It started a little over a year ago. My father-in-law asked if I wanted to help build/restore a truck. I have always been the do-it-yourslf type for the most part. So site unseen I said yes.
This is what we started with:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/1Before.jpgTeardown:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/3Dissassemble.jpgBare Frame (alomst):
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/4OldChassis.jpgWe decided to turn it into a street rod (I did not know what that really mean at the time).
Decisions, decisions... Being an engineer by trade, that meant research, research, and more research.
We decided on a SBC 327 so we found one from a '64. It is now 0.040 over, 9.5:1 compression, 270H comp cam, balanced, Full MSD ignition, EZ-EFI, ect:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/IMAG0103.jpgIt also has a TH-350 that is built up just a little.
Rear from a 93 Ford Explorer, perfect fit with explorer springs and fabed brackets (oddly a 3.27:1 ratio :D:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/11RearEnd.jpgTCI IFS:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/18FrontEnd.jpgExhaust, Drive shaft, Shocks:
Currently have a rolling chassis that runs {and sounds pretty good} (~63MB MP4 File):
http://s1296.beta.photobucket.com/user/catfish_fry/media/2012-11-23_20-22-09_573.mp4.htmlI was little worried about the idle quality based on what I was told about the cam selection but...
Chassis with Cab:
http://i1296.photobucket.com/albums/ag13/catfish_fry/20Rolling.jpgWe are now in the process of body work and finding replacement parts. This is where the real work begins (not that it hasn't been fun thus far).
With a year of work behind us, it has been very much of a learning experience so far. I am sure the learning is just beginning... I hope to have a drivable rig by the end of this summer?
Thanks for looking and I hope to keep this updated as we move forward.
Thad