It took me two hours to go through the whole thread. What’s your name on Instagram? Would be nice to follow the build there as well. This project reminds me alot the @IronTrap Garage’s ”Free T” build on YouTube.
Thanks for the kind words! Tim is correct on my Instagram in his above post, i havent posted near as detailed on there, but once I start driving it, there will be much more content on there. last night was rather boring, got the body installed again, started to finish trim to weld the body on and then smoked a harbor freight grinder that I use for my cutoff wheel. so I went down and borrowed dads grinder and by that time I needed to go upstairs. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 8:42 AM side note, that orange grinder is a chicago electric grinder dad got off harbor freight probably 15 years ago? still works the charm. I had to tighten the lugs on the cord a few months ago and clean it.
what a day. I work as a construction inspector for the state of Missouri, and right now one of our active projects is a bridge near my house. today it was about 16° on the jobsite and the contractor placed 9 girders. i had to be there to witness them being placed in the correct location. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM this meant I had to be up on the cap when they placed them. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM needless to say being exposed to the wind over a freezing river, is really cold. once I got home and defrosted, had dinner, and helped put the baby girl to bed, it was already 8pm. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM tacked the body to the rear bulkhead flange, then added some braces from that to the tubing structure. also extended the subrail pieces. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM mark it out and cut. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 24, 2023 at 11:29 PM bend and weld. this is part of the structure to hold the turtle deck on, and also make the filler panel from the framerail to the 'deck. I got everything welded in on the passenger side except the big curved piece. sleep and begin again tomorrow!
Looking good. Great progress. I’m sure you are familiar with this car but here’s one photo just for the motivation. It really has the same good vibes and proportions that you have in your car.
I would be wrong if I did not give credit to Russ for building a beautiful car that definitely swayed me to the thought of purple. Mine will not be as nice as Russ' T but with any luck I hope to drive it just as much as he does his.
What a day! Finally feel like I got somewhere today, even if I feel like I got hit by a truck. started where I left off last night, finishing the bracing for the rear corners, and adding some round rod pieces to weld to. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM I continued to make filler pieces to weld into place, until there were no more holes. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:06 PM outside I formed a piece of metal to the braces I installed last night. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM and while I did that, Mike and Dad worked on sandblasting parts of the turtledeck. once I had the drivers side mostly together, I needed to turn the car around. and if its gonna be outside, I might as well take pictures! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:05 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:06 PM you can see the unfinished passenger side in the above photo. so once we got it spun around, I tacked together the passenger side. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:06 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:06 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Feb 25, 2023 at 8:06 PM and thats where it sits tonight. starting to see the vision I had from the begining come to life. now I need to deal with the ill fitting turtledeck.
The past few days I have been sick, but I'm still trudging through assembling this silly motor. I did some more mockup, and got the heater hoses and switch valve installed. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM I also got my clutch z bar braced, it didnt like how much I bent it. (P.S. burning grease smells terrible.) Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM @Austin kays made fun of my rubber hose breather hose on my neat and shiny motor, so I was forced to upgrade. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM bent this nice aluminum hardline. overkill? have you met me? Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM then after finding out my new harmonic balancer was the wrong one, I had to scrape all the old paint off the old one. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:25 AM yesterday it was nice outside, so frequent breaks were made. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM Here's another dumb moment. I over torqued my Stewart Warner sending unit, cause I used a deep well on a 1/2 drive wrench. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM About the time it seemed it was getting tight, it snapped off. turns out it had been tight. so then I had to UN-install it. tried an extractor, and a couple other methods, with no luck. then I had an idea, I took a square file and filed a square into the hole, then drove a 1/4 drive extension into it, with two adapters to get back up to the wrench that got me into this mess. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM the best part is, it worked! Ispent the rest of the day buttoning things up and installing the front dress. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM I fought getting the crank pulley spaced right, and finally cut the bottom out of an old double pulley I had, in order to space it out the requisite 1/8" now it lines up with the world, and after 3 trips to the parts store I think I will have the right belt. we'll find out when it comes in today. the low mount alternator doesnt give much adjustment, so it has to be pretty spot on. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM I also painted my bellhousing and spacer, so it would disappear behind the motor. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 1, 2023 at 9:28 AM hopefully today I get it installed to the trans and in the chassis.
If you really want to go over board you can put a flare on the ends of the tube and thread one end into/onto the breather via fitting and then a brass barbed/nipple fitting on the other end so there’s barely any rubber and a nice transition to the carb side. Intake side? If it’s going to the Intske you could probably just hard line it 100% sorry your sick, our whole house has had whatever this is for a week. Everyone’s taking turns
As if I'm not there already. I flared the ends of the aluminum line, which should keep the hose on nicely. I do not wish to go any further down that rabbit hole, I wish to drive it!
Another not-so-productive night. started by getting the floormat cut and placed, cause there's no way to install it once the motor/trans is installed. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 2, 2023 at 9:04 AM More good supervision from the shop manager. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 2, 2023 at 9:04 AM had a couple people ask about the heater valve I installed, I found it on amazon of all places. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 2, 2023 at 9:04 AM installed some classy valve covers, stuck in the couple of freeze plugs I couldn't get to on the stand, and got it ready to install, then found out that I had the wrong clutch. it will be here Friday. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 2, 2023 at 9:04 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 2, 2023 at 9:04 AM so I installed and torqued the flywheel, installed and checked the starter, and got everything else ready to go. I also got some bolts to install the trans. I need to move stuff around today and work more on the body.
I did not glue it down, its pretty thick, should lay down nicely once it gets warm a couple times. its a floor protector rubber mat for a shortbed pickup that a buddy gave me. "rough country" brand. its about 1/2" thick.
little more work last night, stuck the body back on and did a bunch of welding. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 3, 2023 at 8:28 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 3, 2023 at 8:28 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 3, 2023 at 8:28 AM getting closer on the back corners, still gotta fix the rockers. shes a flexi flyer when you take the body off the frame, so I don't like welding things up off the chassis.
Big steps boys. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM Dad approved. got the motor in last night, started to piece stuff together in preparation of firing today! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM stuck the alternator on, you can see how close it is, and how it needs the pocket in the frame Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM oh yeah, and I stuck a header on too. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM I started messing with the radiator, made the requisite 4 trips to the parts store to find the right hoses, then fogged the rad with some flat black. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:01 AM also installed a bunch of hose clamps, and my driveshaft. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM and here I am continuing to bolt things on, waiting for @Austin kays to show up so we can fire this thing up. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 12:02 AM
How fine, they cried, now with you inside Strapped in there safe and sound I thought, my-o-my, how the sparks will fly If that thing ever hit the ground Slim was so pleased when I had eased Into his trap of death He had slammed the door but I said no more And I thought I'd breathed my last breath We was out in the sticks down Highway Six And the crowd was just about right The speed was too, so out I flew Like a stick of rollin' dynamite Looking good dude! Light that fucker off! You’re gonna sleep for a month when this is done lol. Watch your alternator gap some of the not so good engine mount rubbers squish pretty bad after a few miles. Can’t wait to see the master of sparks moving down the road!
oh man guys. Its good! first and foremost. IT FIRED UP! and it sounds very spicy. now lets get into some pictures. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM before @Austin kays showed up, I got the rad installed, and bolted my clutch z bar on. I also ground some metal so the steering box adjuster cleared the bellhousing. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM once Austin got here, we stuck on the headers, installed the plugs and wires, and threw together a fuel system and a makeshift wiring setup. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM then we ran into timing issues, and thought the lifters weren't working right, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM and once we were here it was much easier to find the problems. but we did! once I figure out videos, I'll post one! in the meantime, the shop manager had the best spot in the house. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 5, 2023 at 12:10 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 5, 2023 at 12:10 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 5, 2023 at 12:10 AM once we lit it off and woke the neighborhood, we decided we had to see it with the body on. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:42 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:42 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:40 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 4, 2023 at 11:42 PM Im beyond stoked, and I have a new breath of fresh air in me to get it done. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 5, 2023 at 12:10 AM LONE STAR ROUNDUP HERE WE COME.
Hell yeah! I checked my phone about 45 times waiting for that video! what ended up being the issue that you had the covers/intake off?
Heights of victory, depths of defeat. or how to build a car 347.5 times. I installed the clutch pedal and linkage, and it wont let the clutch disk disengage. I have a couple theories about what happened, but ill reserve judgment till we pull it apart and see. its a 4 clyinder s10 trans, so the input shaft needs changed a bit to install on a sbc. so it will have to all come back apart one more time. in preparation I drained all the water. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 6, 2023 at 7:26 AM and then started to figure out the patch for under the door, I'm making it oversize so it covers more ugly metal. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 6, 2023 at 7:26 AM and if you've followed along this far, you know I like taking photos of my car. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 6, 2023 at 7:26 AM
That sucks. Can you pull the trans threw the interior with the motor still in the car? I’ve considered mid mounts in the A for just this reason
haha I wish, its way too tight for that. I gotta disassemble the whole thing. on the bright side it gets quicker everytime.
Dad was busy last night, so I couldn't get the motor pulled out. Instead I worked on the patch panels that I started last night. Paper: Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 6, 2023 at 7:26 AM Metal: Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 7, 2023 at 8:18 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 7, 2023 at 8:18 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 7, 2023 at 8:18 AM The patching is done on this side, now I just gotta finish welding it. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 7, 2023 at 8:18 AM hopefully tonight I get the motor pulled out.
Progress is progress! Now the tamales won’t roll Out the gap under the door! Headed to the garage now
I had to extend the splines on my T-5 to get enough room for it to release when I built my Chevy. Looks and sounds great!
The Jalopy Journal
