51 Ford

[idrivejunk]

Amen to that. Needs canted headlights too. And something else, I can't remember what... um something striking about a paint finish... help me out here  :?  :?:



I just had to get this shot because I am me.



The Pelvis (reckon that can be his IDJ code name, story behind that) was letting out groans all day, uncovering outlandishly shoddy body repairs on that thing. I felt like a wiz when we tried to take the cab off but components were not allowing it. I eventually recalled that day on the 51 and that I had opted to just cut the dang pedal arms. He has a die hard traditional rod and resto background though and stumbled on the moral issue of hacking rodable junk. As did I, but got over it quick because chop chop nobody cares, chassis gone and sold or whatever. He may remove components to let the pedals out. His toe board is not bad, mine was planned to be removed. Stock firewall, toe board, and pan work with the Coyote and RS frame and it isn't a big show rig so more existing sheetmetal can remain.

[kb426]

There's my nemesis, Mr. rust.

[idrivejunk]

This'd be your hero then, eh?

[idrivejunk]

Notch for BBK shortys-

[kb426]

No fat engines until after 2 am! Installing a modern chassis under any of these older units is my way to happiness. The accessory drive on the coyote leaves very little room for plumbing. My 4.6 wasn't terrible because the cylinder head area is about 4" narrower. The water outlets on a coyote are in a different position which does help some. My frame rails with the narrowed crown vic are 4" narrower than what you are working with. Not that much fun. Probably doable with lots of thinking and possible relocation of the alternator. I've seen people turn it around backwards to gain room. No jealousy on my part.

[idrivejunk]

Thats what Mike did on the '41 alternator, flipped it around. Have not really studied the Model A engine fit yet myself but he was in the process of building the right header when we swapped projects. He sure was staring at the 51 with much focus today, probably plumbing it in his noggin first. I noticed the steering and left header looking good to go, and a tad more evolution of console.

Merc truck man is flying through just like every job he touches. Off tomorrow but I believe it is ready to slap wheels on. I took more pics of that but am deliberating if or how to put them up.

Today's moaning was from me, noticing how many items (body brackets, core support mount, etc) the Merc frame came with opposed to the F1. I did assist by kicking out a couple spare mount biscuits for his back of cab because while the shackle type (when I say that I mean a stamped link with bushings at each end) frame mount brackets were included, the new adjustable bars sold to replace stock cab mount links are sold elsewhere evidently.

[idrivejunk]

The 51 is still out back. Anyone game for some weekend thread fluff?

Slide axles in the 49 Merc and she's a roller.














The bondo pile on the frame was serving as a body mount. It was poured through the floor pan. Which beats the silicone that was mostly used to attach the existing patches.





Mounts under the toe boards' brackets on both these were just digging into rusty rockers. I guess most you see, ones with small bed gaps, are shifted rearward because after pedals are out of the way the cab has to be un-impaled from brkts in order to remove.





One for relevance and contrast, just random and days old-

[idrivejunk]

Did I show this side project? I know it was mentioned. The bondo guy had a big part in it-











How about this one? No pic with bumper cover on.

[idrivejunk]

Now that the beaut- T/A is all together and no touch top of bumper, its getting a front runner accessory drive. :?  Later I guess. Pretty car!





bonus 51 fluffies-

[idrivejunk]

After much figuring on his own, guess where the cab ended up.

An inch forward of where Roadster Shop's holes are.    Just like the 51.

[kb426]

Because they are both the same, my thought is it isn't an isolated mistake. A problem with their engineering diagram comes to mind. Either that or they have a blind old guy that can't read the print.

[idrivejunk]

Bed was off by one inch also. Yep!  

Looks like a completely different wheelbase from my vantage point-



FWIW, this bodyman altered the frame to compensate, where I modified cab mount holes.

[kb426]

Maybe that was their thought to center the wheels with the fenders?

[idrivejunk]

We shall see, I reckon. Sure looks longer there don't it? I mean one is directly above the other. I know theres suspension drop on top but that would make wheelbase shorter if anything, I think.

Perhaps its a uniframe, fits long or short box equally well.

No can splain. My box stayed on their location, don't know about his. He was pointing out that the welded core support xmember on his may end up invading pulley space. Its just a yeah, drop new car coin and we'll ship you something you can work with type deal I guess.

Like its a fiberglass Pantera piece or something. A bit ballparky for my liking. I wonder if his rails aft of axle level out simultaneously. Mine didn't. But the 51 chassis was stored on it's side for a spell. All just shrugs to me now though.

[idrivejunk]

He has the Merc looking like a whole truck, centered wheels and all. Got word today that while the frame for it appears to have coyote mounts, its really getting a 460 and four speed. Now we're talkin'. >