Hot Rods *Mr.Model T's New Project: A T-V8..

Update Part Duex!

As promised, here is part two.

Transmission Crossmember:

When I started this project, I had no intention of messing with '32 K-Memebers (just not within budget and not critical to the project). Instead, I hunted down a pair of '47-'52 Ford 1/2 ton pickup cross members instead for an 1/8th the price of the '32 K.



These have a nice graceful curve to them, have all the mounts for the F1 juice brake pedals and are very close to fitting in an A frame with Very little tailoring. I got started by making up a cardboard template to test my tailoring...




Then I got out my grinder the next day and started carving:




Once I got it fit, it was time for a test fit.




I also mocked up the pedals too..


...and jumped in to test fit (yes, there were "Vroom" sounds)..




Radiator choices:

While I do have the Brass Radiator shell in the ultimate plan for this car, I know its gonna be a large portion of my budget and time to have a custom radiator built, rework the shell, build an insert, paint and Nickel work. To that end, I have also considered doing up a traditional T radiator/shell for this car. I have a stack of radiators and enough V8 radiator parts to put a flathead T radiator together without much fight in a short amount of time.

Here is the mockup....and I have to say, the more I look at it the more I like it.

What do you guys think?




(The original concept)

Stay Tuned for more!

~ Mr. Model T..

 

I like the original concept best. Also like your avatar. But it’s yours and build it like you want and don’t be afraid to change things. I have always liked early T’s. Frank

 

Whole build looks very good to me.
Will be watching this coming together.

(You can probably figure it out but I'm the guy who bought those aircleaners from you a few months back)

 

Thanks Stogy! The F-M heads have definitely been a labor of love, but they are rare and unique enough to be worth it.

Personally, I think these Goodyear Deluxe All-Weather tires are one of the best looking Pre-War tires.

 

I like the original concept, but the deuce shell also looks great, and is closer aesthetically to the Isky roadster, which I assume is an inspiration for this project?

 

Yes, the Isky Roadster is the main inspiration for this car. The Shell pictured in the Original Concept is no '32 Ford, its a one-off made of brass (we believe its 1920's Sprint car). Its narrower then a '32, but the insert is pretty close.

I'm not saying its off the table, but I know its gonna cost a fortune in time and money to build it the way I want. None of what is required are skills I have (radiator building, fine metal work, etc). There is a deadline and a road trip with these cars when finished.....so I don't want to get held up later if I can help it.

 

Looks great! I like the grill on the original concept even though I have a T grill shell on mine.

 

"Why, NO officer, that COULDN'T have been me!"

(keep practicing, Clayton- you almost have the overly-innocent look down)

 

That shell is the one to use, one of a kind look. I think most people know that Isky used two 1933 Pontiac shells on his T. The price on them is off the charts sine there are so many Schafer 8 Indy car clones out there. Bob

 

Clayton, I agree with 37. That's the one.

 

I made reference to it, but neglected to actually explain or show it in the last update. I'm actually building two TV8s, mine and a second car for a good friend of mine in So.Cal. His car will be a '27 Roadster with an 8BA, Columbia two-speed built as a traditional '46-'51 post-war car. I'll have more on this once I get a little more progress.

 

Yes I did know that That is why I went after this shell, because its very similar in shape and design, but also taller and elegant. The only thing that worries me is the money and time it will take to get this one done....and I know its gonna be a lot of both. I just have to be careful it doesn't hamstring me down the line.

 

Lol! I think that is the same face I used in 2012 when I got pulled over on the way to Bonneville...

 

This is really an interesting build and it is good to see how much you have gotten done.

 

Guess I forgot something else..lol

I decided to go in a little different direction with steering wheels. The 1937 Ford Wheel I had was nice, but just tweaked enough that it would have bothered me too much. I decided to use this one that ive had for a number of years hanging on the wall. I was finally able to ID it as 1935-'36 Chevy Master Deluxe and '36 Buick.




It has such a nice size, shape and delicate Art-Deco Styling and as an added bonus, the extra '37 Ford V8 light switch/horn button fit it like it was MADE for it.







I stripped off the old rotted acetate rim, straightened it and polished it. Next step is to turn Neal Jennings loos on the F1 box it gets mated to and the NOS '35 Chevy Steering shaft I have to work his magic. After that.....its off to the platers for NICKEL and finally a new rim in off-white or cream. should look like this when done.


More to come!

~ Mr. Model T

 

Love your work! nice to see some progress!

 

*Update* A little bit of progress..

It's been a while since I really posted anything. I have made progress, but its been so slow and spread out....I just decided to save up and do one big update.

Engine progress:

I have been pushing forward the most on the engine, shooting to fire it sometime this summer. I have had some snags with the F-M patterns, so I scored a set of Canadian '35-'36 aluminum heads to run in the interim and had then fly cut to get them flat.





I also took both Flywheels (mine and Ewan's) and had then redrilled for 10" clutches and fly cut.



Then it was time to install, safety wire and assemble the clutches!





I also got the Heads installed and sealed up..



And I got the pan installed and sealed up..







Frame Progress:

I decided to change gears and work on the frames. Got the motor mounts and the crossmember welded in place and the frames sent off for blasting.







Columbia Axle progress:

I also scored the rest of the parts to finish off Ewan's axle and ordered up the rest of the little stuff We need to complete both rebuilds for final assembly. Also picked up some sets of Dave Havlir's A style spring hangers.









Misc Progress:

There were a few small projects that I made progress in the interim. I decided to move away from the custom Buick wheel (too much money and work) and decided to just go back to a '37 only banjo as originally intended. I found a really nice original that fits the bill perfectly.


I also received back my early '32 axles from getting a 3" drop. They turned out killer.



I also scored all of the new tires both cars need, the Dash board blanks I need and received another fresh load of nickel back..







That's all for now, stay tuned for more...

~ Mr. Model T

 

Looking good Sir.Thanks for posting.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Nice work , thanks for keeping us in the loop!

 

Wow I'm not sure how I've been missing this one in the past couple of years but count me in for following it.

 

Thank you for all the info on Federal Mogul heads as now I know exactly what my 21 stud ones are now. I just need to find the water tubes for them. Keep the updates coming on this thread.

 

Rex Rod & Chassis (Vern Tardel's son Keith) is actually repopping the water manifolds for your heads. They made all new patterns and did them in bronze. I don't know the price, but they are gorgeous.






I would hit them up, see what they can do for you.

 

I'd leave it for a week or so, as Keith is at the big white dyno for the next little while.

 

I messaged Kieth a few times both here and on Instagram and never heard back from him when they first came out.

 

Bttt...Hope all is well Clayton...hows Hotrods?

 

Very cool build Clayton - your T roadster and the Isky T served as inspiration for mine

 

That is a cool T! Love the action!

 

Keep up the good work man... Coming along nice.

 

Well, its been long enough, so I guess its time for an update


First off, I got my new Steering boxes back from Neal Jennings. Craftsmanship is an understatement..




I have a ways to go before I’m ready to set these up and weld the flanges on, but I had to mock them up.



Next, I got the ’35 Ford 16” wires Blasted, prepped and in color…





Of course I had to get the new tires mounted up…





Next, I worked on the Spring packs. I built some reverse-eye ’26-’27 T rear spring packs for the rear and a set of ’32-’34 front springs with reverse-eye main leaves I made on the press.














Next, I dug into the frame pinch. I removed the rear crossmember at the max length of the rail (to maintain the longest wheel base). Then I pie-cut the frame rails where they bow outward and bent them in by hand. I next tack-welded and 31-1/8” long piece of angle between the rails to true and stabilize them, then cross braced it the same way.













Next step is to finish the boxing plates, gussets and fish plates. Once that is done, I can take the frame up to the shop and go after it with the big Lincoln.


Also worked on the T rear crossmember. Pushed the frame stubs outboard to match the frame and altered all the brackets to match. Since I want to keep the car low and flat with a long wheelbase, I want to run the Spring over the axle. This will require a bit more drop then normal.









I did find the perfect insert for the brass shell, 1934 Chevy Master Deluxe. I will require a bit of trimming, but should fit nice.









Portland swap meet was a few weeks ago and I took Charlotte with me. Needsless to say, she LOVES cars…







More to come…sooner then later.

~Mr. Model T

 

I just love this car so much..