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recieve the most questions on the following items. Here
are our ideas, but remember - Street Rodding is a very personal
hobby. Others may have better or different ideas on the
same subject. |
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What steering column should I use? We prefer the 1969 to 1977 GM tilt column. They are easy to find and are about 33" to 34" long. |
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Paint Prep and Priming On fiberglass bodies you will have to sand and smooth gel coating for paint to adhere. You will often find small pin holes in the gel or at the mold joints. Watch closely for these and fill, using ordinary body filler or duraglas (a special filler made for fiberglass). When priming, use catalyzed urethane primer. |
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What are the best tire size combinations? For Hi-Boys we recommend 185x60x14 tires on 14"x6.5" or 7" rim front (standard offset). For rear, we recommend 285x70x15 tires on 15"x10" rim (standard offset). Our chassis have front discs brakes. Ford drums in rear (4 ½" five bolt pattern). On fendered cars, same tire/rim combination in the front. In the rear, 235x70x15 on a 15"x7" or 7.5" rim with standard offset. These combinations give you the ROD LOOK with plenty of clearance. |
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Curing the Body Fiberglass resin is a petroleum product that takes time to cure. Although it sets up enough to work on within days, it will continue to "cure" over time. It is best to expose the body to heat (sun is the best) before painting. SPECIAL NOTE: Make sure it cures on the chassis. This way, it will conform to the frame. Door and deck lid adjustments can then be made after the body has cured completely. |
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Ford 8" vs 9" Differentials Due to the availability of good 8" rears, we have gone to using 9" rear ends as standard equipment on our chassis. Using a 9" from John's Nine Inch Factory gives us a brand new housing with the correctly shortened axles to fit these cars irregardless of wheel and tire combo's. 9" center sections available, open or posi with your choice of gear ratio |
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Best Engines for '32 and '34 Street Rods Any engine will work. The Chevy small block and tranny fits the best. You'll have to use recessed firewalls for Chevy big block and most Ford V-8s. Don't forget to tell us what engine your using so we don't put on the incorrect engine mounts. NOTE: Wide engines like Hemi's don't leave room for hood sides, unless you modify them. Blower or Tunnel Rams usually fit under the hood, but check with us first, particularly if you want a hood top. |
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What drive shaft should I use? GM from the mid 1970s will be about right. You have to cut it down, but it is best to have a used one balanced and checked anyway. |
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Pinching, Stretching or C'ing Frames Pinching is narrowing the chassis at the front. Stretching is actually lenghtening the wheelbase by moving the front suspension forward. This is done to larger engines, extended hoods or just for the "look". C'ing is notching the frame above the rear axle to allow more suspension travel when lowering the car. |
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Electrical, Fuse Boxes etc. You should be able to do a simple wire job for about $325.00 in material, fuse block and switches. |
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