1952-59 Ford What have you done lately?

VEIN: It's an original '52 front crossmember, but a previous owner had cut it to mount a Y-block, or so I was told. It doesn't look like that swap ever took place as there are no other modifications to support it. When I got it a stock flathead was in it, with stock mounts, linkages, etc.

When I got the car the piece that had been cut out of the crossmember had been welded back in - very poorly - and the whole crossmember slathered with bondo to hide the work.

From a distance it looked original. I didn't know it had been modified, I thought somebody had bondo'd over rust and I was concerned about safety.

I ground the bondo away and cut the piece back out, planning to re-install it, only doing the work right this time. Once I got the piece cut out I found that the crossmember had been correctly reinforced, but the welding was of poor quality.

So I cut away most of the old welding, cleaned up the edges and welded it properly. Once I got this far I made an executive decision to leave it modified, just in case I might want to install a Y-block myself at some future date.

Glad I did. The old modification is just about perfect for the front-sump pan on the Chevy small block as I mentioned before.

Pure luck, that's all.

 

Just a suggestion a Mallory YL distributor is smaller than the GM usually dirt cheap on ebay,put a Pertronics kit it it and call it good probably less than $100 total,no dimple required and added room when the engine torques.You could also use the Mallory Marine "clamshell" cap where the wires come out the sides rather than the top.

 

Hey Eric.... I had the same problem with my chevy distributor. I ended up using a MSD 8360 with vacuum advance that dropped right in without any clearance problems at all with plenty of room for wires. I set all my timing and it runs like ****d ape!

 

Ain't it great when a plan comes together.

 

I'm giving in.... looks like I'll be doing a re-paint this late fall. I have a very hungry car painter that laid off that needs to feed his kids. We are in the starting stages of trying to figure out the color... I'm leaning toward a light gray top to match the interior trim and some shade of blue on the bottom. We'll completely blow this thing apart with one left rear quarter being replaced to get rid of about 10 pounds of filler! We will address the rear wheel removal problem with some trickery.... stayed tuned!

 

Geno...

I know, I know...velcro quarter panels!

 

Not too much to report here. I spent a little time on my 54 hope to get it back on the ground this weekend. I installed my new stock 3.31 gears and found a couple of little things while I was under there. I need to finish it up soon I'm planning on taking it to Charlotte for the GoodGuys show at the end of OCT.
I did figured out what my father in-law vibration was in his 55. There is no rubber trans mount its solid. I can't believe the inspector missed that.

 

Took the 54 for its first drive in 7 years felt good everything seem to work just perfect still at the shop just finished painting some interior pieces will hopefully have the dash put back together this weekend is my gauges show up.

 

It's Friday and it's raining...and s'posta continue all weekend. I'm bummed. I had a local shop freshen up the Maverick rear axle that's going under my car and was really looking forward to getting it in this weekend. Prolly not...

I'm sure I can find something else to do... Besides, we really needed the rain.

More later...

 

I am still trying to get my head wrapped around the monumental task I am starting. I just need to keep reminding myself that I don't need, well can't afford, to get it all done this week.

 

Just take it one step at a time, Chris. A journey of a hundred miles is made up of many single steps, each taken one at a time.

As you may or may not have noticed in by build thread, I set one small, attainable goal for myself...and then meet it.

Then I set another small, attainable goal...and then meet it. And so on, and so on...

Sometimes the goal is as simple as looking for, and finding, a single bolt for a specific application.

As you complete each goal, you'll get a feeling of success that will energize you to attempt the next one. And so on...

We have all felt overwhelmed by the size and scope of a rod building project...you are by no means the first to feel this way.

This method works, believe me. You've got a fine start on a car that will be really nice when it's done.

Now, set your first small, attainable goal...and get to work!


Eric

 

Thanks for the encouragement.