The Ford Barn

Kube · 08-05-2023, 09:56 AM

Hello folks. I am quite new to the A world.
I am beginning work on a project of sorts. I have two chassis' that have both been in long term storage. This chassis (in phots) has not been run since the mid 1960's.
The goal is to make one reliable "driver" pickup.
The photos attached are the first of the two chassis. This one will be used primarily for parts.
This will be kinda slow going due to my certain learning curve.
I'll try to post progress as it happens.

Gary WA · 08-05-2023, 10:00 AM

Looks to be a Great project..!

Chuck Dempsey · 08-05-2023, 11:24 AM

Have fun!

Kube · 08-05-2023, 11:26 AM

Thanks guys. Ya know, I have restored seventeen cars prior to this project. All are trailer queens, the worst 997 points. Building a "driver" will be fun, well, for the most part. I expect frustrating moments

Bob C · 08-05-2023, 01:22 PM

I that is the cab you are using then you need to make sure the chassis you
use has a 1930-31 front cross member so the hood will align with the cowl
and radiator shell.

ronn · 08-05-2023, 01:24 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

for you, this will be easy. the exception might be keeping it a "driver" and not trying to make it too good.........

Planojc · 08-05-2023, 02:41 PM

At this point early in the process, check the frame to see if it is straight. This will be critical in fitting the hood to the cowl.

Kube · 08-05-2023, 05:19 PM

Had some progress today I suppose. I want to get this engine running as it may ultimately be utilized.
Distributor was "goofed up". Straightened that out nicely.
It seems to me (not an A guy) that the cam on the top of the shaft is not keyed. I did my best to install it where the rotor lines up with #1. Yes? No?

I'll thank all of you guys in advance for putting up with what you guys surely will think of as stupid questions.
Thanks

mcgarrett · 08-05-2023, 05:39 PM

Kube,
Don't forget to place the "timing pin" in the dimple in the cam gear first to confirm that you are at top dead center. Then adjust the points to .020 and index the rotor to where the points just begin to open as the tab on the rotor is just passing #1 contact on the distributor.

Follow the details in this link and you'll be right on:
http://www.modelabasics.com/Ignition.htm

nkaminar · 08-05-2023, 06:33 PM

A good book to have for the mechanical aspects is The Model A Mechanics Handbook, Vol. 1, see https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/2...0031&cat=41621

Kube · 08-06-2023, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

Kube,
Don't forget to place the "timing pin" in the dimple in the cam gear first to confirm that you are at top dead center. Then adjust the points to .020 and index the rotor to where the points just begin to open as the tab on the rotor is just passing #1 contact on the distributor.

Follow the details in this link and you'll be right on:
http://www.modelabasics.com/Ignition.htm

Thank you. This makes the process make more sense to me.

Kube · 08-06-2023, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

A good book to have for the mechanical aspects is The Model A Mechanics Handbook, Vol. 1, see https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/2...0031&cat=41621

Oh yes! I have that book. I think I have read it cover to cover three or more times

Chuck Dempsey · 08-06-2023, 01:18 PM

What McGarrett said, plus be sure to turn the cam clockwise to take up any 'play' before determining the tighten point. The cam turns counter-clockwise, so should always be in the most clockwise edge of the 'play'. Hard to explain, but easier to see when you work on it....

Kube · 08-06-2023, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgarrett

Kube,
Don't forget to place the "timing pin" in the dimple in the cam gear first to confirm that you are at top dead center. Then adjust the points to .020 and index the rotor to where the points just begin to open as the tab on the rotor is just passing #1 contact on the distributor.

Follow the details in this link and you'll be right on:
http://www.modelabasics.com/Ignition.htm

Your link is very helpful in that now I have a better "picture" of what exactly I need to do.
Thanks much!

31a · 08-06-2023, 05:30 PM

I decided a long time ago that they are no stupid questions keep them coming

deuce5wndw · 08-06-2023, 07:48 PM

Oh yeah this is going to be good!!! Looking forward to this build! Kube, show them a picture of the 40 pickup you did.

Kube · 08-07-2023, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31a

I decided a long time ago that they are no stupid questions keep them coming

Thanks for making me feel a bit less ignorant.
I have a tendency to overthink things. Probably not a good thing when dealing with a car that at least to me seems fairly simplistic.
Still, this is so very different than anything I'd ever worked on, well, I am aware that there are many things I don't know that I don't know.

I promise to post as I progress. Unless you guys' tire of me...

Kube · 08-07-2023, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce5wndw

Oh yeah this is going to be good!!! Looking forward to this build! Kube, show them a picture of the 40 pickup you did.

Looks as if I've been busted!
Deuce, please keep in mind the intention is build a driver, not a trailer queen.
That'll be a first for me

deuce5wndw · 08-11-2023, 07:15 AM

Any progress?

51504bat · 08-11-2023, 07:53 AM

I'm sure I'm going to take a lot of flak for this but so be it. Since you're going for a daily driver you might want to consider a hydraulic brake conversion along with 16 inch wires. JMO and let the flaming begin.

08-05-2023, 10:00 AM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: New project that should be fun Looks to be a Great project..! __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com Last edited by Gary WA; 12-30-2023 at 02:36 PM.

08-05-2023, 11:24 AM	#3
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 788	Re: New project that should be fun Have fun!

08-05-2023, 11:26 AM	#4
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: New project that should be fun Thanks guys. Ya know, I have restored seventeen cars prior to this project. All are trailer queens, the worst 997 points. Building a "driver" will be fun, well, for the most part. I expect frustrating moments __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

08-05-2023, 01:22 PM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,754	Re: New project that should be fun I that is the cab you are using then you need to make sure the chassis you use has a 1930-31 front cross member so the hood will align with the cowl and radiator shell.

08-05-2023, 01:24 PM	#6
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: New project that should be fun Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) for you, this will be easy. the exception might be keeping it a "driver" and not trying to make it too good.........

08-05-2023, 02:41 PM	#7
Planojc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Plano, Texas Posts: 847	Re: New project that should be fun At this point early in the process, check the frame to see if it is straight. This will be critical in fitting the hood to the cowl.

08-05-2023, 05:19 PM	#8
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: New project that should be fun Had some progress today I suppose. I want to get this engine running as it may ultimately be utilized. Distributor was "goofed up". Straightened that out nicely. It seems to me (not an A guy) that the cam on the top of the shaft is not keyed. I did my best to install it where the rotor lines up with #1. Yes? No? I'll thank all of you guys in advance for putting up with what you guys surely will think of as stupid questions. Thanks __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

08-05-2023, 05:39 PM	#9
mcgarrett Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Waxahachie, Texas Posts: 949	Re: New project that should be fun Kube, Don't forget to place the "timing pin" in the dimple in the cam gear first to confirm that you are at top dead center. Then adjust the points to .020 and index the rotor to where the points just begin to open as the tab on the rotor is just passing #1 contact on the distributor. Follow the details in this link and you'll be right on: http://www.modelabasics.com/Ignition.htm

08-05-2023, 06:33 PM	#10
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: New project that should be fun A good book to have for the mechanical aspects is The Model A Mechanics Handbook, Vol. 1, see https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/2...0031&cat=41621 __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

08-06-2023, 01:18 PM	#13
Chuck Dempsey Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesville, NC Posts: 788	Re: New project that should be fun What McGarrett said, plus be sure to turn the cam clockwise to take up any 'play' before determining the tighten point. The cam turns counter-clockwise, so should always be in the most clockwise edge of the 'play'. Hard to explain, but easier to see when you work on it....

08-06-2023, 05:30 PM	#15
31a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: College Station, Tx Posts: 326	Re: New project that should be fun I decided a long time ago that they are no stupid questions keep them coming

08-06-2023, 07:48 PM	#16
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 901	Re: New project that should be fun Oh yeah this is going to be good!!! Looking forward to this build! Kube, show them a picture of the 40 pickup you did.

08-11-2023, 07:15 AM	#19
deuce5wndw Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liberty, KY Posts: 901	Re: New project that should be fun Any progress?

08-11-2023, 07:53 AM	#20
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,024	Re: New project that should be fun I'm sure I'm going to take a lot of flak for this but so be it. Since you're going for a daily driver you might want to consider a hydraulic brake conversion along with 16 inch wires. JMO and let the flaming begin. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.