New Parts

[railroad]

Attached are some pics of the parts I am starting with. I have a rear axle, 8" Ford and a flathead V8 not in the pictures. Of the 2 front axles, one is 48" and the other 50" I have not measured the rear axle, but it is out of a 66 Mustang, so I am sure it is one of the narrow models. Which front axle should I use? One of my main concerns is getting a small turning radius, which I think the longer axle would provide. Am I correct on this?

thanks,
railroad

 

[railroad]

The rest of the pics

 

[putz]

The longer axle will give you a tighter turning due to tires not contacting other parts.Looks like a nice body from what we can see.

 

[railroad]

What can I use as a front spring to mock up the front end? I can cut something out of wood, but I am sure there is something out there better. I have a set of old springs, but did not want to cut them up for a temp set up. I will try to get the body out and get some better pics. I hope to buy a complete bucket next Tues and will spend most of my time getting it road worthy ahead of working with the 27 parts.

thanks,
railroad

 

[Youngster]

The wide axle is from a '41 to '48 Ford. the other one is from a '37 to '40 Ford. The narrow one will give you a tighter turning radius because the bone mount further in from the spindles.

Ron

 

[Ted Brown]

I would use as wide of an axle as you can get, mount the spring wider than the radius rods, under if you want it lower, them make sure you bend the radius rods about 12 inches back from the axle towards the frame, so they run close to the frame for tire clearance, now things will steer much tighter, you will also have to do the same with your drag link. easy to do, just go slow and think about it... Plus, if you have an old spring lying around, mount it to your ft. perch, block it up on both ends, or have it sit on your RRs ? this will be temp til you get all your weight into your car, including your own body weight, and maybe a passenger also... then you can see just what you need for a spring, you can more than likely use what you have now... CUSTOM make the spring yourself..

 

[putz]

Hey railroad Where are you at? If you tell us somebody might have a spring you could borrow for setup.

 

[railroad]

I am about 30 miles north of Birmingham, Alabama. I can probably find some springs to cut and weld together to set things up. I thought maybe there was a standard substitute you guys were familar with. I would still welcome any parts loans and advise.

 

[putz]

there was a set of setup headers at one time that I haven't heard about for a while. Those would be nice better than bluing your own.

 

[Duke]

I have the SBC headers for start ups, not pretty but functional. You need them, drop me a PM and they will be on the way. The deal is I send them and let you know what the shipping was and then you pay me for shipping. When you are done with them save them for the next Tbucketeer that needs them and give him the same deal. This tradition was started by LumenAl and he deserves the thanks for cleaning out his garage. There is a black mark on one of the tubes, it was part of my timing light light.

 

[butch27]

Ted: Are you sure you want to BEND the rods 12" back from the axle? I would think they have to be straight and the brackets angled ?

 

[railroad]

Thanks for the offer on the set-up headers, but I hope to run a flathead. I have a couple sitting and some prospects of a couple more. Would like to find a merc, but will be happy to have a sound Ford. I also hope to use the wishbones on the front.
I just arrived home from driving in torential rain for 5 plus hours, pulling a U haul trailer loaded with a 23 T, with my 93 F 150 with 285 K miles. The old truck made it. I've got to quit taking chances like that. I now have a lavender 23 T with a turtle deck with a flat on the front and both front brakes locked up.
The brakes on the front are locked up. Probably a combination of rust and brake fluid.
The brakes are some vintage model, without adjusting slots. How do I back off the shoes. I guess by the age they are non energizing. They do have two bolt heads on the backing plate with what looks like springs behind the head. I'll try to send some pics on the car and its brakes. I stopped at a Northern tool store and they had some small leaf springs with eyes on both ends, about $25. I almost bought one for setting up the parts car, but will hold out and see what I can fab together. I think the New T will go ahead of the parts car for now.

thanks guys,
railroad