AmericanGraffiti's Project Diary

[AmericanGraffiti]

The old radiator was too small, in my estimation, and since I plan to drive this car in parades and cruises I know I am going to need a good piece. I bought a "Rand" brand radiator that is much larger than the one that was on the car and priced reasonably. But, it was too large for the tractor nose, so it was time to break out the plasma cutter and start some customizing:

It's scary when you cut a piece of vintage iron into pieces!

 

[Keeper]

Just make sure to leave room to fill the rad. I made that mistake and had to get the filler relocated, which caused other issues, like leaks where the new tube went.

 

[bobs66440]

Looks great! I Like it!!

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Here is the old steering box and column that I removed from the car. It is a Ford box of some type, perhaps from a tractor? Do any of you recognize it? It says "FoMoCo" on it:

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

I have mocked up my RPM 10 gallon gas tank and Speedway 20" bed. Much to do still, but the mock up is proving to be to my liking

 

[bobs66440]

The mock-up stage is probably the most important part of a build. It keeps you motivated to keep going

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Nothing is setting square, but here is a general pic of the Speedway Motors bed from behind...imagine this with a set of 59 Cadillac tail lights!!!! I'll share some pics of that soon:

 

[john dioli]

cool your getting there
John

 

[Indycars]

Here is the old steering box and column that I removed from the car. It is a Ford box of some type, perhaps from a tractor? Do any of you recognize it? It says "FoMoCo" on it:

View attachment 10311

That looks alot like mine. Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the metal ID tag is still on your steering box. That's the best way to ID it for sure.

If yours look mine in the pic below, then this is what I've found out about my box.



C6ZR-3550A is my casting number.

My tag number is SMB A

6J19B (Box was built Sept 19, 1966)

67 Mustang SMBA Manual 19.9:1 4 5/8

6 =1966, J=Sept, Day=19 B=2nd Shift (Decoded my tag number from TBucket)

http://www.buy-steering.com/Ford-Mustang.htm

http://www.stangerssite.com/steeringboxtagdecoder.html

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Well, it has been a few weeks since I have updated this build thread. Had to take a little time off the project for other family things, but I have done a little here and there in the evenings after work. I find myself bouncing around working on different aspects of the car according to what I feel like working on. Some elements are left half done, letting me think about next steps.

One of the fun elements of a rebuild like this is mental. It seems that when I lay down at night time my mind returns to the hot rod in my shop, planning on how to build my grill shell, thinking about engine-turned aluminum panels, marine vinyl, header styles and baffles, and '59 Cadillac taillights. These are sweet visions as I drift off to dreamland thinking how blessed I am to have a great family and the resources to build a car such as this.

The latest updates are below. I took the body back off again so that I could add some more robust bracing beneath than the 1" angle iron that existed there previously. The photo shows some of the rougher aspects of my car, a rear subframe that was added on and cobbled together. The design is sound, however and makes for a very unique and functional rear suspension.

I also built a rear subframe of my own for mounting the gas tank and shocks. My original plan was to use friction shocks, but I am not confident that would provide adequate riding comfort. Instead, I used the gas shocks and mounts that I had removed from the front of the car. This set-up fits well in the T bucket bed.

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Next, I replaced the body (this is getting to be very hard on my 47 year-old back!) and started to mock-up the brake pedal and steering column. I just purchased these from RPM (love his stuff by the way!) and was excited to install them.

One of the aesthetic challenges with my long and low car is that there was about a 9 " gap from the firewall to the engine. The more I looked at it in earlier mock-ups the more that gap drew my eye. I am aware that traditionally, master cylinders are mounted beneath the floor in this type of car, but I wanted to play with a firewall mounted master cylinder to see if that would help to fill the gap behind the engine (this was one of those bedtime ideas). RPM makes a nice brake pedal-master cylinder combo at a reasonable price, so I made the purchase and installed it. That is the first photo below (note my dirt track modified in the background...the engine is pulled and being cleaned for the T Bucket build...it should be a pretty stout piece in a car this light weight).

Then, I decided to play with the steering column location. My human body is built kind of funny (thanks God and Genetics!): long legs, short torso, and long arms. So this step took some thinking as I sat in the car and wrestled with a steering wheel and tape measure to find a comfortable spot. I plan to sit low in the car, but this mocked up location seems to work for me. I welded a temporary mount to the RPM brake pedal frame to hold it in location for further processing. Anyway, this is a humble build from Indiana from a factory worker and family man. I hope you are enjoying it!!

 

[old round fart]

If you don't like the gap between the motor and the firewall do what I did to my Avitar car. It also makes a real good to put your feet!

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

If you don't like the gap between the motor and the firewall do what I did to my Avitar car. It also makes a real good to put your feet!

Thanks for the response and love that wild T Bucket! I had thought about extending my cowl, but I admit I am not real good at bodywork. So, my best effort was to "fill the gap with crap" so to speak. I'm hopeful this concept will work. I plan to put my transmission cooler and a finned fuel filter on the firewall also to help. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it just might work!! Perhaps I could mount my "ahoogah" horn on the firewall also! Cool!

 

[old round fart]

Building these things is a learning experience. I had never done any body work when I built that car and it came out pretty good. I'm just glad I didn't have to pay anybody by the hours I spent! Now with the internet and this website YOU can do it way better and easier. When I built that car I had never seen another bucket except in magazines. It was 1970. You can do way more than you think you can. Go for it!

 

[RatchetRob]

Looks great so far! I also like the "thinking" process. When I am in the shower or laying in bed, I am thinking of how I should do something or what the next step is. My problem is lack of funds right now due to so much summer fun! lol But with the days getting shorter and cooler temps I am getting anxious to get my project going. Keep us posted please!

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Looks great so far! I also like the "thinking" process. When I am in the shower or laying in bed, I am thinking of how I should do something or what the next step is. My problem is lack of funds right now due to so much summer fun! lol But with the days getting shorter and cooler temps I am getting anxious to get my project going. Keep us posted please!

Ratchet. you should definitely schedule some shop time for yourself...I will truly enjoy watching your build!!!!

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

Hello all! Well, after cleaning out the flower beds for the wife, I earned myself the right to spend some time in the shop. What a great way to spend a Saturday. I truly enjoy the process of building the car and hope I enjoy it this much after it is finished. I'll bet that will be enjoyable!

I mounted the headlights today and really like where I've put them: low on the frame. This was real easy, some 1 inch pipe cut and turned on the lathe, welded to the frame, and bingo! Headlight mounts! If you've seen the photos of my car as I purchased it, you'll hopefully agree this is an improvement. Here's a couple of pics of this:



Well, then I tackled the grill. I like the rat rod look, but intend to build this car with a little class also, sort of an "almost rat" car. I had this vision of the grill on the old Farmall tractor nose: horizontal "blades" with a bit of down turn for effect. I'm sure not everyone will like this look, but it is growing on me and should produce a unique look for a T Bucket. What do you think?

 

[bobs66440]

Hmmm, not sure. I think it would have more continuity if the plates were the same shape as the top of the shell, with the rounded front...and on the same angle. That would give it a cool Art-Deco look. Just my opinion.

 

[AmericanGraffiti]

I appreciate your honest opinion! It is funny, the first plate I cut followed the shape of the grill, but it looked to "fat" in my mind. I thought I'd give it a diet One thing for sure, the mass of the nose and grill exceed the capability of the little aluminum radiator mounts. I'm going to have figure that out.

 

[James C]

If you want to play around with different designs cardboard works well. Allows you to mock up different angles and shapes and then when your done you can use them for patterns. Alot easier and cheaper to cut up and bend until you settle on something.