Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Well, I haven't been here for a while, so I need to do an update. That first test-drive alerted me to a couple of things that needed attention. First, the steering had too much play in it. All the components are brand new to this build, so wear couldn't likely be the problem. Nevertheless, I went over everything to make sure everything was good and that I didn't leave a bolt or nut loose somewhere. Everything checked out except... the double-D steering shaft. There was a bit of slop between the solid shaft going to the steering box and the hollow shaft inside the steering column. I needed something to take up the free play between them. I was looking for an idea when I stumbled across an old set of feeler gauges in my toolbox. The .019" feeler was perfect, so I cut it off the set and it now resides inside the double-D shaft - problem solved.

The other problem was the brakes. They worked, didn't pull to the left or right, but the pedal went almost to the floor before anything happened! My '31 coupe has similar drum rear / disc front brakes and the pedal is right at the top, so what's up with these? Unfortunately, I got sidetracked on another job before I could tackle the issue. Finally, I am finished with the other job for a while. Just last week, my good friend Mike Krupp came up and suggested that we attempt to fix the problem. We began with Mike adjusting the rear brake shoes - that took about half the travel out of the pedal. Still, it wasn't quite enough to make me comfortable with the pedal response. A couple of days later, Mike came back and installed a 10 pound residual valve on the rear brake line. Now maybe I can start driving this beast.

I need to put a timing light on it and adjust the carburetor. If all goes well, I'll be able to move on to finishing some of the details... like the interior and eventually the paint.

[Mike P]

Ahh yes the test drive…….and the old “after all this time and money what do you mean it’s not perfect??????? ”


Jim, sounds like you didn’t have to do to much tail chasing to figure out the problems and I like your solutions.

Very nice car!!!!



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[J. Robinson]

Thank you. Yes, it's not bad. Both fixes were pretty straightforward.

Now I'm fighting a problem with the starter. It bucks and drags and sounds terrible. I shimmed it one way - got worse. Shimmed both bolts - even worse and sounds terrible! I'm going to try the other way just to see if it helps, but I suspect the snout on the starter may be faulty even though it was brand new. I ordered a high torque mini-starter. We'll see what happens when it gets here... Maybe then I can start driving it around town. I'll report here.

[J. Robinson]

I received the new high-torque starter on Wednesday (Oct 18). Finally got to install it on Sunday. Wow! What a difference. It engages and cranks this big block with no grinding or crunching sounds. It sounds like it should!

While I had both starters lying side-by-side on the floor I noticed the "Made in China" sticker on the one I took off. I bought it brand new from Advance Auto Parts back when I was getting ready to install the engine in the frame. Although there is nothing visibly wrong, there must be some irregularity in the snout that makes it fit wrong. The new one probably came from China, too (doesn't say so), but at least it works correctly. FINALLY.., I can move on to some other details.

[J. Robinson]

After I finished with the starter, I installed the new brake pedal. I originally had a round one (visible in some earlier pictures), but I didn't like the feel of it. I don't know why, it just wasn't comfortable. So, I ordered this rectangular one. I liked the more traditional look of the round one, but I like the feel of this one much better.

[J. Robinson]

I spent almost all day Saturday (10-28) in the shop messing with a few different pieces...

I had started making patterns for the door panels a few days previous, so I went back to that. After trial fitting and trimming my cardboard pattern at least ten times, I finally achieved a fit that suits me (Pic 1). I tried the pattern on both doors just to make sure they are identical - they are. Next I transferred the pattern outline to some plywood beadboard paneling (Pic 2) that I had saved from a bathroom remodel last year. (Ultimate recycling?) The next step was cutting out the panels. I lined up two pieces of the paneling and screwed them together, face-to-face, so I could cut both at once. This also assures that they are identical "mirror images" of each other - one left and one right (Pic 3).

Next, I spent some time rerouting the wires for the power windows. (No pic) I had them just lying on the floor and draped across the seats to make sure everything worked. I relocated them under the seats and reconnected them permanently. I know that sounds simple, but "Murphy's Law" was in full effect, so it took a while.

Finally, I set about the task of mounting the console. It has just been sitting in place, held there by gravity, so I made some aluminum angle mounts for it. Now it's anchored firmly in place. (Pics 3 & 4) I still need to tweak the fitment of the second (rear) portion of it and anchor it in place, but the big part is done.

[stovens]

Wow you've been very busy! Nice work Jim