Finally back to work in the shop My C.O.E.

don long · Oct 24, 2013

This project started in about 2002 when I found a 1950 ford Cab Over Engine
box truck sitting in a junk yard. I dragged it home and looked at it for almost 1 year before pulling it in my old shop and tearing the box off the truck then the cab came off and with a good look at the truck frame it was obvious that a donor frame was needed to build this truck into a show vehicle. So the hunt began for a chevy super duty truck chassis.
Within a week a chassis was located and it was drug home to start the game rolling.

The first project was to modify the cab to allow a big block chevy motor to sit under it so the firewall was removed along with the floor pans and new sheet metal was cut to fit and welded back into the cab, along with fabricating new body mounts.

Now that the cab was mounted on the new chassis it was time to address the trucks stance. First we flipped the front springs from over the front axle to under it. This gave the truck a 4" drop in the front.
Next I went to the back axle and drilled out the rivets on the front spring hangers and knocked them off the truck frame, then moving them up 4" redrilled and bolted the spring hanger back to the chassis.

don long · Oct 25, 2013

You can see by the second picture that we had a motor sitting in the frame.
Well I promise you that it was no easy task getting the 427 chevy motor in place. I had to remove the original x member, weld in a spacer bar to hold the rails apart and then I welded a cheep motor mount x member onto the chassis
and after doing all that the drag link would not fit it hit the new motor mount bar before reaching the right wheel.

AND THAT IS WHERE THIS PROJECT STALLED AND WAS FROZEN IN TIME.
Until this week when a buddy of mine (Brett) who has been building a truck in the shop for most of the year suggested he help me build my truck for repayment for using my shop to build his sound truck this past year.

Brett is a Disc jockey that has a 1951 ford truck that has a full blown music set up on the back of his truck. He plays the music at most of the big car shows around So. Cal and he / we built him a 2nd truck to hold remote speakers at the car shows.

don long · Oct 25, 2013

The pictures of the truck so far were taken in my last garage.
I moved to this property in 2006 and have been building the party garage and my work shop ever since The C.O.E. is the second vehicle to be worked on in this shop.

So allow me to offer up a little back ground on this shop

In 2006 my wife and I moved out to riverside county. We found this nice little piece of horse property 2 1/2 acres of flat ground with a nice little house a horse barn and corral built on the property.
My first project was to build 2 bedrooms and a craft room for my wife inside the house garage. Then I tore down the barn poured a cement slab over the existing horse barn floor. Next I rebuilt the barn and added 4' in height and 20' to the length of the building giving me a 36' x 52' shop to work in

When this shop was rebuilt I started building my party garage that took over 3 years to complete and it is continually changing (see building my party garage)

don long · Oct 25, 2013

So back to the C.O.E.
We pulled the truck into the work shop from the party garage where it ha been stored for the last few years. we pushed it up on the 4 post lift a 12,000 lb unit
that is 24' long (perfect)

Next we started taking the truck apart we pulled off the fenders then the fork lift was brought in to remove the cab and place it on a rolling dolly

next the 427 chevy motor had to come out because we have decided that a ford should have a ford motor and I just happen to have one sitting around
a nice pretty 429 thunderbird motor

after the motor was pulled the frame reground all smooth the ford motor was hung between the frame rails and the mock up is started from the next picture you can see the welds are gone and if you look you can see the inverted front springs

The metal along the side of the motor is indicating where the floor of the cab will be located and helping to determine where to weld in new motor mounts.

While Brett worked on the motor I tackled a rust issue on the bottom of the left fender

and that brings us up to date on my latest project until tomorrow

dadsEH · Oct 25, 2013

You gonna chop that sucker??

don long · Oct 25, 2013

dadsEH said:
You gonna chop that sucker??

No hadn't considered that yet trying to get it together and running first then build a roll back bed hidden with fancy side panels
After all that gets done then I may consider a mild chop

Scott H in Wheaton · Oct 25, 2013

Cool project, and glad to see you decided to keep a Ford in your Ford.
Working on a 36 1/2 ton Ford pickup myself for the past three years, but its a cakewalk compared to the work and fabrication you are doing

CNGsaves · Oct 25, 2013

Absolutely LOVE your COE project. :thumbup:

+1 on going pure Ford for your build. Also would hate to see you chop that COE as it's proportions look GREAT just like it is !!

Stooge · Oct 25, 2013

Subscribed! :thumbup:

always have a soft spot for a coe, nice work so far, cant wait to see the progress on this!

Zebedeewesty · Oct 25, 2013

Very cool project. Shame they never sold them in the UK. :sad:

Garage Coffee Roaster · Oct 25, 2013

Nice... Will subscribe and watch your progress. I have a soft spot for 50's trucks.

Jim

54FordPanel · Oct 25, 2013

Sweet! I love it. Keep posting, great project.

38Chevy454 · Oct 25, 2013

Nice work, what chassis are you using? Looks like a F-450/550 or similar?

You might think about putting the engine behind and under the back of the cab. My 49 is under the cab like yours, but mine is 350 SBC. Still a major PITA to work on, plus the large engine cover inside the cab. Just something to consider.

For reference here is mine with a 4-inch straight chop. Stock angled pillars. Mine is on a 74 GM 1-ton chassis, custom built flatbed and rear fenders.

I think your truck was sold by a friend of mine, Mike, who had it at a friend's junkyard in Palmdale area. It had a large box on the back, like a moving truck. I was close to buying that myself, but had too many projects at the time. Nice to see it being built up.

HOTFR8 · Oct 26, 2013

I can see I am going to enjoy this. I'll just add a Chop Top would not suit it.

tinbender 66 · Oct 26, 2013

HOTFR8 said:
I can see I am going to enjoy this. I'll just add a Chop Top would not suit it.

I have to agree with "don't chop the top". It's just too big to have "mail slot" windows IMO. Great to see you back on it. I'm a GM guy but I do agree with putting a Ford in a Ford.

I'm not sure many people have more fun than you!

Jarhead0408 · Oct 26, 2013

Awesome looking truck man. Keep up the good work!

LXCam · Oct 26, 2013

Wuzz up neighbor. Bud that's my dream build, been on the look out for a while on a decent cab, hopefully one of these days it'll happen. Anyhow best of luck, I can't wait to see this running. And btw, I'm in the old section of woodcrest, so if your ever in need of a third set of hands, I'm pretty damn good with a roll of duct tape n bailing wire

Cam.

don long · Oct 26, 2013

Scott H in Wheaton said:
Working on a 36 1/2 ton Ford pickup myself for the past three years, but its a cakewalk compared to the work and fabrication you are doing

Scott
throw us out a pic. of your 36 ford

CNGsaves said:
Absolutely LOVE your COE project.

+1 on going pure Ford for your build. Also would hate to see you chop that COE as it's proportions look GREAT just like it is !!

CNGsaves
Been looking forward to getting back on this one for a while
No chop

Stooge said:
Subscribed! always have a soft spot for a coe, nice work so far, cant wait to see the progress on this!

Thanks Stooge

I have always liked the looks of these trucks too and was stoked to get one home for a project

Zebedeewesty said:
Very cool project. Shame they never sold them in the UK.

Zebedeewesty
Thanks!! So you can't find something like this over there?? :dunno:

Garage Coffee Roaster said:
Nice... Will subscribe and watch your progress. I have a soft spot for 50's trucks.

Garage Coffee Roaster
I will keep you up to date on the progress
Thanks for looking in.

don long · Oct 26, 2013

54FordPanel said:
Sweet! I love it. Keep posting, great project.

Thanks. Will do

38Chevy454 said:
Nice work, what chassis are you using? Looks like a F-450/550 or similar?

You might think about putting the engine behind and under the back of the cab. My 49 is under the cab like yours, but mine is 350 SBC. Still a major PITA to work on, plus the large engine cover inside the cab. Just something to consider.

For reference here is mine with a 4-inch straight chop. Stock angled pillars. Mine is on a 74 GM 1-ton chassis, custom built flatbed and rear fenders.

I think your truck was sold by a friend of mine, Mike, who had it at a friend's junkyard in Palmdale area. It had a large box on the back, like a moving truck. I was close to buying that myself, but had too many projects at the time. Nice to see it being built up.

[COLOR="red"]The chassis is a 1994 chev super duty (1 ton)
I know that the motor under the hood is the wrong place for working on it but it displays so well there it has to stay up front!!
Bought the truck in city of industry.

HOTFR8 said:
I can see I am going to enjoy this. I'll just add a Chop Top would not suit it.

Simon
I will try to keep up with pic,s from the build
and no chop

tinbender 66 said:
I have to agree with "don't chop the top". It's just too big to have "mail slot" windows IMO. Great to see you back on it. I'm a GM guy but I do agree with putting a Ford in a Ford.

I'm not sure many people have more fun than you!

tinbender 66
I put a seat in the cab of the truck tonite and find that I must raise the floor 5" or 6 " just to see out of the windshield can't chop it and still fit in cab
The ford motor makes sense due to the distributor out front for room
It is true I am having fun playing in my back yard
Thanks

Jarhead0408 said:
Awesome looking truck man. Keep up the good work!

Thanks Jarhead0408
Will do

LXCam said:
Wuzz up neighbor. Bud that's my dream build, been on the look out for a while on a decent cab, hopefully one of these days it'll happen. Anyhow best of luck, I can't wait to see this running. And btw, I'm in the old section of woodcrest, so if your ever in need of a third set of hands, I'm pretty damn good with a roll of duct tape n bailing wire

Cam.

LXCam
Good luck with your search. It took me a couple years to find mine
I too am excited to make good progress on this one (3 months to fire it up is the goal)
Woodcrest isn't that up on the mountain??
Feel free to PM me and come on down and play you will be welcomed I am in the garage all 6 saturdays a week

don long · Oct 26, 2013

Today I built the patch panel for the right fender while Brett hung the headers on the motor and repositioned it into the frame.

Then we placed the cab on the chassis to get a good read for the floor panel and engine compartment

I had to cut the hole in the floor larger to fit the big block

And now we can fab the motor mounts and weld them into place

HOTFR8 · Oct 26, 2013

tinbender 66 said:
I have to agree with "don't chop the top". It's just too big to have "mail slot" windows IMO. Great to see you back on it. I'm a GM guy but I do agree with putting a Ford in a Ford.

I'm not sure many people have more fun than you!

I have to agree with a Ford in a Ford comment. I get so tired of seeing 350/350 combinations in projects.

don long said:
Simon
I will try to keep up with pic,s from the build
and no chop

Post as you make progress other wise mistakes get made. :thumbup:

don long said:
Then we placed the cab on the chassis to get a good read for the floor panel and engine compartment

I bet you will not use that Fork Lift when you get closer to completion but what a great way yo move both the engine and Cab.

don long · Oct 26, 2013

HOTFR8 said:
I have to agree with a Ford in a Ford comment. I get so tired of seeing 350/350 combinations in projects.

Post as you make progress other wise mistakes get made.

I bet you will not use that Fork Lift when you get closer to completion but what a great way yo move both the engine and Cab.

Yes Simon the fork lift is the handiest tool in the house and as this project closes out the fork lift may not change but I will most likely trade the 4x4 for a strap :beer:

don long · Oct 27, 2013

Today I spent the morning at a car show but this evening I spent some time working on dismantling the front sheet metal of the truck (a ton of rusted bolts)
Took the fenders apart, took the lights and grille apart and separated all the baffles from the fenders and grille.
I want to send the grille out to be chromed along with the head lite doors and radiator filler panel but first I need to straighten the grille bars and weld up the spot welds that I had to drill out to get the bars off

from this

to this

The grille was spot welded together

next I will have to remove a couple dents in the grille bars and weld up the holes then off to the chrome shop

HOTFR8 · Oct 27, 2013

You could also make yourself a pallet with cab mounts to sit and move things on. I have seen it done here so you can move cabs in and out of the bead blasters, paint shop etc. Also good to have a cab off the chassis at the correct height for painting and then be able to move it again on the fork lift. Straps for the final mount do make life easier.

Kevin54 · Oct 27, 2013

38+Ford+Coe+100%2525+Designer+Dreams+III+2+Car+Set.JPG

I wouldn't chop it, but if you could find an old mobile home, shorten the truck up and make yourself a trailer or refurb a mobile home, or keep the looks of an old mobile home but build the inside of it as a trailer for hauling.

No matter what though, I'm already jealous that you have a COE. And for what it is, the engine looks fantastic, and glad to see you are going to keep it ALL Ford. :thumbup:

Tinner · Oct 27, 2013

Very cool old truck. I'll be watching this one.

TireTracks · Oct 27, 2013

Does the Cab tip, or is all the access to the engine though the tunnel hatch and under the hood?

madjack · Oct 27, 2013

Your moving faster than I am on my COE project.
I'm taking inspiration from your cab mounting, as that's where I stalled the previous summer. Life got in the way with medical issues. Time to get back to it

Chuck Farley · Oct 27, 2013

Just as a matter of curiosity - is there any reason you didn't go with a disease-el in there?

zmaxmotorsports · Oct 27, 2013

That is going to be cool as hell when its done!
Couple things I noticed though,maybe put some bigger u-bolts on that front axle since you flipped it theres a lot more pressure on those smallish looking bolts.
That firewall needs some bead rolling or something of that nature to liven it up,just to big of a flat area.
Now carry on and finish it up! :lol:

don long · Oct 27, 2013

HOTFR8 said:
You could also make yourself a pallet with cab mounts to sit and move things on. I have seen it done here so you can move cabs in and out of the bead blasters, paint shop etc. Also good to have a cab off the chassis at the correct height for painting and then be able to move it again on the fork lift. Straps for the final mount do make life easier.

Simon
You have given me a good suggestion / idea that I will follow up on
Thanks

Kevin54 said:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cnrTxYzbhLM/UAlSE6Xw_hI/AAAAAAAAHQA/rfYRKVwzQo8/s1600/38+Ford+Coe+100%2525+

I wouldn't chop it, but if you could find an old mobile home, shorten the truck up and make yourself a trailer or refurb a mobile home, or keep the looks of an old mobile home but build the inside of it as a trailer for hauling.

No matter what though, I'm already jealous that you have a COE. And for what it is, the engine looks fantastic, and glad to see you are going to keep it ALL Ford. :thumbup:[/QUOTE]

[B]Well Kevin
I think that you will like the idea I have for the bed of the truck, but for now I am just worrying about getting it running. That is my #1 priority
(that is a very nice truck and trailer)
Thanks[/B]

[QUOTE="Tinner, post: 3459472, member: 191197"]Very cool old truck. I'll be watching this one.[/QUOTE]

[B]Tinner
I will be on this project almost every day til it is running
Except when I need to clean up the party garage for an event
that usually takes 2 or 3 days to get it ready
This Saturday we are having some Aussie friends over for a tour and lunch in the diner (about 30)
[/B]
[QUOTE="TireTracks, post: 3459508, member: 43479"]Does the Cab tip, or is all the access to the engine though the tunnel hatch and under the hood?[/QUOTE]

[B][B][B][B]Haven't made that decision yet but not today
Not much access under the hood so the cab will be designed with access in mind.
Keep watching
Don[/B]

[/B][/B][/B]

don long · Oct 27, 2013

madjack said:
Your moving faster than I am on my COE project.
I'm taking inspiration from your cab mounting, as that's where I stalled the previous summer. Life got in the way with medical issues. Time to get back to it

madjack
If I don't get with it I will be 140 years old before all my projects are done
However this one started back 10 years ago
Hope that helps

Chuck Farley said:
Just as a matter of curiosity - is there any reason you didn't go with a disease-el in there?

Chuck
NO DISEASE-EL FOR ME
don't like the sound or smell or smoke
other than that they are probbly ok

zmaxmotorsports said:
That is going to be cool as hell when its done!
Couple things I noticed though,maybe put some bigger u-bolts on that front axle since you flipped it theres a lot more pressure on those smallish looking bolts.
That firewall needs some bead rolling or something of that nature to liven it up,just to big of a flat area.
Now carry on and finish it up!

zmaxmotorsports
Thanks for the heads on the u-bolts will look into it
as for the fire wall (TOO LATE) might be a good spot for a mural of my dog
or something

80WTI_55_CHEV · Oct 28, 2013

Hi Don, I will look forward to this build mate, if i can ever find a 38 ford beer barrel coe in Australia it will be following me home. Have you got any colours picked out? looks like the rust repairs are coming out great, your quality of work is very impressive mate. How did you go with that 55 coupe? cheers Lee

onewaydave · Oct 28, 2013

This is a nice build in a nice shop on a beautiful location. Even if its a Ford. (Just Joking)

NO DISEASE-EL FOR ME
don't like the sound or smell or smoke
other than that they are probbly ok

Funny, I avoided diesels for 40 years for just those reasons. Now I won't give them up. Just too much power and efficiency. And now I have found that diesel lovers love 'em for those exact reasons.

Dave.

don long · Oct 28, 2013

80WTI_55_CHEV said:
Hi Don, I will look forward to this build mate, if i can ever find a 38 ford beer barrel coe in Australia it will be following me home. Have you got any colours picked out? looks like the rust repairs are coming out great, your quality of work is very impressive mate. How did you go with that 55 coupe? cheers Lee

Hi Lee
Thanks for coming over to my build thread
Good luck with your hunt for the 38
No color yet but leaning toward lime greem (2014 camaro)
or the burnt candy orange what ever color I choose it will be P.P.G custom paint (Vibrance)
I had a guy over today looking at the 55 chev. Pretty sure he will take it this weekend

onewaydave said:
This is a nice build in a nice shop on a beautiful location. Even if its a Ford. (Just Joking)
Funny, I avoided diesels for 40 years for just those reasons. Now I won't give them up. Just too much power and efficiency. And now I have found that diesel lovers love 'em for those exact reasons.

Dave.

Thanks Dave
I am really enjoying the time spent on this build and partly because I am in my garage doing it

I don't care what you say you can't talk me into a diesel truck :dunno:

Thanks for following along
Don

don long · Oct 28, 2013

Not much progress today
I went to a buddys house this morning to pick up the tork converter for the c6 ****** behind the 429 motor then went further away from home and looked over another friends coe for solving some steering problems.
When I returned home this afternoon my neon sign guy was here to measure the texaco station for some neon outline light
Day shot tmorrow may be better
Don

CNGsaves · Oct 29, 2013

Love your Ford COE . . . good luck finishing it up. :thumbup:

If you've got any bowtie friends who have Chevy COE project, here's an engine to stuff in there . . . Thunder v12
. . . . . . 702ci v12 from two GMC 351ci's conjoined !!

Nice video of 54 GMC Cannonball COE tractor with double clutching:

See this nice 50 GMC 950 671 Detroit restored:

Here is cool YouTube of bunch of COE's:

ZRX61 · Oct 29, 2013

Regarding the forklift to position/move the cab etc. Graveyard Carz uses this device:

http://www.shopcrane.com/

Zeke · Oct 29, 2013

ZRX61 said:
Regarding the forklift to position/move the cab etc. Graveyard Carz uses this device:

http://www.shopcrane.com/

Eh, if you have a forklift handy....

Way to go, Don.

Boost Creep · Oct 29, 2013

i love cab overs. hope to have one some day

Finally back to work in the shop My C.O.E.

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

ALLIANCE MEMBER

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Banned

Well-known member

Well-known member

Banned

MEMBER EMERITUS

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member