1951 Ford Custome Coupe Build..

one of my favorite dashboards, wish I had one for my '53 chevy truck!

 

Great build so far! Makes me want to get crackin on mine

 

Great job

 

Havent been working on her, to many other things hves gotten in the way this month. Plus now, maybe be starting to tour again. One day soon it will be done.

 

just getting back into mine to. Motivating to see this build in action. I'm like you, on a budget. Looking good and keeping an eye on this one to. Bucks up on the disc brakes thou. I'm just going drums.

 

Fun seeing the progress. Been at my 51 for six plus years. Took it all the way down to the bare frame and started over. Was a Vicky, found all the convertible top stuff, so built a convertible. Flathead powered with Merc crank, Isky cam, three dueces. Have a couple photos in my album. Drove it some this summer, finally.

 

Looks real good man. Im jealous of the work you have into it so far.

Man I wish I had the money to take mine down and get working on it for real. I have been tinkering on the little things so I can stay busy but still keep it driving.

 

After several months off the build and being super busy with crap I am finally going to start back on it this month.
Selling the flathead, and transmissions right now. I have decided to go something newer.
I dont have the money to get the flathead running proper. So I am going newer for a daily driver, road trip, cost effective newer power plant.
Unless someone wants and has time to come to my house and convince me differently, which I would welcome for sure.

So first on line this month, is a go thru and todo list. Finish closing up the drivers 1/4 panel.

 

I cleaned the garage, got situated to start back up.
Gotta have a clean work environment, beer in the fridge, and good tunes on.

I had taken the steering box out and apart. Was going to go with the power steering set up, but sold it because I wanted it stock.
Got it back together and tightened everything up, filled it up and it appears to be better then before. Have it sitting to see if there is any leaks. Should have it back in this week, along with installing all new steering rods.

While that was sitting last night, I started dismantling my dash. The mice had a field day on the back side of it. the mesh rusted out. It will be ready for paint this week.

 

This build is awesome,I love these car's Good luck with it,

 

Do to not working on it for a while and the "waterproof" "lifetime warranty" it was letting water in and trapping it. It has been an outside project do to room problems in the garage. Yesterday I took on sanding allot of it back down, following all rust veins. Treated the metal, and actually got my car in the garage.
I will get it primed again this week.
Still have to get more clutter out of there, and build some shelving and storage units. Money has been tight, and its a rental. I open to doing things but it comes out of my pocket.

 

I know its not much.
But with it in the garage now, things are so much easier. The amount of prep and tear down, as well as making sure things are locked up, and the work isnt left undone or metal showing.

Removed the windshields, was happy to find no rot.
Cleaned out the inside, brushed it down, shop vac w/soft brush to see what has been messed up, get re reacquainted with her

I cant say enough how nice it is to have it in the garage.

 

Nice car! It is looking very nice! I am looking forward to seeing more progress pics! Good job!

 

nice looking build.

 

Picked it up today.

 

Havent done much this week. These are some from last weekend. Got the 283 on a stand. Everything looks pretty solid with it. Looking for the Oil pan. I wanted to use the Ford 3 speed w/OD, need some opinions on if I should mate the two or keep the Chevy trans? The trans has a hurst shifter set up. What do you guys think?

Took most of last week fixing up the garage and organizing things.

I did Get the front cowl taking down to bare bones and front window seal.
Also I filled in the Windsplit spear holes.
Got the complete list of todos going.

This week, I gotten an infection in a gash I had on my ankle. Started sunday mid day, and was not able to walk mon-wed. Thursday finally got on some crutches, yesterday started to walk like Igor, and today still walking like that with a cane.
I am going to head out there tonight and start in on it again.

 

I can't remember, but what's the Chev trans? If its a 4 speed or a TH350 do it, but if its a Power Glide keep the Ford trans. At least thats what I would do. Hope the ankle is improving bro!

 

I couldnt find any numbers on it, I am going to degrease it tonight and see. There is a pretty good build up of grime on it.

The doc said I should be all gone by next wed. So I can actually take a shower with out holding my leg out the shower and propping it on something haha

 

Post a pic of the trans if you have one, we csn probably identify it from a greasy pic!

 

Hey Eric, I posted one under its own thread, it is a 3 speed.

 

Had some some time to work on the car yesterday.
Got the Drivers side Frame taking down.
I had just tack welded the drivers front 1/4 panel in. Wasnt happy with its placement. So I realigned it.
Got the top butt weld closed up, and part of the door frame.
Did anyone else have issues with where the bottom of it aligned to the inner fenders? It was the same on the Pass. side.

I should of gotten more done, but the my ankle is still not fully mobile from the the infection I had. Plus I have to take breaks, elevating it.

 

Looks good!
I think only issues i had with the passengers side were the door gap between the door and front quarter,but that had nothing to do with the quarter panel.The door hinges were just so worn out that the gap was messed up because of that.It turned out a lot better when i fixed the hinge issues.Keep up the good work!

 

Got the rocker tacked in place. Still have to finish up the spot welds and closing the seams. I had to reconstruct and splice the bottom 5 inches on the side door frame, also trying to get the 1/4 panels to line up with the rocker was hell. they still are not perfect. Going to beat on them a bit, then fill and block sand.

I will post pics this week. I am looking to do this with my tail lights. So I am on the hunt for the pieces or something very close.

 

Havent posted some updates in a bit.
This isnt everything but some.
I had some fenders up for sale that had a good sized dent right below headlight and some cancer. The dent and headlight bodyline is reworked. The pic just shows it bare metal. I will get the finished photos soon. Had them up for 100 bucks. a couple hours of time and their fixed.

I have a fixation with gold, so there are some gold nuggets haha.

The rocker to front rear 1/4 did not match up at all. I cut back and had to splice and stretch. It still is not lining up right. I may have to cut further into the rocker and 1/4 panel to get the bottom curve to smoothly transition right.


The Driver door front part of the skin needs to be replaced, the actual structure of the door is fine. I am going to be picking up a skin hopefully next week.

Lastly is a work area in my garage, not done it yet. BTW the floor is also painted metallic Gold. in front of it. hahahaha


I get add sometimes with projects.

 

I am really digging this build. The coupe just looks great so far. I also worked for many years out in my driveway due to no garage space. At one point, I was welding a chopper frame in the kitchen of my 1-bedroom apartment - crazy. It is awesome how good it feels to finally get a little garage space. Great job man.

 

Thanks, I am trying to get all the repair stuff done first, then I am going to start with the custom work. I have an hour here and there. Been doing a bunch of projects on the house, and garage havent had time to start up again on the coupe. Should get back on it in a a week or so.

Thats crazy, welding in the kitchen, but would be ideal for saving time cooking and working on stuff.

Right now, I feel like I am chewing cud with this trans choice. I am not sure if I should use the stock 3 sp w/OD, the chevy 3 speed, or get something new to bolt up to the 283.

 

I know your pain,hows them panels workin out for you,but a shobox coupe is worth it,its lookin good,Check the mounting brackett for the steering box thoses rivits like to shear

 

The repop Panels?
Next project I am buying the tools to make my own, or finding orig ones.
I cant believe the amount of time I have spent working to make those fit properly.
All learning lessons tho.

 

If you decide not to use the Stock 3spd W/od.. would you be interested in selling it ?? I have the 3 speed for my 51, but want the OD and I heard on the 51 it comes as a complete unit.

 

back in the early 80 put some panels on a 51 front fender patch and lower front 1/4 s they really fit good,the last ones i did for a 50 and found it easier not to use em on the otherside.I ll tell you a shoe box shape is a bitch narrow in the front and back and rounded from top to the bottom