Papa J's Rat's & Metal Works

04/13/2025

Update: My wife passed away in November 2021... Life moves on.. I am now remarried to a wonderful woman. New 40' x 40' garage is coming soon and this and other auto projects will resume. Stay tuned. '41 Chevy will still take a back seat to my primary project which is a 1973 GMC Motorhome.

10/21/2020

I just signed up for the 2021 OpP Build-off. https://www.facebook.com/OPRatrodBuildOff/community/?ref=page_internal 3rd year signing up, same build, still not finished. May still not make this build-off as it has become a serious bucket list with way too little time. Early this month we found out that my wife has glioblastoma brain cancer which is considered incurable. She could have a year, more or less to live. Our dream has been to drive this car from Virginia to California and back and hitting the OP Buildoff on the way. She really wants to make the trip, but with all the doctor visits, taking care of her, looking for trials and cures, and a lot of work left to do it will be a real challenge. Enjoy life and your loved ones while you can because everything can come crashing down in a moment.

OP Original Patina Rat Rod build off.

08/29/2020

I've been busy with other things this week. Planning to work on the exhaust system next week while contemplating how to fabricate the AC bracket.

08/29/2020

Got my Tuff Stuff AC compressor today. However; I will have to find, buy, or fabricate a bracket for it. The bracket I have causes interference with the thermostat connection and with the forward Six-Pack EFI unit. Bracket needs to be off-center rather than dead center to work.
https://www.tuffstuffperformance.com/

08/23/2020

Started fabbiing and tig tacking together the port side exhaust system today; then I ran out of argon. Can't get more until Monday. 😕

08/23/2020

Bought new welding gloves and a welding jacket online. Old gloves were worn out.

08/16/2020

I installed my new Tuff Stuff 130 amp alternator and power steering pump. No, I am not using green twine as belts! They are for making sure everything is aligned for when I put the belts on and it looks to be perfect. Next I need to get a Tuff Stuff AC compressor. I love these Tuff Stuff components. They are manufactured in the good old USA, new not re manufactured. and the cost is very reasonable especially if you don't go with chrome or another fancy coating.

08/16/2020

I'm pretty much done with the starboard side exhaust system. Finally got enough clearance between the cut-out dump pipe and the frame so it shouldn't rattle. I welded in some rebar + flat bar for attaching pipe hangers fore & aft of the muffler. Tapped 3/8" holes in the flat bar tabs to attach the hangers. I'll need to touch everything up with POR-15 black paint after I finish the other side.

08/03/2020

Welding the forward / starboard exhaust system components in progress today. Had to resolve clearance issues with the fuel regulator. Dump pipe is still a little tight to the bottom of the frame. Will deal with that tomorrow

08/01/2020

Got a chance to hang out with my PSRA Street Rod buddies last night for the first time in four months. These guys have some really classy street rods. This is Bobby's "Bobby Built" '36 Ford convertible. Bobby hand built it from a pile of rust. Much of the metalwork is hand fabricated from scratch. Car is top notch inside outside and mechanically.

Bobby Built '36 Ford convertible.

08/01/2020

Practiced my tig welding on some old exhaust pipe yesterday and today in preparation for fabricating the exhaust system. If I can weld on old pipe, welding new pipe should be a breeze. Started cutting and fitting exhaust components this afternoon. Tomorrow is more cutting, fitting and welding. Will probably take a couple of days considering that I have other things I have to do such as pay bills, take care of some things with the rental property, and help Penny make tomato jam. Not enough time in the day.