Projects The Hardscrabble Hop-Up; A 1940's Style 'T' RPU build

Like the horn. PMO sounds good. Can't wait for the grille chop

 

That grille looks too nice to chop. Can't get over how straight those bars are!

 

Crap, glad you posted...need to get my butt to the PO and get a PMO sent to you Life is crazy and my OCD/ADD ain't helpin'!

It is, it is too nice to chop up, but then again, so was the RPU body, '32 dash, and '30 chassis. Oh well, at least it'll be on the road (hopefully sometime in my lifetime)

 

you DO realize that really nice 32 truck grilles are bringing north of $600...but...no pressure...chop away.

 

Are you planning on shortening the shell or just the sides to lower it down?

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Wow...paid half of that for mine - and it had been listed on Ford Barn for almost 9 mos. Oh well...chop, chop!

Photograpic evidence from the late 30's-early 40's seems to show that most guys ended up cutting the sides, so that's what I'll do. In fact, I can't think of a single pre/mid-war build that had a sectioned grille shell.

 

Never say never. The talent did indeed exist to section said grille. Some of the Miller cars(if a pro racer could have built a hot rod) were exquisitely done, and had some trickle down to the lowly hot rodders......even today some of their work, and other Indy based racers of the period....will still drop your jaw in the details.

As much as I love my hot rod archaeologist....that's you GWHITE.......don't skip the details in your beautiful build sir. It would look splendid sectioned and asphaltum'ed. Don't think your car lies in the banality of everyone else's excuse for a period rod.....it is more then obvious that it shall stand up to and over most of its competition.

Just saying.........when in doubt.....continue to find your own path. I wouldn't follow some dude that would do as I could. What's the use of watching then ?

And don't get a big head or nothin' either !! lol carry on.

 

Hahaha! Appreciate the thoughts. Plan at the moment is to cut the sides of the grille, as it seems to be the most common mod during the period (based on period photos). Plus I kinda like the look. See:






As for paint, I'm basically going to restore each part to factory specs, then modify, then touch up as-needed. So the body will be done in asphaltum - grille in nitrocellulose (then cut with a torch and touched up with a brush)...I figure this is what the average guy in the 40's would have had to work with and would have done.

Tons of work still to do...and by no means is any of this exemplary. I'm a hack - but I'm learning

 

lol a hack? Funny. If the Smithsonian gets a hot rod section......you need to put a voucher in for that gig. Nitro on the grille, and asphaltum on the body he says....I rest my case.

I dunno' what you're doing half of the time.... but I've never left the screen without a lesson learned. I just like that kind of experience. I consider myself learned more then most, but to be an apt listener is the grandest device in THIS life. I love it man. Just a fan.

 

Alright. I'll sleep easier tonight knowing that you're not cutting up the whole thing. And boy am I tired from last night...

These pictures are awesome! I really dig your attention to detail and planning on this one. Keep cracking on it!

 

Motor is almost done...hope to do a test-fire later this week after the weather clears up.

Sorry for the crappy pic; promise I'll get some good ones and a video when the time comes.

 

I would chop that grill and not think twice about it. You're building a pre WWII hot rod and if that's what they did. Chop chop!

 

Next week you say? I guess I should get off my ass. and get mine finished.

 

Heading up to College Station to drop off some engine goodies with Ross...pics forthcoming!

 

waiting...always

 

Me too.

 

Got my exhaust manifold and a few miscellaneous parts dropped off with Ross today. He's got one engine ahead of me on the test stand, should be ready to crank soon.

In the meantime, enjoy some banger porn;

 

Good looking motor!
One question though, where's the other half of it?

 

@Hitchhiker @Speedy Canuck @porknbeaner @kidcampbell71 @3wLarry @spooler41

Despite rumors of my demise, looks like we're back in business...evidently the severe nerdery of this build could not be contained to a single thread.

 

8 is for plow, 4 is for gow!

 

hahaha....it was indeed a great day though ! A sort of pin the tail on the donkey day.........we were waiting for ya' ! We just didn't know where the heck' to go......lol

 

I can rhyme too. Ok, lets see now...
A big V8 will set you straight. Cause an inline four is such a bore.

Just kidding. I have a soft spot for banger powered hotrods. I have ideas of a hotted up banger powered phaeton someday.
What's being done to your motor?

 

Haha! I do have a V8 clutch...that count for something?

Full rebuild; 0.060" Egge pistons, counterweighted crank, lightened flywheel, Winfield SU-1R cam, new babbitt, and an empty pocketbook.

 

Hi Gary, looks great.
i like the engine stand mount. is it attached at the bottom along the pan also?

 

Thanks Teddy! I believe the stand bracket attaches to the water inlet holes on top and the oil pan rail on bottom, but I was so excited to finally see the engine all together that I didn't really look too closely, haha!

 

I have just caught up on the last 6 months, really liking the direction you have taken. I love Supe-Jobs, Gow-Jobs but a early/mid 40s Hop Up is a much rarer beast, the details are perfect.

 

Wish I could help you with the pocket book problem. I too am in the middle of the engine to wallet drainage issue. Look on the bright side, we won't have to worry about uneven drivers side seat foam and spring deterioration in our finished rods.


"I need my mirror boy"

 

Thanks a ton, man...that really means a lot coming from someone as well-studied as you!

 

Of course it counts! And you better be posting video when it's running.

 

Hey GWhite....what's power potential on that ? I read a lot on some of the wilder ones out there in banger land......and man is that rich......but what would you say the average 40's banger is capable of ? Also....what ramifications on todays petrols so to speak ? Hardened anything on the upper half ? Fuel additives ? I already know you have the answers stocked in your noggin'....it's just some of the details not easily found in here.