Thread: Project Special K

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Charlie I haven't measured it yet, waiting to get enginge mounted to transmission, and bed back on. I think it is around 4 degrees if the shims rotated the right amount.

Moving forward went to local steel supply store and talked with a guy there about boxing frames and the lack of easy cutting tools(in my shop), etcetera.. and came to conclusion that it would be faster and cheaper to buy front and back precut pieces from Sacramento Vintage Ford(SVF), then trying to use scrap from them. SVF sells the front and back precut pieces in pairs for 75 bucks per end, and isn't too far of a drive, to save big bucks on shipping, plus I'm remiss to admit there is a nice Hooters restaurant near by to catch lunch at! I know dirty old man! Anyway it's fun going around their showroom which is like a retro museum for hot rodders. In the mean time I can finish a few other projects and free up the rest of the summer to work on the truck, and take a vacation for a week at the coast and celebrate turning Half a century old/young!
I've read online that having a partial boxed in frame is o.k. for light use(not drag racing, and moderate HP, weekend use vehicle vs. heavy use heavy HP.) So hopefully the kits they sell will reinforce the suspension area of most stress to the frame. Worst case scenario I made a mistake!

For those that want the store tour go here, Sacramento Vintage Ford .... go to vintage ford first before you forget what you came for...LOL

It's a great store, lots of cool classics, even a soda bar!

Been calling Sac Vintage Ford to check on my ordered boxing plates only to get a call tonight that they are back ordered with no ETA from manufacturer. Need to hold everything else until I get these on, so losing valuable time waiting. Might have to see if one of the other guys has them in stock. Well I guess I have plenty of time to BBQ and garden!

Waiting for parts Sucks!!! Have you looked at making cardboard templates and having a local metal shop cut them out? Might be a little more expensive but at least you'll be making progress.... Where ever SVF is getting them from, they may not fab the parts until they get a few orders to make it worth their while. Could be a long wait!!

Update. Called Sacramento Vintage Ford today to see about the backordered plates. After a long discussion I was told the manufacturer of the boxing plates lost the engineered specs to cut new rear boxing plates. At this news I decided to get the front set that they were keeping for me in will call and have them mail them to me so that I can at least get the engine back in this summer.. After talking to the guy in the warehouse, he tracked down my will-call parts, and found a box of rear boxing plates right next to them. So looks like I lucked out, some times it pays to keep pestering people. They mailed them out today, so hopefully I'll get them by this weekend. These have been holding up everything, so it's a relief to know they're almost here! I had been searching the net for rear plates for over a month with no luck!

Good news on the plates, Steve! Doesn't hurt to keep bugging the parts guys about the hard to find stuff, they need to get out in the warehouse and stretch their legs once in awhile!!!!!!

Well that's good news! At least you can move forward and complete a couple steps right?!?!

Yep, just in time too. We have about a month and a half before rainy season starts, so if I can get the plates welded on and get the engine in before the rain, then I can start to finish the wiring during the winter.

Glad to hear things are moving along. If you could use a little unskilled labor, I'd be happy assist with the engine install. Great excuse to stretch the legs of the VR.

Thanks Wes that will be next month hopefully. It has become a tradition for my friend mike to come over and risk life and limb positioning the engine. Last time a chain snapper during removal and belted his knuckle. He is still willing to lend a hand even after that incident!

Spent last few weeks customizing the "Engineered Plates" to actually fit where they match the cut of the frame. Engineered should be a very loose term! Yesterday I got the front plates welded in. In back one side will have to be cut into two pieces while the other will be in three pieces to preserve Key frame supports. It's be the weather time, and now this is number one priority. I want the engine back in, and able to fire up, in the next few months, Don't like having a good rebuilt engine, not running, potentially rusting, etc(mines in the garage) but still time to get this beast back together!

Seems you really do have to appreciate the "phrasing" used to sell some of these parts huh?!?!? In any event you are making progress!

Can't wait for the next report that says it's moving under its own power! (no pressure now!!!)

just back from my Idaho Elk hunt. Had a great road trip and got a nice cow elk, that fills the freezer with meat for a few years. Before the trip had everything happen at once with things breaking and going on the fritz. Shower handle broke off, two days before I left which meant overnighting special part so the house/dog sitter would be able to use shower in my absence. My wife still overseas in Germany on business trip/vacation. Next the t.v. started to go out, and a few other minor problems, but back home and getting some time back working on the truck today, since my wife's flight home was delayed. Got the front plates welded in pretty well, need to drop gas tank to work on rears today.