There was a 'notable' Bay Area Roadsters member that had me rebuild his F100 steering box for his 'A' roadster, 327 engine... He called me a week later, said his steering box was leaking 90 wt gear oil...I said 'Bring it in, I'll fix it'...Tore it apart, it was obvious it had leaked past the seal, I had done the Ledbetter patented needle bearing sector modification, and it was tight to spec. Replaced the seal anyway...he called a few days later, said it leaked again. I said, "Bring the car in, I want to see it...Don't remove anything." He drove in and shut it off...I looked at the box...it was contacting the exhaust manifold. I asked if there was any noise...like engine noise...he said "It makes a buzzing at the steering wheel..." It was boiling the 90 wt., one onlooker said "Just put grease in it." I asked him to leave. Some clearance was made, I insisted on 1/2". I trimmed the F100 mount plate off, made one from 7/16" cold rolled plate, moved the box outward. I was going to make an aluminum deflector plate between, but nixed it. No more leaky... Good fix for an otherwise good Gemmer box. The old Ross boxes were prone to leak anyway, so the 140 wt gear oil was generally retro'd. I'd definitely look for a little more clearance here, Mike. GOOD looking roadster there. Wish my '27 Hiboy was an 'A'!
Theres some good info there! I had planned on having anywhere from a 1/4" to 1/8" of space between my column/box and exhaust manifold. Guess I better head back to the drawing board and whip up some headers! Thanks for pointing that out!!
Little update... I don't exactly know why I decided to do this but I choose to make my own cast iron header to fit the drivers side instead of making headers out of tube. I guess it was because I had a bunch of exhaust manifolds laying in front of me and no 1 1/2 tube. At any rate, this is what I started with. After a lot of cutting... After a lot of heat and welding... There is only 1/8" of wiggle room between the exhaust manifold and steering box. Far from ideal but I should be able to get away with it in the meantime. I also rolled the car out this past week to check it out and get some motivation for one final push in the next month. I am really happy with the way it is turning out, really rough around the edges but it will get there in time. I am not a huge fan of having my picture taken but I threw a helmet on and gave it a test fit I also did a little research on the cars serial number. I had noticed that the cars tank is stamped 5-15-29 which usually means the car was assembled from that day to a few days later. I also checked the serial number which checked out as a May number. That means it is very possible that this car left Ford's factory 85 years (maybe to the day) before this years Jalopy Showdown. Pretty weird since I have been aiming to have this car at the showdown for months before I noticed this. Maybe someone will need to bring cake and balloons!
I also forgot to add, I shot a little video of the engine running yesterday but I have no idea how to get it from my phone to here... Guess everyone will have to just take my word for it!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
It's turning out so good! I hate I won't be at the showdown this year to see it in person. Maybe next year.
They say that history repeats itself. Your little roadster looks like it rolled right out of the forties. Has some neat innovations too. Makes me want to jump in and take her for a spin. Nice job Mike.
Thanks!! Thanks! I am also hoping to have it at the Race of Gentlemen if it makes the cut. I'm also shooting to have it "finished" then too Thanks!! That is what I was shooting for!! If our paths cross we will go for a spin! Still no clue about how to upload this video... Sorry everyone
Took me long enough but here's a video of the engine running. Pardon my shaky recording. <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6UyQaKjmgQ4" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" width="853"></iframe> This engine was built using pieces out of 3 different engines and barely any new parts. I can't believe how good it runs. Hell its a miracle it even runs at all! As far as updates the brake parts are on their way and tomorrow the rear is going to get pulled back out to re shorten the drive shaft. I missed a nice set of F1 pedals the other day on ebay so it looks like I need to make a hybrid set out of junk I have laying around. (Imagine that)
Sounds killer Mike!!!!!! So excited for you. This roadster is turning out perfect!!! Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I also forgot to add this, I assume many of you have already seen this on Instagram or Facebook but I'm too excited not to share it. 15 second clip of the driveline in motion after re shortening the driveshaft about 5/16. Getting ready to take it for a spin any day now! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=699341280122389&l=7407996490106762473
Ok I've been meaning to update but I haven't had must time between wrapping up school and getting this car together. Anyway... Mike (cactus1) pointed some brakes out to me that Harv had for sale a while back. I jumped on them and had to wait to for the rebuild parts to come so once they got here my dad relined them and got them together. Got those back on and finish welded the steering arm. Truely surprised how it came out. I think it looks pretty good. Next it was time to head to Carlisle spring swap. I had this idea burned into my mind that this car NEEDED steel wheels all the way around. Luckily I got a fairly good deal on a pair of drums and a wheel to match the other 4.5x16 I had. One hub needed a drum so we cut the old one off and swapped it out for a better, not new, one. Next on the list was a column drop, I had a 34 truck one that I had completely butchered when I was younger that I used to mock the steering up so I decided to fix my young and dumb mistakes and use it. The dash I have is pretty flimsy so rather than worrying if that piece of junk could hold the column in place I made a temporary/permanent bracket to hold the column in place. I still don't know if I will be making a full custom dash or modifying a ford one, time will tell. And finally the thing I am most happy about is the paint. I had been searching for awhile for the perfect maroon and for a tip from my buddy JJ a couple months ago on the color used on Walker Morrison's roadsters rebuild. I followed that lead and looked at hundreds of paint chips until one clicked. I've had this color for months but finally had the chance to try it out. Pictures don't describe this paint. It is so awesome, like it changes colors in different light, can't wait to get the body this color. And here's the car with its new wheels and color. It doesn't look a whole lot different than the last pics I posted but I figured there should be some sort of reward for someone who reads my ramblings! Hopefully next update will including some video of it driving around...
I like the color! I always wanted to paint my #44c roadster maroon. Guess you don't need those '36 drums and wide 5's any more now...
Nope they'll be collecting dust for the time being! If you can put them to good use I'll bring them to your picnic but only if I get to see your projects! haha
Thanks bud! I just proofread some of my last post and I can't believe anyone made sense out of that. I was feeling pretty tired when I wrote it. I'll have to do a revision later haha Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Such a great color!! (on the wheels) ..I may have to reconsider when it comes time to paint my roadster. Also, it's great to see your continual progress!
Dude! That maroon looks awesome on the wheels! Really, really solid looking. And I like your playing card trick. That's a good idea to keep in mind. I dig the look of those knobby rear tires too! If SUHRsc doesn't want em, bring them to the Race of Gentlemen! I'll take them off your hands! haha
The Jalopy Journal
