My first build...a '36 Chevy pickup

[mbaldwin11]

Here is the project I will be picking up this upcoming weekend. I decided to get a project after my wife decided she wanted to leave and take our newborn baby girl with her. I am thinking of calling it either Split Decision or Mulligan. I have acquired a 1966 Buick 225 V6, some 16 inch steel wheels, and am looking for a nice 4-speed to match up to the 225. Since winter will be kicking in here soon in Wyoming, I am really looking forward to the time in my garage with all my tools. My supervisors (dogs) should be equally helpful developing my rod. More pics as I make progress.

 

[YBeNormal]

Sorry about your troubles. We will be folowing your build and there are a lot of knowledgable people here to give you pointers. Good luck with the build.

 

[42chevy]

Good luck on the build! I like both of your names you came up with.

 

[skull]

bummer

nice start on a truck though .................


sorry to hear the wife and baby left, try and do all you can to have a relationship with the daughter. l speak from personal experience (divorce) and the loss of a child. the time spent with the kids is precious.


l hope life gets better soon.

Later

 

[mbaldwin11]

Thanks everyone! My baby girl is a priority and I am hoping that one day she will see and appreciate how cool all this old metal is as we're cruising down the highways in Wyoming. Once I have some progress made on it, I will post some pics and give a detailed update. I love all the other builds I have been seeing =).

 

[RimSpoke]

Good choice on the Model Year

' looking forward to seeing the progress.

 

[mbaldwin11]

Well, I ended up getting a better deal on some engines so I am switching up the power plant for my '36. I now have a Ford 289 with a 3-speed manual that runs, a Ford 302 out of a Mercury that runs, and another 302 block and heads. That I will probably use for mock up. I got the whole bunch for $300. Not sure if I will use the 289 or the 302. Here are some pics of my bunch of goodies both on the trailer coming home and now in my garage.

 

[Bamamav]

Good buy! What years are the engines? You know Ford changed the balance weight in the mid 80's from 28 oz to 50 oz, right? Just telling you so you don't try and put the 28 oz flywheel off the 289 onto the 302 if it's the later model 50 oz motor. If the 302 is a 68-84 model, it'll work fine.

 

[mbaldwin11]

Bamamav - the 302 is a 1970 model and currently set up for an automatic. I have it in storage, covered and on an engine stand in the corner...for now.

I have been busy lately getting some parts (pictures to follow). I acquired a 1931 Model A frame that I have since traded for a 1940 Ford Coupe frame and a Marmon grille shell, a Whippet grille shell, a pair of '31 Ford headlights, a Ford V-8 emblem off of a 50s Ford truck, a 1967 Corvair column and wheel, a set of long-tube headers for my 289, and a two 18x4 1930s Chevy wire wheels. I have some media blasting to do to get stuff cleaned up to my liking and then I will be doing some mock-up. All told, I think I am in $350 for all of those parts.

The plan is to box the frame after determining the overall dimensions for the frame, construct a k-member, and then figuring out the kind of suspension I want. I am thinking triangulated 4-link with coil-overs to locate and suspend my GM 12-bolt. Additionally, I am thinking of making a flatbed with either walnut or mahogany bed sides and then mounted in the bed either a constructed or salvaged gas tank in the style of a mid-50s truck saddle tank. The grille will be the Marmon and I'll run a half hood (no sides). I have a custom air cleaner housing I have been building a buck for and will be swinging a hammer soon enough to fab that up.

I still need to get a front end together but I am leaning towards a 4-inch dropped I-beam with split wishbones. I like the idea of cowl steering but I am not locked in just yet. All in all, I have a pretty good idea of where I am going now and, once I can get my shop up to at least 40F then I will actually be able to stand being in there for significant periods of time.

I think my vision isn't necessarily of a street rod or hot rod but rather what I would like to call a "Tuxedo-Rat." I plan to paint and make it nice but not break the bank with flash, billet, or useless abundance of creature comforts beyond a comfy seat in which to plant my butt and maybe a vintage heater since it gets cold in Wyoming.

 

[rainbow lungs]

Great start

Lungs

 

[mbaldwin11]

Here are the pictures of the parts I picked up that I promised I would post.

 

[mbaldwin11]

Oh, and here are the frame rails I got.