JR's 51 Oldsmobile

Next we set the engine and trans back in, put the wheels on it, and set the body back on the frame. We had to clearance the floor for the upper 4-bar brackets under the rear seat and it looks like the fat tires that are on the back now will rub the fenderwells on front/outside edge when the bags are dumped. Lots of room in the engine compartment with that little Chevy in there.

It's actually starting to look promising.

Next up I worked on the engine compartment. Fabbed a new core support to house a 55 Chevy radiator at an angle to clear the front steer P/S box, made a smooth firewall, and made inner fender panels. First I made this wood frame to determine how big the radiator could be and where it could or couldn't fit.

I selected a 55 Chevy radiator because an off the shelf radiator is cheaper than a custom unit and it's easier to get replacements in the future. Here's the core support that holds the radiator and locates the front end of the fenders.