Kevin Lee
07-06-2004, 02:54 PM
At the start of my weekend I prepared for a huge struggle to get the clutch disk lined up under the pres. plate and the trans slid into place. With a short extension, a couple of sockets, and some masking tape I improvised a centering tool. Within 5min I had everything bolted up. Rediculously easy. Clutch lever on the side of the '39 was TOUGH to move though. Had a fair bit of throw and then BAM - wouldn't budge. Is this right? I'm thinking no so I throw a wrench on the output to double check everything. Trans in 3rd and it won't budge. It took about three feet of cheater bar before I could get the arm to move but once it did the transmimssion spun easily. I may have to rethink my clutch linkage - I added a bit of length at the pedal but this may throw the ratio too far off. The pedal might be too stiff...I'll know when I drop the motor back in. Should the clutch arm be that hard to move?
Sunday I took a trip North and ended up at blakmerks to drop off a driveshaft he's going to shorten for me...I didn't realize what a pain in the ass it was going to be until he took a look at it and told me what it takes to do it right. He's going the extra mile and I owe him BIG. Not only for that but for some flathead speed parts he's letting me borrow indefinitely...you'll see them at the drags. Then we hopped in his Merc and went to check out his freind's shop. His car ate children and frightened onlookers the whole way. The poor numbnuts in the late model barely got his sentence - "You wanna race?" - finished before Brad yelled "YEAH!" and tore through the now green light leaving the driver scratching his head.
We arrive at the shop and walk through the door. Rad. Three stalls and lots of tools. Presses, brakes, shears, english wheel, bead rollers, etc. Heat, air, bathroom, fridge, and among the photos and speed equipment hanging on the wall I see a distroyed GRAN COR head. Apparently the car it was on got hit hard. One of the coolest things in the shop would probably go unnoticed by most visitors....a pair of locking pliers mounted on a plaque. I looked close. The brass plaque read "Made by my Father 1942". Hand made and they were amazing. Formed from flat sheet...a near copy of "Vice Grips". Genius. Why don't people rule anymore?
Hung out for a while then had to head home. It was good fun. Thanks to Brad and the shop owner who's name I've already forgotten...I'm a jerk.
Sunday I took a trip North and ended up at blakmerks to drop off a driveshaft he's going to shorten for me...I didn't realize what a pain in the ass it was going to be until he took a look at it and told me what it takes to do it right. He's going the extra mile and I owe him BIG. Not only for that but for some flathead speed parts he's letting me borrow indefinitely...you'll see them at the drags. Then we hopped in his Merc and went to check out his freind's shop. His car ate children and frightened onlookers the whole way. The poor numbnuts in the late model barely got his sentence - "You wanna race?" - finished before Brad yelled "YEAH!" and tore through the now green light leaving the driver scratching his head.
We arrive at the shop and walk through the door. Rad. Three stalls and lots of tools. Presses, brakes, shears, english wheel, bead rollers, etc. Heat, air, bathroom, fridge, and among the photos and speed equipment hanging on the wall I see a distroyed GRAN COR head. Apparently the car it was on got hit hard. One of the coolest things in the shop would probably go unnoticed by most visitors....a pair of locking pliers mounted on a plaque. I looked close. The brass plaque read "Made by my Father 1942". Hand made and they were amazing. Formed from flat sheet...a near copy of "Vice Grips". Genius. Why don't people rule anymore?
Hung out for a while then had to head home. It was good fun. Thanks to Brad and the shop owner who's name I've already forgotten...I'm a jerk.