noob from Virginia

[MikeVCU]

I have a '31 ford custom roadster that I'm trying to make new again. I am currently a sophomore in college so I work on it when I can. I got the car at the beginning of this past summer. Lemme know what you think or if you have any suggestions. Thanks:)

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA001.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA002.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA003.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA004.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA005.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA006.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA007.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA008.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA009.jpg

http://i428.photobucket.com/albums/qq5/Mike_V_tell_em/FordModelA010.jpg

[29paul]

Welcome live in Chester. Cool car

[D-Russ]

Welcome Mike. I went to VCU too, but I graduated almost 20 years ago. I'm still in Richmond – came here for college and never left. Cool car – where'd you find it? You should join the Virginia HAMBers social group to get to know more local gear heads.

Does the flatty turn over? What make is that intake?

[MikeVCU]

Cool, I live in Chester also. I got the car from my uncle who had to move out of state and he couldn't take it with him. He was trying to get rid of it and I was really interested in taking it off his hands and keeping it in the family. The Flatty does turn over and its an Offenhauser intake.

[D-Russ]

OK Paul, go help Mike get his hot rod running and drive it over to my house this weekend so I can check it out.;)

[29paul]

Hell I cant finish my truck.:( Why dont you drive the vicky to Chester?

[beatcad]

looks like a pretty serious project for a college guy. you should really be studying. and money? hah! yer a college student. you aint got none. if ya do have some extra bread you'lle buy a six pack or a couple bottles of night train.
free time to work on a hot rod? i think when i was in college i was pretty buzy chasing chicks.
maybe you should pass that rod onto a guy(like me) that has nothin' better to do than work on stuff.

of course in kiddin' man.
work on the rod and keep it in the family.
dont do drugs and stay in school....oh, it's college...yeah, do drugs.


welcome to the board and the wild world of hot rods.
and look for the TRASH A RAMA car show in richmond comin' up in oct.


p.s. i was jokin' about doin' drugs.

[D-Russ]

October 18 on West Main Street in the Fan. I'll be there.

http://www.trashorama.com/home.html

[Kenny275]

Hey guys, I'm from Chesterfield and joined today. I'm slowly piecing together a mid 50s pickup. That's the first time I've hear about trashorama but I plan on going if I can get outta work.

[D-Russ]

Hey guys, I'm from Chesterfield and joined today. I'm slowly piecing together a mid 50s pickup. That's the first time I've hear about trashorama but I plan on going if I can get outta work.

Welcome Kenny, now post up some pics of that truck, and join the Virginia HAMBers social group.

(You may also want to start your own intro thread.)

[MikeVCU]

That show looks like its gonna be awesome. I'll definitely try and make that. Hope to see you all there :)

[Big Todd]

Welcome! Looks like you've got a cool project!

[cadillac dave]

Welcome. Kool car. Cadillac dave

[cadillac dave]

Right on , cadillac dave

[MikeVCU]

Thanks for your support guys :) rear axle hunting this weekend at the junkyard :D

[hankabilly13]

Very cool I am in Richmond! hit me up if you are in the area.

hank

[Just Gary]

Welcome... from up I-95.

[shadowmtkustomz]

Awesome Roadster!

[MikeVCU]

Found an axle today at the junkyard, its out of an 80's econoline 150 van. It's 60" wide and its got a 5x5.5" lug pattern. I didn't buy it yet because I'm still not 100% sure if it's the best choice. I know I want that lug patten though so that it matches the front, what should I do? ps. the axle was only $95 w/o the drums.

[D-Russ]

Found an axle today at the junkyard, its out of an 80's econoline 150 van. It's 60" wide and its got a 5x5.5" lug pattern. I didn't buy it yet because I'm still not 100% sure if it's the best choice. I know I want that lug patten though so that it matches the front, what should I do? ps. the axle was only $95 w/o the drums.

I'm sure it's a 9 inch which is more than strong enough for a light car like yours. What rear is in the car now? Model A? If so you'll need to change the drive shaft at the same time as the rear. A Model A has a closed driveline with a torque tube and a triangulated wishbone set up. How do you plan to locate and suspend the new rear? Before you buy it measure your current rear from hub to hub. If it's close to 60 inches you're OK, but the van rear may be too wide since it's in a full sized truck. Early Broncos are the same 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern but they're narrower – but probably hard to find. Early Jeeps and Scouts also have the same pattern and should be narrower. Since your car looks like a pretty old build, I'd think about keeping the banjo if that's what's currently in it. It would probably hold up to the flatty just fine and be a lot less work.

You should post this inquiry in a new thread on the main board to get the full benefit of all the knowledge here. Once you've done your intro, there's no need to post here any more. The main board gets a lot more traffic.

Good luck.

[D-Russ]

I just looked at the pics you posted. It looks like you do have a banjo rear with the wide five bolt pattern. Ford used that rear from 36-39 I believe. If you're basically interested in changing the bolt pattern You should think about just changing the drums to 40-48 drums. That'll give you the bolt pattern you want.

[MikeVCU]

Oh okay, I might go that route then and just get different drums, I didn't know you could do that. it would be cheaper and save me a lot of time and work pulling that other axle off the van, haha. Thanks DRuss :)

[Lstude]

I am from Richmond too. Just joined yesterday.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/LHSJR/VAAviationMuseum51008sm.jpg

[ClutchDumpinDan]

Neat project you've got there. Welcome aboard.

[MikeVCU]

Thanks for the support everyone! :) It's cool to see this many people near where I live. nice rides everyone, they give me confidence to build mine up. p.s. Lstude, my uncle used to work at the aviation museum in your photo, haha, small world. good luck all, and thanks. :)

[57 HEAP]

Welcome Mike. Your car reminds me of a MG.

Hey Dave, I thought you said there weren't any car guys in Richmond. You all could get together and do some wrenching.