tfeverfred
Well-Known Member
Okay, after MUCH switching back and forth and trolling the internet, I decided to use a '28/'29 Model A grill on my T Bucket. I had been tossing between a Model A grill or a '32. The Model A won. First off, it was about half the cost and second, it would be a little different. I chose the chrome one that Speedway sells. Before I got it, I thought that I would have to trim a couple inces off the bottom for ground clearance, but it fit perfect. I used 1/2" squares heavy screen for the grill and attached it from the back with epoxy, after I cut it to fit.
I was originally going to attach the grill directly to the radiator tabs. Instead, I went to Lowes hardware and got 4 pieces of nylon (heavy plastic) 1" tubing. The spaces on the two bottom radiator tabs were exactly 1" from the grill and the nylon tubes fit perfectly. I used stainless steel bolts throughout.
On the two top tabs, I had to trim the nylon tubes about 1/8" and at an angle to match the curve of the top of the shell. I also got a 15" colant recovery tank and attached it to the grill. It's held in place by the bottom right nylon piece and a stainless bolt (provided with the tank) at the top mount which is diectly to the tank. The hose for the coolant tank runs along it's side and is mostly hidden by the grill shell.
In the above pic, the flash is too bright and you really can't see the grill. In person, the frame of the radiator is not so visible. The chrome on the shell is very good. I had thought about painting the radiator flat black to hide it more, but I like the look it has and I'm going to stick with it. If I change my mind later, it's just a matter of removing 4 bolts to get the shell off.
The Speedway shell has all the provisions for cowl to radiator supports, but the whole assembley is mounted very firm. I may use the supports for looks later on.
Next up was the Lokar shifter. I had considered using the one Total sells, but decided on the Lokar unit instead. It looks better and I liked the push button for shifting gears. My next consideration was room. I went with the 6" shifter. Not to small, not too tall. The Total shifter is designed to fit on the right hand side of the transmission tail and in park, it's flush with the floor. I just felt that if I had a passenger, they might want a little room too, plus if they had big feet, they wouldn't hit the shifter by mistake.
The Lokar instructions are very good, but you HAVE TO READ THEM FIRST! Naturally, I didn't and I ended up playing with it for a while. It shifts great. Good, firm movement between the gears. The push button uses teflon on the inside and it seemed to want to stick a couple times, but the more I played with it, the better it worked. After a little use, it should be perfect.
I was originally going to attach the grill directly to the radiator tabs. Instead, I went to Lowes hardware and got 4 pieces of nylon (heavy plastic) 1" tubing. The spaces on the two bottom radiator tabs were exactly 1" from the grill and the nylon tubes fit perfectly. I used stainless steel bolts throughout.
On the two top tabs, I had to trim the nylon tubes about 1/8" and at an angle to match the curve of the top of the shell. I also got a 15" colant recovery tank and attached it to the grill. It's held in place by the bottom right nylon piece and a stainless bolt (provided with the tank) at the top mount which is diectly to the tank. The hose for the coolant tank runs along it's side and is mostly hidden by the grill shell.
In the above pic, the flash is too bright and you really can't see the grill. In person, the frame of the radiator is not so visible. The chrome on the shell is very good. I had thought about painting the radiator flat black to hide it more, but I like the look it has and I'm going to stick with it. If I change my mind later, it's just a matter of removing 4 bolts to get the shell off.
The Speedway shell has all the provisions for cowl to radiator supports, but the whole assembley is mounted very firm. I may use the supports for looks later on.
Next up was the Lokar shifter. I had considered using the one Total sells, but decided on the Lokar unit instead. It looks better and I liked the push button for shifting gears. My next consideration was room. I went with the 6" shifter. Not to small, not too tall. The Total shifter is designed to fit on the right hand side of the transmission tail and in park, it's flush with the floor. I just felt that if I had a passenger, they might want a little room too, plus if they had big feet, they wouldn't hit the shifter by mistake.
The Lokar instructions are very good, but you HAVE TO READ THEM FIRST! Naturally, I didn't and I ended up playing with it for a while. It shifts great. Good, firm movement between the gears. The push button uses teflon on the inside and it seemed to want to stick a couple times, but the more I played with it, the better it worked. After a little use, it should be perfect.
