I added these to the original thread [front axle location] that Dale posted but it looks like no one has seen them. So in an attempt to get these out there, here they are again. I was just so impressed with Dales mods that I have to give all a chance to see. Sorry if I am overdoing this, I just think it deserves overdoing. Joe

 

I saw them but I looked again. Nice job.

 

Thats a beautiful engine. You dont see a 337 that looks that nice every day, or Ever!!

Looks right at home in there too.

 

Finding the speed parts for them must be next to impossible...and expensive. Very cool!

 

A tell-tale sign of a flathead love affair of many years! The 337 looks right at home in there.

 

Looks like it was made to fit in there! The axle/fender mod looks easy, I'll bet it helps with weight distribution too.

 

Ok, I'm about to show my ignorance BUT, what was used to cut the sheet metal? was it a rotary cutter, a nibbler??? I am going to need to do some sheet metal fabbing and need as thin a cut as possible. I do not own a nibbler yet, I will get one if needed. Thanks Kurt.

 

Nice Job!

I bet the cuts were made with a rotary cutter wheel. Nibblers make a wide kerf.

Jag

 

Use a abrasive cut off wheel. If you have sufficient air supply, a 3" cutoff tool from Harbor freight is very inexpensive and works well, If not get a 4" angle grinder and a handful of 1/16" thick metal cutting cut off wheels.
HINT: don't try to cut continuously along the line like you are cutting paper, swing the wheel down into the metal without moving ahead until it cuts thru a couple inches. Lift the wheel out of the metal move it ahead until the edge of the wheel is at the end of the previous cut and swing it into the metal again to cut another couple inches. Continue this method until you complete the cut. Trying to push the wheel down the line will undoubtedly result in the wheel catching and twisting, breaking the wheel. Don't try to use a chipped or damaged wheel!!!!
Be sure to wear a face shield, long sleeves and leather work gloves!

 

The front end mods looks great. I did this years ago when installing a MII front end. In my opinion these truck always looked very front end heavy and pushing the front end out a few inches really helps balance things out. Nice motor as well

Kevin
LFD Inc.

 

Once again-Big thanks to Okiedokie for posting pics of my pride & joy.

To 52 Merc: You're right on both counts-I searched for years for those EDmunds pieces and paid dearly when I finally found them. (Had to borrow the $ from a friend and hide it from the "boss".)

To Havi: That "affair" with Flatheads has been ongoing since about 1950. There was an interruption for several years when I went to work for that "off brand-C----" but after 25 years it was like going back and marrying an old highschool flame. I never got her out of my mind during all that time.


To ALBUQ F-1: The fender WAS fairly easy (and the most fun). The piece I cut out at the front was the perfect patch to fill in at the rear. There were other issues (rust) with the fenders which WEREN'T so much fun. Moving the axle forward was more work and caused a new problem: the front spring hanger moved forward but also slightly down hill because of the profile of the frame.This raised the front of the truck which required de-arching and eliminating some spring leaves. It's still not quite as low as I'd like but it's too near the bump stops. Flipping the spring on the axle would be too much.


To Kurt G.:I used an abrasive cutoff disc just like AXracer described.

 

I agree, it always bugs me to see the front axle so far back making it look like Henry (or whichever Ford was CEO by '53) was trying to save money by using old parts that just didn't quite fit. That might not have been the reason, but it sure makes you wonder why.
Dale, yours is how they should have been - a great looking truck with a sweet flathead!