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Hot Rods Model A Rake and Mechanical Brakes, etc.. Build thread?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tricyclerob, Sep 16, 2025.

  1. tricyclerob
    Joined: Oct 1, 2011
    Posts: 88

    tricyclerob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fork, Md

    "Maybe consider '32-'34 spindles & brakes. Better bigger brakes and you can use regular tie rod ends instead of dealing with oblong worn balls on the original arms."

    Rich, I'm reading and learning. [and paying attention] I stumbled across a Marketplace ad and took a 9 hour round road trip with a friend for what I thought was a really good deal.


    I scored 4, ’34 Ford drums, backing plates, actuators, levers, rods, spindles and all the bearings for $100.
    IMG_9248.jpeg

    IMG_9249.jpeg

    IMG_9254.jpeg

    It must have had a recent brake jobs as the shoes look like new and probably can be re-used.
    Although I have yet to clean them up and inspect, I think the bearings may be good to re-use as well. I haven't checked the kingpins but it all looks like it had recent work.
    The guy I got them from yard drove a '34 he had bought and went right to juice brakes.

    So not disk brakes by any means but better than the Model A.

    It was a decent trip from Maryland to Upper Jersey, and my buddy and I solved most of the world's problems enroute. so all in all a productive day.
    robj
     
  2. tricyclerob
    Joined: Oct 1, 2011
    Posts: 88

    tricyclerob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fork, Md

    Good news, Bad news.
    The good news, the engine is back from the machine shop.
    The bad news, I'm nowhere near ready for it.
    I need to pick up the pace.

    So, insert bearings, counter-balanced crank, .100 pistons, Hastings gapless rings machined by Total Seal, forged connecting rods, Burtz 6.5:1 head, [clearanced for intake valves] .330 lift - .244 duration cam, [basically a B cam], hardened valve seats, 1.700 SBI intake valves, [exhaust, stock size] and last but not least a 45 pound flywheel and V-8 clutch. Oil filter adapter.

    To come, "probably" a "Super B" distributor, Stomberg 97, and definitely [I found a deal] Reds 4 into 1 header and stock appearing Ares performance muffler.
    So not a race motor by any stretch but should at least get out of it's own way with decent drivability.

    But like I said, I need to pick up the pace but at least it's pretty to look at. While trying to justify the cost...

    IMG_9267.jpeg
    IMG_9269.jpeg

    IMG_9268.jpeg

    IMG_9270.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2025 at 10:46 PM
    Deutscher likes this.
  3. CSPIDY
    Joined: Nov 15, 2020
    Posts: 966

    CSPIDY
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Your motor looks scrumptious
    Go man go
     
    tricyclerob likes this.
  4. tricyclerob
    Joined: Oct 1, 2011
    Posts: 88

    tricyclerob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fork, Md

    Ha!
    Thanks.
    My favorite saying is, "Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess"...
    Now I only need to do the other million things to make it a car.
    robj
     
  5. Russ B
    Joined: Jun 13, 2010
    Posts: 1,604

    Russ B
    Member

    [​IMG]
    5.90x15, 2-1/2” dropped A axle, unsplit wishbone, reversed eye spring in front.
    8.20x15, reversed eye spring with 3 or 4 leafs removed.
    ‘40 Ford brakes, 46-48 spindles with dropped arms, tubular shocks

    The four banger can drive at freeway speeds; but can not stop adequately for freeway traffic safety needs.Better brakes are needed.

    In high school, 1963, I had similar setup on this same car, but ran 5.60x15 front tires, and the wishbone ball area was the lowest part of the car and occasionally s****ed on a driveway curb. It was pre interstate freeways and pre radial tires and pre disc brakes, so it was safer to drive back then.
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 12:46 AM
  6. tricyclerob
    Joined: Oct 1, 2011
    Posts: 88

    tricyclerob
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Fork, Md

    Russ,
    Beautiful car. I'm lucky that I live more or less in the country and don't see Freeways in my future. I'm going with '34 brakes so slightly better than the Model a brakes.
    robj

    robj
     
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2025 at 3:34 AM

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