Lol, I forgot the measuring tape but that's OK, we didnt have to measure to see it wasnt square. Pretty much as soon as I walked through the door I noticed a big crack in the frame and it only got worse from there, thing was like a table with 3 legs. Loose rivets, bent mounts, etc etc. Looked much better in the pics, guess that's how it goes. Passed on everything but did get a NOS fuel pump stand so at least it wasn't totally wasted. Really it was worth it for the knowledge either way... I think I'll be able to make a much more educated decision when the next one comes around. On to Salado. Got the fuel pump hooked up, seems to work, need to get the right bolts for it and cut some gaskets.
Got some more gas... filled up the radiator and ran it til it ran out again... idled for probably 5 minutes. The smoke cleared up! It vibrates the choke open if you don't hold it in place and then it wants to rev up but otherwise it idles fine. It's currently cooling off and pissing water. The passenger side pump sprung a leak around the shaft too once it warmed up... so that's two I'll need to replace or rebuild. Still leaning toward replacing them both with new units but I don't have the money right now... or well I do but the budget is currently dedicated to getting a body and frame. What worries me a little is the water pouring out of this thing looks like this... it's not oily or anything but man I swear I put clear water in it. Is that just rust? Old coolant mixing with the water? It doesn't smell like anything.
Eng getting warm, loosening up the rust that's inside, normal ops. Even after my block was boiled and cleaned there was trash that could be dislodged with a screwdriver ,or what ever you decide to probe with. More will come out,count on it. F/H water pumps are notorious for leaks, use the new style, better seals.
Thanks, I figured that's all it was but wanted to make sure that was normal before I let it run much longer. At this rate maybe it'll get it all out before I get around to replacing the pumps. Two birds with one stone. I shut it off a few times over the 5 or so combined minutes it was running for different reasons, here's the second to last and last run. It starts that easily every time... It might be time to look into getting proper motor mounts, the vibration is really quite intense. You can see it shaking the control panel.
Realized I failed to catch any footage of high revs or the real nice idle so here. Filled up the radiator one more time for this one, feast your ears... Still smokes a little when you gun it!
Probably would not hurt to run a bit of engine coolant flush thru it while it's still on the stand and leaking. It should clean it up a bit and find any other leaks now before it's in a chassis.
You're gonna love this one. The Farmhouse Flyer!! A fellow Canadian hotrod junky. Follow him on Instagram... ROYALRODNKUSTOM Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Trevor, that radiator sat in a car that was not run for 15+ years. Some of the junk might be coming from there. amodel25 Actually 20+. I've had it for 5 years.
I do love that one... looks like I’m signing up for insta. That looks like a 32-34? Could be it. I just ran hose water through it to blow out the spiders and acorns before I hooked it up, dont know why that didn’t occur to me.
Cowl looked too short for an A to me but I’m still training my eye. My phone’s tiny screen doesn’t help...
Looking closer I can see the reason it looked short is the windshield is opened up a little. Good tip about the trim piece. That is pretty much exactly what I am gunning for.
Stopped at a junkyard I pass by sometimes because he had a 52 F1 outside that clearly had a radiator in it... figured I could snag it and maybe some other 8BA bits and bobs. Was a straight 6 though unfortunately and he wasn't selling any parts off it, just the whole truck (for a good price, but I don't need it). Asked if he had any A stuff and he said yeah he had some in a pile out back so I went to the pile out back and found some crumpled up fenders and a crushed cowl in a burn pile. He pointed me to another yard that has more stuff though so going to head that way soon.
Yep, and since he is looking to sell his truck and you aren't interested, keep passing along that info to those that ARE looking for a truck. Presto, 2 happy guys. Positive feedback loop. Don't forget, if you want juice brakes too (very good idea), you are looking for more than "A" parts. You might want an F1 steering box, too. Maybe a Banjo wheel. Have a dream list, a tape measure and some bills in your pocket!
I know a couple guys looking for an F1 so I have already pointed them his way! I think the truck is a good candidate for restoration and at a good price considering it has a complete drivetrain, solid frame, solid body and even tires that hold air. Hood, doors and grille were pulled for another truck but other than the dents and dings you'd expect from a farm truck it's in decent enough shape for the asking price. If he was parting the truck out I would have nabbed the steering box. I am on the juice bandwagon now. I was going to stick with mech brakes just to get as close to "the real deal" as possible but they will be more of a pain in the ass to set up with the 8RT than they are really worth. Need to do some more research to figure out what I need as far as the rear axle goes. I am planning to stick with the stock A suspension on bigger (diameter wise) tires to show off the undercarriage a little. Love the look of the A's transverse leaf suspension and the skinny banjo rear end really sells it. I don't know enough yet about how the rear ends go together but I assume some detailed work is required to convert A banjos to hydraulic brakes and it would probably be easier to start with a later model banjo and just make my own spring perches? There's so much information to absorb all at once here but I am doing my best to keep up.
nothing more fun than walking thru an old junk yard. i know, they are disappearing , but they are still around if you are outside the cities. ask around for the local scrap iron guy, they have the stuff and dont know what it is
Yep! The frame, 3 good usable wheels that are the respective sizes I want (with the hubcaps I want), a radiator, two F1 steering columns/boxes, and a '40 Ford rear end with hydraulic brakes. The total came out to a bit more than I was meaning to spend but that's OK. The frame is in great shape and I got a lot for my money.
Great news...The wheels with tires will go right on that rear end so you can roll it around instead of dragging it. The F-1 boxes are perfect for what your doing. Just make sure you inspect the sectors for pitting. They are really easy to take apart and put back together. Is that a Model A radiator??? When looking for front brakes I suggest 46 to 52 F-1 pick up again. They are just about a bolt on to the Model A Ford axle. You will need to update the spindles. What ever spindles you buy you need to match the king pins with them. They will fit right on your A axle once you locate one. Look for 37 39 round back or 46 thru 48 square back spindles. Either will work.
The Jalopy Journal
