Project 48 build thread

[falconvan]

I'll have to do some measuring; I need to get the trunk handle in there, too. Just ordered wheels last night; a new set of steelies.

[40plyrod]

If you gotta do a recessed license detail, the original trunk light would would be a great "topper" for the detail. I think it would make the rear look a little more stock like, while being up to date. And, make that a functional third brake light. Maybe even an eyebrow for the license light.

That's what I did on my '40, but I had to change my latch to a bearclaw style and open it electricaly because the license plate pan interferred with the stock latch.

[falconvan]

That looks really good; i like your tail lights, too.

[falconvan]

We've got the trunk skin off the inner panel and are working on patching the rust at the bottom. My Wheel Vintique wheels came in today; 15x8 for the back and 15x7 for the front. Not sure on tire size yet. If thinking a 235/15 for the front and a 275/15 for the rear. Also I got the LS1 engine valley cover that eliminates the knock sensors.

[mrwrstory]

Are your rear wheel tubs stock? If so, I found that the max. tire I could barely squeeze in was a 255 and that was just too tight. Hit both the fender and the frame. 245/60-15 was the max on a 7"wide rim irrespctive of the offset.

My combo is/was 205/60-15 and 245/60-15.

[falconvan]

Great info, thanks! Can you send me a picture of yours? i'd like to see how it sits with those tire sizes.

[mrwrstory]

Great info, thanks! Can you send me a picture of yours? i'd like to see how it sits with those tire sizes.

For some unknown reason, I don't have a current full on side view that would best answer your question, I apologize. Here is the best I could find. Although the wheels shown in the first pic are not the Cop Car wheels, they are the same size.

This config has Fatman spindles, one coil cut, 2" blocks and old springs.

[falconvan]

Very nice! I've got the Fatman spindles, too.

[falconvan]

I'm trying to stay busy despite the heat. It don't look like it's going to let up anytime soon so we're all just trying to live with it. You get used to it after a while, just sweat like a dog and take a lot of showers.

This week I pulled all the parts out of the attic storage and went through all the chrome to pick out the best of what was there. I stared cleaning up and painting POR-15 on everything that's not getting body color paint; insides of the fenders, the bottom of the bumper filler panels, bumper brackets, etc.

[mrwrstory]

Damn!!!!!!!!!!!! You're making me feel bad. I'll post some stuff tonight or tomorrow.

[falconvan]

I dont know; it looks like your car is way farther along than mine. I hauled it here in pieces four years ago and still haven't heard it run!

[mrwrstory]

I dont know; it looks like your car is way farther along than mine. I hauled it here in pieces four years ago and still haven't heard it run!

Mine has not run in 9 years or with a V8. Been tellin folks late this Summer. That may be November at the rate I'm fussin with stuff.

[falconvan]

If you weren't so far away I'd pitch in and give you a hand.

[mrwrstory]

We gotta extra bedroom,......but then again, I'd be stressed tryin to keep you busy.

Has something to do with how fast I make decisions

[Niel Hoback]

I used to have trouble making decisions, but now I just don't know,,,,,,

[littlemo]

falconvan; still here in SEMO following your thread. I can't believe how far you've come in so "short" a time. Great project, it's really looking good. I plan on being in the St Louis area on the 9th. to see my throat quack. Would love to stop by and see your ride up close. Cass, alias Littlemo ...

[falconvan]

Ok, the deck lid is finally coming together after a lot of work. While Kyle's taking care of that mess I started looking at what to do with the doors. The sides and top fit great but the lower edge stuck out pst the body line and I was all out of hinge adjustment. Since I had to do some minor repair anyway on the door bottom anyway, I sliced it about 1/8" wide from end to end on the bottom, pulled it together with a clamp, and welded it together. It came out much better.

[Greenbomb]

Just like that...no problemo. Geez- I'd be a couple weeks just deciding what to do, then a couple more for hand wringing and then would probably say to heck with it. It's looking good!

[falconvan]

Truthfully, i did spend a couple of weeks deciding what to do and finally decided to throw caution to the wind and try it. A decent MIG welder and a little ambition goes a long way. Luckily this time it went in the right direction!

[mrwrstory]

Nice thing about working with metal is you can usually recover from a failed attempt and be richer for the experience,.....as long as you use your head and anticipate. Somehow it doesn't seem to work that way with wood. And besides, wood makes ya sneeze. Ever try a sneeze while welding? I tried stiffling a sneeze once while laying down a bead. Ended up buggerin up the weld and peeing my pants:D

[falconvan]

Hah! No sneezing problems but I did learn not to wear tennis shoes while welding. That little ball of hot metal sure smarts when it burns through your shoe and lands between your toes.

[mrwrstory]

Set my shorts on fire once too.

[Niel Hoback]

I don't want to know how you did that, but I bet its pretty funny.

[BeBop138]

Set my shorts on fire once too.

As Jerry Lee said---Great B....................

[falconvan]

This is the outer skin from one decklid, the inner support from another, and a whole lot of patching. Still a ways to go but at least it's all in one piece. I painted the insides of both before we put them together. Also Im planning on one piece windows so I cut out all the vent window supports and patched in the factory lock hole. It'll have locking handles when Im done because the factory locks wont work with the bear claw latches.