Hot Rods 31 Model A Victoria Build w/Pics - Miss Vicky

Thanks guys.

Thanks Howard, and res, OJ is a solid dude.

Yes, it's kind of nice to not have to worry about the paint anymore.

Don't give up if you really want one. There are still plenty of them out there.

Thanks man. I seriously doubt I'll be driving it to the Karb Kings show, the Jalopyrama or the Rodder's Journal Revival. I've still got a ton of stuff to do and not very much time to do it.

I need to fab an alternator bracket, carb linkage, PCV system, column drop and a remote oil filter. I need to modify the mechanical fan to clear the radiator, and move the brake pedal to the right an inch. I've got to buy and plumb a fuel pump and I need to source a water crossover. I've still got to shorten the steering column and figure out a way to attach the 59 Chevy steering wheel to a column end that takes a 3 bolt wheel and make a cover that transitions from the 1.5 inch column OD to the 3.25 inch steering wheel center OD. I'm sure there's more.

I'm actually thinking about not driving the car again until it's finished, including paint.

 

As the old saying goes, "The devil is in the detail". It never ceases to amaze me how much time can be consumed by these details. An item you think you should be able to knock out in a few hours ends up taking a few days. Oh well, if it wasn't fun we wouldn't do it.

 

Yep, and finding what you need when it doesn't exist in the car world.
This lamp shade will become my steering wheel to column transition.

 

Hey, Dave. Looking good! Glad you've finally seen the light! Not sure what your plan is for a column, but I've got a Chebby steering shaft if you need it. Looking forward to the next round of progress shots.

 

I'm all set on a column Mark, but does the Chevy shaft you mentioned have the splined end for a GM wheel and threads on top of the splines for a nut to hold the wheel on? If so, I could use a small section if it – the part labeled Chevy steering shaft in this drawing:

 

Yep. Stock shaft from a 65 Chevy II.

 

Are you making a donation to the cause or are you trying to sell it?

I have the old column that I could sacrifice for the shaft, but it's complete and in good working order, so it would be a shame to waste it.

 

Dave,
glad to see the motor in...looks great.

 

Wanna barter? Come on, whatcha got to swap?

 

Do any of you guys know the spline count, pitch, and diameter for the Chevy wheel? Perhaps someone with the correct skills could manufacture an adapter vs cutting a steering shaft.

 

Thanks Dave. Your Merc is looking really good too.

I have a clip on lamp that's missing the shade that I'll trade for it ...

Sam, I can count the splines, but I think there's also a taper in the diameter of the shaft where the splines are because as you tighten the nut that holds the wheel on, the wheel gets tighter. Eventually you have to use a steering wheel puller to remove it. Could you duplicate the taper as well? Would you cut it from a single piece?

I've already made arrangements to get the shaft from Mark, but I'm sure I could use your help with 100 other things.

 

Whenever I see something like that sketch you posted, something that is machined, it gets me thinking how would I make that? If I knew more about the spline, it could be done. Just want to be sure because it would be a lot of work to cut the splines and you want it to be right.

It could be made from one piece, but your design would be quicker. I just don't like the idea of chopping a steering shaft for the splines. But that would be the quickest and cheapest way to go.

 

I'm with Sam...Use a long GM 3/4 shaft and Double D on bottom for a connection ..By the way I just had to mate up shaft on the roadster I'm working on........You will feel much better at 65MPH....

 

Allister (Mark) is giving me a GM shaft this week, so if it's long enough, I'll just cut a double D in the bottom and use it in my column tube.

I believe the design I posted above would be plenty strong – especially if I cut a double D or a square in the bottom of the short section of shaft and inserted it into a hole of the same shape in the 1/4 inch plate before welding from both sides.

BTW, the fresh carbs showed up yesterday so I did a quick mock up.

 

I got my "lampshade" column transition done today. Here are a few pictures of the process.

I cut it down to the correct size.




Welded up all those little slots. Migging the thin material was tough.




I ground down the welds.




Then I cut a couple of wood donuts to insert inside the transition to center it on the column and to give me something sturdy to mount my tach onto.




Then I glued the donuts into the transition with some JB Weld.




And here's the finished piece.

 

Too late or too early for Tech Week, still a nice addition to the car. Bob

 

Damn!

 

Nice work Dave! Were you able to use the steering shaft? What secures the bell to the column, or is it attached to the wheel?

 

I want to publicly thank you for donating the steering shaft Mark, I really appreciate it.

I haven't finished the column mock up yet, but I should know if it's long enough today. It's looking like it will be. The problem I've now run into is the column drop is not long enough, so it puts the steering wheel and column at a awkward upward angle. Now I need to come up with a longer drop.

Oh, and to answer your question, the transition isn't secured to the column tube at all – the holes in the wood donuts are snug enough to hold it in place, but I'll probably add a sheet metal screw on the bottom of the small end.

 

Allrighty, the steering is mocked up. I was able to use the stock Chevy II steering shaft that ALISTER gave me so I didn't have to make the adapter I drew up in a previous post. I was also able to eliminate one of the steering joints and the support bearing I had with the 283. It's now a straight shot from the end of the column to the box. For the floor mount, I got a slightly larger diameter 1-1/2 inch long piece of exhaust tube and welded it to the floor. The steering column slides into it and stays put with a set screw.

 

You go Dave! Looks like your able to spend many hours in the garage working on the engine swap.

 

I wouldn't say "many hours" Sam, I was able to put in about 4 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday.

We're going on vacation the last week of August, so Ill be taking a week off then, and in the Fall, I'll be working on remodeling the kitchen, so the car will be put on the back burner again.

I'm going to work on an alternator bracket today.

Sam, do you have any stock 50s/60s Chevrolet four blade fans in your stash?

 

I have a four blade from my '57. It is currently collecting dust in the garage.

 

I need to offset my fan back toward the engine. With the radiator in the same position as before, the fan is going to hit the bottom of the radiator. I was thinking of combining two fans to offset the blades so it clears. What so you think?

 

Dave, make sure you get it balanced before you put it on the engine!

 

How would I balance it Martin? Maybe it's electric fan time.

 

Would it be possible to take a like amount off each blade?

Out of balance fans can take out a water pump in short order.

 

The rotational diameter isn't the problem, it's the forward curving pitch of the blades at the ends that causes the interference with the radiator.

I've been searching for an aftermarket offset fan, but I really like the looks of the factory four blade.

 

Maybe the people that balance lawn mower blades could to that for you also. Might need a special fixture or something...

 

I was thinking the exact same thing -- I bet it could be balanced similarly to a lawn mower blade.

Good progress, by the way!