Rear Spring Hangers On

Today I began installing the rear spring hangers so I can install the Model T spring, hang the rear end, and begin measuring the shorten the torque tube and driveshaft.

After wire brushing the extra-long special, square-headed backing plate bolts that came with one of the sets of aftermarket accessory rear shock mounts I have, I cleaned the mounting surfaces on the rear end using a wire brush on my 7" angle grinder.


Here's a close-up of the installation. You can also see the bare Vanadium steel exposed where my friend bobbed off the original rear spring hangers.


I also mocked up the rear spring.


Next, I have to disassemble the spring, grease it, and figure out the easiest and safest (these may be mutually exclusive) way of installing the spring. I have a few aces up my sleeve, though.

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Lucky Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Actually, she doesn't need them (can't wear them, as it turns out), and they're not new, but I couldn't resist the title.

For kicks I mocked up the Kelsey-Hayes wheels I've had hanging around the garage for a few years. I had them powdered coated a "matte" red for the roadster pick-up project, in fact so long ago the shop that did them (all five - one for a spare!) is now out of business. I can't even recall how I got all of these, but my uncle played the biggest part in me getting them. Had them straightened, bead blasted, and powder coated...and now they sit on the shelf.


So...I thought I'd see what Twice Lucky looked like with them on and the effect was what I expected: too shiny compared to the rest of the car, and too early for me for this car right now. I really like the look of the '40 solid wheels, and so that's what she'll run, but it was good to check anyway.

I mostly wanted to see if I could even run them as an option, but they will not mate up to the F1 brake drums I have up front without a significant spacer between the drum and the wheel




The Kelseys are made for the much more conical '48-and-earlier passenger drums.



I'll stick with the set of '40 wheels I have. And, for what it's worth, I have a set of 4-rib beauty rings for them, and know where I can get a set of '40 standard hubcaps for them, too.

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