The following article is designed to give you some basic information into the different types of Paint Stripping methods that are available. 

We will be comparing the following different methods of stripping paint:

Molasses Bath
Sand Blasting
Bead Blasting
Soda Blasting
Chemical Stripping

 Thanks to one of our forum members Louie who has taken the time to provide these scans of the Head Stud Tightening Sequences for the Mopar Flathead, Slant 6, Small Block and Big Block motors. If anyone out there can provide individual torque values for the four engines listed below get in touch with us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

218ci - 230ci Flathead

The history of the Ardun heat-treated cast-aluminum head is one of significant interest in the racing community and more than enthusiastic interest, eventually, from the hot rodding hobby. These unique hemispherical heads were the brainchild of Zora Arkus-Duntov and his brother Yura Arkus-Dontov. They’re rare – as rare as any piece of performance equipment ever created, and yet they still exist (in limited quantities) 50 years after their birth. These conversion kits are sought after like pieces of jewels by speed-obsessed individuals interested in adding their names to the pages of land-speed record books – and those who simply like rare and exotic things.

The Number 1 Question - How do I Know If My Rear Is An 8" Or 9"?

The easiest way to tell is to try to put a socket on the lower bolts.

No doubt about it the small block Chevrolet engine has been the powerplant of choice for many a Hot Rod and Custom over the years due to their being plentiful and go-faster parts fairly easy to obtain compared to the small block ford.

 

The modern automotive brake system has been refined for over 100 years and has become extremely dependable and efficient.

Here is a quick overview of where to find transmission adapters for the slightly 'oddball' motors at least in Australia, so non chev/ford SB motors.

The other option is to have something custom made. I would suggest that with the cost of some of these kits in USD and the cost to get them here that a good competent machine shop would or could do the job for the same or close $$ and your keeping your money local and helping out a small business.

I get asked this a bit so have decided to do a simple tech on the basics of setting up the tri power progressive linkage.

This will just deal with setting up the linkage, as there are other issues depending on the type of carbs you use and the type of motor its going on that would need to be dealt with individually. Such as jets size, power valves etc.

There seems to be more and more people getting interested in traditional Hot Rods and Flathead engines. I thought it would be good to write quick guide to identifying what is what.

Firstly Production of the flathead started in 1932 and went through to 1954 in Australia and Canada 1953 in the US. Over the course of those 22 years there are 3 main changes in the engines. Firstly from 1932-1937 is the 21 stud motor. So named because there are 21 studs with nuts holding each head down. Then there is the ‘early’ 24 stud motor that ran from 1938-1948. Then there is the 1949-1954 which rightly or wrongly are referred to generically as the 8BA

Taken from The Jalopy Journal Forum - Posted by Forum Member Virgil

I wanted to put a top in my '31 Coupe and wanted to use the short grain material instead of the long grain. I checked around and could only find kits with the long grain and I also was going to install it by myself so I gathered information from HAMB, Juliano's, Fordbarn and any where else I could. I purchased the aluminum moulding from Mac's and the top material from Bratton's. As you can see from the pictures I haven't a lot of head room over the coupe so some of the pictures may not be the greatest.

I started by making a 2"X2" frame to attach the top material to. For the coupe the outside dimensions was 55"X61". I stapled the top material to the frame with a few staples to square it. I then started streaching it front to back and side to side and corner to corner. I left the staples sticking up a little so when I went back and streached it again they were easy to remove. Do this in the sun to soften the material and it streaches easier.