Art & Inspiration Two deals in one week... things definitely changing for me... and others!

Well, it seems like the pendulum decided to swing on the sale of the Rivieras… big time!!
Guy called about buying both; then settled on just buying the running car with some extra parts. We agreed on a price last night and he was to wire me the money today.
Early this morning I get a text asking me to call when I can. I'm thinking he has changed his mind and I was right... he wanted the parts car, too!! We had talked about him getting that car in 6 months or so yesterday. I think he decided to get both now as I suspect the shipper made him a deal.
Anyway, he wired me the money today and the shipper is picking up both cars tomorrow and delivering them to him on Saturday. Makes my head spin!
BTW, the delivery is at a spring specialist shop getting the front axle tweaked and also looking into finding a softer rear spring combination. He says ready next week.
I'm beginning to miss my work on removing the green blocks from the firewall!
There are enough blocks left to let me quickly get back into the swing of things when it gets back.
One other update: I found a battery that will allow me to relocate it behind the passenger seat instead of under it.
Only 5" across versus the usual 7"! Not tremendous difference except enough to make it work. After removing the battery box from under the car will have much more room for the exhaust system tweaks I have in mind.
Opportunities!

Forgot to mention that the battery is 12 years old... and works great. Jack must have some magic other than just green paint!
The folks at the auto parts store wanted to bronze it.

 

Yeah Al. it is a little known secret that among my many talents is the ability to apply green paint at the speed of light...AND complete mind control over battery electrolysis. Using my mental powers, I probably could have made the battery last another 12 years (be one with the battery).

 

As usual, we had the parts car all ready to go at 8AM and the shipper finally calls at 11AM saying still has to go elsewhere first... probably not here until 10 or 11 PM!!
He is to meet me in the morning at 9:30 AM.
Guess it won't be delivered on Saturday as promised as about 12 hour drive in car.
Tomorrow is another day.
PS: We found three A/C compressors in the trunk and at least one looks like somewhat fresh. the new owner can sort them out.
BTW, last picture was before I cleaned the wheels but wanted to show the front of the car. Picture at auto parts store was where was when buyer settled on price for that car.

 

Looking at the parts car, Keystones are a natural on those cars as the look like a cousin to the buick wheels anyway

 

Those wheels are actually Cragars. The fourth one is in trunk.
And all the caps for them are in trunk of other car.
Been told pretty rare wheels but what do I know?


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

Cars and Houses are not like selling shares of a company you bought on Wall Street.
Sometimes things can sell fast and at other times depending on the economy and many other things it can take years!
Jimbo

 

The Rivieras are on the way to Michigan.
Now if I can just my sedan delivery back from the shop...
think I'll go try the remote control car that came with the delivery!

 

Congrats on selling the Riv's Al....and not to me...although that was a stellar sales pitch you gave me

 

Yes, same here..sold my 50 3 window and picked up a hell of a deal on a 40 Buick coupe the hot rod gods were good to me this week...

 

He Al, what year is the new (to you) sedan delivery? I'm guessing 32, but the square upper corners on the windshield are throwing me off.

 

It is a 32 phantom sedan delivery that was built from three cars... pristine 31 slant window 4 door, 32 tudor, and 32 Vicky. Jack told me the formula but I don't think I can remember it well enough to repeat it. He might chime in.
I don't know much about the fine points of 32s. You will have to come down and see it... I'll buy the ice cream.

 

Jack, the ice cream shop HAS mint chocolate chip but it also has something they call Keylime Pie!! And it is great!!
Green is good... in ice cream!

 

Hey Al, Sounds like a case of CRS
, Started with a rust free ’31 Murray S/W Fordor body and a '32 Sedan & a 32 Vicky (both the 32s were unsalvagable junk)...and combined the 3 bodies. Used the 31 S/W because from the windshield back, the 31 SW Fordor shared a lot of same dimensions as a ’32.

A LITTLE HISTORY
It seems the Murray ’31 S/W fordors were only made for the last half of 1931 and were the pre-curser dimensionally to the new ’32 body…with no body support wood and had full metal floorpans. Murray was competing with Briggs, both trying to get all the new 32 Ford body contracts...Murray did get the 3 Window, Cabriolet and Vicky contracts.

Anyway, "31 Slantwindow was the base of the build, including the A pillars, thus the "squarish" windshield frame...which I was OK with...looked more like a 32 truck, which is why I went with a commercial grill.
32 sedan donated some upper body parts, the rear of body and rear wheel wells, and a lot of hardware
32 Vicky donated top of cowl & vent, patial door tops and door parts, and parts of the upper 1/4 panels.

Speaking of CRS Al, can you tell me (again) what the engine/trans in the Cabriolet came from?
Thanks, Jack

 

Engine and trans combo came from a 1986 Ford LTD that had relatively low miles... maybe 100k; probably less. Old couple bought new and still went most everywhere in his pickup. Son later go the car and he drove it some but he, too, went most everywhere in his pickup. One of his daughters finally put some miles on the car going to school, etc. but parked it when heater core started leaking. I then took custody and sat some more until the engineless cabriolet project came along. It was a fuel injected engine and did not have a cam to drive a fuel pump I was told. Never researched it.
How is the cabriolet coming along? I seem to remember that y'all were moving and shaking on it.
Thanks for the help with sharing how the car came together and the reasoning behind it.
I got the delivery back from the suspension shop today and Dave and his gang at Spring Suspension & Alignment Services in Chesapeake, VA did a great job of tweaking the axle in several ways to refine the steering and suspension on the front end and also gave that rear suspension a look as well. He said biggest problem with the rear suspension was that the rear was too light to make it function as intended. I'm gonna add some weight temporarily to see what changes, if any, that brings to how it rides and takes bumps. Those guys were great with that straight axle and would not quit until it was on the money.

 

Uh oh Al. What did they do to the front end? The car had some issues with the feared 'death wobble" It took me 10 years to get it just right.

READ MY COMMENTS on "Need help/suggestions '34 Ford front end problems"

 

The front axle was bowed in the center to the front. The passenger side wheel leaned in more than the driver side. The steering arm was removed and tweaked so help center the steering box. The car now turns evenly in both directions and the tires no longer hit the four bars in either direction and all angles set precisely with an alignment machine. Everything is on spec now. It rolled along fine at 75 MPH... in traffic. The tendency to pull to the left is gone.
We'll see how it goes but it came home sailing with no issues noted.
I needed help, too, but felt it was way beyond my meager skills. Y'all that sort 'em out on your own are to be commended.
Hope the cabriolet is coming along as well... we're patiently waiting for some pictures.
I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Y'all decided on a shade of green yet? Just joking!
Hoping to get started on relocating the battery tomorrow but really hate to replace that battery that you worked some magic on! I'll get a picture tomorrow of the date code so the guys will have proof of your great skills.
I'm having fun with the sedan delivery and getting high marks and comments at many parking lots and even some stoplights!
Ya did good!

 

You guys sound like you’re have a lot of fun!

 

Hey Al

Sounds like your guys know what they are doing. I'm amazed they found so many things, especially the wheel lean. I have had it on Roger's computerized alignment machine at least 20 times and the camber (wheel lean/king pin inclination) was always within 1/2 degree of each other...although never checked it after I put in the new high tech kingpins.

The problem with the frontend was a low speed issue.

THE TEST rive it over some railroad tracks a few times at 15-20-25 mph. If there is no problem...you are all set. I'm curious what they set the caster & tow at.

I was sure I had the pitman arm and drag adjusted for dead center on the steering box (or at least very close)...although it might not have looked that way because of the steering wheel...which was intentionally mounted 90 degrees off so you can reach through it to hit the turn signal lever.

Wtll start doing some updates on the Cabriolet later this week

 

The good news is I had the car out today and took it to my pipe guy for a first look and help in developing a plan of attack for some revisions I want to make.
The bad news we realized the tank might be leaking so I took it home to find the problem and I did! It is just a tiny rust pinhole. My first thought was that I was glad that a fella that rushed over last week to see the car and consider a purchase did not buy the car last week. That would have been terrible. Jack was upset that it had failed as well but nothing on these cars are going to last indefinitely. Apparently Jack's magical powers with battery life do not extend into gas tanks. Jack couldn't remember if the gas tank could be removed from the top so after I spent some time disassembling Jack's fine upholstery work; I found it could not. Sorry I took your work apart for nothing Jack but I think I can put it back without any problems. Getting that tank out looks like it is going to be an "opportunity!" That is OK because that is what we do.
It was a good time to find it so we can address it at home and not be caught half-way to somewhere and it start failing big time.
Shoot. If we're removing the tank now is the ideal time to look into revamping the rear suspension for a little less bounce on bumpy roads.
Opportunities!

 

Hi Al,

Called Donny Strickland (Don's Rod & Custom) who built and installed the gas tank.. He can't believed the tank failed either...and was actually upset because he said his welds DO NOT FAIL (he was a Penn. DOT bridge welder for 30 years).
We both assumed it was a seam issue but now that you posted a pic, it wasn't a weld at all, but appears to be metal failure.( I'll have to tell him that).

Incidentally, he also built the frame.

Donny said he uses a 2 part urethane to seal the inside of the tank, POR 15 to protect the outside, and the tank in his '34 5 window, which has a similar built tank, has been in it for 40 years.

The only thing I can think of is: sometime in it's early life, I must have got a stone chip in the POR 15 and it rusted over the years.

He also couldn't remember how the tank went in, but thinks it went in from the bottom...(I'm a little late on that info, huh?)

I really hate the fact that the car is giving you so many "opportunities"

Jack

 

I forgot to mention, Right after we talked on the phone today, Roger called and told me the pretty chrome alternator on the Cabriolet "shit the bed" for the 2nd time. I pulled it last week and the rebuilder delivered it today, so Roger threw it on...charged for about a minute...and quit. How you say? Opportunities?

 

Dang! Jack, tell Donny it looks like the trouble might have begun around the strap area on both sides of the tank. I had scraped away most of the flaking paint and rust when this picture was taken.
We'll figure it out.
I'm sorry to hear that dang alternator is giving problems.
Opportunities! I keep telling myself these are just opportunities to show our great knowledge and skill and overcome a setback now and then.
It sounds good anyway.

 

... sounds like both you guys, got screwed. Lol. Just kidding. I'm enjoying this thread. This was my opportunity to express it.

 

I'm making progress on getting the empty gas tank out and I'm learning as I go!
I didn't see anything in the manual about you should remove the shocks before beginning to remove the gas tank.
Opportunities!
It also seems I might have inadvertently found why the car hits so hard on bigger bumps... the shocks might be too long! I'll look at that more closely after the gas tank situation is remedied.
Back to the garage.

 

Geez Al, Please don't apologize about the alternator. Although the Cabriolet has/had a number of problems, all of them combined aren't as bad as the tank issue. I honestly had no idea about the tank (never smelled any gas) and feel terrible.
If you were to get some dimensions and some pics of the tank, I probably can get Donny to build you a new one. Let me know.

The alternator issue is almost comical. I thought I also had that voodoo power over alternators as well as batteries (the alt on the 32, like the battery is also 12 years old) Guess my mind waves couldn't penetrate the chrome All the cars I've built over the years, I've never had a chrome alternator before.

Also, I can change out an alternator in about 3 minutes...but that Zoops serpentine set up...ah hell, I'l mke Roger do it this time.

 

For those of you HAMB'ers following this thread, you've heard me refer to my friend Roger a few times.

Roger Studer run Studer's Body Shop in Kirkwood NY, a full service repair shop, body shop & towing service. Roger is a HARD CORE hot rodder, my best friend and probably the best all around mechanic I've ever know.

Anyway, when Al and I did the trade, the shipper dropped the Cabriolet at Roger's shop...and it is still there. Knowing right now my time is limited dealing with some of my wife's medical issues, he said leave it here, gave me keys to his shop and said work on it when you can...and he will re-do everything I screw up. Man, what a friend!

He isn't a HAMBer and he will never see this, but it needed to be said.

And thanks again Al, the 36 Cabriolet is going to end up being the nicest rod we have ever owned.

Oh yeah, Roger's '40 Ford convertible pick up has 180,000 miles on it...HE DRIVES IT!

 

I've seen pictures of that truck before! There aren't many convertible 40 pickups.
I doubt there are any more with 180,000 miles on them!!
I'm glad he is helping y'all out with the cabriolet.
The tank is out. Going to my ace radiator man tomorrow to see if can be salvaged.
Jack, the dang shocks are way too long! Ride height of shocks is 14.75". Those shocks only compress to something close to that! With the shock removed on one side; it seems like it would have a wonderful, soft ride. I'm gonna follow up on that as well. It will be really ironic if that solves the ride issue in the rear... sorry you didn't find it, Jack, so y'all would have missed a few hard bumps!! Of course, it is easy to speculate.... I will be tickled green if that solves it.
Opportunities!!
Good luck on your end.

 

Hmm...you may be on to something When I first built the 32 I'm pretty sure it had a lot more "rake" to it. Over the years the rear springs must have relaxed...I might be imagining things but I swear the rear sat 2 or 3 inches higher in the rear...maybe 4.

I put new shocks on the rear 7/8 years ago...the exact same size/part # it had on it without even considering the car might be sitting lower now. HMMM...

 

Radiator ace said tank could be repaired but very expensive due to internal and external issues.
The good news is we have come up with a replacement tank idea that will give us an 11 gallon tank and a fuel gauge sending unit... how about that, Jack?! It is going to take some custom fabrication to make it all work but basically we're starting with a 10" spun aluminum tank that will fit in the hole of the old tank and then tweaking the tank to add a fuel gauge sending unit and replace the original fill neck and cap with a 2.25" neck that will be compatible with the current gas filler neck on the car.
I like having a fuel gauge on the dash versus using the carefully calibrated yardstick gauges that came with the car.
New, shorter shocks are on order and should be here tomorrow.
Now to figure out how to hook up my borrowed boat tank to the sedan delivery so I can still drive it until we get the new tank solution ready.
Also I've got to persuade the second shock to come off the car.
Opportunities!

 

A working gas gauge??? What's next???? shiny paint???? And after all that time & expense I put into those high tech mechanical gauges....sigh.

Seriously though, I'm glad you have come up with a workable solution and admittedly, a gas gauge would be a great improvement to the car!. But, I still feel bad about the whole tank issue.

And even with just an 11 gallon tank, with the tall tires & 3.08 gears, you should still have about a 250 mile range.