Projects My '26 Roadster / Vintage photo search

I don't know if anyone has said it, but you did it. You kept the original vibe of the car and yet improved it. Many won't even notice the upgrades and revisions but version 2.0 works. Nice job, buddy!

See you on the salt in less than a month.

 

Thank you my friend

That was actually the one thing I was worried about damaging, it's original feel and vibe. It amassed such a following here, I really didn't want to take away everything that made it what it was.

I had gotten the basics down with Version 1.0 so I had my template to go from. I hope that most of the new improvements are noticed....one of the main points of this car is that the sum of all of these additions and goodies make the entire package....make it what it is.

Every part is just as important as the others.

I am happy with Vr. 2.0 mostly because of how you put it..."it works"

I know, I am so stoked for this Bonneville trip!...We'll be there for sure!

 

*UPDATE*
FUEL LINE FITTINGS ARE HERE!!!

I have been waiting for weeks now for any one of the 3 pairs of Stromberg Banjo fittings for my 2 Stromberg 81 carbs and EVERY SINGLE vender seems to be back ordered on these.....until the first of August...

...Not good for my Bonneville plans

So last week I contacted Uncle Max here on the H.A.M.B. He had built me 81's and I should have turned to him in the first place. After much grovelling for not doing so, he told me that (as a distributor) he can order direct from Stromberg and would have them drop shipped directly to me and that they would be at my door by the following Tuesday...and this was on Wednesday!

Today..as promised, they arrived in all of there priceless glory. Thank you to Uncle Max for getting me out of a jam!

Tonight, we get to hook these bad boys up







Stay tuned for this special update part 2!
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Wow, it looks like a car again! And a good stroke of luck on the Stromberg fittings.

Best wishes for continued good luck this month!

 

Thanks Dave! ....I know I'm gonna need it

It is finally starting to look like a car again. I am really hoping to hear it run next weekend ....I hope

 

It is always the little stuff.
Just a Reminder do a good once over, Put cotter keys or safety wire on all steering compents, cotter key the axle nuts front and rear, make sure the E-brake has all the pins cotter keyed. Those are important little things. Clayton, the T is looking sharp!

 

Thanks Mike! ....I just can't wait to hear it run!

I usually do just that and was just making notes on this subject just the other day. I plan on taking a day and crawling over this car front to back once it's done.

 

*UPDATE*
FUEL LINE FITTINGS ARE HERE!!.....Part II

Not HUGE progress, but I got the throttle linkage mostly hooked up...FINALLY!

The longer of the two arms however, was too long and interfered with the fuel lines and fittings ....so I was forced to modify an older one by filling in the shaft hole with a little brass and re-drilling it to work which was no big deal. The longer arm was simply for a progressive linkage with 3 carbs...so no big deal. I will contact Uncle Max and get another small arm later.







All in all.....we are almost ready to fire it

Stay tuned
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*UPDATE*
Progress....but in the wrong direction

The day started off great. Sunday was to be the day I fired the Roadster up for the first time. I had a few things to do and installing the Chicago O.D. was first on my list. When I got to the shop, I went in to see how Troy was doing on the bearing retainer for the Chicago as you might remember from earlier updates:



Without a word, he handed me the finished part...a perfect reproduction in Stainless, with a few improvements Of course it thread on to the input shaft flawlessly so I set to work assembling the Chicago..







...and then the fun began

The rear outer bearing race retainer (which threads into the case itself) was originally installed using some sort of special spanner wrench designed to engage the spanner peg holes on the retainer while fitting down into the ball cap casting with limited space.




Whoever owned this gearbox before me obviously did not have this tool and used a drift punch and hammer to remove it at some point...oval-ing out the spanner peg holes pretty good in the process.

This is how I had removed this retainer as well and because of this damage and the lock screw slot....this was a LONG and TEDIOUS process resulting in many smashed thumbs, excessive expletive use and 2 hours of lost time.

Unfortunately with every hit of the hammer, the original part became more and more warped and tighter. After 2 hours of hammering and still an 1/8" left to go.....it stopped moving. Now at 3:30 with my afternoon quickly disappearing, I tried to remove it.....but it wouldn't move.

So....I spent the next 2 hours cutting and hammering the old one out by drilling all the way through the spanner peg holes then cutting through them with a Dremel to weaken it.






After getting it out, Troy went to work in an attempt to recover some of the days loss...

..Something that I am extremely appreciative of.

Troy worked tirelessly late into the night with me looking on and produced a new, perfect and slightly improved rear race retainer. He got it about 95% complete (turned down to spec, threads cut, inside bored out) with just parting it from the steel stock, cutting the locking slot and drilling/tapping the locking screw.









We are also going to design and build a special spanner "wrench" for this part for use in the future.

Troy should have the retainer done Tuesday night and I should HOPEFULLY have the Chicago installed that night as well.

We might just hear this thing run this coming weekend...with luck

Stay tuned!
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I was gonna ask if you'd also built the correct tool for future use. Also, you'd better label it for posterity, lest your grandkids throw it out.

 

Awesome update. What does Troy do for a living? Machinist?

 

I built a rough version in a fit of desperation to get the old retainer out, but Troy and I will re-machine it properly once this is done.

The new retainer will have only two holes and they will be drilled clean through. The tool is based around the square drive end of a T drive shaft (that will engage in the output "spline"). A round plate the same size as the retainer is welded to the square drive and two hardened steel dowel pins will be welded through the plate to engage the holes in the retainer.

Thanks Brent! Troy, "InkedForLife" here on the H.A.M.B. is a retired disabled veteran master machinist for the U.S. Air Force...15 years of service. Worked on just about everything the Air Force had...F-14s, F-18s, A-10s, etc.

It is a real joy to watch him work. He can look the part over, take a few measurements and pretty much knock out a duplicate in a about 45 minutes to an hour..depending on the part. He is a renter at the shop (building a '65 Ranchero) and had been away from a lathe in quite some time. I had asked him for help on the T and he was really excited to get back into it.

Since, he is also helping Chris and I re-do the machine shop to make it more comfortable for him and the rest of us as well as a bit more "machinist user friendly"

He is a great person, a real craftsman and a great addition to the shop community.

 

Not to be nit picky, but I don't believe the Air Force has ever operated F-14s or F-18s. Perhaps you're thinking of the F-15 and F-16?

 

Yes, that would be correct ...I do know my Navy and Air Force air power, just had a brain fart I guess

 

Go man go !!! Looks like your in good hands.

 

*UPDATE*
the Chicago is...IN!!!!!

After much angst, smashed fingers, cursing, trial and error...the Chicago is finally reunited with the rest of the drive train! Troy finished up the new rear retainer (which was a perfect fit) and we could not be happier with how it came out..







Then I got to work on assembly....take two





Then I got it in the car!







Stay tuned!
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Woo hoo, Finally!!

 

Looking good, Clayton!!!

 

Haven't really been active on here since the beginning of the month.. You've made quite a bit of progression there! Keep at it!

 

I know, right! feels great to have that back in..

It's getting there, still have a way to go though.

Glad to hear from you! I have made a ton of progress, now with luck we might just hear it run this weekend!

...cross your fingers everyone!

 

Three weeks until it's salty.

 

Don't forget to put oil in all the places that need it. Don't ask me how I know this, but gears will actually turn blue.

 

I know...and I CAN'T WAIT!

....I just hope I get it DONE in time....

 

..and connecting rods tend to make a "knocking" sound

I already have all the ointments, creams, jellies, oils, lubes and greases for the roadster all ready to go for this weekend

...would really hate to build new GEARS for the Chicago too

 

*UPDATE*

IT LIVES!!!!!.... Part 1

Well, this was the big weekend. I started off by building up the exhaust..









Then I got busy finishing off the electrical system and plumbing in the fuel system too...



Then Sunday, we all (Me, Julia and the boys) headed up to the shop with my best friend Dan to meet up with Chris, Melissa and Carston for a small "Firing Party". The boys had a great time pitching in...







Julia, being a wonderful "shutterbug" snapped a bunch of great pics..





My best friend Dan (of 22 years) and I playing with the "Special"..





Giving the boys a ride:

Andrew..



Caleb...



and Jonah..



My big brother Chris and Melissa playing with the "Special"






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*UPDATE*

IT LIVES!!!....Part 2

Then after much tweaking and fussing...

..This happened:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MUl-qlxOWiE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>





<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/klTEOWql05c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Stay tuned for more!

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Looks like you all had some fun-

Sooooooooooooo-

Where's the video of your T firing up ???

 

embedded in post Part 2....did they not show up?

 

No, you just beat my impatience by a minute or two

 

Nice, healthy sound!!! Now, just get your brakes working