Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[J. Robinson]

EG: I had the springs sitting on blocks at the height I want them to be. I just used the "cut & try " method of fitting the top pieces until they were level. It is visible in the picture just after the one of the tube notcher above. Notice how the tube lays flat across the top of the spring.

[firebird77clone]

aright, i think I get it.

Drawing upon your extensive experience in building custom rods, you estimated spring crush under full load, and 'eyeballed' the location for the top mount which will provide you with the desired ride height of the axle.

[J. Robinson]

You are basically correct, EG. Actually, I put the top pieces where I thought they would look OK. I will have to "guesstimate" the spring crush when I make the spring brackets that will attach to the axle. I also have one other thing in my favor; if you look at the pics of the springs closely you may notice the silver colored sleeves inside the red coil springs. Those silver (aluminum) pieces are spring adjusters that came with the springs. I will have about 2 1/2 or 3 inches of adjustability in ride height.

[its_someones]

well i must say your t is off to a great start, looks great the way it sits, it makes me want to grab some tools and get busy on my rod.
but mine is a lil slower, i am at the current process of making some side window moulds for the rear windows so i can glass them in, little bit more fine tuning on the roof and it will be finished.
keep up your great work and i will keep reading your progress and inspirational work

[hotroddaddy]

Looking good, i like youre frame idea, i might have to steal the idea soon

[J. Robinson]

It occurred to me, while looking over what's been posted here so far, that maybe some of you would like to know who you're conversing with... I'm the one on the left.

[Dave Severson]

My left, or your left???? (Hey, somebody had to ask!!!!)

[NVRRDUNN]

holy crap, Jim....that thing is gonna be slick....real interested in those front springs and how do they adjust up and down...are they like a coil over bottom plate? 'Splain, please. Nice build up tech here...I will have my son read this and follow it...as the tube chassis for his 34 rat pickup might be of interest to him. NICE CAR!!!

[J. Robinson]

Good one, Dave! I guess I should have said I'm the one with the mustache.

My coupe is named "Ratzass", is trimmed in green (wheels, engine), and has a Roth Ratfink doll hanging in the right rear window. When we saw this guy at Biketoberfest last Oct, I had to have this picture taken...

Thanks, Steve (NVVRRDUNN). I hope your son can use some of the info here. I will post a close-up of one of the springs with the adjuster later.

[Dave Severson]

Good one, Dave! I guess I should have said I'm the one with the mustache.

My coupe is named "Ratzass", is trimmed in green (wheels, engine), and has a Roth Ratfink doll hanging in the right rear window. When we saw this guy at Biketoberfest last Oct, I had to have this picture taken...

Thanks, Steve (NVVRRDUNN). I hope your son can use some of the info here. I will post a close-up of one of the springs with the adjuster later.

Well, thanks for clarifying!!!!

What's the next part of the build to be attacked? Been out searching for that hard charging 4 banger yet??? Another idea I've toyed with over the years for powering a track roadster is the Ford 2300 OHC engine... There are a number of circle burner classes where these engines are used, they would probably be a lot easier to find heavy duty components and go fast goodies for then the Iron Duke.... Some of the 2300's cam from the factory with turbochargers and a few with superchargers... Might be able to come up with some great performance in an economical package.....

[NVRRDUNN]

Those MercCruiser 4 banger engines are 230 inch if memory serves me correctly....and very stout bottom ends. Underneath all that boat clutter lies an engine that will surprise you, even in stock form. It gets my vote. A 4 holer set up correctly coupled with that light weight chassis = FUN....FUN....and FUN! Remember power to weight ratio? Thats the key.

[Itoldyouso]

Darned it, I just remembered. We had a great running 4 cylinder Mustang engine (1988) that I just hauled off to the junkyard about a month or so ago. You could have had it free, and you aren't that far away. We pulled it out of a low milage convertible and swapped in a 5.0 a few years ago, and it had been taking up space in my shop ever since, so I finally scrapped it.

If you decide to go automatic trans, I still have the tranny from it, because I needed to pull the pan to take it to the scrap yard and didn't feel like doing it the Saturday I took the rest of the stuff. It shifted good, and we drove the car home. You can have it free if you go that route.

Sorry, but I never thought someone might need the engine.

Don

[J. Robinson]

The 2300 Ford (Pinto / Ranger) engines are pretty pricey around here because of the race tracks nearby. That is the engine of choice among the ministock crowd. For sure, there is no shortage of performance parts, though.

Looks like the S-10 engine & trans may "fall in my lap" in exchange for some work on another car. If so, I will go ahead and use it. I like the idea of the Mercruiser engine and it would be a pretty simple swap later to go from the GM 2.5 to the Mercruiser.

I have attached a pic of the springs I am using. This is a kit that is designed to be used on a Honda Civic. The pic isn't real clear, but you can see the adjuster sleeves, etc. I will fabricate the spring buckets for these and the shocks will mount through the center of the springs.

[J. Robinson]

Before I could mount the springs pictured above, I had to get some shock absorbers. I like these shocks that are meant for a mid-70's Ford Pinto (front). I discovered these when I was building my coupe. They are relatively short, fairly stiff, and have a rubber snubber built into them...

[J. Robinson]

The next step in completing the front suspension is making the necessary bracketry to mount the springs and shocks. As usual, I began by making some patterns for the mounts from poster board and then duplicating the shape in 1/4" flat steel.

After that, I made some spring locaters by cutting a pair of 3/4" rings off the end of a piece of 2" OD tubing, splitting one side, and then spreading them open so they fit easily inside the springs.

Rather than ramble on for volumes, I'll let the pics speak for themselves...