Thread: I couldn't build it for $3 K either!

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I finally got around to finishing the pitman arm. I first used regular bolts to connect the flange and arm. Ran into an "oops" situation with that idea. The arm and the lower 4-bar link are pretty close together and the bolt heads hit the bar. Had to fall back on "Plan B". I counterbored the bolt holes and used socket head cap screws. It looks better this way too, I think. Still pretty tight, but there should be plenty of clearance now.

I also gusseted the interior of the spindle steering arm. That pretty much finishes the steering, except for a new drag link and tie rod.

I stuck the steering shaft and steering wheel on temporarily to see how it would work. I had been expecting the steering effort to be high due to the length of the pitman arm. I was surpirised when it was actually very easy(almost like power steering ), in spite of being only 2 turns lock to lock! This thing is going to steer like a go-cart! Now I'm wondering now just how much weight is on the front end. I don't think it's much more that 600-700 lbs.

I also dropped a 700 transmission off at my trans guy's shop. Took awhile to run him down since he not only had opened up his own place, but had also moved to another town!

After talking about my project, this is what we came up with:

A good rebuild with the maximum number of clutch discs in each clutch pack.
A shift kit and Corvette type servo.
A 2200-2400 stall converter.
Modify to lock up in OD without electrical signal

Not exactly ground breaking stuff, but it should get the job done.

Mike

Pitman arm looks really nice with the Allen head bolts!? Very nice work!

Thanks Dave.

Sometimes when things don't work like I wanted, I get lucky and actually come up with something better!

Mike

Hi mike the T bucket is looking good. Will it be ready for jackson? You owe me a ride you know. hope to see yall soon. john s.

John

Yeah, I hope to be finished by then. I'll gladly pay you back. Looking forward to it.

Mike

Is that quick steering, it seems like it to me. I am wondering how tricky it will be to drive. I have never driven one so I am very curious, thanks.

That steering arm did turn out looking very cool, nicely done.

Thanks Brickman.

I'm wondering the same thing.

I know the steering on my 46 is about 2 1/2 turns lock to lock(MII power rack). It was plenty "touchy" until I put on a Heidt's adjustable pressure valve and dialed back on the pump pressure.

I wasn't joking about the steering effort on the T. It actually feels like weak power steering! The quarter elipitical setup really stretches the wheelbase without adding much extra weight to the frontend. I think that extra length made the front pretty light. I based this setup on the Zipper Motors layout and they're supposed to be good drivers.

We'll just have to wait and see how it drives. It's a big gamble!

Zipper motors set-up? Where would someone go to study that a little?

Mike, I poured over your pictures several times, really interesting to look at all the nice touches you are putting in it. Very smart too reinforcing that hairpin steering arm.

It was cool seeing the flamecutter making your steering arm. It did a very clean job on a thick piece like that. As for your steering being too quick, my T is 5 3/4 turns lock to lock and is way too slow IMO. Just today I backed it out of the shop and had to crank and crank to turn it sharply. Yours should end up just about right I bet.

Keep the pics coming......love looking at them.

Don

Brickman,Here's a link to Zipper Motors photo gallery. About halfway down the page is their Lakes Modified. There is a shot of the front end.

http://www.zippermotors.com/page.php?id=21

Don, my hand torch work pretty much sucks! I rescued that old flame cutter from the weeds about 2 years ago and rebuilt it. It helps out a bunch. Sure saves a lot of grinding!

Thanks for the link Hotrod46, those are some nice rides and I like thier bodies for sale also. They look really well built.

Thought I would take a few minutes for an update.

Not much photo worthy stuff, but I've been busy.

I mounted the air compressor and valves and tried it out with temporary wiring. Works good. Not having an air tank doesn't seem to be a problem. The bags are so small, they air up pretty quick.

I also made up my mind to go with the 3x2 setup as I had originally intended(instead of a 2x4). The 2x4 would actually have been a little cheaper, but I felt the 3x2 probably has better "street manners". I found out that Hot Rod Carburetion is still in business. I used their parts on the set that is on my 46 and they have been virtually trouble free for 7 years. So, I called them about "recoloring" my carbs and getting some parts and wound up deciding to just let them build the new set for me. I built my last set, but used the best looking cores I had. I kind of feel bad, since I had told someone earlier(in another thread) that I would document the buildup on the carbs. I can still do something on what I've learned about trips if anyone wants the info.

While I was running the emergency brake cables I discovered the rear brakes were shot! The rearend was a freebe so I can't really complain. The price to completely rebuild the brakes was pretty high since I needed drums too, so I called a wrecking yard where I do business. Seems he was flush with S10's. I scored a complete 2000 S10 rear for less than the cost of new brakes(the brakes on the new rear are good). The new rearend also has better gears to boot(3.73 versus 2.73 in the old rear). The new gears should work well with the overdrive trans.

Of course, I couldn't just duplicate the old rearend installation. That just wouldn't be the "hot rod" way of doing it . I took the opportunity to "tweak" the rear suspension a little. That's where I'm at now. I should have some pics to post soon.

I took a couple of weeks vacation to try and finish most of the remaining fab work. Don't know if I'll get it all done as the rearend is taking a little longer than I thought , but I should be close.

Mike

Mike, Bill (Gastrick) has just finished up installing a set of trips on his sbc in his '32, and he told me at Billetproof it is really working well. Said he gets better milage than the four barrel he previously had on it.

Those s10 rears are really a pretty good hot rod donor, aren't they? I have two of them, one under my T and one under my '39 Dodge. I'm very pleased with the one in the T so far, and am certain I'll like the one in the Dodge when I get it running. Lots of ratios, and some are even posi, I understand.

Don

Don

I like the 3 duece setup on my 46. No problems and runs great. I get 14-15 mpg out of them when I'm not pulling the trailer(383,TH350 and 3.25 gears).

You need a set on your T.

Mike