New Project for Spika

[spika]

Well, like I have a lot of spare time to do something with...I bought a "starter kit" for a '37 Chevy Coupe yesterday. Body is in pretty nice condition, been stripped to bare already, with a Mustang II front end already installed. Will be the first "non-pickup" for me to tackle. I've always thought a late 30's vintage coupe would be fun to build, and I couldn't hardly pass this one up. Anybody have any suggestions for sites similar to this that focus on vehicles like that? I'm certainly going to be in need of resources for parts and expertise on it like I've been able to receive from all of you on the 52 GMC.
Don't worry...I'll still be watchin' and weighin' in on this forum...I really enjoy watching your projects and seeing things come together, and still have some fine tuning to do to the GMC.

On a side note...I had decided I wanted to put a 4-row aluminum radiator into the Studester. Did a good bit of shopping around...many were in the $500-800 range. Came upon a place called Champion Cooling that offered what I was wanting for a heckova lot lower price. Decided to take a chance, as their return policy allowed for any return within 60 days, for whatever reason. It showed up this week, and I've got to say I'm pretty impressed. Craftsmanship looks quite good...not the most perfect TIG welds I've seen, but pretty decent; the tank is polished, a quality brazed core, all aluminum frame and brackets, internal trans cooler, welded neck...I don't see a thing wrong with it. Got the radiator plus a 2500 cfm electric s-blade fan for $320 delivered. I'm assuming it has to be an imported product, but it looks as well built as any I've seen. I couldn't build it for that if I had the core given to me and just had to weld the rest on. From what I see so far, I'd have to give a thumb's up to that company for quality, price, and quick service...

Now to build an aluminum shroud to enclose the back and mount the fan into-
may post a pic once that's done (even though it's not a GMC...)

 

[bowtiesr4me]

Hey Spika,
I bought from them bout 4 weeks ago,it was the 3 core. I also liked the lifetime warrenty that came with it. Got it installed intime for the Christmas parades around here. I was impressed and so was my Honey who bought it for me for Christmas!
I think you will be happy with it.
My Dad ownes a '37 Chevy 4 dr master deluxe -all original except for the
6/12 volt change and the 216 pooped out, now there is a 235 in its place. He loves it and wouldn't have it any other way.
Good Luck on yours and send pics!
Mike
In case you didn't know Dad's in tha middle

 

[bigtimjamestown]

You will be impressed with the difference it makes..... Mine is only a two row cross flow core on both my 54 with the 261 and my 61 with the 400 Hp small block and I haven't had any problems, I haven't added a drop of water to my 61 in 3 years, Just make sure you have a recovery tank. the manifold is some of my other handy work. It was for a giant catalytic converter than went in to a cannery. It's what I do to pay the bills...Big Tim

 

[vwnate1]

" Too Much Radiator "

Is an oxymoron ~ it isn't possible . the idea is : over capacity of the radiator lets the thermostat do all the actual cooling work .

I'm pleased to hear that radiator technology has improved to where a two row will do the job ~when I bought my '49 years back , it had some crappy Brand 'F' two row radiator that didn't quite keep it cool .

What is it you do @ The Cannery Tim ? .

 

[bigtimjamestown]

I'm a Millwright Nate, with the Millwrights Loc.102 for the last 14 years and before that Boiler Makers... We do cannery's, winery's, water treatment plants, power plants, airports, food processing plants and pretty much anything that comes our way.
We know a little bit about everything and a whole lot about nothing. It's one of the best jobs I've ever had, I don't have to work all the time but it pays pretty good to compensate for the slow times...

 

[Kens 50 PU]

Forums and resources!

Spika, I'm sorry to inform you, but there is no other site like this to be found on the internet! Good luck trying to find one. www.vcca.org has a forum but most of the stuff disscussed there is rebuilding to "original" specs type stuff. www.chevytalk.com has a forum but nothing to get excited about.

I hope you share some pics of the '37 with us. If it ends up looking half as good as Midnight Rose, it will be awesome.

If you plan on using some of the original parts, trim, etc, chevs of the 40's is a great place to find parts www.chevsofthe40s.com Also, The Filling Station, www.fillingstation.com Lastly, Obsolete Chevy Parts is a good source www.obschevy.com

Good luck,

Ken

 

[vwnate1]

Thanx Tim !

Wow ;

Yet another highly trained individual here .

Time was , me being a Journeyman Mechanic was a big deal , not so much anymore , C'est La Vie .

 

[spika]

Thanks for those pointers, Ken! I agree...I would be surprised if I found any other forum that has the knowledge and support and entertainment that this one does!
I will keep you all posted as this new project works its way through...not going to be a fast and furious build like the 52. I'm not sure yet what direction I will go with it...pretty sure I'll put modern power and suspension, might be fun to do something in the Westergard tradition. Will retain all of the essence of the 37 styling, but may "embellish" a bit...raked grill angle, etc. I'm certainly open to suggestions...any pics you come across that strike your fancy...post them up here and help me plan this one out!
Work is nuts right now...working on a big government quote that's taking all my attention...haven't even had the time to pull my trailer the 3 miles to bring my new acquisition home. That will hopefully slow a bit by the end of the month.
Tim...that manifold looks quite familiar...I could post some pics dang near identical from when we were building wildland fire trucks. Did a lot of tig welded stainless manifolds with butt weld fittings, welded bolt flanges, etc. Really liked Tigging S/S, but still got more satisfaction with aluminum. Miss playing with the toys now...don't get the chance anymore...

 

[bigtimjamestown]

I'm with ya on the Aluminum Spika, here's some pix from the 90's of one of my rollover jobs when I worked for Beall Trailers of California. I did major rebuilds and repairs on aluminum tanker trailers and in my spare time I built parts for my own projects like the gas tank for my 54...Big Tim...

 

[spika]

Cool! I'm actually familiar with Beall trailers...their hq is here in Billings, and I'm friends with some of the management there. They do some beautiful trailers!

Here's a couple pics of the manifolds we did for fire equipment...

 

[SinclairChevy]

Cool manifolds! The top one looks like it might become a hose tester (looks a lot like ours), but I'm not recognizing the bottom manifold. Is it part of a skid unit for a brush truck maybe?

Great work!

Damon

 

[bigtimjamestown]

Cool! I'm actually familiar with Beall trailers...their hq is here in Billings, and I'm friends with some of the management there. They do some beautiful trailers!

Here's a couple pics of the manifolds we did for fire equipment...

Nice work Spika, I didn't realize you were from Billings...

 

[spika]

Well,, not exactly from Billings...just down the road, 160 miles or so...
I've gotten acquainted with a number of manufacturers around the state...we're a large state, but remember, there's only a million of us here in MT...

 

[vwnate1]

Population #'s

Braggart ! .

 

[AZbent]

Spika, if you are going to make that '37 a traditional type hot rod go to the JalopyJournal.com. Alot of good info. They can be very standofish, and don't say the "rat rod" word on there. they will burn you plenty.
Mark

 

[coilover]

Hope yours is a little better starting material than one we did. We have a really clean two door Master that we cannibalized the front sheet metal and rear fenders from but is otherwise complete. Have cut down one door window trim and may have to cut up the others if we can't find coupe ones. Let me know if it has parts your missing. Probably won't sell any till coupe is completely finished but don't think we need many more from the 2dr. Used bear claw latches and vent window eliminator kits and modified the body to accept a 39 Buick deck lid. Now sits on a powder coated chassis with MII, Ladder bars, and coilovers on all 4 corners. Engine is a dual 4bbl 409 with a 454 crank (503ci) and the new "W" engine aluminum heads. Sorry I can't put words with the pictures but as sharp as you are you can figure them out I'd bet. Have many in progess pictures if any would help.

 

[coilover]

And a few more of it further along. You can probably guess I'm a nut on panel gaps and alignment.

 

[Blueflame236]

NIce craftsman work !

Thanks for sharing these photos.

Matinius.

Cool! I'm actually familiar with Beall trailers...their hq is here in Billings, and I'm friends with some of the management there. They do some beautiful trailers!

Here's a couple pics of the manifolds we did for fire equipment...

 

[vwnate1]

Panel Beaters

I'm forever in awe of those who can take rusty lace and make an Automobile out of it .

One of the things that keeps me slogging along step by step is : dreaming of driving my pickup to Even for total de rusting & re painting .

It's nowhere near this bad but if I don't address it soon , one day it'll be scrap as rust never sleeps .

Anyone can make an old junker road worthy , it takes a Maestro to do proper body works .