Projects My GN Cycle Car tribute build

Some pics of the Firestone 8.20 x 15 rear tires. Look so narrow for something that can be mounted on a 6” wide rim. I was so focused on getting tires that fit my unicorn 15” x 6” wide five rim, that I forgot I picked up two 16” x 6” Plymouth minivan rims that you can supposedly swap out the centre sections for a wide five rim. Guess that is not going to happen now. Will have to start looking into other options for rear rims other than wide five maybe for the time being.

 

Got the parts media blasted except the main body with the vacuum port. There is a needle valve stuck in the well. I had this problem previously, and found this thread of mine on the Barn mentioning the same issue. Funny, how 4 yrs later, I find that thread. I think the little ball and spring is also stuck/seized in the accelerator pump well. Can’t recall exactly how all that worked, but will need to double check. For sure no ball or spring/clip fell out. Got other parts soaking in vinegar as well. Realized that I have almost none of DupliColor Cast Aluminum psint left. So will need to get some more tomorrow.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=293424&showall=1

 

Needle fell out while giving the body a cleaning with warm water after soaking overnight in vinegar. Tried banging the body against the top of my workbench with no luck, so very surprised it just fell out. Heading into town later for paint, and a bunch of hardware. Messaged a local vendor on FB for some Ford 15” x 6” rims. Will see if he responds.

 

Forgot about the clip and ball in the accelerator pump well. Can now clearly see them.

 

The hole is for a spring loaded pill that keeps the choke plate from moving off fully opened and fluttering and making a racket. The early carbs have the hole but no spring and pill, later have it complete.

 

In town. Got the Cast Aluminum paint. Was looking at how the backing plate and spindle bolted together. Seems Ford had special bolts since the holes are so close to the large opening for the spindle. Will see if I can get some 1/2”-20 bolts here locally for the time being. Will also need to order the king pin kit as I forgot the original king pins had the casting feature for the mechanical brakes. So much to understand…

 

Finally got around to blasting the main body. Mating surfaces are pretty tough. Used some 180 grit paper, then sponge blocks. Still pretty bad. We’ll see. Looks like some plug fell out or got blasted out. Will need to check up on that. Used some of the DupliColor Cast Aluminum paint I had.

 

Drilled out the br*** rivets on one of the other spare bases. They came out easily.

 

Heading out to a local garage tomorrow to deal with a new DD I recently purchased. Will bring the 16” x 4” wide five rims, Firestone tires and tubes to see if they can install them. Got to start on doing some layout work for the front axle/spring design.

 

Not sure what happened to the fourth base and main body. If I can rebuild at least two more carbs out of these parts I’ll be happy. Waiting for all the bits to dry off before I throw them in my ********y tumbler. Got a second coat on the carb. Hopefully, I can start rebuilding it tomorrow.

 

A bit of cluster yesterday with the garage. Waited in town until 2:30 pm only to find it wouldn’t be ready until today. They told me this morning they also couldn’t install the tires on the wide five rims, but they mentioned that a trailer store down the road might be able. So, stopped there after leaving the garage and they said they could. They’ll let me know when they’re ready.
Also started looking in ernest for another wife five 15” x 6” rim for the rear. Doubt I’ll find one, so now looking at 1940 banjo rear hubs (5 x 5.5”). It’s turned into a bit of a cluster as prices for new hubs are insane (around USD$300/ea). Created this thread on the subject.

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/what’s-with-banjo-5-x-5-5”-rear-hubs.1345891/page-2

 

Will start a Holley 94 rebuild thread on the Barn later today as I start that process for the secondary carb for the 2 x 2 Edmunds intake.

 

Here’s the Holley 94 rebuild thread on the Barn.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354939

 

Got the front wide five rims/tires home. They’re not balanced. The counter guy says they didn’t balance wheels back then. lol! Not sure if they need to be balanced as I never thought about it. Haha!
Should clarify that they are Excelsior tires and not Firestones.

 

Tracked down another 15” x 6” wide five rim! Contacted someone who a few years ago offered it to me, but I declined because of its condition. It’s in rough shape, but beggars can’t be choosers. lol! Working on shipping costs now. Also contacted a few eBay vendors who were selling wide fives to see if they might have one, but no luck.

 

Now gotta track down some front and rear wide five hubs/drums.

 

Ouch! I bet there's lots of good wide five wheels, cheap down in Anthony Myrick's neck of the woods.

 

Been working almost full-time rebuilding carbs. Decided to clean/media blast all carb parts. Will only fully rebuild the one secondary carb, but want the others ready to be rebuilt down the road. Taking a lot longer than planned. It’s all in the Barn thread. Should have the secondary carb completed today along with a mock-up of both carbs with progressive linkage. I’ll leave the single carb intake on the engine though as I know it works as I still have some time left to break-in the cam.
Wide five rim should ship today or tomorrow, so that’s some good news. I’ll likely order a kingpin kit and bearings for front and rear axles. Then will be the hubs/drums. Want to have a bunch of stuff ordered to make the trip worthwhile to Odgensburg.
Guy who purchased my 79 IH Traveler emailed me last night and he just started working on it. lol! Sold it to him like 3 yts ago IIRC. He’s going to town on the body. Haha! It will be a beautiful rig when he’s done for sure.