Thread: My Rat Build

Tweet

Hey Larry, on your brake system pushrod, what holds the end into the M/C? Is it just the rubber boot that holds it in place? HUH? I made mine from a shortened clutch operator rod, beveled the end some to fit into the 'cup' of the M/C, but see nothing that actually grabs it to hold it in place. Just the rubber boot! WOW, I gotta git it in high gear. Might start working two shifts------------

You're a good friend Perley. I would like nothing better than to come up and visit with you a while but that isnt possible in the near future due to the expence and work.

OK first things first.

About the M/C, the push rod/piston/cup assembly is all held in place by a C-clip. I rubber boot/dust cover goes over the end of the M/C but I havent installed it yet being I am just going to take it all back apart. I used a Ranger M/C being that's what I had around here and didn't have the money to go out a purchase another. It just so happened that the push rod was the exact length when I got it all together and didnt have to cut or lenghten it.

I appreciate the offer of the steering column but to me it feels better to build your own creation and have it to work. I still have to get a double d-joint to make the connection. I guess you did notice the portion of the old column I cut off and will reuse. Seems you did the same thing with your's.

I think I will do a small rose weld when mounting the bearings in the column tube to hold them in place so they don't slip. Just a tack weld through a small hole in the side of the tube is all it will take. I will do that when I put it together for the last time. Also still need to grind a flat to except the d-joint on the end of the column.

Larry

I know Larry, I feel the same, I'd love to come down there and meet you in person and trade stories, but same reasons. Money and time. Although I do have lots of time until next June likely. You know I'm joshing, I hope. Love to rattle cages, huh? You're doing a great job friend. Keep it up. Perley

Just got a lot of good teachers on these sites. I dont know beans about building a car from the ground up.

Not much of a welder either but I have become one heck of a grinder..

I am also learning what doesnt work.

I will post a pic of the steering column when its done and also another of the R&P after I get the new brackets on it and remounted.

Larry

Just wanted to give DMW56 a shout out for his kindness in sending to me a piston rod for my steering column drop bracket. Thanks ol'buddy.

Larry

Originally Posted by Crazyrat

Just wanted to give DMW56 a shout out for his kindness in sending to me a piston rod for my steering column drop bracket. Thanks ol'buddy.

Larry

Your very welcome! Hope it works for you.

Originally Posted by dmw56

Your very welcome! Hope it works for you.

Here you go Don, all cleaned up and fitted to the column...perfect!!!! Now just have to size it on the dash and get her welded in.

Larry

Ok Dave, I hope this makes you feel better now about my clamping system on my R&P. These do look alot better.Those exhaust clamp were kinda scarey.

Perley!!!! Get a move on it ol'buddy.....

Yuppers, way nicer!!!! Should keep things in place quite well!

Ya me!!!!:lol:

I got the steering column mounted today.

First had to remove one of the floor frame braces and relocate it. Then cut and bend a piece of 18 gauge metal for the firewall. I cut a 2" hole through the firewall for the column to slip through. After a couple of times putting the column in and out I finally got the drop bracket to the length needed that felt right on the steering wheel.

I use the wife for final adjustments so it felt good to her when she drives it being she's only 5' tall and seats up on the wheel when she drives.

All I need now is to order the last d-joint from speedway but that will be after Christmas.

Thats about it for now.

Larry

Looks nice and clean as well as solid.

Looks like you might be a little cramped by the door but then again cruising with one arm out the window is how i roll haha! I also see that with the trans tunnel ending so close to the drive shaft, and the brake pedal so close to the door you might being driving with two feet(one foot on each side of the drive shaft). The brake pedal almost looks like a E-brake. Not putting you down just pointing it out. Great job on everything so far keep up the good work. Heres a picture of my handy work.

You're right about the room in there, it is a little tight but also pictures can be deceiving. These old cabs aren't very big inside. But actually there is right much room for my feet.

I am going to heat and bend the brake pedal over just a tad ( about an inch or so) toward the column.

As far as the steering wheel goes there's about 3' between it and the door. Enough room to reach the door handle without hitting the door.

Also got a thought in mind about the gas pedal. After the tunnel frame is plated I am going to build up a small mount to mount the pedal on. I will post pic's of that when I get to it.

The tunnel frame gives 1-1/2" of clearnance around the transmission.

Thanks for your comments.
Larry

BTW, nice work on the rose.

Hello Larry. Let me ask this -------- In this picture it shows the brake pedal with rod attached, mated ?? up to the master cylinder on the firewall. Is there any attachment of this rod to the master cylinder? Or does it just sit there. Mine is exactly like this and nothing to hold that rod in place until I put the little rubber boot on the M/C snout from engine side of firewall. Is that it? If I pull back on my brake pedal the rod pulls away from the plunger a ways, I'd worry about it going back into place or whether it might get out of place and not hit the plunger anymore! No what I mean?