Projects '31 A Progress

Looks good,Why not slide over to a lift and pull the body off and do the chassis up the right way also?

 

Yeah, that would be nice. But, I'm already pushin' it tyin' up a dead bay. There's no way I could tie up a lift too. My employer has been very gracious in letting keep it there to work on it. This car was in surprizingly good shape, especially the chassis. Maybe some day down the road when I get more time & $$$$$. I'm sure I'll never be done with this car!

 

Woo Hoo! Paint! Finally finished block sanding it and got her in a "suede" grey. I used chip guard around the rear wheel wells, turned out great! I'm very satisfied with the results, everyone was on hand for the unmasking. Now I can start getting the driving gear and frame ready for paint. The front suspension is just about ready to be hung, then on to all the small stuff. I still haven't decided how, or where I'm going to mount the tail lights, and I still have to install the Lion Speed Head and and the other related engine stuff. It's moving right along, now that the biggest hurdle has been jumped. I'm psyched!! More to come!!

 

Here's a pic that shows the interior panels. I think I'm gonna paint them black, along with the window trim, I sure can't leave them green......now can I?? But, I'm putting that on the back burner for now.

 

Very tedious work sanding the wheels, but I've got one done! I know...I know..why don't you have them blasted? $$$$$$ is the reason. If I can put in a little extra effort on the wheels, I can use the money on other things. Besides, the car is at work and I can't work on it weekends, so I brought the wheels home, and I can spend time in the garage, it is my sanctuary!! Only 3 more to go!

 

Chassis, firewall and engine done!! All the wheels are done! Now it's time for reassembly! I've got some small things to paint, starter, generator, cooling goose necks, valve cover etc.. They will all be satin black. Now I can install the Lion Speed Head and get the header & intake bolted up. It's all down hill from here!! Excited is an understatement.

 

Looks great. I bet your dad is going to be proud of you.

 

Thanks George! I can't wait to see his face when he gets behind the wheel. I've been keeping him updated on progress.

 

Just a thought. Henry used the wish bone, attached to the bell housing for a balanced front and rear. The whole****embly twists as an****embly. With the split bones, the twist is now sent to the axle and it twists and flexes. Also the king pin angle is now not correct. Not finding fault, just pointing out what you will find to be a fact. Iceman

 

Wouldn't the tie rod ends at the end of the bones allow it to pivot/twist?? A pie cut in the front of the bone will bring the caster/kingpin angle to where it needs to be???

 

Forgot to hit "upload".

 

Well, I piecut my bones to bring in my caster angle. I'm at 8 deg. left, and I added a half deg. on the right to get 8.5 deg. to compensate for "road crown". I used a digital angle meter/level we use to measure frame angle when aligning trucks to measure/adjust caster properly. I will have larger tires on the rear, so that will send the caster a little more toward negative. It should come in @ around 7/7.5 deg.. I "V" notched them and got good penetration on the welds. After filling the notches, I welded down along both sides, then one more down the center. I will be knocking them down some before repainting. I got my new front engine mount installed so I could remove the hoist. I will be installing the Lion Speed Head soon. I've painted it with Cast Blast. I will also be painting the lion head black, and I will be giving it red eyes, should look pretty cool. I can't wait to get this thing on all fours, it should be soon!

 

Well, one step forward, two steps back. We finally got the suspension hung, but the center link was contacting the radius rods.
That's because of the piecut to get my caster in. So, I had to notch the radius rods. It came out pretty good, but that meant painting the rods for the third time! The front suspension is hung for good now, I've got all the wheels painted, now on to the rear brakes and drums. We should have that all done by the end of the week. I'm still waiting for the nuts for my head, hopefully I can have that installed by the end of the week also. We're trudging on!!

 

Well, I think I better flip the brake****embly over on the left side. I'll have to let my partner know to stay focused.

 

Really enjoyed your thread. The progress your making is great! I am also building a 31 Tudor with the banger. Very interested in how you like the hop up parts. Did you do anything else to the motor to go along with the speed head?What type of intake are you using? Carbs?

 

Thanks Joe! I'm gettin' there. My target date is June 13th, we're having a Cruise In at work to introduce the new Camaro to the community, it should be a fun time. I will be running the Weber progressive 2bbl w/down draft manifold. I will let you know how it goes once I get her runnin'!

 

You can bet i'll be keeping up with your biuld. Keep up the good work bud. Your a real inspiration!

 

Well, the striper made it out today!! I'll let the photos speak for that. I did get some things accomplished tonight. I cut the bumper brackets, and will be using the factory cross bar as a type of bumper/pushbar. I also found my location for the tail lamps and attatched them. The bar is drying right now, I will be securing it tomorrow. Also, is a photo of my "brake specialist", he is almost finished rebuilding the brake system. Can't wait to get the drums on so I can finally mount the tires, and get her on the ground. I'm still waiting on the nuts for the head! Thanks for all the support guys!!

 

Thanks Joe!!

Well, I've made some more progress!! Got the tires mounted. The wheels are just hung for now. The brakes, and steering are all done. Speed Head is on along with the intake and header, I've got most of the engine stuff done, I need to fab the throttle linkage. Now, on to the brake rods, adjusting the brakes, and getting the harness installed. I'm hopin' to fire her up next week! I included a photo of my Hero....my Pop!! Without him, this never would have been possible! The look on his face was priceless when he saw it. He can't wait to get behind the wheel! More to come!!!

 

Your making really good progress. Just goes to show you don't need to venture too far from Henry's basics to have a nice ride.

Frank

 

Thanks Frank!! I've been wanting one of these real bad for a while. The picture in my head is starting to physically take shape.

 

Engine looks good. Just the right blend of new and old "Stuff".

 

Nice clean project!! Thanks for the pics!!

 

Thanks Guys!! I'll be headed to work tomorrow to get a full day on her. I should get real close. I will have some video when I fire her up! I don't want to push it though, I've got 2 weeks 'til my target date, and I'm almost there!!

 

Really lookin good, lots of work sure is showing to be well worth it. Colors really work.

 

Car's looking mighty sweet man. I just fab'd a dolly for the body when i remove her from the original chassis. Thinking about soda blastin' her and getting the body perfect berfore dropping her on her new/old chassis.
I'll probably start removing the body by the weekend. Doing it myself so i really have to plan it out.