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Connecting rod reconditioning is complete. Below are some pictures to hold everyone over for now.
Completed:
-Reconditioned connecting rods
-Purchased NOS rear parking brake cable assembly
-Purchased NOS engine core and camshaft bore plugs
Upcoming:
-Send harmonic balancer out for restoration and elastomer band re-mold
-Locate and purchase NOS flywheel
-Locate and purchase NOS pilot bushing
-Recondition and machine engine block
Historical note: in the photos you will notice the #1 connecting rod coated in copper. Occasionally, a connecting rod would be slightly out of specification during the production process. Rather than throwing the rod away (costly), the rods would be coated in copper to decrease the bushing hole size and bring the it within the proper specification.
Progress is well underway with the engine and chassis...though most of the current processes involve researching, locating, and purchasing NOS parts.
Recently completed:
-Crankshaft harmonic damper restored
-Acquired multiple NOS engine parts
-Sent original engine wire harness and ground cable off for concours replication
Upcoming:
-Locate and purchase remainder of NOS cylinder head parts
-Send original carburetor out for mechanical and cosmetic restoration
Just checking in. I haven't forgot about everyone here, and the restoration is in full motion. No completed component pictures for now, but expect restored cylinder head and distributor pictures soon. The parts purchases for the rolling chassis are nearly complete, with very little remaining on the shopping lists. I'm pulling the chassis out of storage for the winter with intent to install the last of the brake and differential pieces.
Completed:
-Purchase of all NOS cylinder head parts (valves, springs, retainers, sleeves, locks, and the single freeze plug).
-Disassembled distributor
-Had engine wire harness and engine ground strap professionally replicated to 100% exact specs/appearance (to include printed Ford part numbers)
In progress:
-Locate and purchase remaining NOS engine and distributor parts
Upcoming:
-Cylinder head machine work/restoration (with all NOS parts)
-Distributor rebuild/restoration (with all NOS parts)
-Install chassis wheel brake components
Wahoo! Just rounding up all the NOS parts is a huge task.
I know at one point you wanted to document all the history and background, process of this reconstruction on to a website. is that still going to happen? There are some amazing builds going on by forum members and this is one that I have been following from the start, and so impressed with. Strong work Sir!
Wahoo! Just rounding up all the NOS parts is a huge task.
NOS part number identification and location is probably the most time consuming aspect of the restoration. Some parts have literally taken years to locate, such as the NOS muffler and front wheel bearing grease baffle paper gaskets.
I paused construction of the website (when nearly complete) a while back when work, continued college education, and kids consumed the majority of my free time...and never resumed construction. With my current work assignment and completion of my Master's degree, I now have considerable free time to devote to the project and website construction. I need to locate a better website design program, as the one I was using was very complicated and primitive. If anyone has a program suggestion, I'm all ears.
I have been wondering whats happening with this restoration? It has been awhile and I'm hoping for an update, and of course pictures.
Hope all is well with you Dustin.
The restoration is moving along slowly. Since the last posting, I've completed the following:
-Had the engine wire harness and ground strap replicated (to include stamped part numbers on the wire jacket)
-Disassembled and cleaned distributor parts to be reused
-Torqued all rear mount hardware
-Obtained nearly all NOS distributor replacement parts
-Obtained all NOS cylinder head parts
-Obtained nearly all the NOS engine parts available (will have to resort to some reproduction items to complete the rebuild)
I anticipate delivering the cylinder heads to the machine shop very soon for execution of all machine work and a full rebuild using all NOS Ford parts. The engine block will follow once the last of the parts are acquired. Progress has been slow, but the project is moving forward. Pictures to follow soon.
Thats good to hear Dustin. Glad all is well with the restoration. Good to know you survived your first Alaska winter
I know there are more than a few of us that enjoy following this project!
Happy new year everyone! Work is still underway, and I apologize for the lack of progress updates and pictures.
Completed since my last reply:
-Cylinder heads machined and completely rebuilt with all NOS parts (except valve seals)...look just as if they were manufactured yesterday. Pics to come.
-Acquired all parts for the short block minus pistons and rings (awaiting machine work to determine new piston size). I was fortunate enough to locate all parts in NOS form except the crank/rod bearings and gaskets.
-Acquired more NOS distributor parts.
Between very limited garage space at our present location, other car projects, family, work, and difficulty in locating certain NOS parts, progress continues to be slow. We're scheduled to move (destination unknown) this summer and plan to purchase a house with greater garage space than at present. Once complete with the move, progress will resume at a rapid pace. Thanks for keeping interest in this project. If all goes as planned, this project will be coming to completion within the next two years.
