When I left off last time, I was moving in on finishing the rear suspension, and so, naturally, I haven't touched the rearend since. Instead I moved back to the front. I started with building a set of motor mounts, they aren't finished, but they hold the motor up and in place. also placed the alternator with its bracket, and started playing with shock placement. on a car this small you cant do one thing at a time, cause the next thing probably needs to go in the same place. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Then I started building the radiator crossmember. since I am running quarter ellipticals I only have to hold the radiator in between the springs. so to protect it, I figured I would capture the bottom in a tube, and after a little searching I found the right tube. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM So then I mocked it up on 2x4s and chunks of metal till I had it positioned like I wanted it, and started filling in the dots. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM I used an old set of framehorns, (I think chevy?) to make a bump over the center of the springs, and then used a section of c10 truck rail (from a frame I shortened earlier this year) on the bottom. I then used the bottom part of the frame horns to create the inner curve from the radiator mount to go back and connect to the crossmember. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM some close ups of the engine mounts. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM All tacked together and assembled. I will be building the front edge up to clear the springs and also mount the shocks off the front of the framerail. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 9:03 AM Clearance Clarence. Now for less clearance. still ignoring the looming rear suspension out of sheer laziness and not wanting to be-bracket and clean the rear end, I decided to move onto the cowl hoop. but to do that I needed to put the cowl bump on the other side. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM As you can see, not much room, and it will wind up triangulated to everything I can get it to. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM with the steering mocked up and the pedals in place, room is at a premium. some delicate engineering to mount the steering column. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:36 AM After all that, its good to step back and relax, stare at the car, and then start wondering what color it will be. . Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM this is my current pick. subject to change at anytime. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 13, 2022 at 8:35 AM
I like the full perimeter frame rails, they look like a belly pan. Fills in the space usually seen under channeled T buckets!
I like it, and it seems like you fit in there very well, which is a tough thing to do in a T roadster, especially an early one. Layout looks good. Curious to know if you're going to pinch the rear frame rails to match the turtle deck? I widened my deck to match the rails better, but I'm using that same deck on a '26 body so it looked awfully small in stock format. Looking forward to seeing it come together.
Thanks mike, it will actually have the floor placed level with the bottom of the framerails, so it will have a very deep interior. I am actually going to cut the rails off right at the spring perch crossmember, and then build a kickup with smaller tubing to hold the turtledeck.
Thoughts. - any plan for holding the radiator down yet? - can you use a wrench on the jack bolts? I’ve had to re do a few things where I could use my hand but when it needed tightened a wrench didn’t really fit for shit - if you lift the car from the frame will the front suspension end up resting on that lower channel you’ve added ? looks like your making good progress I could see it 40 ford maroon
yeah, a bit unconventional and hard to explain, but basically rubber in the crossmember and using the grille to hold the radiator down, with more rubber in the top, and hood rod or two to hold it in place. yeah, that's why the motor mounts look a little funky, and why the adjustment bolts are in, but extended all the way. I'm actually more worried about getting the bottom half of the motor mount out. I can bounce the front of the frame and get it to compress quite a bit and it never gets close. and that's with the nose as low as it can be.
I was thinking more when the car is on jack stands. might look at 60’s Lincoln’s radiators they are held in pretty similar.
After I got off work last night me and a couple buddies started pulling parts off the motor in preparation to install a 350 instead of the 305 block I had mocked up in place. The main reason for this, was that I needed the manual clutch ball boss on the side of the motor, and it is not there on 305 blocks. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM so we pulled it apart and after some rigging, and a lot of back and forth, we got the new block in there. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM since this block has a crank in it, I was able to mock up the front pulley and start to determine where some other parts will go. the same buddy that brought over the motor also brought over the old single pot master that he took off his 64 impala. So that started the mocking up of the pedals. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM I had to notch the cowl to place the master cylinder in a spot that wouldn't hit the back of the valve cover. the pedal setup is the same type of speedway unit I used on my last car, and since this is an early T, I had to cut most of the clutch side of the mount off and brace it with some steel welded in at an angle. I wound up having to cut up my pretty hoop and use the pedal assembly as part of the cowl structure. the hardest part was making clearance the cowl for the master cylinder bail wire. Just A Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 14, 2022 at 8:12 AM I then decided to mock up the dash, and steering column, and a seat-ish piece, so I could determine where pedals need to go, and I think I need a 2" kick to the left in my pedals. so I'm gonna hit up my buddy with a torch for that. While I was there, I also determined where the gas pedal will go. it will be tight, but I will fit.
The brake master notch kinda reminds me of the twin fan special. Wonder if you could get away with a little blister/ louver over it and still get the cap off
I'm gonna try just nicely finishing around it, I think a scoop or blister would clutter things up too much.
Yeah I thought it may draw the eye to it more than it needs, just a thought on “finishing” the edge. A clean corner/edge or even a little welded rod like the lead slinger used to do around frenched antennas should work I’d think.
before I continue working on it today, I wanted to update where I got yesterday. I got the pedals bent, Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Built most of the cowl bracing, using 1x1 tube on the passenger side and 1x1/8 on the driver side. I also got a rough draft of a steering drop tacked together. Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM I then wanted to see it with the steering drop filled, and my favorite gauge installed, I've been waiting to use it. Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM I also installed a floorpan/bellypan mockup. Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM and for those who have asked, here's how I fit in it. for reference I am 6' with size 13 shoes. Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM as I sat in it, i started to think about where stuff would go so I could reach it. i decided that the battery could live on the floor under my feet (gel type on its side) in an original coil box ( if anyone has a lid im looking) and the switches and fuse block would wind up under the driver side seat. Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:03 PM Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:03 PM Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM I also played aroundwith paint a little bit.. Just a Big Model (T) by BigJoeArt posted Oct 16, 2022 at 2:03 PM another episode tomorrow!
Its just a gag, I'm sure it has a purpose in whatever it came out of, but I'm not gonna hook it up. I'm negative % normal.
I like hairpins. Radius rods that is. An awful lot of expert HAMB keyboaders told me that's not a good way to go. I don't care. They just look great. That's what is all about after all,
I like the 27 body for more foot room. I even widened the front 2" at the bottom. But I prefer the 23 T turtle deck. I built that out of aluminum.
I've always liked your little T, lotsa neat parts and out-of-the-box thinking! also hairpins for the win.
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