37 Ford build--IE: old Header issues thread /37 Ford/5.0/GT40P heads

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Originally Posted by IC2

Randy - it looks like we abandoned you!!

That rear end in the car - finally - really looks good.

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I wasn't worried....I knew you'd come around eventually...:)

I'm glad to finally get the rear end back under there. I've debated just bolting the axles back in without the 3rd member until I can find the one I need but I don't know if that would screw up the wheel bearings if I rolled it around the garage very much. What do you think? Even if I put the old 3rd member back in I wasn't planning to fill it with gear lube. It would just be there to have 4 wheels on it.

Hope you got your brakes figured out. And hope your wife is feeling better...

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Originally Posted by randyr

I wasn't worried....I knew you'd come around eventually...:)

I'm glad to finally get the rear end back under there. I've debated just bolting the axles back in without the 3rd member until I can find the one I need but I don't know if that would screw up the wheel bearings if I rolled it around the garage very much. What do you think? Even if I put the old 3rd member back in I wasn't planning to fill it with gear lube. It would just be there to have 4 wheels on it.

Hope you got your brakes figured out. And hope your wife is feeling better...

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I think I would probably put a little grease on the gears and slip that middlin' 80# block of iron in place with a few nuts. It probably wouldn't hurt the bearings with it out, but since I'm the cautious type dislike chancing damage to a hundred bucks worth of bearings for the sake of a few minutes.

I'm going to fix the caliper leak in the morning, then go through the bedding in process a time or two. After the discussion with Dave S and Steve and other and doing some thinking, I'm guessing that I never got enough heat in the brakes with the light car to do a break in.

My wife ....don't know! She had colon resection surgery 4-5 years ago, and has had occasional innard problems ever since. The surgeon's technique is suspect. Or maybe it's just a 'bug'. To her doctor in the morning.

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Originally Posted by randyr

I could weld straighter if I could actually see through my freakin' mask! :CRY: It's an auto-darken unit and soon as the weld starts, it gets really hard to see what's going on.

Also mounted the housing under the car today, hooked up the sway bar, etc. I keep thinking if I dilly dally long enough, a 9" pumpkin w 3.89 gears & traction loc will appear at a reasonable price. If it doesn't, I'll stick the old pumpking back in for now so I can get the car back on the ground and do other stuff...:)

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Looking good from here Randy! Does your helmut not have adjusters for shading and speed?? You can't weld it if'n you can't see it! :LOL:

All in all, it looks great!

And I agree with Dave, unless you can keep the axle ends centered in the middle, don't roll the car around as you risk bearing damage. You could use a tube or pipe to accomplish this. Just needs to slip over the splines.

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Looking good from here Randy! Does your helmut not have adjusters for shading and speed?? You can't weld it if'n you can't see it! :LOL:

All in all, it looks great!

And I agree with Dave, unless you can keep the axle ends centered in the middle, don't roll the car around as you risk bearing damage. You could use a tube or pipe to accomplish this. Just needs to slip over the splines.

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Hey Mike, that tube/pipe sounds like a good idea. I'll see if I have something that will work for that. To be honest, I think I'm going to have to replace the bearings anyway because one feels a little bit loose and the other seems to have a slight rough spot when you spin it around. That will have to wait till I get the right 3rd member, though.


As for my welding helmet, I've never seen an adjustment on it. It's supposed to auto darken and it's "powered" by light. It was $100 on ebay. It's definitely better than no mask at all but there are times when it seems like I'm welding by "feel" more than sight.....:eek::whacked:

Dave, keep us posted on the wifey. I hope it's just a virus and not a defective procedure or something!

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Originally Posted by randyr

Hey Mike, that tube/pipe sounds like a good idea. I'll see if I have something that will work for that. To be honest, I think I'm going to have to replace the bearings anyway because one feels a little bit loose and the other seems to have a slight rough spot when you spin it around. That will have to wait till I get the right 3rd member, though.


As for my welding helmet, I've never seen an adjustment on it. It's supposed to auto darken and it's "powered" by light. It was $100 on ebay. It's definitely better than no mask at all but there are times when it seems like I'm welding by "feel" more than sight.....:eek::whacked:

Dave, keep us posted on the wifey. I hope it's just a virus and not a defective procedure or something!

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10-4 on the bearings / replacement. just measure the spline od, beg/borrow/"acquire" a tube or pipe with that id. somebody used to actually sell one I think...:confused:

Heck, even my 75 buck helmet has shade adjustments! That's a must! Mig/Tig isn't as "bright" or intense as stick welding. Hence the shade adjusting. Look around and try one, works wonders!

Me too Dave. Hope the wife is feeling better! :whacked:

Randy and Mike - thanks for the good words about my wife. She's on the way to the gastroenterologist (sp?) just in case. I think she is on the mend though as she has eaten about everything in sight today after not much but baby food for the past 4-5 days.

Now, back to the subject - sounds like you just might need a new helmet, Randy. My no name self darkening seems to still work fine. It's about a shade 3-4 to start then goes to about a 10 when the arc strikes. I really can't see a lot, but can usually follow a straight pass line.

Well, today's activities included temporarily heaving the old 3rd member back into place to hold the axles while I finished fitting the rear discs. It all looks pretty good but I may have double check the clearance on those brake hoses when I get the full weight on it.

I bolted on a rear fender to check the axle location and of course, it's off a bit. The rear end needs to move forward about 3/4" to center the tire in the wheel well. This shot also reveals that the tire diameter looks a bit small and the car still sits a little to high. I'm not sure how much weight all the interior elements will add. I can always add a lowering block if necessary. The tire size may have to change too but we'll just wait & see.

The 3rd member will have to come out again when I find the right gear ratio but for now, this gets me back on the ground so I can work on other things. What's next? Hmmmmm........so much to do, so little time...:whacked:

At least it's on the ground again and can be rolled around. That third member gets real heavy real quick when you are lying on your back!!

You are right - it is a bit high with need for centering (I do know all about that centering problem:CRY:)

Choose your tires and, if you are going to change them, the wheels as well. Lowering is easy. Centering means either replacing the spring main leaf with the bolt hole moved forward or grinding the center hole in the spring pad a bit elongated. I wouldn't redrill the hole and adjust the rest of the spring pack as you could set yourself up for potential failure.

Well ya gotta be happy about making some progress! To bad about the centering issue. It looks like the tail lamp(s) are frenched. Or is it an illusion?

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Originally Posted by 34_40

Well ya gotta be happy about making some progress! To bad about the centering issue. It looks like the tail lamp(s) are frenched. Or is it an illusion?

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It's just an illusion, Mike. I'm using the stock taillights which are bullet shaped on a stand.

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Originally Posted by IC2

Choose your tires and, if you are going to change them, the wheels as well. Lowering is easy. Centering means either replacing the spring main leaf with the bolt hole moved forward or grinding the center hole in the spring pad a bit elongated. I wouldn't redrill the hole and adjust the rest of the spring pack as you could set yourself up for potential failure.

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Chassis Engineering offers a 1.5" lowering block kit for 37/38 Fords that will let me move the rear end forward as much as 3/4" without redrilling the spring pad holes, etc. That might be $60 well spent but I'm not going to worry about it right now. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page62.html

Today I started making brackets to install the back seat. I've figured out how I'll mount the back of the seat and tacked the brackets in place. I also blocked up with 2x4's in the necessary places under the bottom of the seat. Now I have to figure out what I'm going to use in place of the 2x4s. Also need to figure out how the shoulder harnesses work so I can mount them in the proper place. Maybe I can find that info on a late-model GTO site. I got the armrests from the GTO too and might design them into my side panels. Anyway, the seats really are comfortable and I think they'll look pretty cool in there when I get it all figured out.

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Originally Posted by randyr

Chassis Engineering offers a 1.5" lowering block kit for 37/38 Fords that will let me move the rear end forward as much as 3/4" without redrilling the spring pad holes, etc. That might be $60 well spent but I'm not going to worry about it right now. http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/page62.html

I got the armrests from the GTO too and might design them into my side panels. Anyway, the seats really are comfortable and I think they'll look pretty cool in there when I get it all figured out.

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I think the CEI lowering blocks is a great idea! And WOW! Those seats look great! Really "form fitting"!:LOL:

I finally have some seats coming that will fit me and my car. A trip to Conn. on Friday took care of that. They will be upholstered with my material and after sitting in the display model, very comfortable. I just ordered sliders from Speedway and will need to make up tip up brackets that fit the holes already in the floor pan. Those seats that came out of my car - they will be either swap meet or Craigs list and someone will probably get a steal with some nicely upholstered Glide Engineering seat:CRY::CRY:. I hope this is the end of this saga:mad:

Randy - those seats are nice - but will the arm rests grab too much room? A '37 still doesn't have any surplus seating space.

These are what my new seats will look as far as design - and it was only $$$$$

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Originally Posted by IC2

I finally have some seats coming that will fit me and my car. A trip to Conn. on Friday took care of that. They will be upholstered with my material and after sitting in the display model, very comfortable. I just ordered sliders from Speedway and will need to make up tip up brackets that fit the holes already in the floor pan. Those seats that came out of my car - they will be either swap meet or Craigs list and someone will probably get a steal with some nicely upholstered Glide Engineering seat:CRY::CRY:. I hope this is the end of this saga:mad:

Randy - those seats are nice - but will the arm rests grab too much room? A '37 still doesn't have any surplus seating space.

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Nice seats, Dave!!! Of course, for that price they ought to be, right? :D

Regarding the armrests in my car, there should be plenty of room for these if I decide to use them. The seat is only 46" wide and the car is 51.5" or so back there. The armrests are 3" wide at the widest point so I think I can fit them into the side panel without disrupting seating room. It probably won't work that well if someone has a huge a$$ though.....:LOL::LOL:

Been awhile Randy I think I bought the same TCI parallel spring system . I have some 255 70 15 to fit in the back , I know a tall tire will raise but I want a little rake in it . Just hope the tire fills the well also .

http://clubhotrod.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1281831023

I might have a little to much tire.:eek:

Also hey Bill , Dave I have been in here lurking cant stop seeing the rods being built here . Rich how ya been the Coupe is looking great .

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Been awhile Randy I think I bought the same TCI parallel spring system . I have some 255 70 15 to fit in the back , I know a tall tire will raise but I want a little rake in it . Just hope the tire fills the well also .

http://clubhotrod.com/forums/attachm...1&d=1281831023

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Actually Bobby, I got this setup from SAC hotrods in their going-out-of-business sale. They may have got it from TCI, not sure. I know the sway bar I purchased from them is Chassis Engineering. This pic has no weight on the springs except the empty body shell. I think the full interior, deck lid, bumpers, etc. will bring it down a little but I still may have to use the lowering blocks mentioned above. I definitely want a little rake too. I have 2" drop spindles on the front and way smaller tires. I may still go with a size larger tire on the rear to fill up the well a little more. These are 255/50/17.

How's your 37 coming along?

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Originally Posted by 406Rich

I might have a little to much tire.:eek:

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What size are they again I know you told me once .

Randy some cinder blocks can simulate weight when stacked in the right places .

235 /75r 15 :HMMM:

Here is the 37 at the shop . Its a fill in job for him so no hurrys but he said by winter , This frame pic and the other cars look vintage .

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Randy some cinder blocks can simulate weight when stacked in the right places .

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Yeah, I thought about that but just haven't done it yet. I only have one....:CRY:

Rich, that coupe looks sweet!!!

That black and white pic could pass for old school...! cool

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Here is the 37 at the shop . Its a fill in job for him so no hurrys but he said by winter , This frame pic and the other cars look vintage .

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Wouldn't it be great to have a big shop like that to work in??

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Originally Posted by 406Rich

235 /75r 15 :HMMM:

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I am sure I have to much tire Rich , have you got lowering blocks installed .

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Originally Posted by 406Rich

235 /75r 15 :HMMM:

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I used to have 235/70/15's on the back of mine. This was with a 1" lowering block with the previous crappy parallel spring setup I had....

This is the 235 and the 255 on the 31 255 fills it nice .


http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/71...425x425Q85.jpg


http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/32...425x425Q85.jpg

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

This is the 235 and the 255 on the 31 255 fills it nice .


http://inlinethumb36.webshots.com/71...425x425Q85.jpg


http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/32...425x425Q85.jpg

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Yeah, the 255 on the 31 is much better!

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Originally Posted by randyr

Wouldn't it be great to have a big shop like that to work in??

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Oh yeah that would be great ,I am having another garage built for a 1 car project biggest I could get squeezed in was a 14 X 36 septic field and easement suck . County did give me 1 foot over easement to get to the 14 wide .

No lowering blocks, but if I drop tire size i will have too. Thanks for the compliment Randy, I still have some redo work ahead of me, but in seven months I `ll retire and have the time. ( rear valance at the trunk corners and upper corners of the trunk stress cracks from the old transverse spring).

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Originally Posted by randyr

I used to have 235/70/15's on the back of mine. This was with a 1" lowering block with the previous crappy parallel spring setup I had....

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Looks good here like to see a complete side shot .

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Originally Posted by 406Rich

No lowering blocks, but if I drop tire size i will have too. Thanks for the compliment Randy, I still have some redo work ahead of me, but in seven months I `ll retire and have the time. ( rear valance at the trunk corners and upper corners of the trunk stress cracks from the old transverse spring).

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235's and up are a good fit for this size car I think ???

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Looks good here like to see a complete side shot .

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I don't think I have a complete side shot anymore. I lost a bunch of pics when my hard drive crashed 2 years ago. :( I took this pics for CL cause I sold these wheels. Here's a pic of the left front. You can see where the paint was getting funky...

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Originally Posted by randyr

I don't think I have a complete side shot anymore. I lost a bunch of pics when my hard drive crashed 2 years ago.

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I had the same thing happen :confused:

Yeah we never back up the pics soon enough do we . Looks like you have a rake I like Rich's look but may be a touch higher in the front.

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Originally Posted by bluestang67

Yeah we never back up the pics soon enough do we . Looks like you have a rake I like Rich's look but may be a touch higher in the front.

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Yeah, I didn't have the dropped spindles at that time.

So you going to drop it lower in the front ???

I`m running a weedeater axle from magnum axle 5.5 drop, with reversed sping eyes, I may add one more leaf tho, but haven`t committed to it yet, I `ve been noting all your improvements on the 9`inch, i have a`69 bronco housing at 58 inches, I located one `69 lincoln 31 spline right side axle for it, length is right for the left side bronco, now I just have to buy one axle for the right side, and looking for 300 or 310 posi third member and discs for it, its just fun doing the cheap....:LOL: But I do like your cobra setup....:HMMM:

With you Rich I like the cheap also . I picked a Explorer disc assembly for my Nine .