Jon1647545566

It's been awhile. I've been busy with other stuff and traveling for work. But the project continues.... Not much has been going on, aside from some minor disassembly and parts hunting. I have disassembled the rear spring packs and I am wire-brushing and painting them in preparation to start getting the drivetrain and engine mocked up. I found another grille from a fella that I have been doing some parts swapping with out in Colorado. It's a brass 1932 Chevy grille, so it should work out pretty well and I am thinking of using it instead of the other grille shell. I also decided on some wheels. Went with wires after I didn't have much luck finding anything with wood spokes. Hard to tell the size, but they are 19" rims from a 1930 chevy truck. I hope that they hold up with this chassis. They were meant for the non-commercial trucks. The diameter should work for the look I am going for. I am trying to decide on some tires, so I can really get moving on mock-up. I will likely go with 6.00-19 BF Goodrich tires. They are 6-ply and should be enough to handle the weight. I am hoping to have the decision made and get the chassis back to rolling by the end of next month so that I can start on figuring out the body... Now, I just need to find more time and space....... http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/Grille_zpsjzsym6i8.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/wheels_zpsphdh9esp.jpg

Got a little work done today. Decided to liberate the pig of a rearend from the chassis. Quite a chore due to the weight and size. And my garage is a mess making for limited space. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1948_zpsovljyss7.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1950_zpsqoghdnii.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1953_zpseeeutz61.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1952_zpscyifdztl.jpg Here's some size comparison. That is my size 15 muck boot next to the rear drum. The drums weigh 52lbs each. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1954_zpspe1wkmty.jpg I then decided to start breaking down as much of the rearend as possible to sell on ebay to help offset costs. The rest of the big pig will have to go to scrap unfortunately unless somebody steps to the plate soon on it. So the drums were stuck as F*#k and had woodruff keys wedged in to attach them to the axles. Only way would be to pull them off with some sort of slide hammer puller of some sort....only I don't have one. So I fed a logging chain through an old brake drum and bolted it to the hub. Then I started swinging the hub and yanking as hard as I could at the same time (concept was similar to slide hammer at least...). It took a ton of energy and a lot of time, but I finally got them off. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1960_zpson8leqis.jpg The swinging and yanking beat up the old drum pretty good. The old drum came off a '64 C10. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1964_zpslyseciuz.jpg Size comparison of '64 C10 drums to the drums I removed. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1965_zpsev4kpbtz.jpg spooky.... http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1958_zpsgiyllngk.jpg So far on this project I have wasted 3 5lb BFHs. My shoulder is a bit worse for the wear as well. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1981_zpsaslbfgal.jpg Next order of business will be to cut all the brackets and perches off the newer rearend and clean it up to get it ready to go in. I will also be removing a few leafs from the rear while at it. It the meantime, I am still parts hunting......

A few more pieces to the puzzle. Played hooky today and ran out to eastern ohio. Guy had the trans I was after (NV3500). He also had the driveshaft and the rearend out of the truck that the trans came from. Even though I wanted to go 6-lug, since I know the rear was paired with the trans and that I would be having to use wheel adapters/spacers anyway, and the fact that he let me take it all for pretty dirt cheap I decided to go ahead with it all. He threw in a clutch master cylinder, a throttle pedal, and the old clutch so I could pull measurements from it to figure out a way to retrofit it all to an older engine. Anyway, the saga continues..... http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1914_zpsdsvzebvo.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1916_zpsfjtv787w.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1918_zpsqfnsbqzv.jpg

The NV3500 have integral bellhousings. The NV4500 have detachable bellhousings.

There's on on CL over near cambridge. But when I called him he said he didn't know the condition and that when he got the parts truck, the clutch was already torn out.... doesn't give me much confidence.

Guess what's in the box...... http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150314_121741_zpssfvidsu3.jpg Give up??????? http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150314_121759_zps8oqmyypt.jpg Found this one still in the crate as new, tucked away in a fella's pole barn. Got lucky....I think. It's a 1980's "Hecho in mexico" GM goodwrench replacement engine. Fella had three that he had got from a dealership that was going out of business years ago. I got the last one..... I am on the hunt for a GM NV3500 or NV4500 2wd manual transmission. They were used in GMC/Chevy 2wd trucks from the late 1980's to late 1990's. If anybody has a lead, please let me know. Thanks.

another set-back, another step forward..... Followed another lead on a 292 engine. Thought I had a deal hammered out with the fella over the phone. Drove out to Newark this morning loaded for bear and ready to attempt to pull it from a dump truck. When I got there I quickly realized the the fella was confused and didn't quite understand the different generation of inline 6 engines. What was actually in the truck was a 261. Neat engine, but not one of the ones I am considering. Anyway, the guy was a cool fella. Real nice and I stuck around a shot the shit with him awhile. He had a vortec 5.3L sitting on a stand that he was trying to get rid of. I wasn't really interested in it, but he wanted it out of there and gave me a deal I couldn't refuse. So at least I didn't go home empty handed. So if anybody is looking for a Gen III GM 5.3L flex-fuel engine..... let me know. I'd love to sell it or trade it for something I could use. After I got home, I decided to try to see if I could move forward with the hydraulic conversion on the front. I had to use parts from a couple different king pin kits, but I got it worked out to where I was able to mount the '59 spindles and brakes. While I was at it, I converted to tapered roller bearings. Now I just need to do the other side. The engine search saga continues...... I know everybody likes pictures so.... original hub/drum assembly http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1847_zpshi9x1lz4.jpg Original mechanical brake setup http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1853_zpscrwleynq.jpg New bushings for the spindles http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_151119_zpsyvgbol2l.jpg test fit '59 spindle http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_152707_zpsz7gx81wk.jpg had to enlarge the holes on the steering arms http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_153334_zpstlfrgzyf.jpg Backing plate mounted http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_160824_zpseyvzcqll.jpg new roller bearings http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_160833_zpsjsez54op.jpg separating hub from drum http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_161356_zps83nu9chb.jpg separated http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_161523_zpsyuukuooy.jpg drive out old bearings and races http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_164739_zpsgdpvwibg.jpg Drive in new races http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_164748_zps9amhdvpb.jpg Hub mounted.... and done http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/20150307_165657_zpsqc9zq97z.jpg

rough day..... king pins showed up. They aren't right either. Diameter is too small. Looks like the chassis might actually be a 1.5ton chassis. Going to have to order another set and try again. If it weren't for bad luck......

Bummed...... Made the drive out to Springfield today to pick up the wheels I was hoping to use. Seller swore they were 6 on 5.5" lug pattern even after two calls to verify. Got there and tried to test fit my hub and immediately realized they weren't 6 on 5.5". They were 6 on 6". Because of the style of the wheel and how the new brakes will be, I don't want to use an adapter. Besides after some brief searching, I couldn't even find a 6x6" adapter. So I had to leave them there. Really really bummed. This is what they looked like: http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/z/uxwAAMXQUmFSoMPi/$_57.JPG oh well, the search continues. Mail should be here soon. Maybe my luck will change with the king pins. Fingers crossed.

couple pictures.... Busting the tires off the old split ring rims and the grille shell that I intend to use. http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1865_zpswagmkrxv.jpg http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b117/hotrodderguy/big%20roadster/IMG_1857_zps7zgbohfn.jpg tomorrow I am picking up the wheels I hope to use. The king pins are also scheduled to arrive tomorrow and I will be able to find out if my little plan to convert to '59 brakes and spindles will work out or not. More pictures by the weekend.....

one of them is an airplane engine. The others are American LaFrance engine like they used for big firetrucks. The engines you see are massive. The 292 inline 6cyl would be about half the size at best. A 1950's straight 8 would get closer to the length, but not the height. I don't really care about the height though. I think you are right though, good use of where the body ends up can nudge the proportions in the right direction.

I'd need to consider crowd-funding first........ I'm just a poor boy hot rodder.....

Update. Pictures will follow once there is something more to show. I started in on the frontend knowing that converting to hydraulic brakes while still using the stock straight axle would be a big stumbling block. Everybody that I talked to has said that '59 chevy backing plates with '50-'54 hubs will would work. Well, they were wrong. That might work for cars, but the spindles on the 1-ton trucks are larger in diameter and longer in length. The bearing cones are different as well. So after trying to attack it from a bunch of different directions, I think I may have the issue licked by using the '59 truck spindles and brakes with new set of '32 1-ton king pins and bushings. While at it, I am going to convert to tapered roller bearings. I should know by this weekend if my little plan will pan out. If so, it will be a major hurdle overcome. I also found some wheels I like. I think they give off that early 1900's big car vibe. The nice thing is that they aren't split ring wheels and I can sell the originals and get back some of the dough I am having to drop on the other wheels. Pictures later once they are dressed up. Packard engine fell through. I thought it was a done deal, but owner threw me a loop. So still on the hunt. Have two leads on chevy 292 engines, but really would like something bigger. I have been drooling over the 1990's Cummins 12 valve engines, but I think they are a bit out of my budget at the moment. But I think one would be pretty dang sweet in between those rails. So right now I'm taking the wait and see what falls in my lap approach. In the meantime, I will continue getting the chassis squared away and converted to more modern juice brakes and such. Steady as she goes. Pictures soon.

Sounds like the bus ain't such a bad idea. $4k in bus fairs will take her a lot farther than she'd get in a cheap car she won't maintain. Maybe a VW Bug..... Can't get more simple or bullet proof than air cooled without computers, right? On the more serious side, since most cars are designed with obsolescence in mind these days, if you don't take care of it, it won't matter what badge is on the hood. I'd say if you are going to roll the dice, just find anything with low miles and safe tires.

anybody know any good reasonable Abrasive Blasters in the North Columbus, southern Delaware county area? Going to need to get these wheels blasted.

5 words.......... F*ck split locking ring rims....... P.I.T.A.

So, I waste no time.... Drug the chassis back to my garage this weekend and started getting crackin' on taking measurements and such. I disassembled the front mechanical brakes to see what I could do to add hydraulic brakes. I tried a set of '53-'54 chevy passenger car drums. The hubs fit perfect, but the backing plates are too small. So I think that if I can find a set of 1950's truck brakes, I will be in good shape. I still need to track down a rearend. There is a guy on CL selling a '59 truck front and rear. I may go that route. They are a bit more than I want to spend, but one stop shopping saves time, plus he is close and I don't have to be cold and cussing in a junkyard pulling the parts. I think I am going to keep the wheels afterall. They are growing on me and I think I can make up some adapters to use them. Not buying wheels will save a little in the budget and maybe help get the crazy big tires. One thing is for sure, I did a little mock up and.... a 292 straight 6cyl is going to look teeny-tiny in that chassis. I am going to have to find myself a Straight 8cyl somewhere to get the right look. I have a lead on a packard engine and trans. Waiting on more info before making the drive. If I can land some of these parts, I think I can get back on the fast track and start to do some fab work soon hopefully.

Beatercamaro- I could probably do something with that tank. Let me know what you need from it and where to are located via PM. Thanks. I was messing around looking at Cummins 4bt engines last night. Seems that they can be mated to SM-465 trans via an adapter. The adapters cost more than I'd likely spend on the engine and trans combined, so it's unlikely that I go that route. Been thinking that if I could find myself an old beat up truck somewhere for a smokin' deal, maybe I could just rob all the parts and part out the rest to offset costs. I keep watching CL with my fingers crossed. Guy bought the stake bed last night, so I won't have to mess with that thing anymore. Got $60 out of it, which helps get it out of my way and kept it from getting scrapped. He was happy. I was happy. Everybody wins. Now I need to find somebody who wants a pig of a torque tube rear axle...... anybody??????

Perfect patina: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c4/07/9d/c4079dbc9ffa889bf2865e7f4a0d9814.jpg

Interesting. Thanks. Will have to do a little lookin' around. I think I may have somebody coming to relieve me of the stake bed tonight... fingers crossed. then I can get some better measurements and start doing some planning.

I think the chain drive is out. Although really damn cool, it would make it significantly more expensive and complicated than necessary. Again, tight budget.

Might be able to stretch it a bit if I split it and add a little sheet metal. I'd be interested in seeing it. Thanks.

I like the jag idea..... what kind of torque did they have? I think I am going to need the torque that a big inline 6 can provide to get this thing moving. I know some jags accepted chevy bellhousings (Or at least used TH400 transmissions) also, would this be one of them? Mostly likely I will be limited to what falls in my lap for cheap. If you asked me my budget I'd show you my shoe string. haha

PS- does anybody work at a GM dealership? I'm interested in buying a set of 22" GM truck transport wheels to see how they would work on this beast. I found some in OK, but don't want to pay the $200 shipping fee.

Yeah, gave that some thought too. Wouldn't be too tough to do, a coupler and mid-mount plate should be about the toughest part and getting the timing right and the crank alignments. Maybe twin 250's. Have to break out the tape measure and do some figurin' when I get a chance.