QC97Z's LTX powered '27 T Bucket Roadster Build!

[QC97Z]

Hey everyone-

Starting on another build...and already well underway. I've been silently lurking around the 'net, waiting...watching...for the right parts to come up at the right prices. I'm building a 1927 Model T Roadster on a budget...$5,000. It's going to be close...but I'll probably go over a bit on the small "nickel and dime" things.

I'm going to have Jon "RealQuick" of LT1Boost build the Lake style headers for this car. Something a bit different for him...but I think he's looking forward to doing something new and exciting.
I plan to have this car ready for the streets by May, but might have a tough time for a couple of months with the DMV on getting a VIN for this thing, getting a title, etc. I'm going to start investigating that pretty quick, so hopefully it can all fall into place by the time this build is done.
If everything goes well...I'll be driving this to the shootout. Therefore, if I can't get ahold of a trailer and a driver for my rig, the Camaro will be staying home and I won't be racing. I think this is a good trade though :)
On to the build...

The beginning: This sitting in my garage after being torn out of my '97 Z...just waiting to be reincarnated. It will be receiving a nice lopey N/A cam, 1.6 Crane Gold rockers, springs, seals, etc (which are already hoarded). It will be staying fuel injected and M6. I wanted to be different...most people doing T buckets use a carb'd SBC/TH350 combo. The Z, for those of you familiar with my 383 F1A build, got a completely different drivetrain. This is all the original stuff I kept around :secret:



http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03283.jpg

[QC97Z]

And for some reason the website is screwy and won't let me get my cursor below the pic...so another post will do.

Then I picked up this nice rolling frame with a brand new Be Cool radiator (chopped '32 style) and a nice Flaming River vega steering box. Picked it all up for a STEAL! Complete with 10 bolt rear (posi 4.11 gear) and Superbell front end.


http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03285.jpg

[QC97Z]

It was set up for an SBC with a TH350/400, and missing a couple of small components here and there. But, I've been able to scavenge the missing items pretty easily.
Motor and trans sitting in the frame with the crossmember cut out...WAY too low. Time for a new crossmember ;)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03317.jpg

[QC97Z]

Cut some other stuff out of the frame (the original brake master unbolted and the bracket cut out, the stud that was the hinge for the brake pedal) and got the garage organized and ready to rock. Notice the gray primered rear end in the back corner..even though there's a rear end already in the frame. More on that in a bit...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03331.jpg

[QC97Z]

My buddy Bruce (Fellow Deere employee...now retired) helping to prep the new crossmember. You'll be seeing quite a bit more of him, he's taking me to fiberglass bodywork school on this project.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03336.jpg

[QC97Z]

Trans crossmember tacked in...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03337.jpg

[QC97Z]

Time for welding!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03338.jpg

[JCzNova]

That is gonna be bad-azz! Love the LTX swaps!

[QC97Z]

So...back to the rear end. I had NO idea of the condition of the 10 bolt that came in the frame, or if it really had a 4.11 gear, or for sure what it really came out of (GM part number indicated late 80's-early 90's S10 4cyl 2WD). I pulled the cover off, and sure enough...it's a 4.11. It's in good shape, but WAY too tall for my LT1/M6 setup. This thing will already be super light, so I don't need the extra gear help. Bye bye S10 rear with drum brakes...hello Fbody 3.42 gears with disc brakes! I knew I kept the old rear from my Z for a reason...
All cleaned up, blasted and primed, with new axle seals.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03333.jpg

[popo8]

THAT IS SO COOL!!!!!

So you are putting the camaro down to bring this to life??? Did I understand that right?

[QC97Z]

So...get the new rear set up for this frame, I ordered the brackets for the radius arms and panhard bar from Spirit Industries (OEM for the frame) and got the welder back out..
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03354.jpg

[QC97Z]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03356.jpg

[QC97Z]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03358.jpg

[QC97Z]

THAT IS SO COOL!!!!!

So you are putting the camaro down to bring this to life??? Did I understand that right?

NO NO NO NO NO HELL NO! The Camaro is safely tucked away under a cover in a storage shed in an undisclosed location :secret:

The Camaro got a completely different engine, trans, and rear end...so this is just the original stuff (drivetrain only has 78k on it)

But thanks, I think it's going to be pretty kick-ass. I need to edit the first post to include some other info....I don't want anyone else almost having a coronary! lol

[QC97Z]

That is gonna be bad-azz! Love the LTX swaps!

Thanks man! I think I'll have even more pride and enjoyment out of this build than the Camaro. I love my car, but this lets me get much more creative with design and fabrication, not to mention TONS of room (There will be no hood on this car).

[QC97Z]

The car will look SOMETHING like this when it's done. This is a pic of a Tribute T from Speedway Motors (my preferred supplier for all these kick-ass parts stacking up in my house). It's a '23, but the body is essentially the same. The '27's lines are a bit more subtle around the cowl.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/TributeT.jpg

[popo8]

NO NO NO NO NO HELL NO! The Camaro is safely tucked away under a cover in a storage shed in an undisclosed location :secret:

The Camaro got a completely different engine, trans, and rear end...so this is just the original stuff (drivetrain only has 78k on it)

But thanks, I think it's going to be pretty kick-ass. I need to edit the first post to include some other info....I don't want anyone else almost having a coronary! lol

Phew... ok... but if it was what you chose to do, I still wouldve been able to appreciate it that much more... because you kept the Camaros heart alive. However I am glad to see another LTX car being added to your stable.... NOW....

figure out a class for it to run in the shootout!!!!

[QC97Z]

That's all for now. Lots more to come soon. TONS of parts lying around, but bodywork has to start first. I've got a big pile of parts that I've gotten back from the powdercoat shop, all done in wrinkle black. I'm also in the middle of a complete transformation on my 2002 Harley Night Train, some of those parts were lumped in with the T's parts.

Here's a pic of the wheels and rear fender all fabbed up and mounted up. Computer is in the stock location, stock seat fitted to the fender. The tank and fenders are in the paint shop now for a custom job...original Jade Green with a tribal flame job. The flames are a kandy gray (translucent) over swirly-grinded bare metal. It should look pretty kick-ass.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/Bike_5.jpg

[popo8]

Love this build !!!!

SUBSCRIBED!

[QC97Z]

Just for fun, another bike pic. Because it's that awesome (to me anyway)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/Southern_Wheel.jpghttp://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/Southern_Wheel3.jpghttp://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/Bike_3.jpghttp://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/Bike_1.jpg

[QC97Z]

The wheels are Southern Motorcycle Works... $2,000 for front, rear, rotors, and pulley. The purpose of the build was to do a wide rear tire (from 130mm to 180mm) on a budget. Wide tire kits for softails aren't needed and are expensive. A bit of know-how and ingenuity can go a long way.
But....of course the budget was blown away. The front end got a new triple tree +5 degree rake and hidden fork stems, +2" overstock length fork tubes, and those little stripes just below the triple tree are wraparound LED turn signals. And of course...black powdercoating!:)

[QC97Z]

Love this build !!!!

SUBSCRIBED!

Awesome. Always good to have PoPo's attention!

[blackbirdws6]

This is gonna be a really cool build. Looks like it will be a blast to drive too. You like to keep busy. Keep it comin.

[QC97Z]

This is gonna be a really cool build. Looks like it will be a blast to drive too. You like to keep busy. Keep it comin.

Thanks man. Lol you knew this was coming...I believe I was drunk in a bar and texted you, saying that I was gonna build something wild this year.
Definitely like to keep busy. Now if I could just drag my out-of-shape ass back to the gym...

[CamaroZGuy]

WOW! now one more reason for me to get my ass to the shoot out! this is close to what i have been thinking for the past few years. one day i will have a 32' 3-window with either a LT or LS...my version of the coupe from american graffiti (yes i know that was the 5-window)

[QC97Z]

^ Awesome. A '32 Coupe would be pretty kick-ass. I really wanted to do a 29-31 Model A Tudor Sedan, but finding a good solid body runs well over $3,000. The budget for the whole car was $5k...so that didn't compute. I think I will do a Tudor one day...just not for awhile.

[CamaroZGuy]

ya, it will be a long time before i can fund a hot rod now. as of now its looking like i will be joining you in the >$25k club on my build....for a street car...

[popo8]

ya, it will be a long time before i can fund a hot rod now. as of now its looking like i will be joining you in the >$25k club on my build....for a street car...


Its an elite club.... ;)

[QC97Z]

Its an elite club.... ;)

That it is...an elite club for those of us who have the WORST ADDICTION known to man that we're PROUD of having!

[popo8]

That it is...an elite club for those of us who have the WORST ADDICTION known to man that we're PROUD of having!

Somewhere we need a stipulation to this club that the addiction must be to one of the most stubborn platforms as well... lol


Dont wanna butcher your thread, so back on track with:


IS IT DONE YET!!!!

[QC97Z]

^ Workin on it man! I've also got a demanding full time job...most of us can't have a gravy cop job :cool:
Just kidding PoPo. You know we all appreciate you and what you do for the public.

I just talked to Bruce this morning (my buddy helping me out with bodywork) and we're going to start clearancing the firewall to fit over the bellhousing, and channel the body down over the frame a couple of inches, maybe start on flooring if we get to that. I mentioned to him that he was an LTXTech celebrity now, with his pic up on here and everything. That got him to join up! (Even though he doesn't have any LTX powered vehicles...but I'll bring him to the dark side soon enough)
Saturday will reap more progress. Stay put!

[FormulaJoe]

That it is...an elite club for those of us who have the WORST ADDICTION known to man that we're PROUD of having!
Hahaha damn close to the worst
I know them boaters got it bad.. I read a study that showed it is THE most expensive motorsport hobby.. My neighbor builds steam boats from scratch in his garage.. I could only imagine how much he has in to the beauty in his garage that probably gets out on the water 1 or times a year.. I know quite a few people that drop ridiculous amounts of mulah on their old school boats now that I think about it lol.

Back on track though.... THIS BUILD IS FRIGGEN SWEET MAN! Love the uniqueness.

[Fastbird]

This is ULTRA cool. I hope above all that you have this at the shootout. I call dibs on first joyride at the shootout.

Posted from my Rezound

[popo8]

^ Workin on it man! I've also got a demanding full time job...most of us can't have a gravy cop job :cool:
Just kidding PoPo. You know we all appreciate you and what you do for the public.
...

LOL, I wish I even had a Gravy Cop job... all I do is sit at home and go through back "fixing" proceedures.... lol


Its all good, BTW

















































































































IS IT DONE YET?

[QC97Z]

^ You f*ckin crack me up man.
Actually, a bit more development today. I got a call from a very "specialized" supplier about an electronic system I plan to have on this car. Since there's no top, no windows, and no door locks...security is fairly low. This should bring it up to par, and will be really cool and SUPER unique :secret:

Until I have a definitive answer/the system is in my hands, I'm gonna keep it quiet for now.

[QC97Z]

This is ULTRA cool. I hope above all that you have this at the shootout. I call dibs on first joyride at the shootout.

Posted from my Rezound

^ You got it man.





Wait....does this mean RIDE, or DRIVE?



























Just kidding Sean. You can drive it.

[QC97Z]

Update: Did a bit of work on it tonight. I have a few wrinkle black parts on it now :)
I decided to get the new rear end mounted up with the radius rods, and get the rear coilover shocks mounted up.


So now the pic upload is working. Hooray for more than one pic in a post.
So then I needed to get it centered up, so I could get the ear welded on for the panhard bar. A bit redneck, but it really did the trick. Ratchet strap + laser level + semi-precision measuring tools = Centered! (keep in mind the pic with the laser level isn't with it centered yet lol)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03362.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03363.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03365.jpg

Then the welder came back out once it was centered...

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03366.jpg


http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03368.jpg

All done!

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03367.jpg


Bruce is coming over in T minus...7 hours and 42 minutes to start body work. On the agenda: Cut firewall to clear bellhousing, channel body down over frame, start on floor! If we get farther than that...it'll be a plus. More pics to come tomorrow, hopefully with a body sitting on it!

Stay tuned...

[popo8]

Some quick progress going on..... I'm really liking this thread!

[QC97Z]

Some quick progress going on..... I'm really liking this thread!

^The quicker the better! Unfortunately job(s) get in the way...oh, and money.

Got quite a bit of bodywork done yesterday. The body is channeled down over the frame, and ready for flooring. I also got the front end back on it last night...but some modification will be required :)
Pics to come! (at my 2nd job right now...camera's at home :()

[95mysticta]

Love this build... sure this car is way easier to work on and button up then 4th gens!

[QC97Z]

Love this build... sure this car is way easier to work on and button up then 4th gens!

Thanks! Yeah...it's a TON easier than a 4th gen to work with. But...it's going to get tough in a big hurry. LOTS of wiring and what-not will be taking place, and there isn't very much room in the small cab to hide any wiring. The cab of this thing will be cramped in a similar fashion to the underhood of a 4th gen.

[QC97Z]

Update: BODY WORK!

Precision Engineering Layout Work = Cardboard + Pencil + Scissors

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03371.jpg

Time to start cutting. Jigsaw = point of no return

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03372.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03373.jpg

Playing with the cool laser level to get the body straightened up on the frame. Definitely wouldn't want this thing to look like it's dog-tracking all the time.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03374.jpg

Bruce making some final checks before getting the saw back out...
-Body before channeling
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03375.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03376.jpg

And body after channeling...
It was only 1.5"...but looks a TON better, and much more rigid.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03377.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03378.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03379.jpg

[popo8]

LOVE THE PICS!!!

LTX looks so perfect in THERE!!!

[QC97Z]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03380.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03381.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03382.jpg

Some wise-ass awhile back told me "Man, that shifter will be WAY too far back in that thing, using a 6 speed would be so dumb". To that guy (I don't even remember who the hell it was)....




SUCK IT!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03382.jpg

I also decided that I'd put the front end back on it, and install the shocks. It's a pretty cool kit that has weld-on brackets for the frame, that are shock mounts AND headlight mounts. Too bad the shocks were too short :(
Still got a lot done. It's going to be a bit until more updates, things are pretty busy at the factory and I've decided to have a weekend of relaxation and excessive drinking. So, probably no car work.
Stay tuned!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03384.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03383.jpg

[QC97Z]

LOVE THE PICS!!!

LTX looks so perfect in THERE!!!

Dammit PoPo! You ALWAYS seem to post right in between my posting!
Just playin' man. Thanks for the compliments. The LTX looks like it BELONGS in there. That same dude that was talking smack about the shifter location, also said something about the engine will look way too low because it doesn't have a high rise with a carb. I told him I'd rather have fuel injection, it's cooler :)

[popo8]

Dammit PoPo! You ALWAYS seem to post right in between my posting!
Just playin' man. Thanks for the compliments. The LTX looks like it BELONGS in there. That same dude that was talking smack about the shifter location, also said something about the engine will look way too low because it doesn't have a high rise with a carb. I told him I'd rather have fuel injection, it's cooler :)


Im sorry.... Im just a loser with nothing to do......

I can delete the stuff so your photos are together...

Either way, Very excited for this build!!!!

[QC97Z]

^ Lol I don't give a crap if the photos are together or not...just giving you shit.

The excitement of this build is what keeps me going day to day. I don't think I'll ever stop building shit.

[RealQuick]

Brett is having me do the headers... excited to be part of this cool project!

[Fixxer99TA]

Damn man, lookin good!

I like budget builds also, almost like a challenge...

[QC97Z]

Brett is having me do the headers... excited to be part of this cool project!

^ Hell yeah! When I built my camaro I kept seeing build pics of turbo kits you were setting up....and I was like damn..that dude does some pretty sweet work. Glad to have you along for the ride.


Damn man, lookin good!

I like budget builds also, almost like a challenge...

Thanks! Yeah, a budget build is definitely a challenge. I'm going to go over (mostly because of a few very expensive items: my rear tires and a super-ultra-top-secret device) but not by a hell of a lot I think. I'll still be in a situation where I have a pretty badass hot rod for little money.


So, since I haven't updated in awhile, I suppose I will give a little something.
The floor is in. It took FOREVER to get templates made, get the wood, and get it cut out. The templates were fairly complex. I still may have to clearance it around the trans a bit more to allow drivetrain twist and not have it dislodging the floor. The floor isn't mounted down to the frame yet or fiberglassed to the body yet..but that's next.
I also went seat shopping! (Junkyard) I picked up a commonly used seat for T-buckets: Middle bench seat from a mid-90's Caravan/Voyager. The upholstery will be stripped, and the frame will have to be sectioned a bit. No biggie. Then I'm going to set it up so the bottom cushion hinges toward the front for some under-seat storage.

Pics to come soon!
I promise things will start to pick up soon...just been involved heavily in work, wrapping up the finishing touches on my bike build, and getting over the hump of a few difficult tasks before everything else can start to flow with the car. If anyone's interested, I'll post up a few more pics of the bike progress to tide you over :)

[Fastbird]

That's looking great man. Very very cool project there.

[QC97Z]

^ Thanks Sean. I wanted to do something different and unique, that would allow me to use my creativity and fabrication skills moreso than my camaro's build.


Lots of work to come tomorrow (Hopefully). Bruce is coming over first thing in the morning, and we're going to work on bodywork ALL day. Nice having good friday off from work :)

[QC97Z]

Update...WITH PICS! Took me long enough....
Sorry guys. Been pretty busy with work and getting my bike done (I might post of a pic or two of it. It's 99.5% done, just have to get a couple of custom-made parts powdercoated).

The next order of business after channeling the body was to figure out what material to use for a floor, and how I was going to go about it. We figured out that wood was the easiest to work with and provided the most structure for the least amount of hours involved. They used wood back in the day....what's wrong with it now? :)
Of course, we decided on 3/4" solid oak. The gap between the framerails and the bottom of the doorsills was just about perfect for it. So, the carboard template building began:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03392.jpg
Then came the first few pieces from wood, and more templates to follow:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03393.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03394.jpg
Then came the sides:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03395.jpg
And DONE!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03396.jpg]

Next, I decided to go "shopping" for a seat at my local junkyard. I searched high and low...and found the closest fit. A middle bench seat from a mid-late 90's Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager/Chrysler Town&Country. I had also seen that specific seat used in other TBuckets on another forum I'm on, so I figured this was the place to start. I got it home, and tore it down to a bare frame and cushions. The cool part is, it reclines and folds forward, in case I wanted to stuff a coat behind the seat or something.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03397.jpghttp://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03398.jpghttp://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03399.jpg

[QC97Z]

Doesn't quite fit...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03401.jpg
So I thought about it for a bit over a delicious Bent River Uncommon Stout (local brewery to my area, it's a dark oatmeal stout with coffee)...delicious
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03402.jpg
Next came the pedals issue....
The pedal "package" that I bought is a bracket that holds both the brake and master cylinders, and pedals all in one assembly.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03388.jpg
Since I'm using the T56...it's a bit tight on room toward the driver's feet. I had to separate the master cylinders, which will end up going underneath the seat mounted to the frame, and the pedals. So, I put on my Engineer's cap and went to work on replicating the bracket that holds the masters. Fast forward a few days after cutting on the laser and bending...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03389.jpg

[QC97Z]

Eureka! Got parts. Now for welding it up:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03390.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03391.jpg
Now on to body work. I didn't think that this little strip of fiberglass that joined the rear floor sections and the body would help that much...but it got quite a bit more stiff. Still not stiff enough...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03403.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03404.jpg
Man that is some messy stuff.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03406.jpg

I learned a valuable lesson tonight in fiberglassing...THERE IS A LIMIT to how big of a sheet you can glass in against gravity...hence the large blob in the middle. It looked a lot worse than that before...I ended up ripping it into several pieces and pasting them where they'd lay down. The pic above shows a better way to do it...SMALLER sheets LOL
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03407.jpg


That's all for now folks, but tune in next time for:

More seat fun! (sectioning and welding the seat frame, creating another bottom frame and a seat pan)
Pedals install!
Fiberglassing the side panels into the body!

[blackbirdws6]

Coming along nicely. Good work!

[QC97Z]

Thanks! I'm working 12's this week, then taking Friday off to head to Chicago for the weekend. Not much time to get anything done this week, but I'm going to try to squeeze in getting the seat sectioned and sitting in the body.
....And spend more money on parts.

[popo8]

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!

[Tony Shepherd]

Not sure how I missed this thread. Very cool build! I would love to do something like this!


One thing I suggest. I would add a gusset support on the panhard bar bracket on the top of the rear end.

[QC97Z]

Not as awesome as the rides you're posting in the CONSOLIDATING thread, PoPo. Those are winners for sure.

Thanks for the suggestion Tony. I don't necessarily see any excessive forces acting on that bracket, but much better to be safe than sorry. I like building things like a tank anyway. I'll definitely get that fixed.

Haven't been able to sneak in any work yet this week....but I might buy some stuff today :)

[RealQuick]

Brett, I mocked up the driver's side (without the baffles or turndown). I didnt have measurements at the time from you, so I ball parked it. I will compare your measurements to mine tonight. Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics.

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/photo3.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/photo5.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/photo2.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/photo1.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/photo4.jpg

[QC97Z]

Looking AWESOME Jon!
Probably just a terminology thing, but the "turndowns" are actually going to be "turnouts" in the way they appear. I believe that they should be pointing about 45 degrees down from horizontal.
Have you put any thought into where the O2 bungs will be placed yet?

[RealQuick]

Looking AWESOME Jon!
Probably just a terminology thing, but the "turndowns" are actually going to be "turnouts" in the way they appear. I believe that they should be pointing about 45 degrees down from horizontal.
Have you put any thought into where the O2 bungs will be placed yet?

Brett,

45 degrees is what I was thinking too. As far as O2's... I suspect you want them hidden from view as much as possible. If that is the case, then they will be after the primaries on the transition on the head side of the manifold (and slightly down toward the ground so it is difficult to see when walking up to it at a car show). Sound OK?

[RealQuick]

Oh... you said you will be getting these coated too?

[QC97Z]

Brett,

45 degrees is what I was thinking too. As far as O2's... I suspect you want them hidden from view as much as possible. If that is the case, then they will be after the primaries on the transition on the head side of the manifold (and slightly down toward the ground so it is difficult to see when walking up to it at a car show). Sound OK?

Perfect. That's exactly what I was thinking.


Oh... you said you will be getting these coated too?

Yes, I plan on having them coated (Jet-Hot or similar) in matte/flat black. I plan on having your website name painted on by hand in white with a ceramic-type paint by the person that will be doing all of the pinstriping.

[RealQuick]

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/a4.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/a5.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/a1.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/a2.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/s2.jpg

[QC97Z]

BEAUTIFUL man!!! Did you have to do much tweaking to the driver's side in light of the measurements I sent you?

[RealQuick]

Driver's side had plenty of clearance. The pass side I set up to be pulled in 1/2". What concerns me though is the engine seems to have a slight rotation to it compared to the firewall (based off your dimensions):

On the left side, Center of port to firewall is 8 3/8" (front to rear measurement). Header flange to body corner is 6".
On the right side, Center of port to firewall is 7 1/4" (front to rear measurement). Header flange to body corner is 5 1/2"

[QC97Z]

I'm assuming that the body has a slight imperfection, either through the molding process (2 symmetrical halves joined by hand) or the channeling job. We had it lined up perfectly with our marks on the frame when the body was channeled. For some reason it doesn't quite want to line up perfectly now. I'm thinking that the fiberglassing going on has something to do with that.
Unfortunately, this can't be perfect. I'm working with an aftermarket fabricated frame (that I don't depend on being 100% accurate) and a hand-laid body.
as long as we have a decent happy medium and it's not easy to tell the difference by the naked eye, that's all that matters. The headers should be far enough away from the body that it would be difficult to tell.

[QC97Z]

Bought some more stuff yesterday from Speedway. It's already at my house today...it's badass having a company that has almost everything you need only 1 state away.
Looking to get some time to work on it maybe tonight, some tomorrow, and as much as I can over the weekend...gotta work at Deere saturday and Carquest sunday.
Trying to skate out of work a bit early today to head to the DMV...time to start the nightmare of paperwork to get a VIN and a title for this thing.
Updates to come soon.

[popo8]

This build is SOOOO creative. IM excited to see a ROLLING pic...

[QC97Z]

This build is SOOOO creative. IM excited to see a ROLLING pic...

LOL im working on it PoPo! Us engineers only make so much money...
I actually have wheels and tires picked out, i just need to measure for appropriate backspacing and get some cash. The tires are $$$$$$$$$ but are totally worth it.
Meanwhile, i went to the DMV today about VIN and title creation...and they didnt know jack shit.

Does anyone know how to get a VIN created in Illinois?

I have a sneaking suspicion that this will be a huge pain in the ass. I'll probably end up finding someone on here that lives in an "easy" state, sell it to them for $1 via bills of sale, have them VIN and title it on their state, then sell it back to me for $1, and all i have to do is a title transfer!
Any takers? You will make some $...........

[QC97Z]

Alright...no pics yet, but a few developments.

Did a bit of work on it over the weekend, and it turns out that while I was making a radiator support...I realized the radiator I was using won't fit in the chopped '32 grill shell I have. So, that part of the project was abandoned, and a call to Speedway Motors was made to get the RIGHT radiator for the shell.
Should be here tomorrow....hope to start some fitting on that soon.

Worked at Carquest Sunday, and it turns out one of my coworkers' family owns an upholstery shop. The coworker is moving out of state in a few weeks, and I wanted him and his dad to stop out and get some measurements off the body to make a tonneau cover for it (snap-on with a zipper down the middle) to protect from overnight dew and light rain. But, the doors need to be hung first. That's when Bruce came over last night to do some body work.

This bodywork is killing me! All of the cutting, sanding, grinding, grafting, is tedious and takes a damn long time. I'm definitely not going to meet my deadline of late June for getting this car done...but I'm still shooting for having it up and running before the Shootout, in hopes that I will be able to attend and drive it there.

On the Title and VIN thing....I got a packet in the mail Saturday. Looks like this really won't be too bad of a deal to work with, but I have to have the car done before anything can be processed. Oh well...full speed ahead!

More updates to come when I get some time...working long hours this week so I can get away for the weekend....drunken fishing trip, here I come!

[popo8]

Keep up the great work.. and if you need to do the transfer thing Ill help you out...

[QC97Z]

^ Awesome. Thanks for stepping up!
We'll see how it develops with the lovely state of Illinois for now. I will DEFINITELY keep that in mind though.

[popo8]

NP man....

[RealQuick]

Finished. Tried to hide the O2 sensors. All in all a fun build... tough trying to make things symmetric!

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v6.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v1.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v2.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v3.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v4.jpg

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/RealQuick/T-bucket/v5.jpg

[RealQuick]

Oh... I highly recommend using header studs/nuts because trying to get bolts thru on the 2nd header hole from the front is a bitch! Buy studs, slide the headers straight on... add the nuts... and voila!

[QC97Z]

WOW. Looking INCREDIBLE!!!

Great job hiding the O2's...that's by far more hidden than I ever expected to see.

Thanks for recommending studs and nuts AFTER I bought a nice shiny new set of Percy's Split-Lok header bolts! :shiner:
Oh well, I'm sure I can offload them.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for doing this Jon. I can't express it enough.

INSTALLED PICS TO COME WHEN I GET THEM IN THE MAIL!

Talk about re-motivation.....

[Puck]

Awesome build, I'm loving those headers too!

[QC97Z]

^Thanks!

I've had pics pretty much all week...just haven't had time to get them up.

I was able to get them bolted on the motor using the Percy's Split-Lock bolts I've got, but it was a bit of a challenge....and required a bit of "tool modification".

Might have to change to studs/nuts when it's time to install them "for real", but this will work for now.

I also got the radiator grill shell fitted to the new radiator...all I need is a couple chunks of aluminum and a TIG welder, and I've got it mounted in the frame. For now, I've got it sitting on a floor jack in the approximate location it will go in for mock-up purposes.
LOVING the way it looks.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03420.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03421.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03423.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03430.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03431.jpg

[QC97Z]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03422.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03424.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03427.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03429.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03434.jpg

[Fastbird]

That thing is SOOOOOO bad. Awesome.

[OVA1]

Nasty...

But I think the thing it says most is "Ya cain't hide money...".

Keep'em comin'.

[QC97Z]

That thing is SOOOOOO bad. Awesome.

Lol thanks man! It means a lot coming from a legend.

John did INCREDIBLE work on these. they look perfect, and the O2's are going to be very well-hidden.
I'll probably pull them off, do some sanding on them to smooth them out a bit more (mostly on the welded joints on the primaries that were ground) and get them shipped off to coating.


Nasty...

But I think the thing it says most is "Ya cain't hide money...".

Keep'em comin'.

Ha thanks man. I'd be just about freakin done by now if it weren't for the body work. I have no patience for that shit...it's difficult to get through.

[OVA1]

Lol thanks man! It means a lot coming from a legend.

John did INCREDIBLE work on these. they look perfect, and the O2's are going to be very well-hidden.
I'll probably pull them off, do some sanding on them to smooth them out a bit more (mostly on the welded joints on the primaries that were ground) and get them shipped off to coating.



Ha thanks man. I'd be just about freakin done by now if it weren't for the body work. I have no patience for that shit...it's difficult to get through.

LOL! I can't imagine adding body work to the list of 'things to do...'. But you will get through it, and when you do... whatta ridiculous ride you're gonna have. You best look into some cheek-numbing-stuff... so you don't hurt yourself with that perma-grin you're going to be stuck with. OH! and by the looks of those open headers standing off the cock-pit, I'd recommend some world-class ear-pro'.

[QC97Z]

^ They've got baffles in them.........

Ear protection's for sissies!
Just kidding. If they end up being too loud, I'll have to get some hearing protection or figure something else out.

[RealQuick]

Brett, looks great! First time doing headers like that... Thanks for the oppottunity to help out!

[QC97Z]

^ Thank YOU. I believe, of all of the "cool" and unique things I have planned for this build, the headers are what's going to make this car.

[FormulaJoe]

F'n SAWEEEET!

[94Blackbird]

Dude, that thing is AWESOME!

[Fastbird]

Would love to know if there's any updates here.....

[popo8]

Would love to know if there's any updates here.....

Agreed... totally forgot about this.


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[QC97Z]

Hey guys....LONG time. I just happened to log on because I got an email due to a private message.
To make a long story short...my life's been a wreck. Work, women, etc. have my time in a bind and my head not in the game. Although I'm sure it's nothing compared to the shit PoPo's been through (or may still be going through).
I am now single again (unfortunately) and may soon be back on a more regular work schedule that doesn't have me sleeping-->work-->sleep-->repeat. This should allow me to get back on the wagon and get some work done. I'm usually my happiest in the garage working, it's therapeutic.

Some work has been done on the T, but it's been few and far between. I have front shocks done, the door jambs set, and some internal bracing done on the body. Also shortened the rear section of the frame and mounted the fuel tank, looks GREAT. Still have a LOT of body work to do before I can get the seat in, then the pedals, etc.

I miss the forum, but at the moment I barely have enough time to get my domestic crap taken care of on the weekends.
I hope everyone is doing well, and I will update this thread with pics as soon as I am able.

-Brett-

[Fastbird]

Brett, thanks for the update man. Sorry to hear about all the troubles. Hopefully everything gets sorted out in time and things will return to some semblance of normalcy for you.

[popo8]

Thanks for updating man... We understand... Life gets in the way.

Co-Owner/Admin @ LTXtech.com

[QC97Z]

Alright guys....GOOD EVENING. It's been a long time, and I feel like I've finally got my shit straightened out and back in the saddle with life.
Finally going to update what I've been working on since the last update.....which was FOREVER ago.
I'm getting some motivation to work on this thing...I want it done by next spring and I'm tired of looking at it being partway done.
Uploading pics off the camera now...

[CamaroZGuy]

Welcome back! Cant wait to see the update.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Fastbird]

*Gives standing ovation* Yaay!!!!!!!!!!

Posted from my Rooted and ICS'd Rezound

[popo8]

welcome back... waiting for pics!

MEMBER @ LTXtech.com

[QC97Z]

Just a teaser to show you guys what I've been working on since I last posted..
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/Lathe Restoration/DSC03687.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/Lathe Restoration/DSC03687.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/Lathe Restoration/DSC03737.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/Lathe Restoration/DSC03737.jpg.html)
It's a 1943 LeBLond Model 13 Rapid Production lathe - Started its life on a military base making parts for WWII equipment, ended up on my local military installation (Rock Island Arsenal), and ended up in a dude's garage...and pretty much rotted. Mechanically, it was perfect when I bought it...it was just filthy, rusty, and needed the motor rebuilt. It'll come in really handy when I need to make some stuff...

[QC97Z]

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/DSC03733.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/DSC03733.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/DSC03734.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/2002 Harley Davidson Night Train build/DSC03734.jpg.html)

And here's my completed bike - LOVING IT. Note the custom brake and shift levers...designed and fabricated by me :)
Silver flames are actually bare steel that was ground in a swirly-type fashion, and clear-coated over. Pretty wild if you ask me!

[QC97Z]

NOW to the good part....where did I leave off? Ah yes, front shock mounting. So I needed a way to mount the front shocks, since the shock mount/headlight mount kit I bought wasn't going to work, and the shackle-mounts were not even close.
So I went to work on the computer and designed all the components...and came up with this!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03436.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03436.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03440.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03440.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03437.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03437.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03439.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03439.jpg.html)

[QC97Z]

Then out came the welder....
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03441.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03441.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03443.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03443.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03445.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03445.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03448.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03448.jpg.html)

And like magic....front shocks are on!

[QC97Z]

Then I FINALLY got my wheels and tires in that I ordered. Well...I got the tires right away. The wheels took FOREVER. I had to constantly call the company that made them, pestered them twice a week for several months. I even had to call their local PD to try to resolve the matter - they had $700 of my money, and I had no product.
They are a cool staggered setup, with super wide rear tires (wider than the Camaro). Wide white walls on red powdercoat, with chrome baby moon covers...classic, but still badass.
Looks good, but those rear tires are just way too far back from the body...kind of ugly...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03731.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03731.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03732.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03732.jpg.html)

Which leads me into the next improvement...since I'm not going to do a turtle deck (trunk-ish area) or a pickup bed, that frame's GOTTA get shorter in the rear....

[QC97Z]

After taking several measurements and seeing how the rear kick-up flows with the body (not very well at all), we decided we would trim 3" off the main frame, 9" off the rear section, and would change the kick-up angle to match the body lines better...
Cutting it apart---
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03755.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03755.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03756.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03756.jpg.html)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ POINT OF NO RETURN^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03757.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03757.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03758.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03758.jpg.html)

Ahh....MUCH better!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03761.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03761.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03763.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03763.jpg.html)

Please excuse the mess in the front...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03765.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03765.jpg.html)

[QC97Z]

Then it was time to figure out how to mount up the fuel tank....

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03766.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03766.jpg.html)

I had to cut a contour in the front tube for the panhard bar, so I welded in a bent filler piece to seal the tube from the elements.
I also decided to drill holes through the tube and weld in some bushings, so the tube would remain sealed and have a decent pass-through for mounting bolts.

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03767.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03767.jpg.html)

All mounted up!

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03768.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03768.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03769.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03769.jpg.html)
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03770.jpg (http://s846.photobucket.com/user/qc97z/media/1927 Model T Roadster Hot Rod/DSC03770.jpg.html)

[QC97Z]

The structure in the rear of the body is now done, and I'm getting ready to figure out exactly where my seat will be, so pedals and steering column can get installed. At that point, it will be time to fabricate my speaker boxes to go up under the cowl in the front, as well as frame in the front section of the body for rigidity and prep it for mounting electrical stuff - fuse box, PCM, accessories, etc.
Stay tuned! More to come...hopefully MUCH sooner than this last haitus.

[QC97Z]

And thanks for the welcome back wishes guys, always appreciated and makes a guy feel like people care.
You guys are awesome!

[popo8]

And thanks for the welcome back wishes guys, always appreciated and makes a guy feel like people care.
....

u are!

&

we do!

MEMBER @ LTXtech.com

[QC97Z]

Holy crap guys! Life has been a wild ride to say the least since....scrolling up...2013????
So, I'm 35 now, and shit's been interesting for several years. Been doing a lot of growing up. Starting to feel older and on blood pressure pills already;
I won't go into a ton of detail, but life is good, I still have my 97 Z (although it's for sale...) and FINALLY got motivated again for the '27 Roadster in late 2017.

I will be updating the build thread again as things move along! Already dumped a bunch of money in it, and looking back at my foolish estimates on how much $$ this will take...I was WAAAYYY off as usual.
Plan is to be assembled/running by Winter 2019, tear it down and paint, and have it ready and on the road by Summer 2020.

So glad to see you all still kickin' here, and that some of you haven't forgotten about lil 'ol me. This is my only form of social media that I really participate in besides snapchat on occasion. I'm a hermit now!

More to come SOON! I won't fall off the radar again (at least for awhile....) Items for sale from the build that I've decided not to use will be in the FS section, some good stuff!
To the top....

[QC97Z]

So I had to read back through the thread to re-familiarize myself, because it's been THAT LONG. For all of you folks that have been following this and saw me drop off the face of the Earth, I'm truly sorry for leaving you all hanging.
I ended up buying my first house (still living there) in November of 2013. Home ownership, chicks that have come and gone, bills, other motorcycles, lots of side work for other people's cars, and a job that gets tough on me have all played a part.
My place in the world has changed dramatically, as have my interests and responsibilities. I'm now sitting pretty good - emotionally, physically, financially. Took on a new position at Deere in Technical Support, where I get to help dealer techs figure out issues with machines remotely - right up my alley. There will be some travel involved too, which is great for me since I don't seem to get out much.
Any of you guys that deal with anxiety and depression - I now know exactly how you feel and what you go through. I've been there these past 6 years. To hell and back.

To catch you up on the build (YES, I will be posting pics soon), I've learned some things:
-DON'T put your trust in shops you don't know. They will screw you over. Get a hard estimate, and stick to that estimate. Get up the shop's ass if the work isn't "almost" complete and the estimate/money runs out.
-NOTHING costs what you think it will.
-There are always more than 3-5,000 ways to skin a cat when it comes to hot rod building. As soon as you think you have a plan of attack, there are tons of other ways to achieve the same goal, or someone else has done it in a way that looks cooler. Or, as soon as you get something done - you think of a cooler way yourself.

Since the last post with pics, there have been 2 major roadblocks that I've overcome.
1) Body work. I am NOT a body guy, and fiberglass is a dying art.
I've had my car to 3 body shops now. The first is in Barrington, IL (I won't mention their name, PM me if you are in that area and want to stay away from them). They took $2K of my money, had my car for over a year, and did very little with it. What they did do, ended up having to be ripped out and re-done by someone else. The guys there know what they're doing mechanically and with old stuff, they're just not really that great with custom fiberglass body fabrication. They built the trans tunnel, which turned out pretty nice. Everything else was not very good.
The second shop was much more local to me. The guy had my car for 4 months, didn't take a deposit from me, and didn't do squat with it. I ended up taking the car back and searching for another shop.
The third and final shop that actually did decent work and finished it (to the tune of about $9K.....that's another story altogether) is a Corvette specialist with custom fabricating experience. They finished the car up in a matter of a few months and it looks pretty good. It will need a bit more massaging before paint, but TONS better than anyone else. I can take it from here.

2) Title work. Illinois has extremely strict rules for titling a "custom street rod". Not only are the rules strict, but the folks in Springfield enforcing these rules aren't even totally educated on them, and everyone I talked to had a different idea of what the rules actually are and how they'd be enforced. I was actually told at one point that the car would have to have all emissions and safety systems of any 2017 vehicle if the title were to be a 2017 "street rod".
I ended up getting ahold of the manufacturer of the chassis. Being that they are a licensed automobile manufacturer AND car dealer, they were able to get me a clean title with VIN and just did a title transfer....after a couple months of emailing back and forth.
Maybe they should have mentioned they could get me a clean title from the beginning.....

So now, body work is done and I have a clean, clear, Illinois title in my name as a 1927 Ford Roadster. Sweet! Now onto some pics when I can get back into my photobucket account...

[popo8]

So I had to read back through the thread to re-familiarize myself, because it's been THAT LONG. For all of you folks that have been following this and saw me drop off the face of the Earth, I'm truly sorry for leaving you all hanging.
I ended up buying my first house (still living there) in November of 2013. Home ownership, chicks that have come and gone, bills, other motorcycles, lots of side work for other people's cars, and a job that gets tough on me have all played a part.
My place in the world has changed dramatically, as have my interests and responsibilities. I'm now sitting pretty good - emotionally, physically, financially. Took on a new position at Deere in Technical Support, where I get to help dealer techs figure out issues with machines remotely - right up my alley. There will be some travel involved too, which is great for me since I don't seem to get out much.
Any of you guys that deal with anxiety and depression - I now know exactly how you feel and what you go through. I've been there these past 6 years. To hell and back.

To catch you up on the build (YES, I will be posting pics soon), I've learned some things:
-DON'T put your trust in shops you don't know. They will screw you over. Get a hard estimate, and stick to that estimate. Get up the shop's ass if the work isn't "almost" complete and the estimate/money runs out.
-NOTHING costs what you think it will.
-There are always more than 3-5,000 ways to skin a cat when it comes to hot rod building. As soon as you think you have a plan of attack, there are tons of other ways to achieve the same goal, or someone else has done it in a way that looks cooler. Or, as soon as you get something done - you think of a cooler way yourself.

Since the last post with pics, there have been 2 major roadblocks that I've overcome.
1) Body work. I am NOT a body guy, and fiberglass is a dying art.
I've had my car to 3 body shops now. The first is in Barrington, IL (I won't mention their name, PM me if you are in that area and want to stay away from them). They took $2K of my money, had my car for over a year, and did very little with it. What they did do, ended up having to be ripped out and re-done by someone else. The guys there know what they're doing mechanically and with old stuff, they're just not really that great with custom fiberglass body fabrication. They built the trans tunnel, which turned out pretty nice. Everything else was not very good.
The second shop was much more local to me. The guy had my car for 4 months, didn't take a deposit from me, and didn't do squat with it. I ended up taking the car back and searching for another shop.
The third and final shop that actually did decent work and finished it (to the tune of about $9K.....that's another story altogether) is a Corvette specialist with custom fabricating experience. They finished the car up in a matter of a few months and it looks pretty good. It will need a bit more massaging before paint, but TONS better than anyone else. I can take it from here.

2) Title work. Illinois has extremely strict rules for titling a "custom street rod". Not only are the rules strict, but the folks in Springfield enforcing these rules aren't even totally educated on them, and everyone I talked to had a different idea of what the rules actually are and how they'd be enforced. I was actually told at one point that the car would have to have all emissions and safety systems of any 2017 vehicle if the title were to be a 2017 "street rod".
I ended up getting ahold of the manufacturer of the chassis. Being that they are a licensed automobile manufacturer AND car dealer, they were able to get me a clean title with VIN and just did a title transfer....after a couple months of emailing back and forth.
Maybe they should have mentioned they could get me a clean title from the beginning.....

So now, body work is done and I have a clean, clear, Illinois title in my name as a 1927 Ford Roadster. Sweet! Now onto some pics when I can get back into my photobucket account...Dear Gawd man... the car stuff alone sounds like a nightmare... glad u persisted though.

Also,

Happy for u for getting thebrest of ur stuff in line... life happens to all of us, sometimes without warning. Believe me, we understand.

Now...

Looking forward to those pics .

LTXtech.com is my drug...

[QC97Z]

Since my extra stupid-long hiatus, some developments have happened. The car still looked the same as the last pic set in the thread prior to heading to the first body shop, and all the first body shop effectively did with my $2K was waste time and money, but made an OK trans tunnel. It can be seen in some of the later pics.
At the Corvette shop, some work finally got underway! First, they started by realizing that the right side of the body, as it swept around from the rear to the right, was pulled in toward the center of the car a couple inches at the top! This looked horrendous when they tried to start working on the doors. Keep in mind that most T-buckets only have one door, or no doors at all. This one is.....special? They ended up taking a sawzall to it, and resetting it with body plastic.
Next the door halves got put together, notched for the hinges, and getting them hung:
https://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180813_143129.jpg

Once they got hung and straightened out, the tiny little bearjaw latches that the first body shop said would never work.....were in and latching! Way better than stupid shed door things the first rod shop was suggesting. Safety first!
These will end up eventually being actuated by a small chrome steel ball lever I picked up from a hot rod parts site.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180813_143145.jpg

Then they started slinging A LOT of body plastic, and blocking it, and body plastic, and blocking it....
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122743.jpg

I don't think I mentioned this before, but after thinking for awhile about what I wanted to do for taillights (and probably having watched Straight Outta Compton), I had an epiphany - what about '64 Impala taillights, turned on their sides and set up toward the top of the body, right on the corners so the lenses would face straight back? The body shop guy says (while smoking a cigarette and simultaneously using an oxygen tank) - I LIKE IT!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122753.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122804.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122814.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122820.jpg

Pretty unique, eh?

After that, it was time for more blocking...
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20180929_122854.jpg

That's enough for now. Tune in tomorrow for more!

[QC97Z]

Ready for more? Along with the taillights, I thought a flush-mounted LED reverse light, centered in the back of the body and set a little higher, would look really neat. So, that went in next.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114446.jpg

Next we discussed plans for the windshield. I had bought some cool smooth-style short posts that were just a cast piece, and we wanted the hardware to be hidden. I lined them up how I wanted as far as angle and distance from the back surface of the cowl, and marked them. Holes were pre-drilled at the appropriate angles, and the posts were sent off to a local machine shop to be drilled and tapped to the appropriate angle. I would do work like this at my place, and a handheld power drill probably would have been fine, but I didn't want to take a chance, screw it up, have to buy new posts, etc. Keep in mind, everything I had done at the body shop takes time - and costs money. Some things are better off just leaving to the pros.
Never mind the horrible looking windshield template; this was just cut to help align the posts properly. The guys at the body shop ended up making a really nice masonite template with a slight arc at the top. I DID NOT like the straight windshield look with a curved cowl. Just didn't do it for me.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181215_164542.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181215_164606.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181215_164619.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181215_164641.jpg

Here's how the body looks today! Primered and not quite paint-ready, but there will be plenty of stuff to do before that ever gets close to happening.
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114334.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114344.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114356.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114410.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114451.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_114327.jpg

Doesn't this look mean??
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_120737.jpg

And a good side view:
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20181027_175434.jpg

[QC97Z]

Sometime in the last couple years, I also was thinking about fuel management. I wanted to keep this thing injected, so I worked with a company out in California that builds custom fuel tanks, and had them build another one just like pictured on the car, but raw (ready to be chromed), has custom baffles in it to help prevent slosh/fuel starvation on the line/fittings side and keep a solid gauge reading on the sender side, a custom sender flange, and an internal return line that sends returned fuel back to the middle of the tank to prevent the return/supply swirl.
Turned out pretty sweet I think....
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/IMG_2528.jpg
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/IMG_2273.jpg

[QC97Z]

As of now you've seen the latest on the car. At the moment, my DD is in the garage undergoing some surgery (timing set, water pump, tensioner, heater hoses, transmission solenoids, new trans line, all new front suspension components, new control arms in rear, etc) and the roadster is trapped in the other garage bay.

Soon, it will head out to get a seat frame built. As much as I'd like to buy a tubing bender, a bunch of tube, and dick around with it for awhile, I'm wanting to maintain some progress - so it will go to the machine/fab shop that did the windshield posts. It's local (like a 6 minute drive from the house) and it will only take a couple weeks. They're a popular place and need to keep their space freed up for new work - so they have incentive to get it done quickly.

I have tons of parts from Jegs and Summit waiting for me at the house, along with tons of other parts in the attic.
There won't be a ton of progress on the car for probably about a month or so, but i will definitely post and put up some pics of parts I have, my plans for the car, how my vision has changed over the years for it, etc.

Currently there are a couple of major hurdles to get over before "the fun part" starts - I have to figure out pedals. The first pedal set I showed in my thread wasn't going to work - even with the swing pedals separated from the master cylinders. The T56 is so long and the chassis is so narrow, I had to come up with something else.
So, I picked up a Wilwood 3-in-1 set, they're floor mounted and race-style. The master cylinders are mounted right to the assembly with front/rear bias bar integrated, it's a pretty nice package. They look pretty mean too, black and full of holes - which I will likely model my custom fabricated shifter out of. However, I still don't know if they're gonna fit! Since the trans tunnel is flared, they'll have less room the further forward they're pushed. Because of this....I have to know where I'm going to be sitting in the car, hence why the seat needs to come first. You can see them in this old pic before it left for the first body shop that made the tunnel. Even without the tunnel taking up a couple extra inches of width, it's pretty tight!
http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab28/qc97z/1927%20Model%20T%20Roadster%20Hot%20Rod/20170124_232549.jpg

That's all for now folks. See you soon!


Once the pedals are figured out, I can set up and get my steering column mounted. From there, it's all fun stuff!

[shownomercy]

That is screaming for a big ole gear driven F1x up front.

Just sayin.

[QC97Z]

That is screaming for a big ole gear driven F1x up front.

Just sayin.Lol! It's already going to have way more power than it needs with just a cam. How much do you think this thing weighs???

That would be pretty awesome though...

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