50s Ford F1 Build

[Dirtyrat]

small update, start of the hemi tear down

We pulled the heads tonight, and had a look at the cylinders, only one real area of concern, where there is a decent pit mark. I think there is no doubt it will be a rebuild project, so the truck will not be moving anytime soon under its own power, which is fine, I need lots of time to do the frame build, and such.

Anyhow, I imagine .060 is the max overbore on a 331? Thats what I seem to see for pistons as a max.

I know Hot Hemi Heads seems to have just about everything, but I'm not keen on their pricing, and the factory cast 7.5:1 compression ratio either.
I'll probably call them tomorrow and see if there are any other options in a cast piston. Unless you guys have some ideas. $1600+ for their kit is steep, but if thats the best buy out there, I'll start saving...

Anyhow on with the pics:

 

[Dirtyrat]

Pic uploader is failing... fun.

 

[Dirtyrat]

More pics

 

[Dirtyrat]

quick update

I picked up my kingpins, still need to install the bushings, and ream them, which seems like a foreign word to any of the local parts places including the store I bought them at. Heh... either way I'll get them in soon.

I ordered my front tie rods, and adjustment rod, as mine are wasted, and center adjuster is bent badly and almost rotted through in a couple places.

I also lined up some wheels and 3/4 decent tires, hopefully picking them up tomorrow, 15x7 fronts, and 15x18 rears with 29x18-50/15 on them... Should be a wicked stance... Pics as soon as I can get the wheels on the axles, and start taking some measurements for frame heights.

I'm hoping like hell to have the axles mostly assembled, and such this week and next, so I can start on the frame...

 

[Dirtyrat]

Picked up the meats yesterday, still need to sort out studs, and lugnuts...

Attachments are not working.... ugh

 

[Dirtyrat]

wheel & tire pics

more pics to come hopefully later tonight, if I can find lug nuts for these wheels...

 

[Dirtyrat]

Rear axle pics with meats

Waiting on more lug nuts, and getting the kingpins installed, but hoping to start on front axle assembly soon too

 

[tattoocharlie]

i really like it.....WELL DONE

 

[tattoocharlie]

HOTHEADS is an amazing place....those guys have so much knowledge,a couple years ago i built a 14:1 .700 roller 291 desoto hemi stroked to 331.it was sick,couldntve done it without hotheads.their down to earth and will share info for free!!!!!!!GREAT GUYS

 

[skull]

tires

like those rear tires

Later

 

[Dirtyrat]

Thanks

Small update, I found a place to ream the Kingpin bushings, so probably do that early next week. I also made a piece on the lathe to remove the old bushings out of some brass round stock, put a piloted nose on it the size of the kingpin, and the OD slightly smaller than the new bushings, popped them in the arbor press after work and pressed them out without much trouble...

 

[Dirtyrat]

more updates

Not a whole lot to report, I'm picking up the front axle tomorrow, with the king pin bushings installed and reamed.

I got the rear axle mostly cleaned up and ready for primer, and then some hammertone paint is the plan.

Hemi is 90% dissassembled, sorted out it is already .040 over, probably going to go to 354 if the block passes the sonic test, as it needs to be bored.
I'll be looking for some 392 heads if I can get a good deal on some. Motor work wont start til next year after taxes.

I'm getting quotes on steel for the frame this week, as once the front axle is assembled, its on to building the frame.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Are those fat tires or are your hands really tiny? And a hemi rebuild? Wow! I'll be watching the frame build. [P

 

[Hillbilly bling]

Are you havein FUN??? COOL build,, can't wait to see more..

 

[Dirtyrat]

Thanks guys!

The rear tires are 18" wide 29x18.5/50 R15 I think...

yep, hemi rebuild =)

once I get paid for a side job I did, I'll be ordering the frame material... kinda more expensive than I had hoped... getting some more quotes today...

 

[Dirtyrat]

1st night working on the cab, finally got it home

Friday night I got the cab home, just got a chance to work on it tonight.
I'm working on the floor and door alignment first, then on to the chop so it might be a little bit before the chop starts.

 

[Dirtyrat]

more pics

more pics

 

[Dirtyrat]

11-1-11 Update

I welded in one of the lower A-pillar replacement pieces, much stronger than the original... 2x3 tubing... I have slits cut for where the hinge would mount if I decide to go back to an original style door, rather than suicide which is the current plan.

The last pic is the bottom of the B-Pillar, thats next... then the A to B beam to strengthen the door opening, and then on to the other side.

 

[justsomeguy]

Daggumit!! That cab is bad man! Are you gonna channel that sucker?

 

[Dirtyrat]

Daggumit!! That cab is bad man! Are you gonna channel that sucker?

Yea, I don't feel so bad about chopping it up...
The plan was to not channel it, was going to Z the frame when I build it.

I'll know more as I rebuild the floor.