Test Fit: Some Studying Required

Got a lot done today. Started early with an unexpected trip to the vet, results forthcoming. Afterward, got new bearing races at the bearing house (just $15 and some change). Went to the brake house to get hold-downs; yup, didn't have 'em. Will have them in by Friday. That works. Finally, stopped at the electrical rebuilder to check on the generator and starter. Generator will be in by Friday, starter by today or Friday. They were courteous and forward-thinking enough to order a replacement drive (Bendix) unit since mine was Okie-rigged (probably by the farmers from whose truck I extricated the motor).

Back home, I knocked out the new but wrong outside races and drove in the new, thankfully-correct races and test fit them. I was able to tighten the spindle nut correctly! Next, I pulled out the other, original set of F1 backing plates to study on how to assemble my new F1 brakes. With a little fussing and fighting (not having had to assemble brakes before; I've only torn them apart) I got them lubed and assembled properly.


Finally, for kicks, I mounted the loaded backing plate onto the spindle, mounted the hub, and set the brake drum on for fit. It all fit - hooray! Especially considering the disparate collection of parts that went into assembling them.


By the time I'd done all that, it was as nearly hot in the garage as it was outside: 105. So I quit for the day, but not before ordering up some parts for the next go-round: shackle bolts (tomorrow I'm getting the Model A front leaf spring eyes opened (pun) from 11/16" to 3/4" at the spring shop) and gaskets galore for the expected engine work (pulling pan for clutch replacement requires pan gasket; replacing intake gasket; and changing timing cover requires new gasket). More tomorrow!