Everyone remembers this stage, right? Now the "clean" side of the build begins. It took 12 1/2 25kg bags of sand to blast the rust away! Left quite a sand box not fit to play in.
A little more done with mock up today. Anyone know if there is a difference in "A" hairpins vs '32 hairpins? I am tempted to use this '34 rear axle and shorten the tube and driveshaft. Maybe a little more sturdy than the stock '32?
I got a little more work done today. Mocked up my 276ci 59A flatty with the '35 top loader and set in between the rails. Waiting now on the rad I ordered from Superior so I can set the front mounts. I can then bolt the engine in and that will give me ride height to mount the hairpins on the frame. To bad my original wishbone was in better shape, I would simply use it in it's stock location to give me a no fuss front end. Just to pricey to buy another and I already have the hairpins.
Please keep us posted I my self picked up a 33 ford pick up cab with a bunch of parts to start a rod build. Will be doing it poor boy 1950's type.As maine was a place of little money. Roger
I'll digress for a momnet. This is what I am starting with. A '32 Model B 4 banger. She looks much better than she really is. She's had a hard life. The A pillar drivers side below the roof is completely rusted through. The 4 banger has seen it's day. The wishbone/axle/right rear radius rod have had accident damage. The brake system is frozen up with rust. The frame needed some real scrubbing. Still and all...there is plenty to work with. I considered a stock restore but finding what I found mentioned above and having everything already at hand to upgrade to a flatty V8 w/hydraulic brakes won out.
My plan includes making it a safe vehicle once more to drive and enjoy. I will fix the A pillar but the rest of the sheet metal and patina'd paint stays. I'll run a 4" drop aaxle and Posie reverse eye front spring and hairpins. F1 shock mounts, disc up front drum rear on the stock '32 rear end. Steelies with big n littles. Convert to 12v.
Well, a little more work today. I took a scraper and wire brush at the end of my electric drill and cleaned up the stock steering box. Mounted it to the rail. It feels pretty tight. I now need to bolt the left exhaust header and see if it works. The motor is sittng a little tilted to the drivers side right now. It appears the '35 shift lever may be to long as it comes in contact with the steering wheel. I may have to use a single low bend lever that is also shorter like the stock shift lever.
good to see another 32 pick up getting built! you can cheaply build a new wishbone out of the original ends, and a later set of rear bones,if you can weld. you should really strip that steering box, and at least clean eighty years of heardened shitty grease out, it will need at least bearings.."feels pretty tight" well, that doesnt really mean its good, just that its tight. why not rebuild it while its out? the truck will drive much better.
Lowsquire, thank you. Here's my wishbone. Apparently the accident it had many years back, broke/cracked both the drivers side wishbone and the rear right radius rod along with bending the axle. The fix then was to weld a plate to the wishbone. It appears to be straight but....it sure looks butt ugly. Is it safe.....probably can I use it as is....probably.....do I want to because of it's looks...no! I need to remove it from the axle....measrue it for correctness. I guess I could grind on it and smooth it some? I'm pretty sure this fix was done with the wishbone still under the car. I have another good set of radius rods, so that is no longer an issue. Unfortunately, I don't weld. Finding someone who does has been difficult here. I may have a lead on a person who does and I will follow it out. The steering box is only for mockup right now. Yes, thank you, I'm going to go through the box. Only mentioned that as I have had many boxes with my cars that did not feel as good as this one being as old as it is. There is also some dents at the bottom of the steering tube that I want to fix also.
Ok then. I have tried attaching a stock 59A exhaust header on the drivers side but there is interference with the stock steering box. If I raise the engine some it will bolt on but is right up against the box but still to close for a proper fit. Suggestions?
bad wishbone a few more pics of it. should I: replace it (lots of money) weld in a new section grind it down use it as is suggestions/comments
i would caniblize a newer set of bones to fix these. 35-41 should be relativly cheap and a thicker wall. alittle id info if you need it http://hotrodconfidential.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19
Bits and pieces. I now have my blaster box up and running once more so I went at it with a few pieces. A little paint and good as new!
The Jalopy Journal
