I clamped my headlights on for a look today. I reworked the exhaust mounts ( and didn’t take a photo) then put it back on the ground.
This is an awesome build, the right hand drive part throws me ,keep thinking the pics are backwards. What head lights are those ? They are exactly what I have been looking for for my 31.
Yeah we are right hand drive down under. I have no idea what the lights are from. The stands have GMC cast into them. A friend gifted them to me, after a friend from Bakersfield gifted them to him.
I mentioned that I reworked the exhaust brackets the other day. Today I finished them off. You can see in this photo as well that I have reworked the front left brake line and the way is sits on the cross member. The left side bracket was made to clear the brake line and the right was made to be symmetrical with the left. The angle of the rod makes it hide a bit, they should be hard to spot with the body on. The bolt on angle brackets are made to pick up on factory holes already in the cross member.
I bought a vintique grille and insert. But I’m worried these headlights might look a tad large. Especially the depth of the buckets. I don’t know how well they fit into my mid 40’s style I’ve been trying to run with.
@Wardog perhaps when you have the Body and Hood it will help balance things out. I guess OD is same as most Guides but the depths vary...
@Stogy yes they are a 7” headlight. They might stand out less when black. In photos they don’t look bad but when I stand next to it they look long.
Your headlights stick out too far. Bring them in at least an inch, maybe two, per side. I personally prefer the shorter bucket Guide/BLC lights, but the longer ones aren't "untraditional".
I agree, they need to be closer to the grille shell and maybe a little lower. I understand not wanting to modify your brackets. Maybe when everything is painted and you add a hood it will all come together? I have 680's on my deuce highboy pu but mine have chrome rims which helps them to look better along the insert with polished rim.
@alchemy @krylon32 thanks for the replies. I agree, I think they at least need to be bought in towards the grille and probably lower. I think it might be better to make some custom brackets than modify the stock ones. They look a bit heavy duty from the front. These have chrome rims but are covered in paint at the moment. I'm not planning on running a hood that's why I'm questioning the depth of the buckets. I probably should sort out a radiator and mount the grille properly first.
Awesome build, exhaust brackets are way cool along with rest of build, I feel headlights in a little but height is ok, I would put the body on before deciding on final position of lights. Just my two bobs worth. Glen
Hey Glen. Thanks mate. I know everything would be easier to line up with the body on but I’m trying to keep my coupe driving as long as I can. Completely backwards I know but I guess I’ll figure it out or I’ll have to make that move.
Feeling a bit snookered with setting the grille and headlights up I decided to keep productive elsewhere. I stripped and painted the frame this weekend. I’ve decided to wait until the body is on to set the radiator/grille height. I’ve also decided not to run the GMC guide style headlights and am now looking for some King Bee’s. The first 3 photos were taken by my son who was a great help this weekend. I also had a visit from @yblock32 who helped me move it back inside.
One of the jobs I wanted to do when the engine came out next was the clutch arm. The stock 32 arm is 4.75” centres and the one I had was only 3”. Today I extended it 1.5” to 4.5”
I got the engine and trans back together and in the frame on Sunday. I’ve been getting it back together so far this week.
Not a lot of progress lately. I’ve been sealing up shock absorbers this week. Last weekend at the “ Boogaloo Campout “ I got my steering wheel back. I’m very happy with the result.
Go Wardog Go!!... I am all for homebuilt but get a decent painting mask...I want to be watching you build Vintage Hotrods for a very long time... Not Bitchen just a concern and keep the little ones especially away from that stuff...some of this old car stuff is nasty dangerous such as NOS brake shoes for instance...since our hobby revolves around old we have to be vigilant...that epoxy paint, it ain't old but it's nasty stuff...
I got a bunch of stuff assembled this weekend. I reinforced my master cylinder mount, installed the new M/C and finished it all off. I flushed the lines with brake cleaner, all the connections and clamps are now tight.
The Jalopy Journal
