[themoose]

 In a previous post I talked about how I have owned my present ride a 32 Chevy since 1972 and how in that time it was driven and enjoyed in its original stock configuration then how I completely restored it and finally how I updated the drive train so that I could continue to drive it without feeling like I was going to get annihilated while driving in modern day traffic. Most members on our site also know how I’m always prompting them to take pictures of whatever they’re working on and posing them for us all to enjoy. As the old adage says “do as I say not as I do”. I find that over the years I have done a very poor job of photo documenting the various projects cars that I have built. As for the 32 in the early stages of its evolution I only have a few pictured of what it looked like after doing a quick “fix up” to get it into its stock drivable condition. During the frame up restore for some reason my photographic focus seemed to be on getting the body and wood restored and painted. I have quite a few pictures of that process but nothing much else. For the last update of the Chevy I took my own advice and now have endless shots of the drivetrain, chassis and related component update. I’m posting some of the shots here starting with the early days and going forward. As you can see in the latest phase it got a new small block ZZ4 350 on which I installed GM Fastburn heads with a GM Hot Cam which is a full roller unit that GM recommends for off road only. (I figure it’s off the road when it’s sitting in the garage). Because of the cam’s long duration it doesn’t produce much vacuum at idle so I install a Hydroboost  brake system from an early Cadillac diesel under the floor that uses the power steering pump to supply brake assist. I used a 700R4 K transmission out of a Corvette/4wd and an S10 rear end with 3.42 gears. With the gear and tire combination it turns right around 2000 rpm at 65 mph in OD/Lock up…It still sucks up the gas. I boxed the frame and installed an IFS from Kugel that I was able to mate to the original front cross member for added strength. I fabricated a beefy “K” member that includes a drive shaft loop to keep the frame from moving around just in case I get “Frisky” at a stop light.  There are a lot of other mods  but this is getting too long already so I’d better stop rambling.  The pictures don’t show a lot of the work in process but I thought you guys might like to take a look at them anyway.
Moose
 


And DONE!

[logride]

Very clean!  Both before and after!

[trbomax]

That is really nice! maybe too nice to drive! How long did that buid take you and what are the side motor mounts?

[PBRmeASAP]

Very nice.  love the stance of it!  Hope i can get mine to sit as nice as your.

[themoose]

 

How long did that build take you and what are the side motor mounts?

The last phase of updating the drivetrain took about a year. The first restoration took two years. The side motor mounts are available from Speedway Motors. I machined the top to removing some material to create a pocket where the mounting bolt goes through to make them look less blocky but not so much as to compromise their structural integrity.

Moose

[TFoch]

Impressive car and that you did it all in your own garage.  It's cool to see the transition over the last 40 years.  It's a family member!

[sixball]

Very nice work. A great car in all of it's stages. I've owned my '53 pickup since '73 and it's been through several stages but now that match yours. I agree about taking pictures. I don't have any pictures of most of my early cars. I regret that.

[trbomax]

I only have maybe 25 pictures of the glass build on the 28,and most of them are the chassis,not the body.When I got into building the drag boats I took a lot of pictures,but they are all 35mm slides!Nowdays I take pics of everything!

[logride]

Hey Moose,

Did you fill the roof or use a cloth insert?

I'm planing on using using a insert and am looking for the aluminum surround. I have used the cheap hydeum on a model A but was wondering what you did?

[themoose]

logride

I used an insert. That was the first thing i did when I got the car in 72. The surround was in perfect shape so I was able to use it and only had to replace the material. I think got the material from a guy in Illinois who owned a body shop and was in the process of restoring a number of 32 Chevy's. It was a very heavy material that had a woven backing and I'm thinking it might have been the original material from back in the day. What ever it was it has held up well and looks like the day it was done. You could try posting on VCCA Chat....I'm sure someone can help.
http://vcca.org/forum/

Moose

[MIDROAD]

Moose, it's great to see another early Chevy with an IFS. I get asked all the time why I used one in my rat style '29 Tourer. It was the only way to get the front low enough without using a Ford dropped beam axle. I love your car, it's not a car we can get hold of in Australia. I'm envious. Mike.

[themoose]

Thanks for the compliments guys. I've kept the car for so long because I've always liked the style of the 32 and now it's really fun to drive.....I guess I'll keep for another 40 years

Moose
 

[trbomax]

 Is that ceramic-chrome on the hedders?

[themoose]

Is that ceramic-chrome on the hedders?

Yes it is and it's holding up really well and looks like the day I put them on. A friend of mine had the same setup and experienced  a vacuum leak on one cylinder and it over heated the pipe to the point that is was glowing red. The ceramic got dull with a couple of small bubbles but it's still on there.

Moose

[ghost28]

Very nice, and the quality of the construction is first rate.