Re: 1941 project fenix
 

One thing I will suggest before you paint the frame...I feel you should put a flat plate (even something like heavy sheetmetal) to box at least the top of the motor mounts. My concern is that they look like they could "rack" on an abrupt stop. That Left one is pretty long & looks like something that could bend. Just about anything to tie the Two uprights, the tube & the flat area at the frame together should make a BIG difference...simple square welded on four sides. My Two Cents, Lorne

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

thanks! I am not done welding on the frame, I want to pop the cab back on and just do a sanity check on wheel position, I feel like the cab is further back than I have seen others mount theirs. but since there are no details from others on mounts or dimensions I am kind of winging it.

on the racking, I can see where you might be concerned but I think the third mounting point, the trans, will keep that kind of movement in check. I have seen guys make v8 mounts with, I am not kidding, ONE leg. torque is the main force on these mounts, even one leg has the support in the right direction to counter that force.

I still plan to reinforce them, so my confidence is more in your comment than in my own justification :lol::lol::lol:

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

I am a little light on the pictures, I got the rest of the frame sanded down and while I was there I went ahead and cut off the bump stops. I was a little too aggressive with the angle of my grinder though because I had to lay a bead on both sides where I had cut too deep. came out all right.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psxaa8acxh.jpg

I am so glad I am done with all the rusty fasteners on this frame. I learn on every project, the 65 I learned not to listen to big promises from builders (not the last guy though, he did everything he said he would), the 49 I learned that I was the only one responsible for the bottom line, the 47 I learned that rusty body donors were a pain in the ass, and this one I learned that rusty S10 donors are an even bigger pain in the ass. I am also tired of being covered in brown dust. luckily, its all reassembly from here in, nothing else needs to come apart. I got the rear shock mounts, u bolts, and trans crossmember all brushed and painted hanmmertone, and the rear frame is painted black with only the center section to finish. I have the new leafs on the rear end and but for the stubborn u bolts not squeezing in I would have it under the frame and the frame rolled out. I also got the fuel filter broken loose (two months of penetrant spray!) and replaced, it was completely plugged up.

thats a lot of words, and I promise to have more pictures tomorrow haha.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

axle installed, rolled out
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psfny6hokk.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psqqddlaqp.jpg

rolled the cab back in to weld in the fender studs. originally the nuts were on the back side but they were stuck like glue, rusted after 75 years. I thought that it might be easier to line up if the studs poked out and you could hang the fender then add washers and nuts when you wanted.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psywo3arzf.jpg

started fixing my oops wrong hole.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psiavvpmbe.jpg

welded up the tops of the motor mounts, still need the 7/16th 3" grade 8s
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psajed4sdz.jpg

trans crossmember installed
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps3q0czidt.jpg

more tomorrow, assembly should move quick, cab only comes off one more time after that. need to go to the scrapyard with the eyetalian superstar (the 95 longbed I just picked up) and dump the steel I have, the gas tank has a hole in it! gonna try a coarse thread bolt in the hole with some shmutz just to get by till I strip it for the next project.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Good Job!! The springs look good keeping the flat helper you won't have to worry about bottoming out as much. If you move the cab back some more will you still have room for the rad?

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

oh yeah, I moved the engine almost 10 inches, I could open a homeless shelter under the hood.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Looks great! Homeless shelter... LOL Is the rear end back in the stock location, or did I miss something along the way? 118" vs. 115" wheelbase, running boards and fenders bolting up?

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

it was a 3/4 longbed, I can do what I want to the running boards.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Got it. Thanks!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

fixed the gas tank on the eye-talian. there was a legitimate 1/4" hole! like someone drained the gas tank! they had used "super seal" but that is made to patch rust weeping or seal in a clamped application. all it did was poke out a long finger of gas that eventually broke, keeping the tank almost completely empty. I drilled it out to 5/16 and used a flanged 3/8" bolt that I tapered the end of and cut a slot in so it would tap its own threads. when it was about 1/4" from seating against the tank I used some JB weld tank seal behind the flange and tightened it the rest of the way, then smoothed out the tank seal. worked great! no leaks.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscggqpfgf.jpg

I also drianed the rusty donor tank and diagnosed the poor running. the fuel filter was plugged up and when I pulled the tank pump I figured out what with, the sock had disintegrated and the blockage upstream was so severe that the hose between the pump and metal tube had blown out. no wonder it ran like dog poo.

put the brake lines in and stabbed the motor. the shocks bottomed out, guess I need some shorter ones. I think these may be fullsize shocks even though he said they were S10. the rear ones fit perfect though.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstztsssbp.jpg

found some 7/16" grade 8s, had to go with 4" because they had 3" and 4" and beggars cant be choosers.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdla7ua9g.jpg

this is the driveshaft length I need. a reg cab unmodified driveshaft is 53". freaking yeah buddy.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psse8vhtxi.jpg

stripped the dash for paint and rewiring.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psqw2slnwa.jpg

tomorrow I put the cab on and look at the front fender spacing. wish me luck!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

You have got right smart done. Good luck.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

hey I caught the flu, feeling better today and finally got the body on. you can whistle through every body mount (that means they line up perfect) and the wheels line up perfect now too. so if anyone wanted to use the dimensions I gave above, they will work perfect (although I think the back of the cab might need to come up a hair, like a 1/4")

booster fits.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psxhd2ivnp.jpg

even fits when the fenders are on
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psu52zmkfj.jpg

wheel lines up
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psuhdgofe5.jpg

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Nice lots of win for you!!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Looks great

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

:agree:

Hope you get tp feeling better soon

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

looks real good. I got that same bug. only had it twice in 5 years so can't complain.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Awesome

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Lotta bugs going around this winter...maybe because we haven't had much winter in these parts.
Good stuff coming together on the truck. Never heard the phrase before...you can whistle through the mounts....and I like it.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

haha thanks doug, I have my own way of speaking sometimes.

I have done a bunch, pictures are still in the phone, I have a teenager that is claiming ownership of every spare phone cord. most of them are at her boyfriends house or somewhere called "Idunno"

but I got the dash sanded and ready to paint, all new brake lines in, I even replaced the ones that run under the engine they looked crusty. the new one to the back is actually two, I had the choice of flaring the ends of 120" of 1/4" line OR buying 2 preflared 60" and a union, I chose the latter. I picked up a reg cab shortbed driveshaft and it fits perfectly 53 1/4" long yoke to yoke (center) but I cant find the caps for the u joints. I cleaned the garage completely and put the dirty plasma table by the end of the garage so I could just open the door and blow the dust out. The front mounts were 3/8" LOW so I rebuilt them slightly higher, and I started on the shifter linkage mount. I also cut out that rotted heater fitting and replaced the gas tank straps. The steering column mount is finish welded and the firewall clamp is installed along with the gas pedal. if I can get the mounts capped tomorrow and the rad mount on the truck I can start final assembly!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

You got a lot done be proud. I loved the final assembly part.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

that end of tunnel can seem so far away sometimes! and for the phone cords we have 5 of us in need of a cord and its gotten very hectic at times, the kids are somewhat afraid to grab my cord!!!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

oh she is terrified of taking my cords. but I am terrified of mom. so its like rock paper scissors. kid takes moms cord, mom takes dads.

here is the fit of the driveshaft. you can see I still havent found the caps, which ironically is also in the bag with the gas tank strap bolt. yes the chain is stuck under the trans. I need to take the mount bolt out haha

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstm2yqbb9.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psrjdyzvl2.jpg

here is that heater connector that was rotted off. I am picking up a 1/2" tap tomorrow to clean the threads.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmppaekt0.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psrnoiipne.jpg

new brake lines along the frame, new hoses. brackets need a squirt of paint but I still have other stuff on the frame to paint too.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbp7t7gsp.jpg

before I weld up the body mounts I got the shift linkage in, pretty easy, I just mimicked the frame mount 9 3/4" rearward.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscqmmqauy.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbsesj3vo.jpg

then I welded up the backs of all the mounts with a support
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psrqzovduh.jpg

since I burned those in so hot I was on 30 minute fire watch (always wait 30 minutes after welding before leaving the area in case a stray spark is smoldering) so I welded up the headlight switch hole and some other holes on the dash
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbaqv69pk.jpg

and gave it a thick coat of primer to sand back with some 180 tomorrow.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psykndsa0g.jpg

no big warping, pretty ok by me.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Sweet. Funny you got the chain stuck I just did that working on my Jeep. Fire watch is a good idea, I always wait a while and then stop at the door when I leave with the lights off and look and listen.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

I was active on a local message board for years (when there was one) and a guy from coffeyville was building a dakota framed body swap and almost burnt his house down when he went in for dinner! that was at least 12 years ago, and I have done the 30 minute wait ever since.

the chain, geeze I can be a real doofus sometimes. its ok though, there is stuff I do really well too. hubris is a good way to balance your ego haha

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

I found the right tap today, every tap on the shelf was 4 dollars, except this one. something tells me they know it is the "GM stupid heater fitting" size because it was $18.99. supply and demand, people! economists reading this are huddled together and saying things like "hee hee hee if all else stays equal" and "thirty basis points" while rubbing their hands together hunched over like a mantis. anyway

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pspwwwyjmk.jpg
I have to take it back out and vacuum out the shavings but it fits
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskqnyhjqw.jpg

coat of paint on the dash, looks red but its brandywine/burgundy. I like this color a lot.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pssbu7y6by.jpg

I was getting tired the other day cutting parts on the plasma table then taking them to the vice on my bench to grind. it is all of 10 feet away after all. so I thought about grabbing one of the extra rims in the back yard and getting some pipe at the yard, and building a nice vice stand for that 6" monster vice my wife got me last year.

then I came to my senses and hopped on craigslist. $30. work smarter not harder.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pspghkgheu.png

a couple holes and whoop whoop. grinder rest and hammer hole and everything. spoilt!
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pss8bxbikc.jpg

I need to do the frame trim for the fenders I have been avoiding, and put the exhaust and gas tank back in. more coming

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Speaking from experience I would suggest getting rid of the hose end you put in there and just using a heater hose nipple like the older stuff had in it. I do this for a living and we have never had those stupid clip on hose couplers not leak after a short time. I replaced both of them on my Tahoe a couple of times after we put a fresh engine in it and they kept failing. I just put the regular hose nipple in and cut the end off the hose, slid the hose on the nipple and a year later no failures.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

thats good advice, thank you. I will probably do so because I am using a vintage air mini system and the hoses probably wont work as-is anyway

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

check out my fancy shop vac attachment to clean all the shavings out of the intake from that heater fitting haha. its a QT cup with some 1/2" airline in it. the vac sucked to the bottom of the cup and I wiggled the airline around in the intake. worked awesome.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psuno2gpc6.jpg

trimmed the frame. I was putting this off like crazy. I trimmed it for the cab and it was perfect but forgot the fenders hang under the cab.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgfnnf01l.jpg

also took care of the fuel lines in the front. on the earlier s10 frames the fuel lines run through the frame all the way to the front crossmember and then come out pointing to the front. I could have used longer rubber lines but I was worried about them getting caught up in the belt. so I cut the frame, bent them 90 degrees where they pointed at the engine and then welded back up so the plastic clip still isolated them. I put the clamps on after this picture.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps2acqrzcp.jpg

I was pretty timid about welding around all those open fuel lines so I didnt put the tank in till that was done. tanks in, plumbed, wired, exhaust is moved and in, hung with a turndown.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pslpijf0eb.jpg

I may take it to the exhaust shop and have the exhaust split with some cherry bombs but honestly, I like when the truck is quiet and modern more than rumpity rump.

look at all this kitty litter.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps85hnhb1j.jpg

I was doing that heater fitting last week and had to move the trans dipstick slightly to get more room. well in the true fashion of this donor I guess that is all the stress the dipstick tube could take because there was a small puddle where it was leaking. I picked up a new one and installing it was a red fountain of fun.

the dash was painted but looked like shhhhhhhhhhh-iny garbage, yeah. I wasnt looking forward to sanding it all off so I planned to take it to the local soft stripper Monday, but when I got the frame ready for the cab it was raining. so I used my cup brush and then a red roloc to smooth out all the rough stuff and put another topcoat on it. it came out GORGEOUS this time, very little blemishes and I only "signed my name" (had a run) just barely in one spot. I have some 2000 grit so I can fix that.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbse48o2e.jpg

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

PLONK

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psa0rclubj.jpg

perfect fit
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psnkijsmmz.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscgp8eye7.jpg

I lowered the drivers side of the motor 1/2", when I put a level on the TBI I noticed it was crooked. and I raised the cab 3/8", so thats almost a full inch of clearance gained for the steering. I wondered how the shifter linkage would line up with the column, and it looks great. just need to straighten one of the bends slightly to make up the inch and half it is low.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psaryshh9f.jpg

cut out the core support for the rad, looking like a good fit too.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmekmfrh6.jpg

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

That's going together as slick as butter on a hot pan.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Plonked in just right! Good progress. Loved the description of the economists up above. Can really see it!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

looking good.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

front clip on, still needs to drop an inch but looks way better than it did
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psygjnnzke.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskms9smoq.jpg

lines right up on the support bar and on the new core support mount I designed
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9jzbsx4f.jpg


The 19x22 fits the 47-55 trucks but just barely doesnt fit the 41-46. I could have made it work, I actually called a couple aluminum welders today, I needed the lower outlet cut off and turned so it went outward instead of inward, and a trans cooler installed. the guys that would do it wanted $200+. probably should have taken it in person, probably a lot of high quoting done when you cant see what your are talking about. anyway I measured the ACTUAL size (hint, it aint 22)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psoy7vj53v.jpg

and started looking online for radiators. I remembered Bartman had a mustang rad so I texted him, last I talked he was on the fence about using it and I didnt feel like ordering one for ebay and waiting a week. He didnt want to sell but told me some auto parts stores had them in stock, so I looked around and sure enough
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdlbwsa2k.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psf7uxytyb.jpg

its from a 302 auto so the trans cooler is in there too, saving me a step. but its narrower and the bottom outlet is further inboard, so to keep the clutch fan I will need to modify my fancy core support mount. good thing I hadnt welded it up yet haha, procrastination is sometimes just common sense.

working all weekend, stay tuned!

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

what year mustang radiator? I am looking for one on my other build.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

it is murray part number 433259 for a 65 mustang 302

http://images.oreillyauto.com/parts/...ht/8010130.jpg

the other one I looked at was murray 433340, 67 mustang, it was wider and taller but thinner, I went with the 65 so I had a couple extra inches to move it around. the 67 looked and measured like it would bolt right into the 41 core support.


up till now I had only placed the steering column by critical measuring, I hosted a family dinner today so not much truck work but I DID throw the extra dash I have in the truck to check clearances. I shouldnt have worried, I measured everything so exactly and used a plumb bob to place the column, it has 1/8" clearance to the bottom of the dash and is centered exactly on the original column mount holes.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps55p3alnv.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstsuywe5w.jpg

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

got the front trimmed and dropped, fit is peeeerrfect now.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps0fcxspbq.jpg

I really like the stance so far. I may need a small block in the rear to get it where I want it but we will see.

the reason I know its in the perfect spot is because the upper brace lines up. but it had some broken bolts in it so I had to do some repair and finish with a squirt of paint
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psutwwsnzh.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pse4exextm.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pspiizco89.jpg

I flipped my unfinished core support mount around and I will trim it straight across to let the radiator slide down past it so I dont have to move the lower rad outlet and can keep the mechanical fan. I will tack it together and pull it apart and brace it. the good news is that solves my problem with the power steering lines too.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstppxklxo.jpg

I threw a board in to act as a seat to check pedal locations and I think the buckets are going to be perfect.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psiedkzfeo.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psb9etpbnt.jpg

I was putting off the repair of the windshield crank in case I got the one pulled from the other 41 and it was ok but thats a pipe dream to throw a windshield/dash/windshield crank pull in the middle of working on this one. so I did the repair, I used a high brass plug and center drilled the oval-ed hole that was keeping the gears from meshing then center drilled the brass plug for the shaft, then pressed it all together in the vice.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psbf0mgwre.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskjogu9pt.jpg

it works well, it has a tough spot so I need to take it back apart and I will probably put the tough spot at 3/4 extension since the windshield will never get opened more than an inch or two

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Cool work. Don't know what you did to the crank but looks cool.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

oh sorry. the crank pushes out a stainless tape that is connected to the bottom of the windshield, the top has hinges. turning the crank turns a worm gear, the worm gear turns the shaft, the shaft has a toothed wheel that pushes the tape.

but the shaft is steel mounted in the pot metal bracket. add a couple years and the steel wears the pot metal like this

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdqgipull.jpg

the worm gear loses mesh with the shaft and the windshield flops around, unable to be cranked tight against the cab.

so what I do is fixture the bracket and drill the ovaled hole out. then I center drill a brass bushing and turn the outside for an interference fit with the hole in the bracket, and squished it all together in the vice. I have three more windshield ragulators, one more so far needs this repair, the one in the 41 in the back yard seems tight and so does the 46 still down south (my future diesel truck) I sold a perfectly working one for $400, which is about the market. broken they are worth about a quarter of that.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

Cool. Thanks for explaining.

Re: 1941 project fenix
 

I am curious how are you doing the bushing. Are you taking the regulator apart to drill it? I have about 10 of these regulators including a couple of 1939 ones that need to be fixed.