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

Randy and Mike - thanks for the good words about my wife. She's on the way to the gastroenterologist (sp?) just in case. I think she is on the mend though as she has eaten about everything in sight today after not much but baby food for the past 4-5 days.

Now, back to the subject - sounds like you just might need a new helmet, Randy. My no name self darkening seems to still work fine. It's about a shade 3-4 to start then goes to about a 10 when the arc strikes. I really can't see a lot, but can usually follow a straight pass line.

Well, today's activities included temporarily heaving the old 3rd member back into place to hold the axles while I finished fitting the rear discs. It all looks pretty good but I may have double check the clearance on those brake hoses when I get the full weight on it.

I bolted on a rear fender to check the axle location and of course, it's off a bit. The rear end needs to move forward about 3/4" to center the tire in the wheel well. This shot also reveals that the tire diameter looks a bit small and the car still sits a little to high. I'm not sure how much weight all the interior elements will add. I can always add a lowering block if necessary. The tire size may have to change too but we'll just wait & see.

The 3rd member will have to come out again when I find the right gear ratio but for now, this gets me back on the ground so I can work on other things. What's next? Hmmmmm........so much to do, so little time...:whacked:

At least it's on the ground again and can be rolled around. That third member gets real heavy real quick when you are lying on your back!!

You are right - it is a bit high with need for centering (I do know all about that centering problem:CRY:)

Choose your tires and, if you are going to change them, the wheels as well. Lowering is easy. Centering means either replacing the spring main leaf with the bolt hole moved forward or grinding the center hole in the spring pad a bit elongated. I wouldn't redrill the hole and adjust the rest of the spring pack as you could set yourself up for potential failure.

Well ya gotta be happy about making some progress! To bad about the centering issue. It looks like the tail lamp(s) are frenched. Or is it an illusion?

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Well ya gotta be happy about making some progress! To bad about the centering issue. It looks like the tail lamp(s) are frenched. Or is it an illusion?

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It's just an illusion, Mike. I'm using the stock taillights which are bullet shaped on a stand.

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Originally Posted by IC2

Choose your tires and, if you are going to change them, the wheels as well. Lowering is easy. Centering means either replacing the spring main leaf with the bolt hole moved forward or grinding the center hole in the spring pad a bit elongated. I wouldn't redrill the hole and adjust the rest of the spring pack as you could set yourself up for potential failure.

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Chassis Engineering offers a 1.5" lowering block kit for 37/38 Fords that will let me move the rear end forward as much as 3/4" without redrilling the spring pad holes, etc. That might be $60 well spent but I'm not going to worry about it right now. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page62.html

Today I started making brackets to install the back seat. I've figured out how I'll mount the back of the seat and tacked the brackets in place. I also blocked up with 2x4's in the necessary places under the bottom of the seat. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to use in place of the 2x4s. Also need to figure out how the shoulder harnesses work so I can mount them in the proper place. Maybe I can find that info on a late-model GTO site. I got the armrests from the GTO too and might design them into my side panels. Anyway, the seats really are comfortable and I think they'll look pretty cool in there when I get it all figured out.

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Originally Posted by randyr

Chassis Engineering offers a 1.5" lowering block kit for 37/38 Fords that will let me move the rear end forward as much as 3/4" without redrilling the spring pad holes, etc. That might be $60 well spent but I'm not going to worry about it right now. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page62.html

I got the armrests from the GTO too and might design them into my side panels. Anyway, the seats really are comfortable and I think they'll look pretty cool in there when I get it all figured out.

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I think the CEI lowering blocks is a great idea! And WOW! Those seats look great! Really "form fitting"!:LOL:

I finally have some seats coming that will fit me and my car. A trip to Conn. on Friday took care of that. They will be upholstered with my material and after sitting in the display model, very comfortable. I just ordered sliders from Speedway and will need to make up tip up brackets that fit the holes already in the floor pan. Those seats that came out of my car - they will be either swap meet or Craigs list and someone will probably get a steal with some nicely upholstered Glide Engineering seat:CRY::CRY:. I hope this is the end of this saga:mad:

Randy - those seats are nice - but will the arm rests grab too much room? A '37 still doesn't have any surplus seating space.

These are what my new seats will look as far as design - and it was only $$$$$

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Originally Posted by IC2

I finally have some seats coming that will fit me and my car. A trip to Conn. on Friday took care of that. They will be upholstered with my material and after sitting in the display model, very comfortable. I just ordered sliders from Speedway and will need to make up tip up brackets that fit the holes already in the floor pan. Those seats that came out of my car - they will be either swap meet or Craigs list and someone will probably get a steal with some nicely upholstered Glide Engineering seat:CRY::CRY:. I hope this is the end of this saga:mad:

Randy - those seats are nice - but will the arm rests grab too much room? A '37 still doesn't have any surplus seating space.

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Nice seats, Dave!!! Of course, for that price they ought to be, right? :D

Regarding the armrests in my car, there should be plenty of room for these if I decide to use them. The seat is only 46" wide and the car is 51.5" or so back there. The armrests are 3" wide at the widest point so I think I can fit them into the side panel without disrupting seating room. It probably won't work that well if someone has a huge a$$ though.....:LOL::LOL:

Been awhile Randy I think I bought the same TCI parallel spring system . I have some 255 70 15 to fit in the back , I know a tall tire will raise but I want a little rake in it . Just hope the tire fills the well also .

http://clubhotrod.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1281831023

I might have a little to much tire.:eek:

Also hey Bill , Dave I have been in here lurking cant stop seeing the rods being built here . Rich how ya been the Coupe is looking great .

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Been awhile Randy I think I bought the same TCI parallel spring system . I have some 255 70 15 to fit in the back , I know a tall tire will raise but I want a little rake in it . Just hope the tire fills the well also .

http://clubhotrod.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1281831023

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Actually Bobby, I got this setup from SAC hotrods in their going-out-of-business sale. They may have got it from TCI, not sure. I know the sway bar I purchased from them is Chassis Engineering. This pic has no weight on the springs except the empty body shell. I think the full interior, deck lid, bumpers, etc. will bring it down a little but I still may have to use the lowering blocks mentioned above. I definitely want a little rake too. I have 2" drop spindles on the front and way smaller tires. I may still go with a size larger tire on the rear to fill up the well a little more. These are 255/50/17.

How's your 37 coming along?

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Originally Posted by 406Rich

I might have a little to much tire.:eek:

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What size are they again I know you told me once .

Randy some cinder blocks can simulate weight when stacked in the right places .