Hello everyone.This will be my first "Hot Rod" project.Second care project in 20yrs? Anyhow I have purchased a 41 chevy 2dr sedan.engine and tranny already removed.Car has been sitting and previouse owner looked to have started a restoration or hot rod project.All trim off car,front&rrear fender's off and so on.Anyhow I'm starting to put together a hit list on what I need to build this car.I want to go modern suspension,small block.I have a line on a 79 pontiac trans am sub frame complete will all components.As for rear end not sure.10 bolt or 12 bolt or 9"? I want to build the car as a good all around driver.Not really interested in drag racing it.Same with transmission,th350,th400 or 700r?.My left knee isn't in the best of shape so no 4sp or 5sp.Plus I can't drink coffe and drive at the same time .I'm giving myself a time line of 4yrs.That will make me 50yrs young ain: when the car is finished.Any thoughts on this project will be greatly apprciated.Thanxs for looking,
stefanP
I agree with deadbodyman and matts37chevy in that if a guy waits until he has everything, the project will never get done. My car club is full of guys "gathering stuff", before they start the project.....and a lot of them have been years in gathering, and will probably never finish it. If you can run across a complete car like deadbodyman was talking about, that's great....but sometimes they just ain't there! When I first drug my '40 Chevy home, I couldn't even weld (which, due to how much metal needed replaced on the car was significant, and had to teach myself before I could start on her, but that was the fun of it. I had been a drag racer back in the 60's and 70's, built several race cars, but had been out of "cars" for years, had never built a street rod, and no longer had most of the necessary tools, let alone any parts. I started going to local car shows and picking the brains of guys who had built similar cars and gained a wealth of knowledge. Thru these people, I ran across used parts (and some new ones from guys who were tired of gathering) that I could use. It took me 4 years to finish the car, but was a labor of love and everytime I crawl in it and take a spin, I still hang my lips on my ears grinning.
Finally moving forward.I post pictures of the welding on the rotiarrie in my journal.As for engine,looks like I maybe going off the beaten path.BIG 6 OR STARIGHT 8:evil: Thanxs for haning in there.
stefanP
It's been a while coming.I have to get more steel at logans steel yard.Then a trip to "Tractor Supply" for some caster wheels.Plan is to get the frame bolted onto rotisserie this week.Here's what I have so far.
stefanP
Well the rotisserie is apart and painted.Man what a job.Hopefully I can get it back togther and back on the frame.Then I start to take the chassi apart and get cleaning and prep for NEW PARTS!!!!!.STAY TUNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup:
stefanP
Hi stefan, I've owned my '41 chevy for 46 years. peice by peice it has been a work in progress. In 1969 i put a '57 chevy rear end in it, its still under there! Today i'm swithching transmissions. I broke the last 200r4! no fault of the trans. you will most likely cut out the old trans xmember, the forward gusets that go to the frame will be PACKED FULL of dirt and gravel!! or, most are. so check out the frame also and clean it out some how. have fun!
Well, A week later and the frame is back from the dry stripper(New England Dry Stripping).$280.oo bucks and the frame looks nice.I then sprayed the frame with epoxy primer from eastwood company.This is just to protect it from the elements.I have to do some welding.So when all is completed I will be painting the frame black.Also put in a order for my CE front suspension crossmember,motor mounts,trannny mount and radiator mount.Hopefull this weekend I will start to assmbly process.I'll update the thread with pictures of the frame.To and from the dry stripper.
stefanP
Well, If the "SIBERIAN WEATHER" lets up I can move forward on the frame.28th is the delivery date for my suspension & frame parts .I also received on Friday my inner frame coating kit from eastwood.Welding will commence on Monday.More updates to follow.STAY WARM!!!
stefanP
Just a word of caution dont spray the epoxy unless its at least 65degrees it wont stick to the metal very well and it'll give you problems later on...
sounds like your well on your way I love doing this part ,itsa lotta fun ...
Well,Craig's list hooked me up with a 70's/80's rear end($275). Looks to be a 3.73 posi:thumbup. Another part to the puzzle.Just think I was hoping to be in a "Rolling Chassi" by october
Looks like you are making good head way on your project. I used TCI front end, bolts on through original rivet holes then just weld on the top hats. Your CE kit should work well too. As far as a tranny, I used a 1989 chev caprice cop car 700r4. The tranny had low miles, t-boned car. I replaced the servo with a corvette unit and drilled out the center for a lock out kit. My trans shifts so hard from 1st to 2nd that it feels like the front wheels want to come off the ground. I put 355 rear end gears in when I rebuilt the rear. At 80 miles an hour I turn 2500 RPM. I love this trans!
Well looks like my project is on hold for another 4to5 weeks. Front crossmember is being made I guess.I ordered all my parts through Street Rod Headquaters (which is part of Chev's of the 40's).I wish I knew there was such a lead time.BUT THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD WITHOUT A PROBLEM!!!:evil:After spending almost 1200.00 I have a universal tranny mount to show for it allain::smash: Well will see what happens. stay tuned>>>>>>>>>>>>>...................
stefanP
Well looks like my project is on hold for another 4to5 weeks. Front crossmember is being made I guess.I ordered all my parts through Street Rod Headquaters (which is part of Chev's of the 40's).I wish I knew there was such a lead time.BUT THEY CHARGED MY CREDIT CARD WITHOUT A PROBLEM!!!:evil:After spending almost 1200.00 I have a universal tranny mount to show for it allain::smash: Well will see what happens. stay tuned>>>>>>>>>>>>>...................
stefanP
I will post pictures this afternoon. I misplaced my camera.:mwink:
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