Projects 26 T Roadster Pick Up build Thread

Thanks JW hope 2021 will be better for you and also better for all of us.

 

Thanks for the detailed info on those fittings. I appreciate it

 

So I spent a little bit of time in the garage again today and installed the radiator support rods and wouldn’t you know it again because the carbs now sit 13/32” of an inch higher I’m going to have to bend up another fuel line in a different configuration for the front carb.

The fuel line which had adequate clearance before now comes to within an eighth of an inch of the rod where it bends to go to the carb inlet.

Sitting there under the support rod that closely allows no room for engine movement at all.

Another one of those 10 plus things to change from the original change.

 

The front carbs fuel line is redone and revised.
It now drops down slightly to clear the support rod and then it’s a straight run and down to the fuel log.
Before

After

 

Beautiful! And you matched the number of bends in each one, simple yet perforce design.

 

We have grown to expect nothing less, Larry....way cool. JW

 

In the department of more efficient breathing I’m going to ditch the small 4x2 air cleaners that I believe were limiting the power output of my engine and contributing to the rich running issue too.

I contacted Dennis at O’Brien Truckers and ordered up a set of Edmunds 4 1/2” air cleaners that have the surface area and the elements are taller so they will breathe a lot better.

 

They are very cool ! JW

 

Well here we are almost ready to get back on the road c’mon spring
I have everything back together now.
Transmission pan back on and new fluid in.
Radiator filled up. Fresh oil and filter.

And as you may recall I had the headers stripped and recoated with ceramic along with the intake manifold.

All installed
Now I’m just waiting for the delivery of my new air cleaners from O’Brien.

Next on the list is to pull out the sewing machine and get after the rest of the upholstery on the panels.
Pictures for your enjoyment


Remflex, best exhaust gaskets ever, no leaks.

 

The quality and detail is just amazing. I hope you get to drive it a lot this year.

 

Thanks
I’m sure planning on it. It’s a blast to drive.

 

How's the upholstery going? I've been curious.

 

I am a big fan of '26-'27 RPU's and this one is the gold standard in my book. Been following the build since day one, thank you for taking the time to document it so well.

 

I mean the trucks cool but I keep thinking dang, that shops well lit! Haha.

 

Let’s just say it’s not going. It’s been delayed, life gets in the way sometimes.

But I’m fine with that. I can still drive it this summer.

That’s because I converted the fluorescent fixtures to LED tubes eliminating the ballasts.

Instant on no waiting for ballast warm up.
Sure makes shop time enjoyable being able to see.

 

Every time I replace another fixture with LED I think “holy shit was I working in a cave before??”

 

I just started reading this from the beginning, only 89 pages to go...

 

It’s definitely a saga covering 10 years or so.

 

I realize it has been a long time, but can you elaborate?

 

If you read further on in the thread you will find the answer.
The way I had it set up to begin with would have resulted in the whole rear axle acting as a big sway bar, giving a non working rear suspension.

 

Well, life has progressed to almost spring and the roads will be swept from the winter sand and gravel soon.
No upholstery happened because of other family commitments.
But that's okay as I'm thinking on the direction I want to go with that, finish it myself or pass it over to a pro.
I was thinking of attempting my own top fabrication but don't regret having taken it to Rod Tops.
Anxious to get on the road and put some more smiles (miles ) on it.

I received my Obrien Truckers Edmunds air cleaners and they are nice looking but in my typical fashion I don't like the way they are put together and the screen the filters are wrapped with.
They're wrapped with 2 layers of different screen and they are awkward to take apart and put back together which will happen when you want to clean the washable filters.

So, I picked up some materials and will create something that will work much better. Details to follow

 

It looks like those air cleaners won't clear the hood you don't have.

 

Looking forward to the details on the filters! You always have great ideas

 

You mean the hood I’ll never have
So it’s a non issue.
The short air cleaners wouldn’t have cleared a hood either.

 

Waiting to see how you will improve the air cleaners and car!
I'm a fan of the lightest, simplest solution for car challenges, and the heavy cast air filter housings kind of bug me, so I am hoping you have something elegant in store.

 

The castings are actually very nicely done and being aluminum they’re quite light as the thickness isn’t excessive.
What really bothers me is the double screen wrapped filter elements.
I have a plan to fix that

 

Well as usual things always take longer than you think they will but I finally sorted out the air cleaner screen situation.

As you may be aware I have woven stainless steel mesh in my grille as an insert and I also have stainless mesh in my Boling bros Lincoln front brake backing plate vents.

So I picked up some woven #8 stainless steel mesh and proceeded to cut it and weld it into sleeves to cover the air filters allowing easy assembly and cleaning the filters when needed.

Anyone ever try to weld .023 wire diameter stainless steel mesh with a TIG machine?


Are we having fun yet

In any case setting the machine up for a low temperature pulse of about 15-20 amps at a very small duration pulse and a full arc off cycle between pulses every 3 seconds did the trick.

And I do mean trick
Almost like magic because do the wrong thing and there’s no mesh anymore

Another thing about woven mesh is that after you cut it you can unravel it without too much trouble as the strands at the edges aren’t well secured.

So if you look close you will see that each vertical wire mesh strand has been welded to the top and bottom wire of the sleeve making sure they won’t come unraveled.
There are 109 vertical strands on each sleeve

I’m pleased with the results, here are pictures for your viewing pleasure.

 

Well Larry, that looks killer. Nice work as usual. I can’t imagine welding all of that fine material.


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Top job but that,s what you have done from the start. JW

 

I’d have expected no less. Looks great