I LOVE research. You should see some of the things I’ve uncovered during the scholarship portion of my 18th Century Pennsylvania history book project. Dennis @41 GMC K-18 has it right. Shorpy, Revs, AHRF… they’re difficult to search. You gotta have it in mind what you’re specifically looking for, try different key words, and get good at scanning a LOT of images. Example… the image of the Plaza Garage. I was looking for lettered cars. Do you see the lettered Ute??
Had a Teams meeting… Based on history… Even though it’s “period correct” I don’t think this works… No. No... this doesn't work...
That was likely designed to be read from the grandstand at recess when it was in the pits. One of the smaller designs would "look" better.
So today I should have some time to dig into jalopy projects. I need to add gaskets at the universal clamshell and hope to get into the rear brakes and sort out my shock situation. Maybe spend some time sanding on the body. I’m getting close to going through the engine and I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I’ve recently worked through banger projects with Matt and Zach off-forum, ranging from rewiring the ignition circuit to run a period fuel pump to investigating babbit in B blocks. So my mind has been on making my car move. Here’s what I’m working with… A stock Model A engine that seems to run strong but is currently a mystery inside. Fingers crossed! The infamous “Br*** Blob” Winfield 6:1 Yellow Head. Rebuilt B distributor that @winduptoy kindly sold me. Coil… not sure yet… could use suggestions. Exhaust… my stock manifold is a pitted mess so I’ll likely buy a new reproduction from Snyder’s. Muffler and pipe are stock and new-ish. Intake/Carb Option 1 - Model B intake with a single Winfield size A updraft. Intake/Carb Option 2 - Miller dual updraft intake with a pair of Winfield size A updrafts. Lots to consider and lots of small bits and bobs to collect to put the banger together.
Hey, Ryan; If you want to consider headers,w/out using tubing, & maybe not buying castiron "headers", look into "weld ells". Proper castiron material & shapes, made for very-heavy-duty headers, like turbos/etc. Not sure what they use for longer straights, but I'm sure the weld-ells folks have something. I just never got that far into needing that stuff - yet. . Marcus...
Thanks, Dennis! We’re plugging away. Not sure we can make these “new” again, but I should be able to make them serviceable… Marcus… I could make headers of some sort work running the B manifold or a downdraft setup… but I think I’m limited to the stock exhaust manifold with the Miller intake. I’ll need to fool around a little and see…
I am so angry right now… I’ve had this ch***is for a year and a half and this is the first I’ve paid attention to the mounts… Why?? Why do they do it??
Sorry I missed this. Yes, I use Blockley Tyres. bought them direct from Blockley. Great tyres. And they are speed rated. Not that I'm looking to go more than 60 or 70 in this car. Look awesome. I may opt to buy the 5.25 fronts for a bit more rubber rake, but that can wait.
I asked Matt “What is the point of this nonsense?” “So the jiggle of the engine doesn't transfer to the ch***is.” That inspired a rant.. “You’re sh!tting me. Put an internally balanced ohv v8 in if you don't want jiggle! Did they exist in 1937? No? There's a reason people!! These cars are simple. Why do people make them difficult? So some gold chain street rodder doesn't get his wife ‘jiggled’? GO BACK TO YOUR S-10 FRAME IFS LS POWERED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FIBERGL*** BODY WITH IDIDIT COLUMN GRANT STEERING WHEEL CHROME ALTERNATOR DISC BRAKES ELECTRIC FAN TAHOE SEAT BILLET WHEEL NONSENSE ABOMINATION AND LEAVE THE ORIGINALS TO HOT RODDERS.” Jiggled. Good grief. No offense to street rodders. I just got tweaked because something else got added to my list. Damn my commitment to being “correct”.
Jeff, that’s a good looking roadster. I like the Blockley and the shipping isn’t too outrageous. What size are you running?
........billet clad pastel painted named after a '50 tune....... In 1929 Chevrolet solved the shaking with a 192 ci inline six.
I’d love to build a car with a hot 6. Chevy with Olds head is interesting to me too. So are T bangers with interesting speed heads. If I could find a solid Chevy roadster for the next car…
Hey, Ryan; Before you rant on goldchainers too much(no, I'm not fond of their at***udes either), realize that vibration(s) were a problem & factories & backyarders worked to solve it. A few of the big-$$$ independants kinda bragged on the "smooth-power" from their engineering. Lower-cost independents like Pymouth bragged on "Floating Power" in ~ '29 iirc, - or earlier. That was w/a banger. Stude chased this in '13-ish. As did others. Getting your teeth rattled-out was less than fun after about 5 min. The same thing goes for ride-quality, speed, handling(sort of), even brakes, & yup - appearance(s) - both inside n out(styling a**** other things), etc. Teens->'29-ish were a hoppin' time, & then to ~'41 was a struggle, but lots still got done backyard. Granted, none of it approached the new rear-engine vette of today, but still - it *was* a big deal back then, & that's how improvements are made. . I know you're building a period piece(& doing a nice job at it too) - but upgrades *were* available back then(& later thru the years. Where & what yr do you want to stop at?). Use 'em, & point them out, since most won't know. . You're good... . Marcus...
"If I could find a solid Chevy roadster for the next car…" As far as I can tell there is no such thing. Well maybe a few that are too nice to cut up. Chevys didn't stay solid long sitting outside neglected.
Thanks for the reminder of the history, Marcus. I only got bent because I’m trying to stay true to a certain date and was surprised by something I should have noticed long ago. I’m all for continuous improvement in general, but I’m a history nerd more than anything and “period correct” is important to me. No insult meant to other parts of the car hobby. “You do you. Doing me is insanely difficult and frustrating.” Six - I learned how challenging a Chevy build could be when I first went searching for a project. As you say, cars too nice to cut up or soul crushing frilly tin that is beyond my ability to resurrect.
Managed to get the universal joint gaskets in at the torque tube/transmission. The bolts are a real struggle to tighten up… can’t get much of a turn with a wrench and sockets are no-go. Now to fiddle in all the cotter pins! Also got some more brake parts cleaned up and ready for paint. Those pics are more boring than the one above, so I’ll spare yas.
I need to figure out achievable interior soon. I have bottom seat springs, and that’s it. No real options for upholstery kits anymore. Taking it to a shop really isn’t in the budget anytime soon. I can s***ch… if I can figure out materials and a pattern… and a plan for the backs. I’d like to have something fairly “finished”… even if by the 1937 shop owner’s wife. Anyone have any thoughts?
Cotter pins? Pain but when done are done and they look so cool! From experience the interior needs to be functional = 3 in the seat. Don't make it so you have to pick a kid. A bench fitting you and 2 others when needed is better than what looks cool. In high school a good friend had a '31 coupe. He and I had many ADVENTURES in it. Sometimes his future wife or another friend added to the fun.
Haha! Remember… I have a FOUR DOOR ROADSTER. No man left behind!! Also… a roadster with a back seat… you know… in case I can trick the ever fetching Mrs. RyanAK to go parking some evening.
The Jalopy Journal
