Projects 1928 Model A Phaeton

A lot of guys machine the housing and add a seal around the sector shaft. I wonder if that is where the "o" ring was intended to be used? How big is it?

Charlie Stephens

 

You might be right.
Don't have the exact measurment in my head at the moment but as far as size goes it
could definitely be used for what you're suggesting, if I remember the size of it somewhat correctly.

 

Todays work consisted of getting the correct rear spring in place. New shackles and bushings as well.
Rear springs sure are scary but all went well and I survived to tell the tale.

 

This last week has been really hot here in Sweden, with temperatures reaching 89*F in the shadow.
Couldn't help but think that this is what it must have felt like in California, 1941 or so.
But I've managed to get some more things done in the heat on this old Phaeton.

Installed the rear axle on the chassis.
I cut down some old leaf springs to make spacers that goes under the main leaf to make up for this new
thinner spring pack.

Then I installed the front brake rods, so now I have a rolling and ALMOST braking chassis.
Next thing to do will be to pull the rear brake drums and have a look at what hides in there.

 

Haven't gotten around to do any work on the rear brakes yet.

But today I picked up the B-trans I'm going to use.
It was once installed in a Model A race car of some sort so the shift lever is crazy short so that will be lengthened back to stock spec and then I'll give the case a fresh coat of paint.

 

As we can see here the gear stick is now a bit taller than yesterday and I gave the case a new coat of paint.
Far from perfect but it will get the job done.

 

Making progress!

 

I sure am.

Next week my adjustable valve lifters are getting machined to stock dimension so they can fit in to the block.
After that it's a matter of installing the camshaft, valves and new gaskets everywhere in the engine and then I can finally install engine + trans in the frame.

 

Nothing exciting to report but pushed the chassis outside to have a look at the stance from a distance.
I kinda like how it sits now, a bit worried it may have to much rake when the engine and tranny gets installed, so may have to add 1 or 2 leafs in the front later on.

 

SCHYST STUK!

 

Instead of adding leaves to the front, I decided to pull a couple of leaves out the back.
Didn't get a sideview shot for some reason but the rear dropped just a bit more than 1/2" and got a bit softer, before it was really stiff compared to the front which I didn't like.

Overall I'm really happy with how it looks and feels now.




Than I decided to get artistic and shoot a picture of my garage from above, just because I could.
This old Ford stuff just makes me feel really good about life.

 

Found a steering wheel that was perfectly aged for this project.
Gave it a quick polish and installed it on the column.

 

And we have a touchdown, sort of.
The stock A rear motor mounts don't line up with the mounting holes in the B flywheel cover but I have a plan on how to solve that, hopefully it will work as good in reality as it does in my mind

 

Done with the modification of the rear engine mounts.
Time will tell if it works out.

 

By the looks of it you have an early '28 frame, solid motor mount and early type center crossmember. Possibly April of '28, by the hole in the center crossmember for the battery ground bolt. The hole was moved to it's present location in April of '28. Can you get a number from the frame?

 

Yes, the frame is an early one so I cut the solid motor mount off to make room for the later type.
There are some some numbers on the frame but I don't remember them so I will check again.

The body is from May ´28 but the frame I have is from another car.

 

Had to do a little mockup with the cowl and radiator now that the engine and tranny is in.
Also got the wishbone mount in place and the caster set to 5 degrees, I think it will work ok.

 

Got the front wishbone mounted to the B-trans during the last few days so had to push this thing outside and have a look from a bit of distance again.

Looking good I think.

 

As usual progress is slow, but I got the rear brakes freshened up a bit and somewhat adjusted.
Also got the pedals installed and hooked up and made a little bend in the shifter so I don't hit the dash when in reverse.



A couple of weeks ago I bought myself a bunch of old chrome air cleaners, one is going on this project and the rest of them will be saved for future projects.

 

How many leaves did you end up with in the rear spring? Looks good.

 

I started out with 5 leaves and now I'm down to 3.
The spring and rear axle I have came from a '30 Model A pickup so the leaves are much thicker than passenger car leaves.

If I remember correctly 3 of my thick leaves equals like 4,5 passenger car leaves in total thickness.

 

Started messing with the front brakes tonight.
Old linings were really worn so bought some new linings, rivets and a riveting tool and went to work.
Actually really fun to do some real old school work.

One down, three to go.

 

Cool thread. Looks like yours is as rough as mine. Enjoying your photos thus far.

 

Thank you.
Yes the body is pretty rough, not decided yet if I'm gonna leave it like that or do a brush paint on it to at least get a uniform color.

 

Got bored so mocked up the hood.
Maybe I'll paint the whole body to match the hood? Something to think about.

 

Long time since the last update but today I swapped out the butchered radiator shell for one that is not.
And if everything works out as it should a major update is coming tomorrow.

 

paint it!

 

Yes, it will most likely be brush painted to achieve a uniform look.

 

excellent

 

Finally, the body arrived today.
Still work to be done: bolt it to the frame, get the new doors to fit properly, make a new backrest for the front seat etc. but it's getting there.