This spring I decided to start cleaning out and organizing my shop/barn. After all I had this 30x40 barn and still couldn’t use it to work in. During the cleanup process I kept finding parts, some I had wondered where they had gone, others I didn’t remember buying. You know how that goes. As I started organizing said parts, I soon realized that I might have enough to build a roller to sell since I’m trying to get enough money to buy a good 28-9 A coupe to builds since I’ve wanted one for most of my life. I’d find late 30’s Ford spindles, then brakes, the hairpins, narrowed rear end, and so on. I had done some swapping for an old glass T bucket body so an idea started forming.... An original T frame was traded for and arrangement was made for a power plant. So, I guess, this is a start of a build thread for the bucket to help fund an A. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Started cutting up the frame today and building the slight ‘Z’ in the rear but ran out of time and steel for today. I’ll get more steel tomorrow. 2.5” Z in the rear and the frame will go a the way to the back of the car. Glass isn’t much help in a ‘crumple zone’ out back. I forgot to mention that I’m widening the frame 2.5” to better accommodate the power plant and trans. 62 Chet Smith built 394 Olds backed by a B&M built hydromatic. Should be fun. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Nice! I have a 394/Hydro that came with my roadster. I have been threatening to build a T RPU with it. I’ll be watching....
Sell it? Hah!! I know whats gonna happen. You'll get that sucker on the road and it will be way too much fun to sell. Mark my words
2x4 sheet metal intake, been on the engine for a looooooooooong time Water cross over is marine stuff
that motor will twist the crap out of that frame with out boxing the whole length. i am sure you know this. i always make my t frames 26 inches wide from front to back. except for the real early bodies. 1915 and such. are you going to use the rear crosmember or make it out of 2x3 tube. also, the stock rear crossmember might not fit. if you don't make them this wide, the stock fuel pumps on chevy's won't fit inside the frame. i will be watching this thread as i am an olds fan from way back in the '60's. i bought a 394 with a 6/71 on top for 600 bucks around '68. those were the days.
No, really I need to sell it to fund the A coupe project, plus I need the space... I plan on boxing the original part of the frame. When I’m done with it it will be fine. I’m no stranger to T frames and high horsepower/ torque. These pictures are just the beginning. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
So I picked up a reversed Corvair steering box which is perfect for the time period of this build. It’s covered in black paint but underneath all that, the box is chrome. Any suggestions as to how I can remove the paint without damaging the chrome? r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Been told nitro will remove most paints. Flying Model Airplane fuel has a load of nitro, & methanol + other stuff in it. Called "hot" fuel. Get it at a good model/hobby shop, that carries Radio Control stuff. Or try brake fluid? Or brush-on paint remover? Marcus...
So, stupid question...been at this a long time and have heard the term "reversed Corvair steering box" forever. What and how is a box reversed?
If you look at the picture of the box, you will see the splined shaft coming out of the end of the box. It didn’t come that way from the factory. Originally the splined shaft exiting the box from the other end. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Really pretty cool; mostly because of the 394 Olds and B & M Hydro-Stick trans. There's a thread here on the HAMB about how to "reverse" a Corvair steering box; basically, the shaft goes in the "other" end, and the former end is plugged. The process gets the drop link on a usable side of the frame. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
Cleaned your garage! Noooooo!!!! Last time I did that I ended up starting my '32 project and buying a T body from you. SPark
Should be an interesting build. I'd bet there are a lot of HAMBers who have most of the parts to build a car out of "leftovers". Is that stack of plywood your surface plate? Lynn
By the time you finish building a car out of leftovers, you'll end up with enough leftovers to build another car. Never ending cycle.
Don’t I know it... Should have a little more progress to show this weekend (and hopefully the rest of the steel will come in). r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
That’s for a ‘guest’ cabin. Tinkering around with the front end today since my steel didn’t come in. Got a starting angle set for the spring perch at 9 degrees. My experience has been to set the axle up for 7-10 degrees and when it’s all together it should be around 6-7 degrees. It works well. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
It this picture you should be able to see a little of how the rear ‘Z’ is going to come together. I’ll also fish plate both sides after the frame is boxed. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I may end up turning the spring perch upside down and mount the spring on the top of it if it’s not low enough for me when I get the engine and transmission settings in. r Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.