Projects Cadillac Powered 28 Model A Roadster Project Learning Experience

I figured it was time to start a thread on my Model A build. I started gathering parts and pieces July 2011, but it was not until June 2012 I really got something that looked like a project.

The plan is for a good driver with some stuff to make it my own. It will run on A rails, dropped axle, split bones. Out rear it will hopefully have a 9" held in place by ladder bars and a spring-over. It will be motivated by a 390 Cadillac and a T5.

I was able to get an A frame from an old timer at the Back to the 50s swap meet (we were both working the swap) for free. That same day I got home and saw a buddy and fellow HAMBer ***us was selling the beginnings of a hot rod front end (A axle, unsplit bones, round back spindles and juice brakes).

In February 2013 I was able to pick up a body. ***us was selling a 28-9 body he took in on trade for some work he did on another car he was building. The cowl is about perfect. The doors are nice, though the driver one is bent. The rear half needs the typical patches, but it also came with the patches for the corners, lowers between the doors and wheelwells, and a set of parts quarters to use for the wheelwells.

 

This is going to be great!!! You hae a good start to it and the Caddy with the T5 is going to make for a nice driver. That is a really nice body too. This is my next project as well and I'm in the gathering phase. Looking forward to this one!! Subscribed!!

 

This project is definitely going to be a learning experience. My 63 Fairlane in my avitar was a running driving car when I got it. With the help of my uncles and friends, I was able to do much of the work with their supervision in THEIR shop (specifically FalconMan). On this car, I will have the welder in my hand much of the time in my own shop. Luckily, I will still have plenty of people to help and provide their expertise.

The first project I tackled was getting the frame boxed and to get an X member installed. I chose the Dagles kit. It is a well built kit. Part of me wishes I would have built one myself, but maybe next time.

We step boxed in the front of the frame to give the look of the original rails. After they were welded, I ground the welds down and prepared the frame for the X. It needed to be trimmed, but went in nicely.

 

Love the 28/29 A's. Looks like an awesome start to a killer hot rod!

 

The next piece was to get the pedals in place. I knew they would interfere with one of the legs of the X, so I only tacked that leg in.

I had my buddy Jay over and between the two of us we got the leg trimmed, mount in place, and the top of the leg reattached to the frame.

 

This weekend the goal is to get the motor and trans in place. I am a little worried how it will fit. I have done quite a bit of searching and only have found two pictures of a Cadillac in a Model A on A rails. It should be a pretty fun project.

The motor mounts I picked up are for early Hemi. They fit with just a little t*******. I picked up the Cad to T5 adapter kit from Bendtsen's. It looks really well made.

 

Subscribed, Lookin good, John

 

Cool car, looks like a solid plan. Do you have to beef up a T-5 to put it behind the Cadillac engine? Is it an early or a late 390?

 

I am going to roll the dice on the trans. It was a good deal and another friend of mine, Bull on the HAMB has run a stocker behind his healthy 350 that has had a lot of hard miles on it. If it blows up, I will replace it with something stronger.

The motor is out of a 61 DeVille.

 

Nice build, looks like you have a great start. I have checked out your fairlane many times at BTT50s nice car and will look great parked next to the roadster.

Tim

 

looks like the making of one bad *** roadster!

 

Looks like you have a good start ---- looking forward to your progress!


Malcolm

 

Off to a good start! Nice plan!
I've got the same trans and I figured a mild motor would roast the white walls before the trans blows up. We will see...

 

I see you stepped up the rear in the back. What or how are you mounting the spring in the rear? Above or behind the rear? I'm at the same stage and am curious on what your doing.

 

Looks great wade!

 

I am planning a spring over. Hoping to get the back of the car low enough. I just did the Tardel kick up. I hope between that, a reverse eye spring, and some careful planning I should be fine. Worst case scenario I cut the rear cross member off and try something else. It's only metal right?


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With a little work you can get it low

 

Got a little done tonight. I was able to get the wishbone bungs welded in and the front axel mocked up so we can slide it under the car.




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I was able to get the motor and trans acquainted with each other tonight. The whole thing is 5 feet long.




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Awesome Job ! Cant wait to hear it run !!

 

Got the motor placed today with the help of some friends and advice from ***us, FalconMan, and Bull.

The firewall should be interesting as well as getting the pedals to work. The trans will come up a little to level it out once I make a mount for that.




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So I was hoping I could get some help from you guys. My engine is set back pretty far in the cowl. The rear two exhaust parts are actually inside of the cowl. I want to run side pipes made from a 36 Ford drive shaft. I don't think the I will be able to clear the cowl properly.

A friend of mine is trying to convince me to stretch the frame by 3 inches. I think it could be done between the engine compartment and the cowl and not look too far off.

Any thoughts?


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Arent 32's three inches longer? So if you put an a on a 32 frame it would have a longer engine compartment. Just add the length in the engine bay to your A frame . I doubt most even notice it.

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X2 Nobody would even notice. Just stretch from the cowl forward.

 

Thank you for the input. I have really been racking my brain on this lately. I like the idea of a challenge of not stretching the frame, but I am nervous about the logistics of it all. I really wish I had an actual radiator for mock-up. I think I may be able to move the motor forward slightly.

Jive Bomber has a Cad in his 28-29 roadster on stock rails, so I know it can be done. Maybe instead of just thinking about it, I should get out in the garage and mock up a firewall out of cardboard to see if it is possible to not stretch the frame.

 

I am hoping to get out to the garage in the next couple of days. It has been a busy week between the wife's birthday and helping out some friends with their projects.

I think I have decided to not stretch the frame. I am hoping I will be able to inch the motor forward a little. Which brings me to my next question: what radiator do I use. I will most likely go with a new Model A unit from Br***works or Walker, but I have seen some intriguing posts about guys using 65-6 Mustang units.

Any thoughts?

 

Go with the Model A unit. I haven't seen the Mustang unit look exactly quite right. On a Model A with a Model A grille shell, getting the correct radiator is crucial.

 

Cool build.. I like the engine/trans combo...

 

I like the combination of parts you are using here. Good luck with the project.

 

Not too much more to report. I did score a 77 Bronco rear end locally. It needs at least the brakes rebuilt, but it will do the trick. I think I will end up fabricating my own ladder bar brackets. The axel tubes are huge on this thing.


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