Hey Chopperman, thanks for the rebuild updates. Very fun to read. Good job. Oh yeah, and I vote for some paint! Mike
Well I found out why my machine shop was lagging. Turns out my cam was TOAST.. two lobes completely rounded..They were having a hard time finding a good core at a good price.. I put one call into Bob Walker at hot heads and he had a reground came 400 /203 110 sitting on the shelf so i scooped it up. Also picked up a mini starter and some old school hemi wire boot covers.
picked up another set of valve covers with the wire cover studs removed. This will allow me to run two sets of covers. 1 with stock wire covers or the another set without the wirecovers and studs but with 426 hemi boots... I also picked up a set of fully adjustable push rods. I needed these because of the cam I'm running. Stock pushrods wont be long enough..
wasnt happy with the valve covers so i decided to strip them down and primer them for now. More to come on paint I have all day tomorrow planned in the shop On my list for tomorrow - finish floor pans - re-mount seats ( further back and more angle ) - finish body mounts - start dash?
Got a good days work in the shop completed the front half of the floor pan, started on the dash and valve covers. I soon realized that the 54 ford DASH IS HUGE.. Even cut down and with the ass chopped off, its HUGE. I really wanted to center the speedo, but it wont work as it's designed to be offset. In order to get the dash low and far enough back, I would need to lose the speedo soooo I'm kinda of up in the air with it.. Floor turned out good though..
Thanks for the tips man. The covers turned out like ass. I used rustoleum "HAMMERED" paint which is REALLY thick and when i peeled the tape off, it tore the shit out of the paint. I'm going to blast them again and use silver paint for the letters and black for the covers. Should work good... Your method is for sure the way to go.... Just need to take your time.. There is NO WAY THE DA method would work on these. The letters aren't raised enough Thanks again MANG EDIT: did you peel the tape wet or dry ?
don't get frustrated i had to redo mine also the paint had a weird reaction and started to crinkle the first time ! i let them dry for a day before removing the tape seemed to peel away nice , try to pull the tape straight with the edge so it comes up without pulling on the paint edge !
worked on the VC's and dash a bit Not sure if i will be able to fit the monster speedo now and this will need to be a weld in dash.. I really like the way it's taking shape now.. Lower and pushed back
rear coilover mount mocked up.. Tomorrow nights agenda - Plate frame mounts - Weld and attach coilover mount - Cycle Suspension - Pull housing and weld lowers up - Start pulling 4.11 diff out of my 55' swap with the 3.56 posi I have
Love the stance on that thing... but what I love most is that you have your son involved... too cool. Just the other day at dinner my son was reminding me about one of the times he was helping me build... fun memories that he still remembers.
Awesome build! I like what you already did with your car and what you are doin this time. It is turning out great. I have to do all of the same things you are doing so I am watchin this build close to get ideas.
got back on the dash tonight Also decided on my paint scheme.. (for the time being) Engine - raiders black and silver ( cast parts in napa engine cast ) Frame - Gloss black Suspenson / cast parts - Napa engine cast Interior - clear matte Exterior - clear matte ( over patina ) These are pretty much my std colors for any ride. ( black and silver that is ) Yeah yeah..I know... It will look good trust me.... Next year it will get the full on paint, body and interior ( all in black and silver ) As Bob Wily says... Baby steps So for now it's o' natural with clear matte
The Jalopy Journal
