Hot Rods The Hitchhikers Guide:The Hot Rod Ford Model A or AV8 Coupe. Post war 40's build.

Any updates?

 

Something isn't quite right. Looks like Matt hasn't been on the board in over a week, and I just tried calling him and his phone doesn't ring. Anyone up there that knows where he lives have time to drop by to see what's up?

 

It's not uncommon for him to unplug for a little bit. He's not to tech savvy, despite how much time he spends here I know that electronics stress him out sometimes. He is fine. I know he has been busy with a lot of work. Some 60's chevy truck, a SS chevelle and a few other old things. I saw him friday night to help put a cast iron 390 intake on a mercury and Saturday @ the PNA beer taste.

I know the car is farther along too as I saw it Friday. He's got the top on and is grinding it smooth.

I'll tell him you guys are looking for him.


BTW, Matt this is E using the shop account to show off your car.

 

yea i guess they dropped the max #'s of stored Pm's I'll try to dig it out for ya

 

Thanks, good to hear.

 

I'm alive! just took a break from posting for a bit. If I post to much I don't have time to work on my car.... Lots of work being done right now, Customers and my own. I'm working on 4 muscle cars right now, plus a transmission on a blazer today = not much free time. Shop space is full and at a premuim ....Business is taking off though as I am starting to be known as the go to guy to make your old car run right. Hope I can keep it up. I need more space soon..... I'll have some big post soon once the weather gets worse this weekend.

 

Whew! Thought I was gonna have to send out the HAMB search party.

Good to hear business is boomin' Hitch!

 

the rear end is perfectly centered in wheel wells.... im doing one myself...was just goint to grind off the old perches, and weld in the a model stuff or engineer mounts just like henry would have made out of mild steel, but this is a good idea...thanks...kevin

 

Subscribed.....

 

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hopefully I can get the Merc from hell out of my shop and get some time to update this thread soon! Thanks for all the encouragement. Hopefully I am driving the coupe soon!

 

Pulled everything apart for a Frame height step.



I leveled the frame on saw horses, then I made some cuts, made sure things were square and then welded it back together.



Made some 2 x 4 plates



and started putting things together.



Unfortunately, my camera died and I took pictures with my cell phone. Ill have to get pictures of those later. But I completely plated the outside.

But here is a the best before and after pictures I have.



I'll get a better picture of the whole car when I have some help to push it out.



Hopefully I can get a little lower playing with the spring. thanks for looking.

 

This is where I would like it.

Just the main leaf installed, not reversed.

 

I'm no expert but I'd play with reversing the main leaf eyes and maybe taking a couple out to see where you end up.

Have you done that?

 

Yeah, I have. It's got a reverse eye main and the top two moved to the bottom to take up the slack. but I haven't removed any yet. The last picture is with only the main leaf installed.

 

Uh. Hm.. What if you converted it to a spring behind set-up unless you've already burned in the rest of the metal on the frame?

 

I've thought of going spring behind. I can still dissect it if I want to or I can cut up another frame..... I think I'm going to play with the spring a little bit more. I'm fairly happy with it now. But If I could get it a inch or two lower I would be happier. getting the front axle dropped is next on the list as the rake is gone now. This is all an experiment in what works.

 

im thinking of stretching my frame for spring behind too. Welds look a little cold.

 

Probably not a bad idea, I'm pretty sure my next car will be on a 32 frame with the spring behind.....and I ground those welds back off as At that point I had fucked up and it wasn't level.....whoops.....but it's the only picture I have.

 

Good to see some progress, I like the height you're aiming for.

 

Here is what the body mods look like.

 

Another way is to put a piece (or two) of 2x4 between the top of the rear axle housing and the spring. have your biggest friend sit on the bumper or frame on that side while you slide the shackle in place. If it doesn't align closely enough, have him bounce a couple of times. That worked for me in 1968 after I'd spent two hours trying to horse the end of the spring close enough to the spring perch. My elderly neighbor, an old Ford mechanic who cut his teeth on Model T's and A's, walked over, showed me the trick and in less time than it took to hiccup, we had both shackles in place.

Loved that guy. He helped me through a tranny, engine and banjo rebuild, and showed me a trick way to pull and replace tires and innertubes without a tool.

 

Lookin good man! I removed a few leaves on mine and reversed the eyes on the main. I don't remember exactly how many I took out. But 3 is sticking in my head. I had to find a set of roadster spring clamps for a 7 leaf rear though. They go up in the crossmember farther so you don't have to put as many leaves on the bottom for spacers.

 

I have all day tomorrow, Friday and Saturday....

 

I read that last night, Oh well. at least I made money working on other peoples stuff ...We only have to mount the column and pedals. figure the rest of the steering. shorten the torque tube and driveshaft. get a clutch and rebuild the trans. get the engine running...... Brakes.....floors......seats. I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

I'm cleaning the shop right now so we can work on you Secret Project.

 

Really nice project I will follow this one to the end I like it.


Frenchy

 

Hitchhiker , Your Coupe is going to sit just right. Wish you all the best as you complete the construction of your "A".

Dave

 

Thanks for the encouragement guys! Does anyone know how to get early ford pedal assemblies apart? I guessing grind the head off the pin holding things together.

 

Put a T spring in the rear...that'll lower it a couple of inches more than the A spring.

Neal

 

Looking really good Hitchie! I'm gathering up stuff for a similar build on my 33. Just got a really cool polished Weiand 2x2 intake for the flathead to go with the Weiand Cheaters. Excited to see this thing as it progresses.