Making of a 26 T Up Nort

[Z.Z.Rat]

Look'n good! Like the bed. Also the Ford logo on the tail gate.

 

[toms26t]

The dash is officially connected to the T-Bucket, through the senders and other items. painted the brake pedal parts so they can be put together tomorrow. Then a final brake bleed after the gravity fill, the system is full of fluid, Rear axle is full, trans has 4 quarts in so far more after the engine has started. Running battery cables in the morning. With some luck there may be an engine start soon.

 

[toms26t]

More goodies arrived yesterday. Heims for the drag link, mirrors, windshield wiper assembly.

Todays progress.
Battery cables in place today, tested the completed wiring, all was good. More wiring to do and remount the fuel pump then fill with antifreeze. Need to install the exhaust after taking it off to do the wiring.

But the best test of the wiring was listening to the engine crank over. One other note is I am using the Odyssey battery, powerful little thing.

 

[toms26t]

Ok, All you Bucket Build Watchers, My treat for ya'll.
The 26T Bucket Chevy 5.3 LS Engine Running today.

Click the photo for the video and sound.


Now to finish the wiring and the other small stuff.

 

[skull]

wheels

lookin' nice

are ya gonna run the 5-spokes? l like'em a lot, they are really cool on the car.


Later

 

[Cutls67]

I like you master cylinder placement. Mind if I steal it? Also what did you use for a plunger to push the master cylinder and how is it kept in place?

Stephan

 

[Snake Farm]

Wow, six months and five pages and you're running! I'm jealous...........nice build for sure!

 

[toms26t]

Hoping to get the T in for its inspection within 3 weeks then get the plates, that can take 4 weeks.

 

[deluxerux]

Awesome work. Nice to see another early Ford build in WI.

 

[chuckles]

Very nice build!!!!
Got an pics of the steering, drag link?
What is the length of your bed and the WB? Thanks

 

[toms26t]

The bed is 36" WB is 12"-4" or 148"
I also borrowed the idea of the 90 degree mount of the master cylinder. I did find on the internet that a company sells the setup also, but that would not be a built by me item.

Here are the front shock mounts with the top plate added and in primer.

The corvair box mounted.

The front drag link in position, the post needs shortened.

Here is the box in primer with tail light. Will get more photos later today with my Camera, these are from the Phone.

 

[toms26t]

We have tail lights, turn signals, brake lights, hi/low beams, yabba dabba dooooooo, now for the horn and wiper wires, and more odds and ends. Run out of connectors so its time for a run to the store.. More painting and attach the radiator shroud. then the floor goes back in... Getting to sound like a honey-do list!!

Ran down the battery working on the lights. But that's what they make chargers for.

 

[cycledog]

Almost time to cruise. Looks close.

 

[toms26t]

More phone Pics, But soon I will be rolling the Bucket outside. Just to get past the Blizzard that is predicted starting tuesday with 8" of snow, Yea right.

Here is a Pic of the Battery mount location under the passanger seat.

A Pic of the dash and master cyl location, primering the linkage then it gets put back in and the dash will be bolted in.

Pic from the other side of the dash

Front view of the drag link

Drag link from the back

Front end with turn signals, headlights, and grille shield in place, need to find some mesh

View from the passenger front

View from the Passenger rear

Close up of each shock mount I did leave an extra mount hole to angle the shocks more if they turn out too stiff.

I have to fess up on attempting to again order from Howells Sheetmetal.
I ordered a new seat back jan 27 for the touring body after I did the same last Oct/Nov. They love to not answer their phone or answer emails also. I emailed Ryan and kept asking when they would have the part ready this time. Finally he said they just made 40. I ordered one and asked for a tracking number when it was shipped. Then a week later I called and He gave me a ups tracking number and said it shipped Feb 8. well if you look at it the tracker says item not submitted to UPS. So after turning in a claim to UPS they tracked it and did not find a package. So 2 months later it is still not resolved and I now will be forced to attempt to perform some more sheet metal repair. and no money back either.

I did file a complaint with the BBB, and to no-ones surprise he has not answered that. I am about ready to Fly down and do my best to not blow my top.

 

[toms26t]

Howells has now canceled my order and refunded my money.
The BBB asked if I am satisfied with the resolve. I replied I am not satisfied with the lack of communication and the lies to UPS that he gave the items to them for shipping.
Enough on Howells.

The project is feeling like its winding down. I mounted the dash in place and made some changes to the steering column, mainly shortened the column. I will complete that in a couple days, Took the dash back down to make it easier to mount the windshield now that I painted the uprights and the frame. Now to carefully slide the rubber in the bottom slot and install it back on the Bucket. Found some punched mesh for the grille, now to fit that up. I adjusted the emergency brake cables and pulled the ball end off one side, so fix that. It was crimped and the instructions say to weld [ the end to the cable (should the manufacturer do that? go figure).

Over the next few days I need to fit the back panel and repair the upper broken corners with some 20 GA. Make 2 small panels to fill in the bottom at the back. and modify the front seat bottom panel to fit. Need foam and material to make the seats. Also needed is to get the rear axle straight to the front and square the front axle, then I have a friend that will 4 wheel align the bucket for a 12 pack. Hope to get that done next week. Could this be time for a trip around the block? Hope so. It will also be time for a few shots of the Bucket not in the shop.

My thanks to everyone for their support, viewing the project and where needed helping with seen issues during this build. Over all I have a couple weeks left for the completion of the build, but we all know you see things that will need to change or better ways to try it.

 

[jrotten]

You do some fine work, and fast too. Looking forward to seeing it finished.

 

[toms26t]

View from the back corner

Dash and steering in place, windshield primered and installed

The air cleaner is on the engine

I may be having visions but I might be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. still hoping to get it out of the garage next week.

 

[toms26t]

Completed the Grille guard yesterday, fixed a gas leak, modified the floor metal to accept the steering shaft and a few other odds n ends. I must of got the wrong dipstick with the transmission. I start it and let it run for a bit on jack stands then check the trans. When I add enough to get to the bottom of the full mark it tosses it all out on the floor. I did get a locar dipstick to install but am still using the long stick that came with this trans.

 

[ratrodney]

Im not a huge fan of the open tops usually but Im really diggin this ryde. RR

 

[toms26t]

More work done, seatback now installed and ran a Pvc pipe along the top edge to round the top and put the interior fabric over. aligned the rear axle, front is close. One sheet metal left for the front edge of the seat, then cut the bottom board. Time to start applying the sound deadening material to the floor and body. Still on target to Get-er-Out after the storms are done Wed.

I installed one of my door decals yesterday.