[54chevkiwi]

Dan is working on the rear wheel arches right now. I'm going to look at it in person before it goes further.. to me, the arch looks too long and flat, but it shouldn't be any higher. That I'm sure is his camera distorting the image. I think if it was maybe 1/2" higher at the MAX and the rear ride height was 1/2"-1" higher it'd be perfect...

 

[54chevkiwi]

 

[1937Austin]

Looks perfect stance to me. Maybe want it slightly higher in front if the engine isn't in it yet? Engine and trans, plus eventual spring settling could result in it being 2"-3" lower later.

 

[54chevkiwi]

Yea, I built it to be 1-2" lower at the front and you're right, it sits that much lower in the front with the engine in.

I agree with you though, I like that front height, I think once the engine gets in there I'll raise it back up to there like you say.

The new engine is still in my kitchen, assembled, ready to go to the Dyno.. I should post some pics..
My plan is to take it to Dan's and modify the firewall to fit it, then sweet talk my Dyno guy to see if I can have Dan take the whole car to him and take it out at his place lol.....

 

[54chevkiwi]

Engine so far...

 

[sbauman2]

Great looking motor, good job.

 

[54chevkiwi]

First wheel arch done

 

[54chevkiwi]

It's just 3/8 rod bent around and tacked then the body edge hammered against the rod to rounden it off. It's not getting fully welded. I was going to fibre fill it to make a nice round edge but.. Im not doing that. Depending on how it looks in person I think I'll just paint it

 

[54chevkiwi]

He bent the rod to the profile on the outside then moved it to the inside.
Im not a fan of having any type of flare on this body style. 55? Yes, but this style now, because it already has that bulge in the rear quarter, the flared wheel arch looks out of place to me

 

[sbauman2]

I agree with your feeling about not doing a flare on this particular body style. The wheel wells on my 53 Ford are also just flat, no flare; it just wouldn't have looked right.

 

[1937Austin]

I did the same thing, and put my 3/8" rod on the inside of my radius. But I did completely tack weld all along the edge to avoid any moisture getting into the seam and rusting. I also used All-Metal along the back side to seal the rod to the fender, and keep dirt or water from building up inside also.

 

[54chevkiwi]

Oh I'm hearing you lol, this was my thought process

"I'll weld it up"
"Naah I won't, we used to use sikaflex and 3m seam sealer at work, I'll just seam sealer the inside"
"Ugh, naah, it's not ever going to see wet weather at this point"
"What about the burnout box?"
"Ugh, in this economy, I can't afford to go drag racing, it won't be raced, who am I kidding"
"Well will I still weld it up? Ugh, naah, I'll fibre fill it"
"Can't be bothered fibre filling it... Any water that gets in there will drain and dry out, it's all freshly epoxied bare steel.... It'll never rust out again in my life time..."

"Screw it. It's just getting painted"

Lol

 

[54chevkiwi]

It depends when I see it, I might tack it all the way around ands sand it to a nice radius... That was always my favourite part of welding outside radiuses lol