Projects World's Slowest Hot Rod

So, for more years than I would like to admit, I've been working on my '29 Ford Model A. I am building a prewar style hot rod. I am trying to be as period correct as possible, with maybe a few ideas from other eras. It is a special coupe and will remain an unchopped highboy.

This is my first complete build from scratch and I will be trying to as much myself as time and reason allows(no reason to buy a $1,000 machine to do one $100 job).

I have done a lot of work so far, and will try to catch up on some pics and stories.

 

I'll be over there...patiently waiting

 

And I'll be here patiently waiting also.

 

And I'm here.. patiently waiting also.HRP

 

I started on my Roadster in 1962, think I'm leading this race. Bob

 

AHHHH anybody can go fast.

 

So i missed that the World's Slowest Hot Rod reference had multiple meanings. I was referring to the fact that it will be running a banger, which at first will be pretty much stock, and as I shake it out , I will add some bolt on speed parts. Hopefully sub 30 second 1/4 mile.

I'm having trouble getting the pics to upload. I'm getting an error message "There was a problem uploading your file"

 

have the same problem with posting pics here - sometimes clicking restart of computer when you get error message helps. other times could only post pics in the evening. sometimes nothing works. have posted a lot of pics in the past. can post & share elsewhere without problems. maybe Windows 10 hic up?

 

Maybe administrator or web techs can look into this. I experience it too. I just keep uploading till it takes. Sometimes I click into more options then upload or click preview and upload. Perhaps it may be a volume thing. Can you imagine how many pics are being loaded at once on this sight.
World's Slowest Hot Rod...I thought you meant its still in the garage sitting still and taking a long time to build like the way I do things around here

 

Thanks Jalopy Joker. I have an iMac and have restarted it. Still not working.

Stogy, that is also happening. This is taking way longer than I thought it would, although I'm not surprised.

 

OK, so dragging and dropping appears to be working!


Here is the chassis as it was brought home. I got some things out to get it started.

 

Here is the body in the back of my 4 x 8 trailer.

 

Prewar I just tried doing an edit and load a pic to my previous post and got an error message several times. I logged out of the Hamb, logged back on selected stay logged on, went back to thread and clicked upload and used same pic and it worked twice. So try that...

You got it cool...

 

First things first. I got a 6V battery, checked the oil, set up a temporary fuel supply, set the timing and tried to start it. It started right up and ran well. That is when I thought I may as well run the banger, she's wanting to run and I'll give her another chance at life.

 

Next was the brakes. I had never worked on mechanical brakes, but they were pretty easy to understand. I picked up the Les Andrews book, joined the Ford Barn, and with the help of local Model A guru Jerry Isbell, I was on my way.

 

I wanted to stay pretty true to the Era, but I'm no expert so I went ahead and lowered the front end. I reversed the eye on the front main leaf with the help of my friend Chopper and his press.

We traced the original spring arch on the floor of his porch for reference. Then we marked a line every inch on the leaf and put it in the press. After it matched the original arc, it was ready to install, less a couple of other leafs left out.

 

Nice work, good to see a coat of paint on the shoes and carefully bent cotter pins. Bob

 

I got sent the original Model A front axle to Okie Joe to have it dropped. He also cut the actuator arm bolt holes from the spring perches, heated and bent the steering arms, and cut off my balls(steering), and drilled them for '32 style balls.

 

Thanks The37Kid, I'm trying to do the best job I can do.

 

Now for the rear spring. I got a T spring, lot a couple of leafs and stretched it to the perches. I probably got about 2" down.

I was concerned about the smaller area of contact with the crossmember so I traced the arcs and cut rock maple shims to make up the difference in the arc and disperse the weight across the area of the crossmember as originally designed.

 

Here's the engine, tranny, and frame cleaned up and painted.

 

The engine has a Miller Machine rebuild tag from 4/49.

 

Slow..........maybe. Cool............most definitely

 

Thanks Waxhead!

 

I think I'm very much in the race too

 

You do pretty work sir! What are you planning to do to the body?

 

glad got pics posted - can be a challenge. Thanks for info on build

 

Is this an issue? Im running a model A spring with some leaves removed and never thought about the contact area. do you think it may crack the crossmember?

 

Ha ha. Apparently a common thread here.

Thank you. I'm making the necessary repairs to the metal, installing new wood, and eventually, the leatherette top. No current plans for a chop or channel.

I guess I figured it out. I might be dumb, but I am not stupid.

I was only concerned with the T spring because it has a tighter arc, and therefore a smaller contact area with the crossmember. Nothing to do with the removed springs. I'm always a little cautious however.

 

It looks fantastic. Good job