A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO ALL

SORRY THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN POSTING ANYTHING IN RECENT WEEKS.MOST OF MY SPARE TIME HAS BEEN SPENT WORKING ON MY MOM'S HOUSE GETTING IT READY FOR MARKET.
I'LL BE BACK REAL SOON,IN THE MEAN TIME,MAY I WISH YOU ALL A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & A SAFE NEW YEAR'S TO ALL.Thank you all,and again I'll be back soon.If my wife doesn't know what I'm doing out in the garage,who will?The floor jack may drop on me and no one would know.
Thanks,Paisano

HAPPY TRICK OR TREAT DAY,OCTOBER 31,2011

This is a picture e-mailed to me from my "Bud",Panhead.His two sons,helped in the lawn ornament for the front yard.Thought this was pretty cool,so I borrowed it for this site.
........................The Headless Biker...............................
Sounds like the making of a real bad "B" movie to me.Now that's a real scary thought.

Paisano

BEEN WAITING LONG FOR THIS TO HAPPEN



I THINK I NAILED THE REAR PERFECT,TO BODY LOCATION..RIDE HEIGHT IS NOT DETERMINED YET



As the title says,I been waiting to get enough guys over to help me reinstall the body back on the frame for final engine/trans location.I was a happy camper to say the least.It took a little longer than the last time I did this.Everthing seems to get a little bit tighter as more welding takes place,which I think is understandable.

The guys were great and patient as I bribed them with Pizza & Coronas.Thanks the Gods for Beer!

The trans cuttout that I did previously,came out right on the dime.I was happy with it.The engine setback I had was real close also,in that the motor mount plates/trans mounts, were not welded to the frame yet.

I will be bolting on the body to frame to make it fit exactly as I will be making reinforcement braces all the way around in the body.This will make door hinge supports,instead of original wood used in the ancient days.Dash braces,etc. will also be made soon.Pictures of that will be shown also.Meantime here are pictures of the body been installed to the frame,with some mug shots of my friends,whose faces only a mother could love.


WITHOUT FRIENDS,THIS WAS NOT POSSIBLE








SIDE SHOT OF TRANS /  ENGINE & FLOOR PANELS LOCATION




A LITTLE OLD SCHOOL TO MY WISHBONES.I ALSO WELDED ONE TO THE BACK OF THE  REAR END HOUSING

 



SIDE SHOT OF BLOCK/FIREWAL MATCHUP

  Paisano-

A special thanks to Panhead Phil & his two Sons,Jesse & Bobby,and my long time friend,  Harry for the help

IBSIDE VIEW OF FLOOR CUTOUT FOR TRANS,DONE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THIS DATE

Something ALL US OLD FARTS CAN RELATE TO AFTER 39 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Welder,
My wife and I recently had our 30th wedding anniversary.
To celebrate, we smuggled a small bottle of champagne along with plastic champagne cups, to the top of a cool lighthouse.
As we were watching dolphins play in the bay, and having a romantic toast, I couldn't help but think to myself...
"I wonder if those handrail brackets were welded with flux core or stick... ?"


Is it just me? Am I the only one looks at welds everywhere I go? Am I the only one who checks out the welds on the aluminum tanker truck next me on the highway? ...the bikes at Walmart?
What can I say? I am into this stuff.


The author of these words is JODY,from weldingtricksandtips.com

Beebe & Mulligan AA/FD March Meet 2007

GROOOOOOOOOOOVY, MAN

CLOSEST  PERSON I COULD FIND,WHO LOOKED LIKE A DEAD RINGER[NO PUN INTENDED] FOR "TIMATHY LEARY" @ READING THIS PAST SATURDAY

PEACE,LOVE & ROCK AND ROLL

Spring Clean Up in Late Summer



Ya Hoo,I can Finally Find Something In Here!
It Also Doubles As A Disco Palace On Weekends!
[check out disco ball]



The Flyin Wop's Speed Shop

I had a chance to clean up the place and get everything off the work benches.Seems I was getting tired of looking for things all the time under this and that.Not that I'm still looking for things,as usual,I always misplace stuff.[who doesn't ?].Looks a lot better.I put everything up on shelves all the way around the shop and was able to get two rows of shelving and in some places,three.Man,I never knew I had so much stuff and room now.Just used simple "L"  brackets and Pine boards.Looks good and I'm happy now,and it looks frst class.
Paisano

MEAN WHILE,BACK AT THE RANCH......

Once again,in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness MONTH,I will post in this color.Hopefully, we find a cure,Thanks.
I been waiting for some "bodies"to show up so I can reinstall the body to the frame.While waiting,I been to setting up the front shocks,brackets,etc.The bottom mounting brackets which I made from 1/8" stock have not been tacked on to the axle system.I am waiting for final ride height in order to determine how much of the bracket I need to trim off in order to get about a third of the shock compressed under weight.This is an original old school straight axle that was used on alterds that ran in the 60's.It is a "CAE" unit,and I have only seen one since on a ride.I was drooling,man,shouldda been ashamed of myself.

Top tacked,bottom loose,aprox,shock angle is 20 degrees.

Close Look of Fabricated Mounted Brakets,Waiting for Permanent Home.

Vintique Headlamp Bracket.

Closer Look Of Bracket Before Modifying.

Top Shot ot Right Side'

It was given to me from my father & mother for my high school graduation.Just what I wanted too,[no damm watch for me].It came from Strick's Speed Shop in Washington,DC. My father's body shop was just down the street off of 14th. street also.Both are long gone.

Front shocks for proper ride should be mounted at about a 20 degree angle for best ride control.It not only helps ride,but stablizes better when turning.
The picture of my hand with the shinny metal piece is a headlite' mount that mounts on the upper shock bolt and frame bracket.These are Vintique units made out of stainless. Because of the closeness of the upper shock mount and the top of the bracket,I'm gonna have to modify the headlite' mount pieces so they clear the upper part of the shock.I haven't figured extactly how I'm going to do this,but will let you know.
Paisano

I HAVEN'T GONE ANYWHERE,AND THE RAIN HAS STOPPED

Well Summer is mostly over,and time to hit the garage again.I'm real tired over going down the road and seeing street rods passing along and making me go "Goo-Goo Eyes", all over them.And realizing that perhaps one day soon mine will be among the Cool Few,going down the black top.
I have come up with a few things and will be posting on this site this week.A few of the guys will be coming over the first of the month for our annual trip to Reading,Pa to what was originally called the Keystone Nationals.Somehow I still can't get used to calling them the Toyo Tire Nats,just doesn't seem right.Guess the old saying, MONEY TALKS AND B/S WALKS,still applies to life in genral.What the hell on tradition right?
Anyhow,they are gonna help me put the body back on so it can make sure I have the engine/trans exactly where I
want it for it's permanent home,YIPPIE!!Pictures coming on next entry

Paisano

Wounded Warriors & President Bush (July 4th, 2011)

" IS IT HOT ENOUGH FOR YA ? "

"WELL,AS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY GOES,SO DOES MARYLAND".Its scotching over here too folks.I have been trying to do some welding, and  it seems I'm getting more shocked than  being able to lay any beads down.Seems the only beads I'm putting down are beads of sweat and getting shocked which really gets annoying when your trying to concentrate behind a welding helmet.So I'm kindda waiting for it cool down and in the mean time I'm doing some "HONEY DO" crap. BOOOOOOOOOOOO  !!! At least it gets me inside the A/C until its time to cut the grass again.

Going to a "Christmas in July" party this afternoon .Man have they got the right idea,don't you think.

Paisano

I'M NOT PERFECT,BUT CLOSE ! [ MAN,WHAT WAS I DRINKING LAST NITE? ]

Well folks, I been busy as hell lately, and most of that time has been spent on other issues not related to my my car build.


I USED THE EDGE OF MY WORK BENCH TO MAKE THE RADIUS OF THE ENDS
I HAVE A 30 "SHEET METAL BRAKE,BUT THIS PIECE WAS ABOUT 32" ACROSS.



THIS IS 12 GAUGE METAL. I WANTED IT TO BE THE SAME GAUGE STEEL,SO AS TO .
 HAVE THE SAME OR BETTER STRENGHT.THE ORIGINAL SECTION WHICH I
WELDED ON IS 10-12 GAUGE ALSO,I THINK.

.

Any old how,I have had some time to work on it.I made a mistake and I have to correct it before finish the frame,rear and motor set up.It seems that I set the engine back about 4-5 inches too much.

This is why everything is tack welded up instead of a finish weld.All I really have to do is move the mounts up a little and retack it to the frame.Recheck the angles and dangles and make sure that everything is in line with the rear axle center lines.
How I came to this conclusion is when I started doing the fire wall



LET ME TELL YOU.A PAIR OF HEAVY DUTY ELECTRIC SHEARS ARE WONDERFUL.THEY CUT
REAL SMOOTH,AND I ONLY CUT MYSELF A COUPLE TIMES.NOT BAD FOR AN
APRENTICE, HUH ??

  mock up with the C-6 tunnel hole cutout.the back of the block would hace been too close to the wall, I did not want to move the firewall back any further[It has a 3" setback], and have the trans sitting on my lap.It's a street car,not a fuel altered from the "old days".Us old farts can relate to this,I think.I had some sheet metal and decided to make my own wall.A new sheet metal wall is about 400.00 bucks.The piece of metal cost me about 30.00. I used a picture of  basic firewalls from various venders and tried to duplicate what I wanted in the wall. Most of them look the same so there was not too much variation.I had taken some reference measurements at the Good Guys Columbus Show last year.
It took me about 7-8 hours of work to make this.It looks pretty good, and once I grind off the welds and smooth everything in,it should be fine."I can say,"BRAG" that I made it, and it saved me about 350.00+++ not including labor.I work cheap, just rewarding myself with an occational Guiness from my handy refrigerator in my shop.Here are some flicks of the wall set up.As always comments good or bad are welcome.I need the opinions.They may help from making mistakes.THEY WILL BE PUBLISHED ON  ON THIS BLOG,  SO TONE THE  THE LANGAUGE DOWN.
Thanks for looking,
                  Paisano



LITTLE RASCALS APPROVED



427 Comets and Thunderbolts

In Remembrance

RUNNING A LITTLE BEHIND

Well folks,seems I'm running a little behind on this.It's the story of my life lately.I'm sure other people out there can probably relate.
Family matters take priority,and hopefully I will be able to show a
mock up of the rear disc brake setup and checking for proper fit and clearances.This will be done on the bench as I have taken the housing off and we can pay attension to it in a closer manner.Any way,I wanted to weld the four link brackets all the way,so I won't have to weld them upside down.
Pictures to follow soon with next installment.
Have a safe Memorial Day Holiday,and being a USMC Viet Nam war vetern,I will be thinking of friends I left behind there,and the sacrifice they and all war dead,gave to us for our way of life.
Thanks,
            Paisano

2011 CARLISLE SWAP MEET



Panhead checking out the situation



Well,Panhead Phil and I made the annual treck to Carlisle this year to see what they had to offer.Couldn't have asked for better weather.Here's a flick of Panhead scopping out which way to go,[seems he always gets lost].He doesn't know about the "bread crumbs" trick yet, to finding his way.

There seemed to be a lot of cars for sale,some good,some real "shaddy" looking.It was like putting lipstick on a pig,you still have a pig.Here's a picture of a real nice piece of a Street Iron.

Man you talk about "OLD SCHOOL", this intake manifold and car set up was super neet.You just don't see that much anymore.And if you did,it's gonna have a nice price tagon it.I didn't ask how much he wanted..



I love,I love my little calender girl, thanks to Neil Sedaka



The CHICKS were hot at Carlyisle. Couldn't get a real one to get a picture with this time, so I had to settle for the next best thing.MAN,AIN'T SHE GREAT!

This person put a lot of $ and work on this pink ride.

Real nice intake that you don't find often

Owner was great person to talk about his ride,thanks Paisano

2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet Drag Car Number 22 of 50 - Brand New

Walking the Cup Technique for Tig Welding

IT'S COILOVER TIME,YIPPIE !

THE PINION IS CENTERED ONTO THE FRAME,WHICH
REQUIRED SHORTING THE TUBES & AXLES

WHICH I WAS GONNA TO DO ANYWAY.

PANARD ROD NOT WELDED TO FRAME YET.

WAITING FOR RIDE HEIGHT CHECK.[YOU WANT THIS

AS PARALLEL AS POSSIBLE].

Well I finally getting to do something pretty and cool.It's the start of installing the rear coilovers.It's about time you say,?Hey,I'm an old man.I been sitting on a park bench,feeding pigeons and talking to myself. You have to get these on right or the car might not sit right or possibly it may cause handling concerns.

These  are a set of Carriera's with a 3000 lb. spring rate.I figure the car is gonna weigh around 2700 lbs,give or take,considering the FE  is heavier than a lot of other mills out there.So I figure I should be safe.The shocks have an adjustable setting for ride stiffness,which will be tackled when the Wop is complete.
Installing the shocks and springs are done with them sitting at a 20 degree angle. This is the proper angle and it should be taken as an important step when you start tacking up the upper shock brackets.

Speaking of tacking, I didn't put a strong enough tack on the driver's side upper bracket and started to seperate when I put some weight on it.I know what your thinking,it's a pain in the butt to cut and grind off welds if you make a mistake,but it better than it jumping up and hitting you when you might be in an incovienate position,right? So make sure to tack em' up good,to be safe,and they won't move around.One other note of value is to never have the the shocks holding the rear up by itself in the fully extended position bearing all the weight.It's a good way to ruin an expensive shock!!

Take a look and see what you think.I only put one half of the upper shock brackets on cause I have to do a little grinding on the other 2 to fit properly.

*****ANY COMMENT,GOOD OR BAD WELCOME ! *****

 SET @ 22 DEGREES FOR STREET.

YOU MIGHT WANT LESS FOR TRACK

USE,WHICH WOULD GIVE YOU LESS

HANDLING AND MORE TRACTION.

Thanks for lookin'



PINION IS CENTERED ON FRAME. SHOCKS ARE CENTERED ON PINION, NOT

THE HOUSING.



OVERHEAD SHOT WITH JUST ONE UPPER
BRACKET TACKED ON

Paisano

START OF THE 4 LINK SETUP

Well I started to mock up the 4 link system.I got this kit and welded all the connectors and adjusters myself to save a few bucks.If you can weld,you will be able to save a significant amount of "Moola"
Enough to eventually to buy a pack of "smokes"I don't know what cigarettes go for these days,just guessing.Really though if you buy enough weld it your self stuff you will save money to buy other parts.And at least you can brag that you did it all yourselft right?
The brackets to the rear housing are welded with the housing tilted back 4 degrees,and the brackets are 90 degrees to this mark and welded into place.In my case just a few tacks,to kep everything from moving.The other end of the links bars go on the frame about 28" drom the housing.I had a hard time trying to clamp everything up and  from getting in the way to be able to run a couple beads.
After that I started to put the 4link locator bar on the housing and leaving it unwelded till I get the ride height in order.
Anyhow, here's some flicks of the work.

Paisano

ZERO-ING IT IN AND GETTIN IT IN LINE.

Well here's the pinion angle setup.This has to be 1-3 degrees within the angle of the trans,in order to compensate for vibration and lubrication of the joint itself.As you can see by the pictures,its real close to the trans.The 4-link bars are going be be welded at minus 4 degrees from zero according to the instruction sheet.I got this magnetic degree -er and I think it does a great job knowing where your at, real quick.The needle job bounces and takes like what seems forever to stand still.If something gets bumped, you have to wait again.I don't have that kind of patience.and besides fora couple bucks more,its more accurate cause its in decimal readings which is a lot better than trying to read the other .Here's a flick of the trans degree  and everything is  lookin' like its in line before I get ready to tack it up.

Degrees on the Rear of C-6

Pinion Angle/ Jangle

String Running From Very Front Of Engine Main Bearing Center

Paisano

Trying To See Where The bars Are Go.DeffinitelyNeed to BE Higher On Frame

SPRING CLEAN-UP AND MAKING MORE ROOM. [ It's about time,eh ?]

Well after getting snow and ice yesterday I was ready to curse the weather guy.I'll get over it.Anyway this gave me the opportunity to do spring clean up and put all the parts,and everything else up on shelves and brackets.Went all the way around the garage with it.Looks good and it gets everything off the benches and and clean,for working.I would never have  known I had all this room till I cleaned it up and moved everything up on the walls. I didn't tell my wife what I did..She'll want to put her car in there.She must be crazy!Putting all the tools back in the box,so I can start over and go back to working the frame.At least I'll know where everything is for a while now.By doing all this I think I gained valuable space both on the benches and floor space.You would think that after being in the trade for so many years,I should have known better.Guess I'm getting lazy in my old age,or maybe an old dog and a new trick.Here are some pictures of the additional room I gained.
I promise to start back on the frame and talk that next time.I got the majority of the components I need to continue on with the frame building process[Been nickel & diming it for a long time & selling a few things on E-Bay now and then helps also].
Thanks for looking,
Paisano

Tig Welding Test Practice

TIG Welding 4130 Chrome-moly Tubing

Miller TIG Welding Techniques

Shop Math: Measuring With Calipers - Kevin Caron

Flange weld and a fillet weld on lap joint Solda de aresta e Solda angu...

PUNXATAWNEY PHILL WAS RIGHT- SPRING'S COMIN' [I hope]

Well folks,I think that possibly that that old groundhog from Pa.was right and maybe we will have an early Spring.Man do I hope so.Don't know how much longer these bones can take this cold.I'm sure other people have it worst,so no more "Whinnin".
Seems the only thing that is happing in the garage is winter's trash
is accumalating all over the place,leaves,spilled salt for the driver way ice,snow shovels and whatever else that I was to lazy to put back where it belongs.I plan to do a cleanup and put the unrelated things that were not used to work on the "WOP" away.
I more or less stopped on the mock up of the rear housing and suspension.Everything is more or less in line.will recheck and see if it hasn't moved in the last few months or so.Then we'll start tacking it up and see whar goes.Hope to have this going in the next week or so,if the weather holds.[Fingers Crossed].
And I'll be posting some photos of progress or going backwords.
Any comments good or bad are welcome.Don't worry I can take critisism and you won't hurt my feelings.The few that I have anywhow.I'll even post it as long as it's not dirty.Trying to keep this half assed respectable folks!
Gettin that itch to get under the welding helmet to hide my "MUG" and chase those tig 'Puddles' around.
Thanks for lookin'

Lamborghini Scaletta FULL HD

theflyinwop.com

GETTING READY TO TACK UP THE REAR PICTURES

Eastwood’s “Caption This” Contest!

Eastwood’s “Caption This” Contest!
WHAT DA U MEAN,YOU CLEANING OUT MY CLOSET?
Paisano

HOLIDAY TIMES ARE A KILLER,NO TIME TO DO ANYTHING

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!! Lets hope we all have a better and safer New Year and for our TROOPS  also.May they  all be safe.
Well these  times are for family and friends,and of course shopping.Hot Rods somehow have to take a back seat for a while,while other priorities are placed ahead.
I had to undo the front motor mounts and drop them slightly so I could achieve almost a zero degree angle on the trans.I came out at 1+ at the trans rear.I started to mock up the 9 inch housing with a pumpkin to see about where I was in relation to the center of the whole thing.Nothing in the rear housing is tacked yet.I installed jack stands and blocks with a 0 degree to see what it looked like.
Once it is all tacked up, we want the rear to be aprox. 2 degrees less than trans,as when accelerated the rear tends to go up.You need about 2 deg.plus or minus in order to make the u joints needles bearings and grease to rotate.If not,you will get premature wear,and possible vibration concerns.I've read just about all the info on this subject I could find,and it seems everyone has an opinion.I just went on what sounded and what everyone has in common and am going with that.Most of the best information comes from driveshaft and rear end assembly manufactures.They seem to the information down to a science.Can't much argue with that,huh?
Am ready to mock up the 4-link system and will post pictures of progress.[yeah, I snucked in the garage when no one was lookin]and  did some some work,but not much.Man It was cold as in Maryland in late Nov.&Dec.Had to buy one of those propane heater units that mount on top of a propane tank.Seems to work well,The 2 element unit holds about 20 hours of pretty good heat when set at the medium setting.You have to set it about 10 ft. or so from where you are,to stay comfee! Takes a long time to try to head a 44 ft. garage with no insulation.
Anyway, pictures to come tommorow of the rear being fitted in relation to the rest of the drive.
Paisano