Looking to Get Started...

tb33anda3rd - Yes, my 13 year old, Kaden, made quick work of the fenders.

 

Anyone recognize this head? Seems to have a raised stamped area that is different. I still can’t make out the letters/numbers. I think it may say “MADE IN USA”.

 

Brothers

 

New hoses and clamps on the roadster. Filled it up with water and as expected... leaky radiator.

 

"stop leak" is your friend.

 

You may want to post this on the June banger monthly meeting

 

Tribal,
If you aren't you should be on the Ford Barn!
2 Model A's in 6 months!
You sir are hooked!

 

Hi Tony,

I made a few posts on the Ford Barn early on (4 months ago). All I got was shaming and guilt for destroying a perfectly good Henry Ford specimen. H.A.M.B. is where my peeps are.

I do search that forum but I really don’t post there anymore. TM.

 

Don’t try this at home.

 

I know I am a bit impatient.

 

The car may have earned a new name this evening. I hadn’t ran the car for very long due to not having the water pump connected. I got everything in place this evening and decided to let it warm up a bit. I expected the car to smoke some. It hasn’t ran in who knows how long and I had poured a bit of MMO in the cylinders a few days ago. However the smoke was only coming out of the holes in the muffler. Nothing was coming out of the tail pipe.... at least nothing for the first few minutes. I gave it some gas and a smoking rats nest came blasting out of the tail pipe like confetti. The air filled with the smell of roasted rats nest. Ratatouille? Ratty?

 

"Ole Stinky"...?

 

Great Balls Of Fire

 

What’s next?... I’m thinking we’ll get Ratty road worthy with the banger. I may use the drop axle on him instead of the coupe since the front end is really worn out and much of it needs replacing anyway. I need to find or build a seat and install the new floor pans. I ordered tires from Coker. 3 month back order. I have a set of rusty 35 wire wheels that should be a good match. I would like to find some hub caps in similar condition. Also need a better windshield. The one that we have now is not structurally sound. I’m still keeping my eye out for a good flathead, trans, k-member, juice brakes, F1 steering... gathering parts for the A-V8 build over the winter.

 

I’m also researching the best way to clean the rust out of the tank. It’s pretty bad. I’ve read that white vinegar works. What is the best sealant once I get it cleaned out?

 

I've used Eastwood's Tank Cleaner/ Sealer kit on motorcycle tanks. Should work on your tank. There are a bunch of different ones out there though. I washed the tanks with soapy water, rinsed and then sloshed lacquer thinner around in there even before using the cleaner and sealer.

 

Tribal,
This is how I have always done it with excellent results.
Others will have other ways.
Find a local metal fabricator (not to big), and find out
if they have a stone media shaker vibrator.
I have a picture of what I used, (I worked in sheet metal parts
fab for over 40 years).
It's really easy if you find someone willing.
You partially fill ( like less than half) the tank with the stone media,
and a de-rusting, cleaning soap that is normally used in these machines.
Plug the openings. use metal banding strap to secure the tank on TOP of, (NOT IN)
the machine opening. then start it up and let it shake.
Depending on the machine it will take about an hour.
You might want to flip it but usually the top is good on an A.
Empty and dry, using heat like a hair dryer.
I always used RedKote to seal. It's like pouring a new plastic
tank inside your old one.
Others will probably have other suggestions.
Good luck!
Tony

 

I've heard good things about Red-Kote.

 

I clean tanks and repair them when needed and never use a sealer! We do not know what fuel we Will get in a year or two! Gary

 

Any recommendations on a seat for my roadster? Build or buy? Caravan middle seat? Bus seat? Trying to decide best direction to go.

 

Caravan seats seem to be widely available and reasonably priced.

 

Anyone going to TROG this year? I made our hotel reservations and am now considering bringing a car. Noob.

 

............It's something I always wanted to do, but never seemed to get there.

 

Hey Tribal,
Here is a picture of the seat I used in my last Model A
It's an OT 1985 Volvo 740 REAR seat with the center arm rest removed
the bottom seat spring bars cut and welded together.
It fits perfectly, top and bottom in a Model A seat frame
with the springs removed.
In 10 years of driving nobody could say what the seat came from!
And it kind of looks the part. And comfortable!
There was a thread on seats a while back. Take a look.
More of my pictures are on third or fourth page.
PS: lots of 80s parts Volvo cars around.
Good Luck choosing!
Tony
GOING TO TRY IT AGAIN ~ SEATS ~ Ryan approved

 

Mini van bench seat. Unknown make of the van but the dimensions are perfect for my A coupe.

 

Joe Blow - nice looking seat. Did you just cover the minivan seat with leather?

 

Thanks. Yeah, I bought a closeout distressed hide from www.leatherhidestore.com and had it recovered.

 

Looks like I now have good leads for a better windshield frame and a minivan middle seat.

Anyone have a Model T rear spring they want to part with?

 

During some down time on vacation I’ve been doing more roadster project research. One of the things I’m trying to find is the best way to straighten and stiffen my roadster body. I’ve watched a bunch of YouTube videos and read a bunch of threads here on H.A.M.B. and still haven’t found what I was looking for.
Any recommendations?