Purple Powder Pickup
- Thread starter benT
- Start date
fordsbyjay
Active Member
I really like the updates. Thanks.
benT
Active Member
Time for an update:
We've been plugging away at the frame and suspension. Two steps forward and one step back sometimes. The concept for this bucket is to have a raked stance similar to the Kookie Kar - accomplished by the frame and rubber. When we were mocking up the rear coilovers, it was apparent that the kickup was too much, and did not allow for the gas tank to sit under the bed cover, and we were having to mount the shock to low on the frame. Instead of living with the mistake and having to compensate for it, we decided the best course of action was to cut off the rear kickup and weld in a lower one. The resulting kickup up is now about 3-1/2" total. After getting that straightened out, we got the coilovers remounted along with the panhard bar. The front is pretty close with the hairpins mounted and only shock brackets and the panhard bar to mount.
This last Saturday, we made to goal that the car was to be off the frame table and on the ground with all 4 wheels rolling before we left for the day. To accomplish this we had to mount the coilover tabs, mount the panhard bar tabs, re-assemble the rear end (for mockup), assemble the front end, powdercoat the rims, and get the tires mounted.
We spent some time accurately matching the purple paint that the body is getting, and Dennis blasted and powdercoated the rims. The powder is a dormant purple with clear that we added mica and flake to. The "dormant" term refers to the base coat that when the initial coat is put on and baked, it is more silver than purple (purple is dormant). Once you apply the clear, the purple color comes out. These dormant powders work great as the color is buried under clear like basecoat-clearcoat paints. These came out fabulous and are a perfect match to the paint.
The first of the year, we ordered the tires for the car. Dennis' concept was always to have whitewalls, but he wasn't a fan of the really wide whites- or Coker's price for them! He like the medium to smaller whites that you would see in the early 60's. We also didn't want the rears to be too wide - again the look was more like the Kookie Kar or Lighting Bug. After a long internet search, we found these GT radials that have a wider whitewall than the others and we really economical. Tires are 185/75/14's and 235/75/15's. The wheels are 14x5 and 15x7 steelies that will get baby moons and maybe trim rings.
We reached the goal and we were all really please with the stance and how everything is coming together. The stance and rake is just as we planned (especially once the front end gets some weight), and the body fit on well. The tank now fits and the shock mounting is not awkward as it was. It may not seem like much, but getting the car somewhat put together and rolling on 4 wheels is a major milestone to us on our projects. At this point the T really looks like a car and you can start to see the finish! Obviously there is a lot of work yet to do, but it sure seems easier when your not just looking a disjointed pile of parts. The excitement of getting to this milestone should help the energy level to get the car done sooner. Here are some pics of the wheels getting powdered and the rolling chassis.
We've been plugging away at the frame and suspension. Two steps forward and one step back sometimes. The concept for this bucket is to have a raked stance similar to the Kookie Kar - accomplished by the frame and rubber. When we were mocking up the rear coilovers, it was apparent that the kickup was too much, and did not allow for the gas tank to sit under the bed cover, and we were having to mount the shock to low on the frame. Instead of living with the mistake and having to compensate for it, we decided the best course of action was to cut off the rear kickup and weld in a lower one. The resulting kickup up is now about 3-1/2" total. After getting that straightened out, we got the coilovers remounted along with the panhard bar. The front is pretty close with the hairpins mounted and only shock brackets and the panhard bar to mount.
This last Saturday, we made to goal that the car was to be off the frame table and on the ground with all 4 wheels rolling before we left for the day. To accomplish this we had to mount the coilover tabs, mount the panhard bar tabs, re-assemble the rear end (for mockup), assemble the front end, powdercoat the rims, and get the tires mounted.
We spent some time accurately matching the purple paint that the body is getting, and Dennis blasted and powdercoated the rims. The powder is a dormant purple with clear that we added mica and flake to. The "dormant" term refers to the base coat that when the initial coat is put on and baked, it is more silver than purple (purple is dormant). Once you apply the clear, the purple color comes out. These dormant powders work great as the color is buried under clear like basecoat-clearcoat paints. These came out fabulous and are a perfect match to the paint.
The first of the year, we ordered the tires for the car. Dennis' concept was always to have whitewalls, but he wasn't a fan of the really wide whites- or Coker's price for them! He like the medium to smaller whites that you would see in the early 60's. We also didn't want the rears to be too wide - again the look was more like the Kookie Kar or Lighting Bug. After a long internet search, we found these GT radials that have a wider whitewall than the others and we really economical. Tires are 185/75/14's and 235/75/15's. The wheels are 14x5 and 15x7 steelies that will get baby moons and maybe trim rings.
We reached the goal and we were all really please with the stance and how everything is coming together. The stance and rake is just as we planned (especially once the front end gets some weight), and the body fit on well. The tank now fits and the shock mounting is not awkward as it was. It may not seem like much, but getting the car somewhat put together and rolling on 4 wheels is a major milestone to us on our projects. At this point the T really looks like a car and you can start to see the finish! Obviously there is a lot of work yet to do, but it sure seems easier when your not just looking a disjointed pile of parts. The excitement of getting to this milestone should help the energy level to get the car done sooner. Here are some pics of the wheels getting powdered and the rolling chassis.
Francis Blake
Active Member
Ben you guys do really nice work, this is a fun build to watch. That 283 will make that car very fast and be a lot of fun.
choppedtop
Well-Known Member
Looking good. The wheels almost look pearl in the last wheel picture.
Lee
Lee
Screaming Metal
Active Member
Damn Cool! I like those mock up blocks....
choppedtop
Well-Known Member
Hope you make it, and I will see you there.
Lee
Lee
Subscribed. I really like the way this build is going.
benT
Active Member
Alright, time for a short update:
We've been hard at it. Primary focus is getting anything frame related done. I designed some shock mounts for the speedway shorty shocks and had them waterjet cut from 3/8" plate. Installed and mounted. Dad fabbed up the master cylinder mount and pedal. We had the pedal arms cut out as well and he tigged them up on some chrome moly tube. We got all the brake stuff we needed to run all the lines next week.
Got the 'P' logo radius rod braces welded in. This is from the company logo...and works with the "Purple Powder Pickup" project name.
We got all the body mounts, misc cross members, and other misc brackets on the frame and built the battery box and a tool box. Not much room on these things and I'm a firm believer of maximizing space as we take long trips every year in our cars. We cut, broke, and welded up some sheet metal and hung the boxes under the frame. They will be accessed from under the seat (in which the bottom will hinge). It looks tight, but there is plenty of room left for the drive shaft and we integrated a drive shaft loop. Waiting on the final drive shaft to weld in the top portion.
We also welded in a "hitch mount". I put that in 'quotes' as this will not be for any sort of towing, but a receiver for the license plate bracket and for a hitch carrier that we modified. When it gets installed, the license plate installed in the back of the hitch carrier.
In the steering dept, we got the front tie rod and draglink cut and threaded. Panhard bars are installed. We are going to swap out the rear panhard mount for one cut from 3/8" plate that looks like the front shock mounts.
On the body, we got the bed installed and glassed to the body. We got the bed floor glassed in as well. We also cut and glassed in plywood on the inside of the firewall to stiffen the firewall and give us something to screw the aluminum firewall cover to (not yet fabbed).
Started some work on the steering column. We are using the shaft and housing tube from the old Ford pickup that donated the front axle. We got bearings that will press in each end and some collars. We have a mount to weld in the steering wheel end to mount the wheel, but I was struggling with some sort of cup to hide the ugliness. One day cleaning up the shop, I stumbled across an old fuel filter that I had run on my car but took off. It occurred to me that the if we cut it up, it would be perfect for it. We did just that and once we get the seat installed in the final position, we can set the column length and finish it up.
Got the radiator fitted and mount to the frame. Bent up rad shell tabs and welded to the radiator. The radiator is one Dad had on his '27 back when it had a track nose. He had it re-cored (4 core) by Steve Long so it will be up to the task. It fits really nice. We'll have some really fine expanded metal that we'll use as a radiator screen. I used the same material on mine.
Got headers from Speedway. These are bare roadster headers. These will be the start to the exhaust. I'm planning on cutting the collectors off and doing something more early 60's in style...stay tuned! Once fabbed, we'll ceramic coat them in house.
Finally, we needed the seat badly. Remember the battery and tool box, well the seat must have a folding bottom, and I wasn't real keen on building one again, so we went the route of modifying a production one. We pulled a middle seat from a late 80's Plymouth mini-van and went at it. Today after some careful measuring, we took it apart and cut 3-1/2" out of it and welded it back together. Once 3-1/2" is taken out of the foam and re-upholstered, it will fit great. Our next step is the mounts and bottom pivot hinges. Its a simple frame and won't be too difficult to get it to articulate.
Next up on the list is the windshield. We have some NOS posts to set and we took delivery of 7/8" dia solid 6061 Alum. We will be putting the Bridgeport to task cutting the slot for the frame.
We have lots yet to do, but I feel we are on track for this summer, minus the final body paint and upholstery (that will be over the winter). Our goal is the NTBA Mt Home Nats in late June. We've already registered and this car will make it even if it is in a trailer!
Some progress pics:
We've been hard at it. Primary focus is getting anything frame related done. I designed some shock mounts for the speedway shorty shocks and had them waterjet cut from 3/8" plate. Installed and mounted. Dad fabbed up the master cylinder mount and pedal. We had the pedal arms cut out as well and he tigged them up on some chrome moly tube. We got all the brake stuff we needed to run all the lines next week.
Got the 'P' logo radius rod braces welded in. This is from the company logo...and works with the "Purple Powder Pickup" project name.
We got all the body mounts, misc cross members, and other misc brackets on the frame and built the battery box and a tool box. Not much room on these things and I'm a firm believer of maximizing space as we take long trips every year in our cars. We cut, broke, and welded up some sheet metal and hung the boxes under the frame. They will be accessed from under the seat (in which the bottom will hinge). It looks tight, but there is plenty of room left for the drive shaft and we integrated a drive shaft loop. Waiting on the final drive shaft to weld in the top portion.
We also welded in a "hitch mount". I put that in 'quotes' as this will not be for any sort of towing, but a receiver for the license plate bracket and for a hitch carrier that we modified. When it gets installed, the license plate installed in the back of the hitch carrier.
In the steering dept, we got the front tie rod and draglink cut and threaded. Panhard bars are installed. We are going to swap out the rear panhard mount for one cut from 3/8" plate that looks like the front shock mounts.
On the body, we got the bed installed and glassed to the body. We got the bed floor glassed in as well. We also cut and glassed in plywood on the inside of the firewall to stiffen the firewall and give us something to screw the aluminum firewall cover to (not yet fabbed).
Started some work on the steering column. We are using the shaft and housing tube from the old Ford pickup that donated the front axle. We got bearings that will press in each end and some collars. We have a mount to weld in the steering wheel end to mount the wheel, but I was struggling with some sort of cup to hide the ugliness. One day cleaning up the shop, I stumbled across an old fuel filter that I had run on my car but took off. It occurred to me that the if we cut it up, it would be perfect for it. We did just that and once we get the seat installed in the final position, we can set the column length and finish it up.
Got the radiator fitted and mount to the frame. Bent up rad shell tabs and welded to the radiator. The radiator is one Dad had on his '27 back when it had a track nose. He had it re-cored (4 core) by Steve Long so it will be up to the task. It fits really nice. We'll have some really fine expanded metal that we'll use as a radiator screen. I used the same material on mine.
Got headers from Speedway. These are bare roadster headers. These will be the start to the exhaust. I'm planning on cutting the collectors off and doing something more early 60's in style...stay tuned! Once fabbed, we'll ceramic coat them in house.
Finally, we needed the seat badly. Remember the battery and tool box, well the seat must have a folding bottom, and I wasn't real keen on building one again, so we went the route of modifying a production one. We pulled a middle seat from a late 80's Plymouth mini-van and went at it. Today after some careful measuring, we took it apart and cut 3-1/2" out of it and welded it back together. Once 3-1/2" is taken out of the foam and re-upholstered, it will fit great. Our next step is the mounts and bottom pivot hinges. Its a simple frame and won't be too difficult to get it to articulate.
Next up on the list is the windshield. We have some NOS posts to set and we took delivery of 7/8" dia solid 6061 Alum. We will be putting the Bridgeport to task cutting the slot for the frame.
We have lots yet to do, but I feel we are on track for this summer, minus the final body paint and upholstery (that will be over the winter). Our goal is the NTBA Mt Home Nats in late June. We've already registered and this car will make it even if it is in a trailer!
Some progress pics:
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