Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Bead rolling is turning out awesome on the firewall..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...588d0140_c.jpg

Also got some Wilwood brakes install.
https://youtu.be/zIbHKScvx58

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Wow! That looks good.

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

woowzers...

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Firewall is in....

any suggestions on how to polish up sheet metal so its nice and slick for some primer and paint? Firewall is pretty darn smooth, but I want to be able to scuff the quilt pattern a little to clean it up and not sure what I can use. I've tried wet sanding with a scotch brite pad and that worked pretty well.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5d1c12fc_c.jpg

Video of the fabrication work and some bead rolling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY83_m6JpIE

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I think wet sanding and a little wax and grease remover should work.

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

if your gonna epoxy prime it , then I'd hit it with something coarse....like 80-100g...then hit the epoxy with red scotchbrite, highbuild, then paint..
That bare metal really needs epoxy primer on it for a base..

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Awesome, that's the route I'm taking and the metal looks real clean. Got some epoxy primer I can spray.

Last question and thought....should I close up all the spot welds, or can I leave some gaps to fill with bondo. I think I know the answer is to do it the "right" way would be filling all the welds and grinding flat then use the bondo just to fill low/high spots only.

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Any pics of the spot welds?...if they were really visible I think I'd weld them up and grind smooth...if you used filler to fill them up then theres always the risk of your "bondo button" popping out..

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Sorry man, took me a while to get back to this. I've been working on buttoning up a bunch of projects for the car...

Pictures are: Welds for firewall, Welds for rear quarter panel corner. Hoping they are enough to smooth over with bondo and give the paint a nice flat surface to bind to. Rear quarter was a pain when I ran into lead filler from an old repair. You can see the two black tack welds higher up from hitting that stuff. Gas masks on everyone!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...37ba4faf_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...695c505c_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...63233876_c.jpg

Still pretty happy with my fabrication skills on the rear quarter so it would fit the new suspension and disk brake arrangement

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...726fc07c_c.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Would love to share a photo of success and progress today...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a3a6d141_c.jpg

Alas, this is not one of those times. After getting this far and finally being able to test fit a seat and pedals, I have concluded I need to be about 4ft 8in to fit in my hot rod. Simply not enough space and my knees are where a steering wheel would go. A combination of things need to occur. I need to move the fuel tank forward about 6" to clear the rear of the cab when lifting the cab off the frame. I'll need to cut all the floor braces I've installed to move them back 6" and snug up against the suspension. I'll need to move the lower links on the suspension back so they don't hit the floor at full compression of the suspension.

ugh!

Let the cutting begin

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bd0d1058_c.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Ahhhhh...the joy's of building a hotrod..

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I justify the work by thinking, gosh I'll be much faster at this on the next one :) It's a sickness.

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Nice work on it and that firewall looks slick!!! That stinks about having to redo it all but you will know on the next one for sure!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Just had to post this update...wheels and tires arrived!!! A work of art from Rally America wheels in California. Also follow up from my previous post, already got the tank fixed, suspension fixed, and seating position is just right! A big win for me was that I had done all this fabrication based off the measurements of the tire online. Fit perfectly!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f5303dde_c.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Looks wicked..!!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Oh Man, That thing is going to be crazy! Keep us posted on the progress. Lorne

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Nice!!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Happily plugging away in the garage. Getting more comfortable with hammer and dolly techniques to form sheet metal. Recently got the radiator installed, fuel tank cap arrived and ready to put in, and most recently a dashboard went in to make it look even more like a real car!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3b18caae_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0e11cd38_z.jpg

Disappointed with the huge gap I need between the radiator and motor. There's just nowhere to put the lower hose without hitting the i-beam suspension.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2afb5068_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

One more cause I got my gas cap from Nystrom Performance in NY. This thing is amazing

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...42ceaa87_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I love those wires! I really wanted to put colored/ss wires on my 40 but man they get pricey so I bowed down. Haha Very nice gas cap!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

It was a pivotal item that made me want this style of open wheel car. Yes definitely was a painful purchase and still somehow around the same price of the Coker tires alone to wrap them with. Being open wheel, I've been spending more than I'd like on some of the steering and brake components.

Still plugging away. Had some set backs recently as hot rodding goes....

Installed steering column. WAY too much angle on the universal joints so I can't turn the wheel without heavy binding. Unfortuunately the only fix is to cut the steering box mount off and reposition it higher. That'll also affect the motor mount location I think... ugh

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c4753e82_z.jpg


Installed rear wheel spacers to nudge the tires off the body a bit more. Found out a 1" spacer leaves lug nuts sticking out. I don't know how to fix this problem other than cutting the end off the lugs and getting low profile lug nuts or something.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3795c2b7_z.jpg

Pedals are now in and fit well, but my left foot has nowhere to go haha. literally no space next to the brake pedal for my other leg. Problem is that I build the trans tunnel tight against the transmission, but its a 4L80e, so a bit large for this car. Now I'm stuck with having to drive with one leg on the pedal and one leg tucked in. Maybe I'll learn to brake with my left foot?

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...14c5fec5_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Have you seen the rack steering box speedway is selling now? Maybe that will help your u joint angle issues?

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Like this one? Might be an idea....Extra $350 bones might make me try extra hard to make my vega steering box I bought from them fit lol

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Unist...xoCK3IQAvD_BwE

https://content.speedwaymotors.com/P...cdead25c21.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Really wasn't happy with my rear quarter panels once the wheels arrived, so I cut out all my work and thought it over again. Can't buy this stuff, so took some sheet metal and starting cutting...

Before using original Model A inner fender...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...94839f84_z.jpg

After using Giga's custom rear quarter for channeled Ford.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...726fc07c_z.jpg

Even made a video :)
https://youtu.be/QwnkcvidEnI

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I like it!!!!!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

That looks great..!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I like that a lot!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Floor pans, Lokar emergency brake and cables. Now to figure out how to get the body off the frame without screwing up all the hard work!

Before...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9fcef102_z.jpg

After...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...52b2ff6a_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...58e6d4c0_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...89a955f9_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Very nice work on it all! Can you use 2 4x4s and 4 buddies or 2 engine hoists? I used 2 engine hoists to lift the body for my 40.

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

2 Months with nothing touched while I wait for the sun to come out. Decided to roll the car out and look it over to figure out where I left things off. Most of the body work is done so its time to consider short strand fiber filler and bondo to straighten it all up. Looks incomplete in photos, but most of the parts and hard stuff have been mocked up and tested. Now for the blow apart for paint and the final building gets to begin!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...980697f2_z.jpg

Bit shorter than the F150 in the driveway.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...171262c1_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Looks good!...you could just about park it under the f150...

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

It looks awesome! You're getting close!

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Thanks everyone! Mad props to Posies Rod and Custom, my local hotrod shop. The paint guy spent 45 minutes with me explaining everything I need to do from metal to clear coat free of charge. I was allowed to take pictures of the products they use and showed me in-process cars in the shop. We talked metallics and tri-coats (strongly advising aganst tri-coats for beginner painters). I couldn't believe how nice they were!

In short, the steps they use are:
1. sand 180 on bare metal then wax and grease remover
2. Cover welded areas with duraglass 24030 short strand
3. Sand 35/40 grit to cut it down. Having scuffs and low spots is ok as it'll be covered with filler
4. Cover full panel with Evercoat Rage
5. Guide coat
6. Sand with 120-180, stop if you hit bare metal
7. Fix pin holes and low spots with more filler, guide coat, sand until flat
8. Two coats feather-fill G2. Don't let it set in your gun or throw gun away.
9. guide coat
10. Sand with 220
At this point I'm told the primer should lay on perfectly flat if everything was done right.
11. Primer/sealer 2 coats
12. Guide coat
13. Wet sand 320 grit

Lots of examples online of the same process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgcJ3oPaYQ8
Search "Bad Chad" who has a great way of explaining the process of "flooding" panels

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Two big jobs knocked off the list this weekend! Installing the visor and above door panels for the last time, I had to seal the back side because I can't get to it through the 1x2 cage that replaces all the old wood that used to hold these things together. Also knocked out drip rails! Got some Speedway 1932 Ford drip rails that fit perfect with some professional bending-over-the-knee metal shaping and a torch :)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...903b7834_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...97908c88_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5db9511f_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

The visor and drip rail install look awesome! Are you planning on driving it this summer?

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Looks great

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

I think this hobby is much more fun without plans or timelines haha. I just worry about the next few things to do and get stuck into the garage. I definitely feel this project has been much faster than my original timeline. 5 years originally and now a year and a half in you're right on that it may possibly be driving by the fall if I keep at it.

I've never been so invigorated to sand something! First bit of short strand filler going down over the welds for a smooth as silk finish...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f33c5dba_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...6c8729f5_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Couple of product shout outs from a novice..

USC 24030 Short strand went on smooth and was easy to sand. Follow directions, easy to do and manipulate before it sets.

Eastwood PRE wax and grease remover seems to be able to spray on pretty much any surface and leave a nice super clean finish to stick things like primer, body fill, base, and clear to.

Eastwood self-etching weld thru primer. The only spray can I've found so far that doesn't completely gum up after one or two uses leaving the remainder of a $15 can useless. Tried SEM and 3M

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Great at getting out in the garage every couple of days, not so great at updating the Internet haha. I get too into the project and forget to take photos.

This month finished filling the tack strip line at the back of the car so its flush. Welded most of the floor pans in permanently. Built access doors for the hand brake and gear shifter. Finalized placement of the front suspension and steering. Frame is now blown apart where I was able to weld the last items underneath.

Last, but not least, went through about 300 red metallic swatches to pick out three choices for a spray out.

Found some weld in 1/2x20 threaded inserts. They are great for speeding up attachment points for sheet metal like the screws needed to attach a cover plate to the gear shift and handbrake covers.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ba3e6e48_z.jpg
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/vosAA...BA/s-l1600.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a935f5c6_z.jpg

Degrease, wire wheel, rust disolver, paint.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1a746050_z.jpg

Cleaning up and filling all the holes in the frame. 36 just on the drivers side. I was starting to wonder if there is any frame left!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...fed7b4bd_z.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...85d8f5ac_z.jpg


Metallic shows in the sunlight, but in the shade a nice deep red.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ec22ae40_z.jpg

Re: Ford Model A Tudor Modern Twist on a Classic
 

Looks great.