History History (and Build) of Just Steve's 1932 Ford Three Window

perfect!

 

I am a huge fan of hub capless hot rods, but with white walls this is the look one requires.[emoji41]

 

man I bet you swell up with pride every time you walk out to the garage to me that is what hotrodding is all about. job well done Tom

 

Henderson is probably my favorite roll-in, 300 cars and 400 bikes, need to get there around 3;30-4:00 to get a good spot on main street. Your car looks amazing, Eric, to be proud of!

 

Haven't updated lately, but I had more problems with the valve train. It started sounding a little sour, so I pulled the valve covers and had two more rockers break.
1st rocker was an exhaust on the driver side, second were two intakes on the passenger bank.
And the outer spring has broke on the driver side exhaust.
Machine shop guys are stumped. Here is what is done to the heads.
322 Heads machined for 364 valves
New guides
New stock valve springs
New hydraulic lifters
Mild hydraulic re-ground cam (When Charlie Price sold regrinds)
Adjustable pushrods.
'57 Buick 1.6 aluminum rocker arms (which, when they break show some voids)
Rocker tips were re-surfaced (Jigged on the ID bore)
New Rocker shafts with no signs of extreme wear.
Umbrella style valve seals

Any theories:
Guide clearance? Machinist say intake and exhaust guides "should have" plenty of clearance. Recommended is .0025 Ex and .0015 In.
Upper cylinder lube? I did not run a lead additive/substitute. Valve seals could prevent lube from above.

My friend Karl's 322 is running the same rockers, more agressive cam, same pushrod, valves. Only real difference is his guides are knurled.

Maybe I'll throw this in a new thread.....

 

My first thought is valve guide clearance, but not sure about that, I don't have nailhead experience. Good luck.

 

I just came back from the team Buick site. I found a some more items to check.
....Valve retainer to guide clearance.
...Inner valve spring not in pocket. Sounds like it's a snug fit, and if the valve spring shim ID's are too small the inner spring can hang up.
...Valve stem height should be =/- .050 from factory spec. If the valve seat is re-machined too deep the head it can change the geometry enough where the spring retainer can actually contact the underside of the rocker.
...Sounds like some Buick guides were non-concentric (for some reason) and new guides being concentric can cause problems.
...Need to make sure the rocker shaft oiling holes are pointing down, check oiling to tips (oil pressure is good)

Won't be able to check it out until next weekend.

 

DAM! Eric, that thing is kick**** cool........and everything I ever thought it would be. I really like what you have done. Just hope mine is half as cool when it is done.

 

Only thing ive had a rocker arm break from is a major interference problem, id look at the keeper to guide clearance, you could pull the valve spring off and put it all back together and hold the valve up and turn the motor by hand to check clearance with valve is in full lift.

 

Good luck on the valve issues!

 

Been awhile since I've updated. I have another thread on the valve train problems but it's sorted now.
Here's a few pics from the messaround.

Two Senescal chassis











Finally shook this guy off my tail south of MPLS

 

Anymore cool memorable drives or vids of the coupe in action? I miss the regular posts.[emoji6]

 

Well, today my three window got a new stable mate. I did some horse trading and ended up with this 40 deluxe coupe

It's a Cedar Rapids Iowa car, built in the late 50's with a hemi.

Now it got Motown 406 with aluminum heads, super t-10. Fricken quick! Sleeper.
The car needs some sorting, but I really like the vibe.

I still have my hemi, but not sure if I will run it or not. I need to track more history down.

 

Cool.
Al.

 

Holy*****! That's more response than I was prepared for. My envy gauge is in the red! Congrats, now start that thread too please. Wyatt.

 

Are you taking the new ride to St.Peter tomorrow?

 

Think I might take the roadster tomorrow, supposed to be sunny and warm!

 

We are going in the roadster also, but the top will be on so the wife doesn't mess her hair up. I love the swap meet, maybe I'll fine a new project. Bob

 

What horse did you trade for that?

 

The 34. I was getting geared up to dig into it, but having old cars with hot rod history is cool.
I'll start a thread once I get things sorted....I need to get some different wheels on the car.

 

Wow, I didn't think you'd ever let that one go. The '40 looks cool. I may have to drive over after St Peter and check it out.

 

Color me, jealous!

 

While I'm very sorry to see your 34 go away, I love the 40 coupe. Except for wheels, I don't think I'd change anything.
I see as-cast early American torque thrusts on it with 3 bar knock offs. A very nice car! What early hemi? Have a 4 speed?

 

Thanks Rocky, I'll have to live vicariously through your build! Yeah the wheels are loner, I may hunt down some magnesium torque thrusts. Also not many people run moon discs any more, always thought that looked good on a 40 with the front dumped.
I think the car ran a 354 or 392. I've got a 392 with a Wilcap to GM adaptor....

 

I have a set of 16" "deep dish" moons if you need some.

 

Dude. You get better lookin' every day. Sheez. Your garage needs a photo shoot please.

 

Hello Eric, Mickey C here from New Orleans. You mentioned a Wilcap adaptor
for a hemi to gm. I also have a Wilcap set up for a hemi to gm. Mine is for a manual trans.
Have you used yours, if so did you find it to be well made and fitting product?
Another question if you don't mind. I was wondering about how much body and
chassis modifications may have been made to your forty to facilitate the hemi?
I am ready to begin motor installation in my forty and would like to use a 392
That I already have. That is a really nice forty you have!

 

Micky, I did not run the 392 with the adaptor, but it seems like a nice piece. Regarding the 40, the inner fenders were heavily modified for the valve cover clearance. Other than that it must have been a pretty sanitary installation. I have to think exhaust clearance to the steering gear would be a major problem. I was in my 34 with full length headers. I'm not sure what the 40 ran for a******* in the origininal build. I have seen a few 40's with hemi's. I think one was from Kansas or Missouri painted original Ford green. Quite a surprise to see under the hood.

 

Here's a shot!