The Jalopy Journal

The Oz Rat · 08-15-2009, 07:50 PM

Here starts my journey into the build of my first Rod……

The vision is a Deuce, 3 window, Coupe running an 8BA Flathead with twin Stromberg 94's and all the traditional Interior, Brakes and Suspension bits. The colour is still undecided, something traditional but not common…… that will take some thinking through.

It's debut is planned for the Chopped Rod & Custom Show (Victoria, Australia) 2010.

Sourcing has begun and a number of parts are already locked away in the cupboard.

The 8BA was sourced locally here in Melbourne (Australia). It looked like it had just been fished out of the bottom of the Sea……. 60 years of Road muck was caked all over it.

Upon removing the Heads I uncovered that all was OK apart from one cylinder. Whilst sitting idle over time, it appears that Rain had been coming down the Carby, down the inlet runner into one of the cylinders. The Piston & Valves were fused to the cylinder wall. Apart from that, the motor looked OK for a 60 year old.

Rat Bastad came over and we began stripping the rest of the engine.
He began the disassembly work…… Water Pumps, Distributor, Cam Plate, Harmonic Balancer, Sump, Oil Pick-up, all came off without a hint of resistance.

The Main Caps came off and upon close inspection of the bearings we viewed the original Ford stamping….. It was evident that this motor was a Virgin Bore and had never been rebuilt. But the sign of the Copper Head Gasket and silver paint on the Block Deck did indicate that the Head Gaskets had been replaced.

Work continued removing the Con Rod bolts… The Crank them came out followed by seven Pistons. The eighth piston had fused to the cylinder wall and was not going to come quietly…… Some additional persuasion was deemed necessary.

Out came the Cold Chisel & Sledge Hammer……. It was 12.30am by this time and the neighbours were all cuddled up in Bed whilst the sound of smashing metal was emanating from my Garage.

After a long night of disassembly and turning Bolts that hadn't moved in 60 years we were left with a Block with the Cam/Valve & Lifters still in place along with 3/4 of a Piston stuck in a Bore, a Broken Head Bolt and one broken Valve.

Flatoz then stepped in with his suggestion….. A 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF is proven to be the best solution for losening up those stuborn components. Two days of soaking the piston and then two good hits with a hammer and the culprit was out. This seemed amazing considering we put holes in the piston initially without Budging it.

The Bore didn't look to good….. A possible sleeve would be required, but I'll let the Machine shop confirm that one.

A few weeks later Rat Bastad came back with the Special Tool to remove the Valves. An hour later and 15 of the 16 Valves, Guides, Springs & Lifters were out. The 16th Valve was siezed in the Guide and so will need to be cut out with a Grinding wheel.

I now need to go buy a Grinding wheel small enough to get in the confined space so I can cut this valve out

Once that is done and the Cam is removed, it will be off to the Engine Machiner for a Bath in the Hot Tank. From there it will have a two month Dip in the Molasses for all the rust to be cleaned out of the Water Jackets.

Components are still being sourced but the key component is still missing……. The Frame.

Our Auto Registration Board here in Oz has strict guidelines on aftermarket Frames which is why I need to find an Original frame……. And so the search continues.

Till next time.

56 ford custom · 08-15-2009, 07:55 PM

Wow you got a serious project going with that motor. I will be following the build it sounds great.

Falcon · 08-15-2009, 07:56 PM

looks like you hit your thumb. I think you can fill that hole with a piece of sheet metal.
Good Luck to The Oz Rat

kieran · 08-15-2009, 07:57 PM

sounds like its gonna be a bitchen car

Airborne34 · 08-15-2009, 07:59 PM

What do you use to compress the spring. I have an old tool but I cannot seem to compress the spring to get the retainer out. Its a 59AB

Hubbcat · 08-15-2009, 08:06 PM

Good luck...................

Duece's wild · 08-15-2009, 08:12 PM

I've got a new std. bore flathead v8 still in the original crate for sale if you want to start fresh. includes crank. no heads.

The Oz Rat · 08-15-2009, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duece's wild

I've got a new std. bore flathead v8 still in the original crate for sale if you want to start fresh. includes crank. no heads.

Thanks, but I think this is fixable and I've already purchased Offy Heads, Timing Gear & other bits for it.

As for the Valve Spring Compression Tool. I'm eying one off on ebay at the moment.

LIFESTYLZ · 08-15-2009, 08:16 PM

Cool to see an old flattie rescued..
Cheers from across the ditch..

**Royalshifter** · 08-15-2009, 08:20 PM

Can't wait to see the progress...RB's coupe is awesome.

WhiteDevil · 08-15-2009, 08:20 PM

Looks like its going...got any pics of the body/frame or are you still searching?

The Oz Rat · 08-15-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteDevil

Looks like its going...got any pics of the body/frame or are you still searching?

I'm still searchin for the Frame, if anyone out there has one for sale please PM me.

The body will most likely be a 'Decue Customs' body as he is local to me and I can keep an eye on the progress.

X38 · 08-15-2009, 08:23 PM

Hey, great looking project! The Bastard will keep you on the right track.

Do you really need an original frame?Most inspecting engineers operate on the 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck' principal. In other words new stamped rails are fine. Maybe it's different down there? God knows there are a lot of Dueces in Vic and no way are they all on original frames!

Human Fly · 08-15-2009, 08:24 PM

Good stuff. Give stovebolt a message, he 'may' have an orig frame rails for sale.

**onedge** · 08-15-2009, 08:36 PM

never know what to expect from oz....give that flat head hell! good stuff man.

**Kustom Linez** · 08-15-2009, 08:41 PM

Well looks like you will be catching a ride for the 2009 show. What are you doing for a body & frame?

63Compact · 08-15-2009, 08:47 PM

You dont need an original frame in Victoria just get some American stamping rails.

X38 · 08-15-2009, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63Compact

You dont need an original frame in Victoria just get some American stamping rails.

Ah Ha!

Or, some JW ones from Riley (HAMB vendor), they are super nice.

Human Fly · 08-15-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63Compact

You dont need an original frame in Victoria just get some American stamping rails.

I think you do if your running a glass body and want to rego it as a 32 not a 2009, well thats what i am lead to belive anyway.

The Oz Rat · 08-15-2009, 09:26 PM

This is what I have ben able to uncover from Engineers I've spoken to about my project to date.

As far as they are concerned, as stated earlier, 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck' they are happy. Who I have to really prove it to is Vic Roads (Our Registration Board). They need paperwork, details of the purchased item with Frame Numbers etc.

'Human Fly' was spot on. If I'm going to put a Glass body on it I need the original rails. The Glass Body presents it's own issues. I need a 3 point seatbelt, Padded dash & seat mounted to the floor to ensure visibility through the chopped rear window. All these are do-able & then un-doable.

Different states in Oz have different rules. These are the Victorian rules.

No Engineer would release any further info without $$$ crossing their palms. So that's gonna be my next step.

08-15-2009, 07:50 PM	#1
The Oz Rat Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 443	My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Here starts my journey into the build of my first Rod…… The vision is a Deuce, 3 window, Coupe running an 8BA Flathead with twin Stromberg 94's and all the traditional Interior, Brakes and Suspension bits. The colour is still undecided, something traditional but not common…… that will take some thinking through. It's debut is planned for the Chopped Rod & Custom Show (Victoria, Australia) 2010. Sourcing has begun and a number of parts are already locked away in the cupboard. The 8BA was sourced locally here in Melbourne (Australia). It looked like it had just been fished out of the bottom of the Sea……. 60 years of Road muck was caked all over it. Upon removing the Heads I uncovered that all was OK apart from one cylinder. Whilst sitting idle over time, it appears that Rain had been coming down the Carby, down the inlet runner into one of the cylinders. The Piston & Valves were fused to the cylinder wall. Apart from that, the motor looked OK for a 60 year old. Rat Bastad came over and we began stripping the rest of the engine. He began the disassembly work…… Water Pumps, Distributor, Cam Plate, Harmonic Balancer, Sump, Oil Pick-up, all came off without a hint of resistance. The Main Caps came off and upon close inspection of the bearings we viewed the original Ford stamping….. It was evident that this motor was a Virgin Bore and had never been rebuilt. But the sign of the Copper Head Gasket and silver paint on the Block Deck did indicate that the Head Gaskets had been replaced. Work continued removing the Con Rod bolts… The Crank them came out followed by seven Pistons. The eighth piston had fused to the cylinder wall and was not going to come quietly…… Some additional persuasion was deemed necessary. Out came the Cold Chisel & Sledge Hammer……. It was 12.30am by this time and the neighbours were all cuddled up in Bed whilst the sound of smashing metal was emanating from my Garage. After a long night of disassembly and turning Bolts that hadn't moved in 60 years we were left with a Block with the Cam/Valve & Lifters still in place along with 3/4 of a Piston stuck in a Bore, a Broken Head Bolt and one broken Valve. Flatoz then stepped in with his suggestion….. A 50/50 mix of Acetone & ATF is proven to be the best solution for losening up those stuborn components. Two days of soaking the piston and then two good hits with a hammer and the culprit was out. This seemed amazing considering we put holes in the piston initially without Budging it. The Bore didn't look to good….. A possible sleeve would be required, but I'll let the Machine shop confirm that one. A few weeks later Rat Bastad came back with the Special Tool to remove the Valves. An hour later and 15 of the 16 Valves, Guides, Springs & Lifters were out. The 16th Valve was siezed in the Guide and so will need to be cut out with a Grinding wheel. I now need to go buy a Grinding wheel small enough to get in the confined space so I can cut this valve out Once that is done and the Cam is removed, it will be off to the Engine Machiner for a Bath in the Hot Tank. From there it will have a two month Dip in the Molasses for all the rust to be cleaned out of the Water Jackets. Components are still being sourced but the key component is still missing……. The Frame. Our Auto Registration Board here in Oz has strict guidelines on aftermarket Frames which is why I need to find an Original frame……. And so the search continues. Till next time. Last edited by The Oz Rat; 10-03-2010 at 06:48 AM.

08-15-2009, 07:55 PM	#2
56 ford custom Old School HAMBer Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Socal Posts: 4,682	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Wow you got a serious project going with that motor. I will be following the build it sounds great. __________________ FOMOCO LOW LIFE

08-15-2009, 07:56 PM	#3
Falcon Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Gardnerville, Nevada Posts: 478	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 looks like you hit your thumb. I think you can fill that hole with a piece of sheet metal. Good Luck to The Oz Rat __________________ Big mistake Many make Rely on horn Instead of Brake Burma Shave

08-15-2009, 07:57 PM	#4
kieran Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 274	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 sounds like its gonna be a bitchen car __________________

08-15-2009, 07:59 PM	#5
Airborne34 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East of the So-Cal Breakers. Posts: 415	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 What do you use to compress the spring. I have an old tool but I cannot seem to compress the spring to get the retainer out. Its a 59AB

08-15-2009, 08:06 PM	#6
Hubbcat Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 562	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Good luck................... __________________ yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees i know i spell like shit.

08-15-2009, 08:12 PM	#7
Duece's wild Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Menlo Park, California Posts: 58	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 I've got a new std. bore flathead v8 still in the original crate for sale if you want to start fresh. includes crank. no heads.

08-15-2009, 08:16 PM	#9
LIFESTYLZ Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mangakino ........ New Zealand Posts: 2,844	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Cool to see an old flattie rescued.. Cheers from across the ditch.. __________________ . My Lincoln build thread: My Lincoln video: My Van build thread:

08-15-2009, 08:20 PM	#10
Royalshifter Alliance Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 15,528	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Can't wait to see the progress...RB's coupe is awesome. __________________ "I LIKE KUSTOMS"

08-15-2009, 08:20 PM	#11
WhiteDevil Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jacksonville Beach, FL Posts: 674	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Looks like its going...got any pics of the body/frame or are you still searching? __________________ *Make it three yards, mother**, and we'll have us an automobile race...* WHITEDEVIL 56 CHEVY

08-15-2009, 08:23 PM	#13
X38 Old School HAMBer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,253	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Hey, great looking project! The Bastard will keep you on the right track. Do you really need an original frame?Most inspecting engineers operate on the 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck' principal. In other words new stamped rails are fine. Maybe it's different down there? God knows there are a lot of Dueces in Vic and no way are they all on original frames!

08-15-2009, 08:24 PM	#14
Human Fly Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Melbourne, New Holland Posts: 1,961	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Good stuff. Give stovebolt a message, he 'may' have an orig frame rails for sale. __________________ WANTED: Lincoln Y block (53-55) to 39 Ford box trans adapter.

08-15-2009, 08:36 PM	#15
onedge Alliance Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: cream ridge Posts: 987	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 never know what to expect from oz....give that flat head hell! good stuff man. __________________ "TOO MUCH BOOGIE WOOGIE"

08-15-2009, 08:41 PM	#16
Kustom Linez Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: SOUTH MUCKLEFORD AUSTRALIA Posts: 802	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 Well looks like you will be catching a ride for the 2009 show. What are you doing for a body & frame? __________________ WANTED ---SINGLE SIDE OF HEMI EC6 EDELBROCK 6X2 LOG --- www.chopped.com.au www.kustomlinez.com

08-15-2009, 08:47 PM	#17
63Compact Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Crimebourne, Australia Posts: 941	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 You dont need an original frame in Victoria just get some American stamping rails.

08-15-2009, 09:26 PM	#20
The Oz Rat Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 443	Re: My Deuce Coup Project - Part 1 This is what I have ben able to uncover from Engineers I've spoken to about my project to date. As far as they are concerned, as stated earlier, 'if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck' they are happy. Who I have to really prove it to is Vic Roads (Our Registration Board). They need paperwork, details of the purchased item with Frame Numbers etc. 'Human Fly' was spot on. If I'm going to put a Glass body on it I need the original rails. The Glass Body presents it's own issues. I need a 3 point seatbelt, Padded dash & seat mounted to the floor to ensure visibility through the chopped rear window. All these are do-able & then un-doable. Different states in Oz have different rules. These are the Victorian rules. No Engineer would release any further info without $$$ crossing their palms. So that's gonna be my next step.

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