My new engines (well, sort of...)

[benT]

So I'm perusing Craigslist the other day under the search of "Hot Rod" and I stumble upon an ad for mockup engines. I've thought it would be nice to have one in SBC and SBF for hot rod chassis set-up, but at $300 a pop, its always been more than I'd want to spend. I made a quick call then headed out to look at them. After a little haggling, I'm now ready to set up for a SBC, SBF, SBF 351W, or BBC. All for about the price of one new one. Now will I ever use then all? I dunno, but at least they'll make cool conversation pieces!

 

[Zack]

That's cool, never know when you might need one.

 

[sstock]

With your skills Ben, you should be in the hotrod building business. This could be your start, now get going.

 

[T-Test]

With your skills Ben, you should be in the hotrod building business. This could be your start, now get going.

X2 Better get building!!

 

[benT]

Ha! I wish... I'm about burnt out in this architecture gig I have...Its definitely a changing world and I'm not sure I like where it is headed! I'd love to build rods for a living but from what I see, its no cakewalk--and there are no shortage of folks trying to do it. Until I drastically change what I'm doing in my daytime job, I'll stick to building stuff for my family and friends. We do have a sweet new "hot rod" shop setup that I haven't shown you all yet...plenty of room for more tools and a few new rides!

 

[RPM]

We have the Ford and Chevy blocks, it sure makes life easier. At just about 12 lbs each, even I can pick them up. Now you need some empty trans cases to bolt to them. Check with some local trans shops for cases that are not buildable, and just buy them for scrap price.

 

[benT]

Good tip Ron...We're supposed to be getting a TH350 short tailshaft case soon from a friend to continue mockup on our '23 project. I'll probably pick up a junk c4 case if I stumble across one. Our new shop has a lot of overhead storage (and accessible with the forklift!), so I wont feel bad about picking up stuff like that.

Oh well...I'm off to start organizing the new shop space. When we moved, all the tools and car stuff got dumped in there with no rhyme or reason. Now I need to make it usable. Pics will be forthcoming!

 

[Mike]

When I worked at Murf's, we were always on the look-out for blocks we could grab for the jigs. The problem was the price of new blocks would always make welding one a better deal. So we would have to rely on the ultra-low budget guys gutting one, to get a core.

Ben, building for other people can be incredibly satisfying. Whether it was watching Scott Kalitta win a World Championship in a car we had built, watching someone win races and championships with engines we had built, or just watching guys set records and win races with carbs I had done, the satisfaction level was always a wonderful high. But there were always the days when the ultra-high dollar dry sump oil pan that had been allegedly welded on a jig would refuse to fit and you would have to waste hours trying to make it fit. So you come to find it's a job like any other, there are good days and there are bad days. But when you get to do something you really love to do and get paid to do it, that's pretty hard to beat.

 

[benT]

Mike: When I was in the shop today there was a box labeled "Murf" next to a pile of parts from DSR and JFR. I asked Dad about it and yep, we're doing Kephos coating for them now.

As for building stuff, I would have to say I would love to do something in the "biz" and I've definitely given a lot of thought to how I can "spin-off" a business from our coating shop. We have extra space, and all the infrastructure and tools are there. I just need the great idea/product!

 

[sstock]

Mike: When I was in the shop today there was a box labeled "Murf" next to a pile of parts from DSR and JFR. I asked Dad about it and yep, we're doing Kephos coating for them now.

As for building stuff, I would have to say I would love to do something in the "biz" and I've definitely given a lot of thought to how I can "spin-off" a business from our coating shop. We have extra space, and all the infrastructure and tools are there. I just need the great idea/product!

Lets see you have new shop space,forklift, fixtures, room for more stationary tools, next a frame jig table and you are off to hot rod building. Your destiny I think,lol.

 

[Mike]

Mike: When I was in the shop today there was a box labeled "Murf" next to a pile of parts from DSR and JFR. I asked Dad about it and yep, we're doing Kephos coating for them now.

If you ever talk to Muffin, tell him I said hi. Although calling him "Muffin" might not be the best place for you to start.

As for building stuff, I would have to say I would love to do something in the "biz" and I've definitely given a lot of thought to how I can "spin-off" a business from our coating shop. We have extra space, and all the infrastructure and tools are there. I just need the great idea/product!

I think you're just a cat's whisker away from taking the step. And best of luck to you, the day you do.