Bucket Build Blog

Onward and upward

2009-11-30T08:12:00.003-05:00

This blog is most likely going to stay "as-is" for the indefinite future as the bucket is changing gears. As with dozens of my cars before it, the build is done and so my interest is waning. I have just acquired a new body, a new idea and some new creativity. I will be heavily using parts form this project on the next one - be sure to follow it at: http://modelabuild.blogspot.com

Last ride most likely

2009-10-12T08:59:00.002-04:00

Then away for the winter. The temps are dropping but I did take it out on Saturday for a parts store run and loved every minute of it - When I got home I snapped some pics.

Not much new, but heres a couple recent pics

2009-09-14T10:36:00.000-04:00

New grille shell!

2009-08-12T12:28:00.004-04:00

I ended up getting a wonderful shape 1928 Ford Model A grille shell from a H.A.M.B. member that I thought would fit the car a bit better, here are some of the preliminary pics

Kickdown, throttle cable and air cleaners

2009-07-17T08:45:00.003-04:00

I got my latest Summit goodies yesterday and went to work. I had to make a bracket for the cables and of course its ridiculously over-engineered, but that's what I do. The new air cleaners seem to fit the style a little better as well. I have not had a chance to drive it yet but things seem to move freely and all the adjustments look right. While there is some work setting up the Lokars in the beginning, the end result is more than worth it.

Getting into the 94's

2009-07-17T08:39:00.003-04:00

I had a weird leak that I was trying to track down and first thought is stuck float/unseated needle. Well, it turns out it was just a bad fitting but at least I got to take a couple cool pics.

Carpet be-gone

2009-07-17T08:37:00.003-04:00

The carpet was just nasty, and I still have no idea what direction I am taking the interior but I had to do something. The floor is a rubber mat - at least for now.

The gas pedal has been changed too, no pics of that yet.

Time for carbs

2009-07-10T08:22:00.005-04:00

I just got some 94s from the Dickster and started the conversion process. This was going to be mush later in the game but since Mark needed an AFB, and a spacer and whatnot I decided this is the best time for me to move forward (or backward?) to the dual 94 setup I have been thinking about.

Dick has been great so far answering questions and assisting me with the 94s that I have absolutely no knowledge about, I am sure with his help and a little patience by myself it will make for a fun setup.

Why haven't I updated this?

2009-07-07T09:45:00.003-04:00

Well, I've been enjoying the car. Pat came up for Billetproof, I did a bunch of striping we tore an engine mount out of the frame, the tranny unbolted itself from from the x-member, I have been popping over my buddy mark's checking on his build and of course dealing with the drama that is John. Oh yeah, wife, kids, family, house, etc....

So what now? Well, it's time to change gears and step up the game. Here are some random pics for your perusal.

Beauty shots.

2009-05-22T08:39:00.004-04:00

I took some time yesterday to take some decent pictures from a few different angles. You also see the new tail lights & stands on there, the belt shroud and some of the valve cover painting.

A couple large sized ones here and here.

Wheel cylinder rebuild

2009-05-22T08:35:00.002-04:00

After seeing a big of fluid on the rear drum I realized it was time for a bit of brake servicing. After disassembling everything found that a rusty buildup in the heel cylinder was the source of the leak. A quick hone and reassemble and its good as new.

Belt shroud

2009-05-22T08:31:00.002-04:00

During a junkyard with Mark (aka Wicked Hair, Hippie Man, etc) I came across this shroud from an old Volvo that I just had to have, I wasn't sure why yet but I knew it had to make it on the bucket somewhere

After a little sandblasting and paint then making a mount its on.

Trans dipstick

2009-05-22T08:30:00.001-04:00

The little metal look on the cheap proform dipstick was looking terrible so I scouted the shop for something else and I came across one of the "frankenstein" bolts from my old Miata

Satin chrome alternator

2009-05-22T08:27:00.003-04:00

Further dechroming, the alternator was a more involved one.

Tidying up

2009-05-22T08:19:00.004-04:00

I redid my vacuum lines and cleaned the badly oxidized carb, at some point I need to actually clean/rebuild it but I am still holding out for a multi carb setup.

Painted the headlight buckets

2009-05-22T08:19:00.002-04:00

The dechroming is afoot...

Spring time!

2009-05-22T08:14:00.002-04:00

Time for new springs that is, the old were saggy and had some spacers in there or ride height - even then I had some driveshaft clearance issues. A quick call to Speedway and I had some springs here a day later.

Front:

Rear:

Making bushings:

Done!

Out on woodward

2009-05-08T12:45:00.000-04:00

Just a shot John took on his phone last time out on Woodward.

A little tank art

2009-05-08T11:18:00.003-04:00

I wanted to do something that incorporated my kids names (Jacquelyn and Benjamin) and a skull I have been drawing since I was kid so I decided to do a little tank painting, the "aged" it a bit with scotch-brite.

Next on the list?

2009-04-23T21:38:00.003-04:00

Carpet. It's definitely cashed in. I am going to start looking at some carpet samples and move on to that piece next - then possibly the seats/padding after that.

Center caps

2009-04-23T21:34:00.001-04:00

I finally received the center caps from the person I got the wheels & tires from. I will take a better shot once its outside but here is a quick pic for now.

Pinstriping

2009-04-16T20:02:00.000-04:00

I decided to put my first striping down on a car tonight, it's not perfect but I like it. I have been practicing off & on on things around the garage, this is the first time I had the nerve to put paint to body.

Driveable. Finally.

2009-04-15T17:34:00.002-04:00

I just got back from a day out on the road with John and we had a blast, and the only issue that resulted was a broken weld on the lower shock mount. A quick trip back home to my MIG welder fixed that right up.

As of 10:15 tonight its ready for the road..

2009-04-14T22:15:00.003-04:00

However, it's raining - alot. I got the bucket insured and plated today, finished all of the little things (too many to list) and while some things are not exactly as I want them, all the functioning bits are, well, functioning. The rest will come piece by piece and updates here will be few and far between but I will try to keep the blog alive with new items, additions and show/meet pics.

I do have to do some updates (after the fact) that didn't hit the blog, tail lights for one and I know there are a few others.

It hit's the road tomorrow.

The overflow/recory tank COMPLETE.

2009-04-13T13:12:00.002-04:00

A VERY BIG THANKS to Matt for donating his time & materials to make the bracket to hold my overflow bottle. As with anything that we do around here, it is wonderfully excessive. Built from Delrin and securing the bottle with set screws.

License plate bracket

2009-04-13T13:11:00.002-04:00

License plate bracket and light were finished up, the plate on it is just one from my old MG that's been hanging around the garage, it will probably end up with a historic plate once complete.

Seatbelts

2009-04-13T13:10:00.001-04:00

Another sign that the end is near, seatbelts are in.

Wiring

2009-04-13T13:05:00.003-04:00

The pic doesn't show much, but it's just a glimpse of the connectors, relay and wiring that handle the fan and lights up front. The rear is getting done today

Shock mounts

2009-04-08T08:43:00.003-04:00

Not the best pic, I just snapped it this morning with my camera phone. I created the rear lower shock mounts and got them mounted up. Somewhere in the mix the rear end rolled to the point that I couldn't get the bolts back in to lower tabs so I had to remove the spring, loosen the rear end hardware, rotate it forward again and button it up.

Driveway joyriding

2009-04-06T19:13:00.002-04:00

John was over and brought his paternal entourage to play outside with my 2 delinquents so we could have a day of hot-rodding and somewhere in the mix we ended up taking the kids for "spirited" driveway runs, this is going to be a fun ride when we get it over 20! John snapped this pic of me in the bucket, outside finally.

Stripped air cleaner

2009-04-06T19:11:00.002-04:00

4 days of stripping the air cleaner to be exact. It was powder coated (poorly) from the manufacturer and I decided I didn't want it black anymore. After every chemical stripper I could find I finally gave up and just lit it on fire and let it burn, tehn I would wire brush away the charred bits, rinse & repeat. I still need to satin clear it, but this is the new look

Turn signals

2009-04-06T19:09:00.001-04:00

I finally decided on turn signals, I ended up ordering a motorcycle style "bullet" lights that went well with the headlights. After much deliberation about location John & I decided that the headlight stalks were best.

PCV & distributor vacuum

2009-03-31T21:33:00.005-04:00

I finished up the valve cover install with a new cap, PCV valve and grommet then I had to make a vacuum line for it, while I was at it I made a new one for the distributor that was a bit longer.

Wiring up the iPod controls

2009-03-31T21:31:00.001-04:00

I started wiring up the switch & potentiometer that will control the ipod power and volume, below is the back of the panel and connections.

And here is a test box for 12v that I made awhile ago from an old power supply.

A couple new vids

2009-03-29T14:01:00.004-04:00

We got the bucket fueled up and decided it was time to get it tuned and ready to run. The vids can be seen on the left side (or links below) and are just a couple I shot of John enjoying the shake of the car and the last the wonderful starting and revving. I figure within the next 2 weeks it will be on the road.

Video 1

Video 2

New valve covers

2009-03-29T13:58:00.003-04:00

Sure it's the 3rd set on the car since I got it but I think these are pure winners. I found these at a price too reasonable to pass up and they were local to John's work so he went out and grabbed them for me. The old Mickey Thompsons will be at home a my buddy Pat's project T.

Brake Lines

2009-03-29T13:56:00.003-04:00

John came by again and worked his magic with the brake lines, and donated the parts to the cause as well. Thanks alot John I am glad you were a part of this, especially this aspect.

New steering wheel

2009-03-24T18:22:00.003-04:00

New steering wheel and install kit just went on and cleaned up the interior a bit. No more bent steering wheel and goofy accordion boot install kit.

Interior going back in

2009-03-16T08:19:00.004-04:00

Yes, it really is that time. I started putting in the interior panels last night. I still need to "fine tune" them, get out the wrinkles, creases, etc

Speakers installed

2009-03-16T08:17:00.004-04:00

I painted the grills, & surrounds a charcoal grey to match a bit more with the interior, finished up the install and tested them out - more than happy!

Header wrapping

2009-03-16T08:15:00.005-04:00

Finished up wrapping including the extension pipe/baffle. This will work for now until budget permits a proper lakes style header.

Outside again

2009-03-15T08:35:00.002-04:00

For the first time since it arrived, the bucket has seen life outside of the garage.

It was a just a little push and only so I could get the garage back in order but these are all signs of assembly - which is a good thing. At this point we are putting the car together and no longer taking apart or rebuilding.

Turn signal stalk

2009-03-15T08:32:00.002-04:00

That little rubber boot on the chopped off indicator stalk has finally annoyed me enough to do something about it. I had these "bullet" license plates nuts left over from the Buick and I figured it would be a good fit. I had to grind down the stalk for the right O.D. then I used a die to thread it and then drilled out the bullet nut and tapped that to a larger diameter.

Speakers

2009-03-15T08:28:00.003-04:00

To go along with the iPod amp & console controls I have decided on a speaker setup. I have installed Soundstream 5.25" component speakers in the front upper firewall board and the crossovers in the lower. I plan on covering them in a matching grey fabric (the midwoofers at least) for a more subtle look however as it stands you really can't see them once installed.

Not an ammo box shifter console

2009-03-10T22:44:00.002-04:00

After finishing the ammo box shifter console, I decided it just wasn't me. I made something a bit more retro and also served the purpose of holding the controls for the ipod interface I made earlier. The knob, switch & light are sourced from a vintage electronics tester, the side panels are from an old Alfa Romeo.

Let's see how long this one lasts before I get tired of it :)

Ammo box shifter console

2009-03-10T07:45:00.004-04:00

The last of the wood just has to go. I have been trying to come up with something to do about covering the shifter mechanism and giving me a little room for switches & such for another project when my neighbor (and very good friend) brought over a few old ammo boxes - again, this is where having a plasma cutter makes you do weird things.

The old:

the new:

all cut up:

and a little before & after:

It still needs to be cleaned up and the rough cuts smoothed but this is the basic look that I was going for.

Bullet dipstick handle

2009-03-10T07:43:00.003-04:00

The bent chrome piece just wasn't doing it for me and shell casings area always readily available around here so I decided to give it a try.

First striping on the car

2009-03-10T07:42:00.002-04:00

Not the best and I am not sure if it's going to stay but I finally got up the nerve to put some lines down on the car.

No updates . . .

2009-02-26T10:35:00.001-05:00

No updates at the moment, just ordering parts, figuring out a few things and paint work. In the coming week the visuals should start happening again.

Just a cool shot

2009-02-22T20:55:00.001-05:00

Overflow/recovery/puke tank

2009-02-22T20:51:00.002-05:00

This is my setup for a recovery/overflow bottle. This was an aluminum Mountain Dew bottle that was put out last year that I held on to because I knew it would be useful someday. The top line comes from the radiator and goes to the bottom of the bottle. The bottom line goes up through the bottle and ends a few inches shy of the top. This will allow coolant to be recovered but overflow if it begins to fill too much.

The beginnings of sound

2009-02-22T20:46:00.003-05:00

I have no intention on putting a head unit, radio, cd player, etc in the bucket but I do need some sort of tunes. I don't have the speakers that will go in yet but I did start building the iPod interface.

This basically consist of a mini-amp (says 500w but its really a 40w rms amp) adn a Belkin ipod adapter. I gutted the Belkin adapter for it's power and interface, removed the inputs from the amp and mashed it all together and surprisingly enough it works very well. The volume control was also extended so I can put it wherever I want, I just have to figure out where that is.

Windshield brackets have arrived

2009-02-20T08:23:00.004-05:00

The windshield mounts arrived from Speedway yesterday so I started to mock them up and fit the windshield.

Finishing up the dashboard

2009-02-20T08:17:00.007-05:00

I made the inner skeleton that supports the dashboard and braces the windshield, cleaned & painted and put the dash lights in. I still need to do some minor tweaking, fully mount the gauges and of course add a little pinstriping.

Making the dashboard

2009-02-17T23:12:00.004-05:00

I have had a hard time trying to come up with exactly how I wanted to do the dashboard, and what I wanted to use and jokingly I have been saying that somehow I need to use the 3 foot valve cover off of my '52 Buick somewhere on the car.

Well, this is why people shouldn't own plasma cutters :)

The gauge holes still need to be cleaned up, nothing is aligned yet just set in for pics, I need lights for turn & high beams and the old oil fill hole will get a nice cap and a 12v socket behind it.

Windshield mockup

2009-02-16T08:30:00.005-05:00

John came by this past Sunday and besides the general admiring, sitting and pretending we did get a couple things accomplished. A few things we did not snap pic's of such as the brake line work, fitting, suspension measurement, etc. However, I did snap a shot after we trimmed down the windshield and started setting it up in place. Instead of brackets I have mounted a Widitron in the cab to hold it up, rather sturdy but a bit obtrusive.

3 words...

2009-02-16T08:26:00.002-05:00

Wide White Walls

I picked up these Coker Classic wide white wall tires on Friday (actually, my neighbor did - saved me a trip) and they are mounted on Astro Supremes.

The tank is here!

2009-02-16T08:21:00.002-05:00

A little later than expected but I am definitely satisfied with the purchase, it's a spun aluminum 10x33 (13 gallon) tank with a 1/4npt center outlet, tank mounted gauge and offset inlet. The tank straps will be covered with leather belts for a more vintage look.

Pinstriping practice

2009-02-16T08:18:00.003-05:00

Just playing around a bit more with pinstriping, I did my band saw and one of the stools in the garage, the stool is already a little scuffed up from use but you get the idea.

And here is the box I made to hold my supplies. In it, there are my brushes, oil, mineral spirits, and a few cans of one shot.

Wrapping the headers

2009-02-10T23:12:00.001-05:00

I started on the header wrap tonight, it took a bit longer than expected but I am loving the look. I just did the drivers side so far and I do need to add a little more wrap to get a bit further down the sidepipes.

HEI fixed

2009-02-10T23:11:00.002-05:00

One of the things that came from summit was the new coil, perfect fit.

Parts from Summit arrived

2009-02-10T23:10:00.001-05:00

On time, as usual some more parts to keep me going

Big John Widitron bearing gifts

2009-02-09T23:16:00.002-05:00

For some reason these pics came out a bit dark, but Santa John brought over some air cleaner love that he is not able to use since his Project Temptress is going all modern - after a few minutes of precision adjusting and expert fitting it looks right at home...

I'll get some better shots tomorrow when I open up my goodies from Summit that should be arriving by the time I get home from work.

No big deal . . .

2009-02-08T12:36:00.004-05:00

Not too much work this weekend just mostly garage cleaning in the warm weather, however I did manage to get a few things accomplished. I called my buddy Pat over at Summit Racing (call him, order stuff 800-230-3030 ext 6129) to order a nice load of parts and on Friday I ordered my gas tank.

I also took the time to clean up and body match by the old Cragar center caps. These may get replaced with bullets at some time but for now they look a bit better.

I also painted the insert grill that I made the other day to match the silver suspension pieces.

Another coat of paint went on the bucket over the weekend as well, that means some sanding in the next day or so and parts should start arriving on Tuesday for more fun.

Electrical (ugh)

2009-02-05T21:30:00.003-05:00

I started going through some of the old electrical, while it's not as archaic as my '52 Buick was, it's definitely in need of an upgrade. While I have a great deal more to do, I was happy to do away with the glass fuses and a bit of the old wiring so far.

Here is the main feed from the light control switch from the battery cutoff, above was what was there and below is my new piece.

And now on to the fuse block.

Old:

New:

Building the grille

2009-02-05T21:24:00.006-05:00

I made the insert for the grille shell today, this one is a bit more stout than I expected but it gives the exact look I wanted.

Here is the old insert next to the new one

and with it sitting in the shell - you can also see the first coat of paint (unsanded) as well

The past couple days

2009-02-01T09:57:00.004-05:00

Over the past few days I turned my attention to the engine, removing, cleaning and painting parts - I came across a few surprises but nothing horrific.

The color scheme coming together, that intake manifold was days of wirebrushing and sanding - apparently it was hot pink and high heat primer under the black top coat. I stripped it down and painted it cast alum.

Under the HEI cap I found these bare wires when doing a simple tune up, actually wrapped around each other and definitely touching - I can't believe this thing ran at all let alone so well.

Tonights work - quite a bit actually...

2009-01-26T21:47:00.004-05:00

Sorry about the quality of previous pics, I didn't plan on creating a blog so they were all taken with my HTC Touch Pro camera phone. The next ones (and future ones for the most part) will be with my old reliable Lumix. Anyway, on with the show!

First off, that battery tray in the back is just going to be in the way of my plans for a spun aluminum gas tank so that had to go. It was a pain and I used near every cutting tool in the shop; plasma, grinder, high speed air, hacksaw - you name it.

and with it gone

I also started to re-assemble the front suspension

and finally a shot a few minutes before I started working on it tonight

Pinstriping!

2009-01-26T09:13:00.001-05:00

I decided I should learn how to pinstripe at some point so after over an hour of practicing lines and curves I did this fat line design, freehand, no grid. It's not great, but a little better than I expected.

Time for paint!

2009-01-26T09:11:00.004-05:00

After a few coats of primer the paint is starting to go on.

It is going to be traditional hot rod satin/flat black, with silver suspension components and red & grey pinstriping.

In the last picture I slash cut the exhaust for a different look.

Final body work and the beginning of primer

2009-01-26T09:09:00.002-05:00

The title pretty much says it all, the body work is 99% done and it's time to stop being purple :)

The sanding continues . . .

2009-01-26T09:00:00.003-05:00

More sanding, but I decided to play around with the stance a little bit, lower is better!

And a little fun with perspective

The sanding starts

2009-01-26T08:51:00.002-05:00

Did some more body stripping and now its time to sand, both kids got in on the action and very much enjoyed helping dad out in the garage.

Progress day 1

2009-01-26T08:42:00.003-05:00

The same day it arrived it was time to get to work on the plan so the stripping had to begin.

And of course, there had to be playtime - my buddy John stopped by when I fired it up and had to get in and test it out.

Youtube videos here: John as giddy as a school girl.
and here: John revvin' it up.

My first blog, my first post.

2009-01-26T08:35:00.003-05:00

I can't believe that in all the years of interwebbing I have avoided creating a blog, I guess everybody will at some point. I will be detailing the build of a '23 T Bucket I recently acquired after selling my '52 Buick Roadmaster.

The Bucket as it arrived:

The Buick as it left:

The bucket came from a couple hours north of us here in Metro Detroit, on a fairly clear but foggy morning in early January 2009. It picked up some blowing slow on the wide down in an open trailer but I knew I was tearing it all down so I really didn't care :)