Suedes Car Club
General => Project Reports => Topic started by: J_Swisher on January 20, 2008 9:32 am
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Got a good start on on the frame over the holidays. The frame came back from the sandblaster and it seemed to be in good enough shape. The girl and rattle bombed some cheap primer on it to keep it from rusting while I'm working on it.
The first thing that was done was the install of Chassis Engineering parallel leaf kit. Nothing special, other than I'm lacking a rearend for it.
The next thing done is the install of a Weedetr Street Rod Wide Xmember kit. Definately took some patience to get everything marked cut and aligned. Its currently just tacked in, but I dont want to finish weld it till I know everything fits.
The last thing I got done is to cut the factory front crossmember out, repaired the drivers side frame horn, and replaced the factory boxing plates with some solid plate.
That is all for now but there is definately more to come.
(http://www.imageupload.ca/files/yxvdj1r0tb0a231yekzf.jpg) (http://www.imageupload.ca/)
(http://www.imageupload.ca/files/fgkdcoo466p8b6y528dx.jpg) (http://www.imageupload.ca/)
(http://www.imageupload.ca/files/z6wagdmbppvvnj1szsr9.jpg) (http://www.imageupload.ca/)
(http://www.imageupload.ca/files/9zhhm90tnznlao339fmy.jpg) (http://www.imageupload.ca/)
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Just in case anybody was wondering this is what the car originally looked like. Thanks for looking.
(http://www.imageupload.ca/files/4ramzkotcavt1o6hc6cd.jpg) (http://www.imageupload.ca/)
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Looks Good.
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man, I love those things. Can't wait to see it drivin'!
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Very cool. so whats the over all plan?
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Very cool. so whats the over all plan?
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Figured it was about time for an update since its been awhile. I have gotten quite a bit done, but need to do some fine tuning to get everything perfect.
Finished welding in the wide X-member. Got the welds ground down, and mount for the tranny fitted and bolted in.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/snxgllxmarbf02l7di5y.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
Installed a Heidts IFS, might catch some flack for that, but it will sit low, drive good, and with it being a fat fender how it looks arent that important.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/vaemuh6ekllau5n7616z.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
Got the engine dropped in and the mounts fitted. Other than than being a 454, there isnt a lot to say.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/spwihtegxaihc1bgivza.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
(http://imageupload.ca/files/kapyaezxinyya3u70ucp.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
So heres the frame as it sits right now. Drivetrain is a 454/TH350. Frontend is Heidts, rearend is a chassis engineering leave kit and probably a 9in ford when I can find one. Needs a little fine tuning, paint, and of course a rebuild of the motor and tranny, but for right now looks pretty good.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/lt01fuw2odzwznf9l68q.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
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Got a start on the body work. Although the body doesnt seem to be in bad shape it has rust in all the typical areas, mainly the rockers.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/2hhw52r1qdazhx0cfcg4.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
First thing done was to get a new firewall in. The original firewall was hacked full of holes, so it seemed easier to replace it than fix it. The firewall also has a 4" set back making engine placement a little easier.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/gjbuqu079pz5jkcdst89.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
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Plans are to end up something that looks like this in the end.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/yew51dlckkgmerwdcnfz.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
I've got a long ways to go :roll:
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looks like you're making a lot of progress! I've got that same pic of the '46 with the olds grille on my computer- I like it! are you planning on choping it too? Bodywork is a treat, isn't it?
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Plans are to end up something that looks like this in the end.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/yew51dlckkgmerwdcnfz.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
I've got a long ways to go :roll:
That is one good lookin car! That's the way 46-48's were meant to look.
Keep up the good work.
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Plans are to end up something that looks like this in the end.
I've got a long ways to go :roll:
You have got my intrest, PLEASE keep us posted. Looks good so far!!
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nice clean installation on the firewall, looks great
are you going to go with an olds grille?
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Haven't gotten much done lately, but spring break starts friday so hopefully I can get some work done then. I have scrounged up some more parts though. The bigger parts being an olds grill, and the other being a set of 49 plymouth bumpers. I picked up the grill last week and bumpers should I have next week.
(http://imageupload.ca/files/x0br7jx0ovu7ghl252dc.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
Should have plenty of fun next week, as I hope to get some body work done, and start chopping the top.
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I saw on the HAMB where it cost $1200.00 to have Olds grill plated. I hope that you can swing that, like I said on the other post they look better in a Ford than in an Olds. :thumbleft:
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So the chop is underway. 3.5in vertical drop up front and 4in drop in the rear. Progress is slow, but Im to the point that I can start to see how the lines of the car are coming together. Any comments good or bad appreciated and now for a few pics,
(http://imageupload.ca/files/ohueqtabg0lnw5q1mzbe.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
(http://imageupload.ca/files/b2ki2gxxws89ykqlh9z8.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
(http://imageupload.ca/files/q90vsvkyqqxwr3j7b2eg.jpg) (http://imageupload.ca/)
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I think it is looking good. It looks like you had to cut the roof across the top too..I hate to do that but I seem to end up cutting it every time. It is where I always run into the most trouble with oil canning.
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I've always heard that is one of the tougher bodies to chop and look right....Your rear half is looking great. I love that look and the slope is right on. Keep it up. It's hard to see the front half with the door still full sized. :)
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looks good. alot of times that bodystyle just looks squished
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Yeah........what Jake said!!
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Im trying hard avoid the two thing I dont like when these cars get chopped, first being that the rear windows get too small and odd shaped. The other being that the back window and surrounding metal gets laid down so far that the back window turns into more of a sunroof than an actual back window. Granted far from being done. Doors will be chopped soon enough.
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I agree with Sko alot times these look squished, yours looks like its flowing which is what you want if you talk to any old kustom guy.
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My Merc has a rear sunroof. :)
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My Merc has a rear sunroof. :)
Yeah......... knida what I was thinkin'.
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Sweet chop. I love that car more every time I see it. Lookin' great!
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These have never been my favorite cars, but yours, sir, is looking extrordinary! Keep us posted...
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I don't know if you remember that Hot Wheels car Tail Dragger, but that's what I think of with that chop.
http://www.hotwheelscollectors.com/showroom/checklist/product.aspx?upi=6614 Here's a link to it.
It's coming along very nicely- I can't wait to chop something fun...
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Don't know if anyone's been following this HAMB thread or not... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245687- . Check it out - some good - some not so good. You'll see how nice Swisher's is compared to (IMHO) a poor 41 on the thread and there is one very pleasing Merc.
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Well I haven't done an update in a while and figured I probably should. Seems like Ive had everything about three times, but I think I have everything where I want it. Finish welding stinks, but definately getting faster at it. Also picked up a set of skirts and and a different trunk lid. Both need some minor tweaking, but look good. Oh and some new pics.
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Man, that chop looks wicked!
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Very nice work on the chop. Looks very well proportioned. Love the skirts too. They really lengthen out the entire car.
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very nice job so far on the chop... i cannot wait to see it done! chop chop!
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That chop flows so nice. It'll be slick! I dig the skirts also!
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Any more progress?
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My progress looks way to slow, compared to others. Im trying hard to keep mud to a minimum, and everything is getting tigged. I also managed to buy a house, and that seems to take up way to much time to especially with movin. Well heres pics of both
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Both are looking good! :)
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I still can't get over how melty that chop is... awesome.
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So after a little break for life... time to get back to work..have had a few hiccups along the way... but time to get moving again. So found a 74 nova for $300. Took bout everything and anything I could... sold some, kept some, junked some, and came out $100 to the positive
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So after getting it sorted out.. kept the seats.. fit pretty descent.. transmission.. no brainer... and rear end...and went to work.
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And pics
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So body went on... and definately not low enough... already has blocks in the rear.. so readjust and more work, but needs a channel...
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So rolled outside to do a little cleanup... and start putting the brakes/spindles together.. original plans were for a 57 ford rear end, but after getting it home and taking a blaster to it.. wasn't much left.. so swapped for a Chevy bolt pattern and stuck together.. the cheesy wheels are just temps..
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After lots of cutting the inner fenders finally cleared the front suspension... then some more cutting to make room and look descent.. andfinally fit...
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So more parts painting and put front suspension together.. have some fine tuning, but will work for now... making progress and off the blocks for now... still a ways to go, crazy how much small stuff goes into making stuff fit
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Looking great! Thanks for the update.
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Cool! Looks like its nice and low!
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So plugging away trying to get more accomplished. Powerwashed the motor and tranny. Still plan on going through, but easier to work with when they're clean. Ordered a set of fenderwell headers from speedway, the ones for 55-57 chevy. Maybe not perfect, but will work. Did a dry run and seem to fit with where the motor and body is at. Did a lot of trial and error to get them to run through the fenders and seem to fit pretty descent.
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I love this car. Everything about it, its going to kick ass. What are your thoughts on paint/wheels?