New build thread - My son's first car

[1949FORD]

Hey guys, hows the build going?

[Bill in NJ]

We need an update please

[1949FORD]

Originally Posted by Bill in NJ

We need an update please

I agree

[Bill in NJ]

Rumor has it there is an update in the works. Stay tuned !

[dlshady]

John Lennon once said "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" and after the past couple months I can attest to the fact that truer words have never been spoken! Between an insane workload, Daniel starting the 7th grade and a number of other outside distractions there hasn't really been a lot of free time to spend here on the internet. In fact, when I logged on tonight to post this update I noticed that the end of July was the last time I visited FordBarn. So I guess it's really true what they say about good intentions..... This past summer flew by so fast that I still haven't really figured out where it went!

Having said that, all of the chaos of daily life hasn't allowed us to devote as much time to the speedster project as we'd hoped, but we've made a bit of progress nonetheless. Daniel and Dad made some good progress on the rear section of the body buck, but after getting the main station profiles worked out they decided that it was a bit too flimsy so version 1 ended up in the kindling box and version 2 was born. The back section is pretty well done but it still needs to be sculpted to smooth out the sharp edges. Here's a few photos of the first and second designs:







Here's how it ended up:







On the days that he wasn't working with Dad on the body buck he worked on getting the engine running, and we did manage to get it fired up without much drama. Unfortunately, once it was running it didn't take long to figure out that we had a much bigger project ahead of us that we'd originally hoped. The motor was pretty noisy, which itself isn't too big of a deal, but we also found that the block had previously been welded along the driver side water jacket and the welds were weeping water. I suppose that it could be re-welded but since I had another motor laying around we decided that it'd probably be best to just build it instead. He spent a couple days tearing it down and it's been delivered it to the machine shop for cleaning. Once we get a final gameplan of the work needed, we'll have the local machine shop do the boring, decking, valve job, etc. and then deliver it to Robert Carden in Newnan, GA for the babbit work. Now I just need to get the little stinker to put the parts back that he robbed off my '13 to get his running....
















In addition to the body and engine work, he also worked on some miscellaneous piece parts such as a the coil box and front axle components. The coil box is primed and ready for paint, the wood is assembled and the terminals are all soldered, so that's checked off the list and set aside.



He conned me out of my only pair of 26/27 spindles, then he installed new bushings and we had the local machine shop hone them to match the new spindle bolts, so they're done and put aside as well.









And here's a photo of our best Craigslist find so far. An elderly gentleman in Columbia, TN had put these aside 30 years ago for a project that never materialized, and we were able to pick them up for a VERY reasonable price. That left him with a total of 9 wire wheels so he got to learn how to go about picking the best set.





So we're making a little progress. Kind of like eating an elephant, one bite at a time.... I think he and Dad are planning to devote some time next week to the body buck, so hopefully we'll have another update soon. Stay tuned!

[dlshady]

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Here's a video I took of the engine running, but the audio is pretty lousy. Might want to turn your volume down a bit before hitting play.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbolh8ronHE

If one of you guys knows how to embed a YouTube video, be my guest. I'm aparently not smart enough to figure out how.....

[Fartman]

good work guys...

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by dlshady

If one of you guys knows how to embed a YouTube video, be my guest. I'm aparently not smart enough to figure out how.....

Seems fordbarn does not allow imbedding of the actual videos, just the links to them.

[TonyM]

Lucky kid. My strict / paranoid mother wouldn't even let us touch the lawn mower let alone own an automobile at age eleven.

[yachtsmanbill]

Hey Daniel... Looking good pal!! You can fix that water letter outer on that radiator by installing one or two RAW eggs and run it up so it gets hot. Mine was WAY worse and has now held water all summer and runs at about 175 F under load.
A few things... is it the video sound or is there a pretty good miss in there? Did you get the clutch to release yet? Those wheels seem pretty free rolling at idle. Any brake linings left in the back? ws

[yachtsmanbill]

Had to load some youtube vids... takes time! These show the radiator leaking (now zero!) and the very first start. The smoke is never sieze burning off the exhaust nut.
Have fun kid! We are all pulling for you!! ws

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVzr5...ature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8fZ1JHLZAU&feature=plcp

[Lahti35]

Its so much fun to follow these father/son threads on the various auto forums I follow. Thats going to be one cool ride!

[dumb person]

(Not trying to throw the thread too far off track) Hey yatchsmanbill? How do you keep the battery charged? no visible generator.

[yachtsmanbill]

Originally Posted by dumb person

(Not trying to throw the thread too far off track) Hey yatchsmanbill? How do you keep the battery charged? no visible generator.

I converted over to a 12 volt starter and lights and she starts with a flick of the switch, then switch over to mag. Havent needed a charge all summer, but, I do also have a new 12 Volt geared alternator to put on. 12 volts is the best thing Ive ever done to a T. Where in the south Pacific are you? Guam?? ws

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by yachtsmanbill

Where in the south Pacific are you? Guam?? ws

Oh 12v ok. The place i am at is ok if you ignore most of the locals.

Now we return to our scheduled programming of speedster build.

[Bill in NJ]

Thanks for the update. Is the body going to be steel or alumium ?

[dlshady]

Originally Posted by Bill in NJ

Thanks for the update. Is the body going to be steel or alumium ?

It's going to be aluminum, Bill. Should be easier to work with and a little lighter as well. I'm afraid that I've created a monster though because we went touring Friday and Saturday with the Central Alabama Model A Club and now he's talking about wanting to build a Model A next....

[norton,kel]

Great! I just started my first T build also, At the young age of 63, Ha! You've got a few years on me. I'll keep following this one, keep up the good work, and congrats to your dad and grandad, your one lucky young man!

[FRANK PKNY]

Very well done, whish I had that kind of shop when that age, we only had a dirt driveway and some old hand tools. Keep us posted , enjoy to see the progress. Frank

[Racur96]

Looks like its coming along nicely.