I can build wood stuff to function, but I'm no cabinet maker. The wheel is just screwed onto the spokes with wood screws, through the hole at the end of each spoke.
I had a mint original steering wheel for that, I picked at a garage sale for $1 back in the 80's. Sold it 3 years ago.
Yeah, it ought to fetch at least a dollar two ninety eight. I figure I have $50 expenses and $4000 labor in it.
That sure was fun....thanks for the adventure. What kind of bearings are in there. Insert or babbit??? The motor sounds pretty good internally.
It's a babbit motor, apparently they had thick poured babbit inserts for the mains, which you have to finish cut if you replace them. And poured rods, like Chevy used through 1953. I haven't heard any weird sounds from the motor, but I also haven't put a muffler on it yet. I think it might be ok inside. Doesn't smoke.
That is just awesome - and great fun to go on a virtual ride with you! Now you just need to add a trunk so you will have a place to keep the spare axle that I hope you never need
And yes in the rear axles breaking. I have spares in case. My father had one with a seal and bearing installed and stashed in the trailer. Good thing he did. I needed it on a Glidden tour I was on a few years ago. The tricky part is getting the broken shaft out.[/QUOTE] My Grandfather wasn't the most mechanically inclined; the first time it happened, he had his friend Lloyd help him fix it (Lloyd was the town handyman - he could fix just about anything); Lloyd make a tool out of a broom stick and a strap of leather to insert into the housing, looping it around the broken stub, and pulling it out.
Amazing that the rings seem ok, good effort, you made me tired! That milk crate brought back memories !! Tried that in a 49' chev field car once, spent more time on the floor than behind the wheel and my friend was laughing his ass off sitting in the back seat..So I let him drive it; I got the last laugh....
My Grandfather wasn't the most mechanically inclined; the first time it happened, he had his friend Lloyd help him fix it (Lloyd was the town handyman - he could fix just about anything); Lloyd make a tool out of a broom stick and a strap of leather to insert into the housing, looping it around the broken stub, and pulling it out.[/QUOTE] I saw a tool made out of some pipe and some fittings and had a cable that grabbed the axle like a thing dog catchers use.
Jim....awesome. Cool steering wheel too....put some dark stain on it and call it NOS...lol. So you got the axle bent back to where it needs to be?
Man that is really cool how you got it running after 60-70 years!! That is a great feeling. I got a Model A running after 40 years. Nothing like your project however I know that feeling of victory. Congratulations to you Jim!!
How are you starting it? I see a 12 volt battery that looks like it's tapped in the middle for 6 volts but the wire doesn't seem heavy enough for a starter
The battery is a deep cycle 12v battery, I've just been using it to run the coil...full voltage, because I've been too lazy to wire in a ballast resistor. I intend to get a 6v battery and see if I can get the starter and generator going. I've been cranking it to start, it's been getting so it starts more easily. And it has plenty of compression!
This is the most FUN thread that has been on theHAMB in a long time! It should be a "sticky" and the New Guys should have to read it to understand the "Spirit" of traditional. Again Great Job!
Your a legitimate old style mechanic Jim. I guarantee there are guys that are learning from what your doing and sharing. Well done. Glenn
This is just so cool! I think you need move the mudgrip from the front to the back though. Then you can cut roostertails in the dirt with all that horsepower!
heh...the wheels fit where they are, the rears are 15s, the fronts are 16s. and the 15s won't clear the steering linkage. I did put the mud tires on the left on purpose...I think....
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