There are builds.......

then, there are builds. Started hobby building ‘one day’ after my 15th birthday. First build was a 1955 Ford with a Ford-O-Matic.

That wasn't gonna work so I converted it to 3 on the floor with a Hurst shifter and linkage. Went with a 10 inch clutch and pressure plate that I had to fit to the stock flywheel - drilled and balanced it myself - at school in auto shop(never a vibe - worked like a charm).

Built the motor - threw in a Isky cam, solid lifters and thought I was hot stuff. lol

For rear tires we ran cheater slicks(my connections with Riverside Raceway kept me in rear tires(back then no groove tires were not against the law).

Seven transmission later I sold it and bought a 1954 Mercury Sun Valley.

And, for a lifetime it went that way. Ford's, Chevy's, Plymouths, Vets, even a 1961 Austin Healey 3000 with a factory hardtop(removable and very rare).

Along the way I also acquired a 1937 Flathead 60 Bonneville Salt Car(1 of 5 in its class and only 3 survived) that I restored and kept until moving to The Skillet.

But, the build of builds was a 1961 Ford P Step Van(Oroweat bread truck)that became my personal hauler and car show motor home. (car guys do it their way).

Stock, it was a 6 cylinder 3 on the tree, with widow maker wheels(split ring). Although it had sat for years when I discovered it. I managed to air her up, fire her up, and drive it home where the build would begin.

The drive train once finished(they really never are) was a 1982 Chevy 6.2 diesel with a Turbo 400 trans - diesel torque converter & pilot bearing with Art Carr first and second gears. Behind that was a US Gear 20% Overdrive, a fresh 2 piece drive line and a new to the van, complete rear end with 388 gear set. Plus 6 new wheels wrapped in BFG radial rubber. Fuel capacity was elevated to 55 gallons.

All in all it was built to tow 20+ thousand. Rig length when pulling the triple axle enclosed car hauler was just over 50 feet. While the 6.2 wasn’t huge, it was set up to tackle and conquer any grade California had to offer. Like the 395 Sherwin grade northbound at Mono Lake, the Tehachapi climb out of Bakersfield, the Ocotillo climb heading west towards San Diego on I-8 or Highway 6 north bound out of Bishop, Ca. Some of the meanest pulls in California.

Its interior was equipped with a queen sized bunk, shower, toilet, catalytic heater, two burner cooktop, sink, hot water heater and lots of overhead cabinetry. 35 gallons of fresh water was housed under the bunk. The grey and black water tanks were underbelly mounts.

Outside it had a safari rack - front to rear - with a ladder up the drivers side back door. Behind the ladder(used for security) was a rollout window which was bunk side, on the inside.

The drivers seat was a repurposed Peterbuilt air ride seat which was inflated by an air pump repurposed from a Cadillac. Other misc. stuff was the stereo system, CB and of course interior lighting.

In the end it had over 10OK on it before it had its first hiccup. Was near the Iowa 80 truck stop when it broke a valve spring. Thankfully the Iowa 80 folks knew just what to do(because I didn’t carry tools for that kinda repair) and thanks to them they had me back on the road in a couple hours. Kindness!

The 4R will be my last build but it’s far from my first.

Thanks for the read and hope you enjoyed it.

 

Sooo.. You got any pictures?? I would love to see pictures of this thing! It sounds awesome!

 

VIN is stamped on the deck...11.5/1 compression...

 

I know I have at least one that has survived all that's taken place in my life over the past 20 years. I'll snap a shot of it and post.

 

Unfortunately most "builds" these days are just parts being hung.

 

That's Rox my copilot and best bud. Keeping and eye on things(note the route 66 window curtain). I may have more pics but they're likely buried away because in truth I'm not much of a picture taking guy. Hell, I wouldn't have this one were it not for a SIL, and I wouldn't have known where it was, were it not for Rox. I'm a daydreamer and memory maker, not a picture taker. Ya know.

 

I'm curious, what differentiates a build from a bolt on? I mean basically, unless I'm fabricating my own parts, everything is bolt on. That's as true for a 5th gen 4Runner as it is a 60s muscle car. I do wish I had a shop I could do bodywork out of, but my suburban garage isn't going to cut it for that.

 

Well I had to beat the hell out of my oil pan so the 3.75 stroke crank would clear....

 

@Huzer21 hear that. I was fortunate to own acreage that allowed me to have a shop and no neighbors to upset.

 

Hammers have been replaced by plasma cutters. In case you haven't heard

 

I've got 7 short years left in our current house. Right now, we're within walking distance to my son's schools. After that, my goal is at least something with enough space for a decent outbuilding.

 

I know exactly what your sayin Jer, i have had some nice rides over the years, but sadly no pics. But here’s a pic. of my boy Cosmo & the wife’s ankle biter.

 

Ya think it's because we know what's important?

 

I’m forged for NOS!!!

 

Where's the build for that?

 

Well I have to put my new AC Delco radiator and upper/lower coolant hoses in first...

 

Exactly, very few fab their own parts. Bumper, sliders, racks its mostly cut and past. Where are the shops doing five link suspensions or when was the last time a block sat on a stand waiting to be sent out to be refinished. It happens, just rare. Especially with the later model station wagons.

 

Has to be a build sheet? Stop teasing.

 

Right now I’m chasen the trout stocking truck...

 

Cam/Spring/Lifter/Pushrod swap with the engine in the car.....,,,

 

Nothing beats a good terrier. One of my very best dogs was an Irish terrier. I also had a wire fox. Go terriers!

 

I designed this to “spin” the air before entering the TB....,,,

 

Years ago had a friend who took a Hoover vacumn cleaner motor and rigged a drive to it to charge his motorcycles air intake. Always a way. If not. Start over.

 

More often than not, off the shelf parts are better and/or cheaper than custom fabricated parts. Why spend more money and time when you can get a great product that's already been engineered?

As far as an engine sitting on a stand; Most engine "builds" consist of putting off the shelf parts into a standard block out of a salvaged vehicle. There's nothing custom about it.

I have huge respect for anyone who has completed a true custom build. But, for most of our uses for these vehicles, there are more than enough options without needing to custom fabricate anything.

But, if you still want to see something truly custom, here's a picture of what my Mom's boyfriend is building. This is about as custom as it gets.



This is a a hodge podge of parts from all different makes of vehices and parts built specifically for this project. It's one of the most creative vehicle builds I've ever seen.

 

Precisely. Most builds out there are things that are assembled from pre-existing manufactured parts. I’m not an engine builder, but I can assemble one. I’m going to rebuild the C4 transmission in the Mustang, but that just proves I can follow instructions. Or not. Results are yet to be seen. Ha!

 

Good luck with the transmission project! Feel free to post pictures of the Mustang.

 

I like the sun visor. Had one on my P/U. Best excuse when getting pulled over......, My foot slipped off the clutch....

 

Fresh from the machine shop .30 over.....