So im pretty far along on my av8 build now i figured id start a build thread. I been working on this for the past 9 months or so. Ive been building a traditional style hot rod in my head for years, im not getting any younger so i figured theres no time like the present. I called up a buddy of mine and scored a stock model a frame for free. My buddy was storing his 1935 ford truck at my house , in exchange for the space he gave me the stock rolling frame, axles and wheels Heres what i started with
Got the axles pulled out from the truck and the a frame on jack stands. Frame is in decent shape, minimal pitting. Crossmember and horns are straight and the frame is prettt square
The engine ill be using. Yanked out of a 1951 f-1. Been sitting in the corner of my shop for about 10 years waiting for its moment. The time has come
Cut the spring hangers off the wishbone and cleaned it up Cleaned up the 35 axle Whittled up some motor mounts
In the mean time i Dropped off the wires to get powder coated, ordered some new rubber from coker. 6.00-16 in the front and 7.50-16 in the rear. Also some new caps
Got the brackets cut off the banjo and picked up some model a bells from a buddy and cut the hangers off and fit them to run a model a spring.
Thanks guys. This is where the magic happens haha. Just got a new lift a few months ago. I dont know how i did anything without it! Im going to bed. Just got home, i work shift work. When i get up from my nap ill post some more progress
So before i started garhering parts to build i knew it had to be a roadster. After searching what seemed like forever to find a decent body , i gave up the search. After reading a few of Flop's threads on his work i knew he was the man for the job. I got in touch with Tom, the deal was struck and parts were ordered.
Flop knocked it out the park like i knew he would! And he got it done in record time. So i loaded up the truck and made the 16hr drive from South Louisiana to Pittsburgh to pick up the roadster. After i checked the body out shared a stogie with flop and got my belly full of pittsburgh's finest burger joint, we loaded up the body. Strapped her down and made the trip back south This is what most of my trip looked like before i got back below nashville. This southern boy and snow dont do well together. Ill take thw heat and humidity any day! Back home on sitting on its frame!
Lol, washington blue was a color i considered. Seems to be a popular color as of late. I found another color i really like , 1927 ford gunmetal blue. What you think?
IMO, just about any of the medium to dark blues, look good with Firestones and black 35's, and a dark brown interior. So yeah, I'm diggin it. There was a Brookville roadster on Fleabay a while back, in "Duchess blue" with a lighter tan interior, that looked quite nice.
Tore into the flathead. It was locked up from sitting but i soaked it for a few weeks with a mixture of acetone and atf. Turns out the main bearings were frozen to the crank. Once i got all the main caps off it broke free. No visible cracks anywhere and it was a std bore block. I dropped the block off at the machine shop for cleaning and magnafluxing just to make sure. Turns out she was good to go with a clean bill of health. When i got it back i Turned my attention to making her breathe a little easier. Opened up the intake and exhaust runners and polished it up. What a messy dirty job. I also notched and drilled the lifter bores for easier valve adjustment.
I had put a local want ad on craigslist for some old ford parts. I got a hit on it and made a deal with the guy for some nice parts. Ended up with a 4" merc crank for my engine and a nice 39 3spd that had just been gone through double detent with the 3" fork Pile o transmissions
Wow. Off to a flying start. Great decision to get Flop involved, he does great work from what I have seen. Nice collection of parts. I will be watching this progress for sure.
Got the call last week that my Engine was ready to be picked up. Nice shiny parts! Assembled all the valves with lincoln zephyr valve springs. Cam is an isky 400jr, johnson lifters Got the bottom end and the valve train all buttoned up tonight. Its been a while since i built a motor. Took me a while, but i managed to get it together.
Managed to get a little work done this weekend. Got the block prepped and painted. Installed the head studs and got the heads torqued down. Wont be much longer till i can hear this sucker run
The Mona Lisa has nothing on this, makes my knees weak. You can't go wrong with a traditional A roadster, straight rails and perfect ride height. I like that blue, always liked the blue grays, great color.
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