Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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Don,
I know I have said this before, but it is worth saying again. Your work is great and this car is just plain sick. Way to go!

Rick

Thanks Rick, really nice of you to say that.


Don

I didn't feel like mounting my own front tires today, so I decided to go to a tire shop and let them do it and balance them at the same time. I checked out the phone book and found a place that said they did custom wheels, so I figured they would not scratch up mine too bad. The place that dismounted my rear slicks the other day was less than impressive, seems they do mainly big truck tires, as in trailer trucks. So they were not the most careful I have seen.

The new guys did a really nice job, and even put the weights on the backside for me. After the rear wheels cure for a day or so more I'll take them down to be done too. Got the fronts mounted, and it lowered the car another half inch or so. I may not even run hubcaps, as this looks pretty good, I think. I might just buy new lug nuts and new wheel bearing caps and leave it all exposed. Haven't made up my mind yet.

Tie rod came from Speedway today, there was actually one in the box this time. I didn't feel like doing any painting tonight, so I'll probably do it tomorrow night.

Don

Don, I saw a Honda Pilot painted about the same color as your orange/gold today. You wouldn't believe there was two shades on the same panel. LOL Yours looks a H*&^ of alot better.
Brad

Brad: It must be more than me then, having trouble getting even coverage with this stuff. I've noticed that even sitting in the pot between fillups on my gun, it will start settling out. Tons of metallic in it, so it is very heavy, I guess.

My old buddy Uncle Bob posted this picture a while back on another thread. To me it looks similar to this orange too. I know it looks somewhat darker, but in the sunlight mine seems to get that way too.

Don

Don i looked at the wheels along time and it would be a hard call. They sure look good just like they are .

I really won't know until the body is on and painted, I guess. Denny, I have always liked the spiders you posted. Moon sure does like them a lot, judging by the price. What were these in the day, like $ 20.00 a pair?? But they sure are nice.

I also like the adapter idea Dan told me about, where you can use '35 Ford hubcaps on these wheels. I have 5 brand new '35 caps in the box, so it would be nice if I could use them. We'll see.


Don

Awhile back in Street Rodder I think this father and son built a really nice '32 ford truck, and I guess, they couldn't decide on moon disk or artillery wheels. So they decided to put moon disc on one side and artillery wheels on the other. Then they went one step further and put half a hood on it. Sounds goofy but for a show it was like looking at two different trucks. So hub caps on one side and spider caps on the other.
Ken

Hehe, I saw that truck. Pretty unique idea, and it gave them a chance to test the water on which they liked the best.

Don

I got my rear tires mounted and balanced today and put them on the T. While I was waiting for them to do them I had some time, so I triangulated and aligned the axles to the frame for the final time.

For those that have never done this, all you are doing is making sure your front and rear axles are perfectly square to the frame so that the car goes down the road straight and true. There are probably lots of ways to do it, but I use a tape measure and string that won't stretch. Essentially what you do is find the exact center of your rear crossmember, and turn the rod ends on the wishbones to adjust the wishbone longer or shorter. You pick a spot on both sides of the front axle ( I used the kingpins) and you move the wishbones fore and aft until both sides measure exactly the same. Now the front axle is square to the frame. Then you do the same thing to the rear axle. Finally, you measure the wheelbase on each side, and it should be exactly the same. If you are very careful you can get extremely close doing it this way.

The next two weeks will be a little sparse on posts and updates. Dan and I are moving our residence, and have to be out of here and into the new place by the 15th of June, so we have less than two weeks to get stuff ready for the movers. In the meantime, I will be doing small tasks as time permits, and will try to post those.

Here are some pictures of the rear wheels all mounted, and the steering installed and adjusted for the final time.

Don

Don I was reading the post about leaving the caps off and just doing lug nuts and nd new dust caps.......and was thinking PUT THE HUB CAPS ON....until I scrolled down to the picture. Your right it looks pretty good without them!!!!

Looking good Don, It looks like your drive shaft maybe 2 universals with a foot of tube between them. I can't tell how your stance is without the body setting on the frame, but it going to be low.
Bradc

Don't you just want to start it up the way it is and talk a lap around the block? I'll let you borrow my milk crate.

Wow, looking at Denny's graphic thing almost made me start looking for my Iron Butterfly album............groovy.

Bob, thanks for lightening that up. My camera is getting worse all the time, got to replace it or take it in to see what's up.

Brad: Yeah, the driveshaft will be 17 inches long, from the tip of the trans to the rear u joint. I've had shorter though, the one in my Sprite with the 289 Ford was about 9 inches. Too short, had hardly any flex at all.

Ken: Funny that you should mention the ride around the block. Every second Saturday, Fort Myers Downtown hosts a car cruise, like 400 cars go. Next one is June 9th. I was thinking about putting the T on a trailer and taking it, making it just able to be pushed into place. I thought people might enjoy seeing a work in progress. With the move coming up, I'll miss that one, but maybe the July one is possible. Hold onto that milk crate, might need it.

Don

Peace Baby............now where did I leave my beads and nehru jacket?

Actually, I like it. Gonna make it my new screen saver.


Thanks Denny,


Don