Projects '29 Roadster Authentic Prewar Hot Rod

Man thats badass!

 

Daniel's very cool custom light switch/horn delete plate left a need for a new location for these functions (was never finished by him). In picking up where he left off, we came up with this steering column gauge/switch panel.

Finished fabwork on the panel yesterday and I'm pleased with how it turned out. Dad is going to prep and paint it in black lacquer.

 

I kind of miss the red wheels. It may be cliche now, but it wasn't then.

I don't even know if I'd put a dropped axle in that car, maybe reverse the front spring.

 

That's what we were thinking too. Certainly no plans to modify or change the axle.

 

Light relay/ground plate finished and installed.
Uses the two existing holes in the frame rail where the lower shroud (long gone) once mounted.

 

Another lull between cars, so back at the old girl again... front & center this time! At least for a few days until the next project rolls in.


Finished the rocker arm install w/new lower profile valve adjusters (the original ones clacked on the inside of the cover), and beautiful custom pushrods from Smith Bros (excellent service). Valves adjusted and ready to go!



Oil pan re-installed in a more permanent fashion. Wow... these early Ford oil pans takes some serious doin' to get right!

Next up is to button-up the right side... B carburetor, exhaust manifold, and distributor. That'll be my Dad's gig.
And I'll be going after primary electrics. Hoping to have her up and running again this weekend. Looking forward to a first drive!

 

@jadz928 its nice to see you back and posting about your wonderful car. I’m still awaiting the wiring project and look forward to the harness details, loved the relay mounting.

Cliff Ramsdell

 

Great car with a great story behind it.
Truly a piece of history.

 

Dad got a bit done today. Me? I'm not even sure what day it is... Oh wait, it's Friday!
We'll be at it again tomorrow...


Thanks for checking back in @Cliff Ramsdell
I'll have some good electrics stuff heading your way soon! I'm doing it old school... all early Ford terminals, all solder, no heat shrink.

 

beautiful custom pushrods from Smith Bros (excellent service). Valves adjusted and ready to go! (quote)

Yep...Those Smith Bros. are nothing to cough at...
Seriously, I for one aplaud the care you have shown this great old "Uncle Daniel"! (old hop up term for T's and A's)
Careful thinking, acute decision making, such as inspecting the engine closely; magging the head; having new valves mfd.
I am retired from a similar place as yourself:
BMW of N. Amer.
Thanks for applying Porsche expertise in above matters...and Ford tradition, as it was.

 

A set of 32 bumpers would really set that thing off, and be an easy change back and forth. Certainly much more attractive that the A bumpers. Love what you're doing with the car. I've got a cragar crossflow going in a 31 A roadster that I am trying to capture this look you have with this car.

 

WOW ! Banger/hot rod, whatever; THAT IS NICE!

 

'Uncle Daniel' ...I like it!
Seems quite fitting for this old hop up... Daniel was the name of the original owner who built it the way it is.
So yeah, we got this Model A from an Uncle Daniel ...well, from his son Lee.

Thanks for the kind words about our approach. Sympathetic preservation certainly requires thoughtfulness... and patience. You have to give enough time for the old girl to speak to you and tell her story.

I wish Uncle Daniel was still here to spill his beans. I'd love to hear the story about bombing his hop up down the highway to Detroit to work on airplanes back in the day.

 

Just wanted to update you all on this project as there has been some 'behind the scenes' stuff going on...

Following the Miller OHV head install, we found a large water leak in the distributor shaft 'sleeve'. This required removal of the old rusted-thru one and a new one to be inserted in its place.
During a second head installation, we found substantial 'tension' on the sides of the head studs. After careful studying, we found one misaligned thru hole in the head (middle-left, driver side, marked w/arrow pointing inward). Knowing this would cause undesirable stress on the head, esp considering thermal expansion, the hole was relieved inward-only by .040". Now the head studs thread with ease, and the head itself is more 'relaxed'. Torque was achieved with excellent confidence.

Would like to send a 'shout out' to Steve Serr at Miller Hi-Speed Heads for excellent real-time consults. Thank you, Steve!



On another note, we've received a custom seat frame from David at Bengel's and are very pleased with its construction and fit. It's their 'new' standard Model A seat frame, which is just what we needed. Also optioned for the flip-up base. Very happy with where we've located the frame, and the seat back angle and driving position feels comfortable. Also allows for head clearance under the chopped top.

In preparation for upcoming appointment with an interior upholsterer, I've mocked-up a seat design based on my Dad's input. I think we're in the ball-park for a late-50's feel. More on this once we get the old girl running again.

Lastly, the original vinyl custom top was temporarily removed and safely stored. Since the original top is so important for authenticity, the plan is to use it 'top up' only, for shows and storage, and removed for general driving. For preservation purposes, the goal is to never fold-down the top.
As such, we need to design a trim piece to dress body when the top is removed. Very much open to input on how to achieve this. Thanks!

 

Work in progress...
Water tested the head today after additional sealing of studs thru (or into) the water jacket.
See, on this early Miller/Schofield head ca. 1929, there are 2 head studs and 1 rocker mounting stud? (don't ask me why) in touch w/the water jacket.
ARP thread sealer p/n 100-9904 to the rescue, and we are now leak-free, currently.

And Dad is working on replicating the custom shoulder 'rib' (we don't know what to call it) around the back cowl. The original was well made, so he has his work cut out for him. We plan to wrap the 'dress trim' (again, because we don't know what the call it) in a same material as the interior.

Again, a work in progress...
It's neat to see the old girl with her top off.
But I really like better how she looks w/the top on. Kinda 'ties the room together'.

 

Happy to have the old girl running again!

 

Henry Approved and more...Looking and sounding Good @jadz928

 

Transmission core rebuilt by Mitchell w/2nd & 3rd synchros, and +15% higher 1st, 2nd & reverse gear.
Original trans saved for posterity.
This was a Dad & Ronnie's (my brother) job, so I was 'off the hook' for this one. I think they did great work!

 

2 days before interior upholstery. I have prelim approval from the boss (Dad). And following, some refinements after boss's boss approval & material selection (Mom).

Here's the first pass...
- Mottled brown vinyl seat, 3" band, 3 1/2" tuck
- Textured brown vinyl panels, 3"ridge & sill seam, 3 1/2" tuck on door ends
- Tan square-weave carpet, brown binding

 

Loaded up safe and now at the upholstery shop just down the road.



Most materials selected, just need to figure out carpet color. Right now it's tan or brown, or somewhere in between. What do y'all think?

 

The one that shows less dirt

 

The gas cap that came with the car didn't fit well.
So Dad found a replacement in has stash, and with it some local history. Ray Lentner, friend and neighbor of my Grandpa. My Dad still farms Ray's land.
Seems appropriate and pretty cool!

 

Was a survivor.

 

Some progess on the interior. Finding the right material colors took extra time.

 

Further progress...

 

Loving seeing this interior come together, I'm ready to trim my factory seats but this has got me wanting to rip out the factory riser and start fresh.

 

Went back and read this in its entirety.
What a car!
What an opportunity, sharing this journey with your dad.
What a great thread.
Keep the updates coming, please.

 

Crazy nice!

 

Beautiful car and nice job on it!! Lippy

 

@jadz928 It's been awhile and the car is looking stunning, I can't wait to see it with the top on.

How did the wiring come out, do you have some pictures of the finish product?

Cliff Ramsdell