Cool Tips and tricks
Junior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in the desert
Hope the connections don't blow apart under pressure, silicone and glass are slippery when wet, and antifreeze is a good lubricant for both.
When I worked in a chem lab we had a glassblower that worked there that would make special glassware for us. Pyrex tubing can't be bent by hand, soft soda glass (what most glassblowers use) would be quite fragile. You know you can buy clear PVC pipe and fittings?
When I worked in a chem lab we had a glassblower that worked there that would make special glassware for us. Pyrex tubing can't be bent by hand, soft soda glass (what most glassblowers use) would be quite fragile. You know you can buy clear PVC pipe and fittings?
That's the route I was thinking of going but after talking to the owner of that rat rod, he mentioned that he started with PVC but it cracked around the clamp points. So he went with heavy wall Pyrex and it's held up fine so far.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,685
Likes: 80
From: Northville, MI
Yes, I would be concerned about any clear polymer-baser product (no filler) with the continual heating and cooling. But glass ??? 
. It would handle the changes in temp better but I'd be afraid that I would hit it with a wrench. Of course there are new advances in polymers every day.
It certainly looks cool though.
. It would handle the changes in temp better but I'd be afraid that I would hit it with a wrench. Of course there are new advances in polymers every day.It certainly looks cool though.
Junior User
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in the desert
Yes, I would be concerned about any clear polymer-baser product (no filler) with the continual heating and cooling. But glass ??? . It would handle the changes in temp better but I'd be afraid that I would hit it with a wrench. Of course there are new advances in polymers every day.
It certainly looks cool though.
. It would handle the changes in temp better but I'd be afraid that I would hit it with a wrench. Of course there are new advances in polymers every day.It certainly looks cool though.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,976
Likes: 9,811
From: Rio Rancho, NM
The glass pipes are pretty cool looking. I'm not sure I could handle the pressure though.
I mean, sure they look great when everything is new and clean, what about in a few years when you no longer have nice pristine green antifreeze? Lets be realistic, the majority of cooling systems out there are pretty grungy. I have a hard enough time keeping the exterior of the truck clean let alone having to worry that someone will be able to see into my cooling system at my dirty little secret....LOL
Bobby
I mean, sure they look great when everything is new and clean, what about in a few years when you no longer have nice pristine green antifreeze? Lets be realistic, the majority of cooling systems out there are pretty grungy. I have a hard enough time keeping the exterior of the truck clean let alone having to worry that someone will be able to see into my cooling system at my dirty little secret....LOL
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,288
Likes: 1,053
From: NM
LOL on using that on the intercooler piping... Like you're going to see.... AIR... moving thru it!
Yeah, Bobby, I'm sure those guys are running all-aluminum systems. On a flathead you'd probably see chunks flowing by...
Yeah, Bobby, I'm sure those guys are running all-aluminum systems. On a flathead you'd probably see chunks flowing by...
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: California
48-50 Ford truck dash replacement
Have you ever transplanted a 48-50 dash from one cab to another ??
Is there any tricks, tips, or short cuts ??
I was going to cut vertically between the gauges and the door jamb a straight line to start ?? and make the long cut where the weld would be under the windshield rubber out front. Is this a good idea or is there an easier way ??
Do you know where any info might be found on the best way to do this ?? (hack saw, plasma cutter, cutoff wheel, etc) ???
Thanks for your help.
Brad
Is there any tricks, tips, or short cuts ??
I was going to cut vertically between the gauges and the door jamb a straight line to start ?? and make the long cut where the weld would be under the windshield rubber out front. Is this a good idea or is there an easier way ??
Do you know where any info might be found on the best way to do this ?? (hack saw, plasma cutter, cutoff wheel, etc) ???
Thanks for your help.
Brad
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
The best way to do this depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The dash is structural, the more you cut out, the more chance the cab will distort, and the more difficult the process becomes. The best bet is to remove as little as possible. If you have a cab that needs the entire dash replaced, you might be better off swapping the entire cab.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: California
I have acquired 3 cabs now trying to get a good one. Guess I will look for #4
Thanks for your input.
Brad
Thanks for your input.
Brad
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If you need to replace the front skin, from the roll down (because it was cut up or ?) you could likely do that successfully relatively easily, if you need to replace from the face to the windshield that will be a lot more difficult. If you have that many cabs, cut up the worst and see just what you are dealing with, just remember every brace and flange is important/critical.
Just to understand where you are coming from, how much body work/rust repair/ sheetmetal welding experience do you have? Adequate shop space, equipment?
Just to understand where you are coming from, how much body work/rust repair/ sheetmetal welding experience do you have? Adequate shop space, equipment?
