'31 Model A build

[sgo70]

i've been scattering posts here and there about my build so I thought I'd just do a final assembly all in one. This way if I have any questions I can find it again, and with the electrical and bodywork I 'll have a lot!!

I got my frame and all my suspension painted as well as my engine block and tranny. I just hung some plastic in my garage and went to work. Could have used a fan and some more room but this had to do.

I included a picture of the body also and I drilled out the two large holes for my speedo and dash, that hole saw terrifies me especially on the soft copper.

Sean

 

[sgo70]

I bought about a hundred dollars worth of grade 8 bolts to replace the ones that got shorter on changed size somehow during my teardown, I don't know how this happens.

Started out getting the front end all together, just forgot the anti-seize on my four bar threads. I still have to replace some of the bolts that came with it so I'll do it then. Mounted the M/C and went over my 9" with all new hardware, cylinders, adjusters, and brakes. Of course the "know-it-all" sold me the wrong pinion seal so I have to get another. Also added some Moroso u-joint girdles cause they look cool and no one will see them except maybe me.

Got the rear all mounted and centered up. The control arms were a little snug with the new paint so I had to grease them up to slide them in. I had posted my measurements somewhere so I was lucky I could just set them to size and bolt them on, might have to fine tune the pinion angle once I get some more weight on it.

I had to get wheel adapters to fit my rims on cause they don't come in 5x51/2, it also gave me a couple extra inches I needed. (yea, story of my life). The funny thing I found is they sent me a Ford adapter with chevy bolts.

The part I was waiting for was to get these new wheels on. It sure made it look cool, I just laughed at how wide the rear end looked now, it's 84".

Sean

 

[sgo70]

I was on a roll and my phone was inside so I decided to keep going and install my B&M Transpack shiftkit. I was surprised how easy it was but just looking at the black magic in there was intimidating, so I had a beer and got to work. I went with the street version as the competition version says it's wide open shifts and I don't think that would make for a good driver. Kinda fun though. I took a lot of pictures if anyone is interested, can ya find the four check balls in the second picture??

Had to top it off with a nice new shiney deep aluminum pan also. It started getting cold in the garage so I decided it was time to quit tonight, I'm not firing up the furnace just yet. Gonna start building my engine tomorrow, we'll see if I get that installed.

Sure was fun today!

Sean

 

[bob w]

Man, your are doing fine work. That Model A is going to ride good and be a great looker.

 

[YoungBlood]

Awesome work man. I would be interested in some more pics of you going through the tranny if you have them. I have never been through an auto tranny before.

 

[Gastrick]

Everything is really nice sgo. The wheels look great. That dash is sweet.

 

[dmw56]

Looks great! That's going to ba ee a cool a car.

 

[earthman]

Awesome work on the inside! Keep the pix coming please.

 

[sgo70]

Thanks a lot for the input, Youngblood I'll get my pictures figured out and send them off in the next few days, been really busy putting together the engine.

I got a '69 block that the casting numbers match a Corvette/Camero/Truck, so in my mind I tell myself it's out of a Corvette. It's a 4 bolt main bored to 4.03 for my 383 kit, all other machining was done and everything balanced again. Seems balanced from the factory means within 12 grams, took a little bit of drilling. So it's a Scat 383, comp extreme energy cam, AFR heads, Magnum roller rockers so far. I have an Edelbrock performer carb and air-gap intake to go as well as a lot of other fun stuff.

I took about 2 hours removing the inner valve springs today for the break in, I can't wait to put them back in on the car. Here it is so far, just gotta tighten down the rollers.


Sean

 

[Gastrick]

Nice engine sgo. I had a set of AFR heads on one of my small blocks a while back.

 

[Tripper]

Really lookin' good!

SGO,
Man... rides lookin' really good & that motor looks *sharp*. Keep up da good work!!!

BoB

 

[DirtWorshiper]

Looks great, very nice work. Keep the pics of your progess coming.

 

[50Ford]

Awesome work. Cant wait to see more!

 

[Bandit Ls-1]

that dash is bad man. im diggin the whole build.

 

[sgo70]

Thanks for the comments, it's nice to hear after all the hard work and long days.

I got my engine almost built and mounted as well as the transmission in as well. I just have the carb set on top now cause I have to spend time with my fiance (future financee').

I did clean up a room in my house but man what a mess I made in the garage, I just cleaned it up before I started the engine! Oh yea, before someone gives me a hard time the cresent wrench in the second pic was for the engine load distributer, really I'm not lying.

Sean

 

[Thunder1]

The Torque Thrust rims and the whitewalls are seriously cool!! My favorite combination right there! My plans include a set too. Really nice work on your build sgo70!

Thunder1

 

[Gastrick]

Man that's lookin purdy sgo.

 

[Bonehead]

The tires, the rims, the heads, covers, it all looks great.

 

[twin13kustoms]

yeah

i like that interior job nice engine too

 

[sgo70]

Well I found a sliding ragtop for my roof so I'm gonna have to cut out that panel I put in. It's 38"x68" so almost the entire roof will open, hopefully be here next week. In the mean time I sandblasted the entire body and I'm getting to work on doing some filler. The drivers side door was the worst so I started there and I'm already getting sick of it. I keep getting sidetracked by little thing that I missed.
I chopped the windsheild and moved the slider brackets so that's done now, I had to make a licence plate holder with a light on it so I attached that to my spare tire mount. I had a dent in the rear quarter that was almost impossible to hammer out, I had to use a foot long solid bar as a hammer while trying to hold the dolley on the outside. It turned out all right but I think it'll take some filler to finish.
I think all I have to do now is mount my tail lights, fuse panel, mini heater (it gets cold here), fuel filler and wiper. When my ragtop gets here I'll put that in and hopefully be ready to paint.

Sean