A while back I started a thread asking about a pure and achievable pre-WWII build. That thread went on for 5 pages and is filled with superb advice that builds confidence that a guy can get a traditional car built. ACHIEVABLE PRE-WAR BUILD So now is the time. Late Thursday night I rolled into my central PA home with a running Model A chassis and a loose plan. Let’s see where this goes.
Thanks, fellas. Right now the only plan is an open car on an A chassis with a 4. The 4-cyl starts and runs strong. Water pump needs rebuilt or replaced. Fuel tank needs confirmed that it doesn't leak and then fuel shutoff/sediment bulb procured, installed and plumbed to carb. Choke rod needs installed, but this will be back burner since I plan on running a downdraft. Cowl is solid, firewall is a bit hacked up. Steering column quadrants need gone through. Needs shocks - there aren't any. This thing is actually set up with juice brakes (backing plates and drums... not sure on internals yet) on all four corners, but not piped and no master... which is good since I want to run mechanicals on this car. Lots for Spencer and I to do with just a chassis. For those who may not have picked up on my other threads, Spencer is 7 and on the Spectrum. He's brilliant and passionate and when he discovered you can build a car from basically nothing, well... we just gotta, don't we? Nora has a hot rod heart. The ever fetching Mrs. RyanAK does not want to go 100mph (Spencer's stated goal) in ANY car... especially a Model A-based jalopy. This should be Spcl.
Why, yes. Yes I did. And... that was fast! I was expecting ya to show up... but that was fast. You got some sort of secret coconut telegraph going that gives you alerts?
In other news… once this jalopy is on its way, I’m considering finding a new home for the Olds and dailying an A Tudor. Your pickup thread lent a lot of credence to that idea for me. I’ve had such fun with the Olds, thought I’d give something a bit older a go.
Oh yes. Eventually that Zenith and intake will get swapped out when we start hopping things up a bit.
I know this is old hat for a lot of you, but this moment is a big deal for me. I’m coming from a world of GM V8s and 4bbl carbs and early Fords are something new and mysterious. https://youtube.com/shorts/STf9_XZrwqY?feature=share
6:1 is on the build sheet and I'd love input. Mitchell isn't in the budget unless I find one attached to a $50 swap meet torque tube. Maybe when I sell the Olds and build a daily a Mitchel will come into my life... Eventually. But a head is certainly something I could use input on for this prewar car.
I guess I'll post the general 'recipe' for the banger: 6:1 Head of yet to be determined design 'B' Distributor Downdraft intake and carburetor of yet to be determined design How's that for simple and non-descript?
Good to see you back in action on this project. Congrats on the chassis! The engine sounds great. If I were you, I'd focus on the body, chassis and brakes before diving into speed equipment. I know how detail-oriented your previous projects have been, so this one is going to be very fun to follow. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, man. If it’s half the car and community you’re building, we’ll have a grand time. Now that I know the banger will run we’re diving into the suspension and brakes. This thing has juice drums and backing plates, so it’ll be sorta different to be backdating to mechanicals. Ha!
You can! Educate me. I also need to get around to writing up my philosophy statement so everyone that checks in here knows what I’m trying to accomplish.
It's a pretty easy swap. But will net you cast iron drums, and much less brake fade. 11 vs. 10 inch brakes as well. I might have enough to put together another set. But shipping would be killer!
The Jalopy Journal
