In May of 2022 I went to look at a 28 Tudor with zero intentions on buying it, I just wanted to go look and sit in one because I don’t know anyone with a hotrod or anything pre 1967. But the car was solid and the price was right so.. why not, I bought it. It was a plain jane tudor that’s been “restored” at some time in its life. Had all the old man bits on it, but I’ll try and slowly turn it into a hotrod. I have limited funds and limited time to build a hotrod, but I’m going to try it anyways. I’ll do my best at documenting my process and updating this thread. I’d like to thank all you good folks on the HAMB for what I’ve already learnt and will continue to learn about early Fords. Here are some photos of when I first bought it, the posts will become more HAMB friendly as I go.
Juice brakes, better wheels & tires, and a flathead V8. Done. Here's some inspiration: The Egoless Car | The H.A.M.B. (jalopyjournal.com)
My first trip in the car ended with me being pushed home by friendly strangers after finding out the gas tank was full of rust. 2nd trip was a roadside repair after the old cracked tires exploded and then had a stud start spinning in the hub. 3rd trip the car died while driving, got a friend to tow me home and I found out the fibre gear on the camshaft stripped a bunch of teeth. So a bunch of trips to the Model A parts supplier in town and an order from Coker tires I was ready to start driving and learning how to shift gears in this thing. I could elaborate on all these events but this is the HAMB, not Fordbarn so I’ll do my best to keep it hotrod related. (Not bashing Fordbarn, they’ve been good to me too). And if anyone has questions feel free to ask!
I like that recipe, however since I’ve been driving the banger I sort of want to continue driving it and messing around with it… I have a flatheadV8 on my engine stand which I’ve torn down and realized was junk. I’m keeping my eyes open for another one to do the same thing with, maybe the next one won’t be junk. Tires and wheels are next post..
Look into "Secrets of Speed Society" it's a group that hops up the four bangers. I had a 30 pickup with a B motor, Winfield head, Mallory distributor, Ansen manifold with a Holley 94 carb and V8 trans. Was a fun driver but still a 50-55 mph car after that you were winding it fairly tight, I'm a Model a person and starting on a 29 roadster pick up now. The plan is Model A motor with a Snyder's high compression head, modern distributor, downdraft manifold with a 94 Holley carb, dropped axle and 16" wire wheels. I've done four Model A's, a stock 29 coupe, my avatar 28 coupe with a V8 60 flathead, my 30 pickup and a 30 Sport Coupe with a flathead. I attached pictures of my A's, I sold the 28 coupe years ago and the 30 pickup a couple of years ago so still have three A's.
Wow nice collection! I think if I had to choose just one it would be the closed cab pickup, I don’t see too many of those out and about. I’ve browsed the Secrets of Speed website, tons of cool stuff on there. It’s pricey, but it seems like they’re quality products made in the USA. I’m always on the hunt for parts for this thing. I think my next purchase will be a modern distributor. Lots of people on here have said that was the best upgrade for your money on the banger engine. Your V8 trans, is it mainly for smoother gear changes? Or can you get a bit more top end with that installed? I don’t necessarily want to go faster, but would like to do 50mph without the engine screaming at me. Thanks!
When I blew the tires on the original wheels, I knew I wasn’t putting new rubber on the original wheels. I went back to the guys house where I bought the car because I recall him telling me he had a set of 35 wire wheels. He had barns and garages all over the property I had to dig through to find all four wheels but I found them. I dropped the wheels off to get sand blasted and painted. I ordered 7.50 rear tires from Coker and managed to find the front 6.00’s locally, however now that they’re installed and I’m driving it I wish I got 5.50’s for the front.. ah well, live and learn.
Second and third are synchronized on the V8 trans where a Model A trans is straight cut gears, just a learning curve to drive the stock trans. With a 28" tall rear tire a model a is turning 2722 rpms at 60, I've had a stock A up to 70 but wouldn't want to run it there for long. A Model A is real comfortable at the 50-55 mph range, I enjoy cruising the secondary roads in a Model A
Only three ways to reduce RPMs are taller tires, numerically lower ring and pinion ratio, or a later model, overdrive ( Borg Warner, Mitchell, or T-5 ) Welcome, will watch for progress.
Sharp sedan Mitch...big upgrade already with the rubber and rims...look forecast to the jouney to is it 41 or 47?
Thanks Stogy, the wider tires definitely give it a much nicer look and fills the fenders better. And sorry, but I’m not sure what your referring to 41 or 47?
I always lower all my vehicles, this was no exception. I dropped the front end and removed the spring pack. Took the pack apart, cleaned up all leaves on a wire wheel, chamfered both ends of all leaves and painted black. My dads got a press so I took the main leaf over there to reverse it. It was a long process but I took my time and managed to reverse it without breaking it. I forget now how many leaves I removed, but re assembled with a few less leaves and the reversed eye main. Sat the front end down and it was looking much much better. However, I still have the “A” axle and the steering arms are clearing the oil pan by the thickness of a piece of paper. Ahh well… After the front was back together I did the same to the rear. Pulled the rear end, took the spring pack apart, reversed the eyes and removed some leaves. Good enough for now.
Ahhh, sorry I'm still learning the lingo! I'm not too sure what era this car will look like its from when its done, I think 40 something - 50 something? I'm trying to use original parts whenever possible, so far I think the peep mirror is the only thing that's new and prob from china.
The wheels only came with 3 hubcaps and I really didn’t want to buy a new re pop one. The originals on eBay were in very rough shape and the shipping for one hubcap for some reason is way more then the cost of the cap itself.. my dad happened to find me one at a swap meet for $5. Polished them all up and I like the look with the caps. Even tho they say V8 and I have a banger…
...that is sharp Mitch, congratulations...I know it's still a work in progress but you really nailed that look... Are you in Eastern Ontario?
I realized the car had a pretty good size exhaust leak, I found it right where the down pipe meets with the manifold. I’d love to put some headers on it, but unfortunately that isn’t happening at the moment. Instead I got a piece that fits into the manifold I have, bought an off the shelf, less restricted muffler and welded up a new exhaust. Kicked it out in front of the rear wheel. I also found some parts that will eventually make their way onto the car. Likely over the winter because I’m having too much fun driving the car around. I found, what the seller says was a 32 axle. It was caked in rust, looked like a 32 axle.. I got it home and cleaned it up, found some numbers on it “B3010”. The internet tells me this is a factory replacement axle, if you were to replace your original 32 axle this is what you’d get. I brought it to the local Model A supplier and he put it in his jig, straightened it a bit for me and corrected the camber. He said it’ll be good to run.
I was at a swap meet and found this old light in a bag, guy said he didn’t know anything about it. Bought it for $10 and it sat on my bench for a week before I got to messing with it. I cleaned it up and was able to make out “Dietz No909 Made in USA”. I put power to it and it worked! I was surprised, thought that was cool. I tried researching the light, found some on eBay for sale for way more than $10, but I can’t find anything on what year it may have been made in. Maybe someone here will have an idea.
So far I’ve been happy with how the cars coming along. It’s been reliable since sorting out all the BS at the beginning when I first bought the car and it’s starting to look like what I had envisioned when I brought it home. I took it to the first car show since I’ve owned it, the 2023 Jalopy Jam Up in Rockton ON. It was a pretty awesome show like always and I’m glad I made it there and home without any issues. It was just over 100km’s round trip, which may not seem like a long ride, but with a car that’s left me hanging a few times now I was a bit worried to be honest. The car doesn’t have a hood in the photos because I was meeting a gentleman at the show that was going to take it home and fill it full of louvers. I kept thinking the car was missing a little something and I like louvers, so what the hell.
I'll tell you what Mitch, that is ALMOST perfect. It'd be completely perfect if it were mine..I actually owned a '28 AR tudor for a short time about 35 years ago, wish I had kept it. .GREAT JOB so far. Mitch
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