Projects '23 Ford Roadster build aka The Incredible Hulk

The grocery getter

 

Looking really good Paul.

 

Looks great Paul! It is a real time piece! Looks like you just brought it out of long term storage. Since about 1958 maybe. It's just COOL!

 

Man that's nice

 

I think I may have found the cause of uneven exhaust heat (and slight backfire at higher rpm).
The heat riser tube in the exhaust crossover was burned/rusted through allowing fresh air to be drawn into the exhaust.
I will be installing a manual choke so I just tapped and plugged both ends of the tube.
It's all back together but of course it's raining again so test runs will have to wait.

 

Another issue solved, something wrong with the charging system, generator was rebuilt a few years ago and run for a short time on the '27, then put on the shelf when I was lucky enough to score a chrome one, so I was pretty sure it was ok.
Also fairly confident of my wiring schematic, but rechecked that anyway. All seems good.
That left the regulator, it was an unknown I pulled from the shelf, used but visually looked ok, very clean under the cover and on the back. I put an NOS Badger chrome cover on it and crossed my fingers.
Looked on line for a replacement and was surprised at the going prices.
So I looked at it a little closer..
The ground strap on the two mounting bolt end was missing, why I didn't catch that I don't know..
As a temporary fix and check I pulled one of the rubber isolators and replaced it with washers.
That did the trick, at idle with fuel pump and fan running the volt meter reads about 12.5, driving with headlights on it's that plus a bit.
Drove around for a half hour or so and all seems good.

 

That car just screams essence of hotrod.

 

Got a pair of Studebaker hi low horns from a buddy yesterday, got them in and working today.
Stude horns, F100 box, C10 column and Olds wheel, like a match made in heaven

 

Yes, here is the snippet, but you really need to watch the entire movie, it's a classic!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZrqC5LL_oo

Paul, sounds like it needs some Mopar in the mix!

 

Not much of an update,
I did straighten out the tail pipes though,
welded in a section of bend right under the rear axle and ran the pipes parallel and level back to end about the same distance back as they were.
I think that will do.
I've run about a half tank through it on the road now, getting closer all the time to a decent tune.
Still not ideal yet, starts decent, idles nice and good power but coming off idle isn't quite right, I need to bring the rpm up to pull away strong.
Maybe it's not getting enough squirt..?
Just need it to stop raining for a few days to fiddle with it.

 

Paul, it looks perfect for the late 50's, early 60's, and the best part, you use your cars !

 

It’s really is pretty sharp looking, glad it’s hit the street!

 

Any driving impressions of this style front end compared to the more conventional spring over on your other cars?

Watching this build has been so helpful.

 

Do you have plans to paint, coat, or chrome the headers? Or will they stay bare?

 

It drives very nice, feels real good behind the wheel.
It does ride a bit stiff with the full stack in the front and the heavy rear end, and of course the temporary seat, foam on plywood is not ideal.
The headers will have to get something on them, probably just paint, unless a pile of cash falls out of the sky, then they'll get chromed.

 

I'm amazed on mine how freely the front end moves without the spring. No bind whatsoever with the 4 bar.

 

Paint is probably more period anyway on the headers. Maybe white or silver?

 

Probably just silver paint.

 

I've always liked white but when I was painting mine I decided to go silver after talking to a couple ceramic coating guys.
I was using paint but they said even with the ceramic white can stain easily if something gets on it like oil and also it can turn kinda tan if it gets too hot. The welding on mine is no where near the quality of yours so I just had them sandblasted and painted them.

 

Looks good, plus know that that establishment behind it very well.

 

Awesome example of an early T.

 

My wife has a couple spaces there and does the window. It's one of the better ones around here.

 

We always stop in there when we’re down that way.

 

For a grocery getter, that sure is a small trunk.

 

It will fit one bag in the trunk but the bag needs to be empty and folded flat.

 

Another dry day, another day for road tuning, smaller and smaller adjustments. Carbs, timing and toe, 1/8th turn here, a degree there, getting closer all the time.

 

Great looking T....... and the pipe re-routing looks a lot nicer!

Lynn

 

@chaddilac here ya go

 

Man.. I have been reading this thread and your 27 thread for the last several days when I get some downtime. Thanks so very much for taking the time to share your process. It is so bitchin to see a true artist realize his vision using creative problem solving and ambition. Even more inspiring is the use of mostly simple tools in a home shop. Bravo, Paul. Fantastic hot rod building!