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View Full Version : POOR MAN TECH-small progress on my 31 A Roadster.


choprods
06-16-2004, 04:15 PM
well in two weekends of tinkering I have actually accomplished a little on the 31 roadster/32 frame project.
I have changed plans/ideas a few times- BUT the goal here is to have the car I want with what parts Ive scrounged up and or already have!

I started with a new set of ASC -32 rails as finding a real one was too difficult. got these from a lady who won them at a car show[ she didnt have a 32] for a lil less than speedways price.
first I set up a "table"/made from my old lift and some 4" square tubing all leveled and squared to work on-
next I http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gifstole BobBleeds idea [thanks man]on re working the frame to get it a little lower.
See ,I am using a stock undropped front axle, as I like the look and am also broke..... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I cut it at the cowl line and took out3/4" at top and zero at bottom- leaving the lower lip uncut.
then behind front crossmember -I cut from bottom up and took out about 1/2" to zero.

this lowers the front crossmember 3" in the end result.
I built the crossmember and its an inch lower than a 32.

Then at The rear lower corner just behind start of reveal-I cut about 3/4"to zero taking out at top of frame and pulled it up then cut ahead of rear X member
-this time from bottom up -taking about1/2" to zero.

This lowered the rear 3" as well. I also am using a model A rear crossmember for the A buggy spring.

I then cut me some 1/8" boxing plates with the torch from some flat sheet I had. welded the slices in and out and plated them/ then tacked and welded the box plates and ground down the welds.[this part took one whole day]

I made a set of mounts for the 409 engine and 350 turbo trans with a fixture I had here for that.
I had to angle my drivetrain more since the stepping of the frame would have left the water pump shaft too low on radiator to accept a real fan.
since the rear is gonna be low as I can get -it really doesn't line up bad as for a driveshaft angle.
Its gonna be a hi boy and no hood so I kinda like the engine mounted higher than normal.
also Im setting the body on the top of 32 frame and no channel.
IT IS NOW 103 INCH WHEELBASE.
sorry -I cant take a good pic in this place!
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

choprods
06-16-2004, 04:19 PM
poor pics!

choprods
06-16-2004, 04:20 PM
2

choprods
06-16-2004, 04:22 PM
3

choprods
06-16-2004, 04:23 PM
drain holes

weekender
06-16-2004, 06:13 PM
Kenny, keep whackin. Only 2 more months to MO-KAN!

Looks good!

McCray

slammed
06-16-2004, 06:31 PM
Great use of self reliance. Shop look's vintage cool too. 409 powered!! Double throw down stand alone neat.

Tman
06-16-2004, 09:51 PM
Damn! I am ready to paint and do final assembly and I am sweatin Mokan!!!! You better work there countryboy http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif Or else my little 348 will be all alone in MOKAN!

Looks good buddy, keep it up.

Fat Hack
06-16-2004, 10:00 PM
Off to an EXCELLENT start, Bro!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Know what ya mean about the fan positioning...my brother-in-law dropped a 348 with a TH350 into Donzie's Tub and the fan sits kinda low on the radiator...but it's also a dinky little fan off of my dead 216 (for now!).

The Tub has a 32 Frame with a Model A grille shell and aftermarket V8 radiator.

Man, those 348/409 mills are pricey...but they shore do look SWEET in them old jalopies! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Gonna have to scope that thing out when I get down there!

Groovy, Man!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

DIRTYT
06-16-2004, 10:00 PM
hey will me and hack get to scope out that little project next weekend? idlike to steal some idea's off that http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bryan

choprods
06-16-2004, 10:15 PM
Sure- DityT ,I know very little so it can be transferred to your database quickly! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Tdude-I aint throwin in the towel yet........Im gonna skip the smooth filling of the frame and just sandblast and paint the grindermarks and welds[more trad] http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

also I hope my 409 motor is what its promised to be........it was a GM longblock replacement for a farm truck only used 30 thous miles.we'll see!- gonna run an auto and a 9" with 2:50 ratio!
I dont really have that much money in this project [as Im sure it looks that way] Im sure.......its gonna be pretty basic......

Tman
06-16-2004, 10:17 PM
I am in the same boat with my 348 Kenny. I hope we both get to run em at Mokan!

choprods
06-16-2004, 10:23 PM
Good news is Trent we can drop in the emergency SPARE [small block] http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif- in an hour and still make it!

Tman
06-16-2004, 10:26 PM
Trust me, if I have to, the 54 will donate its smallblock for the cause http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif!