My '51 suspension/steering project
#16
Wow that is scary about your mom... Glad to hear she's doing better and glad that you let your truck take a back seat... you would probable rushed or not had your mind in the work on the f1... Even thought it may have taken your mind off of your mom for a bit... I will keep you and her in my daily preys....
#17
Thanks Moe, yeah that was a scary experience but one that I was glad to have had the opportunity to perform. If this would have happened in the middle of the night, she wouldn't have survived.
The truck was a good diversion. Thanks again.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
The truck was a good diversion. Thanks again.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#18
I'm back and we've made a little more progress. (Mom is doing much better) so I have a little extra free time again. We welded in the crossmember, spring towers, steering rack, and motor mounts (painted everything black). We ended up using the .250" plate that was bent by the previous owner as part of the motor mount but welded some .375" thick plating as gussets (had to cut an opening in the drivers side for the steering linkage). We just have to bolt the upper and lower A-arms, shocks, springs, spindles, brakes, etc... (about a hundred more little things) but were making some progress. Pics below.
Wally
1951 Ford F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 Ford F1 - "Lucille"
#19
The heidt's mustang II kit is almost installed except for the sway bar (which is supposed to show up tomorrow). We still have to connect the brake lines and bleed them. We'll finish up the steering linkage next. Once we install the steering pump we should be in pretty good shape. Still have a half dozen little jobs to finish up but I think we can get this wrapped up within the next two weeks, here are the latest pics.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#21
As far as the steering wheel is concerned I'm using the Ford steering wheel that the previous owner installed. I cut the steering box off and I'm placing a bearing in the steering downtube with a shaft collar. Then i'm welding in a u-joint to the steering tube that will connect to a linkage rod (with a hime joint for support so it doesn't bind up) that gets welded to the u-joint (and that gets bolted to the rack). This set up works well on the stockcars we race in the summer.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#22
Lucille is finally off the jackstands and on the ground! Still need to bleed the brakes, bolt up the sway bar, finish welding the steering linkage (and hime joint support bracket), install the steering pump (and lines), install the new damper pully (for two belts, then install the belts), install the electric radiator fan, battery, coolant, bolt on the fenders (after trimming the wheel wells), and have the front wheels aligned. Then all I need are new tires installed and connect the horn. May be lowering the rear end about two inches too (depending on how it sits once the fenders are put back on). Getting there!
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#23
Hey Wally,
It looks great! The before & after pics are fantastic for others to
see what a difference the Heidt's makes vs. stock. Our steering linkage is pretty crazy - I like your approach - any close-ups of your's would be appreciated.
You know now that you have it all opened up - it would be easy to get that big 'ol orange cadillac engine out of there.. - just saying....
Have you seen Rzns60's Mustang GT 5.0l Coyote Engine with the 6 speed? Hmmm.....Tempting... (Just pulling your leg - beautiful truck just like it is).
Ben in Austin
It looks great! The before & after pics are fantastic for others to
see what a difference the Heidt's makes vs. stock. Our steering linkage is pretty crazy - I like your approach - any close-ups of your's would be appreciated.
You know now that you have it all opened up - it would be easy to get that big 'ol orange cadillac engine out of there.. - just saying....
Have you seen Rzns60's Mustang GT 5.0l Coyote Engine with the 6 speed? Hmmm.....Tempting... (Just pulling your leg - beautiful truck just like it is).
Ben in Austin
#24
Ben, I tried to show the steering best I could below. The steering column was previously secured by the old steering box so i used an exhaust style clamp (clamped on to the lower steering column) and I welded an L-bracket brace that bolts on to the clamp and to the frame (made the column nice and sturdy). Then i used a bearing (OD 1.375", ID .750") that slid into the column tube (with an outer clamp to hold it in place) so we had upper and lower bearings on the steering rod. We then used a locking collar (ID of .750") and bolted it on to the steering rod under the bearing. This held the steering wheel down and secured the entire thing. Next we measured a solid .750" diameter piece of round stock as our linkage and attached two u-joints to the ends (we drilled and bolted the u-joints to it and the steering rack end has a 36 splined end (with a set screw) while the steering rod end is smooth and welded to the steering column rod. We installed a hime joint in the middle of this bar to stop it from binding up. Check out the pics below. I would have loved a nice 5.0 GT engine or even a Corvette LS motor in there but the previous owner plunked an early Camaro 307 in there. We have it decorated like a late '50's 283 Chevy engine which was the least expensive way to do it. My wife wasn't thrilled with the cash I have in this truck as it is, a new motor would send her off the deep end so I couldn't push my luck.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#25
Thanks Wally,
That helps me a lot - Our steering works but it's a lot more complicated - too many pieces & angles for my taste. I hear you on the truck costs -
you did a nice strategic upgrade of the front suspension.
Mine had an old 289 Mustang motor in it - swapped out for a
351W with some aftermarket top end upgrades. I don't miss the stock front end but I do miss that old 289! Your truck looks great - shoot us a video when you get it back out on the road this Spring.
Ben in Austin
That helps me a lot - Our steering works but it's a lot more complicated - too many pieces & angles for my taste. I hear you on the truck costs -
you did a nice strategic upgrade of the front suspension.
Mine had an old 289 Mustang motor in it - swapped out for a
351W with some aftermarket top end upgrades. I don't miss the stock front end but I do miss that old 289! Your truck looks great - shoot us a video when you get it back out on the road this Spring.
Ben in Austin
#26
Another Saturday, another day of working on Lucille. Today, we welded up the electric cooling fan brackets and bolted the fan into place (the fan came out of a 1982 Chevy Citation... recycling!). We also finished welding the steering linkage and fabricated a hime joint bracket (which will stop the steering linkage from binding up). Next, we finished bolting up the sway bar. Finally, we bled the front brakes and we installed the power steering pump. We ended up replacing the crankshaft pulley and the water pump pulley (collect enough parts over the years and low and behold, we had the right combination laying around upstairs), so next week we can install the steering, alternator, & water pump belts, then plumb the steering pump to the rack. I really think we'll have the sheet metal bolted back on next Saturday!
... to be continued!
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
... to be continued!
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#28
Thanks Moe, I can't wait to drive her around town. We have a date with the wheel alignment folks and she's getting a new set of tires!
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
#30
I'm not sure yet, I know a few people who sell them so I'm weighing my options. Blackwalls... after that, not sure.
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"
Wally
1951 F1 - "Lucille"