Projects winter project - "so let's chop a 40 coupe (and fab everything else possible...)

First off,
thanks you guys for the super-positive comments.
It really makes it worth the time to post it up here.
I hope it helps to know what "to" or "not to" or "do better" from it!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

38chevy454/Terry read my mind a couple weeks ago.
I was trying to figure out some door latches.



The next thing I knew,
these kick-ass bear-claw latches were at my doorstep.
He's a distributor of these bitchin USA made mechanisms.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=620485&highlight=38chevy454+bear+claw



The day they arrived,
I studied them for a bit,
and made the bolt-on plates.



the next day after way too much hemming and hawing,
I cut the door to where I hoped they should go.
They were just tacked in,
while I prepared the post part on the body.



For being just a simple threaded post,
this part was more of a pain in the butt than the door part.
The original striker plate has a box that holds the threaded nut,
all behind the door jamb deal,
which all needs to be cut out,
leaving a flimsy sheetmetal post plate base.



Since I didn't know what I was doing really,
the bear claws were inside the door where the original latch went,
but instead of the locking mechanism sticking out of the door,
the post must go inside the door to activate the claws.
I think I inset the latch a little too much,
as the post needed a spacer to reach the latch.



To strengthen the post area,
a fancy plate was cut out,
which also happened to bump the post out the distance needed.



Ok a popsicle stick helped bump it out where it really needed to go.

I had placed the post in the guesstimated 7/16" hole,
and tested the latch for position.
There was a ton of twisting and tweaking to get both parts right.
From here I figured the door latch should be made permanent.



As soon as there's rattlecan on there I consider that permanent.



With the bear claw fixed,
I moved back to the post part.
The original 7/16 hole in the sheetmetal was ovalled (in/up),
until the best alignment was made,
than the plate with a true 7/16 round hole was welded at the right position.


This was all over the course of almost 9 days,
about an hour every other night after work.
I had the latches working after the first couple days,
but the doors weren't really aligned that great-
either the reveal didn't match up,
or the door stuck out too far.

Part of me was thinking fuck it,
I don't have the time to do it right.
I'll be happy right now with just clicking doors.

(Both sides had there different problems,
as I never ever expected this car to be what's happening to it.
If you noticed over the course of the build,
I've cut out and changed alot of work.)



But today I fit and welded both those reinforcement plates,
and holy shit...
After a little hinge alignment,
these latches keep the door right on!




After finishing the passenger door,
I had about 2 minutes to stare in disbelief that these things work so well,
than it was off to get the kids.

THANKS TERRY!!

if you're in the market for door latches,
these bear claw style seriously kick ass!!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=620485&highlight=38chevy454+bear+claw

I hope this post comes up in door latch searches!

TP

 

Wow hard to believe that you got such a nice door fit considering the shape it was when you started ! That looks great!

 

Your work is beyond words. I am just fascinated with this build. Can't wait to see the finished car.

 

Awesome work Zibo

I reckon, with the doors latching you are past the halfway point

 

Awesome build! subscribed for sure!!! your skills are amazing

 

wow they look great!!!!! nice fit on the doors!

 

Amazing build. Hats off to you for your work and fabrication. Very cool project!

 

Travis, Those bear claws were just prefect for your Kustom '40 ! Nothing like the secure click as they latch. On to the next issue !

Dave

 

Yea wasn't this supposed to be a "Practice Chop"?? Look at it now!!! Such a cool save!!! Nice job Zibo!!

 

Chad, What do you mean by practice chop ? Looks like Travis is intent on saving this one. Nothing like a chopped '40 Coupe !

Dave

 

I thought originally this coupe was bought to be a practice chop, to see how it went before the Green one gets chopped? But it has Evolved!!

 

Chad, I think Travis will have a real neat Kustom '40 when it is done. That Flathead Caddy is the item that makes this rod. Love the headers over the fenders ! Will be one neat but LOUD Kustom !

Dave

 

Okay you all may not want to hear this,
but there is a chance of getting it running with stock flathead running gear.
If you look back,
the frame is setup with stock placement motormounts.
With this as an option,
I can get the car dialed in as a driver,
(wiring, brakes, windows etc.)
and continue the bench work on the caddy without the rush.

So on that note,
anyone have a 39 deluxe/40 standard hood for me to section?

I don't know what happened really.
It was going to be a fakey roundy round racer style.
I guess it just deserved more than that!
The problem is I've been cutting out some of that earlier work,
although much of it did help out in getting it to this point.

Not much time to work on it this week.
Since the doors are all hooked up,
I did try to close up some of the gaps.



Here's an example of some hack work.



It's only tacked in.
I've got to be a little more focused to weld this stuff.



The other side was just as "yawn" exciting,
so here's the pics...


it feels good to cut this rusty crap out.
And yes I do leave a little too much.



A little work is better than no work,
right?

TP

Oh yeah,
toddc - the halfway point...
that's some funny shit!

 

I just read all 19 pages of this. You are truely a metal magician. Keep it up!

 

Travis, Car is looking great. You are making some significant progress. Not bad for one guy all by himself. You are da MAN !

Dave

 

Looks good on picture and even better in person!!!!!!

 

Zibo... I sure as heck ain't complainin'!!!! I dig this whole thread/build!!!!

 

I'm not one to woo hoo at every post to get my numbers up, but wow nice job, you are really one of those few talented people with mad skills. Gotta give props when its due. You rock nice save on that 40 most people would have just crushed. I gotta quit crying now over my very small rusty b pillars and tail pan area.

 

Zibo, you plain kick ass!

 

Zibo, No problem with getting the '40 running with the original Flattie. I'll be waiting for the Caddy to power the '40 into life ! Can't wait.

Dave

 

Thanks for the comments guys!

I banged the door panels out over the weekend.
Since Neal won the Baileigh credit,
I've had to use the homemade shrinker tool.
(that little PI shaped thing)



Last night I really wanted to tack that panel in,
but realized there was no door frame.

This has been one of those projects I've been putting off.
Little did I know it would take less than an hour.


I had the boys at the shop cause of Thanksgiving break,
and was expecting them to be hungry enough to go home.
Their old playstation 2 was enough of a distraction,
so I kept on going.


That sound deadener is a pain in the butt.
I tried scraping it before but didn't want to stretch the sheetmetal.
Hopefully it will soften up with the tacks.



After all this time,
it was, still is strange to see the door bottom.


The kids came down to check it out as I was finishing.


There's still a bunch of work left on the doors,
the other side,
as well as frame and welding.

I'm happy to get this far!

TP

 

Looks good Travis!
I'm in the same boat, no shrinker just tucking forks.

 

Tucking fork,
I knew there was a name for it!
As you can tell,
unlike you - I can ignore the rust!
(for now)

TP

 

I can't believe that I haven't seen this thread before or haven't opened it before. You sir are a madman to have taken on a project that the scrap dealer probably wouldn't have paid full price for and made a car out of it. I sat here for around two hours today and read the whole thread and learned several things that I can put to use over the next several months on the 48.

 

I've passed over this thread a few times. Off work this week and readin a little more. In reading this, I'm totally fucking amazed! You, my friend have skills way beyond normal. Awesome.

 

Wow its really starting to look like a car! As for that sound deaden-er, I soak it down with mineral spirits , lacquer thinner etc let it sit for a while then scrape it off, repeat if needed ,wipe good after scraping and you should have some red oxide after its gone!

 

How long do you let the thinner/spirits sit, before you start scraping?

 

I d say 30 or 60 minutes, then do it again .
Several coats .
Easy .. just take time .

 

Zibo, Any updates on your '40 ? You know there is a bunch of HAMBers that are going into withdrawal symptoms . . . (myself included !).

Hope that you and family have a Great Merry Christmas !

Dave and Bernice

 

amazing !