Thread: 41 Willys Gasser project

Tweet

It's nice (for us) that you take the time to snap detailed pictures all along the way. I know it can be a pain to lay down your tools, wipe your hands clean, and then take a picture, but it is really informative and enjoyable for us. Thanks for doing that.

Glad to see you are getting deposits on bodies.


Don

Its no problem really Don, I'm glad you like the pics and i'm not boring you.

I just wish i could find more time for this project, working on it is awkward too as its in a lockup at the end of the road as my shop is jammed full, If i have to work on it i go get it and do the welding on my front drive, hence why its all Mig welded and not Tig.
This one won't have much in the way of detail as i'm looking for the look of the Willys in the film Hotrod, I'm going to paint it probably primer Grey but not shiny, I will use matting agent so its not shiny, Shock horror !!!

To keep the costs sensible i will be using a mesh grille just like in the old days as the stock trim is way too spendy. Although i do have to buy repro headlights, taillights & door handles although i may make the handles as again they ain't cheap !!!
I'm using a lot of bits and pieces i have laying around, I wanted to run drums up front but i have a GM disc kit laying around i removed from a customers car, He didn't want it back so it was free

Things like the steering will be Vega as again i have one spare, steering column i will make as its only a piece of tube and a couple of bearings.

The engine & trans is a 1970 Caddy 500 with TH400 i picked up for $700, It was running in a car so i drove it around the block so i know its all good

I have to make a decision on the rear axle soon as i have a choice between an 8" the right width and complete or a 9" which is the right width but i have no diff or shafts.

Was originally going to run the Taxi rear springs but they are knackered and too stiff really so i will use a pair of coilovers i have hanging on the wall.

I did pick up a new pair of Scat seats with black covers cheap so will be putting these in, I've also pulled a mould of these and hopefully will sell a few

I'm not allowed in the shop on sundays (unless i'm working on Sue's car) so i'm sitting here thinking what i could be doing

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

It's nice (for us) that you take the time to snap detailed pictures all along the way. I know it can be a pain to lay down your tools, wipe your hands clean, and then take a picture, but it is really informative and enjoyable for us. Thanks for doing that.

Glad to see you are getting deposits on bodies.


Don

I have a question somebody here may be able to answer

Apparently this is a 58 Ford grill, does anybody know the diameter of the holes ???

Have you determined it was in fact a 58 Ford grille, Steve? It does look like that, but I always thought it was just some expanded metal that was used for grilles like this one. Those holes look to be about 3/4 ", using the other parts of the car for comparision........to me, at least.

Don

You might be right about the 58 Ford grille thing. Here is a picture of one. They might even be 1 ", looking at it now.

Don

Yes Don have had it confirmed, where would i be likely to find one ???

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Have you determined it was in fact a 58 Ford grille, Steve? It does look like that, but I always thought it was just some expanded metal that was used for grilles like this one. Those holes look to be about 3/4 ", using the other parts of the car for comparision........to me, at least.

Don

Just had a PM Don telling me they are 7/8" holes

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

You might be right about the 58 Ford grille thing. Here is a picture of one. They might even be 1 ", looking at it now.

Don

Haha, I was shooting on both sides of 7/8. Glad you found out. I looked on Ebay for you, but only the grille bar is on there right now.

Don

Originally Posted by roadster32

Yes Don have had it confirmed, where would i be likely to find one ???

There was a guy on HAMB that had one a while back, but may be gone by now:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=529707

Anybody know where i can pick up a 58 Ford grille ???

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Haha, I was shooting on both sides of 7/8. Glad you found out. I looked on Ebay for you, but only the grille bar is on there right now.

Don

Thanks mate, i've pm'd him.

Originally Posted by rspears

There was a guy on HAMB that had one a while back, but may be gone by now:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=529707

I reckon i've got lucky, he still has the grille and is sending me some pics, thanks a bunch mate.

Originally Posted by rspears

There was a guy on HAMB that had one a while back, but may be gone by now:
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=529707

Well the frame is now straight and true, had to take it off the jig as paid work was queeing up. Now i have the basic frame sorted i can start adding the various brackets etc etc.

I left the frame out last night and it rained and i now have a bit of patina on it , not a big problem as it will be media blasted again anyway and i just clean the metal where i will be welding. Its surprising how quickly things start rusting

The rear coilover crossmember, centre section & front crossmember was put in on the jig so it keeps it all nice.

I dragged the frame into the garden today as it has been really sunny for a change and the workshop is packed out anyways.












I wanted to get the front springs in place to check height etc etc, I had to cut the rear spring mounts i made as i made them to slip over the frame rails but i didn't notice that where they mount the inner of the frame was bulging slightly (probably been like it since it was made) anyway i decided to cut the legs off and tack weld into position just incase i need to move it. All the welding on this project is MIG.
I made some front brackets to give a bit of extra lift and welded them into position, the shackles are the original rear ones as they are a little longer than the old front shackles and give a bit more lift.








The centre section is just a K at the moment but i will add legs going forward once the motor is mounted. the lower rail is dropped for 2.5" diameter exhaust clearance
.









I next got the spindles out and reamed them to accept the early ford kingpins and slipped them into place, next i put the disc/hubs in place, the disc kt is a Speedway GM kit for early ford spindles and fits very easily, I'm not keen on using old brakes and this kit is a very good price. It made a nice change working in the sun

Frame looks a lot better Steve!!! What did you end up with for clearance for the bottom of the rail to the ground???

Oh yeah, I'm jealus!!!!! All I have guarding my '57 is a dog, you've got an alligator guarding your Willys!!!!!

Did you and Sue smuggle that gator back to England from your last trip here in Florida?

Steve, I've never had a parallel front spring setup and have a question. I see some guys put the fixed shackle in back (like yours) and some put the fixed on in the front. Have you seen any advantages/disadvantages by doing it either way?

Frame is looking good BTW.

Don