Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

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My goal is to have the car rolling on painted wheels and tires by next Sunday PM. I should be able to do that pretty easily, I think.

Are these the famous last words that will turn around and bite you in the rear?

O-o-o-o-h N-o-o-o-o. After all, didn't I hit that $ 3K budget thing right on the nose???? It's only Wednesday, and as soon as I get my laundry and housecleaning out of the way, it's back to work. So, I should make it. (I know Uncle Bob is out there, just waiting to pounce )


Don

I just joined the forum less than a week ago due to a link on another forum to this thread. Absolutely amazing reading. Lots of detail on your build and very inspirational to others...lots of ideas.
I have a question tho. What are those rear radius rods from? I assume from the pics that they are bolted to the rearend like ladder bars but fore and aft vice top to bottom? I am building a model a and want to use the original radius rods but was told they are too weak. Do have an opinion on that? I am considering using them like yours by modifying them with a 3/8" plate instead of the original on the rear and welding in a piece of 1" tubing threaded for a rod end on the front. Power is a basically '77 sbc 350 w/350 T, 8" rearend.
sorry it's so long I don't post much but get carried away when I do. Need to do an intro post..but couldn't wait to ask q???

Welcome to the forum. If anyone is longwinded on posts, it's me, not you. Nice to have another Florida rodder on here. Post some pix of your Model A when you get a chance.


About the rear radius rods. Those are one of my Ebay purchases. I think that they were made by P.S.I in the '60's or '70's, and were intended to be an add on wishbone system so that people could install a later model rear axle in an early Ford type rod. I don't think they are made anymore, because I haven't seen their ads lately. They used to be in Rod and Custom all the time in those years.

These were already done and chromed when I got them, and I really hated to sandblast the nice chrome off, but they would not have matched my painted front ones, so that is what I had to do. I was really lucky to find these, as they worked perfectly with only a simple bracket to afix them to the rear housing.

As for using stock Ford rear wishbones, I am not really up on that, and hope someone else can give you a good answer. I do know that they were not intended to be used that way, but rather to suppliment the closed driveshaft tube, and mount in the center. That being said, thousands of rods used these split to the sides. I think the weak spot is where the cast end is joined to the tube, if memory serves me correctly.

I have always just used either hairpin radius rods, or on one '32 pickup I had, I used '48 Ford front wishbones, turned them around, cut off the end that goes to the axle, and welded on a plate to bolt to the rear axle. I used that wishbone because they are pretty long and thicker than like Model A ones.

Like I said, I hope someone can give you a better answer on this though.

Thanks for reading the thread, I appreciate it and your very nice words. Here are what mine looked like in the mockup stage.

Don

If Don would lay off those rich and fulfilling dinners, he might have a rolling car by this Friday!!!!!!!! He may force me to come down there and help him, so we get to see a car before the Turkey Run this year. Sorry Don, I'm back to withdraws, can't wait to see more now all the painting is done. Where's my meds..........where what. Is this thing on Hello
Brad

Did my threat to help scare him back to work LOL

Don this is one i just seen at a show . The red interior may give you a idea

I like the 40's interior idea that would look good with the orange & black. A nice contrast to the orange indeed.

Don you can upload it at YouTube and paste it here . So join,, get it on cam ,, and lets here it run . You tube you can upload long vids . Tried a 20 second avi from digital cam and up load fails .

Where's my meds..........where what. Is this thing on
Hello
Brad

Brad: I was actually working when you posted, in fact, I just got in and it's about 3AM. I'm starting to like the night shift. But thanks for keeping me going anyway.

Bobby: That little roadster is sharp. It really shares some similarities to mine. I always had red wheels and undercarriage, and this one almost did too, but I figured it was time for a change. But red is still one of my favs. I think the Youtube thing would be cool. I'll have to get a camera and sign up, and have my Sons guide me through it, but I think I'll do that as a wrap up on the build.

Brick: The more I think about that "old baseball glove leather interior" the more I like it. Dan tells me they sell some that is preweathered so it looks old. Not beat up, but just aged. That appeals to me.


To prove I did some work tonight and last night, I remembered my camera tonight. For all practical purposes, the front end is done, including the brakes. I did a 180 and decided to use the Buick drums off of my '27, because the front end turned out pretty good, and the plain '40 Ford drums just wouldn't have done it justice. I had these ceramic coated years ago, so all I had to do was wipe them down, and they were ready to mount. I also did a brake job while I was at it, new shoes and wheel cylinders. Packed the wheel bearings, and buttoned it up.

I'm all ready for the wheels to be painted and installed, and tomorrow I'll stop at AutoZone and get the new wheel cylinders, brake shoes, and hardware kit for the Blazer rear axle. The drums are really nice, so I'll just sandblast them and coat them with something to sort of match the front drum finish. My tierod and rod ends are coming Friday from Speedway, so I'll get those painted when I paint the wheels, maybe Saturday night.

Here are some pictures of how it looks tonight.


Don

I thought I'd post some updated pictures of where Dan is on his '29. He has been spending more time in the evenings working on it, and has gotten his gauges installed and also his steering shaft and wheel. He doesn't like the length of the Genie shifter handle, and is going to order a 16 inch one to replace this longer one. I like it, but he thinks it looks too gimmicky.

I'm glad to see him getting things done again on it, and he really has no idea how close he is to finishing it up.

Here are the pictures from tonight.

Don

Looking good don, your sons truck is gonna be cool, hope to see them both in daytona this year.

Well its about time someone else from Jacksonville joined, welcome to the club.

Don, is the big loop between the seats meant to be a driveshaft loop? If so, it's too far forward and taller than it needs to be. Also looks to be very thick material. 1/4" by 2" is the spec.

Dans car is looking good.

Don most digital cameras have a video button with audio now days they will run about a 3 minute video with a small memory card .