The cost of the little bits...........reality check?

[Tman]

Ok, we hashed this over a few months back. I am at the crunch time doing final assembly on my Touring. My parts guys just let me grab the fittings and/or parts books cause I know em as well as they do http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I happen to work in a shop and get a little break on parts in offset to my meager pay. For this list however, I used a moderate retail price, never full boat. This is what I bought in the last week, FYI.

Rear Drums $70pr
R. Wheel Cylinders $35pr
R. Shoes $35pr
R. Wheel Bearings $50pr
Front Bearings/seals 40-48 Ford Brakes
$70
Fr. Wheel Cylinders $100pr
Fr. Shoes $50
3/16 Tubing 4@5ft $25
3/8 Tubing 3@5ft $25
Fittings $10
Master Cylinder $27
Residuals $50pr
MC Adaptor fittings $8
Chrome Fuel Filter Cartrige type
$30
Brake hoses, crazy shit rubber ones are $25 EACH! I retail a braided kit for $65 that includes brackets/clips and adaptor fittings for BOTH sides. I did the braided because it used less fittings and connections to get what I wanted.

I dont know about you but my calculator says $700+ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif I am not even close to having all teh fittings for the Tripower. I didnt include a brake switch yadda yadda yadda.................

Kinda an eye opener when you pencil it out. I just feel that you should do it right, I want to travel with this car and I will know that there are decent mechanicals in it.

[Roothawg]

Tell me about it. I am trying to build my shop....
permits so far
Fence permit-$50
Shop building permit $120
Security alarm permit $25
Electrical Permit$120
Dirtwork for the pad $125
Loads of fill dirt $250
5' chainlink fence $1600
5 ea insulated windows for shop $392

Waiting on the plumber and the electrician to call me back with their quotes. I haven't even broken ground yet. This sucks...I may never get it done. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Smokin Joe]

Wait till you add up all those SS and chromed bolts & nuts on a high dollar rod. There's an eye opener for you. And you still have to polish all those damned SS bolts 1 at a time. Of course, no one in town has much of a selection in stainless so most of this little shit gets mail ordered with shipping charges.

[Detonator]

I hear ya! I always throw my receipts in a file folder -- with the intent of adding 'em all up when I'm done. The folders on the last couple of cars got so thick I was afraid to add 'em up. So I figured I'd drive the cars awhile, enjoy them, THEN add up the receipts... that way it wouldn't hurt so bad. Truth is, they're still in a box, under the workbench (out of sight of Ms. Detonator), and still uncounted. Both cars have been real good to us, lots of miles, lots of smiles, and no major breakdowns, so whatever those suckers add up to, it was worth it. My plan now is to take 'em all down to the beach and build a nice little bon fire with 'em -- then toast 'em with a rum and coke. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[JimC]

It is only money! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tman]

A wise old Mexican hotrodder told me "Money is no object when it comes to your hotrods!"

I am not complaining, just trying to get the ppoint across to a certain segment of our guys here on the board. Sure you can built a $2000 rod, but will the wheel bearings take a 2000 mile trip? How many times has a $20 part turned into a $200 repair at Uncle Jesses "shop" in western nowhere?

SPending money on you car should be as fun as stuffing dollars in some stripper crack or polishing off a fine bottle of Bourbon! Why are so many guys afraid of it? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[choprods]

T Man- I'm doing my 32 for an A chassis now and here is what I spent this week:
two frt brake rubber hoses['76 must II] =15.06
REAR HOSE FOR REAR AXLE-['80 CHEVY TRUCK] =13.99
1981 FULL SIZE LTD ALUM MASTER CYLINDER =18.99
ADAPTERS AND UNIONS =13.00
HARD LINES =19.00
MOTOR MOUNT CUSHIONS [2] FOR [72 CHEVELLE-350=15.00
4 GAS SHOCKS[ALL FRTS OFF A 72 CHEVY PICKUP] =68.00
4 SPERICAL ROD ENDS FROM A [THREE POINT HITCH]
FROM FARM STORE TO USE AS RADIUS ROD ENDS-3/4"=45.00
ONE QUART OF GOLD METALLIC ACCENT COLOR '92 DODGE=17.98

$226.03
If I have a point it's that you have to scrouge and save every part off every donor ya can and shop shop till you save on what ya gotta buy new....
I had several of the other parts you see missing from this list hoarded up for a few years]

[Tman]

Kenny, I suspect some of your prices are at a better price than the average Joe can walk in and get. I used the Retails on my invoices, not what I might have paid. As for the brake hoses, I am sure I could find just any hose, but I wanted the fittings to look right and not like used parts. Also, my friend, you have lots of gaps in your list, just like I do http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Shall we use you as a low end reference and keep adding to our lists? Good comparison I say.

[choprods]

missed these- two wheel cyls for rear edn['60 ford galaxy]=12.50 pair
shoes 13.35 a set.
seems cores are a thing of the past....at least if I didnt get any off for the cores on brakes at least I did not have to pay a core on the master cylinder......my frt brakes['47 Lincs] are in good used condition and [maybe redo later] on......steering box and all tie rods are good and in used cond too.

[choprods]

Not trying to be cheap T- I showed what I gave at my cost[ including tax as I am not a retailer here.
Yes I have used some used stuff on this car but its in good shape so I figure if its good /cleaned and painted its own mother wouldn't know!
also Im sure its cheaper or higher depending on our location in relation to the store suppliers too!
My trans is one I have had that is good but used and so is the rear end and gears......saved some there.even my wheels and tires are good but used condition.
I aint building what I would call a "street rod" here-but its nicer than a rust bucket [as I have been known to drive] http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif!
you kniow whatr would be funny here is if all this used shit actually made it to HAMB DRAGS[and back] and ran an ET of less than 28.8 seconds! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Tman]

I wonder what the pricing diffs are. MY cost is good, retail on some of this shit is crazy! And our local house has good prices.

As for the rear hoses, I wanted to keep the rear end clean and ran the hardline to 2 separate hoses, Right and Left. I would say we are close on hardline prices. Carquest sells 5 foot lines, Napa has 6 footers. I like how the Carquest line bends and it seems to corrode less due to the aluminizing. I have seen Napa line that was pinholed from just sitting around, no shit!

[flamedabone]

T-man. If it makes you feel any better, you are not EVEN CLOSE TO BEING DONE!!!!!!

You are still looking at four or five more "big" trips to the parts store for stuff like oil, lug nuts, taillight sockets, brakelight switch, plug wires, starter, those little headlight adjuster thingies in the HELP section, hose clamps, headlights, steering wheel adaptor, differential gasket (don't forget 80/90) and of course another fuel pump, because the one you saved for your PONTIAC ends up being for a damn Chevvie.

THAT is where the big money is. Chassis, motor and body ain't shit.

Also, Choprods is dead nuts. Save EVERY damn thing you can think of off every donor car you run across. You never know when that master cyl adaptor you saved off that 78 T-bird will save you a trip to the parts store.

Hope you feel better. Happy hot rodding. -Abone.

[Tman]

flamed, I know, but I have most of that stuff bought already. I just used this little list as a reference. I do have access to lots of little bits at the rodshop, more often than not the ONE fitting you need is not in the parts bin! I figured a cool GRAND after all of the major parts had been bought, the car was painted and everything had been engineered. Of course I kinda fibbed to Carla, it will be closer to $1500 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Tman]

I didnt mention hardware either! I have $60 in grade 8 bolts this week! Not to mention the grade 5 shit I pilfered from the shop http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[flamedabone]

Oops, forgot some shit...

Factor in finding some bozo at the tire store who can mount your tires with out toasting your magnesium Halibrands.

Also, you are gonna need an alignment.. and sombody to paint this heap (this is a whole 'nuther money funnel), a guy to build the tranny, three whole lunch hours wasted trying to find the right set of U-bolts. Don't forget about the guys at the muffler shop that saw YOU comming. Also, there are the five trips to the glass shops to finally find one that says yes, they can do that. Add to that the fact that you will spend five hours of your life at the DMV explaining just what the hell a Henry J is.......

Fuckin old cars..I love 'em.

[choprods]

Im also gonna save 30 percent on body metal as I building the other 30 percent from Bondoo! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
My 31 body is an exercise in how not to buy a roadster body on EBAY http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I aim to have some half-assed color on the body this year so dont look too close at it!Ha
90 days is NOT long enough to allow to build a car........ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Tman]

Keep talkin, you guys are making me feel bettter! Got lots of that covered http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[19Fordy]

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifGee, you're lucky you a least get some price break. Any tips on how the average HAMBER can get the guy at the local NAPA store not to charge him full retail. I know there are several price columns they can pick from. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif thanx

[34Fordtk]

Talking about a shop....20 yes 20 loads of fill to get it above flood level @ $100 a load!!! 6" of concrete about 6K! 30x38 steel building from American Steel span (one of the no frame ones) $6500 to the door. All this is not counting permits!!! BUT a local quote for a steel frame steel building was over $30K turn key..............And to just ramble on a bit I did a rough add up on my Coupe...$4700 worth of stuff for it so far... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[choprods]

other than UPS costs-NORTHERN AUTO PARTS [ soiux city Ia] is a good source of brake /mechanical/ engine/ speed parts. at as low a cost as any place I know.
good service and speed too!
www.northernautoparts.com (http://www.northernautoparts.com)

[Slag Kustom]

when most people build a car they never ever think of all the little bull shit stuff that it take to make every thing work.they look at the big cost stuff body & paint , motor & drive train , frame. if we all had to go out and buy the countless buckets of standard hardware we have laing around or the dozen pieces of scrap metal we use for patches , cut off harness sockets,rolls of wire,we would all spend an easy 3 grand on thing we take for granted.i know right now i have over $60.00 in weld thru primer in the rockers and floors of my car just so the new metal where you cant get to after it's welded in won't rust

[SanDiegoJoe]

I don't keep track. My wife would kill me if she knew how much I've spent over the years... and I can plead ignorance!

[Rocky]

I know, I know!!! Now, that raty ol' "Rocky 33" wasn't such a bad deal, wassit? I threw nickles and dimes at that little truck for almost a year. All new front end, bearings, kingpins, front brakes, clutch, tranny bearings motor and tranny mounts, tires, tubes and liners,front and rear glass, etc etc etc etc. It's like taking money outa the bank--it adds up FAST!

[enjenjo]

Last one I built for myself, 47 Fleetline, at the roller point, Mustang front, 350, 350 nova rear, I had $1500 in it.Finished, no paint and interior, I had $3500 in it, bolts, nuts, glass, hoses, exhaust, brakes and lines,fuel lines and tank, I had gauges, seats, tires, wheels, that I didn't count, this was just the stuff I bought. With an interior, AC, electric wipers, and a new rack on the front end, material only, I did it all myself, I had $6000 in it.

when doing a car for someone else, the little stuff usually equals the big stuff in price. $3000 for engine trans and rear, another $3000 in parts to have it running.

[desertratrodder]

Little shit adds up...thats why I dropped some $$ to buy a lot where I can stick all the cars that people want hauled off for free. All the little adapters, lines, brake units, steering boxes, motors, etc...just sitting there. Takes a bit of time to pull the stuff, but they are essentially free..
That place paid for itself in a few months..

[Phil1934]

A couple helpful tips. My Ma & Pa hardware had their SS bolts cheaper than the regular! For all the others I bought the $300 set from Harbor Freight. They're grade 5.
Tell me about costs. I was throwing together a street car for the nephew. Only had $2000 in engine and trans. But things like replacement wheel bearings were $200. The "might as well do it while I'm in there" syndrome has pushed the cost to $5000.

[TINGLER]

SALES TAX....oh man those are dirty words.

Here in Tenn. its around 9%. So for every $100 spent, you get to tack on $10 to give to the state.
I just bought a water pump for my car....$61 and $5 in taxes....Total $67.

For every $1000 spent roughly $90 goes to the state....
I estimate at this point having spent around $5000 on my Fairlane....
Here Tennessee, have $450 of my car money.... and THANK you, Tennessee, for mowing the road bank in front of my house 2 times a summer. Thats nice. (we do have nice roads though)...
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[delaware george]

i'm with uptownjoe...otherwise i'd be in big trouble

[porknbeaner]

I never count the cost, did it once and it was more than my heart could bear.
I just estimate and tell everyone that I'm in cheap. It is cheap if it makes me happy right?
But it is absolutley the truth, no one evr counts the piddly stuff when they figure the cost of a rod and even a moderate ride will nickle and dime you to death.

[JOECOOL]

Yeh it's bad, but what gripes me is the shop supplies ,I always am buying sanding belts,beer, ,saw blades ,cutoff wheels,Beer,welding rod ,welding gas,pizza,more beer, light bulbs , floor dry , hot dogs and then there is more beer.
Thats what I'm talkin' about!!

[beatnik]

I'm going throught the same thing, I used a lot of parts I had sitting around the garage and still went over my set budget. Luckily I know you can usually add a 1/3 to what ever the planned budget is and I was prepared for it.

There was a lot of small parts that nickle and dime you and a lot of parts that I thought I could get away with using, and then decided I was better off buying new for reliability, safety, or even performance:

fuel pump $100
carb $200
gear box $300
ring/pinion and install kit $300

I'm still making runs to the parts store for misc crap, last one was just for fluids, electrical connectors and a couple of switches and it was still $60. I also keep a lot of hardware in the garage or it would have felt even worse.

It's a learning experience for me as well, I took a lot of stuff for granted, this is the first rod I've ever built from scratch. Some how it is all worth it when you first turn that key.

[Just Gary]

It's a little easier to stomach if you characterize the costs as "entertainment".
While some people spend $10 on a movie ticket, I spend the same $10 on car stuff that I find entertaining.

Hey, don't laugh... it works for me! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[av8]

I don't tell you this to piss you off or make you envious, Trent, but you're in for some smokin' deals later in life.http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

We old guys are inclined to contribute bits and pieces to others' projects with no expectation of payback, but it seems to persist and return us more than we've given. I've gotten lots more than I've given in parts recently, so I try to pay back with detailed photo chronicling of friends' rods and racecars and port and crank work.

Recent donations to my F-1 project include free reversed-eye springs, front and rear, from a pal who owns a suspension company and for whom I've done catalog and press release photography and writing in the past as a favor, all at my cost.

A couple of months ago my friend Terry Griffith rewired my truck entirely, making up all new looms that are in keeping with the characeter of the truck when it was new, but accommodating present and future needs. The work included incorporating directional and parking lamps, plus a one-wire GM alternator. I provided the alternator and directional switch (which was a freebie from C9!), and Terry tossed in a converted GM HEI (on indefinite loan). The bill for Terry's work was $200, less than I would have paid for a wiring kit but certainly not enough to purchase the professional level of electrical system design and construction that is Terry's signature work.

Week before last I asked my pal Fuller if he would sell me the pair of Fenton flathead headers that were resting on a parts shelf in his shop. "No," he said, "but I'll give 'em to you for your truck." When I thanked him for his generosity he answered "You'll earn 'em," referring to work that remains to be done on his 'liner.

Last week I asked another pal, Walt Letherman, who has a super-trick metal shop that is supported by his incredible talent, for a price on making some body patch pieces for another friend's '35 Ford truck cab. (A "deal" was struck the week before with that friend, Mike Hawes, who is a graphics designer and killer sign painter, the fellow who will do the "Bing's Speed Shop" signage on my truck. 'Get these piece made for me,' he said, 'and I'll cover your truck with signs!')

Hawes' drawings for the patch pieces were precise and clear and no mystery to Walt. I asked him to give me a price and he said 'Why?' I explained that they were not for me but were part of a deal where I would get my truck signage done. 'So it's for you after all, so there's no charge.' I couldn't talk him out of it. I probably could have gotten comfortable with this, but I also brought him anther project for me, a rear bumper for my F-1, something we'd talked about weeks ago.

The next day, Walt called me, saying that my work was done! I picked up the patch pieces and my new rear bumper and all of it was the perfect craftsmanship I've come to expect from his shop. I have to finish the ends of the bumper, which I'll do under the tuteldge of Fuller who has been threatening to teach me TIG. This is a perfect opportunity. Fuller feels I have excellent hand/eye skills, developed during my port and crank work. I'm stoked!

The point of this very long post, Trent, is that you'll have increasingly more support from friends and acquaintences as the years roll by. Not all of us old guys are gold chainers; some of us are still hot rodders! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Tman]

Mike, that is a very good point. I already have many good contacts here locally and on the HAMB.

[4t64rd]

I just got back from dumpiing... er... giving a local jeep-only repair shop the postal Jeep Dana 44 I pulled. It was after hours, so they will never know who was so generous. I figure it's good car-ma.

I usually nab every POS (This years POS's were: 83 Park Ave., 87 Lesabre, 84 Sunbird Conv., 74 Jeep Postal Van, 50 Ford Crestliner, 3? Ford rear made into a trailer, 84 Chevy Van, 84 Olds Ciera Wagon and a 76 Nova) anybody wants gotten rid of, and strip off everything that could be useful to someone. A lot of stuff I don't need. Then I give away the big stuff that I don't have room for and keep the easily stored.

I return, I've been given, or sold really cheap (like in token amount). '40 Ford front bones, 3 chrome wheels, early Corvette quick-ratio steering box, 2-14" Firestone bias ply WWWs, IROC-Z steering box and matching pump and the use of many tools and consumables.

[Upchuck]

I had originally thought I could do my truck for no more than 300.00 by trading, begging and borrowing this or that http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif, I am at just under 250.00 (not including the miscellanious tools I bought) and I still need 4 shocks, brake shoes(front and rear) ,little wire connectors, tailights, headlights and who knows what else for incidental items, and thats just to get it on the road http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I am gonna use the olddddd old flathead dual exhaust and see how rotten the mufflers are might be getting them to before its all said and done

and I got the truck for free to start with

gonna take a smidge more once I start on the body work http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Tman]

I think it is time for this post to surface again;)

[hillbillyhell]

I couldn't agree more....I'm halfway into my 34 pickup, and haven't even installed anything I spent money for, other than the cab. But all the little shit that adds up is in big piles at the shop: ss brake tubing and hoses, wiring harness, taillights, bearings, seals, brake shoes, wheel cyliders, etc etc. Also if I bother to add it up, I've got 2K in the motor and trans (SBC and world class T5, rebuilt both in house). Like a lot of people, I've gotten lucky on some stuff, my Dad hooked me up with a 9", got a great deal on my BLC headlights, etc. But I still figure I'll be 10K in when it's done.


The one thing I take consolation in is the thought of how much these cars would cost if we paid someone else to do them start to finish. There is a LOT of 60K cars floating around on the HAMB if you think of it that way. :)

Plus, wait till you get to finishing that shop you're building, you ain't seen nothing yet :)

[Detonator]

One thing that helps when I have to hand over big-time loot for a specialty part or machine work is the concept of "hot rod averaging." When I score parts for next to nothing, swap for them, or get them free from a buddy -- it offsets the pain of paying full boat for something I can't build myself. It also offsets the pain of paying market price for those vintage and collectible manifolds, gauges, wheels, headlights, tailights, steering wheels, etc etc you stumble across. This is the difference between us and the 1-800 guys.

[blackjack]

Try building a traditional Hot Rod in the UK - everything is 4 times the price you guys pay.

[Scott]

If only nickels and dimes were still just nickels and dimes :rolleyes:

[Detonator]

Mr. BlackJack -- I feel your pain, man. With price, plus the scarcity of parts, I'm blown away by the calibre of traditional cars you (and the guys in Oz, NZ, Scandanavia, France, etc) build. Major props to all you guys.

[Zapato]

IWe old guys are inclined to contribute bits and pieces to others' projects with no expectation of payback, but it seems to persist and return us more than we've given. I've gotten lots more than I've given in parts recently, so I try to pay back with detailed photo chronicling of friends' rods and racecars and port and crank work.


The point of this very long post, Trent, is that you'll have increasingly more support from friends and acquaintences as the years roll by. Not all of us old guys are gold chainers; some of us are still hot rodders! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

This is the way it should be, I pass on a lot of stuff and am always shocked when even more stuff comes back. In the last month I've received a Fulton Sunvisor, 50 ford coupe garnish moldings, tail lights, and several other small items, and the same friend has found for me an early 283 4bbl manifold and a 4gc carb to go with it. I louvered his hood and passed on a 54 pontiac grille that was gathering dust in my garage, but neither exchange was premeditated with the expectation of anything in return. Sure I could have sold either my services or parts, but putting a price on friendship is not the way I was brought up. Sometimes we all need to pass on some stuff and if we can't get to that point at least cut a guy a good deal.

My 2cents, av8 I'm still looking for your Cunningham.

And by the way, I almost forgot, I offered up the garnish moldings up for free with local pickup only earlier this week on this site and am still surprised not a single response. They're still here and still free. Going to haul them with me to the "BASH" this afternoon so they may be left behind.

Guess that really was 4cents worth.

[blue collar guy]

I get to deal with this every day. We are building atleast five cars at a time. It get crazy trying to track down the best deal for every cars part list. We have a few great vendors that make it easyer put some of the more odd stuff gets expensive.It makes it hard to even quote a price.I try to get all the little stuff but because sometimes the little stuff can cost $1000 or more on a whole car.
I don't know how many hours I have waisted doing a quote for a customer and by the cars done he's changed his mind on every thing and wonders why it dosn't match the quote. Thanks for letting me vent. Scott

[3wLarry]

Remember back when I first started posting in April and I said that I'd saved up 75k to build my dream coupe? I've never built one from the ground up before. How naive I was. :o That milemarker was passed 6k ago and it's still in pieces at TWO rod shops now trying to "gitterdone" by my B-day in November. The small stuff DO add up. So does the labor. :eek:

[Coupe-De-CAB]

I hear ya... I got almost a grand into these kelsey hayes rims i just aquired for a now "future project" build,i had them, bead blasted, straighten and powder coated and i don't even have tires on them yet:(
CAB

[T McG]

If you want a reality check, buy an old house. At least most of us have the wherewithal to barter and scrounge to build a car for cheap. It doesn't work quite the same with a house. $5gs to rework the pool, another 5 for the roof, another 5 to do a new airconditioner, another 5 for replacement windows, and on and on. What was I thinking? I was thinking about the giant yard and extra garage for me thats what I was thinking. Fortunatly realestate in Phoenix is rising at an alarming rate, and it will cover the costs of updates. At least with our cars we can do it at our leisure unlike a malfunctioning a/c unit on the house when it's 140 outside!

[Zapato]

I don't keep track. My wife would kill me if she knew how much I've spent over the years... and I can plead ignorance!

I don't ask {or care what} my wife spends on shoes and she doesn't care what I spend on my toys. I don't understand her need for another pair and its probably the same for her and my stuff. But we both understand the smile on each others face when we find that perfect score.

And on that note I am looking for a twin sieve crank pulley for a good bud's 50 ford flathead, Will be a gift so am looking for a deal. Any leads?

[chitbox dodge]

I don't ask {or care what} my wife spends on shoes and she doesn't care what I spend on my toys. I don't understand her need for another pair and its probably the same for her and my stuff.

your wife has shoes? man, i was always told that oregon was like the tennessee of the west. you poor unlucky soul.

[jusjunk]

When I built my 32 I drove to the Nats in Louisville and power shopped for 4 hours and spent nearly a grand all on the little shit. Thats the way to do it though. No shipping no tax look at it before you buy it and some great deals to boot. Oh ya dont forget the fun factor if your brother and friends are there to drink beer with in between hauling stuff to the car:D We about had my buddys model a pickup full of goodies and I didnt have to carry much out. Got it all home and looked at all id bought and decided Im glad I didnt buy it by the pound cause id have been screwed :cool:
Dave

[C9]

You mean you're supposed to count all the little bits and pieces you buy out of pocket money? :eek:
I didn't know that. :confused:

How about the stuff you have that's just sitting around?
Like the 32 grade eight bolts left over from the ones I bought to finish off the wrought iron gate I made for Sweetie.
She saw me filling up the sack and she also knows the hinges I made only need 4 bolts.
When she asked why so many and why grade 8, I told her I needed extra in case I needed to add another hinge and the grade 8's had a better finish.
And besides, she knows I always buy more bolts than needed.
Didn't hurt my feelings that the extra bolts came out of the gate money....
A lie? Only a little one . . . but it works for me....:D

There's a lot of stuff out there and sometimes it comes from surprising places.
My bud just got two Vega steering boxes.
His friend, the cement finisher we met last year when we moved here grabbed em for $40. for both.
They trade stuff and labor back and forth so now CK has a couple of Vega boxes on the shelf.
He'll probably choose the best one, pop some new seals in, paint it and go from there.

That's sorta the way it works.
After a while you got a lot of good stuff sitting on the shelf that you're not using.
I pass along some of it and I always seem to get back more than I gave.

Sometimes people give you "broken" stuff.
The Vega box in my 32 was a gift cuz the guy who gave it to me figured I could use it for spare parts.
I told him I could fix it for him - for free - but he didn't think it was reapairable.
Took me a little over an hour to drill out the aluminum top, make a stainless threaded sleeve and JB Weld it in.
The threaded sleeve it has a step so if the JB failed nothing would happen.
Turned out to be a better box than the powdered with chrome adjuster ring in the 32 so it got swapped out.
(Then a little looking at the old box showed it just needed a new seal and adjustment.)
Later on, I stumbled onto a little piece for his car, grabbed it up and took it to him.


It all comes down to networking.
If you end up in a group of hot rodders who do most of their work and you can contribute something they can't do or don't have you will be remembered.
Most of the guys I know don't hoard stuff.
They share it out with the knowledge that when they need something they'll have 10-12 sets of eyes looking....:cool:

[dragrcr50]

[QUOTE=Roothawg]Tell me about it. I am trying to build my shop....
permits so far
Fence permit-$50
Shop building permit $120
Security alarm permit $25
Electrical Permit$120
Dirtwork for the pad $125
Loads of fill dirt $250
5' chainlink fence $1600
5 ea insulated windows for shop $392

Waiting on the plumber and the electrician to call me back with their quotes. I haven't even broken ground yet. This sucks...I may never get it done. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif YOU DONT NEED NO STINKIN PLUMBING AND WAIT TILL THE CONCRETE HITS YOUR ASS POCKET..............

[jusjunk]

[QUOTE=Roothawg]Tell me about it. I am trying to build my shop....
permits so far
Fence permit-$50
Shop building permit $120
Security alarm permit $25
Electrical Permit$120
Dirtwork for the pad $125
Loads of fill dirt $250
5' chainlink fence $1600
5 ea insulated windows for shop $392

Waiting on the plumber and the electrician to call me back with their quotes. I haven't even broken ground yet. This sucks...I may never get it done. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif YOU DONT NEED NO STINKIN PLUMBING AND WAIT TILL THE CONCRETE HITS YOUR ASS POCKET..............

Interesting prices. Im near the city in a sub and it cost me like 25 bucks for a permit to build a 20 x24 garage. Ya I know its small but it was all I could afford when i did it. I plan on adding on sometime but ive built 3 cars in there and its no problem. I just got a final inspection for the holes (its pole barn style) built it,,, waited about a month wired it then poured the floor and needed no extra permits. well i didnt ask :D Actually I asked about the floor and they told me I needed a 12 by 12 ratwall i told em how bout a shovel width wide by 18 inches deep and they said 12x12 so i did it to suit them but the neighbor just slabbed his a week later with no rat wall ?
Ive got a friend who is building a house and he is getting fucked by permit fees. like 1500.00 every year till he is done. Dont seem right. He is in a different county than me.
Dave

[flatoz]

well I guess we could all just go and play golf.:D

[Boones]

T-man. If it makes you feel any better, you are not EVEN CLOSE TO BEING DONE!!!!!!

You are still looking at four or five more "big" trips to the parts store for stuff like oil, lug nuts, taillight sockets, brakelight switch, plug wires, starter, those little headlight adjuster thingies in the HELP section, hose clamps, headlights, steering wheel adaptor, differential gasket (don't forget 80/90) and of course another fuel pump, because the one you saved for your PONTIAC ends up being for a damn Chevvie.

THAT is where the big money is. Chassis, motor and body ain't shit.
Hope you feel better. Happy hot rodding. -Abone.

everytime you walk into the parts store at this point it will cost you $100 at a minimum.... as stated above, you can use used parts to save money.. but I know I have a hard time doing that myself...