[timothale]

Building a Four can be expensive if go full out. I have a 22 T speedster. The more I looked at an A crank and overhead valve conversiona and the $ $ required , I decided not do a whole lot. I was teaching the Auto engine classes at the college so I hauled in 6 model T engines I had collected. Once you get a machine set up , the machine time isn't that long. I picked out the best block, bored 60 over, new aluminum pistons, new 3/4 cam , timing gears and machined for adjustable lifters, decked the blocks on the head machine, faster on a little engine and milled all the stock heads to remove water corrosion. balance all the rods and pistons, You don't have to be the fastest to still have fun. but I did come in no 11 out of 70 cars.

[Irelands child]

Originally Posted by pcoghlan

Dave

Please don't take my most recent post as a jab, it wasn't mean to be one. I do appreciate every post made in this thread. I totally agree that planning is required and lots of it. I have also spent some time perusing a solid book (How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod) which is providing more answers, AND questions.

The more research I am doing (and will continue to do) the more I am actually coming to the conclusion that I might sidestep the Buick nailhead and instead keep the banger. Cant get more old school than the original engine huh? It (keeping the banger) wasn't even something I had considered. Would appear to simply things a tad.

As for the whole chop/no-chop discussion, i have spent the last while looking at unchopped A's and have to admit, I am wavering...!

Paul

Paul - I did not take your post as a jab. What I'm trying to emphasize is that you need to spend a lot of time considering the options. Plus whatever time framework you expect to have it done in, real life interferes, i.e. honey do's and kids if married, a job if not retired, the lawn needs mowing, the daily driver needs a day in the shop, the a/c just quit ....... and so on. That top chop you are considering - lots of work, especially if you aren't a metal worker/welder now. And hot rod shops - they get real expensive plus trying to get a quality job in a reasonable amount of time and within their quoted price can be frustrating. Engines - the 'A' was replaced by both the 'B' and 'C' engines, both of which should bolt in place and are better choices. Another to consider is the Ford turbo 4 cylinder SVO from '86 on for 5 or 6 more years. Modern and reliable power, relatively easy to find parts, much more so then that earlly nailhead or the original 4 cylinder. Again, planning.


Dave W

[pcoghlan]

Originally Posted by timothale

Building a Four can be expensive if go full out. I have a 22 T speedster. The more I looked at an A crank and overhead valve conversiona and the $ $ required , I decided not do a whole lot. I was teaching the Auto engine classes at the college so I hauled in 6 model T engines I had collected. Once you get a machine set up , the machine time isn't that long. I picked out the best block, bored 60 over, new aluminum pistons, new 3/4 cam , timing gears and machined for adjustable lifters, decked the blocks on the head machine, faster on a little engine and milled all the stock heads to remove water corrosion. balance all the rods and pistons, You don't have to be the fastest to still have fun. but I did come in no 11 out of 70 cars.

Thanks, to be honest I think I see the gap here between my expectations and the majority. I would certainly not need to go full out with the engine. If it could cruise at highway speed I am more than happy. The objective here is to cruise... A little extra pep would be nice but certainly nothing major.

As per Dave's posts, I will continue research...

Thanks again,
Paul

[timothale]

A mild A , B or C engine would still be fun and there are several different transmission options, reworked modern transmissions to work in an A, good for cruzing. , I have an antique Moore gear box behind my T transmission, I now have 4 foreward and 2 reverse speeds in the T. originally a T only had 2 foreward speeds.

[OneMoreTime]

May I suggest going resto-rod with that car..that is stock body with late model running gear..Boxed "A" chassis..disk brakes all around..Perhaps the turbo 4 as suggested..Main thing if you have not built a ground up car before is keep it simple..Even that buick you have could work..just do a rebuild and some dressy pieces and you are good to go..

Sam

[pcoghlan]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

May I suggest going resto-rod with that car..that is stock body with late model running gear..Boxed "A" chassis..disk brakes all around..Perhaps the turbo 4 as suggested..Main thing if you have not built a ground up car before is keep it simple..Even that buick you have could work..just do a rebuild and some dressy pieces and you are good to go..

Sam

Same, totally agree. Taking on advice from prior posts I have spent a lot of time in the past couple of days looking at similar cars, making a list of options and generally planning out the way forward.

I am certainly leaning towards leaving the body pretty much as-is for now and simply removing the fenders/running boards. I dont particularly feel like there is a need to do massive surgery to it and will probably 'tweak' it over time as I enjoy it, which is my primary objective.

I will try to dig out some photos of an original A with just fenders removed to see what sort of rake/look that gives but may be removing them in the next week so I will know soon enough...

Boxing the frames is on my must-do list and will likely done in the next month or two.

Paul