New stuff!

[kb426]

This pic represents that I won the fight for removal. This was a real pain. I need to remove the rear end but all the fasteners are ready to come out. I have to block the body up in the yard to do this. The rear is the last part that I need for the chassis. The rest is there waiting for measurements and engineering before welding. It got up to 78 degrees here today. It was a great day for the fall.

[kb426]

The last large part of dissassembly. The lower arm bolts were froze. Sure glad I'm not protecting the car.  

[enjenjo]

The Fox Body guys are all over the spindles, and the wheels for 5 lug retrofits

[kb426]

Thanks, Frank. I may remove the front cradle and save it. The hydroboost and the top would be the only thing left on the body besides glass. I'm researching whether the hydro would be good to retain or a liability.

[jaybee]

The Pro Touring guys are wild about hydroboost. When the time comes I'll be looking for one for my car.

[kb426]

This evening the front cradle came out and the hydroboost. It was about to get cool when I finished.

[kb426]

The trans arrived today. I bought a 3650 out of a 2001 Bullitt with a flywheel and clutch. I'm gaining!

[kb426]

A little more progress.

[kb426]

Front cross member and read end fresh from the vat. The rear needs all the brackets removed and I'm changing ratios.

[kb426]

The parts for the rear end arrived this week along with bolts for the flywheel and the rear trans mount. I cleaned grease from the back of the engine and installed the flywheel and clutch. The trans in on and ready for fitting. I found out that it has a 31 spline output and my collection only includes 28 spline. Just another minor expense. Some of the mounts for the body and radiator require sleeving so I used the lathe to cut 4130 tubing to length for the inserts. Some of the 2 X 6 is cut up and ready to be modified for the 2 x 4 step downs at both ends of the chassis.

[papastoyss]

Front cross member and read end fresh from the vat. The rear needs all the brackets removed and I'm changing ratios.

The pull a parts in this area get $100.  for Explorer 8.8 leaf spring rears. I found the axle codes on the 'net, they're on a sticker on the drivers door. I've seen ratios from 3:23 to 4:11 w/ limited slip in the yards. I'm holding out for a 3:55 for my '57.

[kb426]

papastoyss, I checked the yards around here. Only one had a 3.73 posi and it was $400. There's not much population where I am so we're limited with yard inventory.

[kb426]

I worked most of the day but didn't get as much done as I planned on.   One pic is the crossmember for the core support. One is the rear cab mount area. Both are sleeved. The front is stepped down from 2x6 to 2x4. There will be a gusset on the bottom. I'm ready to cut the rest for the step above the rear and the remainder of that end in the morning.

[jaybee]

That brings up a question in my mind. Let's say you're building a crossmember out of martial that isn't as tall as the rails, and it's set flush with the top. Would it be desirable to gusset that crossmember at the ends so that it puts load into the bottom of the frame rail rather than potentially flexing the side of the rail when the frame flexes?

[kb426]

That's a good point Jaybee. I look at the load the crossmember is supporting to make a decision about that.