Hot Rods Spalding Bros Repro, for "Too Tall" Ganahl.

I suspect it might also have something to do with only having 6v coils in those days. They are definitely an overkill, after all what's the safe RPM limit for an old stovebolt? 6000 RPM? I read somewhere those Spalding type ignitions were effective well in excess of that. I hope Pat can find an original, it just wouldn't quite be the Spalding Special without one.

 

Well, I got started on building the front radius rods, using an old ladder bar fixture I had. For the purpose of getting a visual, I tack welded a 1/2" nut on the side of the frame for a temporary mounting. As I said in an earlier post, I didn't want to weld female rod ends to the back end of the bars, like the original. One reason is for replacement, and the other is the fact that these units will be chromed. The gusset in the picture is just a pattern, made out of aluminum, I will have some real ones laser cut next week. More to come, thanks for following !

 

I like the gussets.

 

Steve, The side-plates arrived on Friday, they will allow me to mock-up a rear axle assembly, complete with brakes and radius rod brackets, while doing the machine work on the final product. Yours, and others support is greatly appreciated ! I should have both of the front radius rods, and axle bracket mounting completed this coming week. Once Pat gets to look at the project, and is satisfied with the proportions, the next move will be to take the body apart and get the pieces sandblasted. We can "blank-out" the RH door and add the round tubing support the the perimeter of the bucket. Then the body will be stout enough to make the side cutouts, needed to clear the rear radius rods, and prepare for some mounting brackets.

 

Marty,

This build is a fantastic showcase for your fabrication skills and Pat's vision for a long lost icon.

I look forward to further posts as you progress.

 

That's great Marty - hopefully you can make them work. Do you know what was used on the original? Did Pat Warren offer his own side plates as well (I assume that he probably did)? If not, can these be modified to look like the originals?

Steve

 

Hello, I am back with some progress on the front radius rods. Using a scrap of bead board for a plasma cutter guide, and a hole saw for the center hole in the gussets, along with the welding they are nearly complete.

 

Now for the installed pics. When I finalize the spread on the front mounting brackets, Torsion bar arms, and lever shocks will complete the package. When I am satisfied with all mounting locations on the axle, I will roll 7 degrees of caster, and tack all of the brackets. The next hurdle is to get the complete mock-up rear axle in place and build and mount the rear radius rods. Stay tuned.

 

Kool shit!

 

I mocked-up the rear axle today, by widening one of the rear axles donated for this project. This only a temporary set up, that will be used for defining the finished width, and mounting the rear radius rods. Halibrand Steve shipped us a pair of "Culver City" Halibrand side-plates, and I had a "well used" Halibrand center section, so that is what I used. This will allow me to carry on with the project, while we get the "Pat Warren" rear axle done up properly and completed. I am looking forward to a visit from the "Tall Cool One" real soon, to see what he thinks of the proportions. I will keep you posted !

 

Marty, what a great job you're doing. Thanx for letting us hawk the build with your photos. Gary

 

nice workmanship and clever thought processes

 

Great work and explanations. I may have missed it but is that whats called a 'live axle?' And is it a single rod passing thru the housing like a floater or is the ringgear pinned directly to it?
School us.

 

In this case the "live axle" refers to the fact that the axle itself is exposed and not running inside a housing. The axle is one piece and has a flange in the middle that the ring gear bolts to. It spins in bearings in the side bells. The hubs are keyed on the taper at the outer ends and run in a bearing that is housed in the part that the radius rods attach to (generally known as a "birdcage" in the circle track world). Late model open wheel circle track cars run the same basic package but usually have splined axle that the wheel attaches to along with a separate birdcage to hook the radius rods to.

Roo

 

OJ, This one is using a 2" - .0375" wall 4130 tube, that has the ring gear mounting, sweated and plug welded on.

 

Thanks Roo, for the excellent explanation, I will be giving you a call !

 

More pics, Pat and his Wife Anna stopped by to check out his car, and drop off the Dennis Webb seat. He even wanted to try it on for size !

 

The grin says it all.

 

It doesn't matter how old we get we just have to do that!

I sold this guy (forgot his name. He is on the HAMB) the drop tank (old Carni. ride) and delivered it to him at El Marage. He just had to sit in it. Couldn't help himself. Then we took a ride in his motorized Davenport. Interesting guy, interesting day, beautiful lady. I love this hobby.

Gary

 

Did Pat make noises like a Chevy 6?

 

Put, put, put, put.

 

Or pop pop pop.

 

Now that Pat came by and got to look it over, it's time to reinforce the body. I took the body apart and will be taking it to the sandblaster today. The next chore will be shaping and welding some round tube to the perimeter of the bucket, fab and install a blank panel in the RH door opening.

 

Nice game plan. You are doing it the right way. Go easy on the sandblasting so as not to distort things, although if it does distort it looks like you have the moxie to pull things back together. Maybe soda or walnut shells instead of glass beads?

 

Frenchtown, The guy I have been using for blasting for the last dozen years, is very careful, and I have total confidence in him. He uses fine sand, blasts at different angles, and doesn't dwell in one spot, for very long.

 

Yes, we are finally back from a great 3200+ mile 2-week vacation trip, but one of the first highlights for both Anna and me was to see Marty's shop and finally see my roadster for the first time. Wow. You can see the masterful work Marty does from this thread, but I must say how impressed I was at the condition of this 90-yerar-old body. No rust to speak of, no dents--I don't think it's ever been hit! That turtle deck is near pristine. So I thank Marty for finding it, and I thank Chip Starr for selling it to me to start this whole thing way back.
As you can see, I fit in the car. Easy! No, I didn't need to make noises. If you wan to hear some good 12-port six noise, search for Eagle Field or Antique Nationals (Fontana '15) coverage, showing the Iacono digger running.

For those who were asking about the Pat Warren QC's and open-tube axles, I'll attempt to attach one of their early ads. As far as I know, they developed the "live axle" rears, which essentially incorporates a spool and axle as one continuous piece. Later, they were known for their 2-speed "shifter" QC's.

Can't wait to see what Marty does next. Guess I'd better get that engine put together.

Cheers,
Pat Ganahl

 

.... woW !!

 

Pat, It's good to hear you are home from your trip, and it was a great to have you and Anna stop by. I got the body back from the blaster on Friday, and will pick up the turtle deck tomorrow. On the driver side down low, after the bondo was removed, we have some rust to repair. It happens to be in the vicinity of where I will be cutting slots for the rear radius rods. I have a few small cracks to weld up, while adding the round tube to the perimeter of the bucket, and closing the RH door opening. The dents in the rear panel, will be covered by the rear deck, but we will clean up that area. All in all, we have a great candidate for this project. Also, a young friend of mine building a 36 Ford PU, brought me a transmission, I think it will be usable, and it was free !!!!!!!!!

 

I just picked up the turtle deck, it needs a minor patch panel to the driver side mounting flange. The small dents in the rear body panel needed some attention, I used a "low crown" anvil in the English Wheel, and did a little "smoothing", Pat will work his magic on the imperfections.

 

Jeez Marty,
It's a circle track car for cryin' out loud!
"After the first race, you can walk on the hood" - Bill Jenkins