Projects My GN Cycle Car tribute build

Some close up pics…

 

When I used my F1 box I ground off the flange and ribs so it would go far enough through the frame and used a clamp in the frame to hold it securely.

Phil

 

Finally got around to shoring up the floor in the crawl space under the speedster. It had sunk down just over 1” due to the weight of the engine. Still need to add one more beam and supports plus another support under the main joist. Of course, the power went out again while I was under there. D’oh! High winds lately with lots of dead trees falling down.

 

Still have the support post to install after pouring a 22”x22” footing. Got the Ford column and steering box disassembled. I think it might be too large to fit even with some trimming. Will have to do some mocking up after I get it out of the parts washer. Thread on the steering column on the Barn below:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2307443#post2307443

 

Since spring has finally arrived, so been occupied with yard work, and working on one of my DDs. Also, kiddo is done first year of engineering, and had to pick her up in Montreal.
Found this at Value Village this week. Thinking of using it for a gear shift lever. Lol!
Hoping to get back at it on Sunday.

 

Also, found this yesterday on FB marketplace. Supposedly free. Was used at a local ski lift. We’ll see. Hope, I’m not on the way to being a hoarder… lol!

 

Of course, the seller of the “free” flathead is now asking for best offer because of all the interest. Offered $150. Got my flathead for $100. Lol!

 

Well, I guess I’m officially a hoarder now. Lol! What’s next…

 

Some close up pics. Appears it’s a 59A like my other engine.

 

He said a tree fell on the rad just a week ago or so. Too bad.

 

Looks like a few more pieces to complete a test engine stand. Most of it there.

 

For those interested, started a “build” thread on the Ford Barn of new flathead.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2309262#post2309262

 

I'm not too familiar with the flathead "cooling" system other than second hand complaining about it, is that rad shroud typical of automotive use as well?

 

Not sure, but seems Ford cars with the V8 didn’t get a shroud, but seems a shroud was available for pickups and larger trucks (link below). I think there was a shroud with the radiator that came with the industrial flathead in my speedster.

https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42339

 

Not much to report. Been busy with the other flathead and yard work.
Dropped the flathead off at the machine shop the other day. Couldn’t see any cracks, but who knows. Thinking I might build a 276 cu. in. when the time comes.
Also picked up this 50 yr old hand bag for the speedster today for $15. Lol! Nothing close to what Richard had on his GN, but also looking at old vintage saddle bags from a motorcycle.

 

Also try looking up “panniers” which is just another term for saddlebags but might get some different results

 

Still haven’t had time to get to it. Been occupied with work around the house which is typical for springtime. Also decided to plant a garden this year which I made two years ago (skipped last year), so that is also keeping me busy. Need to replace the alt and rad on my Tundra this weekend, and also need to start rust repair on my other OT “project”. Picked/cut this out last week in Toronto. Was a long day, but my youngest came with me which was nice.



Came across this yesterday on FB. I always thought about adding a heater to the speedster, so will likely go have a look see this weekend.

 

Oh yeah, forgot to mention I called the machine shop yesterday, and they haven’t had a look at the flathead yet.

 

I’m afraid I have no progress to report. Just spent the better part of the last month working on my Tundra. Really not pleased with the “supposed” Toyota quality and engineering. Been the absolutely worst vehicle to work on that I have ever owned. Certainly not designed for servicing. Not only that, but their parts price are 200% - 300% higher than they were pre-Covid.
Did call the machine shop, and more excuses. Last time is that they all got sick/cold after a family get together, and today it was they were on holidays, and are now way behind. Told him I would call back in 4 weeks, but he said he would call me before then and it would be done. Haha! We’ll see.

 

Again, not much to report. Called the machine shop owner a few days back. Owner said they had disassembled it, but he wasn’t sure if it had been magnafluxed. Said he would speak with the machinist and would call me back in a couple days. Lol!
Sadly, still haven’t had a chance to touch the speedster. Did check out a Model A frame last week because it had juice brakes, but think I’ll pass. Guy wanted CAN$700 for the chassis with front/rear axles, torque tube, and steering box. Frame was pretty badly pitted in some areas as was the torque tube. Rear radius arms also had rust holes in them. Posted that here.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/help-needed-are-these-juice-brakes.1321172/

Have finally come to the conclusion that I’ll be trying selling my house next year, as both my girls have now moved out, and it is just too much to manage all alone. Will be selling off my cars as well. Just sold my boat, and will need to spend the next year getting the house in order for the sale, so likely I won’t have much time for the speedster project. Will keep folks updated as time permits.

 

Good luck with all those things.
I'm going to miss watching this project move along.

 

Hey @Ziggster
The only thing that is certain in this life, is "change" !
Indeed, you have some intriguing changes coming up in your journey!
I hope the "GN" will at some point be completed, and to be enjoyed as a rolling time/machine/art piece!
Thanks from Dennis, for sharing all of the very cool pictures of this amazing project !
The "Anvil Banger, approves "

 

Since you are moving, it is a chance to really think about what the new place will be like.
If it's just for you, would a really nice shop with an apartment above it make sense?

 

Thanks guys. Yes, only change is a certainty in life. Losing my wife in 2020, Covid, kids moving on, and finally retiring. Still plan on working on the speedster, but it probably won’t be in earnest, until I’m done with all the work needed on the house which will take me until next spring/summer probably.
Did come across this property way out in Newbrunswick, which has a nice big shop for only CAN$400K. The house is still larger than I would need, but the price is right. For sure, I want a large shop, and a small living space.

https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/26769343/32-mcgraw-road-bains-corner

 

I guess English Majors can actually get jobs writing that ad copy.

By the way, $400,000 CAD = $293,000 USD.

 

Haha!

 

Dropped by the machine shop earlier today. Block was disassembled, but not cleaned, or magnafluxed. Told them I’m heading down to Jalopy Jam Up on Friday and would like to take the engine down there to sell. Said they would try to get it cleaned by Thursday COB. We’ll see…

 

So, after o er three months it’s back home…

 

They rushed the cleaning so I could have it back today. Still some baked on crud here and there, but overall pretty clean. It looked pretty rusty in spots even after just taking it out of the cleaner just before I got there. Got it unloaded from the pickup and just started soaking it in WD40. I bought a two-pack a couple months back without knowing one of cabs had a nice long flexible tip. Perfect for getting into the cooling jackets. Lol!
of course, couldn’t find my DIY lifting plate, so just wrapped a towing strap around the block and skid a couple of times, and Hooke it up to the leveling tool.




still have to switch around the tires on the Tundra before I leave tomorrow for Jalopy Jam Up, as the outer edges of the fronts are badly worn. Was going to install the smaller all-season tires on the factory alloys, but again cannot find those lug nuts anywhere. The story of my life…

 

Forgot to mention that when I first saw the block, I noticed a bunch of the head studs sticking out. I guess I never asked them to remove them. Lol!
The machinist told me to cut them off flush with the deck, then drill them out as he said they would be almost impossible to thread back out due to the “glob” of rust that would be on the ends of the stud. Don’t recall that, but will need to check what folks do.
It’s just pass 4:30 am EST, and I’m getting ready to leave for Jalopy Jam Up which is 6-7 hrs of straight driving. Haha!