Take a Gander Back.

For those who just started checking out my blog I ask you to read some entries from the 2008 links in the right column. Some interesting and 100% true stories are posted. As they say only the names were changed to protect the innocent.

Let There Be Lights

Not too much to report since last post. With the extremely hot August and time away for vacation I was limited in what I could get accomplished.

5 minutes in the garage and the sweat would start.

As you can see the headlights have been mounted along with the shifter, the forward brake lines and the water hoses.

Soon I will finish the brake lines and mount the fuel tank. I then need to figure out the vacuum lines, fuel lines and a host of other items before I tackle the wiring system.

The headlight and radiator mounts will be covered by a radiator shell.

Shifting mechanism in place.

Motor and Transmission is In!!

Over the past few weeks the weekends were taken with family obligations and I was limited in my build time.
I invested in an engine hoist and single handedly mounted the engine. The transmission gave me a little more trouble. I couldn't fit the torque converter properly and broke off a pair on pump lugs. I dropped it off at Bill & Earl's transmissions and let them fix it and fit the converter.

I mounted the tranny using the engine hoist and also did this by myself. It makes it harder and more time consuming but I've learned allot.
The headers and mufflers were installed mainly because I wanted to see what it looked like.
The next step is fabricating the brake system. I mounted the master cylinder and power brake booster and now have to measure, cut, flare and install the brake lines. I'm sure this will be a pain in the butt and will be worth the effort in the end. (If they work)


I also measure and cut out the taillight holes and mounted them.
they are based on a 1939 Ford design.

























The water pump, crank and alternator pulleys were installed as was the lower radiator hose.











Allot of chrome to have to polish.

Continuing the Bucket Build

The ideal process in building one of these is to fabricate and install as much as possible before painting. I installed the entire chassis system minus the brake lines and reached a point where I felt it was time to make some permanent installations.

I found a local painter and had the frame painted House of Kolor Tangerine. The color came out beautiful. The body won't be painted until the end but at least now I was able to get to work.

An Edelbrock 350ci 320hp motor has arrived looking spiffy. A TCI transmission was also delivered so the next step for me is to get the motor and transmission mounted.
Still in the crates the motor and tranny take up too much garage space and to keep Cherie happy I need to leave room for her car. Once the drivetrain is installed I can get too work on the brakes, wiring, radiator and much, much, more...............

New Project, 1923 Ford Model T, T-Bucket

After 6 weeks of waiting for the kit to arrive I began my Hot Rod building experience.
Having limited automotive experience this will be somewhat of a challenge but what I can't do myself I will farm out to real mechanics. The kit comes complete with everything but the engine, transmission, wheels and tires.
The end result will be something like this.














Parts arrived.

By the end of day one the front end was nearly complete. I still need to install the front spindles and rotors.

By day two the rear shocks, radius bars and rear end were installed along with the big a$$ Cragars and Mickey Thompson tires.

After mocking up the frame I'll tearing it back down to have the frame painted.

The frame and body will be painted House of Kolor Tangerine.

**Major Updates Coming Soon**

Nothing earth shattering but check back every so often.

Maryland ranks last in freedom, Just great!

NEW RESEARCH RANKS MARYLAND DEAD LAST IN PERSONAL FREEDOM ...

Friday March 13th 2009 11:42 AM
... People's Republic of Maryland?

A new research paper from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University has ranked all 50 states of the Union in terms of their economic and personal freedoms. The results are in for Maryland and it doesn’t look good. According to the research, Maryland is ranked dead last (50th) in personal freedom and 34th in economic freedom.
Maryland’s fiscal policy ranking is pretty good at 16th but it is offset by Maryland's low regulatory policy ranking at 47th.
Overall freedom in Maryland is ranked pathetically low at 46th. Maryland received such a bad ranking in personal freedom for many reasons. Maryland has the 2nd most strict gun laws in the U.S., somewhat ruthless marijuana laws, and troublesome home schooling laws.
Also adding to the lack of personal freedom in Maryland are restrictions on motorists’ freedoms, unchanged eminent domain abuse, and high arrests on victimless crimes.
There was one thing to cheer about in the research as Maryland’s “taxes on beer, wine, and spirits are fairly low, and overall Maryland has one of the least restrictive alcohol control systems in the country.”
Cheers to electing more Republicans next election in Maryland!