More front axle

Today we got back to it.

One side of the wish bone is bent. We have a replacement but the bolt that holds it together is pretty solid. Looks like someone used it to jacket the car up once. That bent the thread and nut. 

So after lots and heating and cooling it's still together for now...

What did get done was we bought the lug nuts and nut for the hub that was missing. Got the brake drums off with pullers as one was stuck. There was rust, brake dust and mud in there. I removed the brake shoes and lubed it up and put them back together. They spin nicely.

Front axle

My dad and I removed the Chevy's old front axle, steering box, and leaf spring mounts today. It's looking pretty cool. Straight out Hot Rod magazine!

Those old time hammered steel rivets are solid. I had to grind then drill them out. I was thinking I'd just be able to grind off the head and punch them out but nope.

There is some front frame damage from the accident it was once in. With the Ford front end it won't effect the alinement or strength of the chassis. Another reason the Ford axle is best. The Ford axle doesn't relay on anything past the front radiator mount/cross member.

I think to fix the bend I'll make a stencil of the unbent side then heat up the bends and hopefully bend and hammer it back into shape to match. That can wait for now...

I wish I took the camera.

Got the Model A front end today

We, my dad, Tanisha and I, picked up the Ford front end today. Looks exactly like this one above that I found a picture of on www.rodandcustommagazine.com. We started taking it apart when we got back to Chilliwack. 

For 80 years old and out in the weather on a farm it comes apart pretty easy. Next day I'll be able to look at it will be Saturday. We have to split that wishbone looking thing. 

Splitting the wishbone is a popular hot rod thing to do.  It can get in the way of your bigger engines oil pan and you can get the car lower if it's not under the car. When the wishbone is split it becomes two leading arms and will run parallel to the chassis to the front suspension; to hold it in place; note the 3rd picture down.

 This is a threaded steel bung and ball joint to be welded in the cut off end of the split wishbone.

These brackets get bolted to the Chevy chassis

Finished it will look like this. 

 Here's a stock 1928 4 door. Pictures like this keep me motivated. 

Ford Rear Axle

Here is the 2001 Ford Explorer rear axle in place on the original Chevy springs. They match up perfectly with no modifications. Once the front end is in place we will start the shock and sway bar mounting fabrication.

The plan is to get it rolling so we can take it out side. Clean it up then bring it back inside for painting, flat chassis black. Then we'll get the grill and engine in place and start the body work on the cowl to fit the longer engine. Still to get a Chevy T5 transmission with a mechanical speedometer and a Ford aluminum drive shaft.  After that it's brake clutch wiring etc.. Should have a turn key chassis by spring!

The tire is the spare out of my dad's Lincoln (It's parked for the winter). Eventually the car will have stock looking steel spoke wheels,16x4" rims. For now it will be sitting on whatever I can get. 

Disc stopping power! These have drum parking brakes inside the disc.

 

Great job Kobi! Thanks for helping