My Ardun powered engine was married up to the 32 chassis yesterday and is a real nice fit. Was a mammoth learning curve getting this package together. Its not quite ready to be fired up just yet but it will not be too far off. Its a non relieved 47 block which was checked, line bored and honed etc and then the forged Flathead Jack 4inch mercury crank was installed. Running a Howards Cam and an Austin intake and a spread bore holley. That's me in the FORD cap and my crazy kiwi mate Joe who took the lead to built the motor. The steel bodied 32 Vicki in the background is the body destined for this chassis. Let me know your thoughts.
My first thought is I hate you! In all seriousness I am blown away with the build,looking forward to future up dates.HRP
Very nice project. It's almost 40 years since I had a NOS pair of ARDUN heads, and a rough '32 Vicky body left about eight years ago. Look forward to seeing yours finished. Bob
Strangely enough...its a C4 auto. Blasphemous? maybe. Running in a Vicki? still a worry. The reason is that i completely crushed 2 lower vertebrate and cannot lift the old left peg very well and especially not a heavy duty set up. Bugger, I had a really nice top loader all set to go but had to relent and go a bit girly and run a auto. Got a new one with B&M shift kit and 2.5k stallie and a genie shifter. Hopefully it will ride nice. Getting older so it may be nice to be a cruiser rather than Mr. Walker eh. cheers Brom.
Whats your name bro? I will call him now. What do you think of his work? He has done a nice job. Cant wait for it to fire Thanks for the thumbs up. Cheers Brom
Nice, with a bum left knee that may need to be reworked in the near future driving one with two pedals has a lot of appeal over sitting and looking one in the garage with three pedals that you aren't up to driving any distance.
I may a bit prejudice on this, but I just love the look a good Ardun or hemi head just kind of hangs out over the frame rails. I though about hood sides on mine but realized it would take blisters the size of a small town to fit around the heads and when I got done, I'd lose that great view.
Beautiful setup, I'm glad it is safely sitting between those rails! The rope/sling lifting device gave me some real concern though, when I saw it looped around the front crank pulley and then around the trans in the rear. Not so much because you used a rope, as in early rigging that was what was used to lift heavy objects. My thought was how low the pick point was on the mass that you were lifting, meaning the center of gravity is above that point! It is possible if things don't go right, the load can shift and what was once on the topside will swing and end up on the bottom. In the mishap that takes place something can hit the floor, first thing would be those beautiful rocker covers! Always lift a heavy object with the mass of weight below the pick point. I'm just an old rigger who has seen things go bad, not trying to be critical! Again beautiful engine, congrats!
Brilliant work. As someone born with a clicking/grinding hip, I know the joy of building an auto and going down the road the first time in a comfortable position not having to shift. Mine used to be 3 speed. Only 20 days or so per year are "bad days" and they aren't even that bad. Getting behind the wheel of my '50 shouldn't mean pain. So cheers to the auto rods and their pain-free owners. Member: Rochester Street Rods - Est. 1970 http://www.rochesterstreetrods.org CrossMembers Car Club - Hebrews 12:2 http://www.crossmemberscc.com
Thanks for the thumbs up buddy. Yes, gotta enjoy the ride and where I live it is a fair hike to the major events in Brisbane and Sydney so easy choice. I phoned Joe and he wanted to ask you "Are you Dennis" I think he was chuffed he was recognised. Cheers Brom
Time for an update. The body is now straight as an arrow and the fitting up has begun. Everything is lining up quite nice and it really looks fantastic. The rear stance is a little high at present but im hoping it settles in time or I may have to have the springs re set. Slow and steady but well worth it.
There seem to be quite a few Arduns in Australia.Nice set up you have there....is it right, they were developed for dustbin trucks originally?