SS383 Build - 33 Hot Rod #1134

[Brave Salmon]

Peter, it looks like you are doing just fine with your prep. It's a real project to get it done to your satisfaction but i think you should continue to at least try and go all the way with the paint. I will remind you that I found that not a single painter in my area was willing to let me do the "prep" work and just have them spray the base and clear. They all base their reputation on the finished job and as we all know, if the prep is wrong, the finished paint will not work. They cannot guarantee the job unless they know it was done correctly which is code for they done it! It was either do it all yourself or hand it all off to a pro and write a big check that in my case was well overy $15k for a routine paint job. I chose to do it myself and although it was a major effort with lots of screwups, i was very happy with the final job and it was a great learning experience. Keep after it, practice a lot and you'll get 'er done. good luck/

[peterh226]

Peter, it looks like you are doing just fine with your prep. It's a real project to get it done to your satisfaction but i think you should continue to at least try and go all the way with the paint. I will remind you that I found that not a single painter in my area was willing to let me do the "prep" work and just have them spray the base and clear. They all base their reputation on the finished job and as we all know, if the prep is wrong, the finished paint will not work. They cannot guarantee the job unless they know it was done correctly which is code for they done it! It was either do it all yourself or hand it all off to a pro and write a big check that in my case was well overy $15k for a routine paint job. I chose to do it myself and although it was a major effort with lots of screwups, i was very happy with the final job and it was a great learning experience. Keep after it, practice a lot and you'll get 'er done. good luck/

My local guy stopped by to review my prep and see what the project looked like. He was pleasantly surprised with what I was doing and I'm going to get it all smoothed to at least 320 and then take it up to him to finish. Tape, seal, color, clear. Once it's done I'll fill in the details.
So, next step is to get everything looking as good as I can.

[peterh226]

I’m getting better at all of this. Sprayed a couple of primer cups without incident, so that is an improvement.
The fro nt nose cone was not as good as I thought. Blocking does not lie.
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Tomorrow get another coat on several pieces and then I guess take the doors apart! Maybe sanding later in the day. I like to make sure it dries.

[e36m3]

I’m getting better at all of this. Sprayed a couple of primer cups without incident, so that is an improvement.
The front nose cone was not as good as I thought. Blocking does not lie.
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Tomorrow get another coat on several pieces and then I guess take the doors apart! Maybe sanding later in the day. I like to make sure it dries.

Hi Peter,

The prep work looks really good. When I click on the attachments in your latest post I get the error invalid attachment.

Thanks,

Andy

[peterh226]

Got some more primer and the sanded and filled some low areas. Slow, but improving.
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These are before my hours of sanding today. All smooth now anyway!

[peterh226]

Doors continue to be one of the challenges of the build. I fit the door panels and added some rivnuts so they would be ok after paint. One of the panels (of course the dreaded drivers door) had some different spacing so I had to add some extra filler to adjust. Sanding inside corners is really hard to get them smooth. The aluminum to pieces for the windows also set some requirements for the top of the door to get it all smooth. Fill and sand and fill and sand. Starting to get the hang of this. More primer tomorrow the they will be done after the final sanding. It’s hard to see if it’s smooth when it is several colors.
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Makes you appreciate what it takes to do a real pro job. Also, provides some real world experience to help decide which you-tube personality you want to pay attention to.
Biggest hint so far: start to sand as soon as the filler will allow you to. It is so much easier before it turns to rock!

[33fromSD]

Looks good Peter. Get some Evercoat Rage Extreme body filler, it's the easiest stuff I ever worked with. I started using this stuff a few cars before the 33 (found out it also worked good on fiberglass) and am using it once again on my 55 F100 I'm currently doing.

It's spendy, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Jim

https://www.amazon.com/Evercoat-120-Performance-Premium-Lightweight/dp/B000P6URRA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=19G3SBSNKBACW&keywords=evercoat+rage+gold+body+filler&qid=1663464117&sprefix=Evercoat%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-5

[peterh226]

Looks good Peter. Get some Evercoat Rage Extreme body filler, it's the easiest stuff I ever worked with. I started using this stuff a few cars before the 33 (found out it also worked good on fiberglass) and am using it once again on my 55 F100 I'm currently doing.

It's spendy, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Jim

https://www.amazon.com/Evercoat-120-Performance-Premium-Lightweight/dp/B000P6URRA/ref=sr_1_5?crid=19G3SBSNKBACW&keywords=evercoat+rage+gold+body+filler&qid=1663464117&sprefix=Evercoat%2Caps%2C130&sr=8-5

I used that in several places. I agree it works great - especially if you sand it quickly. I'm using some glaze type filler now to get the pin holes. Doors have another cost of primer and now back to sanding that down. The end is in sight on the doors...

[33fromSD]

I used that in several places. I agree it works great - especially if you sand it quickly. I'm using some glaze type filler now to get the pin holes. Doors have another cost of primer and now back to sanding that down. The end is in sight on the doors...

Your progress is looking good Peter.

If interested Evercoat makes a good finishing / blending putty too which sands very easy.

Jim

https://www.amazon.com/Fibreglass-Evercoat-421-Polyester-Finishing/dp/B000P6USCO/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2J93316SLEKNB&keywords=evercoat+glazing+putty&qid=1663581536&sprefix=evercoat+g%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-5

[peterh226]

While I’m waiting for my finish painter, I’m working on lots of other details.
I decided to upgrade to a hyperspark to complement the sniper. Also, since I changed to the Ram horns, the plug wires were not working so I took care of that as well.
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[33fromSD]

While I’m waiting for my finish painter, I’m working on lots of other details.
I decided to upgrade to a hyperspark to complement the sniper. Also, since I changed to the Ram horns, the plug wires were not working so I took care of that as well.
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You'll love the Holley Hyperspark, I have it on my 70 challenger with the Sniper. It's been flawless for several years now.

Jim

[Tampa33Build]

I did the same with my Blueprint 400. Cannot understand why they sell an engine with EFI and a non EFI controllable distributor. Should at least be an upgrade option.

[peterh226]

Got a good start on mounting the battery. That meant putting down some sound deadened and carpet where the battery is mounted. Figured that anything I can do around the trunk now will help. I still need to be able to bend the side pieces to get the body on easily.
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Glued the. Center section of carpet to some quiet mat. Then poked the holes for the mounting bolts using a hot bolt to make good holes. Got most of the rest of the quiet mat installed. Progress!

[peterh226]

Now that I’ve seen the instructions for the Gen 2 front end, I decided to rear down the front end and get it set up as designed. I’m also going to take advantage of this to get the parts powder coated. The provider used for some other parts a couple of years ago did want to parts with ball joints, so I’m looking for another one. The paint did not last on these parts so nothing to lose.
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Next spring should be good to go!

[peterh226]

Hi Folks
While I make some adjustments, I'm looking at the boots on the front end.

Upper Ball Joint
The upper ball joint appears to be some manufactured version of a Moog K772 that was used on Chryslers from the 60' into the 80's. The boot below looks like the right replacement for the blue boot from FFR.
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177364 Also, one of the ball joints is not really seated. That will not matter for function, but leaves less area for the boot to seat. 177363

Lower Ball Joint
My best guess is that this is variation of Moog K8259 or K8749 that was used on a lot of Fords in the 70's into the 90's.
I had some Energy boots, but they did not really fit. With the groove at the bottom, it looks like this boot might use a retainer wire as well. I had a reference for Energy 9.13130 and tried that boot (It has 13009 molded into it). But, I think there is probably a better fit out there.

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Do my ball joints look like yours? (That seems like a strange question to ask...) Any suggestions for the Lower Ball joint 'real' number? Any idea about boots?

[peterh226]

I’ve spent a lot of weekends traveling to watch my daughter play ice hockey and now into playoffs. Great family time, but not good for progress.
Got the front end pieces all powder coated and reassembled to the latest specifications. Still need to complete the ride height and alignment again.
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Looks a lot better than they did with my scratched paint.

The painter (Body by Mark) did just what it needed. Coat of sealer, color, and clear. Waterborne PPG. Red Velvet and Black. I’m happy with the prep work and I’m glad I spent all the time last summer.

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Now all of the parts have been brought home and are all ready to begin assembly. If I need to wait until NCAA is over, it will be worth the wait.
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[peterh226]

The winch on the ceiling let’s me do this alone! I’ll add video at some point.
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[peterh226]

The front door pins are not close to symmetrical. Got them installed, added the door arms, and the aluminum pieces.
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[peterh226]

Been doing a lot in the final assembly. Doors are still an issue. Parts don’t fit together quite like when I last had it apart not quite sure why there is a difference, but I’m committed now.
I’ve had issues with the 3 link for quite a while. Finally determined that there are two problems. The lower control arms are too long (by about 2 inches) and that the frame does not have room for the driveshaft when the suspension drops. So I have ordered custom lower control arms (Gordon Levy) and cut on the frame. I added a 1/4 plate to the bottom to add reinforcement - bolted and bonded in place. Now the wheels are in the right place.
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[peterh226]

Finally solved several issues. I need to write a good summary of experiences.
Solved the steering binding issue. Got the new lower control arms. Made it to Baker’s for a Sunday show and got an award! It’s neat to have people appreciate the efforts.
On the drive home I could barely keep it running. Just made it home, but it would not restart. After new plugs and some discussion on the Holley forum, figured out one injector is operating all open or all closed. Not sure if electronic or injector but it’s off the car and back at its birthplace in Bowling Green. So no driving for a while. Drives easy and pulls like crazy from any speed in any gear. The Dynomax turbos are a great sound and volume. Still some tweaks to do, but now I’m looking for my next project!

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[33fromSD]

Finally solved several issues. I need to write a good summary of experiences.
Solved the steering binding issue. Got the new lower control arms. Made it to Baker’s for a Sunday show and got an award! It’s neat to have people appreciate the efforts.
On the drive home I could barely keep it running. Just made it home, but it would not restart. After new plugs and some discussion on the Holley forum, figured out one injector is operating all open or all closed. Not sure if electronic or injector but it’s off the car and back at its birthplace in Bowling Green. So no driving for a while. Drives easy and pulls like crazy from any speed in any gear. The Dynomax turbos are a great sound and volume. Still some tweaks to do, but now I’m looking for my next project!

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Nice looking ride Peter.

On the issue with keeping it running, have you thought about insulating your fuel lines with DEI vapor block fuel line sleeves and maybe header blankets to keep the heat down? Fuel Injection is definitely less susceptible to a fuel boiling / vapor lock because the fuel is moving at a faster rate, but under the right conditions it could exist. Wondering if some of your issue is heat related.

DEI Fuel line sleeves = https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dei-010671

DEI Form-a-shield heat barrier = https://www.summitracing.com/parts/dei-050519

Jim

[peterh226]

Hi Folks
I now have about 1400 miles on the car. Lots if stuff has made it hard to get many miles in the last year to two (Sniper and steering issues mainly). Took it to NSRA in Kalamazoo and it drove and ran well. Part of the way home was raining so I got to test the defroster and windshield wipers as well. Car is stable at highway speeds - anything between 70 and 80 was fine. I also was very glad that I switched to Turbo mufflers as the noise was OK for a couple of hour trip. I did end up using EarPods as I still could not hear the radio.
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It has been very interesting to get peoples reaction. The color combination and general appearance always get attention. Some purists only like steel cars. May people do not really appreciate the details, but that's OK. What I really have learned is that you need to build the car to satisfy your vision and desire. Going to some shows, driving the car, and the whole experience has made me appreciate the chance for me to learn and create something I'm happy with. I'm happy when others like what I've created, but that is just a nice extra.

I have created some videos that are a tour of the car. Please let me know if you have any questions

Video tour part 1 - Body (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoHQKJpwtt4)
Video tour part 2 - Interior (https://youtu.be/BrcfaZ-p2U0?si=TnRs_NGD0AR2sT_2)
Video tour part 3 - Chassis (https://youtu.be/cZSKc_DALJk?si=Q-xgHL5aVv4JoP1G)

Please let me know if you have any questions

[Just 1 More]

Glad to see someone doing youtube videos of their 33 and pointing out the little things that make each one unique. Thanks for posting them. Maybe one day i'll do the same

[peterh226]

I attended the and that experience (and Dave's 2024 sale) led me to start on the 35 Truck!
I took part in the parade around town. That was neat for people of Kalamazoo to see a sampling of the cars that were at the event.
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I got to talk to a lot of people about the car and was pleased with the response.

Gotta Drive them! It rained most of the way home (~100Mi) but that is part of the adventure!

[progmgr1]

Loved the videos - a nice summary of your build thread. I did lose audio in the middle segment of the Part 2 video. Still picked up a few useful nuggets, even without the commentary.

Thanks for posting these! Keith HR #894

[Blitzboy54]

Love how this turned out. Perfect mix of modern and nostalgia