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My first hot rod project.Lot's of questions

18K views 77 replies 21 participants last post by  deadbodyman 
#1 ·
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 :D .I'm giving myself a time line of 4yrs.That will make me 50yrs young :pain: when the car is finished.Any thoughts on this project will be greatly apprciated.Thanxs for looking,
stefanP
 
#2 ·
I'm 63 and still working on my '32 Victoria, believe me it takes time and $$$$$$. Do yourself a favor and look at www.chevsofthe40s.com. They sells parts for 37-54 models and should have all the little stuff you dont.

If you're building a street cruiser then make it simple, a small block 350, 700R4 and the 10 bolt will work if you keep the power within limits. It's very easy to get nuts with the engine, you'll see some guy with a hot rod, the engine looks and sounds sooooo good...but is it the right combo for your application???

Take your time, think everything out first and talk to everyone you can about machine shops and suppliers, some aren't as user friendly as others, have fun.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Well,I finally got my 41 chevy home.A couple of questions from this newbee :eek: What about the wiring harness? Is this something I will have to make myself? or can I buy it? As for a transmission I read a lot about the 700r4 .Is there a certain year trans I need to purchase? My current hit list of parts so far,
1)79 trans am front sub section.
Next I will look for a rear end.Like I ssaid before the real work will begin after my 46th birthday.
stefanP
 
#5 ·
stefanP said:
What about the wiring harness? Is this something I will have to make myself? or can I buy it?
Once you figure out all the electrical components you will have on the car, you can purchase a custom-made harness from any one of several suppliers. Or, if you're well-versed in electronics, you can build the harness yourself. That's what I have done in the past (AT in the Navy).
http://www.ronfrancis.com/
http://www.americanautowire.com/
http://www.ezwiring.com/
http://www.painlessperformance.com/
http://www.wiringharness.com/
http://www.haywireinc.com/
http://www.centechwire.com/
http://stores.ez2wire.com/StoreFront.bok
Ron Francis and Painless are probably the two best-known suppliers, but the others listed may also provide a quality product. Remember the old saying....."The sour taste of poor quality remains long after the sweet taste of low price is forgotten".

stefanP said:
As for a transmission I read a lot about the 700r4 .Is there a certain year trans I need to purchase?
Read up on the 200R4. The gear ratio drop (and subsequent rpm drop) from 1st to 2nd on a 700 is horrible.
http://www.oldengine.org/unfaq/leadfoot/trans.htm
 
#33 ·
Listen to tech on the trans advise, the OD is heaven, especially for a street rod that's going to see lots of use. And everyone jumps to the 700 but the overlooked TH200 4R is stronger out of the box, and has a far nicer gear spread. The only real drawback is the 27 spline input shaft which makes converter selection a little more difficult and sometimes tricky. You will see 200/700 converters available but don't get confused and think that any 700r4 converter will work, its only pre 87 I believe that share the same 27 spline, later 700's went to 30.
 
#9 ·
Hit list gets started.

Today I purchased a 69 camero 10 bolt.Monday I will make he appiontment with the stripping company.Also will go with a chassi engineering bolt on independent front suspension.My project journal shows the car.
stefanP
 
#10 ·
suspension and rearend

hi stefan p,i haven't tried the bolt on frt suspension but i did buy the chassis engineering rear suspension kit for my 39 chevy.i'm happy with it.you can order it for chevy springs or they have the kit with saddles for whatever rearend you're going to use.i put a rearend in from a 91 chevy caprice,just took all the coilspring brackets off and cleaned up the housing.it's the right width for a 39 so it might be the same for your car.just a suggestion
 
#11 ·
Sand or mediea blast??

My 41 chevy looks to have been primered around 1983 or 84.There is lots of surface rust and pitting.I just wondeing which is the better way to attack the surface?I hear sand blasting really distorts the surface.Thanxs for looking.
stefanP
 
#12 ·
Took a big break on this project(lot of things happing in my personal life).Starting to get koooooooler here in newengland.I'm gonna try to get this car project moving forward again again.My friend says I should worrie about the chassi/drive train first.So thats where I will start.
stefanP
 
#13 ·
I think your friend had it right, about doing the chassis first, especially since you have the body off (right?) and things are easy to get to.

On the topic of dirveline, since you mentioned having knee problems, I'd urge you to go with an automatic definitely, over the hemi 4 -speed. They are good transmissions, but rather stiff to shift; and if you have the corresponding heavy-duty clutch....well, you aren't going to do your knee any good.

Hope your "issues" are getting cleared up, and you can get back to business on your ride.
 
#14 ·
Well my ,our( brother and me) mom passed all of a sudden on aug24th.We all live togther.So it's been a bit of a challange.Then 2 weeks later our celler flood out :mad: .So ya I'm a little goofed up!! But I did purchase a new heavy duty(silver tarp )from harbor frieght store.Now the car is at least cover up.Yes chassi will be first.
stefanP
 
#18 ·
Looks good and a pretty rust free body. That frame is very strong in stock form and will take as much HP as you want to add. What front suspension are you going to use? I used a Heidts IFS when I did mine.



Centerline
HotRodsAndHemis.com

"When buying a used car, punch the buttons on the radio. If all the stations are rock and roll, there's a good chance the transmission is shot." - Larry Lujack
 
#20 ·
As for front suspension,I will useing Chassi engineering bolt in independent system.455olds thanxs for the concern.Extremley unexpected.I'm taking pictures of the stock drivetrain.I'll be posting it on craigs list for sale.Every little penny will help the project along.455olds,I see you have the modern brakebooster/brake master cyclinder set up.I will going for that "Resto-rod" look.I'll retain peddals going into the floor boards.Automatic trans.My left knee can't take the use of a clutch.But if I was to use a standard,It would be a hemi 4spd with a Mr. gasket vertigate shifter.Enough b.s. for now.
stefanP
 
#21 ·
Steel purchasing has begun

Well a hour a the local steel shop and progress has begun.I picked up some of the small pieces.Then handed my hit list with steel order.I'll tell you tomorro what the cost was.So far I spent $40.00 bucks today(surplus steel $1.00 a pound).Pictures to come.
stefanP
 
#22 ·
Centerline said:
That frame is very strong in stock form and will take as much HP as you want to add. What front suspension are you going to use? I used a Heidts IFS when I did mine.
I am leaning that way (Heits IFS Superide II) for mine

But I have not made up my mind yet,
stefanP said:
As for front suspension,I will using Chassi engineering bolt in independent system.
stefanP
This also sounds very interesting to me, so I will be watching for the outcome on this :thumbup:
 
#23 ·
The STEEL MAN COMITH!!!

Well,This is a picture of the steel I purchased.The small stuff on the ground is surplus steel(basiclly second hand stuff).The metal on the cart is new.Plus there is also a "cut charge".Rite now I'm at $250.90.What I did was to bundle the size lengths togther.Easyer to fit in my mini van. Next I have to buy a couple of cut off wheels for my chop saw.Plus take a ride to harbor freight store :thumbup: .I hope to start on or before saturday morning.I'm still cleaning the garage :pain: Enjoy
stefanP
 

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#24 ·
Just ran across your post...I finished my '40 Chevy coupe a couple of years ago, and used a 700R4 transmission, 69 Camaro rearend (4.10 gear), and sbc. You shouldn't need to replace the firewall...plenty or room. Set the motor back far enough that you can still get the distributor out, and you'll have enough room. I had a local shop recore my radiator so it would still fit into the original mount, used a flex fan and a Walker shroud (also used the short water pump)....have a/c and after three years, no problem with overheating...but there is still room up front for an electric fan, if needed.
 
#25 · (Edited)
stefanP said:
Well,I finally got my 41 chevy home.A couple of questions from this newbee :eek: What about the wiring harness? Is this something I will have to make myself? or can I buy it? As for a transmission I read a lot about the 700r4 .Is there a certain year trans I need to purchase? My current hit list of parts so far,
1)79 trans am front sub section.
Next I will look for a rear end.Like I ssaid before the real work will begin after my 46th birthday.
stefanP
why not buy a good running parts car and use everything from that ?harness,motor&tranny, rearend,etc....I bought a running,85 camero for my next project a 54 Chevy P/u (I got lucky) with a rebuilt TPI motor 20,000 mi. with a rebuilt tranny 900 mi.,disc brake,possi rear end for(1,500),it'll melt the tires....The guy came in for a paint job .(2,500-3,500) was too much so he sold it to me) acouple weeks later.....When its done and driving I'll upgrade as needed...But I'll probably sell it before that....If I wait untill I have everything I want it'll never get done,,,
Get it running and driving first...Its a lot more fun driving a cool car with used parts from the junk yard than dreaming about the perfct car and never getting it done...besides all those new parts you buy today wont be the best stuff out there in 5=10 yrs when you get finished and all that shiney chrome and billit aluminum definitely wont look new when its done years later...and you dont have to worry about things like weld splatter ruining the finish on a new componet when your fabbing it in....like a powder coated rear end for instance..not to mention scratches... man, all that worrying and extra prep just slows you down...Thats how my friends and I always liked to build them. cheap and quick...Building is a lot of fun but its the driving that really hooks you...I dont care how ratty the car is ,when you drive it down the road the first time (legaly) you wont be able to wipe the grin off your face for a couple days.....get er done you'll see..... :mwink: I was hooked at an early age and never wanted to do anything else...Its my uncles fault ,he gave me a ride in his 40 chevy stock car when I was 13 or 14 and thats all I was able to think about since...I handed him wrenches for a couple years and bought my first car at 15 ,a 55 chevy ,then a 57 chevy at 16 and finally got to drive by myself on pavement (legally).... :D :D :D
 
#26 ·
deadbodyman said:
If I wait untill I have everything I want it'll never get done,,,
Get it running and driving first...Its a lot more fun driving a cool car with used parts from the junk yard than dreaming about the perfect car and never getting it done...Thats how my friends and I always liked to build them. cheap and quick...Building is a lot of fun but its the driving that really hooks you...I dont care how ratty the car is ,when you drive it down the road the first time (legally) you wont be able to wipe the grin off your face for a couple days.....get er done you'll see.... :D
amen brother :thumbup:
 
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