Fan-tastic!

Okay, so a trite title, I fully admit - but apt nonetheless.

Today I got a bunch of fan parts from my Okie hot rod friend (a title of respect, you must understand) "for my birthday" (and next year's, too). I need enough fan parts to cobble together the best combination that will hang below the intake and above the distributor, while being centered in the radiator, and out far enough that I can use a double crank pulley (this is shaping up to be another post to drive the non-car crazies cross-eyed).

Tonight while dinner was cooking, I liberated the fan carrier stud from the rusting '49 truck intake on the side of the house (lesson to self: never throw anything away) and what I think will become the hot rod's breather/oil filler, since the late flathead fuel pump mount/fitting thing should be short enough to just clear the Model T's firewall (well, with maybe a little "relief by hammer" work). Also learned today that 3 of my 4 rear brake shoes will work; 1 was too far gone - need to find a replacement.

Tomorrow is errand running in preparation for Saturday's thrash with my welding friend.

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Steel Drivin' Man

Got my workout tonight - developing "garage arms" (har har). Spent the evening until dark wailing on 80-year old Henry Ford steel. Was unsuccessful (but got close) beating on a Model A front axle and wishbone assembly to liberate the wishbone. Need it for the upcoming cut-and-graft trick to extend my '34 wishbone to the requisite '32 wishbone length.

She won tonight: got one spring perch nut removed and drove out the perch, but the other perch nut took a cutoff wheel and cold chisel and still wouldn't let go. We'll see how she stands up to the hot wrench tomorrow.

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Day Job, and a little progress

Spent last two days weathering storm in the professional world that is my day job, hence, no progress on the hot rod.

Need to get in gear for the great "wishbone lengthening" operation that I hope to orchestrate this weekend.

Oh, did find out the other day I have F1 hubs (go figure; that's what I wanted anyway). Now just need to order the drums and maybe rear shoes, if mine don't meet spec.

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She's Free!

Well, got a little done today, and good news came of it! (BTW, how do you like my flathead engine stand?)

Pulled the plugs, shot 'er full of Marvel Mystery Oil, and put the breaker bar on the crank to discover that she turns over nice and easy! From what I could see of the valves, they just looked black, thankfully not brown and rusty.

Then, I went to bolt on the distributor and promptly tightened it down crooked and cracked the distributor base. D'oh!

Tomorrow, I hope to get an engine test stand, and the hardware and supplies I need to start this baby! (We'll see).

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No progress, no problem

Hey there, devoted readers (all 3 of you). If you were wondering where my latest post is, you need to get a life.

But, nonetheless, because I'm compelled to keep my creative writing muscles limber, I'm posting tonight despite my not having any measurable progress on the hot rod except talking with my "connection" the other day on some parts, and some advice on lighting that flathead. Good advice, and he's chasing some parts for me. Cool.

Anyway, just been too dog-gone tired to work on the car lately and, ya know what, that's OK, I put in OT last weekend, as far as I'm concerned, so I can take a little break (emphasis on LITTLE; gotta get back in gear here pretty quick - that hot rod's not gonna build itself) and recover from the weekend fun and the day job.

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Back for more, loaded for bear

Went back to the wrecking yard on Saturday, and the ol' truck gave up her heart: pulled the motor singlehandedly, but sure needed help dragging it through the yard on the picker.

Tell ya what: ya wanna get an instant fan club, complete with stories, advice, and help - pull a 70-year old flathead motor in the center of a modern wrecking yard.  Had two fellas in particular, one from Modesto, the other Alameda.  Both were inveterate Early Ford guys.  One rattled off so many he had at home, I quickly lost count.  The other has no less than TWO '32 Fords: a B (4 banger) Deluxe Roadster, and - wait for it - a genuine Roadster Pickup.  Both had great stories of original owners and longtime ownership.  This second fella is the one who was kind enough to help me drag forward the a-frame picker/hoist thing.  I thought I was going to die.  Pulling the motor was nothing compared to dragging that frame.

First, props to the folks that helped yesterday, then on to the motor.  First, Mr. Alameda, for hanging out and making sure I got that motor forward to pay for it.  Second, Mr. Just Stopped By to Chat, who gave me his (actually, his buddy's) screwdriver to pin the hoist chain in place before I dropped the motor.  Third, to Mr. Modesto and his friend, who offered advice and helped me undo one of the motor mounts.  And, finally, to all of the passersby who offered help or (the typical) stories of hot rod and flathead daring-do for my entertainment.

Now, the motor.  I won't know more 'til I pull the heads, but here's the initial assessment: '39-'41 block w/59A heads.  Adjustable lifters w/drilled lifter bores.  "Diving bell" distributor.  Unknown ("T" - maybe Truck) cam.  Raised intake deck and oil pan freeze plugs raise my hope that it's a 99 block; hoping for factory relief, too, but we'll see once I pull the heads.  Was supposed to have been running shortly before it came in, as it was offered for sale on an area farm recently; barn parked and they got it started.  We'll see, as they say.

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Junkyard Dog

Had fun at the junkyard today.  Don't let 'em tell you any differently: "they're still out there!"  Got some 70-year old Ford parts today; expect to get more tomorrow.  Total bill today: $21 - automobile recycling is earth-friendly, as far as I'm concerned.

Also, tonight I made it out to the garage: mocked in place the rear shackles at axle height.  I think the body's a little higher than it will be with weight on it (at least I hope it'll settle down; it seems pretty high right now).

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A little friendly advice

Today's progress came in the form of my hot rod friend (and connection for uber-rare parts) coming by to check on my progress and offer (welcome) advice.

Some pointers he offered:

- Cut down the spring mounts to match the width of the Model T spring

- Change out that windshield frame for gen-u-wine Ford (he's got a rough and therefore affordable one)

- He's got some front drums, probably F1.  We'll see if they fit my F100 (confirmed: 1956) hubs

- Make an outboard saddle mount and box the inside of the 'A' frame where my '40 steering box will run under the frame; nip off the 3rd (unnecessary) bolt hole on the box

- Use box tubing and all-thread to square up the two spring mounts equally on the rear axle tube

- (Wow!  What a boring post this'll be for the non-car folks reading!)

- Using the method I describe a post or two ago may point the pinion down slightly, so I should only use it to tack the rear spring mounts and shorten the drive shaft and torque tube.  Then, once those are in place, double check the mounts and final weld.

- When I final weld the spring mounts, I should do so only on the outside, on top of the collar, to help avoid warping the axle tubes

I think that was it.  I'll post more if I remember. (Like you care).

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Or the lack thereof

Boy, it seems like feast or famine.  Hours of work yesterday compared to ordering one small (yet critical) part today.  All I did today was call up my local rod parts place and order the master cylinder adapter plate.

This evening all I'm doing is holding down the couch to keep it from floating around the room (that's a Howell reference for those of you keeping score at home).

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Progress!

Sorry for the miserable image.  It was a little dark under the car when I shot this at 11p with the cell phone (my only digital camera; analog rules).

Anyway, after 7hrs of busted knuckles, pinched skin, skinned knee, bonked head, perspiration, blood, grease, and swear words, I got the Model T spring hung!  Hooray for measurable progress!  Quick rundown of what transpired: had to move the rear end, tried simply placing the spring in the rear crossmember - too tall for my desired ride height.  After butchering out the old non-compliant spring bolt, I removed the top two leaves of the spring and replaced the spring bolt with the one from one of my Model A rear springs.  This was AFTER I had to repair the spring bolt after beating it out of the A spring and trying to beat it into the T spring before realizing I had to first drill out the hole in the main leaf because the hole was made smaller when the main leaf was welded to repair a crack (oh, please don't break whilst in travel, Mr. Spring).

Then futzed around with the spring hanger bolt things, and discovered they didn't fit as I desired, so I dug out a can of old Ford parts I'd cleaned up years ago.  Found and ended up using a pair of similar-looking hangers, despite one being a '35 and the other a '41 (apparently), but they are shaped in such a way as to better fit the narrower Model T spring (1/4" narrower than Model A).  Had to grind the hangers to fit snugly in the crossmember.  Hung the spring only to notice a gap between the hanger and the spring.  Had to tear the spring apart to add back one of the two leaves I removed earlier.

To cut to the chase, I got the spring hung and the garage cleaned up about 9:30p or so.  Just another day in the garage.  The nice thing is I had a vision while lying on my back under the car: my date with setting the pinion angle just got easier because of something I realized.  Since I have just a bare transmission case and engine block in the frame, I can fit the '34 drive shaft to the pinion and have it poke right through the transmission.  All I have to do is have the rear end in proper height in relation to the spring and frame, center the drive shaft, and my pinion angle is set!  I think I can hook the shackles to the spring and spring mounts, and tack the mounts in place!

Also, by doing the driveshaft this way, I can use it, or a piece of PVC pipe, with a real transmission (one with a U-joint or output shaft, at least) to determine how much to shorten the drive shaft and, in turn, shorten the '34 torque tube (I think I'll use it it instead of the '40 because the '34 has a pretty taper, and the torque tube will be pretty visible on this high-riding hi-boy).

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Back to the Old West!

Went back to the Old West today on a little road trip with friends. Some of the booze here was nearly as old as the bar itself. And what self-respecting old-timey bar would be complete without the requisite nude to ease your eyes while easing your nerves with a little "tonic"?

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More Junk! (I mean, Parts!)

Well, got more parts today!  Picked up the two rear springs; was expecting reversed-eye Model A, and heat-and-bent reversed eye Model A (try saying that three times fast).  Instead, got horribly crusty reversed eye Model A main leaf and...(gold!) reversed eye (maybe heat-and-bent) Model T spring, which I'd always considered running, but wasn't certain it would work.

The Model T spring just looks cool sitting there but, more importantly, will demonstrably lower the rear end.  It's like 4+ inches shorter than the Model A.  Doesn't look like it will allow for much travel, but the rear end will hardly weigh anything anyway, so it's probably a moot point.

In addition, I picked up (as expected) the rest of the brake parts, got enough info on, AND a lead on, F1/F100 front brakes that I consider it progress in that area, and ordered the adaptor that will allow me to run the Mustang/Pinto master cylinder with the '39 pedal assembly.

Finally, picked up my now-welded up T dash, and a donation to the cause: a retired (likely school bus) seat cushion to mock up the driver/passenger ride height (and, mostly, to sit in the car and make 'vroom vroom' noises).

If I remember and/or have time, pictures to follow of some of this stuff.  (I did.)

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Learnin' the Trade

Well, no work on my own hot rod tonight, but learned how to rebuild a Ford "crab" style distributor at my uncle's ('Mon Oncle' anyone?).  Yesterday got the Pete & Jake's (yes, new parts) spring mounts to put the Model A spring on top of the '40 rear axle.  Nice parts, perhaps obviously new, but they woulda used 'em in the day, if they'd a had 'em.

Picking up the rest of my brake system tomorrow at the shop.  Still gotta order front drums and rear brake shoes.  Then alter and repack front bearings.  Then pick up the welded-up dash.  Then pick up the heated and reversed-eye rear spring.  Then...then...then...

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Gimme a Brake!

OK, so a trite phrase entitles this post.  Nonetheless, I'm excited that I got the majority of my brake system today.  After hemming and hawing about old vs. new, and facing the prospect of trying to piece together a system of parts that were all born before me, I followed some of the best advice I've gotten recently, from no less than two sources: talk to a professional.

So I went to my local "we do everything under the sun" brake place, sidled up to the bar (literally) and talked to the best brake parts counter man in town, and said, "I need you to help me build my brake system from master cylinder to drums," and so it went.

Just an hour later and for LESS than I expected, I walked out with half the system (without paying a dime! Try that at Instant Parts R Us) and the rest to follow by the end of the week.  And the best part: his knowledge allows me to use the disparate parts I have together, in a safe system: '48-'52 Ford F-1 brakes up front, '46 backing plates/shoes w/ '40 drums in back, '39 pedal assembly w/unknown year (late '60s-early '70s) Mustang/Pinto (ugh!) dual reservoir master cylinder in the middle, keepin' me safe.

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411 on the 501s

Yeah, so I'm happy as can be when I grab the Levi's from the washing machine and toss them in the drier.  They LOOK like my shape.  I'm excitedly optimistic about my next classic fit 501s.

UNTIL I grab them from the drier when they're done and discover to my deep disappointment and disgust that one of the belt loops has simply come undone on one side.  Thank you, Levi Strauss et al., for shipping your manufacturing off-shore and relying upon your guarantee to mop up the resulting messes.

SO, now I get to call their 800 number, speak to someone in another country about my formerly American product that was shoddily made in yet another foreign country.  I suspect the irony will be lost on them.

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July 4: Fireworks & Disney!

Nothing better on a warm summer night than watching fireworks from the back deck while sipping cool adult beverages, followed by Disney movies on the homebrew drive-in movie screen.

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My test mobile blog

If this works, then I carry the power of blogging in my hands! (Insert evil laughter here).

Oh, the fine art of shrinking Levi's 501s

So I finally dug out the shrink-to-fit 501s I bought at the cowboy store a couple months ago(!) for the time consuming yet satisfying task of shrinking them to fit ME.

If ya haven't done this, it's an art that has many methods.  My method, which I'd previously used successfully, involves putting them on and soaking in a warm tub (see link - thank you Al Gore for the internet).  However, my vintage tub would probably soak up the leaching indigo, so on to Plan B.

Plan B involved waiting for a nice, hot day like today (99+ in the shade?), putting on the 501s, soaking myself and wearing them until I felt they "took," then into the washing machine.  And my plan went fine until I realized 1) I hadn't looked at the "first washing" instructions, and 2) I had no modest way to get from the garage (where the laundry is) to the house once I divested myself of the 501s!

So, I got to wander around the yard until the indigo drips were minimal, tread lightly through the house to get the instructions and a pair of shorts, then back outside to more soaking and reading a book while my pants set.

Anyway, they're in the laundry now, and should come out great.  Last time I did this they were the best-fitting pair of jeans I had, and they seemed to last a longer time before the knees blew out, too.

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Twice Lucky Construction (noir) in lieu of Blogger's Slideshow widget

Getting Started

Well, based on my own interest in reading others' blogs, I thought I'd give this thing a whirl.

Don't expect much from me in terms of frequent or enlightening posts, but if you're interested in my progress on my hot rod project ("Twice Lucky" is her current name, and I've been bitten in more ways than one recently and often mix metaphors, hence the title of this blog) and life in general, then you might want to check in on me every so often.

Thanks for stopping by, and I'll try to keep things entertaining, if not simply informative.