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Projects Traditional Banger Build

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by reffiesj, May 17, 2023.

  1. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Finally decided to pull the trigger on a Banger project - after lurking for a long time and casually looking for an older traditional A that would be a good candidate for conversion to a 30's / 40's era highboy roadster, I found the right one a couple months back and have been diving into stripping it down and getting it back running. Will be posting progress - all advice (and encouragement) welcome!
     
  2. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Some pics from when it arrived
    IMG_0136.jpeg IMG_0137.jpeg IMG_0138.jpeg IMG_0141.jpeg IMG_0140.jpeg
     
    Tim, Lil'Alb, hfh and 13 others like this.
  3. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    And after stripping it down a bit - left side aprons and rear bumper in for now - will tackle those later
    IMG_0149.jpeg
     
  4. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Cleaning up wiring and 12V Conversion
    IMG_0150.jpeg IMG_0152.jpeg IMG_0230.jpeg IMG_0276.jpeg
     
    Tim, Lil'Alb, pineknot4 and 11 others like this.
  5. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Some sludge but not too bad
    IMG_0178.jpeg
     
    Tim, brEad, chryslerfan55 and 6 others like this.
  6. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Cleaned and rebuilt the Zenith - was leaking when it went back on from not fully tightening down one of the jets - leak free after tearing it down again…am planning to run a single downdraft but am focused for now on getting the car running after it has been sitting for an unknown period of time
    IMG_0237.jpeg IMG_0241.jpeg IMG_0245.jpeg IMG_0246.jpeg IMG_0249.jpeg
     
  7. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Distributor was in good shape - modern points - set points, ran the shaft through the wire wheel and wire brushed the plug contacts and it cleaned up nicely IMG_0261.jpeg IMG_0263.jpeg IMG_0268.jpeg IMG_0275.jpeg
     
  8. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Started to sketch out a modified battery box
    IMG_0287.jpeg
     
  9. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Next up is water pump rebuild and inlet / outlet replacement
    IMG_0295.jpeg IMG_0294.jpeg
     
  10. Dave G in Gansevoort
    Joined: Mar 28, 2019
    Posts: 2,995

    Dave G in Gansevoort
    Member
    from Upstate NY

    Neat! Boy are you going to piss off any restorer types who see this. I love it! Keep the pictures coming
     
  11. Rickybop
    Joined: May 23, 2008
    Posts: 9,799

    Rickybop
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  12. Martinbuilt
    Joined: Mar 23, 2023
    Posts: 85

    Martinbuilt

    It did look like a pretty nice car...
    I'm with you, though.
     
  13. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Hopefully it will be a lot better when I am through with it! The radiator badge will definitely need to go back on at the end of the build
     
    Tim, pineknot4 and winduptoy like this.
  14. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

  15. Jeff34
    Joined: Jun 2, 2015
    Posts: 1,022

    Jeff34
    Member

    Very nice. Looks just like mine did when I picked it up.
     
    Tim likes this.
  16. burl
    Joined: Nov 28, 2007
    Posts: 860

    burl
    Member
    from Minnesota

    If you're going to keep the banger and run it the best thing for performance gains is to get rid of the stock 3spd and convert to modern 4 spd or any overdrive conversion.
     
    winduptoy and 51 mercules like this.
  17. stubbsrodandcustom
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 2,441

    stubbsrodandcustom
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Spring tx

    Man, you started with a Jewl....

    If you want easy performance, single downdraft intake with a different carb like 97 Stromberg or Holley 94 is where it is at for easy bolt on performance.

    Keep up the good work and welcome to the prewar fun zone.
     
    Spooky, chryslerfan55 and 51 mercules like this.
  18. Nobey
    Joined: May 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,517

    Nobey
    Member

    That baffle will pop out of the pan, exposing the underside. Might find some sludge down below.
    Looks like a pretty solid car, good luck.
     
  19. Nobey
    Joined: May 28, 2011
    Posts: 1,517

    Nobey
    Member

    G_Don, chryslerfan55 and Jet96 like this.
  20. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Thanks Nobey - I took the baffle out (was a bit of a bear to get out) and cleaned the bottom of the pan - just did not take pics.

    Appreciate the advice on the ammeter - I have the plastic nubs that thread on above the terminals just did not have them installed when I took the pic - assume those were there to prevent any accidental grounding to the tank?
     
    Nobey and chryslerfan55 like this.
  21. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Bit of progress today - got the water pump torn down and the housing painted. Also installed a modern bendix for the starter.
    IMG_0303.jpeg IMG_0319.jpeg IMG_0320.jpeg IMG_0322.jpeg IMG_0326.jpeg
     
    Tim, winduptoy, brEad and 4 others like this.
  22. ModelAMitch
    Joined: Jul 8, 2022
    Posts: 241

    ModelAMitch
    Member

    This thing is cool, definitely following along!
    You mentioned the single downdraft intake, but any plans for header/exhaust? I’m currently in the same boat you are, just making the banger reliable enough to cruise around town before really getting into it.
     
    chryslerfan55 likes this.
  23. J.Ukrop
    Joined: Nov 10, 2008
    Posts: 3,142

    J.Ukrop
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Great project, @reffiesj! Looks like you started with a really solid car. I took the exact same route when I was setting mine up: get it running with the updraft, then update to single downdraft, header etc. I highly recommend a Stromberg 81. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!
     
    Spooky, winduptoy and chryslerfan55 like this.
  24. Prewar
    Joined: Oct 16, 2010
    Posts: 71

    Prewar
    Member
    from Orlando

    Cool project! Lot's of era hot rods had ythe side aprons left on as evidenced in old pictures. I think because they are a lot of extra work to remove and don't create a lot of drag like the front fenders. I'd like mine to have aprons, but it's your car so do it your way.

    I second removing the oil pan dipper tray. Mine had tons of sludge underneath.
     
    Spooky and chryslerfan55 like this.
  25. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    ModelAMitch - I picked up an old set of Red's headers from Ebay that I am planning to try out with a short header collector extension - will work on alternatives if that proves too loud.

    J Ukrop - following your build was one of the inspirations that finally convinced me to pull the trigger on this project - love the build and your thread. Would be interested in hearing why the 81 versus a 97 - had been planning to run a 97 since I have run those on some other cars but open to all ideas.

    Prewar - am a bit undecided on the aprons - I agree with you and kind of like the way they look - am planning to save that decision and project until later given the amount of work involved and see how I feel once the car is sitting lower. My plans right now are to run 35 wires sitting on 6's and 7's (I think - would love pix if anyone is running that wheel / tire combo), reverse eye front spring (likely with a couple leaves removed), stock 32 axle, spindles and perches, and in the rear I am planning to run a reverse eye rear spring (likely with a couple leaves removed). Keeping the mechanical brakes.
     
    winduptoy, chryslerfan55 and Prewar like this.
  26. Zax
    Joined: May 21, 2017
    Posts: 715

    Zax
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. 1952-59 Ford Social Group

    I'm running 35 wires. 6s in front and 7s in the rear. Reversed eye springs on both ends.

    IMG_1680.jpg
     
  27. Nice project...we all know I love it!

    If I was in your shoes, I'd be look for a B or aftermarket centrifugal advance distributor for that thing. Easily the best bang for the buck and It will really wake up a stock engine. Next, for my money I'd be doing a head swap. Carbs and exhaust are great and make it look cool. But compression is what she really needs. The carb and exhaust will be more beneficial after that as well.

    After 10 years of driving my A pickup the other upgrades I would make are

    1) leakless water pump
    2) Ted's floaters and cast iron drums if keeping the mechanical brakes.
    3) v8 trans swap(easier than a 4 or 5 speed swap and synchros are a great upgrade.)

    Anyways...have fun! And if you have any questions, don't be afraid to reach out.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2023
    Tim, cederholm, lowroder and 4 others like this.
  28. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Thanks Zax - that looks great - do you happen to have a side profile pic?

    Thanks Hitchhiker - 6.0 high compression head and FS Ignition are on the buy / build list. Have a set of Ted's floaters already which will be installed when I tackle the brakes (and am planning on new cast iron drums). Haven't given a lot of thought to gearbox yet but appreciate everyone's input about. I just finished rebuilding the water pump today so will see how I did when I put the radiator back on....
     
  29. reffiesj
    Joined: Dec 10, 2018
    Posts: 126

    reffiesj
    Member

    Today’s progress…
    IMG_0330.jpeg IMG_0329.jpeg IMG_0332.jpeg
     
    Spooky, Tim, Lil'Alb and 6 others like this.
  30. Perfect. You'll have a real runner with that stuff on there. It's fun to start stock and upgrade as you go too. I'm sure the pump will be fine....for awhile. Potentially many years to come. I've put A LOT of miles on my truck over the last 10 years. I'd say the water pump was easily the biggest reliability issue before I went with the leakless pump with sealed bearings on both ends.
     
    RyanAK, winduptoy, ClarkH and 3 others like this.

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