Christmas in the shop with a project

[Newc]

Hi all ; just one photo now ,but more should follow. We have an indoor show in Jan and I promised some local fellows a surprise... I have their '34 hardtop racer, once restored. they [4] raced it in '69-70 with a Pontiac V8, and I got it out of a blackberry patch and rebuilt it with the 'correct' Flathead. sold that eng, and am now trying to get ready for a new showing. They were the B,B,and S racing team in '69/70 Beg, Borrow, and Steal Racing. Here's the teaster photo... Newc

[Tinker]

Newc you have the coolest stuff!

[Newc]

Well; the exhaust headers did Not fit. Seems that the original restoration Flathead had the single pulley and this one has a '40 crank fan pulley- won't fit right in the 33/34 frame. Sooo - cut off the offending piece and volia, all fits great.
Next the pumps were Bad. Brand new generic pumps with about 10 hrs run time maybe 20 yrs ago. Corrosion took them out and the right one locked up briefly. Out West we use Frye's pumps from California, new brass impellers and improved seals, all Early V8 Ford Club advertised parts. Photos show. Note; Not all stainless bolts are the same. Fastenal has the correct 304 [Dairy metal] bolts that are Marine rated.
Story on this '40 engine: Found in a lump of dirt in the back corner of a shack garage in Eastern Oregon, but it was free turning. Looked closer and it had a flange flywheel with a New clutch. So I bought it. With all my 'Buds' laughing at me. Cleaned it up, compression test was good, replaced the accessories and painted it. Been our RG's demo engine ever since, now it has a hardtop to push around. Last laugh, the 'Buds' tried to buy it back!! Back to work. Newc

[Newc]

Dec 22 nd did you feel the Earth lean- more daylite now. Here is the result of a bit of Sunday work. The fellow [me] ,who took this apart 15 yrs ago lost everything small ??? About ready to fire it, but need to move battery and install a 'caged' fuel cell. Why? cause even to make a parade lap at the local track I have to pass tech and wear a fire suit/ helmet ect.!! enjoy photos... smashed '33 grill is a trademark of this latest version of the car. It's lost history goes back to California in the Fifties. newc

[Newc]

Update; Switched to the broken rear diff problem... Drag racing is not good to old Ford parts. Rear diff quit working some 20 yrs ago.. so got out another diff that was in the donor stash and it seems good with 4.11 gears. Trouble is I need to switch everything including the spring.
Tear down in place of original racer diff found a sheared lft axle key to start with.. then the right axle/ ring gear is no longer connected to the driveshaft. Here are some photos for fun. Best part is all bolts have no time on them, maybe 100 miles since built 30 yrs ago. newc

[corvette8n]

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Looking good, hope to see and hear a video of it running around the track.

[jimTN]

If your car was a serious contender in the old days, it would have had full floating hubs from a 39/41 3/4ton on the rear and right front. That way, a broken axle would not loose a wheel and removing an axle would allow the car to be towed or moved easily with a spool in the center section.

[chiefdave]

Great post. Brings back memories of the jalopy class at the Riverside Speedway in MO in the early 60's. Flatheads only and the Hudson Twin 6 was the dominate engine.

[Newc]

All Right; Spent the PM wrenching again and got the replacement rear diff installed- Alone-- no help! Learned to hold the universal up with a wire while turning the right drum and pushing it all together. Just to clarify.. This car was a Champion with full Pontiac running gear.. a built 347, short stack exhaust, 3 spd, and a Pontiac rear w/ spool. It was a monster in '69-71. Been upside down and held the high tire mark on the Salem, Or Speedway wall. All four principals are still alive, But the original engine builder spent Christmas in Hospital.. Soo the car is just a history show piece now. Only the body shell remains of the original, chassis is a nice mostly stock '34. Notice the rear '39 drums have 5/8 ths studs installed to better fit the circle track rims. Photos-- I'm tired

[Newc]

Well; Hope you all enjoyed this post, I'm beat from wrenching. 44 is back on the ground with a good differential and the brakes all refreshed. As soon as the new fuel cell arrives and the battery is mounted, it is all done and will get shown this yr.--NOT raced!! I've had the car 30 yrs and may pass it on. I learned that rear wheel cylinders [39-48] are smaller diameter than fronts? I lucked out cause I put what I had new in the rear, and they were the small diameter ones. Also a new master cyl installed. Opened two packages [39-48] from Grants Pass, Oregon and found F-1 wheel cyls---OOOps! Still all is good. If I do another final post it will be just a driving photo. Newc

[Tinker]

Look forward to the driving stuff.

[Newc]

Hi all; Final show on this post; Got it together and made it to the local car show. Drove on/off trailer and around the parking lot , great fun. The principals who raced this car showed up and spent the day remembering all the stories.. Now I need to write a small book. Good time by all final photos for a while. I've owned this car 30 yrs and may let it move on, tried to get the principals to buy it. Hate to lose the history and car. later Newc

[mercman from oz]

Ole 44

[flatheadmurre]

Great looking car...my bad conscience reminds me about mine sitting under a tarp..
Nice to see a bit of history kept alive.
I have the quickchange/spool/fullfloater/widefive setup on mine but it´s beaten to the point everything ratles and squeaks...lol