HotrodLono Posted May 23, 2009 Author Report Posted May 23, 2009 I fiddled around on the computer this morning waiting for my local NAPA to open. I need 4 bolts to mount my control arms. If I had them, it would be rolling on its own wheels today. It gave me a littel while to mock up some modifications I want to do to it. Nothing outlandish, just suttle and clean. Heres a look at the front as I see it... I'm going to graft the nose piece to the hood and fill it in. Then mount the hood on a piano hinge so that I can use one side of the hood hold down handles. Mold in a couple body lines and hopefully find a 40 Dodge front bumper. That part of the project is a 3 weeks away, right after the drivetrain install and mounting the body back on the frame and dealing wit hthe steering/ column and firewall. That leads me back to todays efforts. No bolts until monday so I turned to pulling the motor out of the Lemans. 2 hours to remove the fuel pump so that I could get to the motor mount bolt. Yet another reason why I'll never buy another GMC product again.. I hope to have the motor out tomorrow and dangling in the buzzy coupe Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 24, 2009 Report Posted May 24, 2009 Sounds to me like you need to do some engine work on the fireball engine. Quote
greg g Posted May 24, 2009 Report Posted May 24, 2009 I have a friend who has a MG midget he uses for auto crossing. Its a bit modified, he is running a ex Busch series Buick V6 and automatic trans. That thing is scary fast. Apparently he has a bunch of those engines and lots of parts. The stuff is out there and relatively inexpensive. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 24, 2009 Report Posted May 24, 2009 I like the front end look minus the ford lights. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 24, 2009 Author Report Posted May 24, 2009 Sounds to me like you need to do some engine work on the fireball engine. Oh sure it's going to need some attention down the road. Like all GM's a little blue is a factory signature. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 24, 2009 Author Report Posted May 24, 2009 I like the front end look minus the ford lights. You know Ed, the semi-square headlights are the one thing I just couldnt wrap myself around, I tried, really I did. The rest of the car is so appealing to me. I've seen other 39's with big chrome headlights (similar to the 40 fords) but they dont work that well in my eyes. The 39 style of tear drop is just art deco enough to go with the rest of the design. My wife suggested putting them in upside down until I held them up against my chest... she quickly changed her mind. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 25, 2009 Author Report Posted May 25, 2009 Oh its a happy thing seeing the motor / tranny sitting in the frame. Tomorrow, I'll measure up for motor mounts and awaaaay we go! Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 26, 2009 Author Report Posted May 26, 2009 (edited) I got the front end installed yesterday, all but the calipre and some wheel nuts. Been waiting for the calipre and wheel nuts to show up this morning. It gave me a little time to play on the computer. This is a pretty close representation of the end product... Later today, i'll turn attention to the steering. Turned to stripping the donor car. Its yield so far has been motor/ tranny driveshaft steering column, shift linkage power brake booster/ master cylinder Gas pedal and linkage brake pedal and hardware proportioning valve nice haul for $200.00 Picked up a great mopar steering box from a great hot rodder on the hamb for $80.00... Sweet! Finally got the Caliper and nuts... she's standing on her own! Edited May 27, 2009 by HotrodLono Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Posted May 28, 2009 Here she is tonight after a long day cutting, welding and putting back together. The front has dropped 3 inches total. The rear 5 inches total. The final ride height will vary based on the tires. The cool thing today.... THE FENDER SKIRTS ARRIVED!!!! Quote
mackster Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Here she is tonight after a long day cutting, welding and putting back together.The front has dropped 3 inches total. The rear 5 inches total. The final ride height will vary based on the tires. The cool thing today.... THE FENDER SKIRTS ARRIVED!!!! At this speed you will be driving by Sat. Quote
Fireball Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Hooraa-aah Lono, it's coming together real nice (and fast) Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Lookin good Lono. Don't mean to be too critical, but it seems to me the rear tires are a tad bit too far forward in the opening. Quote
Cpt.Fred Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 :eek:man, you are doing awesome work over there!!!! i was away from the computer for what, now... 3 days? i come back and find you are already on the road:D wish i could keep up your pace... about the dropped uprights... where exactly did you want your machine shop to remove some metal? sorry, i didn't get what you mean:confused: keep the nice butterfly hood, pleeeeeaaase! can't wait to see more! what did you do do to your front end exactly to get the 3"? must know, want do! Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Posted May 28, 2009 :eek:man, you are doing awesome work over there!!!!i was away from the computer for what, now... 3 days? i come back and find you are already on the road:D wish i could keep up your pace... about the dropped uprights... where exactly did you want your machine shop to remove some metal? sorry, i didn't get what you mean:confused: keep the nice butterfly hood, pleeeeeaaase! can't wait to see more! what did you do do to your front end exactly to get the 3"? must know, want do! Did nothing to the uprights yet. I gleened a 2 inches out of the coils and will get the last inch from the tire configuration. I had thought of having them cut out 2 inches and reweld but i was out in left field on that one...kindly disregard. hood.... I really wanted to turn it into a 39 Crysler style hood that opend coffin style. I'm in not panic for tht project, theres lots to do first. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Posted May 28, 2009 Lookin good Lono. Don't mean to be too critical, but it seems to me the rear tires are a tad bit too far forward in the opening. I've relocated the shock mount back by 1.5 inches by redrilling and welding them. That allowd me to get the rear end back another 1.5 inches. Should see it in the next picture. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Posted May 28, 2009 (edited) There wasnt much left of the dash. The entire interal metal had been cut away. Gave me a chance to do something different... Kiazer speedo cluster... bought on line for $35.00 including shipping. It will leave me plenty of room to get some funky pin stipe work done. I have to rework the dash, it just isnt quite there yet. Edited May 29, 2009 by HotrodLono Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 I like the Kiser instruments but the pin striping does not trip my trigger. Please dont tell me you will hang fuzzy dice in there:mad: Quote
hkestes41 Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Man, you need to slow down or you aren't going to have anything to do next week. Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Man, you need to slow down or you aren't going to have anything to do next week. I really like it when a man has an idea and goes for it. My energy levels were not that "excited" when I put my car together. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 28, 2009 Author Report Posted May 28, 2009 I like the Kiser instruments but the pin striping does not trip my trigger. Please dont tell me you will hang fuzzy dice in there:mad: mmm fuzzy dice... dingle balls and an 8 track! Quote
Frank Elder Posted May 28, 2009 Report Posted May 28, 2009 Mexican blanket inter......aaaah I can't finish that sentence.:DHow about a virgin gas can with a dummy fuel line thru the firewall to raise blood pressure!:eek:Your car is truly coming along and will be an awesome cruiser. What if you found a Wildcat dash to go with that funky engine? Quote
Don Coatney Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 These fuzzies are much better than dice. And here is the perfect gas cap. Quote
HotrodLono Posted May 29, 2009 Author Report Posted May 29, 2009 These fuzzies are much better than dice. And here is the perfect gas cap. Just joking about the dingle balls just in case you were looking for picture to post. Quote
Cpt.Fred Posted May 29, 2009 Report Posted May 29, 2009 where did you get the blocks for the rear end? are they really narrower than the ones for other cars, or can i just go ahead and order some anywhere? i wanna dive 3", too:cool: Quote
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