My pops just joined the H.A.M.B and what better way to start him off than to build a hot rod. I picked up this 30 coupe two weeks ago thinking we were going to just drive it as is for awhile but plans change. Once I got it home and looked it over, I decided to build an A-V8. I know I know, nothing new but I thought I would do a build thread on here so you guys/gals can see the progress. My father has always liked my coupe and he just loves 32's but that is out of both our budgets. I have had a 46 59A flattie and 39 trans just waiting for something to go into and what better than this. It was an original driver but as you can see, I kept only the body and am in the middle of selling off the rest. Sorry for the camera pics.
"I know I know, nothing new..." That's cool. We don't like anything "new" anyway...lol. Good luck to you and Dad. Have fun!
Well, today was a good day. Sold off the original chassis and got quite a bit of parts that I needed in trade as well. I already had a 3 inch dropped a axle and 36 rear. Today,in trade for the chassis plus cash I got 1939 round back spindles, backing plates and drums/hubs for the front and rear. A complete 1939 front end with wishbone and spring, a complete model a front end with wishbone and spring, a 1948 F-1 box and column, a nice original model a frame with crossmembers and two rear A springs. Plans are to run a stock a frame, z'd in the back like the Tardel roadster, with the above parts. I also picked up a sweet 46 Mercury steering wheel. I have a set of really nice 35 wires but now I am thinking I need to run solids so if anybody wants to trade, let me know. Pics coming tomorrow.
Got some work work done today, it was super nice for a November day here in Michigan. Did the step to the frame, and I think it turned out nice. I cut it 5 inches behind the rear crossmember. Used pieces of 2x4 inch box to fill in the sections and welded both sides. I found an abused model a axle on ford barn and asked the guy if he could cut the ends off for me (so I could use the spring perch to mount my 36 rear) and he obliged to cut them off. After an hour with the grinder, they came out ready to weld to the 36 rear. Also you can see the 39 spindles I took off a junk front end. This is the front axle I am using, it is an original model a axle that was dropped 3 inches. I am going to combine a model a wishbone yoke and ball with a 40 wishbone to get the length I need to clear the oil pan and mount up to the F-1 crossmember. You can also see the steering boxes in the background, I basically bought an F-1 box and a 46 passenger box so I could swap the steering shaft and column tube so it would fit my 46 merc wheel better. The 46 merc wheel I found. This is the 46 59a engine that will go in the car, it is a stock bore, stock crank engine but it should move the car around just fine.
Looks like you are using the Verne Tardel book. Stepped my frame the same way and have most of the same parts in my build but running full fenders. Mocked the whole car together and just tore it down to the bare framefor the final rebuild and paint. My avatart is a 1928 coupe I built in the late 90's with a flathead V8 60.
Not much progress this week, been mostly hunting down parts. I traded my 16 inch wires I has saved for this project for some 16 inch ford steelies, 16x4 in front and 16 x4.5 in back. Just made some extra cash today so I have enough now to order my tires. I am going with Firestones, 5.50 in front and 7.50 in the back. Hopefully this weekend I can get the axles in. I want the chassis to be a roller by the beginning of December.
Got a little work done today. Sorry this is going so slow but I have the smallest garage and moving stuff around so we can work is a chore not to mention I have another build going on at the same time, a model T coupe. Got the Model A spring mounted up on the 36 rear end. We used the same idea for the rear spring hangers that Chris used, I don't know who did it first but the idea is great and it works perfectly. I got the hangers from a ford barner that was scrapping an A rear end. Also traded the stock gas tank to a local A restorer for a crap tank, cut out the bottom weled up the gas fill hole. Also finally got the wheels I have been after, 1940 16x4 for the front and 16x 4.5 46 pickup for the rear.
If you don't mind my asking, how and where did you find this car. I too am of a mind find and rod a car such as this. Thanks, Bill
Just a word of caution on your engine stand. Flatheads should be mounted by the exhaust port bolt holes. They can break at the bellhousing.
Hey Bill, the car was up in Owosso, the owner passed away a year or two ago. Come over any time Mike, you are always invited. I don't know if I am going to chop it or not, I want to at times but some times I don't so that decision will have to be made at some point.
My rear tires arrived today so I broke out my tire spoons and mounted them up (also realized I missed sandblasting the back of one) in the dining room. The reason they are still in primer is because I am undecided on color at the moment.
The Jalopy Journal
