Projects 31 Model A Hot Rod restoration

Aquired a 31 Model A PU in April, 2013, had it shipped from Phoenix to Minnesota and tore it down to the frame. It was a well built hot rod years ago but now needed to be rebuilt/restored. Everything will be reworked except for the exterior paint. The interior is ok, want to do the seats over, the paint will be good for a year or so, I'll decide next summer (2014). In July I started on the disassembly, cleaning/painting parts as I go, then putting those items away till later. Pulled the body off, drive train out, everything came off the car. Reworked 2 cross members on the frame, cut the tranny cross member out and made it removable. There was no way to get the engine/tranny out of the car with out taking the body off first, needed to drop the tranny tail stock down so the engine crank pulley will clear the front member. Spent much time grinding and hand sanding the frame, it then went to the body shop (Matt Schauer Restorations, Janesville, MN) where it was epoxied satin black. The front axle (Super Bell 4") is mounted and aligned (split bones), changed the front shock mounting, dropped the tops down 2" and brought the bottom of the shocks in 3", they look correct now. Rebuilt the 41 Ford steering gear (Ford cross-steer), changed the pitman arm, drag link and all the rod ends. Did away with the 264 Nailhead, replaced it with a 54 322, it's in the engine shop now, Ray Funk, Mankato, MN. it'll be dynoed. New RCI aluminum fuel cell (15 gal) is mounted. Rear axle pumkin (8.2 chevy) changed from a 3.70 to a 3.08. I moved the rear coil springs back 1", where they should've been, the rear end is now mounted and aligned correctly. Coming along, hope to finished this Spring.

 

PICTURES !!! please..........

 

More pics, 15 Gal. RCI fuel tank, new rear end, got rid of the 3.70, went with a 3.08.

 

Looks likeyou have a great plan for the rebuild. Keep the pics coming!

 

This is my Grandson Grady, this car will go to him, when he's ready for it. Putting on a few pics of the car at the begining of the project.

 

Beautiful truck man, you've done a great job. What color is that on the body?

 

The paint was on this car when I received it from Arizona (April 2013), don't know the color # but have a container with that paint in it, I'll stay with that color when I repaint next winter, it works quite well. I am reworking everything on the car except the paint and interior. I did just finished painting the firewall (Ivory) and under the car was cleaned and painted a Black Satin. Thanks for your interest.
Craig

 

Nice truck! and a nailhead too... Cool Looks like you have had a lot of cool rides

Later Andy

 

Just an old hot-rodder, happy to still be alive!!!

Thanks for your interest,

Craig

 

It is great to see kids getting started in to hot rodding. My grand kids aren't showing any interest yet. I have to do some thing to get them motivated.

 

Hey Craig Interesting last name on the funny car. I like it, how quick did did it run?
Andy

 

The funny car I built in 1973, it had a 1-1/2 x 3" rectangular chassis, short wheelbase of 96", same as the C-4 Corvette. It was a kit car body that I put on a hot-rod chassis, not intended to be a race car. This set-up, with my Hurst line-loc it would do cool burn-outs. The body was originally designed to go on a VW chassis, a 94" WB that I stretched to 96", the body was from the early 70s, made by KARR mfg., Monson, Mass. That company built a basic rectangular tube frame for the body to help market their body at car shows on the East Coast. I saw their brochure with a picture of that prototype, it was the only one ever built. I bought that car and frame from them and spent 1600 hours building the car in the picture. The front spoiler clearance was 3-1/2", not great on the street. It was titled in Indiana in 1974 as an assembled vehicle, had no seat belts, roll cage, wipers, rear view mirror, just a roadster with a one piece glass body (tilt).

I spent a lot of money on booze, women, fast cars and airplanes, the rest I just squandered

 

Got the new instrument panel mostly finished today, mounted it for a picture or two. I've started to fabricate a center console under the dash, it'll handle a radio and all the electrics, switches, etc. I'll post pictures later.

 

Cool truck...

 

Awesome truck, best to you and yours!

 

Thank you for the compliment, wishing you the best over these holidays.

Craig

 

"I spent a lot of money on booze, women, fast cars and airplanes, the rest I just squandered."

Could not have said it better myself. Your hot rod is really coming together nicely, love the nail head. I bet your grandson can't wait to able to drive it with you when he gets old enough, now that is really something to look forward to.

 

nice truck, looks like you're havin fun, build on !

 

Hope to have this finished by spring, 2014. Happy Holidays to you and family.

Craig

 

Lucky boy, I hope he appreciates it.

 

The 322 Buick engine is about finished, waiting on the valve springs and carbs. Ray Funk informed me that @ 71 years old, he has built over 3,000 engines in the last 54 years, he started when he was 17.

 

Great looking build and love the nailhead! Ray's a great guy and knows his stuff very well! He built my 425 in my roadster!

 

The new motor, a 54 Buick Roadmaster 322, is now finished, awaiting it's turn on Steve Wenzel's dyno @ Wenzel Auto Electric, Mankato, MN. This motor was built and machined by Ray Funk, Mankato, MN. I'm using the stock cast iron exhaust manifolds for the dyno work.

 

great project and some nice work ont that engine it looks great

 

Awesome!

 

Update on the chassis: I've rebuilt the front spring mount, 41 cross-steering box, brake pedal assembly and brake lines. I've modified the tranny x-member, moved the rear springs back 1", mounted the new RCI fuel tank and red Holley pump. I'm now waiting on the TH350 tranny from the shop. The new 322 Nailhead is finished, waiting on Steve Wenzel (Mankato, MN) to dyno it, should have it in a few weeks. Looking forward to Back to the 50's, MN Fairgrounds, June 20-22.

 

Looking very good! Gary

 

Awesome!

 

Great truck, it looks awesome. You're going to have a blast in your truck at Back To The 50's.