37 Ford build--IE: old Header issues thread /37 Ford/5.0/GT40P heads

Ok fellas, so I've actually been working on my car again and I have pics to prove it! LOL! I think I said in an earlier post that I was going to remount the rear end using new springs, hangers, shackles, etc because my old setup had the car sitting way to high in the rear plus I didn't like the rear shackle setup I had. I bought a pair of barely used springs from SAC Hotrods on craigslist. I contact SAC to buy the appropriate mounting hardward for them only to find they were closing their doors. It was sad because I've seen their ads in car magazines for years. Anyway, I called in the nick of time and Roy still had the parts I needed.
Here's some of my process of installing them.....the new springs set a little wider on my chassis than the old ones so I had to move the spring perches on my rear end. I cut the old ones off with a dremel cutoff wheel (several actually) and was able to use them again. To get them in the right place I built a jig with some 4x4's I had laying around (see pic). I wanted the perches to be 42.5" apart on center so I drilled a 3/8" hole in the cross blocks at 42.5". I put a 3/8 bolt in each hole then place the perches on there. I put the rear end on the perches and centered it then set the pinion angle then tack welded the perches. Then I turned the rear end over and completed the welds.

Wait, I'm not finished yet....then I put the rearend back under the car for a test fit. I'll be using different mounting plates than what are shown here but I don't have them yet. I fitted the rear sway bar in place, too.

When I put the car back on the ground it is quite a bit lower which is what I wanted. The last pic is how it sat before the new springs. Of course it wasn't quite that high when it had all the interior and everything in it.

I still have a few more holes to drill for shock mounts, etc. then I'll pull rear end back back out to clean it up and paint it. That's all I got for now.

Hope all is well with you guys!
Randy

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Originally Posted by Evolvo

Randy,
Good deal on the fixture for resetting the spring perches. I don't want to bum ya out but I noticed you placed your ground clamp on the center section. This is a fairly common "mistake" made by welders. The proper method is to place the ground clamp as close to or on the actual work as possible. The way you have set it up the "ground path" of your welding can be going through the bearings in the third member. I have seen extreme cases of this causing little "ground arks" between the rollers and races of bearings which leaves little stalagmites of metal behind. When that bearing is rolled these break off causing destructive damage. This most likely did NOT happen in your case, but its always better to be on the safe side.
Good work on getting the car lower!

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Hey E, thanks for the tip! I didn't even think about that. I was just going for the easiest place to get a ground. Hopefully, no damage was done, but if it was, I plan to change the 3rd member to different gears anyway. I got the idea for the jig from another site called Fordification, so I can't take credit for it. He built his jig out of steel tubing though. For a one-time use, I thought wood would be fine.

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Originally Posted by randyr

Hey E, thanks for the tip! I didn't even think about that. I was just going for the easiest place to get a ground. Hopefully, no damage was done, but if it was, I plan to change the 3rd member to different gears anyway. I got the idea for the jig from another site called Fordification, so I can't take credit for it. He built his jig out of steel tubing though. For a one-time use, I thought wood would be fine.

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I was going to mention the same issue, it may also have created a bearing issue.. Hopefully the connection was through the center section fasteners. Other than that, it looks great! You do nice work Randy!

Could you remind me how all this started again? ROFL..**):whacked::rolleyes: I thought you were working on the firewall??:LOL:

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Could you remind me how all this started again? ROFL..**):whacked::rolleyes: I thought you were working on the firewall??:LOL:

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Actually, it all started with replacing the radiator.....:whacked::whacked:**):3dSMILE:

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Originally Posted by randyr

Actually, it all started with replacing the radiator.....:whacked::whacked:**):3dSMILE:

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AH! Yes, that's it! I knew it was up front!:) And let me compliment you on the pics too! I always forget that part.. IF I remember to bring the camera, I forget to snap a photo or two :rolleyes:

Well this is as far as i got over this time period . Had help but to many anvils to bang on LOL . Got the A almost all stripped of it's original paint . Also took some time off in W.V. really love the state . It's a 40 cal S/W .

http://inlinethumb10.webshots.com/90...500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/16...500x500Q85.jpg

http://good-times.webshots.com/video...02070080HbJkNP



Randy some good stuff was looking at parts tonight my self on the springs . I did get the sheet metal I needed to fix body . Now this is ready for the starting but still on the A . Want to get it going to make a better scene when it hits Ebay again .

Hey Dave, Bobby, Mike and the rest of you guys,

Geez, it seems like forever since I've posted! I've been so busy doing all my "survival" gigs that I haven't had much time to work on the car. But my creditors are happy that I'm generating enough income to pay them even though I'd rather be spending the money on my car! LOL!

Anyway, I just wanted to check in a wish all you guys a Merry Christmas and much hope & blessing in the New Year! Thanks for all the help, kudos & encouragement you've given me on my car and I look forward to the day when I can post pictures of me cruising down the street in it!! Until then, let's just keep pluggin away and get 'er done!!!

All the best to you and yours!!!
Randy

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Originally Posted by randyr

Hey Dave, Bobby, Mike and the rest of you guys,

Geez, it seems like forever since I've posted! I've been so busy doing all my "survival" gigs that I haven't had much time to work on the car. But my creditors are happy that I'm generating enough income to pay them even though I'd rather be spending the money on my car! LOL!

Anyway, I just wanted to check in a wish all you guys a Merry Christmas and much hope & blessing in the New Year! Thanks for all the help, kudos & encouragement you've given me on my car and I look forward to the day when I can post pictures of me cruising down the street in it!! Until then, let's just keep pluggin away and get 'er done!!!

All the best to you and yours!!!
Randy

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Hi Randy! Yep, it's been quite some time since we've "chatted". I've been in survival mode as well, my department at work has been cut in half and for now I'm still employed! I'm hoping to get some better weather as it's been to cold to go to the garage.

May you and all the guys here have a Happy Holiday Season!

Guys - Have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year. While we haven't all chatted as much as in the past, next year is another that we can start with anew. As far as the creditors, mine are still being held at bay and hopefully will stay there. The car progress - slow but sure, and the honey-do list, well beyond control:CRY::LOL::LOL:.

Merry Christmas to everyone

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randyr

Hey Dave, Bobby, Mike and the rest of you guys,

Geez, it seems like forever since I've posted! I've been so busy doing all my "survival" gigs that I haven't had much time to work on the car.

Anyway, Thanks for all the help, kudos & encouragement you've given me on my car and I look forward to the day when I can post pictures of me cruising down the street in it!! Until then, let's just keep pluggin away and get 'er done!!!

All the best to you and yours!!!
Randy

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My Turn to catch up I guess.. :LOL: I've spent the past few weekends working on the windows in the doors. Mounting the channels was a challenge but it finally came together today!
I only have lucite for now but the car does have windows in the doors that wind up and down! :D:):D

So that's it for the car being weather tight! Now I've got to finish the hood install and paint it! Then when I'm a bit closer, I'll send in all the paperwork to the state and start the registration process...:HMMM: :HMMM: :HMMM:

So I hope you all enjoyed the holidays! And look forward to chatting with you all again!

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Originally Posted by 34_40

My Turn to catch up I guess.. :LOL: I've spent the past few weekends working on the windows in the doors. Mounting the channels was a challenge but it finally came together today!
I only have lucite for now but the car does have windows in the doors that wind up and down! :D:):D

So that's it for the car being weather tight! Now I've got to finish the hood install and paint it! Then when I'm a bit closer, I'll send in all the paperwork to the state and start the registration process...:HMMM: :HMMM: :HMMM:

So I hope you all enjoyed the holidays! And look forward to chatting with you all again!

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Hey Mike, great to see someone posting on our thread again! Of course, the rule (albeit unwritten) is that if you actually do some work on your car, you gotta post a pic or two of what you did!
I'm hoping to get started on mine again in another week or two. My next move is to pull the rearend back out, clean it up, paint it and bolt it back in to stay. I gotta change the gears to something taller than 2.75, too, so that I can take advantage of the new 5sp tranny. I'm thinking something in the mid to high 3's. Will let you know....

Randy

Hey guys - good to hear from a couple of you.

After a 2-3 week Christmas hiatus, I finally got back in touch with my car - and there really might be an end in sight. The body is completely assembled except for the hood, the interior is totally in but the shifter and e-brake boots (Mike - I've had a cold one or two and will PM you eventually about that). I ended up using the Glide seats that were/are a bit clunky size wise, but they just fit better plus are the right color. I tried both sets, bolted them in place, this afternoon, and the BMW/Recaro's looked even worse. No big deal. Time and a few bucks spent but will end up as a couple more swap meet items. The cruise control and stereo wiring was done a couple of weeks ago - what a PITA they were. Ihe IB for the cruise left a lot to be desired and the stereo plus wiring and a remote repeater ended up in the trunk - and the tunes do sound nice. I do have some more fussy work with that and a few more things, but nothing to slow me down too much. I need to take some pictures - probably tomorrow and will post

You know us junkies need pic's Dave . That's what keeps us going if hitting hard or just tapping it a bit .