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Projects Not Your Average Coupe Build: 37’ Chevy Unearthed

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by oneratfink57, Jan 31, 2017.

  1. Dangerousdan
    Joined: Apr 12, 2018
    Posts: 333

    Dangerousdan
    Member
    from Arizona

    Talent, I enjoy seeing a guy with the ability to take a piece of iron and take pride in making it become
    an item of use . Nice job.
     
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  2. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Thanks @Dangerousdan, it’s all about the journey I’ve come a long way, but ive got a long way to go!
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2021
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  3. Dangerousdan
    Joined: Apr 12, 2018
    Posts: 333

    Dangerousdan
    Member
    from Arizona

    I believe it was said already. Stay the course.
     
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  4. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Buddy came over today to help me line up the under car brake pedal assembly, so I didn’t have to zip tie the pedal to my foot when trying it out lol.

    Rather than drilling a bunch of access holes for bolts (on the top hat frame you shouldn’t put bolts all the way through or you’ll sand which the sheetmetal frame like @rusty1 warned me about when doing my shock cross member) I decided to weld it on.

    You know you’ve got a rock solid friend/helper when you walk away for a water and they jump in and start welding the next seam!


    IMG_8318.JPG

    Also cut off the tab on the brake pedal (that the pedal threads into), and flipped it 180 degrees (from right side to left side) to give me more room for my gas pedal

    While doing so, I ground the pedal arm about 10 degrees toward the firewall so the pedal motion would feel more natural.

    IMG_8320.JPG

    Painted the welds and master cylinder, and threw the booster on for the sake of progress



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    Last edited: Jan 11, 2021
  5. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Painted the master cylinder and did a rough mock up. Assembled as is, the pedal is clocked to the fully depressed position. I’ll have to extend the input rod to the booster. Alternatively I’ll likely cut off the output tab, reposition, and weld back to the pedal.


    IMG_8329.JPG

    I also have some interference with the trans cross member brace and proportioning valve. Given it’s not a race car I may just remove the braces rather than notching to clear the proportioning valve.


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    Last edited: Jan 13, 2021
  6. 50 Merc Man
    Joined: Aug 2, 2020
    Posts: 432

    50 Merc Man
    Member

    Is that a jamco setup?


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  7. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I’m sure they sell something applicable, but it’s a cheapo eBay pedal assembly and the MC/ booster/ prop valve combo is from speedway.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2021
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  8. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    I decided I wasn’t going to use the proportioning valve bracket that came with the master cylinder. It was going to interfere with the trans cross member etc like I mentioned in my last post. But something I didn’t mention, is since the master cylinder is backwards, the proportioning would be backwards as well, which would make for messy brake lines.

    Instead I made up a plate, tapped holes in it, welded it to the frame, and spaced it so the brake lines would pass the bottom of the flange on the frame.

    FDD9E8D5-6804-405A-8E20-5F4DD4A7F7A2.jpeg

    Took the opportunity to give my daughter another MIG welding lesson!

    29CE445F-F98C-4CF4-95A1-EED527BCDC4C.jpeg




    F7F278EE-B1DC-44F7-8B87-8D2DD510754E.jpeg


    End result came out much cleaner. Bending the brake lines to connect to the master will be frustrating, but well worth it in the end.


    DD63A8EE-4AE2-476E-B2E7-F6594EE4756D.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jan 18, 2021
  9. Whoamel
    Joined: Jul 22, 2007
    Posts: 104

    Whoamel
    Member
    from So Cal

    Just read through this whole thread and enjoying your great work! I also appreciate that you're saving another one from disapearing. I'll be closely following along..
     
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  10. 6inarow
    Joined: Jan 24, 2007
    Posts: 2,361

    6inarow
    Member

    Provision for emergency/parking brake on the rear discs?
     
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  11. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    @6inarow I probably should have, but I didn’t opt for the emergency brakes. But I could always swap calipers down the line if I changed my mind.
     
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  12. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Thanks @Whoamel ! Glad to have you aboard
     
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  13. lippy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2006
    Posts: 6,825

    lippy
    Member
    from Ks

    Great thread. Been lurking. I will be going to get my 37 chev coupe one of these days to start on. Soon as winter goes away. lol
     
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  14. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    @lippy I hope it’s in better shape than mine was in! Lol I’d love to see another 37 get put back on the road
     
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  15. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Not super exciting progress, but I ran about half of my brake lines with residual valves today.

    Waiting on some fittings to do the rear axle and two front lines.

    IMG_8367.JPG


    Next up ill likely be making the exhaust system

    IMG_8364.JPG



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    Last edited: Jan 24, 2021
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  16. patman
    Joined: Apr 30, 2007
    Posts: 575

    patman
    Member

    Hard to tell from that picture angle, but...if those lines are above your MC, it's going to be tough to bleed. Pressure bleeder maybe?
     
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  17. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    @patman to be honest i don’t recall having to bleed brakes on a car with an underfloor master cylinder before. I was assuming it was going to be easier since air rises, but maybe I’m wrong. I don’t have a pressure bleeder (but they’re awesome!) I’ve got a vacuum bleeder that will hopefully do the trick if I struggle.



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    Last edited: Jan 27, 2021
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  18. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Finished running brake lines today. Doesn’t look like several hours worth of work, but it feels like it!

    Notched the pedal assembly bracket so brake lines could easily pass through.

    IMG_8536.JPG

    Rear brake lines

    IMG_8541.JPG

    Front brake lines

    IMG_8537.JPG


    Now I’ve just got to bleed the master and the lines.

    Just fuel lines and exhaust left until the body goes back on the car (for the last time??? Lol)



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    Last edited: Feb 7, 2021
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  19. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Finished the exhaust back to the mufflers and mounted the fuel pump today.

    Started with just a couple pre bent 2” exhaust sections and made the down pipes from the headers.

    IMG_8563.JPG

    IMG_8564.JPG IMG_8566.JPG
    IMG_8569.JPG

    Then welded some pipe extensions to extend back to the smithy’s mufflers. If it looks bent it’s because it is! Had to cut the pipe at a 2 degree angle to kick it back up a little bit

    IMG_8571.JPG

    For mounting the exhaust hangers, I drilled two holes in the trans cross member and used some 3/8” weld nuts so the hangers could be removable if the rubber bushing ever wore out.

    IMG_8577.JPG


    IMG_8581.JPG


    I also made a threaded plate (out of the drop I still had from the proportioning valve plate) so I could bolt the fuel pump to the frame without having to drill access holes.


    IMG_8574.JPG

    IMG_8584.JPG

    IMG_8580.JPG

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    Last edited: Feb 15, 2021
  20. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Welded up tail pipes today. Just need two more hangers

    I’ll bleed brakes this weekend, make sure there’s no leaks, and the body can go back on the frame.

    IMG_8623.JPG

    IMG_8622.JPG


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  21. AHotRod
    Joined: Jul 27, 2001
    Posts: 12,216

    AHotRod
    Member

    It's looking good ....
     
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  22. Pete
    Joined: Mar 8, 2001
    Posts: 4,748

    Pete
    Member

    Mad respect!
     
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  23. lippy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2006
    Posts: 6,825

    lippy
    Member
    from Ks

    Getting there!!:)
     
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  24. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Thanks gents! Looking forward to get everything mechanically sound so I can get back to bringing the body back from the dead. There’s still a long road ahead of me. Glad you guys are along for the ride!
     
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  25. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Fixed some rust on the rearmost cross member. Used a stump, sandbag, and mallet to make the patch.


    IMG_8646.JPG

    IMG_8643.JPG

    IMG_8647.JPG

    IMG_8649.JPG

    Also used the threaded bosses on the shock crossmember I made to mount the rear exhaust hangers

    IMG_8652.JPG


    Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
     
  26. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Picked up an original bench seat last night. Couldn’t pass it up for the price, cost less than the gas I burned to pick it up. Wife thought I was nuts, but she wasn’t surprised! Lol


    IMG_8663.JPG


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    Last edited: Feb 24, 2021
  27. I may have missed it, but what mufflers are those?
     
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  28. Lookin good! I missed this until now, but will be following along. Love them 37-38 Chevys.
     
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  29. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    They’re Smithy’s mufflers. Patriot owns them now, but smithys claim to be the “worlds oldest performance muffler.” I’m anxious to hear them when I get to fire it up.
     
  30. oneratfink57
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 737

    oneratfink57
    Member
    from Wisconsin

    Welcome aboard Dan! You’ve got a beautiful 38 coupe. Is it black or purple? Whatever it is, it looks awesome
     
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