubing on the left. As Bob Parmenter said, the 34" column may be too long and could stick as much as 4" through the firewall. I can also cover up the ugly hole the body shop cut around the brake pedal. If you look close through the brake pedal hole you can see the dowell on the ear of the transmission. The 2 1/8" hole saw should be exactly the right size. I was helping my son-in-law move furniture until very, very late last night/morning so I did not want to cut the big hole on only three hours of sleep but I will soon. Suggestions other than the aluminum plate are welcome. To answer your question it is exactly 12" from the inner part of the firewall to the bottom of the dash. I plan to put some inner tube rubber around the brake pedal slot with a slit to reduce splash water through the wide gap. I sprayed the end of the column with Duplicolor since it will extend through the hole but most of the rest of the column will be covered by a blask plastic sheath from Speedway.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

The brakes are weak and the car is LOUD..



Sounds like a line out of the song "Hot rod Lincoln."

Don

Don....here's my Hot Rod Lincoln....

....and I graduated from San Pedro High.

"We left San Pedro late one night
the moon and the stars were shinin' bright.

Everything was fine up the Grapevine Hill,
we was passin' cars....

....like they were standin' still".

Daver.

Just an update on the Merc. Resized the rear window opening from the stock size to this trying to get it back in proportion with the rest of the car and made some changes on the front pan. Just got the power window and power latch mechanisms mounted today, should get all the wiring finished up next week. Trying to get this body right, then redo the molds and hopefully turn the body building over to a reputable fiberglass shop this time..... Just curious what folks think of the restyled back end.

Dave
Whats not to like That is very kewl
Are you going to get away with flat glass in the rear??

Don....here's my Hot Rod Lincoln....

....and I graduated from San Pedro High.


Daver: Sweet lil Model A you've got. I was a neighbor of yours in the late '70's, Rancho Cucamonga.


Dave: Don't remember it before the window mods, but this looks great. I love '50 Mercs.


Don

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Just an update on the Merc. Resized the rear window opening from the stock size to this trying to get it back in proportion with the rest of the car and made some changes on the front pan. Just got the power window and power latch mechanisms mounted today, should get all the wiring finished up next week. Trying to get this body right, then redo the molds and hopefully turn the body building over to a reputable fiberglass shop this time..... Just curious what folks think of the restyled back end.

Now that is a FINE ride!

Dave, do I understand you right, you built the molds for this?

Originally Posted by cffisher

Dave
Whats not to like That is very kewl
Are you going to get away with flat glass in the rear??

Nope, still curved, just a lot smaller....

Originally Posted by Supa Roosta

Now that is a FINE ride!

Dave, do I understand you right, you built the molds for this?

I didn't build them, just ended up owning them... Long story.. Anyway, yes we now have the molds and will have to rework them to match the redisgns on the car.

Way cool Lincoln Daver and what a history, very cool!

Very, Very nice work Dave! Very very cool bud! Would I love to turn you loose on my '48!!! As it is I am about to try to finish her after 3 more shows. Body work isn't my strong suit, but I am ready to have her have some good paint for a change.

....thanks, brickman....

My model A is a little confusing. It looks like
a roadster commin' at you....

....it looks like a sedan leavin'.

Daver.

Seats came in today. Not much progress, but it makes it look a little different.

How come yer seat has more bars over it then my seat?????

that big red button on the dash board that says Eject , has something to do with it ....