This old car....
01-18-2004, 01:45 AM
#1
This old car....
Well....I have a full scale car project going right now, and it's about
midway through. It's an old Ford....a 1930 Model A Tudoor. That's
not miss-spelled, it's kind of a nickname for two door sedans. I've
always liked the sedans for some reason, and I got this car several
years ago....and never did much with it. I knew there were a lot of
things that could be done to improve and fix up the car....but never
had a lot of time to get into it.
Now that I retired....I figured it was now, or never....so the project
was started. It's not really a restoration, more of a total remanufacture.
The car looks real sharp on the outside, as you can see....and the
running gear had been completely changed. It uses a 289 Mustang
(small block) V-8 engine, a C-4 Ford automatic trans, and an early
Mustang rear end.
It still had buggy springs front and rear, using a chromed 4" dropped
front axle, and 1940 Ford front brakes, with finned drums. (cool hot-
rod stuff) It had the stock Mustang drum rear brakes, and a set of
"appliance" real wire wheels.
That's the good news.
The bad news was a whole lot worse than I thought. The frame and
running gear underneith were in such bad shape....it was a shame. I
know for a fact if I lived in a State were they had annual auto inspections
the car would have been banned from operation, untill a lot of things
were fixed.
So, here we go. This is gonna be a long thread....we're almost finished
with the reconstruction at this point. Now we half to tear it all apart, and
paint it. All the bits have been chromed, and all the parts are in.
It's showtime, Baby....
midway through. It's an old Ford....a 1930 Model A Tudoor. That's
not miss-spelled, it's kind of a nickname for two door sedans. I've
always liked the sedans for some reason, and I got this car several
years ago....and never did much with it. I knew there were a lot of
things that could be done to improve and fix up the car....but never
had a lot of time to get into it.
Now that I retired....I figured it was now, or never....so the project
was started. It's not really a restoration, more of a total remanufacture.
The car looks real sharp on the outside, as you can see....and the
running gear had been completely changed. It uses a 289 Mustang
(small block) V-8 engine, a C-4 Ford automatic trans, and an early
Mustang rear end.
It still had buggy springs front and rear, using a chromed 4" dropped
front axle, and 1940 Ford front brakes, with finned drums. (cool hot-
rod stuff) It had the stock Mustang drum rear brakes, and a set of
"appliance" real wire wheels.
That's the good news.
The bad news was a whole lot worse than I thought. The frame and
running gear underneith were in such bad shape....it was a shame. I
know for a fact if I lived in a State were they had annual auto inspections
the car would have been banned from operation, untill a lot of things
were fixed.
So, here we go. This is gonna be a long thread....we're almost finished
with the reconstruction at this point. Now we half to tear it all apart, and
paint it. All the bits have been chromed, and all the parts are in.
It's showtime, Baby....
01-18-2004, 02:37 AM
#2
RE: This old car....
Pretty nice car, huh ? I guess you might be thinking....what the heck
are you gonna do that nice car....looks fine to me, just the way it is.
Well, as a matter of fact....appearence wise the car is sound. In fact
it turns out to be "crazy sound", because there's not any rust....inside
or out, and not a drop of Bondo. It's all steel and all original (except for
the running gear) and is still registerred as a 1930 Ford. I don't know
where this car has been for the last 75 years. All the old cars that have
not been kept-up, or restored....rusted into the ground 50 years ago !
First off....let me tell what I kinda had planned for the car....in one of
those...."one of these days" kind of planning. These Model A's came right
after the Model T's....and were built with wooden floor boards, and a wood
firewall. They make kits, with sheet metal parts to replace the wood, but
it's a major job to tear the car down, and weld in the metal stuff....but that
was a major dream modification.
More in reality, I wanted to change out the rear end. For one thing, it was
geared too low....and the guys who put the rear end in the car....must have
learned to weld as they went....it was a mess....I mean really bad. It's a
wonder the rear end didn't fall out on the ground. I also wanted to do
something with the brakes, they weren't very good. The steering was real
hard....I didn't know what could be done about that.
I did know that putting power steering on....would entail using a Saginaw box,
a pump, and the rest of the stuff. But the frame is so skinny....it didn't look like
there was room enough to mount the bracket, to mount the steering box.
Power steering was a "dream mod".
Model A's have buggy springs front and rear....which means the car if fastened
to, and suspended in the middle of the car. They lean a whole lot when you
turn a corner....and they always end up leaning to the left, with no one in the car
....known as "the fat mans lean". I sure didn't like that leaning business....but
what to do about that ?
So mainly it was improve the steering, the gearing, the handling, and the brakes.
Sounds reasonable....doesn't it ?
(to be continued)
are you gonna do that nice car....looks fine to me, just the way it is.
Well, as a matter of fact....appearence wise the car is sound. In fact
it turns out to be "crazy sound", because there's not any rust....inside
or out, and not a drop of Bondo. It's all steel and all original (except for
the running gear) and is still registerred as a 1930 Ford. I don't know
where this car has been for the last 75 years. All the old cars that have
not been kept-up, or restored....rusted into the ground 50 years ago !
First off....let me tell what I kinda had planned for the car....in one of
those...."one of these days" kind of planning. These Model A's came right
after the Model T's....and were built with wooden floor boards, and a wood
firewall. They make kits, with sheet metal parts to replace the wood, but
it's a major job to tear the car down, and weld in the metal stuff....but that
was a major dream modification.
More in reality, I wanted to change out the rear end. For one thing, it was
geared too low....and the guys who put the rear end in the car....must have
learned to weld as they went....it was a mess....I mean really bad. It's a
wonder the rear end didn't fall out on the ground. I also wanted to do
something with the brakes, they weren't very good. The steering was real
hard....I didn't know what could be done about that.
I did know that putting power steering on....would entail using a Saginaw box,
a pump, and the rest of the stuff. But the frame is so skinny....it didn't look like
there was room enough to mount the bracket, to mount the steering box.
Power steering was a "dream mod".
Model A's have buggy springs front and rear....which means the car if fastened
to, and suspended in the middle of the car. They lean a whole lot when you
turn a corner....and they always end up leaning to the left, with no one in the car
....known as "the fat mans lean". I sure didn't like that leaning business....but
what to do about that ?
So mainly it was improve the steering, the gearing, the handling, and the brakes.
Sounds reasonable....doesn't it ?
(to be continued)
01-19-2004, 12:23 AM
#3
RE: This old car....
What started out to be a do-it-yourself, backyard attempt to "put another
rear end in it"....turned into a major fiasco as we saw the condition of the
undercarriage. It was unsalvageable....literally nothing under the car was
worth saving. You know the old saying...."anything worth doing, is worth
doing right"....came into play. At this point, I decided a new frame was in
order. Not a new, stock "re-pop" frame....but one of those new modern
fully boxed beauties I had been droolling over for years in the hot rod mags.
And while we were at it....it was time for the metal firewall and floorboards
as well. I had also fancied a new dashboard and instruments. Now we have
a plan. I ordered up the frame from an oufit called TCI....Total Cost Involved....
( I found out later what that meant [X(]). So we started ripping. We ripped
out the interior, the floorboards, the dash, the wiring, the front end, the rear
end....by the time we got through ripping....the car was bare.
Too late to turn back now.
rear end in it"....turned into a major fiasco as we saw the condition of the
undercarriage. It was unsalvageable....literally nothing under the car was
worth saving. You know the old saying...."anything worth doing, is worth
doing right"....came into play. At this point, I decided a new frame was in
order. Not a new, stock "re-pop" frame....but one of those new modern
fully boxed beauties I had been droolling over for years in the hot rod mags.
And while we were at it....it was time for the metal firewall and floorboards
as well. I had also fancied a new dashboard and instruments. Now we have
a plan. I ordered up the frame from an oufit called TCI....Total Cost Involved....
( I found out later what that meant [X(]). So we started ripping. We ripped
out the interior, the floorboards, the dash, the wiring, the front end, the rear
end....by the time we got through ripping....the car was bare.
Too late to turn back now.
01-19-2004, 01:14 AM
#4
RE: This old car....
To give you an idea about how messed up the car was....go back to the
last post, and look at pic #3. That big black thing were the dashboard used
to be, is the gas tank. Not really a good place for a gas tank is it, in your lap ?
See on the left side, on the bottom edge....that bracket ? The previous
"hot rodders" had welded the steering column bracket to the gas tank !
On the brighter side....pic #1 below is the back of the old dash. Pics 2, 3,
and 4 is the new dash, and some of the stuff going in it.
Now were talkin'....[sm=thumbup.gif]
last post, and look at pic #3. That big black thing were the dashboard used
to be, is the gas tank. Not really a good place for a gas tank is it, in your lap ?
See on the left side, on the bottom edge....that bracket ? The previous
"hot rodders" had welded the steering column bracket to the gas tank !
On the brighter side....pic #1 below is the back of the old dash. Pics 2, 3,
and 4 is the new dash, and some of the stuff going in it.
Now were talkin'....[sm=thumbup.gif]
01-19-2004, 01:23 AM
#5
RE: This old car....
In a few weeks time the bare bones TCI frame came in. The good
folks a TCI put me on to one of their subcontractors, a place
called Unique Auto....in Bloomington, Cal. It's down around Fontana
and San Berdoo....not far from Calif. Raceway. TCI is too busy to make
anything but their stock fare....any mods have to be subbed out. So
I loaded up my front end, and a rear end we dragged out of a junk
yard....and headed to Unique. I wanted a rolling chassis to slide under
my baby....but, what started out as a frame replacement, turned into
much more....a total rebuilding of the car.
Lets clean up this stuff, and see what we have. As you can see....the
wheels are real nice, the backing plates are chromed, and the 4" dropped
front axle is in great shape. I wanted to use my whole front end, but
since the steering box was to be made proper, most of my front end
parts were scrapped. Only the axle, the wheel assy's., and one tie rod
could be used. A complete chromed front end like this (rolling) with shocks
runs around $3500. Yes, I was glad I already had the big parts.
Here's the front end....slid under the new chassis. The chassis doesn't look
like much at first glance....the A-Bone is a simple car. We'll have a closer look.
A look from the rear. The rear end has to be kicked up about 4" to put
in the new "coil-over" rear suspension. That rise....sticks up inside the car....
under the rear seat. A special floor pan would have to be made for it.
folks a TCI put me on to one of their subcontractors, a place
called Unique Auto....in Bloomington, Cal. It's down around Fontana
and San Berdoo....not far from Calif. Raceway. TCI is too busy to make
anything but their stock fare....any mods have to be subbed out. So
I loaded up my front end, and a rear end we dragged out of a junk
yard....and headed to Unique. I wanted a rolling chassis to slide under
my baby....but, what started out as a frame replacement, turned into
much more....a total rebuilding of the car.
Lets clean up this stuff, and see what we have. As you can see....the
wheels are real nice, the backing plates are chromed, and the 4" dropped
front axle is in great shape. I wanted to use my whole front end, but
since the steering box was to be made proper, most of my front end
parts were scrapped. Only the axle, the wheel assy's., and one tie rod
could be used. A complete chromed front end like this (rolling) with shocks
runs around $3500. Yes, I was glad I already had the big parts.
Here's the front end....slid under the new chassis. The chassis doesn't look
like much at first glance....the A-Bone is a simple car. We'll have a closer look.
A look from the rear. The rear end has to be kicked up about 4" to put
in the new "coil-over" rear suspension. That rise....sticks up inside the car....
under the rear seat. A special floor pan would have to be made for it.
01-19-2004, 02:57 AM
#6
RE: This old car....
The best way to get a good look at my little frame, is by following the
brake lines around the inside of the frame. They are hand made of course,
and are hidden inside the frame rails. The lines at the ends are fastened to
clips, welded to the frame at the wheels. Stainless steel flex hoses go to
the wheel cylinders. The lines are fastened to the frame with alum. brackets
....the stainless screws are drilled and tapped into the frame. Nowhere on the
frame, do the lines touch the frame. The gut who cut and bent up the lines has
obviously done this before.
You can see the 4" rise in the frame....that mount on the top is the shock
mount....it has to be stout. It looks the guy that did the welding has done
this before as well.
The lines running around the rear of the frame. The brakes lines do not
droop over the rear end like in a regular car....nor are any lines running
around the firewall. This is "hot rod style".
Coming around to the left side of the frame you can see the line for the
rear wheel, and the bracket for the rear sway bar
brake lines around the inside of the frame. They are hand made of course,
and are hidden inside the frame rails. The lines at the ends are fastened to
clips, welded to the frame at the wheels. Stainless steel flex hoses go to
the wheel cylinders. The lines are fastened to the frame with alum. brackets
....the stainless screws are drilled and tapped into the frame. Nowhere on the
frame, do the lines touch the frame. The gut who cut and bent up the lines has
obviously done this before.
You can see the 4" rise in the frame....that mount on the top is the shock
mount....it has to be stout. It looks the guy that did the welding has done
this before as well.
The lines running around the rear of the frame. The brakes lines do not
droop over the rear end like in a regular car....nor are any lines running
around the firewall. This is "hot rod style".
Coming around to the left side of the frame you can see the line for the
rear wheel, and the bracket for the rear sway bar
01-19-2004, 03:09 AM
#7
RE: This old car....
Moving forward along the frame we see the rear end stabilizer bracket
for the "four-bar" system. Next is the proportioning valve for the rear
brakes. When adjusted properly....the big tires on the rear will lock-up
first in a panic stop, and allow the front end to be steered. Then the brake
light switch, hidden under the frame.
Moving forward we see the rear engine mount (tranny mount) which is
removable, as well as the power brake unit. The booster is a specially made
unit for TCI....in that it is much smaller than the usual large booster, and is
used under the cars. In hotties, there is little room under the car....most are
"slammed" (lowered to the ground). They resell several hundred of these
boosters per year.
The brake cylinder is an old Corvette item, that I guess is still plentiful new.
It uses a double sided, two valve, single line system....that uses that adjusting
valve.
The assy. bolts to a bracket welded to the frame. The round part on the top
is the pivot for the brake petal, which pushes directly on the booster rod.
for the "four-bar" system. Next is the proportioning valve for the rear
brakes. When adjusted properly....the big tires on the rear will lock-up
first in a panic stop, and allow the front end to be steered. Then the brake
light switch, hidden under the frame.
Moving forward we see the rear engine mount (tranny mount) which is
removable, as well as the power brake unit. The booster is a specially made
unit for TCI....in that it is much smaller than the usual large booster, and is
used under the cars. In hotties, there is little room under the car....most are
"slammed" (lowered to the ground). They resell several hundred of these
boosters per year.
The brake cylinder is an old Corvette item, that I guess is still plentiful new.
It uses a double sided, two valve, single line system....that uses that adjusting
valve.
The assy. bolts to a bracket welded to the frame. The round part on the top
is the pivot for the brake petal, which pushes directly on the booster rod.
01-19-2004, 03:24 AM
#8
RE: This old car....
Up to the front now, we see the mount underneath for the front
4-bar set up, the front motor mounts, the bracket for the new
steering box, the front shock mount (upper), and the lower one
is the bracket for the front sway bar.
The front frame horn secures the front fenders, as well as the bumper
mounts, and a chrome spreader bar.
The very front center of the frame is a "U" shape. The front buggy spring
fits inside it, and is concealed. You can see a pin between the shackle bolts
that holds the spring on center. The guy that bent up the brake lines musta'
have known about the shackle bolts, huh ?
The end of the line for the brake lines....and our quick tour of the frame.
Those two chrome bars on the right are part of the front 4-bar system,
and that bar running across at an angle is the front sway bar (trick).
4-bar set up, the front motor mounts, the bracket for the new
steering box, the front shock mount (upper), and the lower one
is the bracket for the front sway bar.
The front frame horn secures the front fenders, as well as the bumper
mounts, and a chrome spreader bar.
The very front center of the frame is a "U" shape. The front buggy spring
fits inside it, and is concealed. You can see a pin between the shackle bolts
that holds the spring on center. The guy that bent up the brake lines musta'
have known about the shackle bolts, huh ?
The end of the line for the brake lines....and our quick tour of the frame.
Those two chrome bars on the right are part of the front 4-bar system,
and that bar running across at an angle is the front sway bar (trick).
01-19-2004, 03:51 AM
#9
RE: This old car....
Nothing bolts through the frame....everything either has a bracket for
it to go on....or if it has to be bolted to the frame....it uses these
threaded inserts set into the sides. Don't worry, they will not come out.
A shot of the steering box bracket, and some front end detail. The whole
steering system....from the horn button in a banjo steering wheel, down
through a shortened stainlees collum, to the ends of the control arms...
is all in chrome. Except for the front spring, the whole front end is chrome.
Some nifty old "hot rod" front end parts.
And a box of new parts that I hope I never have to buy again. [X(]
it to go on....or if it has to be bolted to the frame....it uses these
threaded inserts set into the sides. Don't worry, they will not come out.
A shot of the steering box bracket, and some front end detail. The whole
steering system....from the horn button in a banjo steering wheel, down
through a shortened stainlees collum, to the ends of the control arms...
is all in chrome. Except for the front spring, the whole front end is chrome.
Some nifty old "hot rod" front end parts.
And a box of new parts that I hope I never have to buy again. [X(]
01-19-2004, 04:02 AM
#10
RE: This old car....
Check out some of the other frame jobs going on at this shop.
This one is finished and gone now, but it's for a '57 Chevy pick-up.
They have their own paint booth out back....and man, their work
is outta' site ! Imagine, this much work going into painting a frame.
Every thing is brand new on this baby....and a pretty penny too.
Check the front A-arms and stuff....no front springs. Gonna use
an air-ride system........See the gas tank in the back ? Hand-made,
all aluminum.
Check the paint job on this tranny....[X(]
This one is finished and gone now, but it's for a '57 Chevy pick-up.
They have their own paint booth out back....and man, their work
is outta' site ! Imagine, this much work going into painting a frame.
Every thing is brand new on this baby....and a pretty penny too.
Check the front A-arms and stuff....no front springs. Gonna use
an air-ride system....
....See the gas tank in the back ? Hand-made,all aluminum.
Check the paint job on this tranny....[X(]
01-19-2004, 04:10 AM
#11
RE: This old car....
How's this for a frame and a half ? Really wild !!! See that black
body in front of the frame ? It's a '32 two door sedan like mine.
This one came in....all in one piece (to die for) beautiful black
hot rod. I guess the owner wasn't happy with it, and is having it
re-done....no holds barred.
I guess the frame is so stout....because it's gonna have to hang
with this blown street motor. [X(] I didn't see what was in it before
they stripped the car down. It does have a super nice interior in it.
Here's another really fancy frame out back of the shop, I don't know
what it's for....but it sure is nice. It might be for a Corvette....see the
big meats on the back ?
The new frame is sitting on is the frame it's replacing. [8D]
body in front of the frame ? It's a '32 two door sedan like mine.
This one came in....all in one piece (to die for) beautiful black
hot rod. I guess the owner wasn't happy with it, and is having it
re-done....no holds barred.
I guess the frame is so stout....because it's gonna have to hang
with this blown street motor. [X(] I didn't see what was in it before
they stripped the car down. It does have a super nice interior in it.
Here's another really fancy frame out back of the shop, I don't know
what it's for....but it sure is nice. It might be for a Corvette....see the
big meats on the back ?
The new frame is sitting on is the frame it's replacing. [8D]
01-19-2004, 09:02 PM
#12
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RE: This old car....
wow.... lookin good so far.
can't wait to see the finish project. I really wish I had the time/know-how/money/motivation to complete a project like this... but I can barely get my planes in the air
SEND MORE PICS!!!
can't wait to see the finish project. I really wish I had the time/know-how/money/motivation to complete a project like this... but I can barely get my planes in the air
SEND MORE PICS!!!
01-20-2004, 11:25 PM
#13
RE: This old car....
Here's the frame that pretty blue trans is for. I wish I had taken
some pictures of this frame....the customer has picked it up. It was way
too beautiful for me to describe. It's a shame, that after these frames are
completed....the bodies go on, and the frames are all but out of sight. [
]
Whenever I go down to the shop, I get too involved with my car....a
multitude of decisions have to be made....and I should spend a bit more
time looking at the other stuff (and learning).
I wish I had taken some pictures of this frame....the customer has picked it up. It was way
too beautiful for me to describe. It's a shame, that after these frames are
completed....the bodies go on, and the frames are all but out of sight. [
] Whenever I go down to the shop, I get too involved with my car....a
multitude of decisions have to be made....and I should spend a bit more
time looking at the other stuff (and learning).
01-21-2004, 04:40 AM
#15
RE: This old car....
Unstable.....thank you....
John....no, not mine....way too much for me........it may be for sale though.
Mines a "driver"....it will have a bone stock 302 Mustang type V-8,
painted Ford Blue....like a crate motor....with a nice air cleaner and headers.
This is my radiator....all aluminum....hand made by the guys that make
Nascar radiators. It is a thing of beauty, If I do say so myself.
I wanted you to see one of the rear coil-over shock brackets, because
you can't see it on the car. The rear shock bolt can go in any of the three
positions, to set the rear ride height of the car.
Here's a nice '32 two door that was down at the shop the other day.
It's a deep green metallic....very sharp. It looks like he is running a tube
axle up front too....
John....no, not mine....way too much for me....
....it may be for sale though.Mines a "driver"....it will have a bone stock 302 Mustang type V-8,
painted Ford Blue....like a crate motor....with a nice air cleaner and headers.
This is my radiator....all aluminum....hand made by the guys that make
Nascar radiators. It is a thing of beauty, If I do say so myself.
I wanted you to see one of the rear coil-over shock brackets, because
you can't see it on the car. The rear shock bolt can go in any of the three
positions, to set the rear ride height of the car.
Here's a nice '32 two door that was down at the shop the other day.
It's a deep green metallic....very sharp. It looks like he is running a tube
axle up front too....
01-21-2004, 05:00 AM
#16
RE: This old car....
This is the rear suspension in a nutshell....it's a four bar pro-street
type set up....the type you would see in a drag car....very strong.
You can see the brake line sticking out near the wheel.
There is that bracket I showed earlier....it holds the whole rear end
together. That rounded flat bar sticking out....above the axle is the
"bump stop" for the axle....should it bottom out. There will be a rubber
piece bolted the bar. It also keeps the shock from being fully compressed
and getting damaged. This is the "low rider" position.
Pic #3 shows the coil-over rear shocks. This is the rear suspension of the
car. They are very stout.
I got this rear end out of a salvage yard....it's out of an '88 Ford Granada.
It's rather unique....in that it's not an 8", or a 9"....but an 8 1/2 incher....
kind of an odd-ball....with the 3.00 gears (highway).... and it's the narrow
type 50"....out of a big car. Ford rear ends are either 50" or 58"....and
the smaller ones come out of Mustangs and Fairlanes. But the usual 50"
ones have skinny tubes....so this one had everything we needed....the
right width, gear ratio, and the fat tubes. The center is cast steel....not cast
iron. The rear sway bar bracket is welded directly to it....and saved us alot
of hassle. All the other rear ends have the third member bolted in from the
front....and a solid cap on the back....and are better looking, because the
nuts are in the front. But, you can't see the rear end from the back anyway
because we put a rear gas tank on the car.
type set up....the type you would see in a drag car....very strong.
You can see the brake line sticking out near the wheel.
There is that bracket I showed earlier....it holds the whole rear end
together. That rounded flat bar sticking out....above the axle is the
"bump stop" for the axle....should it bottom out. There will be a rubber
piece bolted the bar. It also keeps the shock from being fully compressed
and getting damaged. This is the "low rider" position.
Pic #3 shows the coil-over rear shocks. This is the rear suspension of the
car. They are very stout.
I got this rear end out of a salvage yard....it's out of an '88 Ford Granada.
It's rather unique....in that it's not an 8", or a 9"....but an 8 1/2 incher....
kind of an odd-ball....with the 3.00 gears (highway).... and it's the narrow
type 50"....out of a big car. Ford rear ends are either 50" or 58"....and
the smaller ones come out of Mustangs and Fairlanes. But the usual 50"
ones have skinny tubes....so this one had everything we needed....the
right width, gear ratio, and the fat tubes. The center is cast steel....not cast
iron. The rear sway bar bracket is welded directly to it....and saved us alot
of hassle. All the other rear ends have the third member bolted in from the
front....and a solid cap on the back....and are better looking, because the
nuts are in the front. But, you can't see the rear end from the back anyway
because we put a rear gas tank on the car.
01-21-2004, 05:05 AM
#17
RE: This old car....
The front end is coming together....I see things a little differently than
Henry Ford....
. That's the 4-bar front end....The "California wish-bone"
style is nice as well, but are used primarily on "T-bucket" (model T's)
roadsters....this one is much stronger. There's a bunch of trick parts up
front....the king pins are polished stainless steel. When finished....every
thing except the front spring will be chrome. [8D]
My front axle and backing plates don't look too bad, when cleaned up !
There's a new chrome shock under the wrap.
Here's a peek of the front spring....it will have nylon strips in between the
leaves on final assy., for a smoother ride up front. There isn't much travel.
I'm glad I don't have to try and find these adapters for the wheels.
More front end bits. It should ride alot better than before....for all practical
purposes, it had no suspension on it before. The rear end spring was so stiff,
it wouldn't give....and some leaves were missing from the front spring....in
an apparent attempt to lower the car....and the spring was "straight"....
which means, it was all out of travel, just sitting there. It had no rear brakes on
it either....the rear brake lines were plugged with rust from the old master cyl.
Henry Ford....
. That's the 4-bar front end....The "California wish-bone"style is nice as well, but are used primarily on "T-bucket" (model T's)
roadsters....this one is much stronger. There's a bunch of trick parts up
front....the king pins are polished stainless steel. When finished....every
thing except the front spring will be chrome. [8D]
My front axle and backing plates don't look too bad, when cleaned up !
There's a new chrome shock under the wrap.
Here's a peek of the front spring....it will have nylon strips in between the
leaves on final assy., for a smoother ride up front. There isn't much travel.
I'm glad I don't have to try and find these adapters for the wheels.
More front end bits. It should ride alot better than before....for all practical
purposes, it had no suspension on it before. The rear end spring was so stiff,
it wouldn't give....and some leaves were missing from the front spring....in
an apparent attempt to lower the car....and the spring was "straight"....
which means, it was all out of travel, just sitting there. It had no rear brakes on
it either....the rear brake lines were plugged with rust from the old master cyl.
01-21-2004, 05:16 AM
#18
RE: This old car....
Old body meets new frame. We had to have the boby on the frame
to custom install the new rear tank stuff....guessing wouldn't work.
We carried the body in by hand, and mated then up....I think they
liked each other at first sight ! The body is gutted, but the old
gas tank is still there....but not for long.
The frame is gone....hidden from sight....a shame, too. Wait till you
see it painted in Cadillac metallic gunmetal grey.
Under the hood is where all the action will be.....you will be able see
the frame and front end and all the steering bits.
I brought in the sheet metal kit for the firewall and floorboards. This is
where the fun starts....making this old relic into a real automobile.
"Get out of the way, Henry....you had your chance, now it's my turn"....[X(]
to custom install the new rear tank stuff....guessing wouldn't work.
We carried the body in by hand, and mated then up....I think they
liked each other at first sight !
The body is gutted, but the old gas tank is still there....but not for long.
The frame is gone....hidden from sight....a shame, too. Wait till you
see it painted in Cadillac metallic gunmetal grey.
Under the hood is where all the action will be.....you will be able see
the frame and front end and all the steering bits.
I brought in the sheet metal kit for the firewall and floorboards. This is
where the fun starts....making this old relic into a real automobile.
"Get out of the way, Henry....you had your chance, now it's my turn"....[X(]
01-21-2004, 12:43 PM
#19
RE: This old car....
Here's the sheet metal kit for the firewall and floorboards. The wood
parts in a stock Model A really rubbed me against the grain........I don't
know what Henry was thinking about.
The firewall is in........it looks to me that was the way it should have
been in the first place. It is all welded in.... as well as the floodboards. The
way it was....you could forget about driving in the rain....hit a puddle, and
you would be gettin' wet inside the car.
These are the radiator braces coming from the firewall to hold the top of
the radiator in place, and set the distance for proper fitting of the hood.
This set is of polished stainless steel........it's amazing the neat stuff
you can buy for these cars.
The radiator, shell, and grill will make it look like a Duece....the old set-up
had the bare radiator sticking out front....(another thing I want to talk to
Henry about ). You cannot get a proper grill like this one for the Model A
however, if you use a '32 rad. and shell....you can have the nifty grill. The
bad news is....the hood will no longer fit....because the '32 stuff is a little wider.
The answer to this slight problem is to simply have a new hood custom
made....nothing that a small loan from the Federal Reserve won't cure. [X(]
Notice the grill doesn't have the hole for the hand crank.
parts in a stock Model A really rubbed me against the grain....
....I don'tknow what Henry was thinking about.
The firewall is in....
....it looks to me that was the way it should havebeen in the first place. It is all welded in.... as well as the floodboards. The
way it was....you could forget about driving in the rain....hit a puddle, and
you would be gettin' wet inside the car.
These are the radiator braces coming from the firewall to hold the top of
the radiator in place, and set the distance for proper fitting of the hood.
This set is of polished stainless steel....
....it's amazing the neat stuffyou can buy for these cars.
The radiator, shell, and grill will make it look like a Duece....the old set-up
had the bare radiator sticking out front....(another thing I want to talk to
Henry about
). You cannot get a proper grill like this one for the Model Ahowever, if you use a '32 rad. and shell....you can have the nifty grill. The
bad news is....the hood will no longer fit....because the '32 stuff is a little wider.
The answer to this slight problem is to simply have a new hood custom
made....nothing that a small loan from the Federal Reserve won't cure. [X(]
Notice the grill doesn't have the hole for the hand crank.
01-24-2004, 03:04 AM
#20
RE: This old car....
There was a ton of work to be done in the rear of the car. You can see
the new hood there, fresh in from the Fed. Reserve. The tank "kit"
is kind of a generic, universal type thing. That means it doesn't really fit
anything. First, brackets had to be fashioned and welded...coming back
off the frame....just so.....so that the tank, the aprons (side covers) could
be bollted to it....and most importantly....so the aprons will fit in a manner
that blends in, and allows the aprons to be bolted underneith to the fenders.
Kids....don't try this at home, please.
The rear bumper brackets had to be re-fashioned, because they would no
longer fit the way they were. I came up with the design....using the old
brackets....with just some cutting and welding....no bending. Instead of
drilling the brackets, and using nuts and bolts to bolt the chrome bumpers
back on....we drilled and tapped the brackets, and used some nifty
stainless buttonhead bolts. (round, flat, and pretty) and no nuts.
You can see the "spreader bar" running across the tank to give some
protection for the tank. This one is plain steel, used for mock-up....mine is
done in polished stainless steel.
The spare tire mount will be reworked (too ugly) and the tail light mounts
moved and centered....where they should be. The license plate would not
remount under the tail light, and clear the gas tank. []
Here's the bumper and mount....the new and improved "shorty" version.
The mounts will be massaged, and painted. The inside of the bumper is a
hinged pivot., so the bumper can move.
the new hood there, fresh in from the Fed. Reserve.
The tank "kit" is kind of a generic, universal type thing. That means it doesn't really fit
anything.
First, brackets had to be fashioned and welded...coming back off the frame....just so.....so that the tank, the aprons (side covers) could
be bollted to it....and most importantly....so the aprons will fit in a manner
that blends in, and allows the aprons to be bolted underneith to the fenders.
Kids....don't try this at home, please.
The rear bumper brackets had to be re-fashioned, because they would no
longer fit the way they were. I came up with the design....using the old
brackets....with just some cutting and welding....no bending. Instead of
drilling the brackets, and using nuts and bolts to bolt the chrome bumpers
back on....we drilled and tapped the brackets, and used some nifty
stainless buttonhead bolts. (round, flat, and pretty) and no nuts.
You can see the "spreader bar" running across the tank to give some
protection for the tank. This one is plain steel, used for mock-up....mine is
done in polished stainless steel.
The spare tire mount will be reworked (too ugly) and the tail light mounts
moved and centered....where they should be. The license plate would not
remount under the tail light, and clear the gas tank. [
]Here's the bumper and mount....the new and improved "shorty" version.
The mounts will be massaged, and painted. The inside of the bumper is a
hinged pivot., so the bumper can move.
01-26-2004, 05:42 PM
#21
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RE: This old car....
Lookin good, my father does that kind of stuff. He is current restoring one that I believe is a 1932 Model A Coupe, 1956 Corvette and is painting an AC Cobra kit car. He just completed a 1928 Model T Truck. If I can get some pictures off of him ill post them.
01-30-2004, 12:26 PM
#22
RE: This old car....
Hypter....
....cool, man. I'd really like to see the pics, and see what others are doing.
It doesn't seem that there is much interest in the full size cars Forum....
....but what the heck. I've got this project, and the pics....might as well post 'em.
Dave.
....cool, man. I'd really like to see the pics, and see what others are doing.
It doesn't seem that there is much interest in the full size cars Forum....
....but what the heck. I've got this project, and the pics....might as well post 'em.
Dave.
01-30-2004, 12:35 PM
#23
RE: This old car....
This is how the side aprons for the fuel tank blend into the ferders on
the sides. This will look bone stock when the car is finished and painted.
Undernieth the car you can see the brackets (the straight metal) that
comes off the frame, and mounts the tank, aprons, and rear bumper,
and how the aprons bolt to the fenders.
the sides. This will look bone stock when the car is finished and painted.
Undernieth the car you can see the brackets (the straight metal) that
comes off the frame, and mounts the tank, aprons, and rear bumper,
and how the aprons bolt to the fenders.
02-05-2004, 12:42 AM
#24
RE: This old car....
We're just about finished with the construction. It should have been on
wheels by now, but a few of the front end parts were in the chrome shop
for three months, and weren't done. My Guy had to go get the parts and
have them done eleswhere. [] The hood and the grill look good, the louvers
are the same as stock. You cannot see the hinges on this one....pretty cool. [8D]
All that's left is to re-do the front bumper brackets and get the front bumper
back on. When the radiator was mated to the grille shell....it was fabricated
with an a/c condenser fitted....then removed....so if I ever want to put a/c
on the car, the parts will bolt right in. The black sheet metal under the radiator,
called the splash guard ....had to be fashioned to fit onto the '30 frame, and
match up to the '32 grill shell.
All this work was done up front....so I could have a nice grill on the ol' gal.
Looks real nice to me.
wheels by now, but a few of the front end parts were in the chrome shop
for three months, and weren't done. My Guy had to go get the parts and
have them done eleswhere. [
] The hood and the grill look good, the louvers are the same as stock. You cannot see the hinges on this one....pretty cool. [8D]
All that's left is to re-do the front bumper brackets and get the front bumper
back on. When the radiator was mated to the grille shell....it was fabricated
with an a/c condenser fitted....then removed....so if I ever want to put a/c
on the car, the parts will bolt right in. The black sheet metal under the radiator,
called the splash guard ....had to be fashioned to fit onto the '30 frame, and
match up to the '32 grill shell.
All this work was done up front....so I could have a nice grill on the ol' gal.
Looks real nice to me.
02-10-2004, 03:18 PM
#25
RE: This old car....
The tail lights had to be moved to the middle of the fenders, so the
license plate would clear the tank aprons....I don't know how they
got like that....the old holes were welded up.
This is the area by the drivers door, at the front of the running board. There
was some cracking due to a bad fitting....that had to be repaired. The seam
where the fender joins the side panel was welded before....to eliminate a
troublesome seam, but the work was substandard. This time the seam
was re-welded, and the seam wiil be smothed out, and completely
eliminated, for a cleaner look.
The same seam, moving forward to the firewall area. There was some
minor cracks that were welded up. Those two holes are for the hood
hold-downs, so some stress cracks might be expected in this area.
See the way the grille shell is cut....right were it meets the fender ?
This area didn't match up anymore because the '32 shell is a bit different
....so about 1" of metal had to be added to make it right. The passenger
side had the same treatment.
license plate would clear the tank aprons....I don't know how they
got like that....the old holes were welded up.
This is the area by the drivers door, at the front of the running board. There
was some cracking due to a bad fitting....that had to be repaired. The seam
where the fender joins the side panel was welded before....to eliminate a
troublesome seam, but the work was substandard. This time the seam
was re-welded, and the seam wiil be smothed out, and completely
eliminated, for a cleaner look.
The same seam, moving forward to the firewall area. There was some
minor cracks that were welded up. Those two holes are for the hood
hold-downs, so some stress cracks might be expected in this area.
See the way the grille shell is cut....right were it meets the fender ?
This area didn't match up anymore because the '32 shell is a bit different
....so about 1" of metal had to be added to make it right. The passenger
side had the same treatment.