A much better time was had last night. I rolled it outside and after some little fiddly work it lit right off! Once I got a short video, I rolled it back inside to start on the brakes. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 16, 2023 at 7:42 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 16, 2023 at 7:42 AM I think the leak I had at the master was just a bunch of junk in the master cylinder, once I hosed it out with brake parts cleaner it seemed to hold fluid just fine. I went through and double checked all my fittings, and installed all the rear brake pieces. now all I have to do is bleed the system and get it working. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 16, 2023 at 7:42 AM I also took my dash out again to add a wire and a couple light bulbs, but now I still have one out and 2 of the bulbs are a white light instead of the normal yellow. so it will have to come back out again.
Ya put your left foot in, ya take your left foot out, ya put your left foot in and ya shake it all about. lol the hot rod hokey pokey for sure
Well lets get it out of the way first. . . IT DRIVES! It feels so good! now onto the writing part. ..
I feel like I keep saying it's been a whirlwind, but really, it has. there's been multiple points where I thought I was done for, at least until parts came. lets back up to Wednesday night. I went to bleed the brakes and came back to another puddle under the master cylinder. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM fluid was pouring out of the back of the master. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM did some damage control, repainted under the master cylinder, and ordered a rebuild kit. on Friday afternoon it arrived and I dug in, the kit came from ACDelco, but it had O instructions.so after some internet searching, I found what was wrong. the guy I got it from, had rebuilt it (with it looks like the same $15 kit) but he made a fatal mistake. Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 9:03 PM this is how he had the pieces stacked at the bottom of the master cylinder, Just a Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 9:03 PM THIS is how it should be. the dome being against the end rubber had caused it to build pressure in the master and not let any fluid out the end, instead, letting it come out the rear seal. once I fixed that, the brakes practically bled themselves. I mean, after I fixed leaks at every junction... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM I also cut a passenger seat board out, and found more seat foam for it. incase anyone wanted a ride (no takers yet) I went to bed friday night late, feeling good about today. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM then today started. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM after a handful of times having it in and out of the garage, trying to fill it with water, and getting it to idle consistently, I thought my water pump was shot, but then I talked to @Austin kays and he gave me a couple ideas, and after disconnecting every line I could and letting water out each one, I finally got it to seal up and stay cool! and that meant... Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM honorary first trip to the gas station! I drove it for a total of almost 45 minutes today in town, and it never got above 190 degrees. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 18, 2023 at 8:46 PM I cant explain how stoked I am. if you've been there, you know. oh and one last thing. it was 20 degrees here today. when I got back from my test drive my hands were freezing, but my heater kept my feet warm! Big wins. more soon.
Big air bubble in the cooling system I guess? Man it’s been a long time since I’ve had that exciting first drive but man it’s crystal clear in my memory. Real stoked for ya, can’t wait to see it rumble down my street this summer
well @Tim you didn't have to wait long. I leveled the car out using the handy spring-jack-bolt-things and then got to cutting on the bar. it needs a bunch of welding, filing and grinding, but its already solid as a rock. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM once I had it so it looked right, I stuck the bulbs in. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM I drove it around and they didnt even flinch. once I've finished welding them up, and smoothing them out, they will lend alot of strength to the shock mounts. and ill be able to install the shocks finally! I'm really enjoying driving this thing around. when I drove it yesterday it left my head buzzing all night, but I smacked in a couple speedway "header collector muffler inserts" into the pipes, and it took most of the edge off the open headers. im gonna modify a pair to be a bit longer , and see if I can take a little more off without sounding goofy. It still sounds good when you stand on it! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 19, 2023 at 9:50 PM
Looks good. I think I missed your lower shock mounts and how you plan to attach the headlight bar and still be able to put the shocks on/off? Staying tuned!
pulled the headlight bar off last night, welded it up and ground most of the ugly off. its not perfect or finished, but it should hold the headlights to Austin at least. I also got the turn signals installed on the front. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 22, 2023 at 11:07 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 22, 2023 at 11:07 AM they pull double duty, as they also hold the bottom of the grille in place. now for holding the top in place, Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 22, 2023 at 11:07 AM I worked out an idea for twin small fans mounted in shroud of sorts, with places on the end to mount my grille support rods. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 22, 2023 at 11:07 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 22, 2023 at 11:07 AM I bent a slight angle at the top of the piece so it would not oilcan. now once I cut the holes, I'll just have to install nuts and small machine screws. I know electric fans are not liked, but I wasn't willing to make the car longer, just so I could use a manual fan. you gotta do, what you gotta do. hopefully next episode is abut that goofy little trunk!
So awesome Joey! Stoked as I can be for you. Even with the ups and downs, 49,000 togethers and back aparts, it’s amazing what you have accomplished in such a short time. Way to go!!
Hey some times it’s the look you want not the fan that’s acceptable to others. I did the same on mine and couldn’t of been happier with the 10 extra HP too
well, still no deck. but I did drive it to the hardware store. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM boy it does look good. cant wait to see it with the deck. but I have to finish the front first. so I brought it home, and had dad help me put it on stands once it cooled off. I had painted the fan shroud last night and so I installed the fans, and grille support rods. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:32 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM you can see I plumbed my overflow down with the heater hoses. you can also see that I installed my headlight bar, and shocks! Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM Its not pretty, its kinda rough, I almost painted it black, but @J.Ukrop urged me to stay the course and paint it white. Oh, and its a pain to put together. @Anderson wasn't lying about that part. now that I had that together I got back to my list and did some more bullets on it. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:32 AM one of which was a pesky leak from the front of my one-piece pan gasket. so I cleaned it out, and smeared some goop on it, in hopes I wont have to drain the oil and drop the pan... Yet. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM another was installing the inspection cover on the bellhousing, I had one and it felt unfinished to leave the bottom of the flywheel open. I also was able to clean under the car and survey the damage from the wall incident the other day. (read:https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/just-a-big-model-t.1276032/page-10#post-14801878) once I was done with that, I began running wires from the front of the car, to the fuseblock. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM This is where I quit last night, and while I still have a ways to go, It is much closer than it was previously. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:21 AM I'll leave you with one of the most complicated areas on the car. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 24, 2023 at 9:32 AM so much stuff in such a small space, all of it moves, all of it clears. Juuuuuust enough.
thanks Dave, cant wait to give you a ride in dewey! Yeah If it does the job, i'll go for it everytime. i'd rather a cool car with electric fans, than a stretched out one with a mech. and let me tell you, those two small fans are TIGHT.
White headlight bar and the black fan shroud look perfect. here’s my questions and thoughts per usual. - does the radiator over flow go anywhere or just the ground? - how the hell does that headlight bar go together? I have some ideas but I’m really curious - how does the fan shroud mount to the car? - make sure those wires are up high/ on the back side. With it that low I can see a raccoon skull taking a wire out pretty easy. - killer progress! Hardware store runs in a hotrod are the best. Keep truckin man
every time i hear a built motor in a hot rod, part of me wishes for a video where they floor it, breaking the rear end loose and flying down the road banging through the gears. but i get that's where things get expensive and they can break parts.
for right now it dumps onto the ground behind the motor/spring crossmember. eventually ill figure out a container for it. I'm honestly surprised you haven't figured it out yet, and in a twisted way its funny, so ill let it simmer for awhile. (there are clues in past posts.) bolts directly to the grille shell on the sides, using three small allen head bolts, effectively sandwiching the radiator. yeah, all the wiring is a mess right now, once its done it will be wrapped up into the framerails.
there are two newly minted stripes in parking lot of our local oreilly's parking lot. and they ain't yellow. thats all i'm saying...
Lol figured it out I think. It’s close to what I was thinking. That does seem like a pain in the ass to put together I’ll agree with that statement lol. Does look slick though
This is such a grouse lil jigger, so cool, & I love that you are driving it while it is going together!
thanks guys! the last couple days have been full on wiring. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 25, 2023 at 8:51 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 25, 2023 at 8:51 PM It's about 90% complete, and now I've just gotta run the wires for the taillights. So today I started tinkering with the turtledeck, but got distracted by the beautiful day and instead spent most of the day burning gas. Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 25, 2023 at 8:51 PM Just A Big Model T by BigJoeArt posted Mar 25, 2023 at 8:51 PM I gave dad his first ride, and did a proper burnout down my friends street. I also wanted to see how it was at highway speed, and found the limits of my blue tape-attached foam seat. At 78mph the passenger seat back flew away. So after a quick u turn and picking up the foam off the shoulder, I ended the highway testing for the day. oh, and I got to 82mph, In 4th. its gonna break a land speed record in 5th.
The Jalopy Journal
