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Hot Rods 1937 Dodge Ol Bessy is Coming Home....redux

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Sharps40, Oct 5, 2018.

  1. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,
    Baring any issues, we set the engine and transmission in the frame Tuesday.
    Starter is in place, a gear drive mini to save room and its clockable to allow for exhaust clearance. Starter is also rough shimmed for clearances on the gears. Final shimming after the flex plate is torqued into place. Flex plate is bolted to the back of the motor, just needs final torque.
    Much learning going on here. I recall all the flat head motors we assembled over the years with calibrated arm torques, no assembly lube, no pre oiling and not a drop of sealant or lube on fasteners. Was probably a minor miracle that they all ran so well....or perhaps Dodge Flatheads are so sloppy that any old work is good enough to run them. I don't know, but I'm following instructions on this one as its the last motor you and I will ever install in Ol Bessy. I'm sure it'll move her down the road well past her 100th Birthday.

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  2. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Ate breakfast. Cleaning shop. First set of Ol Bessy's motor in a few hours. Hopefully have it roughly set by evening.
     
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  3. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Transmission installed. Penny lifted it!. Break for coffee and nearing the big lift.

    20191119_134124.jpg
     
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  4. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    In rough. Aligning and start bolting it in tomorrow 20191119_154448.jpg 20191119_154511.jpg 20191119_154541.jpg 20191119_154556.jpg
     
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  5. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Much to do starting tomorrow.....back to front again. Align the engine/trans up/down, left/right and forward/back. Check fit and potentially modify the Power steering pump bracket, fabricate the trans cross member, repair the frame x member where it was cut out to fit the ginormous other GM transmission, trim and drill the motor mounts, install the frame brackets for the motor mounts, etc.....prolly a couple days with everything still sitting or hanging on chains and jacks and such.....but, great progress. Couldn't have done it without help from GoodWife! Feels real good to have all that heavy iron off the stand where it could have fallen and sitting in better security between the frame rails.
     
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  6. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    A full day today. Temporary brace for the transmission, no more jack support, everything taking its weight and I don't have to rely on hydraulics to hold it all up.

    Hours spent measuring and aligning engine/trans to frame and rear but its all within 1/16" any way i measure it. Trans will need a stiffer brace but for now, this gets me centered and allows me to shove the engine back once I bring its nose down some more.

    Yard work and vet visit tomorrow but Fri and Sat should be trimming the motor mounts to drop the front of the engine down several more degrees.

    So, I have left to right figured out. Next is up down and then finally, front to back. After that, more measuring and selection of distributor and exhaust system. Then steering and brake and suspension and wiring and fuel plumbing and.....

    She's coming along.

    69554883_3125763997494070_1750412212087816192_n.jpg 75369156_3125763824160754_3212741073344397312_n.jpg 75561577_3125764074160729_3245428132404002816_n.jpg 78793161_3125763720827431_797214241592442880_n.jpg
     
  7. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    It don't look like much but one more big job tackled. Spent the morning on the Passenger Side, working positions for the lower motor mount bracket. Made up a drill jig and lots of measuring and found I could decrease the engine angle from 10 degrees to 5 degrees by dropping the front end about 1/2".....this put the motor mount bracket bolts just above the bottom of the arch in the front frame. I'll increase the bolt diameter later and sleeve the boxed portion of the frame to prevent pinching when the bolts are torqued. Probably also add an external plate and weld it all once finalized. Still need to trim this side and pretty it up but tomorrow I'll use the drill jig (indexed off the lower and now unused shock bolt hole) to set the Drivers side lower motor mount bracket.

    The brackets are set 1/2" further back than the motor mount center line as we have enough room to scooch the motor back. Should still allow us choice of large or small cap distributor and gets the crankshaft triple pulley off the steering rack and out of the radiator.

    In any event, the newly installed PS motor mount is taking weight and we should be 75% done with the installation by lunch tomorrow. After that, I'll clean up the mounts for aesthetics and figure out how to elevate the power steering pump brackets we acquired from Alan Grove in order to clearance the steering pinion.

    Last step will be to check the angle at the tail of the trans and see if it needs to go up or down any.

    Progress.

    PS....we still had time to spread 3 cu yd of rocks in the front yard! Retirement is grand!

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  8. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Motor is approaching 75% installed. Finalizing motor mounts out front. Accessories bolted on and drive pulleys aligned, much creative cutting and drilling of the good quality Alan Grove accessory mounts to get them to fit in the space available.....damn, Bessy got a narrow frame. Some wiring and waiting the Dizzy, exhaust manifolds but should all fit good....even got room for steering now.

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  9. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Tossed the nose back on and started lining it up. 2.5" or more clearance between water pump and radiator. So, will still use a pusher fan, but may be room for a metal one. Almost time to order all the steering and radiator...another week or two.

    77388412_3159113820825754_2956271297446805504_n.jpg 78298697_3159113710825765_3647560641813676032_n.jpg 78418728_3159113910825745_6202653707159470080_n.jpg
     
  10. KJSR
    Joined: Mar 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,494

    KJSR
    Member
    from Utah
    1. Utah HAMBers

    That is looking great! Thanks for the updates.
     
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  11. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad.

    1 motor mount completed. Added crush sleeves for the bolts and a plate to weld in to reinforce where the holes were for the various flathead and Ford inline once sat. Plate and mount will get perimeter welded.

    Off to finish the drivers side then to the trans mounts.

    Exhaust manifolds should be here in a day or so.

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  12. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Both front motor mounts are done and doged down tight. Halfway through the trans mount and the distributor is stabbed in and wired.
     
  13. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Motor mounts done. Trans mount 90%. Choke hooked up. Oil dipstick is installed. Starting to route fuel lines.

    20191204_164343.jpg 20191204_164409.jpg
     
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  14. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Rams horn iron exhaust is in and room for steering is assured.

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  15. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad. Fuel pressure regulator and gauge is in. Will run the big fuel injection style filter to keep the system clean and initially a second at the tank since the tank cleaning never cleans out all the old junk.

    20191209_160202.jpg
     
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  16. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,


    Getting ready for the final big push on the mechanical parts.


    Called Walker Radiator in TN....Ordered a brass radiator with auto trans cooler. Will sort the fan once we see how it fits and what the clearance is.


    Ordered the steering u joints, stainless tilt column and stainless and mahogany Banjo Steering wheel.


    A few odds and ends needed to button up the motor like spark plug boots, throttle/kick down bracket, chrome trans inspection cover, etc.


    Once the steering is in the last big job will be to set up the brake master and power booster, we have three options for brakes. Firewall, frame or under dash mount.
     
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  17. KJSR
    Joined: Mar 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,494

    KJSR
    Member
    from Utah
    1. Utah HAMBers

    I went with the frame mount. Please don't put it in the engine compartment :)
     
  18. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Will see. Up high is easiest, no need for additional residual valves, under floor I'm not sure since the exhaust ain't in yet. Under the dash at 90 degrees may work but then there is the cowl vent mechanism to consider...... Problem in the engine bay is the recessed firewall is right about where the pushrod would go. Steering first, then I'll figure out brake and gas. The hump in the floor is huge from the 4l60 that was in there, kinda sets the gas pedal foot too far left. Once its all in I'll see what fits where and whether i need to cut up the floor pan again.
     
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  19. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Starting the mock up of steering shafts while we await arrival of the parts. In bound is a double u-joint, a single u-joint, a support bearing for the double joint, Stainless Steel tilt steering column and a Mahogany and Stainless steel Banjo steering wheel. The column has 5 position tilt, turn signals, horn, etc. Its looking like the shop set the hole for the steering column too high in the firewall. May have to patch that one/use it for wiring input and cut a new hole lower (black tape) for the column. Angles look good. Plenty of clearance on the motor mounts and power steering pump. The toughest angle will be at the firewall and I suspect it'll be well under the maximum of 35 degrees. This first wag shows us somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 degrees. Measurements will be more accurate one I have all the parts and start the install later this week.

    20191212_092501.jpg
     
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  20. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    In her nearly 83 years Bessy never blew open a suicide door. But now, for safety she has suicide door dead bolts.

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  21. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    20191215_125344.jpg 20191215_125353.jpg 20191215_112503.jpg 20191215_125322.jpg Dad,

    Long day, lots of progress.

    Been thinking about your Dad, Pappy, all day while I struggled with installation of the transmission inspection cover. Each bolt i installed stripped the threads in the aluminum housing and wouldn't snug up. Cast about for new bolts, none, not even thread cutting versions. Couldn't find the right tap to clean out the holes, couldn't find the right tap for the next size up. Then I thought of Pappy's like new but 70 year old tap and die set. Dug it out and low and behold, a perfect new old tap in the correct next size up......5 minutes later all the mounting holes were drilled and tapped and the chrome inspection cover sitting neatly between the engine and transmission.

    I measured the new all brass Walker 3 tube radiator with transmission cooler. 22 inches across. Measured the nose and it was 22 inches at the bottom tapering to 21 inches at the top. What to cut.....the cars radiator mounts or the new radiator itself......then i noticed, the shop had cut out the center brace in the nose. It fits in front of the radiator and when they removed it, for whatever reason, the top pinched in. So, I knocked in a piece of oak of the right length to see if it would spread, it did. So, a new center brace was made up and fitted in front of the radiator, including the original wiring clips to route the headlight and horn wires and we were in business. The new radiator slid right into place and looks grand. So, I spose its about time to button up the motor, wire it and hopefully soon, turn the key!
     
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  22. KJSR
    Joined: Mar 7, 2008
    Posts: 2,494

    KJSR
    Member
    from Utah
    1. Utah HAMBers

     
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  23. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    I called. They made it up/built it fresh. 4 days phone call to delivered at my door.
    • Walker Radiator Works, Inc.
    • 694 Marshall
    • Memphis, TN 38103
    • 901.527.4605
    • 800.821.1970

     
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  24. chryslerfan55 likes this.
  25. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Amazon but the seller was ecklers.
     
    56 Dodge Pickup likes this.
  26. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

  27. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    Reproduction 1937 Ford Steering Wheel has been converted to 1937 Dodge. Trimmed Bessy's original horn button skin to the right size. Gave it a buff. Glued it to the horn button of the replacement steering wheel. Like they were made for each other. Now if the damn FedEx will just get off their butts and stop carrying the steering column on the truck for the last 6 days and actually make a rural delivery! I'd like to finish the steering....only a few hours work once the durn truck gets here.

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  28. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Dad,

    The flexalite black majic extreme electric fan with shroud was on sale on amazon. Regular $250, got it for $128. 15" s-blade, reversible, adjustable fan controller, shrouded booted, not thru core mounted (brackets instead), 3300 cfm, soft start, and its sized perfect for the radiator of an 83 year old car. So......no metal fan, gonna give it a try.
     
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  29. woodbutcher
    Joined: Apr 25, 2012
    Posts: 3,310

    woodbutcher
    Member

    :D Looking good Sir.Thanks for posting the updates.
    Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
    Leo
     
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  30. Sharps40
    Joined: Apr 28, 2015
    Posts: 961

    Sharps40

    Finally got the steering column. FedEx ha it in the truck for 7 days wo maki g the delivery. But will have it in place so ok n and make the final steering hookup. Running out of big tasks to do. going to be in the final leg of this 28 year race pretty soo .
     
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