Projects Gene (Moonlighter) Cromer's A/G Willys Resurrection

Making more brackets these are for the front of the turn buckle on the traction bars

 

This was something I really hated to do but there was no way I could use the front traction bar brackets they were bent and the holes were elongated from all the years of that ford power (Remember the wright up an earlier post 30 races in 3 months). So I had to cut them off they would have been fine if it was going to be just a show car but that's not the case here. The pic shows the old bracket and the new one I made it close to the old one except for the part that gene had added to move the rear end back at one time and it could be welded back on if need be.. You can bet that every single piece that I have had to cut off this car is being saved.

 

Now on to finishing the traction bars. The front bushing has to pivot so I made a big bushing to weld in and then a smaller one that's a little longer to slide inside it that way the bolt can be tight and still pivot. I added a grease fitting to the outer one.

 

This is a little trick that I use on all my double shear brackets if you look close there is a .020 shim sandwiched in between them before they are welded on this way they will slide in and out for service later on with out beating the bars up with a hammer. These brackets are for the top of the turn buckle.

 

A rear shot of the back turn buckle brackets welded on to the housing. You can also see that I welded up the housing where The new axle tubes went in so the housing would look old school.

 

The traction bars installed all I have left to do on them is the turn buckle and the brace for the front bracket on the driver side.You can see that the tubing is still tacked in to hold the housing in place.

 

Another angle

 

A close up of the front bracket.

 

So, is there going to be upper bars?

 

You are having waaayyyy too much fun! It is looking great!

 

Front bracket from under the car.

 

Yea it's fun but do you see what time it is I just stopped to post the pics and still have to go home and get a shower. Thank's Don and good luck with your new venture.

 

Yea it's going to be like a turn buckle so there will be a little bit of adjustment. Gene never ran a spool back in the day so things could be a little off and it would still go straight. With the tracks and tires to day I don't think the poss unit will hold up. But we are going to start out with it if we have to go to a spool it won't be as forgiving so we may need the adjustment.

 

Great progress, thanks for the updates!

 

Sorry it took so long to answer I overlooked this post some way. Chris I did a little hammer work on the shot bag then ran it through the english wheel. It's not finished yet but when It's done I'll post a good pic of it for you. If you like hammer work you are going to love the master cylinder cover that I made for my willys. I'll post pics of it when I get time to finish the build thread on my willys.

 

Great Work Quain!

 

nice work ,i look forward to seeing more !

 

Threading the tubing for the turn buckle. I used 1' with .156 wall chrome tubing.

 

The traction bars and front mounts finished. This is the first time I have ever made any bars this way. I started building cars in the mid 70's this type bar was just going out of style, I cut plenty of them off and replaced them with the new style bars or 4 link I wish I had them back.

 

Another angle this is all for today I'm going home early I've got a date with my other girl friend.

 

This is a great thread, your speed and quality of work is something most of us dream about, and building a Willys to boot, what more could I ask for. I will be watching till the end! A++++

 

Here's another place we are having to change the car a little from it's hey day with a swing out door bar well a door bar period. I hated to do it but it's got to be there and there is no way that Gene need to be crawling over a door bar as high as this car is going to set. I found these clevis that are going to look neat you can see the short piece of tubing tacked to it.

 

Here they are welded in the car.

 

Here's how they look with the fire wall in place.

 

I had to add this bar for the rear drive shaft loop and I'm going to bring another one forward to the main cross member for the right side seat belt mount. I don't know how it was before and Gene can't remember but I would say this is close. That's all for today I'm going home early again.

 

It is amazing how good the car is looking,,and how dedicated you are to the project,,when are you sleeping? HRP

 

I got a good bit done today but only one thing worth posting a pic of. Here's the end cap for the dash I hoped the weld would turn out better but I don't do enough welding on .032 aluminum to be very good at it so I'm going to sand it down to look like there is no seam later. We found the right steering box Cromer is bring it and the shocks tomorrow.

 

Well Quain, I think your doing a AWESOME job with Gene's car.

Your attention to detail and quailty is First-Class!

 

Great job Quain. I look forward to checking this thread everyday to see your fine work!!

 

Gene come to the shop with the steering box that fit perfect went right back on the original mounts. Here he is checking to see how it feels that smile looks like it must feel just like it did over 40 years ago.