Some updates on what ive been working on- Still working on the list of parts that p*** through the firewall before I pull the body off to do some more ch***is work. I chose to use this s**** style pedal i got from Roadster supply, I liked the simple design and it felt like something i would make to imitate the look an original part. I sorted the position for my foot first and then make a linkage rod to the carbs. I made a pinch mount to pull on the connecting rod with tightens with a ball joint. i didnt want to have to cut into the hump on the firewall to make the rod and arm meet perfectly so i opted to make a little nice spacer to join them.
Next i finished my steering column tube. I wanted to make a column from stainless so i could choose later on how i want to finish it either polished or painted. First i slotted the tube wall for the dash drop pinch bolt, and drilled the opposing side for the steering lock. I tried a few different methods to flare the end that meets the steering wheel, but without much success. The originals would have been spun id guess to get that much radius and i wasn't gettin close so i pivoted to this stepped design which still felt period looking enough and doable. The larger piece is actually a prep bowl I used for cooking that i cut up and ended up working great! 4 pieces shaped, welded together then welded to the tube. I really like the way it looks
I finally was able to buy a radiator so will get that installed and then can finish the headlight mounts that i started!
As for paint- I dont plan on painting it anytime soon. I have used a rattlecan laquer that polishes out kinda shiney like old paint that i will paint the new replacement metal once i have the body fixed up and drive it for a while just old black. I will paint it someday, but i started this endevour almost 6 years ago and just really want to enjoy it for a while! plus $$$ even doing it myself.
Nice pivot on the column bell. Out of the box thinking and the result is a one of a kind column. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, but can you do calligraphy with your welding? I bet you can! Every aspect of your build has had me in awe of your skills and it’s a shame that so much of it will be hidden from view upon completion. Well done!
That column came out great, my only suggestion is don't paint it, it looks too nice! Gas pedal and linkage look good too. What is left on the to do list?
Just found your project. WOW! Once again, I think it’s time for me to start a new hobby. Stamp collecting, or something! Your work is amazing. Keep posting
I made it all from stainless so I’ll have the choice. When I built Choppers everything gets polished or chromed but I don’t want to overdo the Shiney stuff in this build. next on the list is finishing my headlight mounts, and shock mounts now there’s most of the weight on the ch***is.
Some progress this weekend- Alot of the work for my shock mounts I did a while ago and have just been waiting till i feel the weight of the car wont get much heavier to finish them. One thing that was a bit to figure out again cause of my combination of original and aftermarket parts was the shock positioning in relation to shock length. These stainless covered shock I got from Roadster Supply and they are supposed to be properly weighted gas for these cars. The only issue is they are meant to work with lowered cars and come up to short on a taller car, like mine. Started with the rears, I dug through my stash and found an older reproduction set of 37-48 shock mounts that are close to original looking but already equal length so you dont have to cut and shorten the one side. Im machined a threaded bung, located it with the center of travel for the shock and notched the crossmember. I did add some 1" spacers to take a little angle out, i wanted to stay under 30 degrees. I might make tapered spacers to match the mounts so its not so noticeable. Welded in:
For the front mounts Originally i bought an aftermarket set of stainless F1 style upper mounts and lower mounts that locate below the spring perches, but first mock up is when i realized that using a stock cross member and stock height spring i came up far to short. To make it all work I needed to make my own lower mount set up and shorten the uppers. The lower mounts i machined were a simple copy of a later style mount off the axle to gain a few inches. Then cut and mocked up the stainless F1 upper mounts based off the shock location:
Next came the fun part- Anytime im making a custom part, that is remake of a traditionally used part like the f1 mounts I try to improve it either visually or functionally. one Issue we have all seen is the frame cracking from the positioning of the bolt holes being more horizontal then vertical which stressed the metal more. What i decided to do is make the contact between the shock mount and frame much broader to take the stress all the way to the frame corner instead of the middle. First needed to weld and metal finish the new shock heights:
Next I cut out some 3/16" pads that have a larger surface contact area and welded them behind the shock mounts and metal finished to shape-
The final product! I love the look of them and pretty proud of my shaping work as these were difficult-
Man that’s great, you did a great job walking us through all that. The broader base on the mount is clever, I’ve also seen guys make a similar “pad” and bolt it on the inside of the frame with the shock mount through bolts. Making a beefy little sandwich out of the frame wall. Something to chew on I suppose. Any particular reason for the barrel allen bolts? Seems you’ve got a reasoning with all of your other moves so I’m curious.
Thanks! Originally my plan was to cut a plate for the full height of the inside but once I figured the location I realized my front crossmember was in the way. So that triggered the idea to make it all one piece with the flat pad outside. I’ll still make some large washers for the inside. It’s funny you mention the hardware, cause I almost put something about it but all the hardware shown so far is just what I have at my shop to use for mock up for now. ill make a full hardware purchase later and will probably make some custom head bolts for places like these shock mounts.
I didn’t take any pictures mid metal finishing on these. I have a bunch of different size, shape, and flute carbide deburring bits I use on a pneumatic die grinder that I use to shape the weld.
Very nice work, they look cast. It's very hard (for me anyway) to grind those tight inside radiuses. I like to use regular hex head bolts to keep away from the street roddy look. But I do put them in the lathe and smooth off the heads.
It’s a hard task definitely, take a lot of time. I like polished, or chrome Hex for my bikes too. I have turned the heads into domed slotted heads previously which looks good but so much work.
The Jalopy Journal
