1951 F16

[idrivejunk]

Man its cool every time you do that.    Hot rod city.

Is the bulkhead a new approach for you? Made me think of if it were mostly fixed but split across component holes for a removable lower "cap" (as in rod or main, in machinist-speak). For added serviceability, if desired. Looking kind of like stocks used to detain lawbreakers in colonial times when apart but not obvious when together. Just a thought with added complexity of course. Machined holes only would be slickest from the roadkill's-eye-view.

How about one of those Interceptor emblems or Panther tail lights on that puppy when you get done?    ~:)

[kb426]

Matt, because the irs has a fixed driveshaft position, the opening can be smaller. The downside is you have to have enough room to install it. I haven't decided where to run the exhaust yet so there could be holes for that.
Today, O&S was a worker. Still slower than I should be but there is measurable progress. The front stub is on. The radiator support  is tacked in. I installed crush sleeves for the bolts. The sway bar is mounted. I had to make clamps for the rubber bushings. I used 1/8 x 1" flat metal. Parts are cut up for the kick up over the rear. Once it's tacked in place, I can see if my engineering was correct. The instrument cluster arrived today. Might be the last one to be purchased right now.

[kb426]

O&S made measurable progress again today. The parts that run above the rear carrier are welded and on the frame. The idea that I had for the rear carrier mount didn't work out so I modified the kick up and have a simpler plan. The pic of the rear in position is around 1 inch above the carrier mount height.

[kb426]

O&S achieved a new rating today: no speed. I spent all day making 4 brackets and cutting two pieces for rear ride height struts. Nothing is bolted down yet. The rear isn't in the correct position to start mounting parts. There will be spacers made for the 2 bolts that go through the ends of the coil overs.  A comment about some of the parts I have purchased. I cry when I buy Ridetech parts but they come packaged better than almost anyone else's parts. Everything is in the box in separate bags or wrappers. It makes me smile when I open a box and it looks like an engineer designed the layout.

[kb426]

O&S spent more time measuring and thinking today than welding. The rear is in position and the rear brackets are welded in place. They will get braces. The front mounts are Laid in position. Lots more work on them.

[416Ford]

Coming along nicely KB.

[kb426]

Thanks Dave.
O&S is on wheels. I was able to roll it out and sweep the shop. The rear is mounted minus some braces. The rear hoop is on minus 2 braces. Being able to roll it around is an accomplishment because of lack of shop space.

[idrivejunk]

[kb426]

O&S made little progress today. I was in low gear all day. The cab is on the frame for cab mounts. The only definitive measurement that I have been able to use is from the axle cl to the back of the cab. I marked off the frame and clamped a piece  of tubing in place for the back stop. I spaced under the cab to where it's level and centered. Then the inner fenders were bolted to the radiator support. That's when I discovered that I had the angle of the radiator crossmember off. The radiator support is not vertical. I knew that 7 years ago. I cut the support loose and will reposition it tomorrow. I'm glad I had tack welded it. I wasn't sure about the height of it so I was prepared to have to move it. No foul language, no temper, just I have to move it. When I was 17, a man told me that a man whose equipment never breaks down either is a liar or he never does anything. In this case change it to "never makes any mistakes" and apply it to the original statement. I'm pretty sure it won't be the last before this is completed.

[kb426]

O&S made a little progress today. I started with positioning the radiator support at the proper angle and welding it in. I was curious what the wheel inset was with a fender on. The left side was 1st in line in storage. The pic is ambiguous but I think I have what the desired outcome is. The left fender and inner fender had a serious dent that came front the ground up behind the front wheel. I worked on it some when I disassembled the truck. 2 hours later, it started to look like a fender. Not good but way better than it was. I moved on to cab mounts. I have 5 out of 6 tacked in place before TB set in. The 4 rear mounts will have 3/16" plates on top of them to support the floor in as wide as an area as possible. I will use a layer of body welting between the mounts and the body when it's mounted for the last time.

[idrivejunk]

I'll be interested in seeing what cab-to-bed spacing you end up with.

[kb426]

Matt, the white truck has 3/4". That's my plan at this point.
O&S did yard work this morning. I removed the cab and welded the cab mounts. Not much progress.

[kb426]

O&S started out the day by flipping the truck around. I pulled the cab and ran the frame out and used a floor jack and 4 x 4 and twirled it around. I then changed gears and assembled the engine and trans. I set that in the frame to get a rough idea of where everything would be. I will do some measurements and get a rough idea of the trans mount and engine mounts before removing it. After removing, there will be some braces installed in the frame. After the bracing and all the rest of the welding is done on the frame, I will do the engine and trans mounts.

[kb426]

O&S spent most of the morning measuring as much as I could to determine placement of various parts. Here's a tech spec for you: the pinion on the rear is offset .875" to the right side so the engine is also. I tried using 351w exhaust manifolds. Too many problems. One pic is of the clearance from the water pump shaft to the radiator and electric fan. After the measuring, I removed the cab and put it back outside. I brought the chassis back in and put it on stands. I cut some tubing to finish the step down on the rear stub and welded those in. I welded the underneath side of several places and developed TB.

[kb426]

O&S removed the bulkhead crossmember and cut a u in it for the driveshaft and possibly exhaust pipes. The pic is poor but there is an area machined in both sides next to the outer frame rails to run brakelines on one side and fuel lines on the other side. They are below the centerline on the crossmember. I installed a short connector brace on the large crossmember to the front irs mount crossmember. I put the driveshaft in place to check some measurements. Tomorrow, I will put the engine and trans back in and double check before installing any more crossmembers.