Starting to collect everything I need for my AV8 project. I am picking up a nice unmolested Model A Frame, '37 rear and a set of '42-'48 rear wishbones next Monday. I have a fresh 8BA & 3 speed toplader to go in. I plan on using a 4 inch drop front axle, per usual. My question is, I would like to keep the front wishbones unsplit. What wishbones do I need? I have read that '33-'34 bones would be ideal, but they are real expensive, and hard to find. Do I HAVE to use '33-'34's to make it work, or will another year work? Would a stock Model A front set of wishbones work? I really dont want to split them...but I dont want to spend $500 on a set of '33-'34 wishbones. Any suggestions??? Thanks a bunch!
33/34 is a typo in Mike's book. You want 32 bones: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58724&highlight=length+wishbone You trade off a little room at the firewall but nothing you can't fix with a couple bumps with a post hole bar. You'll be glad to have room for a fan up front. hotrodwishbones.com was even reproing the 32 bones a couple years ago.
i have just done something like this........ http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=519077 worked well.
You only need to change the wishbone if you're using a 32 K member in that frame. Model A wishbones mount to the bottom of the engine/trans so you'll have to fab something to mount the ball to if you're using a different engine no matter what wishbone you use. Hamb member Chris used a F1 center crossmember and made a neat little wishbone ball mount for his roadster, search his threads.
There's lots of confusion when it comes to this part of the AV8 process and I think I've made every mistake possible. A 32 wishbone is almost 48" from the ball to the spring perch eye. If you are using a 32 wishbone that means you're using a 32 K member like they do in the Bishop Tardel book, and I'm using in my AV8. The problem is if you put the K member where they tell you to in the book that 32 wishbone is too long and your axle ends up about 1.5" ahead of your crossmember. A 33-34 wishbone is just over 45" from the ball to the spring perch eye. With the 32 K member this one is just a little too short. What I'm doing is taking the yoke from a Model A wishbone which actually has the ball dropped a little and gives you more oil pan clearance. I welded two slugs into the ends of the yoke then slipped a pair of split 33-34 bones over the slugs. Now the wishbone is adjustable and I can see exactly how long the wishbone has to be. I will tack it then remove it and finish weld it. There's no set of exact measurement that fit this process. I'm not saying my way is the correct way either but its working for me. If you're using a 30-31 body you have to watch the firewall clearance or you won't be able to remove the passenger side head with the body on. Good luck.
Here's what happens when you put the 32 K member in an A chassis 5.75" ahead of the stock Model A mid crossmember. That's where they tell you to in the B-T book. And here's where that expensive 32 wishbone ends up.
Thanks, sorry I didn't get to meet you at Autorama. However I did study your roadster pretty closely. Its fantastic!
I have a lengthened 33/34 WB under my AV8 connecting to a 32 K-Member. Using an unmodified 32 piece causes many other issues, not to mention the cost. I was fortunate to have help with the lengthening project and some nice stepped spacers where machined out of solid stock and tig welded in place all in a couple hours while I cut up the nice stock WB and prepped the parts for welding. After it was all said and done you'd never know it was modified.
Another Cheap alternative i found is using a pair of 41 ford wishbones which are about 48" long and the ball end from 28-31 or 32 bones.."
The easiest way to locate a stock 32 wishbone/K-member is to install the axle, hook up the wishbone/K-member as an assembly and let the K-member find home on the frame rails.
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