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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Just got back from Iowa with the coupe in tow. I actually bought the car in Feburary, but figured I would wait until spring and the weather was good to make the 3,200 mile trip. HA!  Turns out I was fighting with "winter storm Walda" the entire way back to Maine ending up in a snow storm here. I think the trip was worth it. I've been looking for one of these project cars (that I could afford) for a long time. The coupe is all original and mostly complete , no motor or trans, but you know I have that covered. It does need floors, rockers and some other patch panels, but they all do. All the parts you don't see are in the pickup bed or the car. Complete 3 piece hood, new aftermarket grill, deck lid, chrome windshield frame, extra running boards and front fenders. I think it will make a good home for the b lown stroker motor. What do you think?? Rono   
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By pegleg - 11 Years Ago
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I think I'm a little jealous, always liked that year. You were within a 1/4 mile of my house when you went through Indiana on 80/90.
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Frank;
I thought about telling folks the route I was taking and when I was passing through so that maybe I could meet some of my Y-Block friends, but I didn't. I didn't have a laptop with me. Going out I went through Cleveland on I-80-90, but that was such a nightmare than coming back I headed southeast on I-80 and went back through Pennsylvania, Connecticut, NY, NH and Mass.
Rono
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By bird55 - 11 Years Ago
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NIce project, looks like you have your work cut out for you, Rono. I grew up with a 36 FORD in our family. My brother in law owns it now. Have fun with it! 
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By The Master Cylinder - 11 Years Ago
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What a RELIC ... Nice car too. 
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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Nice looking coupe and decent body for the age. Did the old guy come with it? Chuck
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Yeah...the old guy is wondering if he bit off more than he can chew
Rono
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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Looking at your 56 I would think not. That car sure is pretty. Chuck
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By speedpro56 - 11 Years Ago
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I've always loved those fords from the 30s and that one is a beauty.
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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Lets see now, blown Y-Block, old Ford coupe can anyone say GASSER! Chuck
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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I love the old GASSERS and was considering building the car like that. There is even a club up here called "Gasser Guys" that races at the local Winterport 1/8 mile track. BUT I got good fenders and running boards with the car that I really want to use, so I'm planning more of a pro street build. Nothing is set is stone and things can change, but that's what I'm thinking now.
Rono
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Just a quick update on the coupe. There was so little floor left that I needed about 50' of 1" square tubing to brace the body before separating it from the chassis. Once that was done and the doors were aligned and clamped, we were able to get the body off the chassis and up on the rotisserie. My friends shop has an overhead electric hoist that made this maneuver really easy. Once on the rotisserie, we got the lower (outer) cowl panels and new 5" recessed firewall into place. Finally making some progress. Rono    
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By glrbird - 11 Years Ago
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Looks like you are off to a good start, good luck
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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We now have the firewall, lower cowl panels, rocker panels and rear quarter panels in. The lower cowls and quarter panels needed a bit of massaging before we could get it right. Also the drivers door needed a lot of hinge work, but it's hanging pretty good now. We worked a lot on the chassis today. The right side frame rail was a little bent as you can see in one of the pictures, but we straightened that out with a torch, 3lb hammer and porta-power. We removed the X-member so we could set the body back down and make sure the front and rear body mount holes were aligned correctly (they were). We left a section of the left front side of the X-member in place so we can see how the new power brake and clutch set-up will fit. Eventually we will be making a new X-member after I get the new blower motor dyno tested this Tuesday. I'll try to take a flip video of that or at least some pictures to post. I have the tranny now (Borg Warner T-5), so we probably will hold off on the front floor until we see how the bell house and tranny work with the trans tunnel and other front sheet metal.
Rono
Rono    
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By pegleg - 11 Years Ago
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Ron. You are having entirely TOO MUCH FUN. Wish I was there! 
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By mctim64 - 11 Years Ago
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Looks like a good start and a lot of fun! I do like '37s ('34s, '35s, '38s, '40s and so on.  )
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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Are you going to make the x member or order one? Chuck
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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My friend and I are going to make the X-member. Next week I'll buy the hanging hydraulic brake and clutch from ECI. It's a spendy set-up ($625) but it should work well and enable me to use a hydraulic clutch with a pull type slave cylinder for the T-5. It's supposed to go in the same location as the stock brake and clutch pedal which is why we left the short left front piece (which we may wind up removing anyway). Rear suspension will be a Posies parallel leaf set-up and the front suspension will be a Heidt's Superide II made specifically for the 35-40 Fords.
Rono
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Still have a long way to go, but internal bracing is gone and new floors are in. Difficult parts were the tail pan and the tool tray which connects the trunk floor, trunk latch and tail pan all together. Still need to make a couple of short pieces along the sides to tie in the quarter panels to the floor and complete the tranny tunnel after I see how the motor, bell housing and tranny fit. Next big phase is the new IFS.
Rono  
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By MoonShadow - 11 Years Ago
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My 41 convertible had a tool tray similar to that one. It had ledges around the perimeter and a couple of covers for it. I used to carry the essentials in there, like an extra fuel pump, coil, points etc. The compartment seemed to always get wet when it rained though. Chuck
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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"Steel Rubber" is supposed to make very good gaskets. I'll do my best to seal it up tight!!
Rono
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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For what's it worth, here are some of the latest photos of the 37. We got the Heidt's Superide II IFS tacked in place, the Posie's parallel leaf suspension, stainless gas tank and the Ford 9" with 356 gears (stock 1957 rear), so we more or less set the stance/rake on the car. I think it's going to look pretty good. Rono   I'll be working on getting the motor mounts and the motor in next week. Floors on the body are 95% complete, just need to finish the transmission tunnel.
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By glrbird - 11 Years Ago
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Looks great, went to a local car show this weekend and saw a very nice dark green 37, sbc engine ruined it. Only one street rod had a hemi, all others had chevy power. Was an interesting T bird with 2 x 4 and a home made aircleaner system. I like people that think outside the box.
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By Midwest Mike - 11 Years Ago
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Well Rono, it's great to see pics of the 37 as I'm a big fan of that year. As I said I have a stock 37 drop top.
As another graybeard I say don't pay any attention to that "relic" crap. Just avoid mirrors and maintain the mindset you're 20 yrs younger, or 30 yrs or.................40 yrs younger, which isn't hard to do until the damn aches and pains kick in.
Kidding aside, it looks like a great project. Keep us posted.
Mike
Aging in Missouri
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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Gary;
95% of the 37 Fords I've seen all have 350 sbc with the 350 turbo trans. I think because they are making it easy and cheap to go that route...At least my 37 will be different. Mike, thanks for the encouraging words...I'll be keeping at it and hopefully this coming week I'll get the motor and tranny in. More pictures coming!
Rono
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By Rono - 11 Years Ago
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It took a while to figure out the motor mount situation, but we got it done today and the motor is finally in the coupe. I modified a FE tubular mount and used a Mercury single stud motor mount. We cut most of the tube away, capped the ends and built some sturdy gussets under the tubes to the frame. Using the truck oil pan we managed to get 3/4" clearance between the bottom of the pan and top of the new cross member. I think that should be enough. Got an old flathead radiator for mock-up, but plan on using a Griffin Combo unit with 2 electric cooling fans. Tranny mount is almost done ( will finish it tomorrow), but I'm still not sure what to do about exhaust. Space is definitely limited. Rono
Rono  
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By glrbird - 11 Years Ago
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When you open the hood on your car it will be like opening a jewelry box. Looks right at home to me.
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By lyonroad - 11 Years Ago
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Very nice Rono, keep posting pictures.
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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I really have to step up the pace on this build now that we have pulled the trigger on our cross country move to SUNNY, WARM CA! So, the chassis is all done with the Heidt's Superide II IFS, stainless fuel tank, below floor hyd brake and clutch and aluminum fuel line. Also got the engine and tranny in today, but didn't get a picture. I had a couple of friends over to erect my economy hoist so I can weld the floors in solid and seam seal the bottom. The body needs A LOT of work still. Rono   
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By Talkwrench - 10 Years Ago
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Lookin' good! 
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By glrbird - 10 Years Ago
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Great looking chassis, how much are you trying to get done befour the move?
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Well...funny you should ask. The wife and I just had a serious talk about that this morning. She knows how I need to get things done right and not just thrown together, but she's afraid I'll run out of time. So, I need to weld all the floors solid, reinforce the front body mounts (like the originals had) then mount the body to the frame, install the dash, and column (bought today) and get the car steerable. Then hang the doors. Hopefully, I'll have the time to clearance the inner fenders to go around the upper control arms so I can hang the outer fenders. If not, use a self etching primer on what I have done, load the other parts in the body and get the car up on my hauler. Then bring it to the local boat dealer and have them shrink wrap it for the trip. I'm thinking I'll have at least until sometime in May before I have to leave, but I also have to finish packing the house and taking the shop down, packed and cleaned...UGH
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By glrbird - 10 Years Ago
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Well I wish you luck, moving is a real pain, but you get to clean out the unwanted items. Hope your body can take the temp change after this winter.
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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 Well, Got the body on the chassis and he's sitting on all 4's. Column went in today, but I still need to make the connection to the manual rack. Next chore will be to cut out the inner fenders to fit over the upper control arms and then start hanging sheet metal. Not sure if I'll deal with the exhaust now or later, but I'll probably at least get the headers.
Rono
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Well, the coupe is ready to travel. It's just pieced together and roughly mocked-up, but it shouldn't fall apart on the 3,000+ mile trip. I'll be hauling it myself with my 08 Tundra on an aluminum car hauler, "Big Al" (short for "Aluminum"). Just need to finish packing it with parts, load it on Big Al , get it shrink wrapped and wait until the house sells. My wife and my 56 are already in Bishop, but with quite a bit of snow on the ground here, it may be a few weeks before folks even start house hunting. I still can't upload images like I used to, but was able to attach a file picture.
Rono
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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No snow in Indiana Ron, Toot when you go by!
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By MoonShadow - 10 Years Ago
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You can leave it at my house as you pass through NH. I'd be glad to take care of it for you! Chuck
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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You Bet Frank! Hopefully there won't be any tornados either!
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By The Master Cylinder - 10 Years Ago
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Bring some of your precipitation with you, we're 'bout to blow away…
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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Master, Couple weeks ago we could have sent you several truckloads of snow. Finally melted.
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Master, I can bring you precipitation in the way of rusty parts I am so tired of fighting that! Man I'll be glad to get to a drier climate
Rono
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By ian57tbird - 10 Years Ago
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Just been looking at some earlier pics you put on. From what I can see it looks like those headers might work out OK.
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Well, I'm hoping they will work out one way or another. Still not sure until I have them in my sweaty little hands.
Rono
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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The time has come to head out. Need to disconnect everything tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be talking to you guys again "from the other side". Rono
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By The Master Cylinder - 10 Years Ago
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Rono, Have a safe and uneventful trip. I see it's supposed to get up to 96°F in Bishop today. Just a little something to look forward to... Welcome to California!!!
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By pegleg - 10 Years Ago
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Talk about "Culture Shock". New England to sunny Cal.!!
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By Rono - 10 Years Ago
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Tell me about it. Master Cylinder was right. I made it to Bishop a week ago Sunday. The first week here and temperatures were in the low 100's. Cools off fast at night and is cool in the morning. Planning my first dinner cruise with the Owens Valley Cruisers this Thursday. Now comes the joy of trying to register and Title all the toys Rono
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By Rono - 9 Years Ago
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     Finally got caught up with all there was to do in getting settled into this new place and getting a new shop to work in, so now I'm back at the coupe and working on the exhaust. The only exhaust that would work for me without fabricating a complete new header system was the Rams Horns. On a suggestion from Gord McMillen I used an exhaust donut which I cut into 4 equal sections which gave me two "S" shaped bends to get around the motor mounts on both sides. I used the flanges off two sections of down pipe left over from the first engine test run and welded them to the donut after I had it cut up. I think it came out okay. Rono
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By charliemccraney - 9 Years Ago
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That looks great. I hadn't even heard of exhaust donuts before. Looks like they can be very useful.
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By Rono - 9 Years Ago
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Charlie;
I hadn't heard of them before either. The donuts do not come in a 2.5" diameter, so the one I used was 2", but my plan is to go with 2.5" right after I get passed the steering shaft. The donuts aren't cheap, about $50 each so get your cuts right the first time.
Rono
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By Rono - 9 Years Ago
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A little more work on modifying the coupe dash for a boost pressure gage. I removed the stock radio delete plate and the ashtray (I just throw my butts out the window...just kidding). Removed the division bar between the two and made a paper template. Then used a plasma cutter to get the rough shape for the filler plate and took some time to get the final shape correct. Welded the plate in, ground it down and leveled everything out. I'll be using a 6 gage set to finish it off.
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By glrbird - 9 Years Ago
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Good to see ;you back on the coupe, you can always use those vapor cigarette, no ash, unless you smoke those funny "roll your owns" now that you are in callie.
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By 82warren - 9 Years Ago
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Back in '74 I bought 5 '36 Fords out of a junkyard up in Hurley Wisconsin for $20 each. There was a '37 coupe same as yours sitting there, also for 20 bucks, all complete and not much rust. I failed to tell the guy, the next week I came back to find it gone, sold. BIG mistake. I did however build up an original '36 tudor, it's all original, 6 volt, has a nice radio, it's like new. I do all work, wife does the upholstery. I painted it Gun Metal Gray, the original color. It has the 221 flathead but I did mill the heads .068 (flat pistons) so it has plenty of pep and speed. Buying all those '36's really paid off, I sold several thousand dollars'worth of parts on eBay, more than paid for the entire restoration of the '36. We've had it on long trips, it runs like a clock, turns heads everywhere we go. My advice: Keep this car looking as original because no one including me is going to upstage the talent of Edsel Ford, he knew what a car should look like, his '34 Ford it still voted the best looking American production automobile ever ... and it is. The '36 and '7 are not far behind so keep it straight. Note I have original wheels, hubcaps, bumpers, everything perfect.
82warren, in MN
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By Ketterbros - 9 Years Ago
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beautiful car, my first was a 36 5 window coupe, rumble seat, put a 53 merc, every thing else kept stock even the mechanical brakes drove all over the west pa roads..Oh yea found out the rims from a VW will fit...
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By Rono - 9 Years Ago
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82Warren;
You do have a nice looking stock 36. My intention with my 37 is to keep the body looking as original as possible with all original sheet metal, door handles, crank out windshield, tail lights and bumpers, but that is where the "stock" attributes stop. My build is a street rod and it's far too late to go back. I love flatheads, but my choice was to build a stroked and blown Y-Block for the 37 which I did. Everyone has their own personal preference when it comes to builds. This site is primarily about Y-Blocks which is why I started the thread on the build in the first place. I'll be posting more pictures soon.
Rono
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By 82warren - 9 Years Ago
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Sounds like a plan to me. Yea, my '36 has mechanical brakes but .... I used '54 Ford 'floaters', made sliding sleeves welded to the backing plate, they now set up with the star wheel same as a '54 and float free, center perfectly and my brakes are super good, just as good as any hydraulic ... actually more like power brakes because this free-floating feature gives them self-induction braking, same as much newer cars.
Warren
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By Rono - 6 Years Ago
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So here is the update on the coupe. I finished the new blower mock-up in the car today. What I really needed to see was if I had enough clearance between the blower pulleys and a new radiator with twin 10" puller fans. It's going to be too close for comfort, so I think I'll go with one 14" fan with the center of the fan motor in the middle of the radiator. That should clear the top and bottom pulley okay.
Next step will be to pull the motor (again) and continue on the body....still needs a lot more work but I think I'm making progress!     
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By MoonShadow - 6 Years Ago
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I've used a pair of two groove scrub blower mount accessory pulleys. One is about 6.9" and the other is about 7.1". The two belt system is working fine so far. Put a pair of matched V-belts on and no problems. I modified a 2V alternator pulley with a bearing to fit the idler. This gave me plenty of room to the radiator but I am running a pusher electric fan.
 "
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By Rowen - 6 Years Ago
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Jeez Rono, ya think?!? Progress?!? It's gonna be BEAUTIFUL!! Great job! That engine is one fine jewel in a mighty fine box my friend.
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By Rono - 6 Years Ago
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Thanks Rowen! When I look back at the beginning of this thread and see that I started on this 5 years ago. I get a little discouraged. But the reality is moving twice in the last 5 years really causes you to loose traction on a project. Moving days are DONE and I can stay focused now.
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By Midwest Mike - 6 Years Ago
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Hi Ron
It's been quite some time since I've been active on yblocksforever. Got caught up in a flathead build. As I said several years ago I still like your "37 and it looks like it will be a beauty. I had to sell my "37 convertible last year as I also have one of those 5 year projects. Mine is a chopped '35 coupe which will also receive a blown Y. I am particularly interested in your ram horn exhaust manifolds as I even now have a question about headers/exhaust on the tech forum. It won't look as nice as yours as I'm going for an old drag car look that has been updated to make it street legal Really like your '37 and it makes me miss mine Based on what you've done I'm leaning towards the rams horn manifold Hope you don't mind a copycat. Your multiyear project is a little ahead of mine although I did paint mine in satin black (equipment paint) over the bumps and lumps to make it look a little more authentic. Since I'm building something so similar to your '36 do you have any words of wisdom or warnings for me????
Still think your '56 is the coolest hardtop with that side chrome.
Thanks
Midwest Mike
I'd rather be lucky than good,
but good ain't bad.
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By Rono - 6 Years Ago
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Mike;
Good to hear from you! The 35 Project sounds cool. Why don't you send me a PM and tell me what you're thinking regarding the old drag car look. Front suspension type, tranny, chassis, rear end, stuff like that. I had to do over a lot of the work the guy in Maine did, so that set me back in time and money. Also, the T-5 probably would have been stout enough if I kept the VS-57 supercharger. The stock WC T-5 is rated at handling around 300HP. With the new 471 blower on my 331 cu. in motor, I think I may send the tranny off to "G Force Transmissions" for a makeover. They basically gut the tranny and rebuild it to handle 550 HP. I guess the biggest mistake I made was buying the rusted out shell in the first place. Although I do feel good about saving it from a grave in an Iowa farm field.
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By Midwest Mike - 6 Years Ago
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Hi Rono
Sent you an email last night but being the illiterate techie that I am you better let me know here if you received it.
Here's hoping
Midwest Mike
I'd rather be lucky than good,
but good ain't bad.
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By Rono - 6 Years Ago
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Sorry Mike, I didn't get anything
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By Midwest Mike - 6 Years Ago
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I'll try again tomorrow.
Mike
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By Midwest Mike - 6 Years Ago
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Hi Ron
Ok, I give up. The analog dinosaur can't send a message. If you will explain how, I would be soooo appreciative.
Midwest Mike
I'd rather be lucky than good,
but right now I'm neither one.
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By Rono - 6 Years Ago
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Mike;
Go in to "Your Profile" and you will see a tab that says "SEND PM". That is the tab you use to send private messages on the site. I haven't done it in a while, but I think this is right.
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By Rono - 5 Years Ago
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Well, this month starts year 6 of this project. Funny how life gets in the way of the important stuff. Anyway, making some good progress on the body. Doors, hood, and deck lid are all done and ready for final primer. I found NOS front (outer) fenders that a buddy is bring out from N.J. this summer. As they said in the movie Galaxy Quest; "Never Give Up, Never Give In"  
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By Gene Purser - 5 Years Ago
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I understand how long it takes to build a car. It took me 10 years to build a '40 while working, raising kids, etc. My wife and I drove that car all over the southeast for 20 years, so it is worth the effort and wait. Yours will be beautiful.
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By Rono - 5 Years Ago
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Thanks Gene! I'll stay after it!
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By paul2748 - 5 Years Ago
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To send a private message to someone, click on the person's name that you are sending it to. Up pops a box with Follow, PM or Email. Click on which one you want to use (PM for private message) and a message box will appear. Write the message and click on send (or submit)
Midwest Mike (3/27/2018)
Hi Ron Ok, I give up. The analog dinosaur can't send a message. If you will explain how, I would be soooo appreciative. Midwest Mike I'd rather be lucky than good, but right now I'm neither one.
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By Rono - 4 Years Ago
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Well, I wasn't planning on posting any more pictures until I got the coupe in paint, BUT it's all in primer and back in my shop and I've made good progress. Body shop says end of November to get it back in. In the meantime, I've insulated most of the interior except for the floor (waiting on the bucket seats and after waiting 1 month finally got my special order American Racing rear wheels with a 5" back space so I could fit the M/T 28x10 under the fenders.. Also had to "mini-tub" the fender wells to make everything work. Currently routing the battery cables and working on the ABS kick panels that will hold a pair of JL Audio 5.25" coaxial speakers.     
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By miker - 4 Years Ago
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Looks good Ron. Glad to see the update.
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By FORD DEARBORN - 4 Years Ago
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Nice work Ron, that 37 coupe is a rare one. The sound system you install will never equal the sound system that will be under the hood.............
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By Rono - 3 Years Ago
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I think the end is finally in sight now! Brought the motor down to the body shop now that the paint is all done    and with their help made good progress today. Motor and tranny are in as well as the crank out windshield and the exhaust manifolds. Still a lot to do, but it's really coming together now.
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By miker - 3 Years Ago
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Great looking car, Ron. Very nicely done. Can’t wait to see the final result.
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By NoShortcuts - 3 Years Ago
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Rono. Looks Great! All your time and effort had to be rewarded!
Hope it all goes back together without any headaches.
Charlie
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