1929 Ford Model A Speedster

In reply to Woody:

I imagine you've dealt with more than a few gasoline fires to help lead to that conclusion?

A few...

If you don't go over 60 horsepower, a Mikuni vacuum motorcycle pump will work just fine supplying a carbureted engine.

Our 8BA was 110hp stock. But ours ain't gonna be stock...

The car isn't at my house, but I decided to take a look at the engine today. No photos, as there wasn't much to see. I gave the cylinder head a few whacks with a dead blow hammer and it came loose, but I couldn't lift it off. It seemed to be binding on the head studs. We'll pull the engine this week, get it on a stand, roll it over and I expect it to come right off. Then I can have a peek inside.

Woody, l don't mean to poach your thread but I'm curious about something. Let's assume you started off with something like a 4-cylinder S10/Ranger/Tacoma/B2200 and took the body and bed off. Is there a source for metal that would basically allow you to do the same thing with a current truck chassis? I'm thinking maybe a build like a Indy Roadster from the 50's?

The engine is out.

I saw a few model A projects and parts at the Portland Auto Swap Meet this weekend and thought of your awesome project!

Dave's been getting busy on this thing. Original steering box, motor mounts and unnecessary brackets removed. Lot's of rivets.

We had no actual plans for the old four banger, but decided to take a closer look to see what we had.

Unfortunately, step one was draining the water pan...

...eventually, we struck oil...

The cylinder head nuts were missing and water had gotten inside.

Not exactly a high compression head design...

It looks like the engine would make a neat start to a coffee table or some such project.

Chris

My sister dated a guy once that raced these things. Big secret was to cut the crank in half, rotate it 180* and make it a large two cylinder.

Whodathunk?

I like this, very, very much. I really want to share this thread with my wife, but I fear doing so will result in her suggesting I sell a half-dozen of my other projects to build one of these. Not that this wouldn't be a worthy suggestion, but still...

Wow. Awesome progress. Will be following. Especially interested in your V8 build. I have a Flathead sitting in a rusty '48 coupe body that I've been meaning to get running. It still turns over freely, but needs water pumps, dizzy, carb, etc. In other words, a lot of cash. I'm not looking to make a hot rod out of the engine, just get it to run and make satisfying noises.

volvoclearinghouse wrote: Wow. Awesome progress. Will be following. Especially interested in your V8 build.

Well then, here's a hint at what's to come:

One of the hot upgrades back in the day was to remove the 3.750 inch Ford crank and swap in a 4.000 inch Mercury.

This one is a brand new 4.125 incher.

There is a modern "A" engine with pressure oil and full flow filter. Seen them at some of the driving type antique events.

Dave's been doing most of the work over the past few days but this morning I brought the cowl down to his shop to get an idea of where all the pieces need to go.

Woody,

Are you getting rid of the wire wheels? Because if you are and they are in serviceable shape, I'd be interested.

BTW, I anxious to see more progress.

Yes, I was planning to put them on Craigslist. Two are 28-29 and the other two are 30-31. What do you need?

We're going to be on the hunt for a few parts soon.

We have one bad rear axle shaft and a bent rear radius rod, so I'm looking for a complete rear end assembly. They're fairly common and shouldn't be too hard to find.

Next up will be an early Mustang steering box and maybe even the whole steering column too.

And finally (for now), we need a T-5 five speed transmission from an '83-'87 two wheel drive S-10.

I took a chance and bought a used starter:

Woody wrote: Original steering box, motor mounts and unnecessary brackets removed. Lot's of rivets.

I've spent at least an hour staring at this picture since you posted it. I can't help but thinking that it's a beautiful foundation for a car. More than that, it's an easy to replicate foundation. Two 2x4 lengths of steel and a couple of cross members. Find a 60's or 70's four cylinder Mercedes diesel with a manual transmission. Build a body. This is starting to appeal to me way more than a Locost.

Use 2x3's.

Woody wrote: I took a chance and bought a used starter:

HAHA!

Going to turn the comm and make sure the connections are good before using it? That's fantastic.

Woody wrote: Use 2x3's.

Has anyone made their own and added enough rigidity through a cage or something such that a car like this could be a canyon carver?

Sounds fun. Especially with a blown flattie.