The Ford Barn

usered · 12-31-2012, 01:20 PM

Thought you might want to see my about finished '31 speedster.

It has a model A frame, model B inserted engine, Lion dual plug head, dual downdraft '81's and a 340 cam with a T5 transmission.

Still struggling a little getting the Datsun 8 plug distributor working, having trouble getting the total advance where I want it.

Plan on taking it to Lincoln this summer for the speedster re-union and hill climb.

Ross/Kzoo · 12-31-2012, 01:46 PM

Looks nice. If you could put that pic and others in an album then we could see them in a larger size than your Avitar.

usered · 12-31-2012, 02:02 PM

Addes a few pictures to an album.

Ross/Kzoo · 12-31-2012, 03:22 PM

Very nice. How did you form the metal for the boattail?

usered · 12-31-2012, 04:29 PM

A guy in Oak Grove, Missouri built the body. He has built several over the past few years.

I attached a couple of pictures of the body in process.

If interested I can give you his phone number.

Ed

Maclab58 · 12-31-2012, 04:52 PM

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Nice

Brian LI · 12-31-2012, 06:12 PM

Nice work. The whole package has a great look to it.

Best of luck and enjoy the drives!

I do have a question though, where were you able to get those windshields? I haven't had any luck tracking them down.

usered · 12-31-2012, 06:19 PM

Thanks.

They are for I believe it was an older Austin Healy. I'm on vacation for the next few days, but when I get home I'll look it up and let you know.

Ed

Jim Brierley · 01-01-2013, 02:24 PM

Nice! See you in Lincoln.

Vicky · 01-01-2013, 03:47 PM

Very Nice. We will miss Lincoln this year, we will be in the Great Race that starts the same time.

Jim Huseby · 01-01-2013, 04:01 PM

The source for those folding racing windshields is SPEEDSTERS in Oak Grove, MO 816 690 8464

Brian LI · 01-01-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Huseby

The source for those folding racing windshields is SPEEDSTERS in Oak Grove, MO 816 690 8464

Thanks for the info Jim. After doing a bit of research I see that you're familiar with the work these folks do.

I'll give a call later this week

Thanks again

mkmskm · 01-02-2013, 10:58 AM

Did you have to modify the frame at all for this body? I'm also working on a speedster, the engine is done, working on the frame now and was considering a Rootlieb body.

usered · 01-02-2013, 01:03 PM

No real modifications to the frame. Drilled a few new holes for the body mounts and welded a coupe of tabs on the rear cross member for the rear body mounts. Had to move the steering box back about six inches so there was a new hole also drilled for it.

I did cut the crossmember just a little to install the t5 transmission, but I used a AA bellhousing which is shorter then the stock model A, so very little had to be cut out. Also welded beefed up trailing arms to the outside of the frame to the rear hubs. This was also due to the transmission change.

If you are looking for someone to build you a speedster body I would recommend Jim Huesby in Oak Gove, MO. As you can see he does a quality job.

J Thomas · 01-03-2013, 10:42 AM

Is that the stock hood?

usered · 01-03-2013, 11:55 AM

No, it was hand made. Its about 8" longer then the stock hood. Top is hinged, but the sides are pinned in and removable without taking the hood top off. Works out good for working on the engine most of the time.

Between the fire wall (in the stock location) and the end of the hood is a storeage compartment about 8" inches wide, 6" deep and goes clear accross the cowl. Room for the battery and few other little things.

The entire driver cockpit is moved toward the rear of the car about 8".

On vacation right now but if you wanted some pictures I could get some next week.

Tinbasher · 01-03-2013, 12:36 PM

The Speedster windshields are usually from a British Sports Car. Moss Motors (Moss.com) has them in California as a kit. I can't remember the price but I don't think it's out of line.

The Old Tinbasher

J Thomas · 01-03-2013, 12:56 PM

I would love to see how you moved the steering box back. I am in the begining stages of building a speedster similar to yours. I have pretty much everything figured out except the steering box.

usered · 01-03-2013, 02:07 PM

Really pretty simple, we just drilled the holes in the frame back about 6", used a shorten pitman arm and put an extension on the drag link. You need to watch where you put the new location as it comes close and can interfere with the mounting bolts because of the starter. We then welded the old holes up and ground them smooth.

It will also change the angle of the steering column and you'll have to make a column mount hooked to under the dash area. We used one that swivled so it would accomadate almost any angle.

You want to be sure that the drag link is pretty much parallel with the wish bones, that is why we went with the shorter drag link. It also makes it steer easier.

J Thomas · 01-06-2013, 12:17 PM

Could you send me a picture of how you mounted tha steering box? If you moved it 6" back looks like it would interfer with the motor mount bracket.

12-31-2012, 01:20 PM	#1
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Speedster Project Thought you might want to see my about finished '31 speedster. It has a model A frame, model B inserted engine, Lion dual plug head, dual downdraft '81's and a 340 cam with a T5 transmission. Still struggling a little getting the Datsun 8 plug distributor working, having trouble getting the total advance where I want it. Plan on taking it to Lincoln this summer for the speedster re-union and hill climb.

12-31-2012, 01:46 PM	#2
Ross/Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richland Mi. Posts: 1,172	Re: Speedster Project Looks nice. If you could put that pic and others in an album then we could see them in a larger size than your Avitar.

12-31-2012, 02:02 PM	#3
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Re: Speedster Project Addes a few pictures to an album.

12-31-2012, 03:22 PM	#4
Ross/Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Richland Mi. Posts: 1,172	Re: Speedster Project Very nice. How did you form the metal for the boattail?

12-31-2012, 04:52 PM	#6
Maclab58 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 983	Re: Speedster Project Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Nice

12-31-2012, 06:12 PM	#7
Brian LI Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island "The weiner of New York State" Posts: 41	Re: Speedster Project Nice work. The whole package has a great look to it. Best of luck and enjoy the drives! I do have a question though, where were you able to get those windshields? I haven't had any luck tracking them down.

12-31-2012, 06:19 PM	#8
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Re: Speedster Project Thanks. They are for I believe it was an older Austin Healy. I'm on vacation for the next few days, but when I get home I'll look it up and let you know. Ed

01-01-2013, 02:24 PM	#9
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,089	Re: Speedster Project Nice! See you in Lincoln.

01-01-2013, 03:47 PM	#10
Vicky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 235	Re: Speedster Project Very Nice. We will miss Lincoln this year, we will be in the Great Race that starts the same time.

01-01-2013, 04:01 PM	#11
Jim Huseby Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 361	Re: Speedster Project The source for those folding racing windshields is SPEEDSTERS in Oak Grove, MO 816 690 8464

01-02-2013, 10:58 AM	#13
mkmskm Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kansas City Posts: 202	Re: Speedster Project Did you have to modify the frame at all for this body? I'm also working on a speedster, the engine is done, working on the frame now and was considering a Rootlieb body.

01-02-2013, 01:03 PM	#14
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Re: Speedster Project No real modifications to the frame. Drilled a few new holes for the body mounts and welded a coupe of tabs on the rear cross member for the rear body mounts. Had to move the steering box back about six inches so there was a new hole also drilled for it. I did cut the crossmember just a little to install the t5 transmission, but I used a AA bellhousing which is shorter then the stock model A, so very little had to be cut out. Also welded beefed up trailing arms to the outside of the frame to the rear hubs. This was also due to the transmission change. If you are looking for someone to build you a speedster body I would recommend Jim Huesby in Oak Gove, MO. As you can see he does a quality job.

01-03-2013, 10:42 AM	#15
J Thomas Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Speedster Project Is that the stock hood?

01-03-2013, 11:55 AM	#16
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Re: Speedster Project No, it was hand made. Its about 8" longer then the stock hood. Top is hinged, but the sides are pinned in and removable without taking the hood top off. Works out good for working on the engine most of the time. Between the fire wall (in the stock location) and the end of the hood is a storeage compartment about 8" inches wide, 6" deep and goes clear accross the cowl. Room for the battery and few other little things. The entire driver cockpit is moved toward the rear of the car about 8". On vacation right now but if you wanted some pictures I could get some next week.

01-03-2013, 12:36 PM	#17
Tinbasher Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Innisfil, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,174	Re: Speedster Project The Speedster windshields are usually from a British Sports Car. Moss Motors (Moss.com) has them in California as a kit. I can't remember the price but I don't think it's out of line. The Old Tinbasher

01-03-2013, 12:56 PM	#18
J Thomas Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Speedster Project I would love to see how you moved the steering box back. I am in the begining stages of building a speedster similar to yours. I have pretty much everything figured out except the steering box.

01-03-2013, 02:07 PM	#19
usered Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South Carolina Posts: 240	Re: Speedster Project Really pretty simple, we just drilled the holes in the frame back about 6", used a shorten pitman arm and put an extension on the drag link. You need to watch where you put the new location as it comes close and can interfere with the mounting bolts because of the starter. We then welded the old holes up and ground them smooth. It will also change the angle of the steering column and you'll have to make a column mount hooked to under the dash area. We used one that swivled so it would accomadate almost any angle. You want to be sure that the drag link is pretty much parallel with the wish bones, that is why we went with the shorter drag link. It also makes it steer easier.

01-06-2013, 12:17 PM	#20
J Thomas Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 6	Re: Speedster Project Could you send me a picture of how you mounted tha steering box? If you moved it 6" back looks like it would interfer with the motor mount bracket.