Thread: 1931 Model A Coupe

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This is way cool!

No turning back now! Here the female die is taped to the valve cover. The
edges of the die are rounded to prevent imprinting edge marks. I can't
stress this enough!
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The odd shape of the valve cover made for awkward setup. The apron fixture it's
sitting on has been milled, and polished, with the edges rounded. When I was chasing the letters on the bench it was under the test piece.
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This pic shows the urathane being pressed using a 1/2" thick polished piece
of steel.
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Finished pressing, and moved to the bench. Here I have just finished the 'T', and
uncovered the 'U'. I now cover the 'T', and reclamp the cover.
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All finished, very happy with them!
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This shows the setup on mine. Of course I'm stealing his idea! LOL
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Here's mine after a light bead blasting. Tried several designs before settling
on this one.
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Here's those pieces I used during the embossing. I ran those pieces thru my
milling machine, than DA'ed them, finished by rounding the edges.
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The finished covers with a coat of etch prime.
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Really enjoyed this project! I made the patterns on my mill, and than used a
small air file to square the corners on those letters that required it.

Take care, Rich

As always,THANKS for making the time to share the projects.
"Stamping" those letters was a way cool project. Great ingenuity!

I remember seeing your valve covers and thinking how awesome they were! Great work!

Have been busy preparing for pulling body off frame. I want to have everything
test fitted for final reassembly later. I fabbed a new arm rest from hard wood
that will be covered when I get the seat redone. Wanted to be sure it was in
a comfortable position with shifter. It slips in, and out easily.
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I bent up the stainless lines for the master cylinder. I ran one to the hyd clutch, and
added a hose between the slave for vibration. The main line to feed the brakes is
tied in to a frame mounted block (Tee) that will let me remove body, and have a
starting point to run the rest of the lines.
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Rich

I tried running the exhaust with the body on, but this old body didn't like the
constant up, and down under the car! So that I could get it exactly where I
wanted it with the body off I tacked exit pieces in the finished position. It
will be a lot easier sitting on the frame! There is so little room at the rear cross
area I decided to run them out by the rear tires. I could go under the rear end,
but don't like that idea. I can always change later.
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My son, and grand son came by so I put them to work. We got the body pulled, and
moved to the other side of garage.

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Rich

The splash aprons need to be located exactly to fit up correctly to fenders.
I drilled 1/8" line up holes at each end before removal.

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Got everything prepped, and took them over to my friends shop to shoot.

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I took Roberts advise, and shot them with SPI Epoxy primer. Went on great, the price is right, and they were good people to deal with.

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I need to get busy, and finish up the exhaust, brake lines, and fuel line. The frame
will be ready to paint than!

Rich

Re: The exhaust . . . hanging pipes with angled ladder bars is a bear, isn't it? It's even more fun with a channeled body. Ask me how I know.

Nice looking primer you have there!

Jack, we must love pain we keep doing this stuff! LOL

Robert, many thanks for the great info you post which led me to SPI. Iv'e got my buddy using it also, and
have joined the Forum over there.

Rich

Pain, yes. As soon as the memory fades, we must have more.