Technical What did you do with your car today? * NEW*

Made a bunch of square tube brackets to clamp to my frame so I can start leveling and fitting the sheet metal so I can build a sub floor and a/b pillars finally.

 

Working on a 37 Ford getting it ready to sell. Was a friends car who passed away in May. When it sells, that will be the 3rd deceased friends cars that I went through and sold in just over two years. Not a habit or streak I care to continue.

 

@lake_harley She is getting excited to drive it again. Thanks Lynn

 

My deepest sympathy for your losses. I'm 75 now and it seems like every one of my contemporaries has died off in the past 18 months. I try not to dwell on that but I do feel lonely - less lonely though when I'm on the H.A.M.B.

 

So last Friday I had a chance to go to the inspection station (really a regular garage approved by the state to do this) and the guy was nice enough to allow me to put the car on the rollers to test left/right braking percentages. You're allowed no more than 20% diversion from one side to another and the best I got was 17% excess on the LH side and it was all over the place, so he said he won't pass me like that. The next day I went to the converted pigsty and replaced all the hardware on the RH side (it was supposed to have been done when I got the car but that was in 2018. I know, I know), cleaned the drums and shoes with brake cleaner thoroughly, bled the brakes again and... Swapped the drums from one side to another. I then did NOT try to adjust the brakes manually but allowed the automatic adjusters to do their job until the pedal felt solid. I then took it for a few test runs on the street (could not risk more as I had no dealer plates which I could borrow), and whddya'know, the thing finally was stopping straight as an arrow. So today I took it to the inspection station again and the brakes were within 1% side to side. Of course, the radiator was so overwhelmed by this it sprang a leak . I nevertheless fixed an appointment for next week - I will most likely order a 4-core aluminium rad but that won't be here from the US until then, so (as much as I don't like it) I'm going to attempt some bars leaks product from Petec (German company) and hope it will behave at least during the inspection... There are other minor things to do but those don't worry me.

A giant step for me, a very small one for humanity.

 

Making progress. Got my seat for the '29 RPU back from the upholstery shop after a month wait. I shortened the seat back 4 inches and used Mustang sliders. It's pretty plain-Jane but it will work. Now, I've got to get the roadster ready.

 

I broke my ‘62 Mercury engine in a while back, then lost 2nd gear after only driving it maybe 75 miles. I got the transmission shifting last weekend (stuck governor), so figured I’d finish breaking it in.
I had to run to a town about 50 miles away today, and the weather was beautiful, low 70’s, high barometer readings too. I jumped in the Mercury and headed out. This car was running so well, and nothing I had to get done today, so I just kept driving. Made a few more side trips, and ended up putting about 175 miles on it today. Ran like a top.

 

After much head scratching and the usual internet research I came to the conclusion the best option for my sulking, sorry, leaking radiator was to get it repaired (assuming the radiator shop does not ask for some stupid price). Yes there are a few aluminium rads made you know where but by the time they're here in Austria the price is no longer that cheap and everyone heard the horror stories. The 3-row brass rad I have on the car (which came from an auto version, not that it matters) was up to the job even at over 86°f/30°c so once cleaned and repaired ought to be even better. My car has a stock 2-barrel engine and it'll stay like this for a while. Once the engine comes out to be done, I will reconsider my options (e.g., what cam/CR/hp) and decide, probably going for something by US Radiator or other established specialist making their wares in the US or Europe. Yes it'll cost but that's insurance for you.

Bearing this in mind, I went to the converted pigsty this morning and got the thing dismantled - on Monday I'll take it to the local parts guy who works with a radiator shop which is allegedly good and does not rip you off. In the meantime, I ordered one of those catch tanks to replace the ugly ghetto plastic container the previous owner fitted - this is not pressurized so I'm not worried about Chinesium quality control... Yes it's blingy but will most likely painted flat black to fit with the surroundings.

 

I visited my Dad at the cemetery. First time off the block in 12 years.

 

Burning the midnight oil

 

I decided to change some things up on the dash of the 41 pickup, so I was busy rewiring a few things under there, not much wiring left to do on this one.



Even burnt the shit out of my arm on the heat gun as a parting gift when I was done LOL

 

bulk pickup day , cleaned out the shop , furniture , building materials , scrap metal , etc...gone.....

 

Got my radiator from the shop yesterday so today put it back in the car as well as fitted the overflow tank, then quickly painted the wall where the above and the windscreen washer bag are located (it will all get done properly once the engine comes out). Need to replace the pipe where the temperature sensor is located and flush the block (don't want any of the old water/residue to go into what is a new radiator). Was very pleased to discover we still have people who can deal with bras radiators, and the gent was nice enough not to put me at the back of the queue, what with the harvest going on with desperate farmers wanting their equipment on the field like, right now. So I count my blessings...

 

Underdash yoga is good for you, had a session today too, I feel a day younger now.

 

View attachment 6139849 My son and I took the 49 to a car show”Caprock Classic” in Lubbock. Had a great time and meet some cool cats. Wasn’t expecting an award but brought home a top 60 out of 230ish entries. He was drained and slept all the way back home. Good times!

 

I took the day off from wrenching but did rearrange a few things in the garage, took the t-bucket to the Made in America store cruise last night but taking the Henry J to a show tomorrow.



Managed to knock the skin off that heat gun burn doing it, don't lay your arm on a heat gun kids. Lol

 

Finishing the fire wall to body clearance so i can fit the sealing flange. JW

 

Epoxy primed the hood, hood doors, headlight bar and spreader bar. Also have been cutting and fitting the exhaust system for my coupe.

 

Cleaning 70 years of crap out of an 85 year old car, 6 five gallon pail’s worth Didn’t even find anything very interesting

 

Wow , that tour looks like a lot of fun....Maybe you can call it Morioritys Museum of Intrigue...

 

I put my '51 back into the shop. (At 82, 92 degrees is too hot to drive a black Ford coupe with no Air Conditioning, even up here in Minnesota.)

 

Pulled the engine out of my ‘63. Oil leaks, and figured I’d see exactly what’s in there as the previous owner knew nothing about what was done to it internally.
“How bad were the oil leaks to warrant pulling the engine Drake” you ask?
Well, I pulled the starter off earlier this week preparing for the engine pull, and put it off to the side. This is what I found when I walked into the shop yesterday. I guess I should have pulled the drain plug on the starter before I pulled it.

 

Took my first ride, (other than around the block)

Went to a local car show, only a 12 mile round trip, a little shakedown run...

its been off of the road since '78

 

Longest trip yet for the Henry J, 30 minute one way about 20 miles, it did good temperature wise while moving but once I hit the registration line it climbed up pretty quick.
Little hot on my legs from the fenderwell headers right on the firewall, 4.57 gears singing away on a 90 degree day.

 

Quality control at Jegs isn't what it used to be, look at this shit



And missing 11 out of 12 lock washers



But I got it in the 41

 

Spent the morning polishing the quilted siding for the top of my canned ham trailer project. I figured since I polished metals for a living in a former life there should be something shiny on it. Not show polished but certainly shiny enough for me

 

Wet sand and buff

 

Got my F100 legal after three years. Feels good man. Currently taking it on its first roadie. Love it!