Thanks 32owner! The modern SBC center bolt valve covers drove me nuts. Can't have them on an old hot rod. I did ponder over those fake oldsmobile valve covers that they make these days but they just weren't right. So on a whim I picked up a set of 53 Studebaker valve covers. Who knew, they fit great! Replaced the studs with longer bolts (Studebaker valve covers are nearly twice as tall) and put them on. Drilled a hole on the valley side of each for a pcv valve and vent (also works for adding oil).
Cool story, cool car. In the very first pic I thought to myself "radius rods look good/different". Now I know why!!!!
The tractor arms look fantastic. I have always liked hairpins myself but this looks so perfect. When you get the money this car is screaming flattie or early caddy-olds
I'm really loving the tractor arms. I call this build version 1.0 and the goal was to get it on the road as a efficiently as possible. I'll bet there will be a more suitable heart is in its future! Rear is a 10-bolt GM from a '56 chevy. 3:70 gears w/ Auburn posi. Driveshaft I had was a few inches too long. I cut it down myself and trued it up on the chassis.
Forgery ... in a good way. Soooo torch cherry red, or do you actually have a forge too ? Cool on the valve covers too.
I have seen the tractor arms used before but like your take on them. Pretty clean. Thanks for documenting it all.
Really cool. And maybe I am alone in saying this but I don't think your dads work on the frame was bad at all! Considering what the rat rods these days show off who have access to MIG welders and much cheaper tools.
Very cool!! Nice job!!! (I too drive what was my Dad's hotrod from when he was a kid!) What year Stude valvecovers? I might do that to the motor in my '57... edit- I see '53.
FWIW, I actually used the Ford tractor radius rod ball ends and sockets grafted into shortened '36 Ford passenger car radius rods (with '46 pickup center section) in my first T Bucket (1964). Worked great. Those motor mounts were substantial! I've seen a lot less holding big V-8's in chassis to the point of being downright dangerous. BTW, you do nice work.
I did tell Dad that although all the welded on brackets (wishbones, shocks, motor mounts, etc) were hideous to look at they sure where a bitch to get off! The welds would have never come loose. I was hoping for a quick pass with a cut-off wheel and then a few whacks on a cold chisel. Nope! I grind-beat-grind-beat some more-grind some more-etc No, no! That is not what you do with your pair of forged steel balls after castration ... Let me show you a pic of what I did with mine.... . . . . . . . I used them for steering stops on the king pin bolts. Welded them to a hex nut. Work great and match the radiused indent on the spindle flange.
Great build so far. Love the fact that this was your dad's car. that is awesome. I have never heard of narrowsville pa. just outside of easton. I am not to far from you. Are you going to the goons show on sun?
narrowsville's "main st." consists of 2 houses and a closed inn, all mid-1800s stone construction, plus a half dozen stone foundation lost in the woods. Counting me and my wife, pop. 3 I just googled the goons show = springtown pa. Real close by. Maybe I'll show.
Man the old tractor has been getting a workout on this build. You think Henry new it would take a Ford to fix a Ford?
The Jalopy Journal
