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Finally done Hello again Fordbarn Folks. Possibly almost none of you remember me from six years ago, but I've been lurking on-and-off here on Fordbarn since I sold my 1931 coupe and moved from California to Kansas. I've been extremely busy for the last six years working on my Auto Restoration degree from McPherson College here in Kansas. Tomorrow I take my last final (Advanced Sheet Metal) and then I'll have my degree. And at that point I suppose it will be time to start looking around for another Model A :-)
Amusingly enough, my Senior Project was a 1930 Model A Tudor that needed a bit of work. I thought I'd post some progress pictures here for your amusement. Here's the car in the College's storage shed: https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...shed-small.jpg The original project guidelines were to assess the car and rebuild the front end. We found the usual, amusing, restored-in-the-70s Model A stuff: Lovely green shag, baby https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...shag-small.jpg An interesting water-based heater under the front seat fed by this hose https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...hose-small.jpg This non-standard fuel filter https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...lter-small.jpg And the obligatory brake rod fix https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...-rod-small.jpg --------------------------------------------- We took apart the front end and decided it needed a bit of help. Some cleanup https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...sted-small.jpg New roller tracks https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...vets-small.jpg Ball joints https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...oint-small.jpg The cool thing was that the college has all the necessary tools (wash tanks and sand blaster, rivets and bucks, mill and TIG welder) to do all the work and professors who know what they're talking about to ask questions of when you get stuck. We got the front end rebuilt (brakes, bushings, king pins, etc) and painted https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...akes-small.jpg (Yes, those are not cotter pins... this was a test fitting) Did some painting of the whole assembly https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...ront-small.jpg And the wheels https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...ted-wheels.jpg And put it all back together https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...bled-small.jpg https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s...lift-small.jpg Then when we were done they asked us to swap out the rear end and transmission for ones that the chassis class had rebuilt https://danzbb.com/images/fordbarn/s.../rear-ends.jpg It was a learning experience and quite enjoyable. And best of all, I didn't have to pay for any of the parts or tools (directly). ---------------------------------- Anyway, I just thought I'd post for anyone who is interested. |
Re: Finally done Looks great. Good luck.
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Re: Finally done Congratulations on your graduation. ! Thanks for the tutorial of the shop and restoration.
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Re: Finally done Congratulation's on your graduation. Now your Armed and Dangerous with knowledge.
Regards Bill |
Re: Finally done Woohoo!!!! So when are you coming back to California to open up a shop����?
Mike |
Re: Finally done Looks great. I'm sure you learned a lot. Hands on is the best way. Wish I had that spray booth.
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Re: Finally done That's the kind of education that you can actually use, and congratulations on getting out of California.
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Re: Finally done Congrats on your accomplishments and your degree. So what are your plans now as far as employment and residency?
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Re: Finally done Congratulations! Great looking work. Bring that red 356 along with you! Best of luck, we need your skills. ;)
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Re: Finally done Well done Dan,
Congrats and Good Luck for the future. Regards Chris |
Re: Finally done Congrats on finishing school! Also appreciate the pics.
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Re: Finally done The model A looks good . Congratulations on your graduation !!!
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Re: Finally done Very nice Dan, thanks for posting. McPherson College has a very good reputation. I am 82 now and had, what I think, was a great career. I earned an AA degree in Automotive at a Jr. college. 5 days a week, 3 hrs. a day. The teacher was great and the school had all the tools and equipment we needed. The mechanics at the GMC dealership I first worked at couldn't understand why I wanted to be a mechanic. I just always liked cars, and loved using my hands and seeing a job well-done. I retired from the City of L.A., as an Airports Maintenance Superintendant, have written a book on performance 4-bangers, and am well respected in the hobby. with the tools you now have, I'm sure you will do as well or better than I did, good luck!
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Re: Finally done Congrats, and good luck....
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Re: Finally done Thanks to all...
I currently don't have plans to move back to California. I'm still working for my employer there (a large software company) from my home office and the cost of living and pace of life here is much more suited to raising three kids (8, 10, and 13). In this rural area of Kansas it's like living about 40 years in the past, which has definite advantages. Obviously I make more money doing software than I could as a restorer, so I'm not thinking to switch careers. Of course, who knows exactly what the future holds... In the short term, I do plan to buy another A and use what I've learned to fix it up and keep it running. I should know enough now to be able to make the hobby a lot more enjoyable/affordable. And several of the professors have mentioned that they'd be happy to offer advice and assistance when I get my next car. Long term, I've thought about writing a book that would be a complete tear-down of a Model A to "no two parts attached" and then reassembly with plenty of photos and exploded diagrams. While the currently available books are good, I think I might be able to do better as I'm a trained technical writer and illustrator. But that's not something I'd be ready to tackle immediately. And it's more of a possibility than a concrete plan. Anyway, thanks again to all who replied. I'm looking forward to buying a car and being a contributor here at Ford Barn again. |
Re: Finally done Congratulations Dan. It is great seeing a youngster (compared to MOST of us....lol) looking forward to working on Model A's. My only wish is you would move to the east coast of Florida. I have a 29 Roadster that is in pretty good original state but could use some TLC on the body. Keep us informed on where you are and what you are doing. Many of us travel around the USA and would love to stop and say hello.!!
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Re: Finally done Quote:
McPherson is about 2 hours south of I-80 for anyone who happens to be traveling along that route. My email is riderdan@gmail-dot-com, just in case anyone wants to get in touch. |
Re: Finally done Did you have any instruction in sheet metal forming at McPherson? If not, that is the next step if you are really into restoration. And it is fun!
Mcpherson had an instructor in this area too, you might want to contact him if he is still there. "Ed Barr, best-selling author of Professional Sheet Metal Fabrication, teaches welding and sheet metal restoration in the Technology Department at McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas. Barr has been restoring cars and creating metal sculpture since he was a teenager. Barr graduated from the University of the South in 1991 and pursued a career in art museum administration after receiving an MA degree from the University of Kansas. Barr then served as director of the Mulvane Art Museum at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Barr earned a BS degree in automotive restoration technology from McPherson College and subsequently worked at Vintage Restorations Ltd. in Union Bridge, Maryland, where he restored British cars. He resides in McPherson, Kansas. www.mcpherson.edu/academics/autorestoration." |
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Re: Finally done If you are into making your own machines, a treadmill motor and speed control makes a good direct drive power source for a planishing machine. Used treadmills are really cheap too!
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