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Hot Rods The Belly Button Bucket Build Thread

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Tim_with_a_T, Dec 2, 2015.

  1. Subscribe
     
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  2. Todd Peterson
    Joined: Feb 10, 2016
    Posts: 22

    Todd Peterson

    Very nice I like what you did with your top. I have made one that does not collapse but is removable... still too high in the front will probably replace the windshield with a shorter one and adjust the top before too long. I prefer the suicide front end which you do not have....no offense but but, each his own the I beam axle seems to be more traditional, which I like.
     
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  3. WillyNilly
    Joined: Apr 7, 2013
    Posts: 240

    WillyNilly
    Member
    from NorCal

    Great attention to detail! Subscribed!
     
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  4. The 39 guy
    Joined: Nov 5, 2010
    Posts: 3,524

    The 39 guy
    Member

    Great build thread!
     
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  5. daddylama
    Joined: Feb 20, 2002
    Posts: 930

    daddylama
    Member

    Pretty damn sweet build & attention to detail!
    Nice to see something being built locally, too...
     
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  6. KoolKat-57
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 3,073

    KoolKat-57
    Member
    from Dublin, OH

    Just spend the last 1 1/2 hours reading your build thread.
    As stated by many others, this is probably the best and most well thought out build thread I have ever read!
    Looking forward to your continued progress on the "T".
    KK
     
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  7. Stock Racer
    Joined: Feb 28, 2010
    Posts: 1,070

    Stock Racer
    Member

    Subscribed. Just read the whole thread. Very Interesting and informative with lots of ideas I can use on my T Coupe build. My timeline is much like yours so I now have a template for a future build thread.
     
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  8. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    Thank you all for the positive feedback. It definitely keeps me motivated. I have some updates to catch up with, but I need to wait a bit longer so I can bring a couple posts/sections to completion.
     
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  9. Appletree
    Joined: Nov 3, 2011
    Posts: 59

    Appletree
    Member
    from Houston

    Wow! Impressive.
     
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  10. Zandoz
    Joined: Jan 23, 2012
    Posts: 305

    Zandoz
    Member

    I am just totally blown away! I encountered this thread a week or so ago in a Google search and saved a link for future reference. Today I've had the time to go through the thread from beginning to end. Some of the best time I've spent in a long time.

    Being a wire wheel nut, I'm glad you've stuck to your preference...they may not be period correct, but they sure do work.

    Another aspect of your build that really works for me is the car's proportions. To my eye, spot on. Even the proportions of the roller chassis, without the body are excellent. I'm not a big fan of the top treatments on most topped Ts, but you've nailed the top proportions to.

    Keep up the excellent work!

    On a side note, those pics of the motorized bikes caught my attention. My grandfather was more than a bit of an inventor, and in the late 1930s he designed, and my father built a small rotary engine. When WWII rationing hit, my dad set up a shop building and selling motorized bicycles featuring that little rotary engine and Schwinn bicycle frames, wheels, etc. His bikes had the local distinction of being the only motorized bike to be able to make it up the "Northside hill" from a standing start. You mentioned your brake issues...his motorbikes featured a rear wheel hub and brake assembly based on the drum brake from a 1930s Plymouth.
     
    Last edited: Mar 12, 2016
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  11. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    Zandoz,

    Thanks for checking out the build! Your grandfather's / dad's motorized bicycles sound very interesting! I'd like to see a picture if you have one!

    Well, I should probably update this thread soon. I had set a goal of running/driving by my 30th birthday, and that didn't happen. More or less due to events out of my control. The good news is I made significant progress and it's that much closer to completion. More good news is I can now say that I'm employed and a functioning member of society again. So I got that going for me. Which is nice. I'll try to get this up to date after the Portland Swap Meet. Thanks again to those following along.

    [​IMG]

    Sent from my SM-G900V using H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  12. Congrats on earning filthy lucre again! Oh, and makin' progress on the T!
     
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  13. Mach5customs
    Joined: Nov 15, 2015
    Posts: 8

    Mach5customs

    Phenomenal build. Way over the top compared to most of the T's I see around. It's gonna be one hell of a car, good work.
     
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  14. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    [​IMG]

    Figured I would post a pic so you guys know I haven't given up on this thing. I got all 4 brakes sanded, coated, and assembled; I got the pedals and clutch linkage sorted out; I got a few small things knocked out; then I started considering some changes- mainly the engine, headlights, and gauges to better fit the era I'm trying to represent. Most of the stuff I had laying around so I figure it needs to go to good use. Anyway, as I get things more solidified and completed, I'll update. Sorry for letting this drop off for so long!
     
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  15. AndersF
    Joined: Feb 16, 2013
    Posts: 884

    AndersF
    Member

    Its better to give things some time and do it right.
    In the end it will give you alot less things thats bug you.
     
  16. butch27
    Joined: Dec 10, 2004
    Posts: 2,847

    butch27
    Member

    WOW I like it!
     
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  17. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    [​IMG]

    Thanks guys. Here's one more picture from about 50yds out- the two modern vehicles are @ about the same distance. It's hilarious to me to see how much smaller the T is in comparison.
     
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  18. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member

    Me too man. Me too.
     
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  19. slv63
    Joined: Aug 4, 2008
    Posts: 151

    slv63
    Member

  20. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member


    To answer your question: yes; there are a few things to update. For ease of editing later, I will withhold the pictorial updates until each section is completed.....and I should have some decent section completions soon. What I've gotten done since updating:

    • Front and rear brakes have been powdercoated and assembled.
    • Front suspension has been assembled after powdercoating.
    • I swapped out the Model A headlights for King Bee's. I like them better I think. Scheming turn signal ideas...
    • New radiator mocked up with sectioned original Model T radiator shell(s), thanks to Kiwi Tinbender/Paul.
    • 350 engine has been sold and 1959 283 (now 302) is at machine shop getting checked out, along with a set of 2.02 "461" heads... I am all over the board with camshaft selection... Considering therapy.
    • Brake and clutch pedals have been fabricated and linkage mocked up... I still need to finish this, but they work.
    • Emergency brake handle mounted to T5 with a nifty bracket I made.
    • Various gussets made for frame pieces, including updated driveshaft safety loop.
    • I had the driveshaft shortened, and I'm ashamed to say I think it is about 1.5" too short...FAIL.
    • I think I'm on the 9th or 10th variation of the rear panhard bar...I'm confident this one will work.
    • Wooden floor for pickup bed has been made and fastened to frame.
    • Battery tray mounted to said wooden floor.
    • Fuel tank pattern was delivered to Kiwi Tinbender/Paul, who transferred to 0.100" Aluminum sheet. I have it mocked up now with all fittings, filler, and sender located and drilled. Need to get it back to Paul for welding.

    I have a few things I want to finish up on the frame before I blow apart the rolling chassis. I'm reallllly hoping I can knock it out this weekend - I'm that close. Then it is on to sanding/powdercoating rear suspension, and likely powdercoating frame. THEN I will have some ACTUAL updates to post.

    The engine build will take some serious time as the parts are not "cut and dry" like the 350 build was. I'm not sure how I want to cover that portion of the build, but I want to document as much as possible, ideally to inspire others to use some of the "obsolete" SBC parts rather than catalog stuff. Although, I am just as guilty, if not more guilty than most, of just ordering what I need out of a catalog in hopes of the quick and easy.

    For some reason, the camshaft selection is really weighing on me. Part of that reason is due to the fact that I will likely need to shave down the NOS forged standard bore 302 pistons that I was able to hunt down, which will allow a reasonable compression ratio... once that's done, there's no going back. And those pistons were not easy to find....that's the main reason I built the 350 first. I have bought and sold the various parts to build the 302 four or five times now because I would give up after being unable to find those stupid pistons (and reasonably priced WCFB's). Now that I have the parts, I'm in a quandary.

    I have narrowed it down to two cams: the first being the "old school" Isky 505T, which will require steep gears, a decent amount of compression (but NOT shaving the pistons), probably different wheels and tires to manage power a little better, and I think since it was all old school I would use the early Corvette dual point w/out vacuum advance (which I already have)...and this type of setup would SUCK to idle around Portland (I'm assuming - I have no real experience with this). ALL I DO in my daily driver is idle, so I doubt it would be any different going the places I go in a hot rod. Changing wheels and tires would be $$$, and it might look terrible in the end... So that's my dilemma there...

    The second cam is "modern": the smallest Lunati Voodoo solid lifter, which would still sound good and make good power, I could use the gears I currently have, the distributor and ignition setup that would work better idling around (and currently have), and no change in wheels or tires... but I have to shave the pistons. If I go the "modern" route, I may be "blowing it" to have drivability and efficiency. I also had this idea of adding a bolt-on hitch to the car so I could build a teardrop trailer to tow around, and I don't want to be doing that with some ridiculous cam and stupid gears getting 8mpg when I could be getting in the mid 20's... So there's all of that....

    I have basically not touched the body. I still need to finish all of the bracing and glass work, cut out/hinge/latch the door(s)- you read that right - plural, and I think I will be changing up the dash setup. I'm going to leave that a bit of a surprise for now, but I'm trying to get away from the standard tunneled dash 3/4 T buckets seem to have. Anyway, I feel like this post has turned into rambling, so I better sign off for now. Once again, thanks to any and all following along.
     
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  21. slv63
    Joined: Aug 4, 2008
    Posts: 151

    slv63
    Member

    Glad to hear you are continuing to work on it. This is a great thread and a beautiful car! Keep up the good work!


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  22. OFT
    Joined: Jun 1, 2005
    Posts: 574

    OFT
    Member

    In the mid 80's I had a fad T with a tunnel ram, roller cam 327. Nasty motor that would lift the front end when four speed shifted to second (under right leg). It was horrible for driving around town as always was loading up.
    After a year of living with it, swapped that motor out for a almost stock 283 that really made the T fun to drive. IMHO leave the nasty cam and high comp for drag strip, go with milder grind for street.

    On the '29 (OFT=old funky truck) had a 396 with blower that had 8.1 blower pistons milled to 7.1 so it would make blower doing work while towing. Climbing hills with 5th wheel RV rarely would it go to 200* water temp. The cam was a comp cam's 262 lift was around 480. Still could use stock converter. That motor wore out and now have a 8.1 SBC 350 with Weiand 177 blower, Lutini 256 Vodoo cam.

    I like your build thread and the way your going. Keep the good work up!
     
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  23. Zandoz
    Joined: Jan 23, 2012
    Posts: 305

    Zandoz
    Member

    Every time I see a pic of your car, I fall in love all over again. Keep up the good work!
     
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  24. AndersF
    Joined: Feb 16, 2013
    Posts: 884

    AndersF
    Member

    I was thinking if you where stupid or cool to throw out a good working engine
    to repkace it with another one that maybe 1% will see the difference.
    Naturly i think its cool.:cool:
    Whats next to change?
    The T5 to a 3spd with overdrive?:D
    And i agree with OFT above. Make it decent to drive.
    It will problaby be a good hp/weight ratio on it anyway.
     
  25. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member



    It may indeed be stupid, but I will accept cool haha. The HAMB has corrupted me on period correct, and my friend Corey Jones has corrupted me on early SBC stuff. Not that my car is at all period correct. But it looks the part if you squint hard enough. Every time I looked at the stash of early SBC stuff in the garage, I just felt like I needed to make an effort to use it, so that's that. As for the T5, I think it will stay. It's one of my favorite parts of the car despite being somewhat modern. It just fits too well.

    I stopped by the machine shop today. The '59 283 turned 302 has some pretty nasty taper in the bores, and one of the 461 heads is cracked. Which in a way is a good thing, because recently, in a moment of weakness, I bought a '58 283 to hoard for another project... but that also created another variable and more decisions for me to make. This way, I eliminate those variables by sacrificing that block for 302 cubic inches of goodness! The machine shop said they could match up another 461 head easy enough, so I'm still on track there.

    If any of you reading this have some WCFB's off a '57 283 laying around, let me know... I have 2 '56 265/283 WCFB's, which I think will work ok, but the '57's are slightly more convincing clones (and I could use the '56 carbs for parts). If not, I will be forced to make ZERO mistakes on the ones I have....which I have yet to do on this project lol.


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  26. AndersF
    Joined: Feb 16, 2013
    Posts: 884

    AndersF
    Member

    If you are a bit like me it just feels good to use old stuff when possible.
     
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  27. dubie
    Joined: Aug 17, 2004
    Posts: 698

    dubie
    Member

    i love the way this little T is looking, great build thread!! I say, build it however the fuck you want man, it's your car, you don't have to answer to anyone but your soul. After all, that's what you are pouring into this car, and it shows!

    What is the wheel base that this car is running on? it appears shorter than most T's we see, but maybe thats just an illusion
     
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  28. Tim_with_a_T
    Joined: Apr 30, 2011
    Posts: 1,357

    Tim_with_a_T
    Member



    Thank you, sir! The wheelbase is definitely short. Everyone has their own opinions on T buckets, but for me, they are almost always out of proportion. I always thought that if a bucket is a cut down Model T, it should probably look that way! I think a lot of people build them to Model A and '32 proportions so they have extra "room", but the room is almost always completely unusable (front suspension way out in front, huge gaps from radiator to engine, huge gaps from engine to firewall, etc). So I probably went the other way and built it too short, but at 88" wheelbase, I think it looks pretty decent. If I had a longer bed, I would have tried to be closer to 96", but when I set it up that way (no photos of this), it didn't look right. When I finish the frame updates, you'll see that just about everything needed notched to accomplish that. Lol. Thanks for checking out the thread/staring into my soul...


    Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
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  29. upspirate
    Joined: Apr 15, 2012
    Posts: 2,299

    upspirate
    Member

    Had to check in Tim .Coming along great! I won't spill the beans on the dash!;):cool:
     
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  30. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,791

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Tim....... your T Bucket is kickin' major ASS! It inspires, baby. Keep it going!
     
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