Thread: Project Special K

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123pugsy - I know what you mean, I may keep the steel frame under it and laminate ply to the top for strength!
Dave - I really like some exotic woods too, like tigerwood, and purple heart. But quarter sawn white oak with a flat oil finish would do it for me, and flooring stores might have wide planks. Good thoughts thanks!

Today and yesterday worked on the truck some more. Got the lokar dipstick today in the mail. I figured before mounting it I wanted to make sure it cleared the header pipes. So I installed the passenger side header, and realized it barely clears the frame rail and side panel, I'll have to reroute some wires to keep away from the exhaust pipe. The driver side header was a problem. These headers are made by Sanderson for a 460 v8 installed in a 48 Ford F1. Unfortunately even jacking up the engine didn't clear the steering box enough on the collector portion of the header. I think I'm going to have to cut the motor mounts and move them forward an inch or so. Not too excited about this, but figure it can wait while I fix a few other things first. I might send it out to a friends shop if he's up to doing the welding, and have him weld the shock mounts to the transaxle while he's at it. The best part is that he has a tow service as well as an auto shop and used to be big into dirt track racing. He's a nice guy, and a great mechanic, so it will be better than anything I can come up with, but I'm definately going to think about it for awhile and see if anything else manifests since I'd rather not move the transmission mounts, and maybe lengthen the drive line unless I have too. Might see if Sanderson can modify the header to fit my space(probably cheaper than the alternative!) anyway got a lot done and drove it back into the garage again, so gotta love that!

I got a picker from harbor freight on sale at $99.99 plus shipping. It lifted my small block Mopar into and out of the bed of my pickup with no problems.

Getting ready to install the new fiberglass running boards. I noticed they are not predrilled. Since I haven't used fiberglass panels before any tips on installing them would be appreciated. I'm also not sure what to bolt them in with and how tight to snug down the bolts without cracking the fiberglass. Thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by stovens

Getting ready to install the new fiberglass running boards. I noticed they are not predrilled. Since I haven't used fiberglass panels before any tips on installing them would be appreciated. I'm also not sure what to bolt them in with and how tight to snug down the bolts without cracking the fiberglass. Thanks for the help!

Steve,
A picture of your mounting method might help, but with out a visual glass gives you some options. You might be able to grind out a "recess" and glass in a few properly sized plates of strap steel with a stud welded on each one if you want to maintain the smooth outside surface with no bolts showing. Are your boards going to be for looks, or are you expecting them to be used for entry/exit? That might affect the mounting approach, too.

Roger they will be for exit and entry. They are pretty beefy thick fiberglass. I guess the best way to mount them to the existing supports is to line them up with the fenders, and clamp them in place. Then drill from underneith through the bracket holes and use some sort of square shafted lag bolt that won't spin to tighten them up. Just worried about bolting anything tight on fiberglass. Was thinking maybe rubber washers on the bottom, then a steel flat washer with a locking washer then nut.

Lowe's and ACE Hardware both have SS carriage bolts that will polish up really nice for you. I like your idea of a rubber washer, or even a piece of a thick truck inner tube (tire boot?) between the inner glass and the bracket, then the bracket, a fender washer, lock washer and nut. That will spread the load on the fiberglass some, and a little locktight on the threads as you snug them up should have you good to go. Even better might be to cut out an outer rectangular or oval "washer" from some 1/8" SS, round over the edges, square the hole and polish them up to add an outer load spreader to minimize stress on the glass at the bolt hole.

Good ideas on the mounting, Steve--- Just remember that fiberglass has to fit, and can't be pulled into shape by tightening the bolts! A bit of time, maybe add a thin layer of 'glass or even some of the Evercoat filler with 'glass and kevlar strands in it should get all the mount points fitting nicely.

Thanks for the advice guys.
Today I finished putting together the apple press. I also did a bunch of inane things not related to the truck. My friend Randy entered his wifes studebaker in the local hotrod salute to american graffiti days show yesterday. He will be doing some modes to the motor mounts and making sure everything else I've done is safe. Good guy! Here is his studebaker.

Wow it's been too long since I updated this thread. Got an email from Ken recently that helped steer me down the right path. I left off at my driver side header wouldn't fit. After going online and talking with the Sanderson folks, it became apparent that none of there 460 setups would work in the engine's current location. After a lot of thought about short cuts, money saving alternatives, to pulling the engine and remounting the motor mounts foward a few inches, it became apparent the right choice is to pull the motor, cut out the mounts, box the frame members while the engine is out, suck it up on draining out 150 bucks worth of synthetic tranny fluid(might be able to save in a new drain pan and refilter before adding back). Sometimes the right decission cost time and money but cures a whole host of other problems along the way. So weather permitting this will be my winter project. I think when it comes time to remount the engine, I'll have it at a higher height to clear the frame cross member by the radiator, which will make pulling the harmonic balancer posible in the future. This has certainly been a learning process, but also good for me in taking the time to do it right and well thought out the first time.

Good to see you are going to get back at it. Was wondering what was going on with your f1, but I know mine hasen't progressed much. Was too hot later part of summer, and now it has been low fundage. So I know how it can go. I have been thinking around several problems that I have had similar to yours. It's easy to get disgusted, or just say f.... it, I know. We'll be looking for those future progress updats.................. Good luck....................

Thanks for the kind words. Yeah I've been trying to avoid it for lots of reasons, all amount to low funds and lazyness on my part. Time for me to buck up and get back at it!

I hear you guys on the subject of funds, heck, it is a shit when one is keen as mustard to get out in the garage but with no funds to buy the necessary items to continue with the project.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

I hear you guys on the subject of funds, heck, it is a shit when one is keen as mustard to get out in the garage but with no funds to buy the necessary items to continue with the project.

Yeah Ain't that the TRUTH.............. It always seams that I have plenty I can do, I have all kinds of parts to put on the 66, the 48, and the 28, but I will plan on doing something and realize there are 2 or 3 things that need done first, or 2 or 3 parts that I need to order, or buy that I don't have the money for............... My son has lost .....another........(done with Forest Gump tone) job. He'll probably loose his new truck, I can't pay for it. And I know in the end it's gonna cost ME, just haven't figured how much or how soon yet............. But I'm out in the garage now trying to find something to do, so I can accomplish something and keep my mind off the crap.....

I hear you guys..My F100 has been sitting dormant for a few months cos I need to do some repairs to it..Time has been tight,money comes in and goes out..(sometimes goes out before it comes in...)Lyndas Cusso still sitting,along with the Galaxie and the roadster project....SO,,the truck will be getting sold in the new year,to provide the funds for the Customline,,and then I can get onto the other bits...Dont feel discouraged,Steve..we all get in that position now and then..Looking forward to some more pix..Do I have to post some up of what we have down here to inspire you??