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Projects Road to Redemption: 49 Chevy Coupe Build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by deto, Sep 11, 2014.

  1. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Bear with me, because there is a story behind this car...

    when I was 19, I worked at a Hot rod shop. A customer who had a dozen cars bought a 49 Chevy coupe at Pomona one Sunday. I asked him if he would consider selling it, and he said yes. When I walked up to it, I had to have it.

    It was perfect to me. 2 tone blue, white vinyl upholstery, with a stock 216. Over the next few months I upgraded to a 327/th350 combo, rewired it, installed discs and dropped uprights, and mounted G78-15's all the way around.

    It was an awesome cruiser that was deceptively punchy. It was also responsible as a conduit for me meeting my future wife.

    One day while driving down the freeway I hit the brakes firmly, and felt the rear end do something strange. Before I could slow the car down enough, one of the rear wheels locked up and sent me into the dirt hill to my right. The car was completely smashed up on the passenger side. I was ill for weeks. I sold it and couldn't even handle thinking about it.

    Flush with cash from the insurance man, I ran out and bought a 52 chevy styline. This was one of my top 5 biggest mistakes. Horrible clip job, van seats, tilt column, torched springs, bondo abuse, on and on. I pissed away too much money trying to relive the days of the unmolested 49 chevy coupe.

    So I sold the 52 to pay bills, and I didn't really have a desire to get back into building another car for awhile.

    Fast forward to this month, and my wife showed me an old picture of us in front of the 49. So on a whim I get on craigslist, and lo and behold, 60 miles away is a complete, unmolested, and original 49 coupe deluxe. I worked a shit ton of overtime, and now its in my garage.

    I'm going to build it almost exactly the same, but this time I will be more disciplined when it comes to keeping it "era correct". Think more hotrod than custom.

    I have some resources from my work that will allow me to do this one right. Plans call for all parts to be pre '64. Yes, drums all the way around but with a dual MC. A dual quad SBC with a 4 speed for motivation, 57 chevy rear axle, (eventually an olds) and bendix brakes all the way around.

    Build plan is to separate the body from the chassis, and get it and the drivetrain completely dialed and detailed, put the body back on, and drive it while I save for paint, not because I have some fetish for a rusty rat rod, but because the budget doesn't allow for paint and body just yet.

    I'm excited for a second chance to do this one right...
     
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  2. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    the 49 that started it all...

    pre dropped uprights at March meet... IMG_20140910_192057538.jpg

    driving to vegas 8 years ago... IMG_20140910_192538095.jpg
     
  3. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    And the one that's in my garage right now IMG_20140910_191736756.jpg
     
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  4. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410492259445.jpg Started disassembly tonight. Lots of rusty bolts and screws but patience and some rust penetrant saved the day. I'm keeping the whole front clip together so I can pull it off complete

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
  5. Great story, keep posting as your project moves on to yesteryear ...... a reincarnation of your first love, very cool!
     
  6. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410496617285.jpg I always wanted to take the clip off in one piece. Thought that was the cats meow...

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
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  7. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,788

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Once the flame is lit, there is no putting it out.
     
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  8. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Right? I can't believe after all this time I have the desire to do it again...

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  9. Looks like we're at the same place with projects, awesome! Keep the progress shots coming.
     
  10. Rusty Heaps
    Joined: May 19, 2011
    Posts: 987

    Rusty Heaps
    Member

    Amazing how many bolts secure that front clip compared to say a '55 Chevy (6). I did the same with my '50 avatar.Yes please keep us posted, I'm excited for you.
     
  11. chevy54man
    Joined: Feb 7, 2013
    Posts: 1,683

    chevy54man
    Member
    from NC

    That's a great story and sweet Chevy you have to work on now! Best to you!
     
  12. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410574703446.jpg Just rolled it out and busted off the loose grime with a pressure washer. I like to use just water at first to move the loose stuff out of the way before attacking it with degreaser. Also before I closed up for the night I hit all the suspension nuts and bolts with rust penetrant to displace water and help out when the suspension disassembly begins. Gonna blast the under carriage tomorrow in preparation for body removal.

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
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  13. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Yes young one, you have a goal, focus and drive to do it right. All the mechanicals to put it on the road safely is done 1st. The period perfect mindset put discipline in to you. The drums are no problem on todays road if you keep a distance and adapt to how they react to your driving.
     
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  14. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Second time around worked much better

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  15. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410646611435.jpg Second time around worked better.

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
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  16. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410651056933.jpg Trunk floor had old newspapers glued to it under the mat...

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
  17. Deto,

    Enjoying your build thread. I'm staring down the barrel of a similiar project (pulling the front off my '56, cleaning/degreasing then paint, etc). When you pressure-wash'ed the front, do you have any tips, etc for clean-up of the ground, etc. I ask because I don't want to make a dirty, greasy mess in my driveway, if I can avoid it.

    Scott/Gotta56forme
     
  18. 56sedandelivery
    Joined: Nov 21, 2006
    Posts: 6,695

    56sedandelivery
    Member Emeritus

    On front suspensions, I've always used Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Spray on heavily, let it sit, and wash off with just a garden hose/nozzle set to it's hardest stream. Repeat if needed, and it usually takes several cans. I don't have a pressure washer, and renting one would cost more than the Easy-Off. My shop/garage is in my back yard with a driveway and parking lot of gravel; I clean up the big chunks of grease/dirt, and the rest works it's way into the gravel. Just don't get the Easy-Off on your skin, it'll remove skin if left on too long. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.
     
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  19. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    I just moved into this house last week and it has an asphalt driveway and a gravel side yard. Perfect for making mess. I just wet down the driveway before I start making a mess. This helps a little

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  20. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Butch, I didn't include it in the pic but I covered the front clip in oven cleaner this morning and let it work it's magic. It works pretty well

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  21. Deto,

    Thanks for the info. I have an area of grass near my driveway that isn't great, that I think I'll use instead of the driveway when clean-up day comes. Didn't know about the oven cleaner trick, will use that, too.

    Scott/Gotta56forme
     
  22. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410745266236.jpg So I have 2 hours into wheel removal and no luck. I passed bolts all the way through and backed it with nuts and it is just pulling the bolts right through the wheel and I'm putting 25-30 lbs on a 12 inch ratchet. I think the wheel might have to be sacrificed. It has been sprayed with rust penetrant multiple times over the last 2 days and it won't budge

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    Last edited: Oct 18, 2014
  23. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    Last edited: Sep 14, 2014
  24. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    OK cool. Thank you.


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  25. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    1410748134782.jpg Also another issue. My pitman arm puller is to thick on the fingers to sneak behind the pitman arm. Can I just grind the fingers a bit or am I gonna weaken the puller too much?

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    Last edited: Mar 2, 2015
  26. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    If you are replacing the pitman arm, perhaps a 4" cutoff wheel can clearance some room so the puller stays intact.
     
  27. daddio211
    Joined: Aug 26, 2008
    Posts: 6,012

    daddio211
    Member

    Cool man! Hitchin' a ride!
     
  28. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Trying to keep it intact. Puller was an auto zone special at $15 so that might get sacrificed first

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  29. slammed
    Joined: Jun 10, 2004
    Posts: 8,150

    slammed
    Member

    YES! For that $ customize it.
     
  30. deto
    Joined: Jun 26, 2010
    Posts: 2,619

    deto
    Member

    Thank you sir

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