Technical CHASSIS, Day TWO of urkillinmesmall's A-V8 build

Dang we got a lot done yesterday!

Here's some highlights...

The neat thing about the VT K-member is that you can install the engine to the trans, the trans to the K-member and then put a 2x4 under the motor and slide the whole shooting match back and forth to get the axle lined up with the '34 wishbone in place. It sort of works like this:

The front axle/spring fits into the stock front crossmember, the '34 wishbone goes from the axle to the VT K-member, the tranny mounts to the K-member, engine bolts to that, then the water pumps bolt to the front of the motor to determine where the front motor mounts go in the frame...

We found out that the '33-'34 axles (and maybe later axles) are the ones that have the 2" perch boss measurement. This means that a cheap as dirt Model A axle won't fit the requesit '34 wishbone... unless you modify it. The '34 wishbone locates the axle in the correct spot after it is fastened to the VT K-member...

So we took our Model A axle down to the neighbor's place (find a guy in your neighborhood with a mill) and milled 1/8" off the top of the boss and off the bottom. (The Model A axle bosses are 2 1/4" to start)

 

Here's a shot of the 2x4 cut to fit in the frame rails... to get the right height we put a piece of 1/4 BILLET aluminum on top of the 2x4.

 

Here's a side shot of the set up after we got "the whole shooting match" lined up. The axle/spring should just jack right up into the crossmember.

 

i'm confused. i thought A axles had the smaller height boss and all the 32/later axles had the taller boss?

 

While we worked on the front end... bro-John worked on shortening the torque tube. They chopped the flange off the rear of the tube and turned it down so it would slide back into the tube after we cut the tube to length. There is just the right amount of meat there to make it work...

 

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i'm confused. i thought A axles had the smaller height boss and all the 32/later axles had the taller boss?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope.

 

Here's the flange bolted to the rear end.

 

After some measuring, and some more, and then a little more... we cut the torque tube to length. I will weld it on today with the TIG.

 

With the engine positioned in the correct spot... and BEFORE we cut the torque tube to length... I made the front motor mounts and tack-welded them in.

 

Here's the milled down axle.

 

Axle in... boy it sits high!

 

Sam, do you know what those k members run. Looks like it works great.
Thanks
George

 

Here's a little trick I use to get the car at ride height... I take a couple of straps and wrap them around the crossmember and the axle... then jump up and down on the front end as I tighten the straps... don't let anyone see you doin' this... it looks weird as hell when you're up there jumping up and down with the straps in hand.

 

The K-members are $425 with shipping included...

It may seem like a lot at first... but it saves a SHIT LOAD of time and figuring stuff out...

Here's a shot of the rear before kick up and lengthen. We're running a '40 rear with a spring behind.
Sam.

 

HEROS.......

 

Thanks for sharing.
It's like you're having your own private Tech Week.
Thrash on.

 

Wow! Nice! You're makin' it look easy. Very cool. Thanks for sharing Sam & Matt.

 

Cool chassis, nice work as usual! You are a do-er.

I thought an A/V8 was a '32 frame, V8 engine and an A body on top.

Am I a smart-ass or just a dumb-ass?

 

this is going FAST Sam- Now if ya can get a flatty that'll stay together you got a winner!
Progress is quicker than I figured........

 

Neat trick with the 2x4 (and the BILLET! ) to get the engine positioning just right!

Doin' a Helluva job in a really short time! This thing gonna be out for it's first road test by Monday, or what??? Ha Ha...keep at it, Dude!!

 

what do you call the strap tightening technique?

the Ben Hur stomp?

great posts Sam,

I wax my hands with drooling mouth in anticipation of

successive episodes.

Paul

 

[ QUOTE ]
what do you call the strap tightening technique?

the Ben Hur stomp?

[/ QUOTE ]

Only if you have on sandals and a leather skirt.

Great post again, Sam.

I will follow you on it for sure, Im in the same progress stage as you.

I notice the flatty angle, is there a specific angle you need to set it at during install. oh, what is the distance of the front motor mounts to the front spring perch? This measurment will help me tremendously to position my body correctly on the frame.

I too sit w/ anticipation for the next episode...(clapping)

 

[ QUOTE ]
Cool chassis, nice work as usual! You are a do-er.

I thought an A/V8 was a '32 frame, V8 engine and an A body on top.

Am I a smart-ass or just a dumb-ass ?

[/ QUOTE ]


A/V8 = A frame with a V8

 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
i'm confused. i thought A axles had the smaller height boss and all the 32/later axles had the taller boss?

[/ QUOTE ]

Nope.

[/ QUOTE ]

double nope.... 32-36 have 2" perches and the same perch distance i think in 37 they moved the rech holes out and the perch width is close to 2 1/4

 

awsome this reminds me of the sam posts when he was building the roach rod. My favorite one from that was when he build the beltline for it. anyone have that stashed away somewhere?

 

bttt

 

holy shit rickyracer is alive where have you been?

 

[ QUOTE ]
awsome this reminds me of the sam posts when he was building the roach rod. My favorite one from that was when he build the beltline for it. anyone have that stashed away somewhere?

[/ QUOTE ]

I second that request, as well as any other tech posts from the construction of the Roach Rod.



Thanks,
Ed