Projects '27 ford roadster 3rd generation build

Hey guys, I have a 27 roadster my grandpa (Bobby Betak) bought back in the early 80's. At that time it was built to run mid 10's in the quarter mile. After ten years or so my dad (Rick Jones) "re"-built it to more of a hotrod/streetrod. Then after another 10 or so years he decided to pull the engine and trans, 383/turbo 350, and put them in his project at the time a '32 ford pick-up. I then was given the car as my graduation present and here's what I'm planning.

Engine: 283 sbc with a four deuce intake, and lake pipes.
Trans: just a rebuilt turbo 350, not quite enough room for 3 pedals to run a 4 speed.
Rear end: four link with coil overs, the way it has been since my grandpa raced it, Ford 9 inch

I'm just a young guy hoping for either ideas, thoughts, or maybe even help finding parts. Trying my hardest to get it to round up. Thanks.




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cool

 

you can run a 4 speed no problem, there are many pedal options...check out the thread "no quarter t"

great project, cant wait to see pics

 

Thanks I'll check that out.


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Cool..I'll be watching. .I just picked up sum 27 roadster doors today for my project. .

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Just a few more pics from today

Not a big fan of this roof so it's getting hung from the rafters!


My grandpa teaching me how to take apart the drums.



The mess my grandpa and dad made.




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Awesome back story and cool car!

If it were mine, I would find a way to cheat some room and run a manual... Just saying

 

Would like some info on what I should do for a quick change on this fire wall. It's just plexiglass glued to plywood. Don't want to take it out but definitely don't want the mirror look. Would sanding and rattle can look okay?


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@purdue I would love to run a 4 speed eventually but I just came across a turbo 350 cheap (which is what was already in there) so it will bolt right up....for now!


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I was told the blue dot tail lights are now considered illegal? Not sure if that's true, but what do you guys think of them? Yay or nay on running them?




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Blue dot's have never been legal to best of my knowledge. I got a "fix it" back in '64 for them in CO. ------I'd run them-----.
Sure there is not a chrome or polished stainless under the Plexiglas?

The heck with the 4 sp for now. Run the TH350 it is set up for and that you have. I ran the "gotta have" 4sp in my 29AA (owned it over 40 years now) first 2 years. Switched to TH400 and auto is still there today. Motor's been changed a few times as has the frt and rear axle's

My suggestion would be to get it running first with least $$$ outlay-drive it and then plan changes after driving it.

Plan on keeping some of granddad and dad's builds in it or make it totally yours?


Earl

 

That's the plan on keeping it cheap for now! Trying to get it to the lone star round up show in Austin coming up in April. The chassis is what my grandpa built in the 80's and I don't plan on ever changing much on it, maybe less chrome up front some day. My dad really didn't change much other than wheels and tires which are long gone now so there isn't much to keep from him other than a dash he had painted, which is staying for now.


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T threads everywhere - its like herding cats!

 

I'll bet your grandad was like HEY!..................................................................... This is how you build drum brakes....


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He was like you don't need new wheel cylinders, as dirt fell out of them. I told him new ones are cheaper than a re-build kit but it was cool learning from him and hearing his story of running the car with not working wheel cylinders. He says that's when he learned about rebuilding them.


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Ha, he is definitely the dude to learn from, really cool that your pops and grandad are both helping (among others). Really cool that your learning all you can. ....building cars and scrounging up parts is a lot of fun, just gotta watch out for attack goats!!


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Ha yeah! Thanks for going axel hunting with me today! Annnnnd for all the help and lended parts. I found a Mallory distributor in the trunk along with some other things like BRIGHT blue plug wires....definitely not being ran again.... Dad offered me some flat black head lights he has!


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Finally getting off ur ass huh?...... Good deal...

 

Just about have everything I need other than wiring and fuel lines, think ill do that at the shop once everything else is pretty much together.


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I think I'm going to use that hammered paint in a gray color for the fire wall. Not really liking the black.



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Got the hammered paint on there but didn't come out all that textured. Any tips on getting that look?




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Checked out the paint since it dried and I think it will need another coat or so. Any tips on getting that hammered paint texture look? Thanks in advance


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ChanceDean, I live just down the road from you. I drive a red '32 highboy with tan steelies, just like the other 8 I see at LonestarRoundup each April. To the subject, blue dots were considered unsafe because the lights were somewhat purple when seen from behind. Decades pass, and suddenly lots of streetrods were running them again. Point is, if your rod is questionable when stopped by the law, you may be subject to mucho scrutiny, like "Why don't you have an inspection sticker", or "Where is your registration sticker"? "I notice neither sticker is displayed on your windshield. Many of these patrolmen don't know most of the laws concerning our particular hobby. Bottom line, you are more likely to be stopped WITH blue dots than WITHOUT. Have fun, and will see you at Austin in April, hopefully in that badass '27.

 

ChanceDean, is the plywood the main support for the cowl area on the body ? If so, you might need what looks like a rollbar from the frame around the inside perimiter of the body to the other frame rail. Street driving is actually more likely to cause "tweaking and twisting" of the body because of uneven pavement and generally shitty streets in Texas. Your build really makes me want to get off my lazy ass and do a '26-'27.

 

Thanks sir, I really hope I make it this year! And the plywood is the main support for the fire wall but it's been like that since the early 80's so I'm hoping it will hold up until I can afford either a stainless or engine turned wall. But when it comes to that time I most like Likely will go with that "roll bar" deal as you were saying. Thanks for the idea!


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Hit it with a hammer...


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Hi Chance. Don't worry about the blue dots, just don't let youthful exuberance lead you to do anything that will draw attention from the police and you should be ok.
I know where you can get a 4x2 intake! LOL!

 

I really want to run that 4 deuce intake! I just can't afford the 4 94's up top just yet! Once I get it driving I'm going to try to start slowly buying nicer thing for it and the part on that list is your intake!


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Got it back on it's own weight!



Need to adjust the body towards the driver side about an inch or so



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I'd just need to adjust the rear axel, found out today that I would need to spend about $1100 to have a complete bore/rebuild on this 283




Then my dad decided to be cool and trade me his 327 for my 283 and some cash. Oh and he bought me the wiring kit needed for everything

Gatta love donations right? Now to buy all the small stuff!


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