With a little luck I might get some pictures of our '29 Coupe on here! My oldest Grandson (Steve) and I got this in September of 2007. Lucky find (for us) and not in bad condition considering some I've seen. Came home in pieces. :)
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With a little luck I might get some pictures of our '29 Coupe on here! My oldest Grandson (Steve) and I got this in September of 2007. Lucky find (for us) and not in bad condition considering some I've seen. Came home in pieces. :)
Looks to be in good condition!! Always liked the Essex cars, had a sedan once, got it about 70% done and found someone that wanted it more then I did!!! I'd say a real good find!
So----------being as we were sucessful with the first batch, here is another segment. We found a bunch of flathead (and other) parts up in Monson, and while on our way back we stopped in to a backwoods auto grave yard to have a look. While there another guy came along, and seeing our trailer load of 'goodies', he spied a 3 speed tranny from a '49 ford F1 that we had. After some chit chat, he said he'd like to have it. Having made a 'deal' we followed him to his garage. While there he showed us a few of his rod projects, and pictures of completed projects he has done and sold. NICE. After a couple of hours, getting ready to leave, I told him we were looking for an old pickup or coupe project if he chanced upon something. To which he replied, "I've got just what you are looking for". On a later visit to his house, he showed us the Essex. And after an exchange of greenbacks, we made arrangements to come again with a trailer. The previous pictures are after the trip to get it a couple of weekends later. And now----------TA DAH, here is the first mockup. By the way, please forgive our humble workshop. It is an abandoned greenhouse with blue plastic tarps to keep the Maine weather out. But BIG, 30 ft. by 32 ft. Just cold/hot. haahaaaa.
Next step was to build an elevated platform to assemble the parts of the body on, and to give us a flat surface to mock up the frame--yep, the usual 2 x 4 wooden version. :LOL:
Meanwhile, back at the ranch---------we acquired a Chevy inline 6 motor, 230 cu.in. from a '69 Camaro (reasonable).* And a guy we bought some other 'junk' from gave us an old Model A frame.* It had it's faults, but for free?? We'll use it!!:whacked: This pic also shows our new air compressor (home depot), this in November of '07.* Note that we haven't been able to use it (lack of 220 volt power) until November of '08.* hmmmm, warranty still good I wonder?Also here, parts of 2 x 4 (spruce) frame.* Well--------cheaper than steel.:cool:
Started with an old Model A front axle, spring, bones----but the durned spring perch bolts offered some resistance, so out came the gas axe---
Yup, you guessed it, ruinet it.
So in our growing pile of jun---ehhh, parts, we had a front axle from a '49 ford F1. OK. Good. We cut off the parallel springs, then trimmed the mounting pads off. Got plans for home brew bat wings, thanks to my Mentor and new Friend from Florida!
Also came up with a grille shell from a Model A (year unknown) that came with the radiator. Turned out we couldn't use the rad, but ???
And with so much adverse comments about our wooden frame, I broke down and bought some 4 x 2 steel square tubing to replace it with.
WOW, having a blast. Should've done this years ago!:D
Well, how to hook steel to wood--------Cut the 'A' frame at the cowl line, figured that to be (easier) better than trying to replicate it from 4 x 2 steel.* OHHHH, watch out for the guard dogs!Forget the CATS, I got ratters here!!!!* Now cutting and fitting (to replace wood) the new steel pieces.* $$$$$$:whacked:
A true dedicated rodder. Looks good! Keep us informed.
Essex with a Camero 6 cyl. Now that's original!!!
Peace
...."Gas Axe"....
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!!!!!!!
ROTFLMAO, never heard that before. Thanks for that.:LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Cool project, I had a 29 Essex couple about 3 years ago, they are pretty rare
bodys to find these days, if interested the resto can be seen here
www.automotivesheetmetel.com If you need parts i have a few sites i can
Im you.
Hey Redrodman, that Essex rebuild looks great. I would like to see shots of the roof build, is it wood like original? I have been thinking (worrying) about that ever since I brought it home. I need two good doors, but probably can't afford them. My passenger door is from a '27-28, and is rotten inside. My driver door is from a '29, but also is in very poor shape. Thanks for the post. Perley
Whoops I spelt sheetmetal wrong. Well at least you knew what i meant.I dont
know too much about the roof other than he filled it. On the website it has
Scotts ph # give him a shout Im sure he`d be glad to yak to you about it.
Tell him Bill from Victoria sent you. Hers a site that may be helpfull yo ya.
www.restored-classics.com , click on Hudson parts,and then on the blue
section on the right ,click on Essex
Hi Perley. I see you got your thread up & going. There are some pictures here I hadn't seen before... Your grille shell is probably a '28 (Model-A). The '29's were chromed from the factory; '28's were painted. That's assuming it's a passenger car shell. It's my understanding that some '29 commercial shells were painted, too. Maybe some of the Model-A experts can clarifiy that.:HMMM:
There's nothing sweeter sounding than an inline six with split exhaust manifold and dual glasspack mufflers...:D
I've heard a torch called a "blue wrench", "smoke wrench", "hot wrench", and a "Mexican speed wrench", but "gas axe" beats 'em all. That's a good one...:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
Here's another pic of the mock up. And a shot of the dashboard. An interesting note here-----the '29 was unique among the Essex family as it had pine cone/tree branch motiff, as you might see (sort of) on the instrument panel. It is my understanding that this was the only year for that. Not widely accepted by the buying public I guess. The door and window handles had that also. Must have been nice!
OOOOOPPS, sorry, we actually do have 'watch cats' too. This one also a first class mouser (and birder). 3 of them total. Actually 4, but one is strictly an inside cat.
Found a bargain on a Chevy S-10, '91 vintage, from which we got a Borg Warner T-5 manual 5 speed tranny. Here it is along with a picture of the older S-10 rear. This one is from a 4 x 4 truck and these are 5 inches wider than the two wheel drive version. And just so you know up front that I do (more than) my share of wrong things, here is a shot of a Camaro bell housing I bought off ebay. I was told that any SBC bell housing would fit my Inline 6 and adapt to the T-5 tranny. Well---------not quite. The eighties versions had this "60 degree" tilt. UGH. Eventually I did find a proper one (90 degree). :confused:
Here is a shot of the '49 front axle after cutting off the 4 bolt hole mounting flanges. I shake a lot with the torch going! I'm real good at grinding though! haahaa :whacked: And a shot of the input shaft of the T-5 transmission. This had to be cut off by 9/16 ths of an inch, also the bearing retainer the same amount, so it would fit the crankshaft hole and bushing in the Inline 6 engine. What a tussle I've had with that combo, I-6 and T-5. WOW. The bell housing thing, the need for cutting the input shaft and bearing retainer, and finding a flywheel, pressure plate and clutch plate, all to fit this combo! I've read everything I could find pertaining to the T-5's on the Internet. Just when I would say, AHA, another wrinkle would turn up. Finally got a 13 inch flywheel from a SBC off ebay, then a pressure plate (and I thought) a clutch plate from a fellow hot rodder friend, only to find that the clutch plate had a different number of 'gear' teeth on the hub than the tranny. In the end I had to get one 'special' from Fort Wayne Clutch and Driveline! Thanks folks. Great experience, that. And here is a shot of the mockup table with a relief hole for the 'pumpkin' so I could mock up the rear axle. And the rear axle in place under the 'floor'. The 4 x 4 rear end is perfect in width for this application. And driven from the six cylinder, it should last forever! :p
That's it for this segment. They are going to be rapid-fire because I've been working on it for over a year. Just now got up courage to try the build site thing, thanks to my Mentor! Thanks Friend. Perley
Onward and Upward-----
The 'Z', or kickup on the rear of the frame was predicated by the necessity of space for axle movement under the frame yet keeping the body from being 'step ladder' height! And yet giving some thought to some day having a rumble seat, after all, it IS a rumble seat coupe! I thought the 4" kick would be ok, but I wish (kinda) now that I had gone another 2". But it's not bad. Much lower and I would've had to put a skid plate underneath! This is Maine, don'tchaknow? Yeah, we got roads, but hardly more than wagon trails. heehee **)
Here is a shot of the Model 'A' grille shell and stock radiator. I was told that this was from a truck model, and my Mentor confirms this. In the end I couldn't use the radiator for the overall height was taller than the cowl. So on advice from my Mentor I got a '65/66 Mustang radiator (off ebay). Works perfect, thanks Friend. And a picture of a Model 'A' front spring I got. This turned out to be too wide for this application. I found that a house trailer (mobile home) spring was exactly the right width and the same as sold from some of the hot rod stores. For FREE too, from a long time friend.
And a shot of the Model 'A' front axle and bones that I ruined with the torch (gas axe). By the way, I didn't invent that phrase, I read it somewhere (on another forum). I take no credit for it, other than to propagate it's use! That's it for today folks. I'm tired and it's an hour past my bed time. This work business is for the young and hardy. heeehee :LOL:
And here are a few pictures of the '91 Chevy S-10 transmission. As taken out, DIRTY. And after a half dozen or so cans of degreaser! Here is the mock up, minus the bell housing which I didn't have at that time. And showing the planned on height in relation to the floor. I want a flat floor which is one reason I didn't drop the body lower. :)
Here are a couple of shots of the square tube parts cut and nearly ready to assemble. One kink here is that we don't have any 220 volt power in the 'garage' so we will have to take everything down to the shop, about 300 feet from the garage, to do the welding. First two pics are of the Watch Dogs! And being a copy-cat, I had to drill the front axle! :cool:
OK folks. Enough dilly-dallying. Here is the frame assembly. Got all of the parts cut and assembled, piled onto my trailer along with horses, blocking, tools, etc., and moved it down to the shop where the 220 welder is. It's an arc welder SMAW, not MIG or TIG. I'm old fashioned, also not well enough off to buy those kind of hobby tools. I am retired/disabled and have limited income. Most things I have came in more prosperous times! Anyhoo---First picture is of the mobile home spring I got to replace the Model A spring which was too long for this application. Then a shot of the splice between the front of a Model A frame and the 4 x 2 square tube used for the remainder of the frame. I drilled several holes in one side of the front ends of the square tube, cut two sections of flat stock for splice plates, then inserted them into the ends of the square tube, clamped them against the previously drilled holes, and then plug welded through the holes. Then I reached inside the ends of the square tube as much as I could and welded along the edges of the splice plates. After having done both sides we fitted these into the open 'C' sections of the Model A front frame section, clamped tightly, then welded along the edges of the splice plate. Here is my Grandson Steve doing some of the welding. He is a High School Student and takes Diesel Technology from the local Trade School Tech Center, where he has had training and instructions in welding. And a shot of the welder we have, a Lincoln AC/DC 225. I learned to weld years ago on a straight AC 225 unit. Thanks for reading along, I hope I don't overwhelm you with pictures. I have hundreds, but won't post all of them! :LOL:
Here are the rest of that group. I hope you are enjoying this recap as much as we have doing the build. ;)
Here are some pictures of us assembling the frame. First is an overall view of our make-shift work platform and the perimeter frame. Next is adding a section of boxing plate over the spliced section between the 4 x 2 box tube and the Model A front section. There will be more boxing plates added later on. A shot of the trailer loaded with frame parts, tools, horses, etc., going or coming from/to the garage and shop where welder was. Perley
This is after welding all of the frame parts up and moving the frame assembly back up to the greenhouse 'garage'. Steve sure has some things to tell his Grandchildren about, dumb stuff his Grampa did. haahaaa:LOL:
Here is a shot of the mock up for front radius rods, '49 ford f1 steering box, and drag link (not the actual part). I have relied heavily all through this build on other builds I've studied on the Forum and especially from Don (I told you so) Hot Rod 46, and my Mentor J. Robinson and his Modified build. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Jim last April, a really nice man and a fabulous fabricator. To say nothing of being a very knowledgeable person. Thanks Friend.
And a picture of the cardboard pattern of the front axle radius rod bat wings. At this point still figuring on a support mount brackett for the steering box. Hope you're enjoying this post. Perley
Here is a mock-up of the cowl section sitting on the frame with a practice drivers seat!!!:HMMM: Yeah, the motor noises notwithstanding. haahaaa
A shot of coil springs and head scratching trying to picture a mounting system. And here a Thank You to Brian Angus for the excellent post on building a hot rod frame and in particular to his reply and lovely computer aided drawing of mounts for my coil springs. Thanks Brian.:)
At this point I recognised that there might be a tight fit (or no fit) between the front spring and shackles and the tie rod. But I just charged right ahead, instead of studying for an adjustment. I actually planned on bending the tie rod out around the mounts etc. haahaa
Forgot the other pictures, sorry. Also picture of Steve putting the T-5 bearing retainer back on after cutting it for fit to Inline 6 engine. And a shot of the ROUGH cut batwings. Spent a LOT of time with grinders fixing them. I'm a lot smarter now. heeheee:LOL:
Here are some pics of the internal structure, 'K' member if you will. Don't look like a K though! And showing the boxing plates clamped into place, ready for welding. Horrorsssss, another trip to the welder shop with a trailer load! :o
I did the internal bracing with 2 x 2 square tube, a tip I picked up from other people's builds, to save weight and expense. I did use a 110 volt stick welder and a 110 volt small (85 amp) MIG to tack some of these parts in place. When my ship comes home, I'll get a nice 220 volt MIG. haahaaa :whacked:
I can see my Grandson's interest waning some, he's 18 and hormones are raging, methinks! And he is very impatient, wants to be driving it in a week or so!!! :eek: I am going to our Daughter's in Connecticutt for Thanksgiving week, so won't be posting any updates until first of December. I wish you and your Families all a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
Hope you are enjoying the build. Perley
Hellloooooooo! Anyone out there? Am I wasting my time posting this stuff? Anyone reading it, care about it? :confused: :(
Looking like a nice, heavy duty frame that will withstand many miles of fun-time cruising!!!! Are you going to run a crossmember of some sort under the engine? Seems like a fairly long stretch of frame on the front without a support between the rails....
As for the grandson losing interest......they usually do, but he'll be back for the test run and the inevitable, "Hey Gramps, gimme-da-keys"!!!!!:LOL: :LOL: :LOL:
We are indeed interested! Keep sending the photos. Love to watch these projects take shape. Everyone have a great Thanksgiving; we do have so much to be thankful for. (I know.... don't end a sentence with a preposition)
Yeah, Perley, keep the pics & explanations coming. Your thread is just beginning to find its audience. We all like build threads...:D
Looks great, keep the pictures coming.
BradC
I'm payin' attention. Don't stop postin' now!!!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by oldrodder43
I don't respond to every thread,but I look at most of them.I have never built a chassis from scratch.It gets to complicated for me.To answer the question,yes keep them coming.Views always out number the responses.
Your doing stuff I wish I had the skill to do. I follow and learn, but keep silent because I just can't do what you do with metal frame fabrication. Great thread, keep it up and nice work. Steve
I've got my ears on and paying attention . I am not 18 but man i sure wish i was :) .
Hi Dave, thanks for the note. I have thought some on the subject of a crossmember, I've read other posts about folks doing/not doing that. I guess at this point I was going to NOT do it. Won't the motor mounts/motor act as a tie point of sorts? If I put one under the motor then would it have to be drop out? YES, I guess Grandson Steve will be there to drive it. heheeee. :LOL: :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
Yes, Happy Thanksgiving to all, I sincerely hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable day.
And to all who responded to my query---Thanks to you all for the vote of confidence and the support. I will indeed keep the posts coming, thanks for the interest.
And to those of you who said you don't have the skills/knowledge to put together a frame------This is my first attempt at anything of this scope! But I have spent hours reading forum threads, looking at pictures, asking questions. I'm sure one of the more proficient builders would laugh at my build, but HEY, I ain't gittin no younger (65 in a few days), so it's now or never! I am having an enjoyable time, it keeps me off the streets, I'm learning lots, I am wallowing in my creative juices, and for a while it gave my Grandson and I something to do together. It don't get toooo much better. :whacked: :)
Perley,
I am paying attention.....keep it coming....
Wait.....Methinks I feel my hormones raging......gotta go......:3dSMILE: :LOL: :3dSMILE: :LOL: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
I, too, am paying attention as your build, IMHO, is what hot rodding is all about.
This is a cool build,learning alot,your the MAN!!!!!
Finding anything like that up here in Canada is Impossible, great thread, can't wait to see how it turns out, keep the pictures coming