2 Sluggo's Garage
- Thread starter rmalkow2
- Start date
Picking and Swap Meet Bounty
I love going to swap meets and finding good deals online for parts that I need. HAHA, need is a relative term.
Over the last couple weeks I had the opportunity to hit a couple good swap meets and find two deals on FB Marketplace.
Two weekends ago there was a local to me swap meet in Fowlerville that turned out pretty good. I picked up a set of exhaust manifolds for a later model flathead ford engine that were in good shape and a deck lid from a Nash Metropolitan that I wanted the hinges and latch from. They look cool and will hopefully improve my trunk lid security on the ‘29 Roadster.
Last week I took some time off and went to the Fall Carlisle PA swap meet for the first time. Even though attendance was down it was an awesome time for me and found some good deals. All seen in the picture below.
I had previously purchased a 23-25 Model T turtle deck from Matt @ Irontrap Garage and since he was there selling he was kind enough to bring it along and save me shipping costs. I also found a cheap 34-35 grille shell from a Ford truck, the back half of an old bomber seat which I will make the bottom for, some cheap carbs, and old model airplane to hang from the shop rafters and other smalls that caught my eye.
Overall I think this Covid virus has people starved for swap meet action. I found the sellers ready to make deals just to sell things and buyers ready to buy. This being the only really big east coast meet this year inspired sellers to cut lower prices.
The pedal car pictured was a separate find while there in PA. I searched the local Marketplace ads and found a great deal on this which will become a mini gasser pedal car project. (Always wanted to make one)
And the last deal of this week was finding a local sale ad for a Model T cowl top at a good price. I’m collecting parts for a future T-Bucket project that’s on my list of future accomplishments.
Also not pictured is a small stack of old car and hot rod magazines (Little Books) which are great idea starters for how old school hot rods should look.
All in all a fun couple weeks of buying vintage stuff and meeting some great people. Sometimes the conversation with people you meet is just as valuable as the part you bought.
Going back out this Saturday to look at a big potential project. Wish me luck!
I love going to swap meets and finding good deals online for parts that I need. HAHA, need is a relative term.
Over the last couple weeks I had the opportunity to hit a couple good swap meets and find two deals on FB Marketplace.
Two weekends ago there was a local to me swap meet in Fowlerville that turned out pretty good. I picked up a set of exhaust manifolds for a later model flathead ford engine that were in good shape and a deck lid from a Nash Metropolitan that I wanted the hinges and latch from. They look cool and will hopefully improve my trunk lid security on the ‘29 Roadster.
Last week I took some time off and went to the Fall Carlisle PA swap meet for the first time. Even though attendance was down it was an awesome time for me and found some good deals. All seen in the picture below.
I had previously purchased a 23-25 Model T turtle deck from Matt @ Irontrap Garage and since he was there selling he was kind enough to bring it along and save me shipping costs. I also found a cheap 34-35 grille shell from a Ford truck, the back half of an old bomber seat which I will make the bottom for, some cheap carbs, and old model airplane to hang from the shop rafters and other smalls that caught my eye.
Overall I think this Covid virus has people starved for swap meet action. I found the sellers ready to make deals just to sell things and buyers ready to buy. This being the only really big east coast meet this year inspired sellers to cut lower prices.
The pedal car pictured was a separate find while there in PA. I searched the local Marketplace ads and found a great deal on this which will become a mini gasser pedal car project. (Always wanted to make one)
And the last deal of this week was finding a local sale ad for a Model T cowl top at a good price. I’m collecting parts for a future T-Bucket project that’s on my list of future accomplishments.
Also not pictured is a small stack of old car and hot rod magazines (Little Books) which are great idea starters for how old school hot rods should look.
All in all a fun couple weeks of buying vintage stuff and meeting some great people. Sometimes the conversation with people you meet is just as valuable as the part you bought.
Going back out this Saturday to look at a big potential project. Wish me luck!
Attachments
jon72vega
Well-known member
Bob,Picking and Swap Meet Bounty
I love going to swap meets and finding good deals online for parts that I need. HAHA, need is a relative term.
Over the last couple weeks I had the opportunity to hit a couple good swap meets and find two deals on FB Marketplace.
Two weekends ago there was a local to me swap meet in Fowlerville that turned out pretty good. I picked up a set of exhaust manifolds for a later model flathead ford engine that were in good shape and a deck lid from a Nash Metropolitan that I wanted the hinges and latch from. They look cool and will hopefully improve my trunk lid security on the ‘29 Roadster.
Last week I took some time off and went to the Fall Carlisle PA swap meet for the first time. Even though attendance was down it was an awesome time for me and found some good deals. All seen in the picture below.
I had previously purchased a 23-25 Model T turtle deck from Matt @ Irontrap Garage and since he was there selling he was kind enough to bring it along and save me shipping costs. I also found a cheap 34-35 grille shell from a Ford truck, the back half of an old bomber seat which I will make the bottom for, some cheap carbs, and old model airplane to hang from the shop rafters and other smalls that caught my eye.
Overall I think this Covid virus has people starved for swap meet action. I found the sellers ready to make deals just to sell things and buyers ready to buy. This being the only really big east coast meet this year inspired sellers to cut lower prices.
The pedal car pictured was a separate find while there in PA. I searched the local Marketplace ads and found a great deal on this which will become a mini gasser pedal car project. (Always wanted to make one)
And the last deal of this week was finding a local sale ad for a Model T cowl top at a good price. I’m collecting parts for a future T-Bucket project that’s on my list of future accomplishments.
Also not pictured is a small stack of old car and hot rod magazines (Little Books) which are great idea starters for how old school hot rods should look.
All in all a fun couple weeks of buying vintage stuff and meeting some great people. Sometimes the conversation with people you meet is just as valuable as the part you bought.
Going back out this Saturday to look at a big potential project. Wish me luck!
You got some good deals, and it sounds like you had a great time!
xtremek
Well-known member
That fire truck is screaming to be hot rodded. If it's not rusted through, then a traditional hot rod stance. If it has rotted through in some spots, then I'd put rear fenders on it, drop it, and run duals in the back.
Strouty
Well-known member
I would build a small knuckle boom for the fire truck, then it would be more useful. 
xtremek
Well-known member
I would build a small knuckle boom for the fire truck, then it would be more useful.
That's hilarious coming from you. But you've got me thinking. A small 12v linear actuator and about 3-4 hours worth of work, easily doable.
Bob,
You got some good deals, and it sounds like you had a great time!
I would build a small knuckle boom for the fire truck, then it would be more useful.
Thanks guys for the comments and creative suggestions. A miniature knuckle boom eh? Never thought of that but have never seen one before so it would be a unique pedal car design.
The body is in pretty good shape which is all I really wanted. I have Go Kart slicks to go under the back end and will need to fab up axles and some sort of frame. But this one is definitely getting hot rodded.
Bob
Change of Direction.....
Well sometimes the idea in your head just isn’t happening in real life. Ever since I bought a couple surplus WW2 P38 belly tanks I’ve wanted to make a tribute style racer from one of them. I’ve been collecting parts and pieces and a couple years back I picked up an older Formula Vee race car frame and thought it would be the basis for this project. And while the frame is plenty solid and straight, many issues ensued and it just never produced the vision I had in mind. I would stare at it every time I was in the shop and try to figure out how to make it look like I wanted and to actually fit the belly tank sheet metal. No luck with a final solution so the whole project languished.
Well a couple weeks back I attended a local swap meet and found a guy packing up early that had a pretty cool modified Model T frame and some other parts. It was for him an abandoned TROG racer project that he’s lost interest in. So perfect timing as he didn’t want to take it home and was ready to sell cheap.
So I bought it all for a great deal and that will now be the basis for this project. I got excited in my head again over the weekend and had to mock up what parts I currently have on hand.
So far we have the frame, an old 8” rear diff, half a bomber seat from Carlisle, two aluminum floor pan sections from a previous auction and, the front and back of the belly tank. I did a little prelim surgery on the belly tank to get it initially fitted and using a bunch of vise grip clamps have it on jack stands and sort of in one piece.
I also have an early Ford front suspension for it but have to pull that out of a car first before fitting to this frame.
The Model T frame is modified with a spring mount in front of the front crossmember, the original T rear crossmember was moved to the front of the frame and the rear x member replaced with one from a Model A frame. So I can easily mount early Ford transverse leaf springs for each axle.
Back to more parts collecting to add to this vision but at least my interest is renewed to work on it again.
Out with the old:
And in with the new:
Well sometimes the idea in your head just isn’t happening in real life. Ever since I bought a couple surplus WW2 P38 belly tanks I’ve wanted to make a tribute style racer from one of them. I’ve been collecting parts and pieces and a couple years back I picked up an older Formula Vee race car frame and thought it would be the basis for this project. And while the frame is plenty solid and straight, many issues ensued and it just never produced the vision I had in mind. I would stare at it every time I was in the shop and try to figure out how to make it look like I wanted and to actually fit the belly tank sheet metal. No luck with a final solution so the whole project languished.
Well a couple weeks back I attended a local swap meet and found a guy packing up early that had a pretty cool modified Model T frame and some other parts. It was for him an abandoned TROG racer project that he’s lost interest in. So perfect timing as he didn’t want to take it home and was ready to sell cheap.
So I bought it all for a great deal and that will now be the basis for this project. I got excited in my head again over the weekend and had to mock up what parts I currently have on hand.
So far we have the frame, an old 8” rear diff, half a bomber seat from Carlisle, two aluminum floor pan sections from a previous auction and, the front and back of the belly tank. I did a little prelim surgery on the belly tank to get it initially fitted and using a bunch of vise grip clamps have it on jack stands and sort of in one piece.
I also have an early Ford front suspension for it but have to pull that out of a car first before fitting to this frame.
The Model T frame is modified with a spring mount in front of the front crossmember, the original T rear crossmember was moved to the front of the frame and the rear x member replaced with one from a Model A frame. So I can easily mount early Ford transverse leaf springs for each axle.
Back to more parts collecting to add to this vision but at least my interest is renewed to work on it again.
Out with the old:
And in with the new:
Attachments
xtremek
Well-known member
Looks like a good start on the belly tanker. Peddle car should be pretty easy. Might not be able to use racing cart wheels and tires, but regular go kart wheels and tires should fit. If you want to keep it functional.
Grumblebum
Well-known member
Bob your barn is kinda looking full. Feels like yesterday you built it, but I just scrolled back some and it’s been 3 years already. 
Great pics of the salt races.
GB
Great pics of the salt races.
GB
When is the last time you cleaned out and sorted through your favorite carry tool box?
Well I have this small black Craftsman box with one tray that I take on trips, move from vehicle to vehicle as needed and when home keep in the garage when not traveling. Had it for years and have never gone through it since I first filled it with tools. Over the years I kept adding things until it got so full now that it’s hard to get the tray to fit and to close the latches.
Today was the day. I took out every tool and sorted into piles of keep, maybe keep and not going back in.
Then washed out the box and tray then started re-filling with necessary tools. Man I had so many duplicates of same size wrenches, junk, crappy tools, nuts, bolts and small parts. Kept sorting until I had just the bare essentials with no duplicates and put it back together.
It’s nice to have room in the box and easily close the lid. And it got lighter too!
Lesson learned I hope, and not to wait so long to do this chore again.
Well I have this small black Craftsman box with one tray that I take on trips, move from vehicle to vehicle as needed and when home keep in the garage when not traveling. Had it for years and have never gone through it since I first filled it with tools. Over the years I kept adding things until it got so full now that it’s hard to get the tray to fit and to close the latches.
Today was the day. I took out every tool and sorted into piles of keep, maybe keep and not going back in.
Then washed out the box and tray then started re-filling with necessary tools. Man I had so many duplicates of same size wrenches, junk, crappy tools, nuts, bolts and small parts. Kept sorting until I had just the bare essentials with no duplicates and put it back together.
It’s nice to have room in the box and easily close the lid. And it got lighter too!
Lesson learned I hope, and not to wait so long to do this chore again.
Attachments
jon72vega
Well-known member
Bob,When is the last time you cleaned out and sorted through your favorite carry tool box?
Well I have this small black Craftsman box with one tray that I take on trips, move from vehicle to vehicle as needed and when home keep in the garage when not traveling. Had it for years and have never gone through it since I first filled it with tools. Over the years I kept adding things until it got so full now that it’s hard to get the tray to fit and to close the latches.
Today was the day. I took out every tool and sorted into piles of keep, maybe keep and not going back in.
Then washed out the box and tray then started re-filling with necessary tools. Man I had so many duplicates of same size wrenches, junk, crappy tools, nuts, bolts and small parts. Kept sorting until I had just the bare essentials with no duplicates and put it back together.
It’s nice to have room in the box and easily close the lid. And it got lighter too!
Lesson learned I hope, and not to wait so long to do this chore again.
I have a travel box I normally leave in the bed of the Frontier.
It's time for me to go thru that.
Sunday I took it out and left it at home, (I know ... traveling without the travel toolbox
) ...so I would have the entire bed available for the hardtop I purchased for the Solstice.My box is stupid heavy.
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don long
Well-known member
Hey Bob
We could compare notes all night on this topic. I had to go out and buy storage containers (5) to hold all my future projects and parts for them. Twice this year I have promised myself that after the last purchase I was done buying new projects for the year I still feel that way but can't seam to pass on any kind of deal.
I’m right there behind you Don as you’ll see in an upcoming post regarding more new projects. If only my township would allow storage containers here.........
Unfortunately I don’t have enough to land to bring one in and avoid the wrath of local government.
I say the projects keep us going and active so keep doing your awesome work.
Bob
A little update on the belly tank project. Recently I was able to buy a mostly complete rolling chassis from a 30-31 Model A sedan which is now donating its front axle, rear diff and all the suspension. So far I got the axles off the Model A frame, cleaned them up a bit and mocked up under the frame I’m using. A nice bonus of the donor chassis is it had already been converted to “juice” brakes so all that work is done for me.
Next will be taking apart the front and rear spring packs and removing leafs. This car will never have to support the full weight of the original Model A and, each leaf I can remove will help to lower the stance.
Then I’ll be splitting the front wishbone and also spreading out the rear radius rods to new attachment points on the frame.
It’s finally getting that old school look I was going for.
Next will be taking apart the front and rear spring packs and removing leafs. This car will never have to support the full weight of the original Model A and, each leaf I can remove will help to lower the stance.
Then I’ll be splitting the front wishbone and also spreading out the rear radius rods to new attachment points on the frame.
It’s finally getting that old school look I was going for.
Attachments
xtremek
Well-known member
Any idea what you're going to use for an engine?
racer-john
Well-known member
A flat head Ford V8 of vintage era.
A flat head Ford V8 of vintage era.
Sorry I’ve taken so .one to answer these questions. About 3 weeks ago I got sick with Covid-19 and am just now starting to feel recovered to about 85% of normal.
Even if you are lucky like me and one of the 98-99% who recover it’s like living hell going through it.
But glad to be back and mobile and starting to do some things around the garage.
Engine power for the belly tanker is for now going to be a 1000CC shaft drive motorcycle engine I already have. Yes a traditional Ford Flathead would be period correct but I’m a very long ways off from being able to make one fit and work. Still got lots of engineering to figure out yet but I’ll have time for that in 2021. I retire at the end of this year and look forward to spending more quality time in the shop.
racer-john
Well-known member
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Keep safe.
Retirerment to look forward to.
Retirerment to look forward to.
xtremek
Well-known member
Very glad you survived. Looking forward watching the build.
don long
Well-known member
Just checking in to wish you a happy thanksgiving only to hear the good news about the bad news.
Projects and retirement go hand in hand and soon 2020 will be gone and your new life begins
Don
Projects and retirement go hand in hand and soon 2020 will be gone and your new life begins
Don
Bob Heine
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bob, good to hear you are through the worst part. I'm going to mention you to my invisible friend with a request you have no lasting effects. Does this mean you are using up all those paid sick days you've accumulated before you say goodbye to the grindstone?
Strouty
Well-known member
What is Covid-19?
Glad you are on the mend, not an experience any wants. Looks like the projects are shaping up nicely. Happy six foot segregation day.
Glad you are on the mend, not an experience any wants. Looks like the projects are shaping up nicely. Happy six foot segregation day.
What is Covid-19?
Glad you are on the mend, not an experience any wants. Looks like the projects are shaping up nicely. Happy six foot segregation day.
Thank you one and all for the good wishes. It was truly an experience I pray none of you have to endure. But glad to be on the other side and hopefully without permanent effects. Although I seem to be suffering from one Covid after effect. I have an uncontrollable urge to buy more rusty junk and old car parts. Well, maybe I had that disease before if being truthful.
Looking forward to December 31, 2020 as my last official day working in the auto industry. It’s been a good career but I do look forward to closing the work computer for the last time and planning my daily schedule around what ever shop project I decide to work on. Maybe some travel around the country with some pickin along the way once things open up more.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and hope you have many safe and productive garage days ahead.
xtremek
Well-known member
You ****. Just want you to know. I hope you take that in the manner it's intended. On a less sarcastic note, I hope you have an enjoyable holiday.
jon72vega
Well-known member
Bob my friend,
I am very sorry that you have had to go thru being sick from the Covid, but am glad you're getting well.
We have had 19 cases that I know of at work.
For most of the people it was like a mild case of the flu.
2 people that I am aware of got it bad, one of those was in the hospital for over a week.
Congrats on your upcoming retirement.
With all the projects you have going on I'm sure you will keep busy.
I'm getting a new boss at the beginning of next year.
Depending on what he is like, I may be retiring soon thereafter.
I am very sorry that you have had to go thru being sick from the Covid, but am glad you're getting well.
We have had 19 cases that I know of at work.
For most of the people it was like a mild case of the flu.
2 people that I am aware of got it bad, one of those was in the hospital for over a week.
Congrats on your upcoming retirement.
With all the projects you have going on I'm sure you will keep busy.
I'm getting a new boss at the beginning of next year.
Depending on what he is like, I may be retiring soon thereafter.
Bob my friend,
I am very sorry that you have had to go thru being sick from the Covid, but am glad you're getting well.
We have had 19 cases that I know of at work.
For most of the people it was like a mild case of the flu.
2 people that I am aware of got it bad, one of those was in the hospital for over a week.
Congrats on your upcoming retirement.
With all the projects you have going on I'm sure you will keep busy.
I'm getting a new boss at the beginning of next year.
Depending on what he is like, I may be retiring soon thereafter.
Thanks Jon,
Sounds like a lot of potential exposure at your work. Be extremely careful as you go to work. This thing is bad news for many of us.
I am so very much looking forward to retirement and the ability to make my own schedule.
Bob
A brief update on project belly tank project.
Before getting sick I had purchased a set of 4 wheels and tires. These are older Ford 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern so same as the model A original pattern but these are 15 inch wheels versus the originals that were 19” wheels. The tires are some cool old white walls. I would not attempt to run these at any road speed but work well for mock up and rollers. And they lower the whole stance about 2” over stock.
I’ve also been cutting away at the donor motorcycle that will give me my 4 cyl engine. The back half is removed and the engine/trans and drive shaft is almost ready to come out.
Soon the front forks assembly will be gone and I can mock up the engine into the rear of the car frame and start on some new motor mounts.
Got slowed way down on this due to being sick but trying to get a little progress done each day.
Before getting sick I had purchased a set of 4 wheels and tires. These are older Ford 5 x 5.5 bolt pattern so same as the model A original pattern but these are 15 inch wheels versus the originals that were 19” wheels. The tires are some cool old white walls. I would not attempt to run these at any road speed but work well for mock up and rollers. And they lower the whole stance about 2” over stock.
I’ve also been cutting away at the donor motorcycle that will give me my 4 cyl engine. The back half is removed and the engine/trans and drive shaft is almost ready to come out.
Soon the front forks assembly will be gone and I can mock up the engine into the rear of the car frame and start on some new motor mounts.
Got slowed way down on this due to being sick but trying to get a little progress done each day.
Attachments
xtremek
Well-known member
Sounds like you're on the mend. Any lasting effects? I know a couple of kids (25 years old) that got it and they're still not fully recovered. The one was a runner, and she says her stamina is kind of low, 7 months later.
Strouty
Well-known member
If someone had asked me if I thought a model A Ford had a five on five and a half bolt pattern I would have said, “are you crazy?”
Looks like you have a good plan, I like the white walls, so when you replace them, you should find replicas, just for me.
Looks like you have a good plan, I like the white walls, so when you replace them, you should find replicas, just for me.
I do worry about long lasting effects as I’ve hear this is somewhat common. So far my energy level is slow to get back to normal pre-Covid. Only this week have I been able to start again with some exercise. I can relate to the folks you know. All other symptoms are gone except sinuses that won’t shut off. I’m still taking some milder allergy meds to dry up the nose a little. But I can’t stand sittin around all day so I gotta get into the garage even for a hour or two each day.
If someone had asked me if I thought a model A Ford had a five on five and a half bolt pattern I would have said, “are you crazy?”
Looks like you have a good plan, I like the white walls, so when you replace them, you should find replicas, just for me.
Ya I dig the white walls too. I was keeping an eye out for a set like this because I also have 15” Moon disc wheel covers to finish them off one day. 5 x 5.5 was used on Fords for many years actually. Into the ‘50’s and 60’s if I remember right. So there are lots of steel wheels out there but I was real fortunate to find a set of 4 with usable tires, cheap and close to home.
harley jim
Well-known member
Bob I like where you are going with the belly tank, really cool. Glad you are beating the virus[emoji106]
My 70 f100, 73 Jeep CJ5, and my 2005 Dodgeram are all 5 on 5.5.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
My 70 f100, 73 Jeep CJ5, and my 2005 Dodgeram are all 5 on 5.5.
Sent from my SM-A102U using The Garage Journal mobile app
Strouty
Well-known member
Yup 5 on 5.5 is still a pretty common pattern that is why I was amazed it went back to the A.
The caps would look greater, I am pretty sure you can find decent brands that still make the wide white walls.
The caps would look greater, I am pretty sure you can find decent brands that still make the wide white walls.
Today I finished stripping the motorcycle frame of all parts and wiring that may be needed in the future and got the carcass out of the shop. Then using my engine hoist decided to try a rough initial engine placement.
Well lets say that round one of engine mock up is a fail. At first I thought maybe bring it in from under the frame but talked myself out of that and tried setting it on top of the frame rails. Total fail as it is way to high up causing the driveshaft alignment to be way off and the engine bulk to juist be too high. I don’t want to cut the frame so at next opportunity I will put the engine under the frame and raise it up as much as possible. I will likely need to fab up an engine cradle of sorts to support it from underneath. Left it here for now to take time to think this through.
Trial and error is sometimes the hot rodding way.
Well lets say that round one of engine mock up is a fail. At first I thought maybe bring it in from under the frame but talked myself out of that and tried setting it on top of the frame rails. Total fail as it is way to high up causing the driveshaft alignment to be way off and the engine bulk to juist be too high. I don’t want to cut the frame so at next opportunity I will put the engine under the frame and raise it up as much as possible. I will likely need to fab up an engine cradle of sorts to support it from underneath. Left it here for now to take time to think this through.
Trial and error is sometimes the hot rodding way.
Attachments
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
Can it run rotated 90 degrees?
xtremek
Well-known member
Flip the engine around 180*, use a drop down, and run the driveshaft in front of the engine. I know it only solves one of your problems. Otherwise, it looks like a frame notch and bending your trailing arms are going to be a must.