Projects 32 5W Build - The $4K Swapmeet Body / The Old Chrome Coupe

Still no engine in the car, so time will tell. It was way too soft and low before, so it bottomed out really easily. It also had original 32 rear shocks that were supposed to be rebuilt, but leaked out with in the first 100 miles. When adding the extra leaf, I also added bump stops and have a pair of new Rotoshim shocks on order for the rear. I am happy with the way the Rotoshim front shocks performed, so looking forward to driving it with the extra leaf and new shocks in the rear.

The goal is to get it back together with the lavender engine for GNRS, so probably won't put any miles on it until after then.

 

Looking good as always. Extra leaf does look more little page-y.

 

Looking forward to seeing it in person at GNRS.

 

For bumpstops I like 48 Ford rears. They have a hollow middle so they’re more cushiony than 32 or 34 style. But you do need to drill a center hole for mounting instead of the two ears like a stock 32 has.

 

It looks absolutely perfect! I wonder if you are not going to do the same thing for the front

 

Hmmm...maybe that is why the front wheels are at the tire shop today, swapping 5.00/5.25's for 5.50's...but you never know. Haha

 

Brillant !

 

Worked on the firewall again today. I wanted horns on the firewall, kinda like these...

I rounded up some 49-51 Ford horns and 39 Ford brackets. To mount them, I used original style 12-24 clinch nuts. I hadn't used these before, but were fairly easy to install once I figured out the process. You need to make a D shaped hole. I drilled a pilot hole, then used a carbide burr and a flat file to make the shape.



Then used a ballpein hammer to start the swedge and finished it off with a flat face body hammer



Here is the firewall with accessories in place



I also added the threaded inserts for the voltage regulator



As well as the Kugel stainless hood prop brackets



Horn details



Now the firewall is ready for paint

 

Love the details Neal, did you make, buy or recover the clinch nuts? They are a very nice detail

 

They are readily available from most Model A/Early Ford suppliers in various sizes. Here are some 12-24 like I used:

https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/12-24.html

 

Thanks, I've seen them but hadn't thought they might be available

 

I am honored to have my old heap featured in HOP UP magazine annual #18

Order your copy here:
https://www.hopupmagazine.com/shop/hop-up-annual-volume-18

Here's some outtakes from the photo shoot in Bartlesville, OK

 

How cool is that, what an honor, earned & deserved!

 

Got a Christmas present from Sherm's plating.

I stepped up on these and am very glad I did. They look amazing.



Here's a quick mockup on the car



But they are going back in my office until right before GNRS. Too nice to have on the car while we are still installing engine, trans, exhaust, etc.

 

Nice, bling

 

still watching nice photos from hop up congrats. love the new chrome

 

Nice job

 

Lavendeer engine update.

I got the leaky front seal replaced and the bottom end sealed again.

I am pretty confident the valve noise we heard was caused by two lifters backing off. With the Potvin 3/8 cam, the lifters have to extend pretty far where the threads can start getting loose. I pulled the two valves and replaced those lifters with two tight ones, so hopefully that issue is solved.

While the head was off, I clayed piston and valve clearance again. I had originally cut the valve pockets on both heads at 7 degrees. In my mind the bigger angle would be good for both sides, but that puts the lower edge of the valve closer to the head on the passenger side. I decided to come back and take a light cut at 4.5 degrees to match the valve angle. It probably doesn't make much difference but it makes me feel better about it.





With that all done, we got the engine back in the test stand. I just need to buy a new ignition switch, wire that up and fill all the fluids.

Hopefully second time around with this engine proves successful

 

I had 1 adjustable lifter in my 286 flatty stroker that kept backing off. After pulling the intake twice to adjust it, the 3rd time I pulled the intake and let it set open few a few days, covered everything up, adjusted it, then zapped it a couple times on the threads with the MIG welder! Crude? Yes, but effective. Been years now and no clatter. I had previously tried red loctite with no success. Your way of course is better but I didn't want to pull the head.

Dave

 

Great job on the build thread Neal. Thanks for taking the time to share. Very enjoyable!

 

Congrats on the Milestones Nealin and yeah...you have a way with these vintage beauties...its a stunning Hotrod...

 

Looking good

 

Happy New Year to all!

I did some shop maintenance projects today. One was my continued effort to replace the flourensent lights with LED fixtures. I installed some more 2' x 4' panels in my machine shop area. These panels are designed to drop into T-bar ceiling, so I made up some sheet metal brackets to hang them between the joists.

With a shear, brake and punch they were pretty quick to make.

It is lit up pretty well now, which really helps with my 57 year old eyes.



I wasn't happy with the stance the car had when I took it to Oklahoma.


I added a leaf front and rear and went from 5.00/5.25-16's to 5.50-16's up front. I like the rear showing some blackwall. The front stance is still up in the air until I get the engine back in.

 

Lights look fantastic, I like the rear being raised up a bit as well.

 

Yep; rear looks 100% better. Kudos.

 

Tons better! Such a great car

 

Lights are excellent. They will definitely make working in there much easier. The car is looking good, keep up the good work and keep us posted.

 

Took me all evening to read this thread, don’t know how I missed it before. Your car is absolutely perfect Neal and congratulations on the Hop Up spotlight, well deserved. I would love to see this car in person, someday……

 

Nice honkers!

 

Nice rear tire to fender gap now, I wondered if the tires were contacting the fenders before.