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Another henry J build

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Smilin Jack, Dec 19, 2011.

  1. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    I am in the process of turning a nice ol' Henry J (thanks Danny) into a gasser. I plan to take good pics of the build and I also plan to ask a lot of question here. I have found a ton of good information here doing research but I'm sure there will be a lot of quick questions to save a lot of time looking.

    The first order of business is to fight off the urge to repair brakes and drive the car a while with the little flathead four. It runs so good! That would be just wasted time as the front cap is coming off to get at the suspension to install a straight front axle. Now one question, what is best, use the existing frame up front or cut it and use 2 x 4 tubing for a new one? I probably will use a smallblock Chevy engine although I have a 292 6 cylinder that's tempting me.

    The rear end will be replaced with a 9 inch ford using coilover shocks and ladder bars.

    I'm always open to suggestions and I take criticism well. LOL
    Jackie

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  2. That is one sweet looking Henry.
    Good luck on your build.
     
  3. pastlane
    Joined: Oct 4, 2007
    Posts: 1,063

    pastlane
    Member

    Good looking J! I've seen the front ends done both ways. Building with new tubing is more work but looks cleaner and if you taper the tubing at the front it looks much less clunky.
     
  4. jammersspeed
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 346

    jammersspeed
    Member
    from herman mn.

    love henry j 's! have fun with the project.... looks a lot nicer than the one i started with!
     
  5. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    I usually get in a hurry but I'm trying to make haste slowly. I wonder if there's a market for the little four cylinder engine and transmission. Runs great.
     
  6. Hemi j
    Joined: Sep 17, 2009
    Posts: 389

    Hemi j
    Member
    from Colorado

    Yours is a lot nicer then I started with.
    I used the stock frame but used box
    tubing up front with mustang type
    suspension. 9" with disc. And for
    power a Blown 392 Hemi and a 727
    tranny. It handles great !! Have fun
    on your build. Hemi j
     
  7. Sounds great,,I've already subscribed.

    That old 4cylinder runs like a sewing machine,,don't it?:D

    The old Henry J begs to be built Gasser style! HRP
     
  8. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Danny,
    I'm getting my build plan together and I'm ready to start on the front end. The first thing will be to get the front cap off and out of the way. Now, my thoughts for the front frame is to cut the frame in front of the firewall where it starts to "Y" for the spring well. It is about 4 inches square there. I plan to weld a short section of 4 inch square .188 wall tubing to the existing frame and blend it down to a 2 by 4 .188 wall tube to the front narrowing it down at the front to 2 1/2 inch square tubing for the front cross member. I think I can dress it all up for a clean front frame. I may have to use a brace from the frame to the firewall Chevy II style, don't know yet.

    I will discard the inner fender panels but hope to use the radiator saddle to hold the fenders together but if not, I will do as Henry Alexander did to that neat Henry J he built using tubing for braces.

    I kinda dread cutting the firewall for engine setback clearance but I think I can do a reasonable job of finishing it off. Won't be as much setback as Alexander's though. I've been studying Swade's build thread and got a lot of good pointers there.

    I plan to use a round 2 1/4 inch DOM tube for a straight axle. I've built a lot of T bucket axles using Chevy spindles machined for mid size GM rotors with good success. Springs from Speedway and hopefully using the stock steering box for cross steering.

    If you or anyone has advice, feel welcome to jump in. I need all I can get.
    Jackie
     
  9. Way to go man, can't be to many Henry J gassers out there ! That car looks like a great canidate to start with too.
     
  10. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Thanks, my friend! I'm probably gonna ask you a lot of questions before I get it built.
     
  11. I'll answer what I can and steer you away from any of my mistakes...lol
     
  12. hemipwd41willys
    Joined: Mar 18, 2010
    Posts: 179

    hemipwd41willys
    Member
    from Wyoming

    Jackie,
    Hey i can see why you are smilin :):) That is one very nice HJ to start a gasser project with. Sure wish my HJ would have been that clean and complete. Oh well, cant be to choosy. Best of luck to you with the project. If there is anything i can help with just ask. Love the GASSERS! :)
     
  13. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Thanks! You can count on me asking questions. I've put straight axles under Chevy II's and tubbed one using a narrowed 9 inch ford rear. I will radius the rear fenders once I get the nerve to cut it. LOL Getting antsy!
     
  14. Building a 60's Gasser style Henry J myself, I choice to keep the
    original frame and modify it as required. Is it easier to cut the frame
    forward of the firewall and stub on the 2 x 4 rails???? Are you going to
    run the steel nose of go to a fiberglass tilt one? I figured in the 60's
    more were built with the stock frame modified with a straight or dropped
    axle and parallel leaf springs. I used one of the Speedway Motors axle
    kits with the 4" dropped axle w/ ford spindles, vega steering, 56" wide
    9" ford rearend and some 50" long nostalgia ladder bars, 1 3/4" fenderwell
    headers with dumps under the front fenders and radius wheelwells.
    Right now the frame is out from under the body for finish welding and
    filling some of the 60-70 holes in the stock frame. Since we tilted the
    steel nose, the front frame section needs to be detailed as it is almost
    like outside paint with the nose tilted.
    Will post some photos of the project.
    John
     

    Attached Files:

  15. Thanks for the inspiration, mine's been sitting untouched for a few months as I was busy on other projects, I think I'll go crease and roll some aluminum today and finish up the interior panels.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    John,
    I'm getting anxious to get started on my front end. I'm using the steel fenders for now at least. On a pretty tight budget for now. As for the front frame, I have been studying the original frame and decided the work to make the original frame look good plus the work to remove all the suspension parts made it easier to build a new one. I will use a short section of 4 x 4 tubing with 2 x 4 going to the front. Gonna cut the frame where it starts to "Y" for the spring pockets. I will take pictures of the build as I go along.

    Keep me posted on your build.
    Jackie
     
  17. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    John,
    Are you using the original rear springs? I had planned on coilovers but the original springs would be easier on the budget now. I'm gonna narrow a 9 inch ford rear end.
     
  18. Boones
    Joined: Mar 4, 2001
    Posts: 9,691

    Boones
    Member
    from Kent, Wa
    1. Northwest HAMBers

    is that Hotrodprimer's Henry J he just bought ??
     
  19. Yeah Ken,,I realized that I have too many projects that I wanna get done and I took money away from the wagon project to buy the Henry J,,,

    And then there is the coupe sitting in the corner,,I really wanted to build the Henry J but it would be way down the road,,,

    Jackie will do the car justice. HRP
     
  20. How narrow you going ? I have that early bronco 9 inch in mine and fits pretty good.
     
  21. corn field kid
    Joined: Jun 4, 2010
    Posts: 74

    corn field kid
    Member

    I built two of them with Mustang II's, first thing was to put a 2x4 stub in it. Makes a nice platform to start with, then you can go either way , Good luck
     
  22. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Haven't measured yet. I hope to find one from a Bronco or Mustang. I have one from a truck but it'll for sure have to be narrowed. I have the aligning jig to narrow the rear end and Moser will respline the axles for 100 bucks. It's fairly easy to do. I'm a custom muzzleloading gunmaker and have a pretty good little country machine shop to make my barrels so building the front axle is not a problem. Getting anxious to get started.
     
  23. I ran the original rear springs, new bushings & shackles, if I need to
    get them rearched or something later, not a big issue. Talked to the
    Eaton Spring people about Henry J springs, they can custom make them,
    but do not have a stock replacement available.
    I had Moser build my 9" housing and 31 spline axles. Ordered 56" axle
    flange to flange, which makes the housing 51" with late ford(Torino) ends.
    I also had them do it as a centered pinion, so the driveshaft runs down
    the center of the tunnel(do not know if it would create an issue later) but
    it did not cost any more to have it built that way.

    John
     
  24. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Swade,
    Were you satisfied with the brake line tubing around the wheel opening? I'm following in your footsteps. LOL
     
  25. I would use a bigger size if I had to do it over, I think I used 1/4 inch but would go bigger.
     
  26. Country Gent
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 561

    Country Gent
    BANNED

    Great looking J. You mentioned you had a 292 inline. That would be KOOOL. You certainly would have some engine setback, and I would think taking over a little of the back seat. Good luck. I will be one of the guys watching.
     
  27. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Swade,
    What size tubing did you have in mind? I can go 3/8 up to probably 1/2 inch conduit. I want my first try to be the final one. LOL
     
  28. Smilin Jack
    Joined: Nov 8, 2010
    Posts: 465

    Smilin Jack
    Member

    Country Gent,
    I decided the 292 might require more setback than I wanted to do. I probably will stick to a smallblock Chevy. The 292 might be good trading material. Should be worth a little something.
     
  29. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,969

    Clik
    Member

    OK, Von Hartman, save this guy before he messes that car up.
     
  30. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,969

    Clik
    Member

    Suggestions:

    Read up on the old rules for the gasser classes (frame, suspension, engine set back, tires, etcetera).

    Check out some traditional builds like Von Hartman's Abomination here on the HAMB.
     

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