The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Best "How To" book?

Being in the middle of a hot rod project, I find a considerable amount of my time is spent scratching my head and trying to figure out how to do something or even what to tackle next. I bought a book from Amazon called "How To Build Hotrod Trucks". It turned out to be a collection of magazine articles of different trucks others had built and there was very little "How To".
I know everyone's project is different but are there any books that lay out the the best sequence of jobs to be done or even a checklist on what order you should get things done? For instance I don't want to get my cab on and then be working on something and think "This would have been much easier if I had done this before the body went on". Or have to tear something apart and do it over again because it is now in the way of something else. I know this is all part of the fun and frustration of building a hotrod but I hate to think I am constantly re-inventing the wheel.

Well Baba you don't have to reinvent the wheel when it comes down to it. Make a list of your own, for instance the chassi, engine, brakes, rearend and so forth.I saw your pics and i say you are about the same spot as I am.For me i'm still working on the chassi, brake lines, fuel lines, fuel tank (removed from cab).No way i'm thinking about the cab or body work right now.By the picture of your chassi ask yourself this
1. Fuel tank in the cab or behind axel?
2. Power booster under the floor or firewall?
You get the idea,just make little projects of what you are working on and it'll come together. Where on the central coast are you from?



1949 Chevy 1/2 ton
250 I6 TH350

I agree with JC49. I have 2 books about restoration and have not really used either one. I pulled all my old parts taking pictures and notes as I stripped the truck down to it's frame. Then I write down everything I plan to do to the frame, cleaning brakes, shocks, etc.. I replaced my brake lines and installed my new frame mounted master cylinder and re did my brakes, then bled the brakes with my cab off. The reason being it is way easier, and you can see if any of the brake lines are leaking. The next thing I did was get the cab fixed up and then put it back on the frame.Then I fixed my parking brake.The main thing is just to use common sense and planning and you will be all right. You can find a lot of info here on the forum and by searching the web.I use this forum a whole lot and the net to find info on questions I have. Before jumping into a differnt phase of my restoration. I come here to the forum and ask questions. The folks here on the forum are real good about helping people out. I also search the net for information. If I find someting I need I add it to my favorites in the folder I have set up for the projrct I'm working on. That way if I need the info later on I can go and look it up. I also have a bunch of info saved in my documents

I took lots of pictures as I dissassembled, I did all the prep/repair work on the parts I planned to reuse. Made a list of parts to order and list of to-do's. You are passed half way when you put more on than you take off. The reassambly is the reverse of the dissasimble. You have the pictures and notes as a guide. Keep all documents on parts and all receipts. Identify and lable all the parts you get, seals, gaskets, molding, etc. Do not throw any thing away, helps in parts identification later.
This will help keep you focused and organized.

jc,
I'm in Paso Robles. Why don't we have a West Coast Regional Forum? I have the gas tank mounted between the frame rails and have run the fuel and brake lines. Probably start some of the wiring next. I'm just kind of running out of things to do before I get the cab painted and back on the frame.
tracern,
Yeah +1 on the net. I originally started looking into this project in the early 90's and it is a whole lot easier to find parts today than it was back then.
hankrags,
Digital cameras sure do help.
Thanks for the responses, I guess this isn't really rocket science after all as long as I take it slow and one system at a time.

There you go Baba, take your time and deside what to do next.There is ALWAYS something to do on these trucks, just look at the small details if you are at that point now that the cab is off.You are better of repairing/installing these items now rather then on a creeper.If you have more questions feel free to ask and the 'bolters will jump right in.This is the BEST site for info and ALL the 'bolters here are very helpfull.

p.s I'm about 2hrs north of you, Monterey/Salinas area.


1949 Chevy 1/2 ton
250 I6 TH350

My check-book has been the most helpfull book so far. I can't let you borrow it though, I ran out of pages.

You could add pages and restock! Also if you find something on sale, subtract the difference and add the amount you saved to your balance as a deposit. Sorry to get off track.

I know what you mean about the check book. The only saving grace to this is that when I sit and do all that head scratching, I'm not spending any money! Of course my body man is doing his magic so Cha-Ching.

Very similar to a boat, "A hole in the water that you throw money into"