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Rat Rod Nation builds => Rat Rod Builds => Topic started by: Blackwater on September 19, 2020, 08:53:02 PM

Title: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 19, 2020, 08:53:02 PM
I've been toying around with this for a while!  Trading around with Jeff73Mach1 and swapping parts, cars, and labor, I've come up with another project.  I've hinted at this one before, but now I've jumped off the high dive out over Grand Canyon.  Got lots of parts already collected and the idea is now firmed up!!

We stacked and propped some of the stuff on and next to the car and I took some pics to get an idea of what we're shooting for. I included an early pic of the '61 Olds rear end that I'm using. We sent the axles and a set of rotors off of a '96 Caprice to the machine shop to be drilled for the 5x4.75 wheels on the back.  I'm about halfway through adapting the Caprice disc brakes to the housing and it's gonna work like a champ!!

I have a 1958 348 Chevy engine on a a stand, almost ready to install.  I'm using front and rear saddle mounts to put it in the frame and I'll fab up headers to work with the car.  I'll post a pic or two of it in the next day or two.

We junked out my son's old Camaro and I got a 700R4 out of it that we got from a Corvette.  It needs rebuilding, but except for reverse, it works great and it has a good converter with it.  An old friend of mine from my transmission shop days is coming over to help me rebuild it and ain't charging me nothing but maybe a steak and some beers!! Got a good drive shaft outa' the deal too!

That's a brand new radiator sitting in the frame.  Jeff found it and it's made to cool a big V8!

I bought a disc brake kit for the front axle from Speedway.  I don't short anything when it comes to brakes.  I need to pull the spindles and send 'em to Speedway to be modified for the brake kit.  I got a deal on that and it'll save me a chunk of money.

SO!!  I need to lengthen the frame about a foot to accommodate the engine/transmission combination.  I'm going to channel the floor about four inches to lower the car so it resembles the sketch.  The body is all steel and the roof has already been chopped enough to suit my tastes.  The doors are from an A-model and I haven't decided how I'm gonna deal with that, but the floor frame is perfect and the body is absolutely rust free, so it'll be a cinch to lower it and the frame is 2" x 3" rectangular tubing and I already have about three feet of fresh steel tubing to make the stretch!!

What I haven't decided is whether I'll leave it a little RAT or if I'm gonna' shoot for a full on custom! 'Til I decide, that after I've driven it a little!!

Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 22, 2020, 02:00:18 PM
Bought a small winch to use for lifting car bodies, today!!

I'll post photos of it in use in the next couple of days!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on September 22, 2020, 06:07:25 PM
Dad bought a Harbor Freight one for our A-frame. Really handy but got to watch the cable. It wants to miss the spool sometimes. It's also a little faster than I would like. But, all in all As handy as a shirt pocket!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 23, 2020, 08:14:03 AM
I'm running the cable through a series of pulleys to lighten the load and so I can use it while I'm by myself.  It'll be mounted on a post in the shop, up out of the way.

Pics when I get it all put together!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 28, 2020, 09:18:39 PM
Here is the winch and pulleys holding up the "T" body.  The pics were taken on the first run of the hoisting rig.  We let the body back down and cleared the cables so that they don't cross each other.  Made it run a LOT smoother.  Jeff's 29 sedan body can be seen in a couple of pics.  The bottom of the "T" body is over eight feet off the floor!!

Also a couple pics of the 348 engine I'm preparing for this build.  I'm thinking of reversing the colors on the engine, painting the block Chevrolet orange and the valve covers and pan with high temp wrinkle black.  Those orange valve covers sure are shiny though!!

OH!!  Yeah!!  I got me an antique Coke machine over the weekend!!  Needs a little cleaning up and a shot of freon, but it even cools a little!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 20, 2020, 02:39:50 PM
I just remembered that I have a hood for this project!  I don't think it has the side curtains, but the top panels are solid and the hinge is good!  I also have a Corvair steering box that's already "flipped" to finish the steering !!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 01, 2020, 10:01:47 PM
I ought to be getting my rear axles and rotors back from the machine shop this week. I decided that I would let them redrill for the 5X4.75 pattern.  I've done it several times successfully, but with the foot and some minor annoyances, I figured it won't cost much and I can deal with some other things.

I also picked up a set of coil over shocks for the rear of the car!!

Soon as I get to where I can walk again, between all the stuff for this project and the parts coming in for the engine on Lockjaw, I'm gonna' be a busy feller!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 12, 2020, 09:42:29 AM
I had to go pick up my axles and rotors yesterday.  The machine shop I took them to had dragged their feet long enough!!  I picked them up and took them to a well known local shop in Nashville.  It'll cost me a little more, but I'll have them back by the middle of next week!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 16, 2020, 10:08:50 AM
Got my axles back from the second machine shop this morning!!  Nice work!!  They re-drilled the rotor too and it was DONE ON TIME!!!

I'm starting to get around a little on both feet!!  Looked around the shop this morning when I got back from town.  I had put away an old Chevy dual point distributor,one of the old iron units without a tach drive that has a clip on cap and no vacuum advance.  They're getting pretty rare and I'd sent my son and Jeff73 to look for it last weekend with no luck.  When I went to put the axles back in the shop, I decided to look for them myself!!  Climbed the ladder to look on the shelves in my storage rack. NO JOY!!  Turned several boxes out and searched through them. STILL no luck.  Turned around to sit down for a minute and spied a plastic tub with a bunch of boxes and supplies in cans that I'd brought out from my gun room to store and EUREEKA!!  I remembered that the distributor was in that stuff!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on December 19, 2020, 03:59:13 PM
 I'm kind of a pest whenever I have something at somebody else's shop. Last time they "Lost " my block because the guy who fill out the form did it wrong and the shop had a bad cell number for me. If I hadn't been pestering them they wouldn't have ever done my block. They did give me a free hone job.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 19, 2020, 10:57:31 PM
I've used this shop for several projects and they always did good work in a timely fashion.  I know the owner and dealt only with him.  The Chinese virus put him behind and I had told him it wasn't a rush because I was still laid up, but then he started putting me behind new work that came in well after me.  I DID call every couple of weeks to see if he was done and needed me to pay for the job and pick up my parts.

The sad part for him is that I have lots of work I could send him, but now I'll be dealing with somebody else!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 28, 2020, 07:16:51 AM
I got new lower coil over shock mounts for the rear axle over Christmas!!  My sister-in-law gifted me with a new wire tie gun and a huge bundle of wire ties!! That'll help with two "complete  car" wiring jobs in my future!!

The Nashville Bomber knocked me off of the internet for a couple of days!!  Hope everyone had a safe and merry Christmas!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on December 28, 2020, 11:55:55 AM
Glad to hear your safe. How close to you was the bombing? I got a new welding cart and a new charcoal grille. Guess the boy's also decided my old laptop needed replaced as it was making a strange noise thru the fan. Now I've got to transfer all the files passwords and pictures.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 28, 2020, 08:56:44 PM
We're about 20 miles as the crow flies from the site of the blast.

I went full tactical in the first hours after the incident, but it became clear that the threat was limited to that one incident.  It sure ruined some nice historic buildings and some long established businesses will probably relocate or fold altogether!!  Some great entertainment places will probably never reopen.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on January 04, 2021, 09:27:39 PM
I got the last pieces for the rear suspension on Saturday!!  Ordered 'em on Wednesday and they were in the mailbox before 3:30 Saturday!!

New outfit, Mayhem Welding out of Florida!!  They have all sorts of brackets and plates and they are happy to custom make what you need!! I ordered four 3/8" brackets with special dimensions and they whipped 'em out that fast!!  Laser stuff is NICE!!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on January 06, 2021, 11:29:46 AM
I stopped by the metal shop to see about getting the steel bent up to stretch the chassis!!  SURPRISE!!  They'll have it done tomorrow and it'll cost less than $50.00 before tax!!  I'm stretching the frame a foot and the reinforcement will be on the inside of the tubing with small fish plates on the outside of the tubing inside the frame.  I'll do pics while it's going together so's everybody can see!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on January 07, 2021, 09:27:35 PM
Got the frame pieces and some other pieces for the T and for a 366 truck engine I'm finishing and dressing up.

 The pieces I was having made aren't EXACTLY the way I wanted them, but they'll work just fine. I'll be getting on with this one soon!!  Still have a few other things, (like the engine for Lockjaw) to finish up first!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on January 08, 2021, 09:33:30 AM
A 366? V-6? Kool but a boat anchor !! I have found that unless I make it ,it's never exactly what I want but It'll work. 
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on January 09, 2021, 08:13:13 AM
NO!!  366 Chevy truck engine!!  The littlest big block.  These were offered in dump trucks and heavy duty C50s and larger.  Monster torque!!  Four ring pistons and thick, tall deck block castings!!

 This one I bought a couple of years ago to put in a CJ Jeep, but the project fell through.  It had just been rebuilt for a street rod project and was never installed. It sat around my shop on a stand and I found a set of headers, an Strip Dominator intake, bought a set of intake spacers to make the standard deck intake fit the tall deck block, got an old Mallory dual point distributor for it, and found a pair of new, late model BBC cast aluminum valve covers for it!!

I got it put together yesterday, for the most part.  I have spark plugs, wires, a distributor cap, and a few other pieces for it that I'll add in the next few days. 

It ought to make someone a really great rat rod or street rod or rat truck engine!!  If I don't find something to put it in, I'll sell it here or on Craigslist.  With everything fresh and all dressed up, it's worth a couple of grand.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on January 28, 2021, 07:56:47 PM
  The old shop where I built Lockjaw is now being used by the owner who had me work out of that shop so's people could see that it was busy and occupied!  I had a pretty good bunch of air line materials left over from my own shop and from Jeff73's garage/basement, so we went over to the other shop and plumbed up some new air outlets for that shop!!  We all still use it and we all swap out work and equipment, so it needed to be done!!

When we finished that project, we pressed out all of the original wheel studs from the Oldsmobile axles that I'm working up for the Model T!!  Now I can tap the new pattern holes for screw in wheel studs and get that rear end back together!!

Good day!!  I'll put up pics when I get the new studs
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 12, 2021, 07:29:41 AM
Finally located the parts to fix the distributor for the 348!!  They came in last night and I'll be finishing that project today. 

Likely, I'll be cutting into another C4 Corvette front end this weekend!!  Jeff73 got the cradle for his Model A project stripped this week and we got his pretty new frame up on the new welding table..  Orta be slick when it's all put together!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 14, 2021, 08:37:47 AM
Wound up waiting 'til yesterday to work on the distributor.  Had to drive the wife into town for groceries and other necessities and blew half a day fiddling around with that and getting my taxes filed.

Finished up the distributor early, before Jeff got here.  We notched out that C4 cradle and began fitting it to that nice new custom Model A frame!!  I lack just a little trimming up on the passenger side notch and we can start tacking it into place.

He's taking today off.  I may slip out there and knock the new freeze plugs in on the 348. 

If he wants to start a thread on the Model A, I'll put up some pics.  If not, I might slip a few in here.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 24, 2021, 04:43:10 PM
Had to have my computer tuned up and the front end aligned today!!  :P :P   It had gotten to where I couldn't look up or contact vendors without using the cell phone for internet purposes.  HELL!!  It wouldn't let me go to H.A.M.B.!!  (maybe that was a good thing!!)

Geek Squad got it fixed up and didn't charge me anything!!

Anyhow!!  I'm headed over to the Mark Williams website to order some axle studs for the Olds rear axles!!

Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on April 02, 2021, 07:35:43 PM
Been out of action for over a week!  Back in the hospital for a week with another infection from foot surgery.  Getting better quick.

Down to the very last pieces on Lockjaw and ordered headers and collectors for the T!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on April 09, 2021, 09:29:44 AM
Got some of the pieces for my headers yesterday and FedEx has some more on a truck for delivery today!!  I've decided that roadster style headers is the way to go, so I ordered a kit to weld up and a different set of collectors to make it seal up better.

I'll do some pics when I get into the construction.

Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on April 18, 2021, 08:08:33 AM
The last of the pieces for the headers will be here tomorrow.  I replaced the freeze, (block expansion) plugs on the 348 and located a new starter from my stash of parts.  We dropped off the 700R4 at the transmission shop last Tuesday to have it freshened up and have reverse repaired.

The new starter is  for the smaller 153 tooth flywheel, so I ordered a brand new one and a full set of mounts for the front and rear mounts for the engine.

The parts are starting to stack up!!  I'm gonna' hafta' start putting stuff together or I'll be moving out into the yard to find a place to work on stuff!! 
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on April 23, 2021, 06:47:32 PM
I got the 700 back on Wednesday!  The starter I found is for a 153 tooth flywheel and it won't bolt up on the 348.  I ordered a flywheel to go with that starter and I'll swap it and the starter for the one I have on the 350/350 project I'm putting together to sell.  The 350 has the bigger flywheel and starter on it and that will work on the 348.

Got motor mounts to go with the engine brackets so's I can have the engine/trans mounted on rubber.  The collectors for the headers came in too.

Gonna hafta' start building pretty soon!!  I'm running out of places to put stuff!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 01, 2021, 08:53:58 PM
Started to stretch the frame on the T and found the rails have been patched too many times already.  I ordered a new spring perch, a steering box bracket, and front cross member.  I bought a stick of 2"X3" rectangular tubing locally and I'll replace the frame rails with new longer ones when the crossmember and spring perch get here.

I found a dual quad intake manifold for the 348 for a good price on Craigslist and it arrived today.  Didn't really need it, but I wanted it, so that's all that needs to be said.  I started on the headers too.  I'll put up some pics when I get 'em downloaded.

I finally got the front spindles pulled and sent to Speedway to be machined for the disc brake kit.

Lots going on, but I can't seem to get this foot healed up so's i can get back to really doing stuff!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 03, 2021, 08:12:30 PM
Got the spring perch and steering bracket, along with a section of round tubing for the front crossmember last night.  UPS runs here 'til 9:00 pm!!

Ordered it last Friday and it's here already!!


Ron Pope Motorsports
EZ T Bucket in Kodak, TN

I added them to the list in the Vendors thread!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 11, 2021, 09:31:23 AM
I’m trying to get a bunch done before I go to have more surgery on my foot next Thursday, the 17th.
Jeff 73 Came over yesterday to help, so we chopped the rear kick up portion off of the old frame and welded up the new front frame rails and crossmember and welded the kick up to the new rails. I spent a lot of extra time squaring and leveling the pieces, too much time, considering that I had it really right almost from jump.  The old kick up was not square or level to begin with, but after a lot of massaging, we got it squared up nicely.  Jeff cut the old suspension brackets for the rear end off and the kick up while I drilled and hole sawed the front ends of the new rails to accept the new front crossmember. It’s all firmly tacked together and back on the jack stands.

The new spindles will be here Monday and I can assemble the entire front end all the way to the tires. I’m going out to the shop today to finish welding the frame up and start getting the rear end housing ready to hang.  I’m replacing EVERYTHING in the rear suspension, so starting over on that is the next priority there.

If I can stay at it, I may have it rolling before I go to the hospital!

I’ll try to catch up on pics tonight or tomorrow.  My phone and my computer ain’t co-operating right now.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 15, 2021, 07:45:08 PM
 So! The new spindles arrived, but no kingpins or bearings or small parts.  I ordered a complete new kingpin set which is supposed to be here tomorrow. Now I have to find someone to ream the bushings before I can install the disc brakes.

We finished welding up the new front frame rails and Jeff73 got all of the suspension brackets cut out, trued up, and cleaned up. I had to relocate the rear radius rod mounts on the frame because I’m using different radius rods and a bigger rear end housing. The ‘61 Oldsmobile is considerably larger than the GM 10 bolt. I had to cut the axle brackets for the radius rods off of another 10 bolt rear end that was junk.  We used the same rear frame mounts, just moved ‘em forward a little.  I’ll open up the axle brackets to fit the larger tubes. I have new coil over mounts for the housing. I pre-assembled them and we removed the track bar bracket from the 10 bolt to be welded to the Olds.  I’m going to try to get the rear axle housing ready to hang tomorrow.

I bought a new 3” drop spring perch for the front axle.  We lowered the front of the frame rails to compensate. It gives the frame a sweet looking rake. New, (different) front radius rod mounts for the frame ends.  More substantial and WAAAYY better looking.

I’m scheduled for more surgery on my foot for Thursday morning, so I may not get to work on it much for a while after the surgery.  I’ll find someone to do those kingpins, ( don’t have a reamer for them) and have that done while I am laid up.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 23, 2021, 07:24:43 PM
Got the disc brakes and steering all done today. Went to town to pick up the rest of the bolts I needed and some lug nuts and different spring U bolts, (Me and the spring shop guy miscommunicated on the dimensions).

Jeff chauffeured me around and did most of the leg work ‘cause I’m nursing the bad foot and I ain’t supposed to be putting any weight on it.  We got back to the shop and started dragging boxes of parts out to assemble the disc brakes and steering. I modified the spindle arms to clear the rotors while Jeff drilled the lower bolt holes in the spindles to take the bigger bolts that were needed to attach the arms.  I also cut down the front bolt bosses to allow for the caliper brackets. We drilled the lower holes in the brackets for the steering arm bolts and installed the new spring bolts. After several trial fits and a little sanding, the steering arms now clear the back side of the rotors and everything rolls nicely. If I do this again, I'll have a bevel turned on the back side of the rotors instead of taking material off of the spindle arms.

We then assembled the rotors, bearings, and seals and installed 'em on the car. The kit supplies all the bearings, seals, and hardware but some of the bolts had to be replaced with larger ones because my old parts used larger bolts.  If you buy one of these kits, be sure to get all; the related pieces or be prepared to make some changes!!  Otherwise, it all lines up great and goes together easily.  One of the calipers had the outside O rings improperly installed, so I had to pull it back off and fix that issue. Took half an hour to get the O rings fitted correctly.

Anyway, I got it all set up, with some big help from Jeff and we went to install the wheels. The damned lug nuts were JUNK!! Not inexpensive, mind you! They were just CRAP!!  We sorted through the whole set to find ten that would hold. The threads were terrible and just wouldn’t hold. I’ll buy good ones before we roll it out, but these will do to set everything up and roll it around the shop. I'm replacing the clevises on the front of the radius rods with new heim joints. It'll require drilling the batwing brackets on the front axle out to 5/8". The heim joints arrived about half an hour ago, so I'll install them in the morning.

Pics!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on June 24, 2021, 05:39:56 PM
I went back and installed the late arriving heim joints today.  The threaded shanks are shorter than the ones on the old clevises. Not a problem on the bottom joints because they are plenty long to work there. The change in spring height and the rake in the frame made it necessary to lengthen the top tubes a little. I took grade eight fine thread nuts and welded one each to the top tubes, using the old clevises as guides to keep the threads aligned. One of ‘em worked well with little difficulty removing the clevis and running a tap down the tube to clean up the threads. The other one locked up tighter than hell!! I had to get my son to come out and unscrew it ‘cause I’m not supposed to be on my foot and so I couldn’t use the pipe wrench and cheater pipe it took to get it out!!  The shank had galled and it shed threads as it came out. The threads in the nut and tube cleaned up fine with the tap and there was no more damage.

The new stuff makes the suspension much safer and allows it all to move more freely.  Looks a lot better too!!

NOTE:  I've flipped that last picture every way i can and it still comes out upside down!! :P
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 01, 2021, 05:56:33 PM
I got a text in reference to a piece I have on Craigslist today while I was out chasing parts and hardware.  I’d broken the defuser on the little MiG welder and I needed to get one of my cordless drill motors repaired.

I took the wife with me so’s we could get breakfast while we were out.

This guy pestered me, haggling on price, wanting me to deliver, trying to lowball me before finally agreeing on a price and saying he’d come this afternoon.

I went out to the shop when I got home and repaired the welder. Then I set in on getting the Olds rear end ready to hang.  I was welding the ladder bar brackets on when I broke the MiG gun yesterday, so I went back to finish that up and moved on to the shock mounts and the track bar bracket. When all of that was done, I drilled out the ladder bar brackets for 5/8” heim joints and pulled the old joints and clevises and replaced them with new ones.

I lack drilling the backing plates and axle flanges and assembling the whole shebang!!  I may have to drill new holes in the front ladder bar brackets to compensate for the rake in the frame and I’m going to add some braces between the tubes on the ladder bars to strengthen them, but we may have a rolling chassis by first of the week!!

ANYHOW! The dipstick that pestered me all morning never showed up!!  Go figure!!

Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 03, 2021, 04:55:50 PM
Got started early this morning with a trip to the hardware store.  I needed some abrasive wheels and a piece of flat steel strap.  I plated the rear shock/spring mounts and we set the rear axle on the floor jack for a first trial fit. As it sits, I’m not real happy with the rake in the frame, but I think I will probably notch the frame and steal another couple of inches at the back.

I decided that I want to set the height with the tires on the axle. That way, there will be less chance of surprises. SO!! I began setting up the axle studs and rotors. I drilled and threaded the axle flanges, relieved the area on the back side of the flanges to clear the jam nuts that lock the wheel studs, and drilled the holes in the rotors to fit those big drive studs. When I went to check the studs in the wheels, I discovered that the previous owner had over tightened the lugs, (probably repeatedly) and had distorted the holes in the wheels. I fixed the first one and I’ll do the other one tomorrow .

Gotta cap the ends of the shock perches and cut, form, and weld on the upper shock brackets tomorrow and bend and shorten the rear track locator bar.  I’ll probably raise the front attaching holes for the ladder bars about an inch too.

I have a few pics.  I’ll add some more detailed shots later.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 04, 2021, 12:51:38 PM
I got an early start this morning..  First, I finished the second axle for the Olds rear end and mounted the wheel on it..  Needed it  done so I could level up the rear end and finish the upper shock mounts on the frame. It all leveled up nicely and I got the shock brackets centered up and welded them on. I replaced the rh heim joint in the track locator. It wouldn’t screw in further, so I figured it was bad.  Turns out, the tubing wasn’t threaded deep enough and I had to pull it and run a tap in to finish the threads. I’m glad it wasn’t the left handed end!!

I relocated the frame bracket for the track bar and I’ll remake it later with a bend in it to clear the differential.

ANYHOW! It rolls and bounces and it’s ready to have the engine and transmission set in to figure out the engine mounts and crossmember.!!

Pics!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 05, 2021, 02:49:45 PM
I started to take the day off, but Jeff73 came over and we started straightening up the shop.  We didn’t get far before getting sidetracked.  We pulled down his tubing bender and formed the track locator bar to clear the top of the differential housing.  First time we ever used it and it did the job perfectly!! 

Next, we got the 348 off of the stand and bolted the transmission to it, picked it all up and set it in the frame.  I need to fab up motor supports and figure out a transmission crossmember..  It was a little tricky getting it all set in, but I think it’ll look great and work better when we get done with it!!


This was the first opportunity to roll the chassis around. It's smooth and easy to roll, even with the engine and transmission sitting on the frame, it moves almost effortlessly. Gave us a chance to figure the rear end gear ratio!  In all the time that I've had that differential, I've never bothered to check the ratio.  It's a 3.23:1!  I'll be cruising along at 75 mph and it'll be turning 1,900 rpm!!


See what you think!!  Pics!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Jeff73Mach1 on July 06, 2021, 11:53:58 AM
I think it is a 3.08 rear end and you'll be turning 1750 RPM.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on July 10, 2021, 07:18:36 AM
WOW Y'all been busy! Looking good. Sorry to hear about your hoof. Hopefully it gets fixed this time.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 11, 2021, 06:41:03 PM
I'm hating it, but I'm beginning to get used to having that foot out of commission!!  Seems like lately it's messed up more than it's well!!

Yeah!!  We've been getting after it on both cars. I spent a couple of hours yesterday, setting up the front shock brackets on the Model A and tacking in the pass through tubes to get the rack & pinion steering through that frame.

Jeff is planning on spending some time on the Model A body this week while I'm gone to a major Cowboy shoot up in Kentucky. It's sort of a working vacation since I'm taking my hat shaping gear and the band is playing to close the show on Saturday!!  I've been slowly packing all my stuff, (most of it had to go through the laundry) for the last three days!!

I ordered the channels to lower the T over the frame rails, Thursday.  They SHOULD be ready by the time I get back on Monday, the 19th.

Y'all have a good week!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Jeff73Mach1 on July 12, 2021, 01:36:42 PM
I would like to challenge the assertion that I am going to do anything productive this week.  I MIGHT go remove some bondo from a cowl side panel, but then again, I may just look at it and decide that it can wait!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on July 27, 2021, 11:03:35 AM
SO!!  I had a little vacation and made a little money.  My band put on a great show and I came home with a broken foot!!

Same foot!  Broke the bone behind the little toe, just a little back of where the surgery was done a few weeks ago.  Don’t have a clue as to how I did it!!  So now I’m in a cast since last Monday and it looks like I’m going to be in it for a few more weeks..

The shop that was making my channels made them wrong and can’t make what I want without doing it in multiple pieces.  May have another outlet. I’m not wanting to use multiple pieces for sealing and possible rust issues down the road.  I’m thinking this one is likely a keeper.!!

I have ordered more little items to complete the build and I’ll probably be back in the shop in the next day or two!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on August 09, 2021, 08:19:27 AM
Got the cast off last week and I'm in a walking boot. Still not supposed to put weight on it, but I can get back out in the shop and do some stuff.  The pitman arm for the steering is here and  I got some more pieces for the 348.  I took a little time Saturday and started a punch list for the chassis.  STARTED!!  It filled a sheet of legal pad paper, two columns!!

Ended up having to do the floor channels in two pieces.  I HATE THAT, but I'll seal it up good before I set the body on the frame for good. I'm hoping to get them later this week. 
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on August 09, 2021, 04:35:41 PM
Got the rear engine mounts figured out and made today.  It involved raising the engine about an inch and I didn't want to do that. I'm trying to keep the car low and the center of gravity low as well.  I'm thinking that maybe I can mount the alternator really low on the engine and an A/C compressor if I decide to do cool!!  I'm seriously considering A/C on this project.

I also got some gussets made for the rear ladder bars.  Didn't get around to welding them in today. I flat ran out of gas!!  It was hot and I still ain't in any kind of real workin' shape!!

Gonna' go hardware shopping tomorrow and try to stay cool. 

I'll put pics up shortly!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on August 21, 2021, 04:58:59 PM
Finally got back to the shop this morning!  I dropped in yesterday to help my son get a vehicle he’s working on moved around so’s he can get it on the lift.  While I was there, I figured out how to make the  engine mount brackets for the front of the engine.

I got out there this morning and fabbed up the passenger side fairly quickly.  When I tried to make one mirror image for the driver’s side it was short!!  I backed up and took several measurements and I discovered that the engine was sitting tilted on the frame.  I loosened the rear mounts and adjusted the position of the engine and checked again. Still a little short, so I made a new one, slightly larger, and hand fitted it gradually with a hand held grinder and the bench grinder in one spot. Voila!!  Rechecked everything one more time and fired up the welder.  I tacked all the pieces together and then picked the engine up so I could remove the rubber mounts and weld it together permanently. When it was all in place properly, I took all fresh measurements and it’s all square and level.

I still need to weld a bunch of stuff from the bottom and on the inside of the frame. Once I get everything like I want it on top, I’m going to strip the frame and flip it over so I can get all those places where welding the bottom will make it stronger or seal up any exposed seams.

The doctor says that the open place on my foot is finally healed over.! It’s really tender, but it’s not open anymore!  A couple more weeks in the walking boot and we’ll X-ray to see if the broken bone is healed.  Been four and a half months since I could actually walk! It’ll be five by the time I actually can take off across the room on my own two feet again!!

Anyhow!! I’ll put up some pics when I get‘em downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 01, 2021, 07:02:26 PM
Made it back out to the shop this morning!!  The foot doc more or less released me yesterday.  The hide is healed up for now, but there’s a broken bone that will probably never heal without major surgery and two or three months completely laid up.  No walking or even putting that foot on the floor at all!!  He says that if we brace the foot properly that I can probably do without the surgery for now.

I spent the day in the walking boot and worked from my chair for the most part all day.  Jeff73 came over and spent the day,  We came up with a neat setup for the anti-rotation brace for the Corvette rear end on his ‘29. He cut down the original aluminum brace and cut out a piece that we can TiG up to adapt the original brace to the new frame.  I’ll drop it off at the welding shop in the morning.  He also began fitting his firewall into the ‘29.  It has a 4” recess built in to allow for the engine setback.  We didn’t quite finish getting it tacked in, but he did get it fitted up pretty good.

We took an old Porsche front disc brake rotor and welded an old table stand to it, attached a piece of 2X12 to the top and made a stand for a second bench grinder.  I don’t have to clamp the grinder in a vise anymore!!

I welded gussets on the bottom of the front engine brackets, just for some extra insurance.  Makes ‘em look better too.

Just so’s things wouldn’t get too boring, we made some braces to strengthen the rear ladder bars and welded them in.  I did two braces for each side.  The back brace has a bolt hole included to facilitate a sway bar.

I’ll post pics of the ladder bars and the engine mounts when I get ‘em edited and downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on September 03, 2021, 11:10:55 AM
Looking good. Glad to hear about your paw. and sorry to hear also.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 03, 2021, 06:30:21 PM
Got back out to the shop today.  I’d picked up the driveshaft yesterday and another little batch of hardware.  I went to install the shaft and the U-bolts were nowhere to be found!!  I know that I have a couple or three sets of ‘em, but I’ll be damned if I could find any of them!!  I started cleaning up and straightening up while looking for the U-bolts and discovered some tubing and a piece of angle that I can use to make the transmission crossmember.  I’ve ordered a driveshaft loop and crossmember for the rear of the driveshaft and another loop for the front.  I’ll make my own front crossmember.

Anyhow, I gave up on the search and started figuring on the front track bar.  I’m thinking that it might interfere with the steering linkage.  I jacked up the right front wheel until the left one came off the ground and measured and mocked up the bar.  I’ll have to fab up some brackets for it too, but it’s going to work without any clearance issues.

After some more straightening, I had decided to pack it in, when I found a pair of U-bolts!!  They are a little short, but will work fine for mocking up.  I installed the driveshaft.  Satisfaction made me look around for one more thing before calling it quits.  As I went to pull down the back door and turn off the big fan, I spotted one of the bomber seats that we’d been using on Jeff’s Model A.  I couldn’t resist setting it on the frame for a looksee!!  I piddled around with it for a few minutes and wound up with a decent position. One that suited me, so I took a big wire tie and tied it down where I think it’ll work great!!

Pics in a little bit.  Gotta get ‘em edited.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on September 04, 2021, 06:43:59 PM
McCreary dirt tires? I had a set on my 66 Chevelle. Didn't hook-up worth a crap. Set looks a little far away for this short fat dude HAHAHA
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 06, 2021, 04:34:27 PM
Those tires came with the wheels.  They’re 1” taller than what I am going to use when the car is finished.  The tires I’m planning to use cost almost $400.00 each, so they’ll wait until I’m ready to put it on the road.  It ain’t really all that short!  About 115” wheelbase!!  That suicide front end sticks out a ways!!

I got the first permanent crossmember in today.  Jeff pulled out the bender and we did a little experimenting.  Worked out great!  I’ll put a permanent loop on it for the front of the driveshaft.  It might make a good place for a shifter mount when I get that far.  The rear loop comes in a kit that includes another crossmember that it bolts to.  Should arrive tomorrow with a bunch of other stuff we ordered for this project and the Model A.  I got some more rubber mounts for both cars, a nice looking bracket kit, shock mounts and shocks for the T, and I found a pair of ‘26 T truck headlights that I can modify to use modern bulbs and blinkers!! I also ordered a power brake setup that includes a 7” double diaphragm booster, Corvette style dual master cylinder, and a pedal and brackets.

I fabricated a set of brackets to make up my front track locator and welded them on the frame and front axle.  They’ll need gussets and some more welding when I tear it all down before final assembly.

It was a good day.  I will post pics when I get ‘em edited.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 08, 2021, 06:05:25 PM
Another pretty good day in the shop.  The shocks and brackets and the brake kit came in yesterday. I went out there to start mounting the shocks, or at least get all the brackets trimmed and shaped to fit and get ‘em tacked in.  I got the lower mounts done and was starting on the uppers when one of my neighbors from across the street pulled up in front of the shop.  He had my driveshaft loops and the crossmember for the rear loop in his car!  The stuff had been addressed incorrectly and was sitting on his back porch in the rain!

I stripped all the wet cardboard off of everything and wiped it all down.  I put the shocks aside and went to cutting and fitting the new crossmember.  This one is made so that the loop can be unbolted for removing the driveshaft.  I had a little trouble getting everything cut down, centered, and lined up properly, but after one try that required cutting the tacs off and starting over, I got it all like I wanted it and welded in the stubs, drilled them for bigger bolts, and welded in the crossmember. I may trim another inch off of the rear loop.  I jacked up the back half of the car and the rear axle only dropped about an inch.  There's three inches of loop[ below the driveshaft at that point, so I think I'll go for a little more ground clearance there.

Got band rehearsal tomorrow, so I doubt I’ll get out there to get any real work done.  I’m planning on finishing the front loop and getting the shocks mocked up and everything welded in place on them.  My headlights are supposed to be here tomorrow!  Gonna be interesting to see how I can mount them up and make ‘em look right. Friday should be a busy day!!

As usual!  Pics when I get ‘em downloaded and edited.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 10, 2021, 08:35:44 PM
Another pretty good day today.  I set in on installing the front shock pieces.  I’d bought a pair of upper shock mounts and a pair of chrome shocks with just over 5” of travel.  My plan is to give this car a little smoother ride than Lockjaw.  I jacked up the car and measured the drop in the front suspension.  It only dropped an inch and a half!  I set one of my ramps under the right front wheel with a 4”x4” block on the ramp. 12” high on that side and the left front was just touching with me sitting on it.  With the shocks fully extended, they still had a little room to spare.  After caging the shocks at 2 1/4” down travel, I mocked ‘em up and checked everything again.  I cut 2” off of the upper mounts and tacked them in place.  Then I positioned the lower mounts and tacked them in too.  I checked everything once more and then removed one hairpin at a time and welded the lower mounts on them. I decided to add a brace between the bars to spread the load created by the shock action. 

I moved the driver’s side track bar bracket up about 1/2” to level it out.  Looks better and will work better too!  I welded the upper mounts onto the frame and then reinstalled the hairpins and the shocks. 

I went to put the thing back on the ground and my floor jack wouldn’t pick it up!!  Low on hydraulic oil!!  Reckon I will have to go get some in the morning.

Pics as usual when I get ‘em edited.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 11, 2021, 06:13:52 PM
Mostly just cleaned up the shop today. Tried to service the floor jack, but it appears that it has more problems than low fluid.  I’ll take it to be repaired next week.

We tried something new with the tubing bender today.  Made a loop for the Model A to hang the pedals on. Turned out pretty good after we figured out what adjustments needed to be made.  I didn’t take pics of it yet.

I had Jeff cut down the front loop for the T and I welded it in.  I DID get a shot of it.  I think we swept up five pounds of grit where we’ve been cutting and shaping parts for both cars.

I think I’m getting back into shape most of the time, but I was just short of worthless today!! We only worked for about three or four hours before I had to call it a day!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 13, 2021, 05:28:50 PM
I did a little straightening again yesterday, but mostly just kicked back and watched some racing.  Tried to watch football, but the home team was playing so lousy that I switched to the Indy Car race.

Went to Jeff’s for supper and to pick up another floor jack.  Food was great and the jack is BIG!

I decided to concentrate on the rear brakes today. I’m adapting the rear disc brakes off of a 1996 Caprice cop car.  I bought the car for the transmission and the fuel injection and I got rear disc brakes and all the electronics and harnesses, plus a nice big tub full of small parts and stuff in the bargain.  The car was only $350.00 and I could drive it!

I had already started on this months ago and got sidetracked with a hospital episode. When I got back to it, there were a bunch of other things I needed to do and it got put off.  Now I’m down to a few items that need doing before I strip everything off the frame and flip it over to finish all those things that need to be welded from the bottom.  If I were any good at overhead welding, I might not have to flip it, but I think it’s a good idea for me to do what I know will get it right.

Anyhow! I fell in on the brakes and re-drilled the backing plates to fit the Oldsmobile axle tubes and modified the axle retainers to clear some of the stuff like parking brake actuators and casting bosses that line up the parking brake “shoe”.  The shoes are actually rings that expand when the parking brake is applied.

I had to remove some material from the backing plates, (they appear to be cast steel or cast iron) where they have extra material that won’t allow an axle retainer to lay flat.  These brake assemblies are originally found on rear ends that use internal axle retainers, (C clips) so the castings have reinforcements that aren’t needed with a steel outside retainer.

I didn’t take a lot of pictures because if you do one of these, it’s probably not going to be on one of these old rear ends.  I’ll add a few more pics as I finish the other side.  Incidentally! The backing plates are very similar and they mount differently.  One mounts what appears to be upside down! I got the passenger side all put together, up to bolting on the caliper brackets and calipers. I’m doing it in small steps to make sure it all gets lined up correctly and works right the first time.

I got tired and stopped when I got the rotor on and the wheel installed.  I’ll get back to it Wednesday.  Doctors tomorrow.  Pics later
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 09, 2021, 07:08:43 PM
I didn’t get to jump right back on the brake assemblies right away. I wound up with some major trauma involving my band.  I’d already had to hire a substitute bass player for a big gig down in Texas and we’d gotten most of the show worked out. On Monday, my #2 guitar player called to tell me his mother-in-law had been hospitalized with end of life projection and that he was going to miss the show too! I had to scramble to find another guitar player, which turned out to be easier than finding the bass player.  ANYHOW, we got more rehearsals done, went on down to Texas, and put on a pretty good show.  The rented bass player turned out to be really talented, but a real prima donna, trying to upstage the rest of the band and whining the whole trip!!

On the way home, my number one guitar player sideswiped a road sign and dragged the band trailer off into a ditch.  Bent the axle slightly and banged up both doors on his SUV.  It wasn’t too bad and we were able to get back to Nashville without any further problems.  I had him bring the trailer to my shop where we were able to straighten the axle perfectly. We knocked the doors on the SUV out enough to let them open and close and got it to where he could open and close the driver’s window.  He’s back on the road and insurance will fix the vehicle.

I took the next week off just to let my foot rest and recuperate. Went to the doctor on Tuesday and he was extremely pleased with how it’s healing up! He had released me, conditionally with the warning that the broken bone wasn’t going to heal and it has remained in place! So long as nothing goes wrong, I don’t have to go back to see him until after New Years!

SO!! I fell back in on the brakes yesterday and finished making the missing parking brake actuator lever, (picture #7) and assembled the passenger side rear brake and backing plate. When I put the rotor on, the spacing was wrong. The rotor was out away from the backing plate and I could see the back edge of the parking brake shoe.  Those cast backing plates are much thicker than the original sheet metal units that came on the Olds rear end and I had spaced the axle OUT to compensate.  Turns out I should have placed the spacer on the outside of the axle bearing. I was tired and disgusted, so I took the afternoon off.

Today, I pulled the axle and removed the lock ring that I’d modified to go behind the bearing and reworked it again to fit outside the bearing.  It’s a BITCH to get it all stacked in place and get the axle retainer bolted in. Takes three hands to keep everything where it needs to be, but once it’s all fastened together, it really works well and there’s no end play or slop in the axle! If I have to go back into it, say, to replace a bearing, I’ll glue the lock ring/spacer to the front of the bearing!

I went on and duplicated it on the driver’s side, installed the backing plate and brake shoe, and adjusted the parking brake shoes and installed both rotors. Spacing is dead on and I can actually work those parking brake levers by hand and they apply and hold!!  I still have to install the calipers and pads, but with the wheels installed, it all spins freely and it’s smooth as glass.

Pics when I get ‘em downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Ghostridersixseven on October 09, 2021, 08:43:03 PM
Nice work! Sorry to hear of all the band problems. Seems like when it rains it pours sometimes...
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 11, 2021, 02:55:53 PM
I spent the day Sunday doing some cleanup on a couple of projects on the T. I pulled the rear hairpins and shortened ‘em about 3/4”. It really only involved removing the front heim joints and cutting off the required amount of threaded tubing and reinstalling the joints. Of course one of ‘em was stubborn and had to have the tube re-threaded. This moves the rear end forward the corresponding 3/4” which will give me more adjustment in the rear suspension.

I pulled the front hairpins. I haven’t been happy with how much thread is outside the bosses on the tie-rod ends used to anchor the hairpins.  They’re 11/16”X 18 tpi. I’d have just welded a couple of nuts on the ends of the tubes, but nobody had full nuts!!  Plenty of jam nuts, which I ordered a couple of, but no regular full thickness nuts!!  SO! I ordered a couple of 11/16” weld in bungs and shortened them up to give me the extra length I wanted.  They come with turned down sleeves on them, but that part isn’t threaded, so I cut the sleeves off and welded the bungs on the hairpins.  Makes it WAAAY stronger!!  I didn’t photograph any of this ‘cause ya’ really won’t see much difference.

We also worked out some of the suspension details on Jeff’s A Model.  Lots of small details that, if not worked out in order, will pile up to create real problems!!  I know it’s frustrating, working through all the steps and checking and re-checking everything. I’m sure it drives him batty now and then.

Today, I went out to the shop with the Model T suspension worked out to my satisfaction.  I’ll clean it up and paint it all when I tear it down to flip the frame and weld the stuff on the bottom.  I’m still planning to notch a section at the back of the frame for extra clearance over the differential. I also need to get the headers assembled and welded up and the headlights modified and mounts figured out for them.  My channels for lowering the body still aren’t ready, so I’m ignoring that project for now.

I decided to go for the headers.  Recent pics show where I’ve tacked up a couple of tubes to make sure they don’t interfere with other stuff. I pulled out the other two tubes for that passenger side header and went to work.  The tubes aren’t perfect, so I had to make some minor adjustments and I’ll have to be satisfied with the four tubes not all being perfectly aligned symmetricaly.  A set of factory roadster headers are about $1,000.00, so I can live happily with the way this one turned out. I still need to take a die grinder to the ports and brush and sand off all the spatter, but this one is complete and I will start on the driver’s side tomorrow.

ANYWAY!  Pics when I get ‘em downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Ghostridersixseven on October 11, 2021, 06:03:50 PM
It looks fine to me. Good work, I will always go for something I made over high priced crap.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 13, 2021, 04:36:40 PM
Had a minor malfunction yesterday that cost me most of the day. Got up and out early, intending to get the other header done. NO SUCH LUCK!!  I opened the shop and flipped the breaker for the compressor on the way to the light switches. I heard a grunt and the breaker tripped.  I tried it again and nothing.  I have the compressor in a small building by itself, so I went out and began checking everything.  Pressure switch is good. Plug secure and all the prongs are clean and bright. Check the in box on the motor and it’s good.  Try rotating the pulley and it’s all free. Chech compressor oil level… perfect!!  When I pull the cover for the start and run capacitors there’s one terminal burned off of one start cap!  Spent the rest of the day tracking down new caps and replacing them and repairing the wiring!!  By the time I found ‘em, drove to the other side of Nashville to get ‘em, gather up tools and pieces, and repair and installed everything, it was nearly dark and I was tired and a bit more than aggravated!

Meanwhile, the metal shop called and my channel sections were ready.  This morning, I went and picked up the channels, picked up a new prescription, (I’m now iron deficient on top of all the other maladies) did some grocery shopping, took the wife by the bank, and finally got home after noon.

The kid had a car in the shop and another customer in the driveway, so I fixed myself a sandwich and waited while he got done. Then I unloaded my channels and tried to decide if I wanted to do anything else.  Retirement can make you a lot less motivated, sometimes.

After spending a little time entertaining my grandson, I figured I’d finish touching up the completed header. Got it all nice and clean and decided I should hang it back on the engine so’s I’d have something to go by when mocking up the other one.

OKAY!! I drug out the other four tubes and set in on measuring and test fitting them.  Lots of trimming and dollying and grinding and doing it all several times and it’s all tacked together and squared up.  I’ll get out there tomorrow and weld it all up, IF I don’t find another catastrophe to get in the way!!

Pics in a little bit.
 
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 14, 2021, 04:08:33 PM
Just like I figured!!  I got out to the shop, flipped the welder on and turned on the gas, made one tac weld and when I pulled the trigger on another one , NO GAS!!  Reached over and tapped the gauges and they both dropped to zero!!  SO!! Off to town to get both bottles filled..  i normally keep an extra bottle, full, but with all the trips to the doc and the hospital, I forgot that I had changed out the bottle a while back!  DAMN!!

Jeff grabbed both bottles and loaded ‘em in his car and off to town we went!!  Got back and still had time to get that second header finished and hung back on the engine.  Came out pretty nice!  They’re even and look like a matched pair.!!

I’m satisfied.  Pics to follow.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Granpascrazzy on October 15, 2021, 05:05:57 PM
Looks good, but to so many doctors and horspitals that I forgot what we be buildin. thanks dude for the pics.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 15, 2021, 10:29:23 PM
HEY!  Gramps!!  Good ta' hear from ya'!!  The hospital thing is gettin' old for me!! I counted medicine bottles while ago and it's embarrassing!! Eleven different meds!!

The cars are the only thing that keeps me sane right now!!  WEEEELLLL, that and the band!!  Hope I can get back to shooting some here soon!

You got anything new going on??  That van has possibilities!!


Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Ghostridersixseven on October 16, 2021, 04:02:24 PM
My wife has u beat in the pill department.....21 a day...
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 02, 2021, 11:10:47 PM
Been busy with other stuff in the shop, as well as some work on the “T”!

I finally got around to wiring the winch/hoist.  Jeff built a platform for the battery a while back, but it needed to be moved lower, so he got that done last week. I wired in a little battery minder and all the cables and the remote control, cleaning up and wire tying it all to the post where the winch is mounted.

Sunday was “clean up the shop day” with a thorough brush up and trash pickup and general tool organizing.  ‘Bout three hours of broom and air gun work, followed by loading a bunch of boxes, scrap, and junk parts onto the dually.  My son helped replace the battery cable and repair the crank wire to the starter on Ol’ Green, (the dually) so it can be used again!

With the shop straightened up and the hoist working, I went back to work on the “T” .  I’ve been working on the channels for lowering the body and had them roughed out for a first trial fit last week. Today, I pulled them off and trimmed all the notches for crossmembers and the rear ladder bar mounts. That finished, I tacked the brake pedal/master cylinder/booster bracket to the frame.  I’ll have to move the pedal to the outside of the frame and forward and down, but I needed to get it located so I could trim out the driver’s side channel before I move the channels to the body for final mounting. The master cylinder is an under floor mount and where it is located, it looks like it was just made to go there. It’ll complicate the transmission crossmember, but not too much. 

I set the chassis back on the floor to get the brake settup level and to get a look at how everything is shaping up.

I set the steering box on the frame to get an idea of where I’m going to mount it too.

Pics when I get ‘em edited and downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: McLovin on November 08, 2021, 01:35:23 PM
Nas-T is looking good.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 09, 2021, 03:15:36 PM
I removed the pedal assembly from the rest of the booster/master cylinder setup. It won’t work like it came from the supplier, but if I move the pedal to the outside of the frame, I can extend the linkage and have room for the gas pedal and it’ll be where I can operate both gas and brake comfortably.

I cut the pivot shaft out and shortened it to go into the frame and keep the pedal as close to the frame as possible.  By boring a hole all the way through the frame, I was able to weld the back end and I will put another weld through the bottom of the frame to further secure the pivot shaft.

I’ll use two hardened shims to set the pedal out from the frame and I notched the channel to clear the arc of the pedal stroke.  I ordered a stainless marine turnbuckle to provide plenty of adjustment and I’ll tap the pedal rod to work with it. Gonna hafta’ get a 3/8” fine thread left hand die to finish the job. A little bit of bending and maybe a gusset or two and it’ll be super solid.

It looks like the rest of my rear brake hardware was FINALLY shipped yesterday!!  Now all I need is to figure out where I want to run the brake lines and get the tubing, fittings and hoses.

Pics to follow…
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 11, 2021, 06:24:43 PM
Pretty good day today.  It’s Veterans’ Day, so the banks and post offices were closed.  I sold the original distributor for my 348 and it took almost two weeks for the payment to get here.  It arrived yesterday evening and I was gonna take it to the bank and mail the package with the distributor to the buyer.  No such luck!  I went and bought bolts for the rear brakes and to put the carburetors on the intake. 

I finally got the entire rear brake assemblies put together for the first time!  I’ll need to go through it all and paint and Loctite everything, torque and adjust it all one more time.  All the clearances are good and even the stick-on wheel weights will clear the calipers with ease.

I disassembled all the stuff on the intake manifold and removed the old oil spout, water fittings, and the old mounting studs so I can do a real cleaning on it and get it set up for the carbs.  I’m changing the engine over to a full vacuum PCV system, so I bought an oil spout with a PCV fitting and a flange for a twist style filler cap that seals when it’s installed.  It’ll use a screw-in PCV valve and I’ll install a freeze plug where the old vent tube exited at the back of the manifold.  I’ll have to modify the dipstick tube to seal as well.  That’ll clean up how the engine runs and help keep the car clean of major oil deposits.

I picked up a second QuadraJet that’s a real close match to the one I already had and I’m changing the choke setup on the first one to better match with the second one.  I figure that twin Q-Jets will be unique and with vacuum secondaries, they’ll only open up enough to give the engine what it can use at WOT.  Holleys won’t work on this manifold and I can’t find real Carter AFBs.  I’ve never had an Edelbrock that ran right and I for DAMN sure don’t want to try to make two of ‘em work!

Got pics of the brake installation.  I’ll take some of the carb setup as it goes back together.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 13, 2021, 04:25:27 PM
Got started early this morning, cleaning and prepping the intake for the T.  I bought this thing used and it was pretty nasty.  As I said yesterday, I pulled all the old studs and fasteners off of it and removed the coolant fittings and the old oil filler spout.  I put the manifold in a big pan and scraped off the last of the old gasket material.  I took a 50/50 mix of AlumaBrite and water and filled a spray bottle and proceeded to spritz and scrub.  Took over an hour, but it turned out pretty good.  I doused it with baking soda and rinsed it with water then blew it dry with compressed air.  It still looked a little gnarley, so I sprayed it down with the acid solution again, scrubbed it some more, and this time I just rinsed it off really well and blew it dry.

I installed the spacers for the Q-Jets and went to tighten them down.  DAMN!! This is the first time I have EVER encountered a standard thread fastener that required a metric wrench to tighten or loosen it!!  These allen bolts were 5/16” USS thread, BUT I HAD TO USE A 6mm ALLEN WRENCH TO TIGHTEN ‘EM!!!  I put new studs in the holes for the back of the carburetors. They go all the way down into the original manifold threads.  I like that they pass through the adapter/spacers.  It will prevent them from warping.  I couldn’t get bolts the exact length I needed for the front of the carbs, so I bought ‘em a little long and cut them to fit, again, passing through the spacers and threading directly into the manifold.

I mentioned that vent in the rear of the manifold that allows pressure to exit the crankcase. These engines were built before PCV systems were created.  It’s nasty and stinks up the place and often leaves a film of dirty oil under the car and it doesn’t help oil or ring life either!  I’m going to a closed PCV system on the engine, so I found a freeze, (Welch) plug that fits where the vent tube comes out of the manifold.  I stippled the hole and installed the plug with some JB WELD and put a good smear on the back side of the plug from underneath.  I replaced the old oil fill spout with a new one that has provision for a screw in PCV valve. I put the spout in the freezer for a couple of hours.  When I got ready to install it, I took my heat gun and warmed up the manifold where the spout goes in and when it was good and hot, we snatched the spout out of the freezer and stuck it in the hole.  Only took a couple of whacks with a hammer and a block of wood and it was seated perfectly. 

I mocked everything up to make sure it all fits like it should.  I’m still collecting small parts for the carbs to make them as close to identical as I can.  When I get the last of it gathered up, I’ll build both carbs and fabricate fuel lines, vacuum for the brake booster and PCV, and the throttle linkage.

Pics to follow shortly!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 14, 2021, 04:38:30 PM
Did a little running around in search of small parts this morning.  Nobody in town has 3/8” studs on a Sunday??  I wasn’t driving to Nashville for one stud, so I picked up the other stuff I wanted and came back to the shop. 

I decided last night to go ahead and swap the 2X4 intake onto the 348, partly because I have the single 4 intake listed for sale and mostly because I just want to see what it looks like.  I got that done all except for the four longer bolts located between the pairs of intake runners.  The ones on the new manifold need to be a little longer and require a narrower washer.  I got the four washers from Jeff’s stash, but I’ll need to get bolts.  I couldn’t come up with enough bolts the right length that matched. I’ll pick ‘em up tomorrow. While I was looking for those bolts, I found four of the 3/8” studs in a package I’d put back. A little longer than I needed, but I know how to cut ‘em down and so now I have a stud for my distributor hold down!  Now I have to figure out what thermostat housing I need.

I also worked out the linkage for the brake pedal to booster.  Gotta pick up a 3/8” fine thread left hand die and a couple of appropriate nuts. The rest of it is already made!!  Just cut and thread the rod and screw it all together.  I haven’t photographed the linkage, but when it’s done I will post some pics.

GOTTA put pics of the manifold installation up!  Just too cool!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 19, 2021, 09:16:23 PM
Took my dual point distributor to be set up on Tuesday.  I had replaced the bushings and polished the shaft, installed new points, condenser, rotor, and cap.  I don't have the equipment to set one of these up, so I farmed out the job to an expert.  Got it back today, painted, the tag and the ID plate polished, and thoroughly gone over.

1 picked up another QuadraJet carb for cheap, (the way I like to get stuff) that has all the little pieces I need to make my two good carbs as identical as I can make 'em.  Ordered new major overhaul kits for both and some small parts that I needed to complete the rebuilds.  One of the kits has arrived and all the small parts are here.  I'm hoping the other kit will be here tomorrow.  I'll start rebuilding them tomorrow.

Got the left handed die today in the mail too.  I can finish the brake pedal linkage tomorrow too!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 20, 2021, 07:17:09 PM
I spent the morning swapping parts on the primary Q-jet.  I replaced the original baseplate with one that has fewer vacuum ports and has a throttle lever with the stud for the transmission TV cable.  This makes it easier to regulate the shift points and passing gear on the 700. I also changed out the upper secondary butterfly shaft.  I need to have a one hole linkage for the secondary hold-off. The one that came on this carb has a slot instead and I can’t use that.  The final change was the choke linkage and choke pull-off. It’s now identical to the setup on the front carburetor.  I reassembled the donor carb. It’ll be a good one to rebuild after I get the two I’m using done and I can probably sell it for enough to pay for everything else I’ve done on the two I’m using.

I swapped the dual point distributor back in and painted the hold down and added a new washer and lock washer to complete the job.  I installed the thermostat housing and had to remove the oil spout and turn it so that the PCV valve doesn’t interfere with the T stat housing.

The second carb kit came today, along with the fixture for drilling the crankshaft.  I don’t want to run the balancer without a bolt to hold it on, so I gotta drill and tap the crankshaft snout.  The parts house screwed up the order for my PCV valve, so I have to wait ‘til tomorrow for the right one!!

The final operation of the day was to cut and thread the pedal linkage for the brakes.  I carefully ground the rod to the right size and ran the left hand die all the way to where the bend starts on the rod.  It’s still about 3/4” too long, so I’ll shorten the end where the heim joint attaches and maybe run a little more thread on that end.  I got tired and I had a guy driving in from Illinois to buy a tunnel ram that I had on Craigslist, so I’ll finish up the brake linkage in the morning and tear down, clean, and build one of the carbs.

By the way!! These kits from Mountain Man Fuel Systems are the most complete I have ever bought or even seen!!  I’ll add their info to the vendors list in the next little bit.

No pics today.  I’ll catch ya’s up, maybe tomorrow.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on November 21, 2021, 02:06:47 PM
I got one carb built today.  I got to thinking. I haven't built a QuadraJet in more than twenty years!!  I was really more worried about having lost so much of my fine sense of touch and small/fine motor skills.  My neuropathy has advanced a little these last few years, but I as able to do it all with no real problem.

Not much to take pictures of. I was a little disappointed in my cleaning solution, but these old carbs are over 45 years old.  Short of sending them out to be refinished, I reckon they look pretty good.  As long as they work well, I'll be happy.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 08, 2021, 05:04:19 PM
I finished up the  carburetors and didn’t put up any pics.  They needed a fitting in each one to provide vacuum for the PCV valve and the power brake booster.  You can’t find brass fittings at most hardware or farm stores anymore!!  Most parts houses don’t carry much anymore either!!

I managed to find one at one of the local O’Riellys and got them to order another one. I figure one in each carb should work better than trying to supply vacuum to everything off of one carburetor.  I think I will build my own throttle and choke linkages, so I’ll order the hardware for that after Christmas.  Tomorrow, I’ll get steel brake line to make up the PCV and booster lines and start fabbing them up.

I had enough parts and gaskets to build one more QuadraJet, less the choke actuator rod, accelerator pump, and a needle and seat. I have another nice carb that I bought for parts. I swapped choke pulloff assemblies and the throttle plate off of this one to create the matching pair for the T.  The folks at Mountain Man fixed me up with the stuff I needed with just a phone call!  These people are really helpful and extremely friendly!!  Their products and prices make me happy. What I needed arrived on Saturday after a Thursday call!

I’m going to build this last carb and sell it. That’ll pay for EVERYTHING I bought to put the 2 X 4 settup on the 348!

Anyhow! Tomorrow I plan to get the steel lines and build the carb.

I’m putting up pics of the rebuild kit! I’ll add pics of all the changes to this post tomorrow.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 19, 2021, 05:31:10 PM
I took a few days off. I’m FINALLY back in shoes!!  The shoe repair shop got my boots, (three pairs) modified to accept the foot brace that was prescribed for me last spring!!  My foot is healed up enough for me to get out of the walking boot, so I’ve spent much of the week getting used to the brace and learning to walk for the fifth time in four years!!!

Anyhow, I did get some work done on the carb setup and figured out some more of the obstacles in the build.  I spent the better part of the afternoon Friday making up the vacuum lines for the PCV and the brake booster..  I also located the correct bracket for the TV and throttle cables to attach them to the carburetor linkage.

I also got the new power valve springs for the QuadraJets. I’m planning on putting them together for the last time tomorrow..
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 20, 2021, 04:53:36 PM
Got the carbs on the 348 final assembled today.  I don’t have to go back into them or pull  ‘em off again until I test run the engine, if at all.  I still need to make up fuel lines and fabricate linkage, but they need to be on the engine for that.

I added the throttle bracket and mounted and adjusted the TV cable. The bracket needed some “adjustment” to clear the distributor.  It’s an aftermarket bracket. GM makes, (or made) a great bracket for these, but you can’t find one without getting lucky on evilbay or scavenging the wrecking yards for days at a time.  There was one on ebay a week or so ago, but the seller wanted $75.00 for it!  This one costs a little over $20.00 and it took twenty minutes to get it right.

I also got the brake pedal linkage done today.  WORKS GREAT!!  I may make a supporting gusset for it.  I’m thinking that even with power brakes, it could use a little more bracing to increase rigidity. I’ve still got pretty strong legs and I’d hate to panic stop this thing and bend something!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 28, 2021, 04:28:47 PM
Got all the parts for my 2X4 carb air filter assembly.  My sister-in-law bought a Holley White Box oval air filter for a single 4bbl for Christmas.  We couldn’t find anything I liked for 2 fours within reason. I ordered two of the little Specter chrome 6” filters to get the filter bases I needed and they arrived today.  I’ve started reworking the oval filter base to fit my twin Q-jet setup.  No pics yet, but I’ll take some when I get it done.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 15, 2022, 05:43:52 PM
 I had to take another break because of my foot. I may have to have another stem cell graft.

ANYHOW! I spent some time in the shop today, welding the pieces to change the air filter base together.  The bottom plate is made of some good #20 steel, but the 5 1/8" carb plates are made of flimsy galvanized #22, so when the welder hits it, it almost evaporates before you get a decent puddle started.  It was all gobbed up by the time I got it together and solid.  I ground out all of the warts and redid some of the voids and got it where it fits and looks good.  Took some work to get the warpage and unevenness out of it.  I still have to fabricate hold downs for it and I'll epoxy both sides to seal up any pinholes and to make it look nice and smooth.  After that, a shot of paint and it's ready to go!

Pics when I get 'em edited and downloaded.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Granpascrazzy on February 15, 2022, 07:08:32 PM
Looks really good. 
Rest that leg and do as the Doc says.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 19, 2022, 07:09:42 PM
The graft was performed on Wednesday morning!  I’m hopeful that this will be the last series of these I’ll have to do!

I took it easy Thursday, getting some things arranged for the care and feeding of the foot.

Friday morning, I went to town and got fuel for the shop heater and stopped by the muffler shop to have some pieces made to attach the mufflers to my headers. I have to shorten the primary tubes, move the collectors forward, install the adapters I had  made, and hang the mufflers on the collectors.  I had an old racing buddy come to help this morning and we cut the right side primaries and did a mockup.

Tom, my racing buddy, is a top shelf metal fabricator and is a damn good all around hand.  I had started on the floor panels, but detoured from that project to get the carbs and air filter base done, so with him here, we fell in on the floorboards and made some good progress today.!!  The brake I borrowed isn’t quite heavy enough and it’s pretty rickety. Jeff found a weak spot early in the day. One of the side links that clamps the work pulled in two where someone had tried to patch it and did a lousy job.  Between the three of us and some prodigious shopping, we got it fixed and re-adjusted.  We put it to work and I made the back half of the driver’s side floor and we welded it in.  Tom and I made patterns for the rise behind the seats that’ll cover the back driveshaft loop and the area behind the seats and for the filler panels on both sides of it. I also cut and bent two pieces to go over the ladder bars.

We rolled some beads in the riser and end plates to provide additional stiffness to those pieces.  We clamped it all together and made an adjustment or three and then removed it all. I drilled the rearmost holes for the body bolts because the riser will cover those carriage bolts.  After those bolts were dropped through the floor and the frame. We clamped it all back together and I tacked it all in place.  By the time we got it all firmed up, everybody was tired, so Tom headed home, Jeff swept and tidied up, and I did a little more solid welding before we shut down for the night.

While Tom and I worked on the T, Jeff made a couple sections of floorboard for the Model A project and he and Tom rolled beads in those.

A good day! Pics to follow.


Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 23, 2022, 04:58:57 PM
Started early yesterday morning, hauling trash, getting my propane tank filled, getting the truck gassed up, and picking up some shop supplies. 

I have the sections of floor that go over the ladder bars cut out and broken, but I decided that I would build the raised pieces that cover the front driveshaft loop and tie the channels together first.  It seemed like an easy task and I had my plan thought out, but it turned into a half day’s job!!  I was moving slow or something.  It turned out pretty good and REALLY stiffened that section of floor.

Doctor this morning and then chase around for groceries and some meds and by the time I got back to the house I wasn’t worth a flip, so I’m taking the rest of the day off!!  The good news is that my foot has responded well to the stem cell graft and the place on it has shrunk by half!  Doc says keep doing what I’m doing!

Gotta make a run to the steel supply tomorrow and also pick up a stand up transmission jack from the other shop for another project. Then I’ll be back to work on more floorboard pieces.

Pics on the way.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on February 27, 2022, 07:29:41 PM
Took the day off yesterday.  Musta’ been sumpin I et!

I got out early this morning and finished trimming and cleaning up the driver’s side inside floor panel. I can’t put it in yet because I need to lower the brake master cylinder assembly an inch or so, but it’s ready to install.  I drilled the holes in the floorboard assembly and the frame for the body bolts and dropped the bolts in temporarily. This puts the floor in line with where it will sit once it’s installed in the body. After that, I installed the outer floor panels that go over the rear ladder bars. Jeff rolled beads into these and I bent them to roll down to the bottom of the channels and welded them up. I also cut out the arch over the driveshaft in the back panel.

Pics below.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on September 27, 2022, 09:53:33 PM
WELL!! Been a while since I put anything on the thread!!  I have had a long layoff again because of the foot again!  Lots of weeks of sitting on my posterior with the doctor fussing at me every time I show up at his office!!  Four stem cell grafts and all sorts of different treatments! It finally closed up about four weeks ago and I’m starting to learn how to walk for the fifth or sixth time.  Been laid up so long that I have no stamina and my balance and strength are lousy.

In the meantime, I’ve been collecting some small pieces for the T project. Got a fiberglass radiator shell and a throttle cable, two carb linkage, and a gas pedal assembly. Got some new tools and a few odds and ends for the shop too!

A good friend of mine is getting married this Saturday. He’s been a loyal fan of my band for over twenty-five years and he’s a fellow hotrodder.  He loaned me the sheetmetal break that we’re using to build both the projects in the shop. I will start back in the shop after the wedding. I’ve waited to go back out there until I can walk a little better and get a little strength back.  I also wanted to attend the wedding without a bunch of knots and bruises and gnarled up fingers and hands, so I’m goofing off ‘til first of next week!!

Start looking for new progress in a few days!!
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 02, 2022, 05:27:00 PM
So!  I promised myself that I’d get back in the shop today!!  I’m not in much shape to do anything, but I got the master cylinder bracket lowered on the frame and set up so’s it clears the floorboard.  I also got the excess trimmed off of the driver’s side front floor so that it can be welded in.

Finally, I cut the rear crossmember and tacked in a narrow piece so that it will clear the back of the differential on full compression of the suspension..  I really didn’t get a whole lot done before I was too wore out and quit for the day.  I’m going to town for meds in the morning, early.  I’ll get back out there tomorrow and see if I can last a little longer and get more done.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 04, 2022, 04:39:51 PM
After Sunday’s shop session, I spent much of Monday morning chasing around town collecting a new prescription that the doctor added to my treatment and and the antibiotic I have to take to prevent a recurrence of the infection that put me in the shape I’m in.  We picked up lunch and by the time I got home it was 2:00 in the afternoon.  I was already tired and I just took the rest of the day off!!!

This morning, I got out there and finished the notch in the frame, as far as I can without turning the frame over. I included the pics of the finished product in the previous post since that completed that task.  I’m working about one fourth the speed I usually do stuff ‘cause I have to sit down and rest every few minutes.  I managed almost two hours on Sunday.  Today, I built and installed brackets for the passenger side of the transmission crossmember, finished that rear frame section, and welded in the final section of the floorboard that sits inside the channels.  That and drilling out the body mount holes for the spacer tubes that’ll keep the frame from deforming when the body is bolted down was as far as I could go today.  I got my son to help me move the rolling chassis out of its spot under the body which is still hanging from the rafters.  It’s down off the jack stands and it rolls pretty easily. Not bad at all with the engine and transmission installed and even the driveshaft hooked up.  I switched it into the stall where the floorboard and the welding table had been and moved those to where I had the chassis.

Tomorrow, I’ll drop the body down and pull the doors off of it.  I’ll flip the floorboard/channel section and  weld the bottom side and then slide it in through the doorway and start putting the two together.

I got in over four and a half hours today.  I’m beat, but I’m getting a little better, I think.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Granpascrazzy on October 10, 2022, 08:30:32 PM
It is good to hear about you working again. As usual, your work looks great.  Try to not push yourself too hard.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on October 12, 2022, 04:03:04 PM
Thanks, Gramps!  Coming from you, that’s some serious complement!!

 I DID raise a small blister on my foot, but it’s not in a bad location and seems to be healing quickly.  I lowered the body this morning and removed the doors.  I’m going to put the right outer skins back on them and needed to measure them to be sure I got the right stuff ordered. 

Whoever started the chop on the body had tried to convert the doors to “suicide” style and nearly ruined them completely.!!  They used what looks like house door hinges to hang them!!  They were apparently going to inset them into the door frames, so they cut the skin and frame off at the back edges of both doors.  I will have to make new rear flanges to attach the new skins to so that the doors fit the body the way they’re supposed to and then replace the hinges with the right ones.  The doors, at this point, are an inch and a half too narrow for the new skins.  They SHOULD be here in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: NAS-T
Post by: Blackwater on December 03, 2023, 01:21:45 PM
Just pokin’ my head in the door to see if anything is happening.  I’ve been laid up for nearly a year now and I feel like I’m about to rust solid!!

If you’re looking in, MERRY CHRISTMAS everybody!!