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Projects Been a LONG Time

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by mike1951, Mar 14, 2016.

  1. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    Well.... I have been away for a long time. Sold my 53 Buick and wanted to go fast...built a vintage Audi.... It's my DD and rocking... I got the bug for something traditional...Got a good deal on a 1930 model a sport coupe and a frame. Could not pass it up. The plan is a budget build, and turn the sport coupe into a roadster. gotta be traditional. I'm on here to learn and read. I will post as I do things, but this is in no way an expert build thread. And yes a 30 Sport Coupe fits in a 1985 Suburban....Kinda.....
     

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  2. Blue One
    Joined: Feb 6, 2010
    Posts: 11,459

    Blue One
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Alberta

    Oh boy a coupster :D:D
    Welcome back.
     
  3. Cyclone Kevin
    Joined: Apr 15, 2002
    Posts: 4,223

    Cyclone Kevin
    Alliance Vendor

    Welcome back,
    Good luck with build, stick with it and have fun. PS, good to know about the A into a 85 Burb, I have an 88 ;).
     
  4. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    It kinda fit.... I used a few ratchet straps, but I got a good deal and vintage steel is hard to find...
    I had to jump on it. The frame is a bit tweaked, but I intend to box it. I'd like to do a flat head...but I have a line on a 350 for dirt cheap....I can't help but feel like I would sell my soul putting a 350 in it. I need to read...any advice on where to find a good write up on frame prep? I will not Z it or anything like that.... I want a nice clean build with clean lines..
     

  5. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,467

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What are you thinking for power; flathead,nailhead Buick, early sbc, Ford Y block?
     
  6. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    I found a few good deals on flatheads...There is a merc flathead for a bit more in Denver... My buddy will give me a smokin deal on his sbc...
    Right now gettin the frame straight and making a roller is the number one priority.
     
  7. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Glad to have you back, Mike. Body looks solid... Frame straightening is just one step beyond the boxing, (2 steps back?) Anyway, the least of your planned project.
    Too many guys chop sport coupes into 'would-be roadsters', or Coupesters.
    Refreshing to see a real Sport Coupe!
    Will you be fendering it? (keep plan open for a possible 4" box in rear, before boxing: That frame sits higher off that rear axle than you may think!)
     
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  8. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    I don't think I will do fenders. Frame has a slight tweak in it. Fixing this will be first, then finding a front axle... rear end etc..
     

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  9. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    Ok, let's talk flatheads.... I got a line on a 36 flathead with transmission and a line on a 49 merc and a 52 flathead...which would be best? I know they are all very different.
     
  10. treb11
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 3,948

    treb11
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    "there's no replacement for displacement" - the Merc
     
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  11. chriseakin
    Joined: Jan 21, 2009
    Posts: 391

    chriseakin
    Member

    The Lincoln flathead has more cubic inches. You might even find one in an old heavy duty truck. But high performance parts might be hard to find.
    I think I'd just go for the latest model flathead I could find.
     
  12. Well I would reach for the merc first, but I may also want to know which engine was already in the best condition. For instance if the merc was stick and the ford was not then it would be ford all day long for me.
     
  13. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    I think the merc is turning freely...what is a fair price for a 49 merc flathead missing the carbs? I don't want to be insulting
     
  14. Can't help ya there, I am a tight bastard and figure anything needs to be overhauled. LOL

    Probably in the 800-1000 range? Just guessing.
     
  15. joel
    Joined: Oct 10, 2009
    Posts: 2,467

    joel
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    If you can pull the heads and inspect the bores, decks and if it passes the visual, you might go to $500. I'm sure you know to check the stroke if your looking at a Merc.
     
  16. Jeff34
    Joined: Jun 2, 2015
    Posts: 904

    Jeff34
    Member

    I'd go merc as well. I wouldn't go over 500, even if the bores were nice
     
  17. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    That's what he wrote....so $1500 is out of the question....maybe $800-1000 with the performance parts?


    minus the carb. Has not been run for over 10 years and leaks oil. Would recommend a minimum of a complete resealing maybe rings and gearings to ensure all is in good shape. It also includes chrome plated water inlets, Offenhauser aluminum 4 barrel intake manifold and Edelbrock finned aluminum heads, and homemade engine stand. $1500 -- obo.
     
  18. 36brothers
    Joined: Sep 22, 2007
    Posts: 109

    36brothers
    Member

    "I think the merc is turning freely...what is a fair price for a 49 merc flathead missing the carbs? I don't want to be insulting"

    "Carbs" If it's missing more than one that would increase the value.
     
  19. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

  20. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    running 36 with trans and a merc crank and dual carbs... 49 merc guy not calling back. opinions?
     
  21. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    the 36 is running and comes with a dual carb set up, trans and a merc crank for $1600
     
  22. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

    Your car to use as inspiration is truly almost perfect. I found one I liked and made mine close to it but better I think. lol Could not be happier, hope yours turns out as you wish.
     
  23. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    It is a work of beauty and a true craftsman. I am thinking grey...like audi tt aviator grey... the frame and interior metal will be zinc chromate like in an old b-17 bomber... brown leather bomber seats....
     
  24. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    Running to Denver today to pick up a running 36 flathead with trans, a dual carb set up and a mercury crank...
    Wish me luck..
     
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  25. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

  26. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    Gray is good color on those cars. Often overlooked. Maybe better on highboys, but still a good choice.
     
  27. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

  28. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

  29. mike1951
    Joined: Jul 15, 2007
    Posts: 706

    mike1951
    Member
    from Colorado

    a bit...but I am thinking post ww2 build... what would a guy do after the war? This paint was inside most ww2 fighters and bombers.. Probably easily accessible as surplus... I'm also tracking down some ww2 fighter gauges...
    36 flathead was running around then and cheap... 40 ford rear end...
     
  30. woodhawg
    Joined: Apr 11, 2009
    Posts: 1,021

    woodhawg
    Member
    1. S.F.C.C.

    looked at you link again and the third photo over was a less yellow shade of green. That is a pretty cool color to go with your light gray.
     

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