just another shoebox budget build

[tedley]

A few minor updates. Got some paint under the floor and rocker mocked up. I'm not welding the rockers on till the body is bolted back on the frame. Rockers are EMS and heavy good quality. The curve in the rocker to door edge is right on the money. The front edge to fender is way out thou. Will have to modify them or i'll have a 1/2 fender gap at the bottom. But all in all, it's all good. The inners from EMS are not worth the money. They come bent in a ' u' channel and had to flatten on side so they could be installed in the floor pinch weld like the factory did. I have no idea why they would bend them like that. But i made the work in the end.
Also installing the mid floor braces from EMS. They also look great but we'll see. I think i'm going to bolt the to the frame first and lower the body on them to insure a correct fit and then weld them in. Like any part aftermarket you can expect some mods.

[mace69]

Looks good Tedley.

[tedley]

I got the body resting on the frame finally with the help of a fellow Hamber. Waiting for this day for along time. Now to shim the body so the doors close again,

[Buddy Palumbo]

keep rollin' !

[tedley]

I think i'm going to be ok with the steering column and rack hook up. It's close to the headers which was my concern but i think i can make it work with a bit of juggling to get more clearance. The stock cavalier 'u' joint shaft, shortened slightly, comes with a vibration dampner and thought it might be to fat at the headers. I can change it to a smaller one if i have to for more clearance

[tedley]

Body bolted back on the frame with the doors closing again, Some shimming required to get the doors working. I also have the rockers buttoned up as the mid floor braces. Sure glad i waited till the body was bolted up first before the rockers and mid body floor brace was welded in. Those EMS panels are heavily made and the result is solid as a rock

[ytt49]

still loooking good.
makes me want to go out and work on mine.
keep um coming!

[Archie Bunker]

302/C4, didn't have to alter the tranny tunnel? I am getting mixed messages about that. Gonna be doing the same setup myself.

[Archie Bunker]

Looking great by the way. Can't wait to see more.

[tedley]

The tunnel for the c-4 trans is tight in my build. I think i'm going to give a bit more room. It's not difficult just more work.
My buddy is putting a 302 ho w/overdrive and says he needs more room as well. He used the jamco kit, i made my own.

[Buddy Palumbo]

I have a 302/c4 setup in my '49 Shoe with Jamco mounts ... it almost fits . I'll probably be making a custom tunnel .

[tedley]

Fabbed a lower steering column mount. Has to be sturdy as i'm running a rack with 'u' joint shaft. I'm ok with the 'u' joint angles after everything was bolted up but may have to dimple the headers for a little more clearance. Turning the wheels back and forth with the front wheels off the ground is super smooth. So far so good.

[tedley]

Spent the big bucks and got these valve cover adaptors for my merc covers i'n running. Kit came with quality gaskets and all hardware. I like it.

[mcnally351]

great built dig the merc valve covers and skirts. keep it up

[60galaxieJJ]

Originally Posted by tedley

A few more pics Merc big block valve covers going on the 302. Dramatic difference. Just gave the covers a quick blast of gold caliper paint. Plus a pair of head light rings from a merc for frenching later.

What did u do with the old valve covers???

[tedley]

Originally Posted by 60galaxieJJ

What did u do with the old valve covers???

I assume your talking about the cal chromes? They are going to get polished up and going on the 28 rpu.

[60galaxieJJ]

Originally Posted by tedley

I assume your talking about the cal chromes? They are going to get polished up and going on the 28 rpu.

Nice!

[tedley]

It seems like 50% of a build is cleaning parts. Sandblasting, scratching, sanding. When i was younger, i used to enjoy the filthy job. But now it's seems to be a chore. I really hate that part. Anyway, i scored a shop air cleaner for a hun and it's the best thing i ever bought. Works great.
Lots of time spent on edges and cleaning but things are comming together. Fender edges done, inner fronts done, tie bar and cradle done Doors are rust free, thank god. Jambs bodyworked and done.
NEXT!!!!!!!

[tedley]

Oops.... forgot the pics again

[tedley]

Another step closer. Made a tunnel for more clearance for the trans. Raised it about 1 1/2 inches in or so in front and opened up the rear abit as well. Nothing fancy but stronger than the screw in factory tunnel since new one is welded in.