Projects My "You didn't build that" 27 T Roadster build thread

Sherm Porter posted this pic on Facebook yesterday. I about shit. This is the first time I've seen something that so closely resembles what I had envisioned for this car!

Of course there are a million differences, but the stance is absolutely spot on! Axle out front, spring behind, A grille shell with deuce headlights down low, side mount steering and as low as is reasonably practical.

Yep, I fell in love!

 

You could always put some cross ply's on for the show, may pay off. JW

 

Now that you mention it, I have some old original Firestone bias plies that I'd never run on the street but they'd hold air with a tube in them...

 

Do it

 

Saw the same RPU at the So Cal open house before LARS.

 

A plan has been hatched. JW

 

I bailed out of work early and went to Bob's. Thanks to an adapter from Danchuk (part number 10100) we have a happy 283/200r4 combo. Here's the adapter: http://www.danchuk.com/ItemForm.aspx?Item=10100

For anyone in the future trying to solve the 265 or 283 to a 200r4 (or 2004r, I don't know which is correct) this kit does it. It allows you to use a two bolt starter (early blocks were drilled but not tapped for the 3 bolt starters) and a later transmission. The plate is a 1/4" thick and moves your transmission mount back that far.

Here's today's adventure...


Danchuk adapter plate


New 167 tooth flexplate. I neglected to take a pic of the 1/4" spacer but you can see it in the picture of the kit.


Torque converter filled, mounted and everything bolted together.


And bolted into the chassis!


We went to install the trans crossmember Bob built but had a problem. The plate and moved the transmission back a 1/4" and now the holes don't line up. That's a perfect example of how close of tolerances he builds everything to. The 1/4" difference was my bad because I didn't know I'd need the starter plate. We'll elongate the holes on the mount and it'll be done.

A few more hard lines to be run on the chassis, air test the brake lines and mount the body. That will probably be a few weeks as I have a ton of family stuff going on.

 

All looking good and my heart skipped a beat when I read "mount the body" JW

 

That blue Rpu is a Shadow Rods XL 27 Eric. As you may know they are bigger in most of the dimensions of the body so while they look like a 27, they aren't really true to what a T is.
I based my 26 RPU loosely on that same car.
Picked up my RPU from Rod Tops today, they did an awesome job on the top.
I'll be posting pictures in a few days.
Your T is looking good, nice to see the progress.
Larry.

 

Soon, Jeremy, soon!

Didn't realize this was an XL27 Larry. I know they're closer to the size of a '32 but the picture Tim posted it still looks so small. Can't wait to see the top, man!

 

It is getting closer, can't wait to see this beauty together!

 

Me either Dick!

 

And me...... but you knew that JW

 

Ha! At least it'll be done when you get here next year!

 

Thanks again to @2racer for the lead on the 'Vette valve covers. @Scott sent me several more photos and I bought them. He shipped them right away and I got them early last week. No broken fins, not cracking around the bolt holes, few small dings and a small area where someone tried to polish them. I think I'll throw them in the sandblaster so they're a uniform color then mount them up.

 

After you get them blasted ,hold them up to the light and look through them from inside . Sometimes they get little holes in casting on the inside of the letters . No big deal, just tig them from inside and problem fixed . I have had two pair to fix both staggered hole . Blue

 

No kidding? Thanks for that info!

 

You could also coat the inside with that paint they use in race engines. JW

 

A fellow HAMBer saw my dash insert plight and sent a message offering to help. He takes old guitars and builds customs out of them and is just the guy to do the mother of pearl dash insert! Thanks Chris, looking forward to working with you!

And not a moment too soon! Bob sent these pics today while building the new dash. We wanted a '32 shape to it but it'll hide a few tricks. Nothing that hasn't been done before, but it'll keep everything looking real sanitary.

Here's today's progress.

 

That new dash will suit the rest of the build just fine, looks real cool. JW

 

That'll look fantastic!

 

More pics from Bob today. It's been hours since he sent them and I'm just now trying to unwind from the day and had a chance to look at them! Too late tonight to say thanks, I'll catch him tomorrow.

Dash is coming along nicely. And quick too!

 

Looking good........ as usual JW

 

Not much of an update, but I did make it to Bob's yesterday. We didn't accomplish anything, but sat and BS'ed for two hours and planned.

He got a few things done this week though. Dash is almost complete.



And the transmission cross member has been modified and installed.

 

The placement of the gauges looks very clean, is the tachometer going to be mounted somewhere else or omitted and will the steering column be recessed into the dash panel or will it be below it? Cant wait to see the Pearl behind the gauges...........COOL !! JW

 

Where did the center insert come from? (is it polished aluminum? Very swanky!)

 

Yeah the same questions from me as Jeremy asked Dude ?? You're good wife should have a rev counter otherwise how will she know when she hits the 8000 rpm limit just after the oil light has gone out ??

 

Thanks as always brother! The tach will be mounted in a chrome cup on the steering column and the column will be coming up through the floor at roughly a 70° angle. I'm not a fan of vertical steering, but the Mustang steering box ultimately dictated the angle. So to answer the other question, no, there probably won't be any column bracing to the dash. Bob and I discussed it yesterday and he's built many columns this way. He's confident it'll work perfectly and that all I need.

Mike, it's a cast aluminum piece from So-Cal. It came with an engine turned aluminum faceplate but will be pearl guitar pick guard material very soon.

Ha! Let's hope this thing never sees 8K! After riding around with her in her Hemi Charger I can assure you this little roadster will be racing every minivan, Camry, Camaro or whatever lines up next to her at every single light. And if she ever gets beat the 283 will come out and something pissed off will go in!

 

Too cool and I too trust Bobs judgement. If you need a pissed off SBC can I build you a 327 for the roadster, I have some bits im dying to use..............oh you may need some ballast in the trunk !! JW

 

Ha! That'd be awesome Jeremy! I'll also need to beef up those rear bones too!