Projects The Brooks Special - louisb’s 29 lakes roadster build

@1-SHOT I cut it per the recommendation in the Bishop/Tardel book. I actually bolted it on to the new radiator last night but don't have a pic. Like your hood. You make it?

--louis

 

Yes and have changed the look, changed the windshield and added a couple of louvers

 

Nice! I really like the split windshield. I just picked up a set of folding posts for mine. I need to find a good tutorial on making a hood for mine. Who did your louvers?

--louis

 

I built my own louvers machine with the parts and plans from Mittler Bros. And then louvered everything in sight. The layout time takes longer than punching it.. I have the flat and domed dies in 3 and 4 inch. I built my own hood rolled it around a acetylene bottle.
I believe Brookville Roadsters have hoods give them a call (937) 833-4605 and see if they can help.

 

I bought my windshield frame from Sellers years ago and I think OBrian now has the molds. Google Duvall windshield on 29 and you will get a idea how much work it is to put one on and make the dash look right.

 

When you lean the windshield back it does not line up with the dash rail. It touches in the middle and leaves gaps at either end and you may not be happy with that, looks good buts let's a lot of air in while driving.
If you search the HAMB http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-arin-cee-roadster.1025634/ you will see what Eric went thru on his build

 

Nice work in a short time. Can’t wait to see it done. I dig the rear bung/shock mounts on the differential!

 

Over the years I seen a lot of radius arm ends used for shock mounts.
When these cars were built we used what ever we had at hand, there was no
1-(800)-HOT-RODS

 

I got the idea from the Bishop/Tardel book.

---louis

 

Cool build well done, where did you buy the 32 repro dash ?

 

Spent cool grey fall day in the garage working on the roadster. goal was to get the radiator, grill, headlights and spreader bar done.

Started off doing some mods to the Brassworks radiator to get it ready for mounting. The radiator is a stock style '32 that has been chopped 2". Had to shorten a set of '32 radiator rods to fit.



Next up was rebuilding a set of Guide 903-J headlights. I like these better than the larger Guides on a roadster. Replaced everything but the cup with new gear from OTBGear.


Last project for the day was to make a new spreader bar from a Model A brake cross bar and some spreader bar spacers. Ran out of time before I could finish it but at least got it mocked up and spot welded into place.


That's it for this weekend.

--louis

 

Looking good Lois, I'm liking the way the front end is coming together. Nice and traditional.
What's the plan for front blinkers?
Aaron

 

Good question. Not sure yet.

--louis

 

how about the Kellman LED indicators, they are so tiny ( like a small fingernail ) that you can build them in your headlight cups, if you use the LED AND NORMAL indicator relay, you can use the Kellerman turnsignal together with your non-LED taillights. You get them with amber, clear or black lense. Thats what i'm going to do this winter, when i change my headlights. Just my cents...

 

Pretty nifty idea.

--louis

 

Can't speak for roadsters but ; To see the difference between straight up closed car windshields and tilted back check out a stock '30 filler panel [ between w/s frame and gastank] with a slant windshield unit...
The offsets [grooves] tell how much change...
my $0.02 .

 

Early Christmas present to myself. Got these from John Williamson here on the HAMB. 2" chopped folding posts. I have been hemming and hawing on these for almost a year and finally decided I really wanted them. While not a bolt on, notice there are no holes, the quality is good.



I am sending my windshield frame out this weekend to get glass cut and then I will install it all.

Thanks,

--louis

 

Those look really nice!

 

Spent some time this weekend finishing up the spreader bar and installing the folding windshield posts.


For the windshield posts I had to drill the holes and do some reshaping to the sheet metal where they mount. Some minor adjustments with a body hammer and they slipped right on.



Unfortunately, I managed to scrape up the paint on the windshield so I need to redo it before sending it off to have glass cut. Two steps forward, one step back. At least the front of the car is now finished except for brakes and paint.

--louis

 

Looks good with the windshield laid back.

 

Stripped down a second '32 column drop after my first one broke. This one came apart pretty easy with a little heat.

First step is to get the column pinch bolt out by building it up some with weld and then welding on a nut. Just don't weld the bolt to the body.


There is a small pin in the back that has to come out. I usually end up breaking it so be careful. Then a little heat on the body and you can drive out the shaft from the top.



There is a little pin that needs to be drilled out that holds the lock cylinder in place. If you plan to reuse the cylinder be sure to stop as soon as you see brass shavings. Then tap out the lock cylinder with a small punch.



The pin was already drilled out on mine and you can see they went to deep. Not a problem since I was going to replace it anyway.



I have yet to be able to take off the tag without destroying it. The brass tacs that hold it in are easy to break too. I was able to gently pry them out.



Here it is mocked up in the car.


The shaft jacket is out of an F3 which I shortened to fit the '32 shaft. I need to modify it to work with the column lock and then reassemble the drop with all new parts.

Thanks,

--louis

 

Cool! I've never messed with restoring a 32 column drop, but thanks for the instructions in case I do it some day. Hopefully the angle is nice and you fit well.

 

To give credit where it’s due I originally learned from this post by @Harrison https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/32-ford-column-drop-disassembly.525810/

Thanks,

—louis

 

Put in the rear floors today. I just reused the sheet metal that came with the Brookville body and made it fit the ‘32 frame. 3rd shot is the T gas tank where I think it is going to go. Though I need to fit a battery in there somewhere too.





I am an ass man. At least people are always telling me “You’re an ass, man.” So it must be true.

Thanks,

—louis

 

Been making slow but steady progress on the roadster. It is getting closer to being done but still so many little things to finish. I was telling a friend sometimes it feels like death by a 1000 little things.

Got the seat mounted and then took it to the upholster. Hopefully I will have it back in a couple of weeks. Also put in some seat belts. Not era correct but I think they look okay and I can put them behind the seat when I don't want them to be seen.



Made a spacer and backing plate for the '32 column drop. The mast jacket is out of an F3 pickup and needed some mods to work with the drop. Finishing up the rebuild of the column drop now and will post some pics when it is done.



I am using an F100 steering box which looks close to a stock '32 box. The down side to this box is the huge pittman arm. Spent some time slimming it down and improving the clearance to the mounting bolts.



I have been looking for a battery box to hide a new 12v battery and found this one from an International Harvester farm tractor. I like the looks and may even keep the orange paint.


Need to get the tank and the battery box permanently mounted but it looks like a nice fit.

So the plan right now is to try and get it on the road by the end of Spring. To do that I am probably going to end up leaving it in primer for a while. That should give me enough time to work out any issues before TROG in October and let me enjoy driving it this summer. Not sure if I will make it but going to give it that good ol college try.

Thanks,

--louis

 

That's some good progress Louis. I agree with the 1000 little things, just keep knocking them off one at a time; I try not to get overwhelmed with it all. I don't think I could build with a deadline, I'd never make it!
Aaron

 

If I didn’t have a deadline it would never get done.

—louis

 

Got the gas tank and battery mounted. Also decided to redo my seat mounts with some 1”x2” rectangular tubing. Rolled it outside today to get a good look at her and start laying out a hood.

Thanks,

—louis

 

Rebuilt column drop mounted.



--louis

 

Outstanding