Modifications

Cool project: What to expect during A/C installation

June 02, 2011

Dave Crouse, owner of Custom Auto in Loveland, Colo., has been restoring old cars since childhood. “Doing period-correct restorations and modifications is one of the highlights of my business,” he says. “The majority of Custom Auto’s work is ’32 Fords, but we work on all kinds of cars, including vintage race cars.”
An often-requested modification to these vehicles is the addition of air conditioning systems ...
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Auxiliary Fans

May 11, 2011

For those of us who drive our classics regularly, reliability means more than just starting easily and stopping well. One major part of this reliability is a robust cooling system. The good news is that for many cars, just having things right will keep temperatures where they need to be. However, there are times when adding an electric fan may help keep the system cool under pressure.
Before deciding your car needs an electric fan, you may want to do some basic troubleshooting. If you suspect problems, first determine is whether your car is truly overheating, or just running hot ...
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Power in a Box: Answering the questions of why to choose a crate engine

March 31, 2011

So you’re in the mood for a new engine for your project. Your first thought is to build one yourself. You’re a talented, all-knowing enthusiast; why wouldn’t you build it? You realize quickly you’re thousands deep in machine work and specialty tools, and haven’t even ordered the engine parts yet. Second idea on your list is to commission an engine shop to build you a one-off engine. Just as what’s commonly known as ‘paint jail,’ the engine shop can take longer than expected and the add-ons spin you off budget.
That brings us to the third option of purchasing a crate engine ...
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Old Cars; New Brakes:The Basics of Brake Upgrades

March 01, 2011

One of the first areas to address when you're modernizing a classic car is the brakes.  Thanks to a strong aftermarket, this has become fairly straightforward.  “Big Brake” kits are available for nearly any common production car, and for the less-common cars, several companies will build you a custom kit.  But before handing over your well-earned cash for an upgrade, it's worth spending a little time understanding what a good setup offers so you can make the right choice.
What Makes a Kit Big? The big picture of brake theory is that brakes turn kinetic energy into heat ...
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E-Type removable steering wheel boss

May 17, 2010

One of the many joys of owning a Jaguar E-type is the fact that nearly every replacement part is readily available and an enthusiastic after-market has sprung up to supply a host of worthwhile enhancements. The latest is a removable steering boss from Classic Motor Cars, Ltd.
Taking a cue from F1, it allows one to easily remove the steering wheel of an E-type. It's a boon for ingress and egress (something the designers of the 300SL Gullwing realized) when dealing with the high sills of an E-type ...
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