I bought some Cyclone heads, mostly for the historical tie in to Los Angeles racing equipment manufacturing. The company that made these back in the 40’s is still around! I gave them a rough polish before torqing them down.
I made a master cylinder adapter for a dual res setup to a F1 type (I think) pedal assembly. I later discovered that I could have just purchased one of these adapters alone instead of going through the trouble of making my own.
Everything looks great except that pic of the tap in the head stud holes. That's a big no no and they now have a high possibility of leaking. Those threads were cut by Ford to be tight when the studs or bolts are threaded in. Best bet would be to coat them with sealant and run a non pressurized cooling system.
Awesome job so far. I am in the process of collecting parts for my first AV8 build myself. Look forward to watching and learning from your build.
Good to know, thanks! I had no idea so I just followed the instructions that came in the Speedway box. I did use sealant though.
I cleaned up an old F1 steering box that I had kept around over the years. Swapped out the original flange for a model A type that I cut off the original steering. After plenty of measuring and grinding and filing, I was finally satisfied with where the box and column sat along the firewall and headers. Welded and honed. The pieces were actually chamfered pretty deep before those welds were applied. I had a friend with a lathe help cut a relief for a seal. The box was reassembled with new bearings, shims and a wormscrew from a rebuild kit I bought at the Early Ford Store.
Its amazing how much time you can spend modifying something as unimportant as a license plate-tail lamp bracket.
Here is a sort of mock up I did recently, using an earlier stock motor I had and a burlap sack for a seat cover.
The steering was actually a lot more difficult for me than simply making clearance at the headers and keeping the column centered at the firewall cut out. Before finally welding that box to the model A flange, I had to also decide on a drop distance at the dash. But before I could make a proper column drop, I had to take my best guess as to the height and location of my butt, seated in a seat I had not made yet. I tacked in a drop that I think should work but we will see..
Coming out really nice. How long have you been working on it? It seems to be coming together very quickly. Aaron
I started in January but I just now made the time to start posting. — i wish I could work this quickly!
Just found this build. This car is going to be amazing. Nice work. I also used Havlir House of Fab rear spring perches. He makes some great parts. Keep up the good work and thanks for letting us follow along. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
I would like to see the other end of your pcv valve hook up. I was thinking on doing something similar.
Loving this!! ...and I appreciate the photos of your fabrication work. Saving this thread for reference when I drop an 8BA in my Coupe. ~ Carl
I will try to take some photos after work today. The other end is temporarily connected externally to a vacuum port at the intake manifold. The cleaner way to do this is to drill a hole at the bottom side of the manifold but I just couldn’t bring myself to making a new hole in my original PM7.
Just wanted to say I’m deeply impressed by your workmanship! Sitting in the DMV and decided to hop on HAMB, and found this! How close are you to the LA area? I’m in the Santa Barbara county area. Would love to meet up and shoot some high quality pictures next time I’m in the area! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
So I have a short video on the first startup of that flathead... what is the best way to share it on this thread?
Looking good! I really enjoyed your videos. I am also building my first Av8, i got everything torn down for paint right now. Ill post an update soon
Great build , and good pics that make things easier to work out, gives me some inspiration to get off my butt and start on mine again.
The Jalopy Journal
