*Mr.ModelT Re-builds his '26 Roadster ~ Official Build Thread*

[26Tguy]

I gotta admit, sir... at first I was worried about what you were gonna do since I have loved your T for sooo long... But I am very happy with your plans. Keep up the good work and don't forget the updates!!!

[MrModelT]

26T,

Thanks! I don't intend to change the look of the car at all....just going back over it while I have it apart to improve and correct a few things.

I will certainly keep those updates coming.

[dumb person]

Thought there was pictures but cannot see them.

[MrModelT]

Originally Posted by dumb person

Thought there was pictures but cannot see them.

There are....tons of them. Hmmmm...they all show up fine on all of the PC's I have viewed this post on..

Lets try this, tell me if you can see the photo below:

[dumb person]

i see that one!

[MrModelT]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

*MID-WEEK UPDATE*
"Steering" myself in the right direction....

I made a another big step forward last night and got one of my last two major jobs on the front end done......and I think the title hints at what I'm talking about

Last week I had attempted to tackle this job, but am sorry to say was not my weekend. I attempted to modify some existing steering knuckle arms, but it was a disaster...bringing about frustration and me eventually storming out to cool down and stew over the solution for a few days.

Last night, I came up with my solution. After Chris helped me with the ground work, angles and measurements.....I just made my own:



The Driver's side:









More to come!

[MrModelT]

*UPDATE*
"Steering" in the right direction...towards a Panhard bar

This weekend was my time to complete the steering knuckle project from last week, so I spent some time filling and cleaning up some welds:





I also tackled building the Panhard bar using my old stock Model T tie-rod. I decided to put the tuck the panhard up between the front cross member and the front axle...to keep everything clean, tight and compact. I also made the up most of the shock mount pieces because I planed to integrate the right-hand shock mount plate as the axle mounting point for the Panhard bar. Here are the shock mount plates for the back side of the axle:



Next I cut down the old tie-rod and got the lengths I needed measured out:



The driver's side frame mount:



And the finished Panhard Bar installed ans neatly concealed under the axle:




I didn't quite get the shock and the panhard bar done as I had intended, but I did get the basics done and tacked into place...so I will get them finished up Wednesday night so that I can sign off on the front end as complete.

Next weekend: We start the REAR SUSPENSION

Stay tuned!

[s1b]

I only see pics in one post..............are there more?

[MrModelT]

Originally Posted by s1b

I only see pics in one post..............are there more?

Yes there should be tons of photos....several in every update. I'm not sure why they are not showing up at all. I have started going back through all the old updates and replacing the photos with new ones re-loaded to my album here on this site.

They all show pine here and on my home PC. Which post has visible photos?

[s1b]

Originally Posted by MrModelT

Yes there should be tons of photos....several in every update. I'm not sure why they are not showing up at all. I have started going back through all the old updates and replacing the photos with new ones re-loaded to my album here on this site.

They all show pine here and on my home PC. Which post has visible photos?

Post 24 and 26

[fordman67]

Man,I just have to say that I love what you are doing! THAT is the correct way to build a T hotrod. Shure makes me wanna leave my fenders off and give it an altitude adjustment!

[dumb person]

Cannot do those mod's down here without legal trouble, Lots of regulations surrounding getting them legal.
(As for the pictures not showing it looks like the photos on this thread are hosted on the H.A.M.B. board server ((looks like a copy/paste from there)) and show up as single pixels until you changed them for fordbarn ones. Guess if i was logged in to H.A.M.B. too then they would have shown up the first time)

[s1b]

Went over to the HAMB to see the pics

[MrModelT]

*UPDATE*
The Front End is......COMPLETE!!!!!

Last night I met my goal to finish the front end....save for some hardware I need to get Saturday morn to mount everything permanent...but all the fab work is done!!

The shock mounts: Done.
Panhard Bar: Done.
Split Wishbones and frame mount plates: Done.
Front spring shackles: Done.
Headlight forks: Done.
Steering knuckle Arms/ Tie-Rod: Done.

Like I said, just gotta get some new hardware on the way out Saturday morn so I can bolt it all together.....didn't have what I needed at the shop.

Here are last night's victories:

The upper shock mounts in all three stages of construction:


...Welding them on:


...All done:


..The Panhard Bar:




The complete front suspension:


..Next Update, we start the Rear Suspension...



...Stay tuned!

[MrModelT]

Originally Posted by fordman67

Man,I just have to say that I love what you are doing! THAT is the correct way to build a T hotrod. Shure makes me wanna leave my fenders off and give it an altitude adjustment!

Thanks! That is exactly what I was going for when I started this. I bet that '25 Tudor would look wild with an "attitude adjustment"

Originally Posted by dumb person

Cannot do those mod's down here without legal trouble, Lots of regulations surrounding getting them legal.
(As for the pictures not showing it looks like the photos on this thread are hosted on the H.A.M.B. board server ((looks like a copy/paste from there)) and show up as single pixels until you changed them for fordbarn ones. Guess if i was logged in to H.A.M.B. too then they would have shown up the first time)

Originally Posted by s1b

Went over to the HAMB to see the pics

I did try to do a "copy and past" from the HAMB....since both are operated by the Jalopy Journal, I figured I could. I have replaced almost all photos with new ones uploaded here....should be able to see them now.

Sorry guys

[dumb person]

The only thing i can see holding the panhard rod on to the axle is a Gclamp may i see a picture of it when you get the bolts you wanted?
Also the rear suspension looks amazing in that last pic' the frame appears to be levitating.

[MrModelT]

Originally Posted by dumb person

The only thing i can see holding the panhard rod on to the axle is a Gclamp may i see a picture of it when you get the bolts you wanted?
Also the rear suspension looks amazing in that last pic' the frame appears to be levitating.

Yeah, lol! Like I said, didn't have enough hardware to get it done. Picking some up this weekend for it and will have some "fully mounted" pics for you all.

[MrModelT]

*UPDATE*
Gettin' my "rearend" into gear...

Now that I have completed the front end of the chassis, it was finally time to move on the aft portion of the chassis...and the rear suspension (something that a few of you are chomping at the bit for ).

But first things first! ...there are a few thing we need to tackle before we get to the new suspension...like rebuilding the and setting up the rear axle.

I got started by braking down the rear axle for a thorough cleaning and inspection:



I'm really glad that I did because I did find some damage to the pinion gear end of the drive shaft. I had noticed several times during the first two years on the road that the 6 spool bolts ( that is the race for the drive shaft Hyatt bearing) commonly worked them selves loose. After 3 or 4 times of this happening, I pulled them out and added lock washers and the problem stopped. Now, 5 years later I found that the bolts coming loose caused a considerable amount of damage to the pinion gear, rear Hyatt bearing. It chipped the teeth on the gear badly, ground up the rollers on the Hyatt and caused the pressed on race to spin, hit the pinion woodriff key....which then split the race down the middle



It also caused some damage to the ring gear in the form of some abnormal wear, but was usable. Just the same, I opted to switch it out too....and correctly safety wire the ring gear bolts of which all were finger tight and had been secured with a untwisted piece of bailing wire ...undoubtedly an old time repair.

This was also my chance to flip the rear end halves back to there original locations...Right on the Right, Left on the Left. This put the spring perch locations back to there original place on top of the axle. This will come into play and be explained in one of my next updates:




Got some more progress made on the rear axle this weekend. I was always unhappy with the way I had done up the radius rods...the welds were so sloppy and crooked, so it was natural that one of my "little projects" would be fixing them.






I also found while inspecting the torque tube, I found that the weld (from the shortening process) had badly cracked by the damage to the drive shaft. This too was corrected...



I also took a little time in the morning to mess around with the front end alignment. Had to trim down the tie rod and got it all welded and assembled...

*QUICK UPDATE*
Got my new parts!!!....

Been waiting on the my new goodies to repair the drive shaft. Picked up a modern tapered roller bearing replacement spool kit and a new u-joint pin ...

The kit...





The Modern tapered roller bearing..



New U-joint pin ...



More coming!

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Great buildup. But now youve done it i gotta take my speedster apart and redo it after 7 years of drivin fun !!!!

Question ?? What distributor do you have on the engine ??? I know a guy with some new Mallory units curved for the Model T with auto advance etc that would donate one for the tour and your new engine. www.bubbashotrodshop.com

Might even have to take the tour with you guys if i can figure out how to hook up from Indiana???

[MrModelT]

Originally Posted by BUBBAS IGNITION

Great buildup. But now youve done it i gotta take my speedster apart and redo it after 7 years of drivin fun !!!!

Question ?? What distributor do you have on the engine ??? I know a guy with some new Mallory units curved for the Model T with auto advance etc that would donate one for the tour and your new engine. www.bubbashotrodshop.com

Might even have to take the tour with you guys if i can figure out how to hook up from Indiana???

Thanks kindly! After 5 long years on the road, there were some things that needed to be taken care of before this trip.

The distributor I am currently running is a "Texas T Parts" accessory that uses an early to mid '60's VW head, cap and rotor. I would be most interested in the Mallory unit you mentioned and would be honored should your friend donate one to the cause Is it setup for a T mount? can I still run the manual hand advance/retard for starting? How hot a spark would it put out? (running two Stromberg 81's and want to make sure I burn it all )

We have not finalized the route yet, but would hope to meet up with you along the way or at least at Bonneville.

Clayton