It's been winter for a little while up here, but just recently has the snow been starting to stick around longer than past the mid morning sun.
Tag: 32 build
’32 Update: Axle centerline, front end mock-up/ installation (article 1, archived)
Setting up axle centerline on the '32. This is one of the most important measurements to take - it will look "wrong" if the tire isn't centered in the wheel well. I also assemble some front suspension components.
’32 Update: Mounting the Body (article 3, archived)
How we mounted the body on our '32 build.
New ’32 Build Article Format
I think I've made the '32 build articles a little easier to filter by grouping articles into subcategories.
’32 Update… Ride Height Gauge (article 57)
What we were finding in the '32 is that just because the pressure in the bags was 50 psi, didn't mean the car was sitting where we thought it was. Enter the ride height gauge.
Tech Tip: Centering The Steering Wheel
Making sure the steering wheel points "up" when you want it to.
’32 Update: Steering Box Install (article 7, archived)
Basically, we just installed the Pitman arm, moved the box forward and backward until the drag link was parallel with the tie rod, then moved it up until the top of the upper tab was about flush with the top of the rail.
’32 Update: Installing the Door Handles (article 8, archived)
From 2004... We installed stock door handles, and tried to get them as close to the stock location as possible.
’32 Update: Trunk Latch/ Handle Installation (article 9, archived)
Mounting the decklid handle was a bit trickier than I originally thought...
’32 Update: Trunk Lock (article 10, archived)(video added)
Installing and testing the trunk latch mechanism.
’32 Update: Installing the Steering Column (article 12, archived)
We wanted the column to come out at the same line as the center of the steering wheel, which is also where we put the wiper. That way, everything will be in line. The only people that will probably notice it are those who are watching this buildup, but it'll still be ambiguously appealing.
’32 Update: headlight/shock mounts (article 21, archived)
We've liked this headlight/ shock mount combo from Pete & Jakes for a long time. We didn't think about installing another bracket, because we like the curves and gracefulness.
’32 Update: mirror installation (article 22, archived)
I'm using cowl mirrors from a '40 Ford made by Bob Drake, minus the cowl attachment piece. They're quite swoopy and I think will match nicely with the door handles.
’32 Update: Brake Lines (article 26, archived)
A unique method of running the front brake lines on a solid axle '32 Ford.
’32 Update: More Air Conditioning (article 27, archived)
More Air Conditioning
A/C hoses rank right up there with brake lines on my “things I don’t like looking at” list. What else is on the list, you might ask? Mold, pouty faces, and melting snow are all fighting their way to the top. Anyways, I tried pretty hard to come up with a way of dressing down the hoses. The first way was using Vintage Air’s EZ Clip hose and fittings for the sheer girth reduction. The second was to try to make the zinc plated fittings look a little less shiny. Follow along!
You need a special set of pliers to snap the rings in place. A really nice feature is that you can get an amazing crimp without taking the hoses out of your garage. Get them clocked in the right direction and snap the rings on. That’s all it takes.
On the ’32, I’ve used shrink wrap to cover the hose as well as the fittings. This makes it consistently matte, and looks somewhat like a snake which just swallowed an air conditioning fitting. [I have since removed the heat shrink from the lines… I decided I liked the industrial look of the clamps.]
I installed the drier in the trunk to save space under the dash. It was a little extra #6 hose, but not enough to notice a performance drop especially since the cabin is so small. The trinary safety switch is mounted right to the drier. To mount the drier, I just cut a tube to the distance between the tabs on the mounting bracket and welded two 1/4-20 threaded bungs to that tube. After drilling and countersinking holes to match, that’s all it took. The bolt heads will be hidden by the access panel.
This hose is so nice to work with! It makes running lines under the dash super easy because it will bend in such a tight radius.