Hi all, so I just picked up this homemade body and frame on the weekend. It came with a tall deck 427 and a TH400 trans. Came with some other parts like headlights, tail lights, a seat, some extra rims and tires, and some suspension parts. I picked everything up for $650. The roof is designed to be taken off if wanted to have the roadster look.
I've done a bit of work on cars but never something this big, I plan to learn as much as I can and my girlfriends father is going to help me out along the way. There is also a local guy who has built some rat rods so he is coming over this week to give me some ideas and a game plan for where I should start. I am thinking of getting the suspension and steering working first but I'll have to see what he says. I'm unsure if I should just get a new engine like a 350 or I might just hook up the 427 for now and see how it works.
If I am looking for used older parts, do you know where the best place to get them in Ontario is? Any other ideas or suggestions along the way is appreciated.
-- Edited by gh08tu on Monday 8th of December 2014 05:55:57 PM
Welcome to Ontario Rodders, make certain you have a 454,check casting numbers and the suffix stamp on the front right bank of the engine. Tall decks are ONLY 427 & 366
John
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Reality; A test of Mind and Spirit And BODY. (`-`)
Before you invest a lot of time and money see what its going to take to get an ownership. I would think you have 650 in parts . If it's to much work to register now is the time to find out. Beside the more you put in it before getting it into your name the more tax you are going to pay. Worst case right about now would be you get a body with an ownership and drop it on your frame.
Hi and Welcome. You have certainly come to the right place, lots of good advice and for the most part they are local guys. You never included your location but Im sure you will find out quickly there are rodders near by, I have found that everyone here is willing to help. Looks like a cool project, I look forward to following your build.
A little advice:
- have a plan, its amazing how much time you can waste changing your mind.
- whatever you budgeted, DOUBLE IT
- when the grinder bites you, skin a knuckle, get burnt welding, pinch a finger, get dirt in your eye etc. etc., remember THIS IS FUN! So work safe and enjoy.
-- Edited by BAMBAM on Wednesday 10th of December 2014 11:00:51 AM
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If at first you don't succeed, GET A BIGGER HAMMER!
Before you invest a lot of time and money see what its going to take to get an ownership. I would think you have 650 in parts . If it's to much work to register now is the time to find out. Beside the more you put in it before getting it into your name the more tax you are going to pay. Worst case right about now would be you get a body with an ownership and drop it on your frame.
This is exactly what crossed my mind too.
Deal with the ownership stuff first. Due to the body and chassis being built from scratch, you also need to look into what it will cost to insure a vehicle that the gov't will most likely title as "homebuilt". When looking into insurance, don't just inquire about the cost, also look into what restrictions there may be as well.
It may be in your best interest to locate a "real" body (meaning one from a genuine manufacturer like Ford, Chev etc) that already has an ownership with it.
I am not saying you can't build what you have, just suggesting that it would probably be wise to do some research on the potential titling and insuring issues before you do anything else. Late thirties-late forties cabs, with doors are still out there and can be had for reasonable money.
You could end up with something like the pic I've included while completely avoiding the problems with getting a title issued AND it can be insured as a 1938 Chevrolet (or whatever) which won't or shouldn't raise any eyebrows at the insurance company like the tag "homebuilt" might. If you're thinking about running a small block, that 427 truck block might have some value to someone building a stroker big block.
.
-- Edited by pint and a pound on Thursday 11th of December 2014 12:17:15 PM
Picked up some parts lately. Have a full front end kit, steering parts and wiring from Ron Pope Motorsports. Seemed to be good prices compared to Speedway and in the end most parts come from Speedway anyway. Also sold my engine and trans for $650 (what I bought the whole car for) and am buying this 350sbc next weekend.
