Apologies in advance if this isn’t a traditional topic but I’m looking for books to perhaps help me dive into what’s involved in building a Model A chassis. I’m a beginner at best so a cookie cutter approach would be easiest to handle. A few years ago I tried building a ‘33 Ford I inherited without any real clue what I was doing and of course made a bunch of mistakes; I’d like to do some research before taking on another project. Thanks. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Do you want stock or HAMB friendly? Or something in between? Any plans on what engine you are going to use? Charlie Stephens
Not stock but I’m afraid not exactly H.A.M.B. friendly. Basic SBC/TH350 or 700R4, 9” rear, Mustang II front maybe? Not sure what to use. I discovered Boling Bros. chassis and am seriously considering building one but there are so many options. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Get Vern tardel’s book. Model A chassis is very simple if you can fabricate. If you can’t fabricate then any chassis isn’t the thing to start with. Them M2 “kits” are taboo here but none the less something to study. Once you understand how a front suspension is supposed to work you’ll discover why the kits are really a poor choice.
Look up Billy Shoop on the internet, I recall reading some of his stuff many years ago...assuming you are going OT from the HAMB
31 Vic is correct. Other decent books are the hotrod series done by Tex Smith. Not "blueprint" type, but good info. M2 kits would be ok (not here) but "engineering" geometry sucks & isn't worth attempting to repair. IMO, 'bout the only reason they're accepted is due to the pimping by Street-rodder, among others, (read cubic advertising $$$) from the mfrgs, instead of telling/showing/constructing w/correct geometry. That & most folks don't care to know how n why stuff really works. Some custom ifs are very good, but stupid money. Marcus...
My advise is to stick with a straight axle front and rear. The straight axle chassis is much easier for a novice builder. Do lots research before starting and do lots of measuring while building and you will be fine. Order a P&J catalog and study the picture of the Model A chassis they have and study their offerings of chassis components. There's also nothing wrong with using original Ford parts either. Just take your time.
This. The P&J website also has tech pages on suspensions with diagrams of how things work. Should be mandatory study.
If the straight axle rides fine I’d go that route. I have an old How To Build Hot Rods book from the ‘50s I forgot I had but I figure there is much better info now. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The how to build hot rods series from Tex, was done circa 90's, iirc. Different books covered different makes, engines, types. Anyways, good books for info, n ideas. Best bet is HalfPricedBook stores, ebay, amazon. Marcus...
Over the last 40+ years of chassis building for customers less than 10% of the chassis have had independent front ends. I've done a lot of straight axle chassis and a buggy spring both front and rear will ride fine if the right components are used and they are installed correctly. I never had an instruction manual I just studied how everybody was doing theirs and applied that knowledge to my first scratch built chassis in 1970, It was a 32 with a Chevy II 4 banger and power glide with an early Ford banjo rear. I had no idea what I was doing but it turned out good and worked under the Speedway 32 roadster body I built.
If your thinking about building your own frame here you go and the instructions are free! Suspension doesn't really matter as its all added/ changed with bracketry. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/no-frame-build-my-own-model-a.1076697/
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