The Ford Barn

tbirdtbird · 12-20-2014, 08:28 PM

There was a very interesting article in the Restorer many many yrs ago. The writer had somehow stumbled onto the machinist who had machined up the first Model A prototype rear end for Henry to use as a springboard for production. Henry recognized the superb skills the guy had and gave him a roadster off the line fairly early on. The guy was very moved by this and never drove the car. The writer wanted to do kingpin bushings and wanted to borrow a long reamer for this. The guy said he didn't have one. He told him to just remove one bushing from the spindle. The upper wears more than the lower, so he said remove the upper. Press in the new bushing. Ream with a regular reamer, the lower bushing acting as a guide. Then go ahead with the other bushing. While this method may not be 1000% accurate, it has always worked for me, surprisingly well.

I have long since misplaced this article, but those of you with an extensive library of Restorer magazines will be able to find it. It would go back approx 25-35 yrs ago. The entire story made for a very good read. Maybe one of you will be able to locate it and post the issue.

12-20-2014, 08:28 PM	#17
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: King Pin Reamer Needed There was a very interesting article in the Restorer many many yrs ago. The writer had somehow stumbled onto the machinist who had machined up the first Model A prototype rear end for Henry to use as a springboard for production. Henry recognized the superb skills the guy had and gave him a roadster off the line fairly early on. The guy was very moved by this and never drove the car. The writer wanted to do kingpin bushings and wanted to borrow a long reamer for this. The guy said he didn't have one. He told him to just remove one bushing from the spindle. The upper wears more than the lower, so he said remove the upper. Press in the new bushing. Ream with a regular reamer, the lower bushing acting as a guide. Then go ahead with the other bushing. While this method may not be 1000% accurate, it has always worked for me, surprisingly well. I have long since misplaced this article, but those of you with an extensive library of Restorer magazines will be able to find it. It would go back approx 25-35 yrs ago. The entire story made for a very good read. Maybe one of you will be able to locate it and post the issue. __________________ '31 180A