Ive noticed that there are a number of threads on the HAMB from guys who want to build a hot rod and are looking for advice on whats required to start and successfully complete a project. With all of the how to books out there in the For Dummies series I thought that we could start our own HOT RODDING FOR DUMMIES thread that goes through the steps required to plan and build a hot rod. Im sure you guys can come up with the quite a few dos and donts that could help the novice start and complete a project. Ill get the ball rolling .. Chapter (1) Getting started Its wise to inform all members of your family that from now on you will be spending most of your time in the shop and will only be seen outside of that environment on rare occasions.
Chapter 2 Any disposable income formerly used for not quite absolute necessities will now be re-appropriated for equally non essential hot rod parts...... Ray
I'll add in. I am new to restoring older cars (first one), but last xmas the only thing I got for presents were gift cards. Along with notes that read "wasn't sure the exact parts you wanted so I thought this would be best"
Understand and use the proper vocabulary and terminology. There's a lot of it, and using it wrong only severely hinders the process, research, communication, and understanding of the process. An ambitious fellow could copy and paste an entire "hot-rod for dummies" or "hot rod 101" book from the pages of the HAMB. A very ambitious and extremely patient individual who can separate the wheat from chaff; one who has a great ability to wade they the bullshit here could copy and paste a doctorate level hot rod book; right from the HAMB.
set a budget that you think you will get you everything you will ever need to finish the project. double that and you might be in the ballpark. again don't keep track. it will only cause trouble down the line.
No matter how big your garage or workshop is, it won't be big enough. Learn to work in confined spaces and practice tip-toeing around all the crap that will be on the floor before you get started.
Beaware of reality. If your plan is a 49 Chevy fastback that's chopped, channeled, sectioned, with a Desoto grill, Pontiac front fenders, Cadillac rear quarters, 64 T-bird interior, powered by a Chrysler Hemi, with a Ford tranny, and a Jag rear suspension, you might need more than a Harbor Freight welder and a $30 socket set to get her done. There is no kit for this.
I'm with you there Joe...never add up those receipts indeed. And save them in a safe place where the wife can't find them. Things can snowball pretty quickly from a simple fix at a few hundred bucks to a complete re-build and several thousand.
In order to fully understand Chapter one, we must now delve deeper into the psyche and framework of the Hot Rodder and try to understand the inner workings of this creative and constructive world hidden behind the garage door During Chapter (1) the Hot Rodder goes through a metamorphosis He or She begin to slowly change both outwardly and mentally. In the initial stages black crud gathers beneath finger nails. Soft hands become callused, creased and stained caused by exposure to old oils, greases and ancient lacquered fuels. Clothing will enter the shop neat and complete, only to leave the shop later torn, burnt, soiled, tattered and pocked with holes and metal shavings. Feeding and wizz breaks are not the most common reasons for leavening the garage. In fact, eating is not something that a Hot Rodder does on a routine basis. The fevered mind of the Hot Rodder considers the project first and foremost, hunger and malnutrition seem like mere afterthoughts. Only after the project is complete or nearing absolute exhaustion will the Hot Rodder stop to ingest calories and high energy nutrients to allow for rapid recovery. The number one reason a Hot Rodder must leave the garage to make parts runs. It is essential that the Hot Rodder have the proper equipment, tools, supplies, hardware and spare parts needed to keep the project moving ahead. Sometimes these parts can be had at the local hardware store, other times the parts can only be found after a days drive. How and where to source a part is the one thing that occupies the Hot Rodders thoughts 90% of his waking life. This is one of the main reasons behind the annual pilgrimage to the Swap Meet. The gathering of Hot Rodders and spare parts, to a Hot Rodder, has no equal. This is Mecha. During a projects early stage of getting started, the Hot Rodder will carefully study the new blank canvus of shaped stamped steel. During this mental observation of the project car the Hot Rodder will enter into a meditative state. Observations of metal condition, problematic rust spots, broken or missing parts are rushing through the mind a such a fast pace the Hot Rodders mind does not have enough capacity to carry out any other task. Ideas begin to well up into his or her mind; How to chop, what to swap, when to lower, where to shave, why not add more power. This is the beginning stage. Hot Rodders somehow know that this transformation has actually been going on for a very long time, since inception, for some. It is not a gene, not a chromosome, not a particular part of the DNA chain. Hot Rodders know that it goes much deeper than that. It is apart of the core of the spirit of their life. Its either there or it isnt. When and where it finally takes hold of all mental ability to comprehend a life without a hot rod is unknown. But when it does, the Hot Rodder will know that it has begun and there is no going back.
The biggest mistake I see first time builders make is they want to start building the frame without having any idea what body, engine, etc they will be using. The FIRST things you should have are the body, a motor of the same make and model you will be using, and some wheels and tires (if possible, the actual wheels and tires you will end up using). You need those parts on hand so you can mock up the car where it looks good, then start planning what frame you will need to make that look happen. Another rule is that it is going to cost 3 times what you thought and take twice as long to build. Don
Never go to autozone for parts, always find an old school parts store. Autozone you'll just get mad, leave without the parts, and come home and make a post on the HAMB about how stupid the parts kid was at autozone.
Buy something that you can drive for a while. Then make small changes as you try to determine what direction you want to go. Bringing home a pile of parts and expecting that you can be driving it in a few weeks is a real project killer. OH NEVER MIND JUMP RIGHT IN! Because if everyone did that the rest of us would not be able to find half finished projects for half price. It's better to drive something for a season just to make sure that this is something you really want to undertake. As we all know it really is a labor of love
Lets start with just the basics. 1... Have the skills to do it. 2... Have a place to do it. 3... Have the tools to do it. 4... Be prepared to spend more money than you ever imagined. 5... Know that your wife and kids will miss you. Your every spare minute will be spent in the shop. 6... Have more patience than you ever imagined. This will take a very long time. You guys can add to the list. I know there's more.
Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and first aid on hand, things can get messy. And yep they sure do cost 3 times as much and take twice as long. Wear PPE, how the heck you gonna drive that roadster if ya can't see where your goin.
Very very helpful if you successfully complety torn down to its single parts and rebuilt a better and usable item. A Bicycle A lawn mower, A minibike or go kart A single cylinder internal combustion engine - complete rebuild including the carb and ignit. If an attempt on the above has led to a box of junk parts or a half finished project - don't even try a whole car.
When your 10 year old tells you "you love your car more than you love me" at 10 pm after grinding away.. Take a break for a couple days...
If your building your first car and your on this website your already ahead of the game. I learn something new and cool every time I'm on here. Heres some stuff I know about cars that may help some first timers. You need a welding machine. Some may say you can get by without one but people say all kinds of stupid things which is also something you will learn while building your first hot rod. Early Ford parts are expensive but very cool. All early cars are cool but Fords done with taste appeal to a huge cowd. A modified built from an unkown cowl and doors may look badass but will require the same work as a clapped out model A coupe body and only be worth 1/2 the money. I have made this mistake. Feel free to look in my photos to see the cut down coupster I built from parts from 8 different rotten cars. This car was fun but almost valuless(bad parts plus no attention to detail equals shitty car) You will probably sell your first car to buy a cooler car so this matters. Parts that aren't pitted to shit (like backing plates etc..) make the quality of your build go way up. It may not seem like a big deal but it is. Don't waste time spray painting the body different colors and propping shit up in the garage to stare at with your friends. If you use your time wisely you'll get your heap done in a timely manner and be on the road which is way cooler than you even think it will be.
A dismanteled car will take up an incredible amount of space so blow 2 apart at the same time so you can have car parts in every free inch of avalible space in your world.
Don't even start if all you are interested in is getting into "the club". Not sure if this is the place for you?...read a lot and post little until you figure out what we are all about. If you don't have the passion, you won't understand. Find out what that passion is. If and when you are over run with the passion for what we do then you can help to spread the gospel as Ryan has laid out and not try to change it to your ideas or passions. If you decide you want an old time hotrod without A/C and P/S then there is a lot of help for you here.
I have seen too many guys get in way over their heads. They suddenly decide to build a hot rod from scratch and have never even swapped a motor, have no real tools and no safety network to help them out. They would be well served to find other rodders in the area, help them with their projects while learning and developing the needed skills. This is the essence of the HAMB in my opinion. Like minded people sharing the building experience and passing the torch to the next generation. That's one of the reasons I joined.
No matter the size of the project, have a plan...don't deviate...stay focused... If you don't you will only waste time and money. Remember you are building the car for you, not the likes of someone else or the latest fad.
Find a bunch of "old guys" who are into hotrods. Take the cotton out of your ears and put in your mouth. Only remove the cotton to ask a question. If your post the aforementioned question on the H.A.M.B. , were nomex underwear, a thick skin and keep good sense of humor.