Little stuff like that can really be useful to figure out fab stuff. I wouldn't use for final assembly except the intended use, but it makes for a handy setup. Cheap, too. I've got cotter pin, E clips and some other cheap assortments. Even if you end up buying quality stuff for final, it's so nice to have a grab bag of different sizes all in one place. Another that is useful, along with O-rings and others. https://www.harborfreight.com/200-piece-assorted-spring-set-67562.html\ Other assortments. https://www.harborfreight.com/search?q=hardware assortment
I’m about 4-5 hours into the trans crossmember I’ll share some photos once it looks like something but I figured I’d update that I’m still making progress. I think once the trans is mounted/ tacked in place I’m going to switch over to the 46 and make some repairs and do maintenance to put it on the road for the summer.
Hey, Tim; ~1/4"->3/8" (additional)spacers/washers under both motor mounts & either the trans mount or the bellhousing mounts(I don't remember what you're using). Keeps the driveline angle the same. Marcus...
Just a little random note but I think I’m going to use the Monroe 5752 shocks up front on the A. They are the common Plymouth shocks recommended all the time for hot rod projects. I ended up buying them for my 46 and found them very beefy feeling, American made and it drastically improved the ride and handling of that car. I did a search on what people are using on A’s with heavier engines such as hemis, or lighter engines with blowers added etc and a lot of them are using this same shock! I figure that my 46 with a sbc has probably close to the same weight over the front axle as the A with the stude. If more not by a huge amount so I should expect to have them behave similar. more of a note to myself but figured I’d post it either way.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...craigslist-cars.1256824/page-63#post-15569436 did you see these?
@nochop yup! so still kinda paused but I did make the swap meet yesterday and found two new to me contacts for model A and T parts local-ish. I also snagged something I’ve wanted ever since I saw @T&A Flathead with luggage strapped to the running boards at the hamb drags. previously the ones I’ve found have been really crusty, out of my budget or both! this set was the cheapest and the nicest I’ve found yet so I had to grab it. There’s room in the car for the whole family but the whole family and their bags for a trip… not so much. I’m also considering a little luggage platform that cantilever’s off the rear of the car that would be easy to take on and off. But that’s a project for down the road.
Yeah, perfect weather for the Lawrence swap meet this year. I came back with two air cleaners (both are a half inch to big around and interfere with the firewall), a less-than-perfect rearview mirror and a crusty Model A teacup left side that was number one on my shopping list. It's exactly what I needed.
About 3/4 of the way through with shock mounts on the 46. A press would have made this much faster but I’m moving along. I think I should be bringing my trans cross member parts home this weekend. Need rear shocks and a tab on the 46 hood fixed before I can daily it and get back to the A.
Love the luggage cage! What you need for the back is the luggage box I have on the back of mine that opens up and makes an even bigger box....but easy to remove it ain't. LOL
I think the jist of my plan is a trailer hitch bolted to the rear bumper irons and I’ll slide a platform into the receiver. You can buy those for so cheap it seems pointless to build one. But who knows what might find me between now and then.
Ok a little progress which sets me up for some real progress! few weeks ago I was up to my armpits in trans/ wishbone mount mockup, measuring and scheming. This is what I came up with. and now I’ve got it this far ready to fit and mock up in the car before welding solid. after it’s in the car holding the drivetrain I’m going to move onto ladder bars and then rear springs. I’ve been figuring that all out the last while and I’m thinking it should move fairly quick
This is really exciting to be getting these pieces to the puzzle. Get those parts done and it’s pretty much a rolling chassis. Super cool!
Yeah I’m excited, this is a big step in the project to me because it feels like cresting the hill. The ladder bars will feel lighting quick in comparison. And then we are rolling! I think I’ve got my plan for the springs, shocks and all the rear axle brackets figured out I just need to get them all on the axle at the same time to see what runs into what
Alright a quick update! got the 46 shock mounts installed and made a successful 20-25 mile drive threw town. It’s still got some weirdness/ noises going on but the bulk of what I HAD to get done to move forward is done or at least version one is done. I’ll top the fluids, put it on stands and do a good inspection hunting down some weirdness. I painted everything gloss black when I put anything ont he last few years so if something moves or rubs I should have easy to spot wear marks. Next up I finally started my thread on a project you guys have seen off to the side for a couple years. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/building-my-first-roadster-in-kansas-city.1335438/ I’m hoping to keep that thread more progress reports, tech process, and little stories about the parts. I’m hopeful for the same community chit chat that we have on this thread but I’m hoping to keep some of my neurotic mental process off the thread to streamline it some and keep the narrative of that build clear. So where does that land the A? Well it’s basically next up! However it is the end of school time of year and generally that takes a couple weeks to establish the new daily schedule and work flow. So I’m not entirely sure when I’ll get moving forward but when I do it will be working on the trans/wishbone cross member/mounts. I have all the pieces, all the tools and equipment I should need and any extra help lined up. So now I just need time. as always I’ll keep you all posted. I’m really wanting this thing rolling and steering on it’s own by the end of summer.
Glad you've got the '46 back in shape and ready for a summer of fun. Looking forward to the roadster as well, this should be fun!
Awesome! My county sends a weed inspector around so I'm forced to get way into lawn care right now...
Little update as I’m back on the A this week. little weird having my brain shift from making shapes out of sheet metal over to making structures and an anal amount of measuring but I’m sure I’ll get the hang of it. Started trimming, fitting and mocking up the trans cross member, front shocks showed up, and I should have the rest of the rear end brackets and some other smalls show up this coming weekend. really hoping to have this car rolling with the drive train being held by the chassis by the end of July if not a few weeks earlier.the bulk of the big head scratching is done. Well for now anyways. hoping to share good updates soon.
Got the width narrowed down enough to mock up but wide enough to have a lot of wiggle room with placement should my initial measurement be off or plan needs tweaked. Got the cross tube where it’s supposed to be and tacked. I’ll add the pads and mock it up on the car next.
I have one of those still in the box. I think I got it when you mentioned in earlier in this thread. I'm thinking I may just attach the top to one end of my chassis table if I ever get to where I can see it.
It’s pretty light duty comparatively to a “real” fixture table but it’s perfect for what most of us are doing
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