Register now to get rid of these ads!

Do your projects start with an engine or a car

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Bugsiegel, Jul 16, 2013.

  1. Bugsiegel
    Joined: Dec 2, 2011
    Posts: 4

    Bugsiegel
    Member
    from New Jersey

    Do you start a project by finding an engine or by finding a car?
     
  2. Speed Gems
    Joined: Jul 17, 2012
    Posts: 6,433

    Speed Gems
    Member

    Most guys probably start with a car then try to find an engine to stick in it unless they have one laying around then they try too use that.
     
  3. Generally I start with the car. HRP
     
  4. plaintoast
    Joined: Oct 23, 2012
    Posts: 13

    plaintoast
    Member
    from mora

    for me it depends, I've done it both ways.
    nowadays, since i own an engine machine shop, i just sort of gather up good stuff
    and put something together when i have enough pieces to build a cool motor. my most recent one i built is a fairly typical 350, single carb edelbrock tunnel ram, some cast off, angle milled camel back heads and some forged dished pistons, the right cam makes for a fun, cheap gas powerplant for my 37 chev shop truck.
    other times I've had cars and built specifically for it.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2013

  5. GassersGarage
    Joined: Jul 1, 2007
    Posts: 4,727

    GassersGarage
    Member

  6. Yes. But hell the T im collecting parts for stated with a pair of 53 buick taillights
     
  7. My 36 im building started with a car. My 34 truck started with an engine and then tires and rims the truck came after. .[​IMG]
     
  8. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,535

    badshifter
    Member

    With a Quickchange.
     
  9. mechanic58
    Joined: Mar 21, 2010
    Posts: 681

    mechanic58
    Member

    Ha!!! Mine almost ALWAYS start with an engine - or sometimes even an engine part. I have a thing for engines - sometimes I'll find a neat old (rare) speed part ....then I'm like "Man..now I need a motor this'll fit on....", then I gather up an engine. Next thing ya know I have a running engine with nothing to put it in....then I start hunting the car. The problem with this is - usually - I get burned out before the whole thing gets finished (usually because by that time I've found some other neat engine part that requires a different engine and an entirely different car, etc). So you see...the process just repeats itself.

    I'm onto it now though. Took about 25 years, but I'm finally onto it.
     
  10. Mine start with a pile of parts, some times the engine or car changes mid project but the pile of parts is always the project.
     
  11. belair
    Joined: Jul 10, 2006
    Posts: 9,013

    belair
    Member

    I've got a 322 that I'm waiting for a Model A to go in.
     
  12. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    A bare frame and a dream.
     
  13. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Chalk marks on the garage floor usually. :D

    Don
     
  14. trollst
    Joined: Jan 27, 2012
    Posts: 2,108

    trollst
    Member

    Always a car, with a definite plan before the car starts the build.
     
  15. MISCONSTUDE
    Joined: Oct 2, 2011
    Posts: 135

    MISCONSTUDE
    Member

    My Stude project, the car came first. I told my drag racing buddy I wanted a strange car with a stranger motor. 55 Champion Stude with a 430 Buick out of a 68 Riviera.
     
  16. ive started with the car, the engine and even 1 body part
     
  17. Christom
    Joined: Nov 3, 2011
    Posts: 217

    Christom
    Member

    I always thought I would start with the car but my first traditional hotrod started engine first. I've always been keen on old flathead mills with all the good old stuff. I got the engine without really having the car planned out much. At one point I even considered an old style speed boat to put the engine in. Then a "nice" old '30 coupe body came along and the decision was made for me!
     
  18. In Three of my four builds it started with a QC knowing that there was always a Roadster body in the mix so now I'll be looking for that right set of wheels and tires for my next Roadster build and I've been blessed with another Olds engine so I'm not worried about that.

    Ditto!
     
  19. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    The 48 started with a running/driving 75.00 Beater pickup that I drove to work the day after I got tags for it. It morphed from beater to hot rod pickup when I figured out that there was no way to get my T bucket done in time for the Street Rod Nationals in Tulsa in 1973. Looking back I don't think the truck was ready either but it had a new lacquer paint job and freshly done roll and pleat seat and a set of 15x7 Rally wheels off a coworker's departed 69 Z28

    The Model A Vic started with buying a running 8-BA flathead from an Acquaintance and one piece at a time I am collecting parts. That no doubt will be the one I end up putting out the largest cash layout on when it's all said and done.

    The little boat tail roadster project started out as what I know now is a 1919 Buick Cowl that I bought at a swap meet for 10.00 20 something years ago from a friend of Vince Alcott. Over the years I have collected parts one at a time and often given to me for the project and it might be a roller not long after I get the engine swap finished in my 71 GMC. Hopefully the hodge podge of parts will end up looking like what my brain hopes it will and not a pos.
     
  20. Barn Find
    Joined: Feb 2, 2013
    Posts: 2,312

    Barn Find
    Member
    from Missouri

    I've got a 327 Fireball coming out of an old boat. I know this motor is freshly rebuilt and it is seeking a hotrod project-with or without a nautical theme.

    [​IMG]

    In a sense, Dad's Speed Wagon started as an engine in search of a vehicle.
     
  21. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,377

    indyjps
    Member

    I've got 12 engines, so I guess I'm looking for a car. I built circle track claimer engines and stock rebuilds in the 90s, this is what's left. So whatever car I find will get a sbc.
     
  22. 41 C28
    Joined: Dec 17, 2005
    Posts: 1,772

    41 C28
    Member

    I've started two project engine first. Bought a donor 70 Dodge with a 318 a couple of years before getting my 48 Dodge. The 330 hemi about year before getting my A coupe.
     

    Attached Files:

  23. DocWatson
    Joined: Mar 24, 2006
    Posts: 10,273

    DocWatson
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    An idea.
    Mostly bad ideas, very, very bad ideas!
    Some start with a car, hell one even started with three cars all lined up in my barracks block car park. My next project? If it ever happens, I have a 401 Nailhead, just need a car..........

    Doc.
     
  24. Brucekoukalaka
    Joined: Sep 16, 2012
    Posts: 137

    Brucekoukalaka
    BANNED

    Mine start with a truck!!!:D:D:D[​IMG]
     
  25. Kustomism
    Joined: Oct 8, 2011
    Posts: 159

    Kustomism
    Member

    Usually I start with a car.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  26. Don's Hot Rods
    Joined: Oct 7, 2005
    Posts: 8,319

    Don's Hot Rods
    Member
    from florida

    Ok, I'll ask the dumb question. That isn't a 327 Chevy, so what 327 is it ? AMC? I would have said Y block but the 327 threw me off.

    Don
     
  27. ravedodger
    Joined: Aug 24, 2007
    Posts: 296

    ravedodger
    Member

    Mine always started with a car until this hot rod bug got to me. When I started this project back in 09, it was with a set of frame rails, a banjo rear, a Model A front axle and a few other odds and ends. Now four years later, I still don't have the body I want but almost enough parts in the pile to have two rolling chassis. Could use a transmission or two. It's a disease I say and you guys aren't any help for me trying to get cured.
     
  28. Leviman
    Joined: Dec 11, 2012
    Posts: 201

    Leviman
    Member

    Mine start with engine sounds haha
     
  29. telecustom
    Joined: Feb 17, 2009
    Posts: 336

    telecustom
    Member
    from Langey, BC

    I wanted to build an AV8, so I got a flathead engine. Block was no good. But it was a start. Later I bought a mostly complete 1930 coupe. Wanting to run 1936 axles, and other later parts. I ended up with a model A with no frame or body in parts. As I continued to collect parts for the AV8 I also found a frame and '27 T body. I now have a rolling AV8 project and a banger powered hot rod. The banger will be sold as whole car to fund the AV8.


    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  30. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Bought the cars and then decided on a drive train and suspension that suited. Choice is a little limited down here, not that much to choose from.
     

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.