SHOP UPDATE: A little progress in the shop

So Joe's pickup has an overheating problem pulling steep hills. I hope this idea is the cure. I am pretty sure the lack of thermostats are letting the water flow to quickly through the radiator. The modified thermostats should restrict the flow a bit holding the water in the radiator longer allowing it to cool down. I will have to run a few hills this week and see if it works.

So, I am working on some thermal issues in the model A pickup. It gets pretty hot inside on warm days. I wanted to cover up the underside of the dash so you can't see under the dash. I made this panel and really cleaned up the look. It also seems to help cool things down inside. Nice when you can kill 2 birds with one stone. Next is get some carpet installed and this one is done.

I scored a cool vintage Coke cooler this morning at a garage sale. Thought I would make it a battery box in Sue's hot rod but sounds like she doesn't like it. Oh well!

SHOP UPDATE: Latest progress in the shop

 Jim's new Shockwave crossmember 

 Here is Susi relocating the fuel tank mounting holes

 I had to rebuild the new side channels for the bed frame. Nothing like new parts that are ot even close to fitting

 Here is the newly re-located fuel tank. We moved it back to make room for the 7 gallon air tank for the air ride system.

 Here are the fuel tank, air tank and the sub frame for the new bed. Everything is starting to fit together nicely

Made some spacers to lift the fuel tank a little to get a better fit.

Still trying to decide the best way to upgrade the front suspension on Tim's 50 Merc chassis

 I finished the first door on Susi's Hot Rod.

 This is door number two

 This is the mis-match from the 5 inch chop

More mis-match. Lots of cutting and welding

SHOP UPDATE: This one is finally gone home

 Montana DMV finally came through with a VIN tag so Todd was able to come get his truck. Now if we can get a title, we can get this deal finished up.

 I had a last minute idea, I added a hood prop for convenience.

Of course we had to have a last minute disaster. I took it for a quick ride in town. As I was backing it in the shop it backfired and died. It wouldn't start again. After a bunch of troubleshooting I figured out it sheared the pin that holds the distributor gear off. Luckily I had another distributor laying around I could rob the pin from. So about midnight I finally get it all back together and get it fired up so Todd can come get it in the morning.

SHOP UPDATE: Last weeks fishing

SHOP UPDATE: Susi's chopped 37 Ford

 Susi's sinister chopped 37 Ford pickup

 Her i am prepping the door s for the splice needed from the chop

 There is the splice tacked in, gaps are pretty good for a twisted up old cab

 Doors are off and ready for final welding in the fab shop

 Decided to see how the Mustang seats fit in the truck. realized the hinge pin was broken on the drivers seat. I fabricated a new one and reassembled the seat.

 Here are the seats. installed in the truck. The fit really nice. Should be pretty comfortable to drive.

SHOP UPDATE: Pioneer street rods car show in Butte

 Here are some of our favorites from the show in Butte last weekend. There were some cool cars we haven't seen before.

The Model A won its first award. Pretty cool to see some people appreciate the patina like we do.