Bread & Butter 27 Ford Project

They are buying the name. They are very rare lights.

I've seen your fab skills, bang a set out. A couple of pieces of 3/4 plywood, a piece of deep draw, and a broom handle.

If I'm not mistaken those are cast aluminum (or pot metal if you prefer) in at least three cast pieces. No sheet metal work there. BUT, I do believe Stew could cast them if anyone could. With Amy's help of course.

You guys have more faith in me than I do. No casting skills to speak of. I would like to try it though just to see.

Its lookin good man....making progress

Hey Stew there's a Speedo on E-bay for $125.00. It's a 55 model so it would be 6 volt.

Arieldouglas wrote:Hey Stew there's a Speedo on E-bay for $125.00. It's a 55 model so it would be 6 volt.

Thanks for the heads up but I think we found one we are going to use. It should tick off the purist Corvette guys. 140 Speedo out of a 1954 Vette.

magicman_1968 wrote:Its lookin good man....making progress

Thanks Joe. It's getting there little by little.

RebStew wrote: It should tick off the purist Corvette guys. 140 Speedo out of a 1954 Vette.

I started on the fuel cell mounts. I welded them in and then started on the brackets to hold the tank.

1" flat stock


A little heat to help the bend.


Tossed it in the vise and some light blows with a hammer.


The vise wouldn't work for the center so a little beating over the edge of a strong flat surface. In this case the corner of the press. Magnet is there to show me when it's square. I use those little cheap things for a lot of stuff.


Few more bends and they are done.


I drilled the brackets for the bolt holes and called it an early night.

This is not for most people. I'll post it because I think some people may be interested. When you do this goofy stuff, you have to have custom parts at times. Driveshafts for one. To short for any factory driveshaft so you have to have them made.

I cut this one down myself. I'd make a bet that it's just as true as a driveshaft shops cut would be. Now the balance is another thing. I have done this before. I have gotten lucky a few times and it run smooth at any speed. I'm going to run this the way it is. If I get a vibration then I'll yank it out and have the driveshaft shop balance it.

The taller driveshaft is what I had to work with. After I grabbed it I noticed it had tapered ends on both ends of the shaft. I couldn't use it. I had to cut more off and the cut would be on the big end so then the yoke would not have fit.

Mike came through on a driveshaft that would work. Thanks again Mikey! If you notice the smaller shaft has no tapered ends on either side. As long as one is straight you are good but this way you can cut whichever side you want.

I use to use my chop saw to do this but the last time I did I got the vibration. I noticed that my chop saw seemed to be flexing. I'm not sure if it's a junk blade or what but I wasn't going to take any chances. A simple cut off wheel on a grinder. I wrap a piece of paper around the shaft and meet the ends of the paper up making it a tight fit and true circle around the shaft. Mark it with a sharpie and then cut.

Don't have the kids around or the dog jump over you while you are trying to do this. You have to be careful or you are just waisting time and parts 'cause just a little screw up and it's over.

You can see from that picture why all my work coats and shirts have holes burned into them.