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bell

Building a Rat

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horsefeathers

Bell, Can't say I've seen that done before!

I like the half leaf's very unik that's what it's all about!

Low lights look sweet... but it does cover that cool fab work.

Hi/Low doeknow? You could mount them on swivles and tab

them to the drag link so they turn with the steering! :woohoo:

:D HORSEFEATHERS!

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DoctorHfuhruhurr

I like the low lights. Lower lights reminds me a little of the hot rod on the Munsters.

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Edjfleming

Very Nice Job, If your interested in a old Hemi let me know. I have a 1953 or 1954 Super Red Ram 241ci. It ran fine before I tore it apart. Every thing is there and organized. Will trade for tractor. Thanks Ed

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earlleecliffton

Low lights :woohoo:

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shorts

low lights :D:woohoo:

I like the quarter eliptical springs, it's a good way to locate the axle and provide suspension at the same time. The first car i saw them on was a late teens or early 20's Rolls Royce silver ghost, they geased them up and then wraped them in leather to keep them working good

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HorseFixer

Looks Good Jon :D Go with the Low mount. :woohoo:

Cheers ~Duke

:ROTF:

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zieg72

I love where this is headed

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bell

I've been working on the DB again!

The rear suspension is done!

Ride height (there is about 2 or 3 more inches of "up" for speedbump mode... lol)

dodgebrothersvac_001.JPG

Aired out...

dodgebrothersvac_005.JPG

dodgebrothersvac_009.JPG

dodgebrothersvac_003.JPG

Also finished up the transmission crossmember...

dodgebrothersvac_014.JPG

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bell

Also got my radiatior... It's from Champion cooling systems. They are VERY reasonable and make lots of different sizes. This one is a "t-bucket" radiator and is 3 row, all aluminum. Came with the electric fan for just over $200 shipped!

dodgebrothersvac_012.JPG

Tomorrow is my last day of vacation... I'm going to pull the engine and transmission and put the torque converter in... Then, I'll try to get it fired up!

dodgebrothersvac_013.JPG

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bell

It's almost ready to fire, but not quite. I ran out of steam after 20-25 hours on the headers... lol

I started the weekend out with these...

A new pair of Speedway cones.

cones.jpg

And a pair of slightly used Mopar B-Body headers. I cut the flanges off and used the pieces of the primary tubes to make the new primaries...

almostreadytofire_001.JPG

A lot of careful guesstimation told me where the holes needed to be, so I cut them out with a holesaw...

almostreadytofire_003.JPG

Here's where I got im my groove and quit taking pictures...

during.jpg

A finished pic or three...

almostreadytofire_007.JPG

almostreadytofire_006.JPG

almostreadytofire_009.JPG

This evening, I made a temporary oil pressure gauge/ign. switch panel, mounted the ignition box and called it a night...

almostreadytofire_008.JPG

I should be able to get it fired up sometime this week...

Until next time, JB

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Rollerman

Looking good Jon, hope you can post up a video when you get it going.

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massey

Now this is gonna be cool.

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bell

Thanks fellas!

Okay, I woke up early today and had enough time before work to play in the shop...

The big block is ALIVE!!!!

rod.jpg

I had never heard it run and bought it on a guy's word that it ran well.... Well, It does! It runs FANTASTIC! It runs soo well that I can't see doing a rebuild on it... NO smoke, NO unusual noise! I'm going to tear it down and clean it up, replace all gaskets, slide in a big(er) cam and run it!

I have a video on my phone, but not sure how to put it on here.... yet.

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bell

More progress!!!

I decided that I'll be using the top section of the hood (after I add 12" to it... lol), so I had to lower the front crossmember about 3". (The hood would have ran "uphill" towards the front of the car) I made a new crossmember, but forgot to take a pic of it.... I'll try to get one next time I have the radiator/ shell off.

Anyhoo, here's the old crossmember coming out.

frame.jpg

And the modified shell...

shell.jpg

All mounted up...

shell2.jpg

shell3.jpg

shell5.jpg

I cut about 1/4" too much off of the shell and it was rubbing the top of the radiator... So, I made the mounts out of 1/4" plate and have clearance now! :)

shell6.jpg

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bell

I got a LOT done this weekend!

Started with the bracing for the big chop...

chop2.jpg

Working by yourself, you come up with the craziest ideas to get the job done... With a couple 2x's, a ratchet strap and the chain hoist, I was able to lift and support the top so I could finish cutting....

chop1.jpg

Here it is... Heavily tacked and ready for finish welding/grinding...

chop4.jpg

Aired out...

chop7.jpg

chop6.jpg

chop3.jpg

chop9.jpg

A little height perspective... (I'm 6'1")

chopd.jpg

I also made and welded the roof support crossbars (1"x1" square tube) and I'm ready to finish framing out the floor and transmission/ driveshaft tunnel. That's all for now, JB

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whfan74

What a great thread! That is really coming together and looks like it will be a ton of fun for you and your family. You should park a Horse next to it and compare the heights of them together.

Keep plugging away! It looks as though you are getting close!

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clintonnut

Really really nice!!!!!! Good job on the big block too!

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Buzz

Good job John. You better be careful while driving it that you don't run over a cigarette butt or else you're liable to burn YOUR butt.....

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Daddy Don

This thing is comming together great. Wished I had your talent. Keep the pictures comming.

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Monkalunka

Awesome Job Jon, since the last I saw the Rat it is a total transformation you are the fabricator for the century. it was good to see you on RS again and thanks again for the tractor.

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W9JAB

Have the pix be removed!

Just get blank boxes with a X

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