Projects The Flathead Flathead

Thanks @ZerroHalfcup I’m not on FB so thanks for the number. I’ll give them a call

 

I'd highly suggest going to Red's versus the repop Fentons. Also, don't try to "slip fit" your exhaust extensions to the ends of the headers - weld in 2-bolt flanges on the ends of the headers (that way you can unbolt the system and you'll have a gasket with no leaks).

 

Thanks @Bored&Stroked I’ll reach out to them tomorrow

 

yeah, plans change, right? I’m doing it all myself. Got it ready for paint. Rust encapsulator and then satin black paint

 

Rust encapsulator done! That stuff stinks!

 

Got most of the chassis put back together today. I need to take a week hiatus for some house projects, so I'll be out of this for a bit. Wanted to get this much done. Pics aren't in order...sorry.

 

Looks like large heim joint for Henry designed front suspension. What size is heim?

 

Front is stock Henry. Rear has a Rock Johnny joint for the radius rods. Does that help?

 

Johnny joint to some, heim to others, what size? Tks

 

I'll have to double check, but I believe the ID of the sleeve is 1/2", and the threaded part is 3/4"

 

A Johnny Joint is a good choice for your front mount for the rear radius rods . . . much better than a typical heim joint. Also, most of them can be rebuilt with new urethane inner bushings.

 

Johnny joint vs typical heim joint. I thought different name for same thing. Maybe need explain “typical”. Maybe I missing something. Help

 

My understanding is that a Johnny Joint is a metal spherical ball inside a rubber mount, while a Heim Joint is metal on metal. Please smack me if I’m wrong. Here are some pictures of mine with a ruler for size reference. It is a 1/2” they hole. 3/4” thread.

 

Some heim ball has plastic or other between other metal. Do not know about rubber. Tks for size

 

Flipped the backing plates ad mounted upside down for brake line clearance. Kept the crescent pieces Not sure if I’ll weld them into the gap or not. Built a nice little jig with a drill bushing I had to cut the crescent. Reassembled the backing plates and put them back on the rear end.

 

Backing plates installed

 

Got the plumbing finished on the rear. Need to do my kingpins in the front before I install the backing plates. More to come.

 

Nice work man.

 

Thanks @atch

 

Because I flipped the backing plates, there’s only one screw hole at the outer edge of the wheel cylinder. I have the drum retention brackets, but with one hole I can’t mount them there.
Should I just forget about them?
I could mount them 45 degrees back from vertical on a flat spot on the backing plate if we think I really need them

 

Quick update on the roadster. I replaced the king pins. Thanks to Norm Jr. at Norm’s for replacing the bushings and honing them to size. Also got the backing plates and grease shields back on. I’ll have to upload the pictures later

 

And my uncle stopped by with a gift today.

 

More pictures of the front spindles and backing plates...

 

They also have a pretty fast little dirt track in Madras;

 

First run on the rebuilt engine. He wants to run it for a couple more hours to be sure he’s happy with it.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/s19rhotyf_Y?si=yj1yH-X8wI28IEoO

 

One more.
https://youtube.com/shorts/Iltk8602NYM?si=1079iU6c1qH9zRK8

 

Picked up a rear window for the top at the swap meet today. Beveled glass.