The Ford Barn

Al 29Tudor · 04-26-2018, 09:51 AM

Good morning,
I just removed the bell housing and found that the bolt with the special head does not reach the pin that engages the tops of both the special bolts that hold the front radius ball in place.
The pin and bolts are not warn but maybe the bell housing bore is.
I am planning to look for a sleeve that is 7/16 ID and 5/8 OD and about 3/16 long to locate under the head to keep the bolt higher.
Has anyone had this situation?
Thanks,
Al Leach

SeaSlugs · 04-26-2018, 10:38 AM

yup - very common for the steel bolts to bore into the cast iron over the years - gets worse deeper it goes. Bolt kinda flops around like an air hammer as the engine is running.

ANyways yes make a spacer - im sure you could scare up some old bushings you can cut to size or any sturdy metal tube. Make the pin sit firmly down in the bolt head notches. Dont be suprised if you need different depth spacers.

I hope your wishbone ball is nice and round and using the original setup ball socket. Dont forget the felt square that slips under the pin and covers the hole.

Bob C · 04-26-2018, 10:43 AM

Check out this link. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...housing+repair

Bob

Al 29Tudor · 04-26-2018, 11:34 AM

Thanks guys.

AeaSlugs, Thanks for the confirmation - not uncommon - and it will require different lengths. Good round ball with original setup and no shimmy.

Bob C, thanks for mentioning the other post. Nice equipment and nice repair.

Thanks again,
Al

SeaSlugs · 04-26-2018, 01:07 PM

Good - i like to coat the ball in Mystic JT6 grease when assembling. Remember tighten the 2 special fat flat castle nuts on the ball cup so you can just put the cotters thru. you want the springs in the kit to do thier job. The 2 cup halves should not be touching each other when done.

larrys40 · 04-26-2018, 09:53 PM

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Al
It can be a tight fit but a lock washer underneath maybe an option. It’s hardercto work with working through the hole if all is together in the car and a lot easier out. I have done it in the car. Just takes patience and some skill to get it worked out .
I have confidence you can do it !
Larry shepard

Al 29Tudor · 04-29-2018, 08:26 PM

Thank you,
It's all apart so easier to see and measure.
I'm planning to get two sleeves turned the correct length for each.
Al

04-26-2018, 09:51 AM	#1
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Good morning, I just removed the bell housing and found that the bolt with the special head does not reach the pin that engages the tops of both the special bolts that hold the front radius ball in place. The pin and bolts are not warn but maybe the bell housing bore is. I am planning to look for a sleeve that is 7/16 ID and 5/8 OD and about 3/16 long to locate under the head to keep the bolt higher. Has anyone had this situation? Thanks, Al Leach

04-26-2018, 10:38 AM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin yup - very common for the steel bolts to bore into the cast iron over the years - gets worse deeper it goes. Bolt kinda flops around like an air hammer as the engine is running. ANyways yes make a spacer - im sure you could scare up some old bushings you can cut to size or any sturdy metal tube. Make the pin sit firmly down in the bolt head notches. Dont be suprised if you need different depth spacers. I hope your wishbone ball is nice and round and using the original setup ball socket. Dont forget the felt square that slips under the pin and covers the hole. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

04-26-2018, 10:43 AM	#3
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Check out this link. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...housing+repair Bob

04-26-2018, 11:34 AM	#4
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Thanks guys. AeaSlugs, Thanks for the confirmation - not uncommon - and it will require different lengths. Good round ball with original setup and no shimmy. Bob C, thanks for mentioning the other post. Nice equipment and nice repair. Thanks again, Al

04-26-2018, 01:07 PM	#5
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Good - i like to coat the ball in Mystic JT6 grease when assembling. Remember tighten the 2 special fat flat castle nuts on the ball cup so you can just put the cotters thru. you want the springs in the kit to do thier job. The 2 cup halves should not be touching each other when done. __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!

04-26-2018, 09:53 PM	#6
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Al It can be a tight fit but a lock washer underneath maybe an option. It’s hardercto work with working through the hole if all is together in the car and a lot easier out. I have done it in the car. Just takes patience and some skill to get it worked out . I have confidence you can do it ! Larry shepard Last edited by larrys40; 04-26-2018 at 10:02 PM.

04-29-2018, 08:26 PM	#7
Al 29Tudor Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 648	Re: Front Radius Ball Special Bolt / Pin Thank you, It's all apart so easier to see and measure. I'm planning to get two sleeves turned the correct length for each. Al