Here we go!

Ok, so much for "trying" to post every week. I will at the very least give a monthly update.

I have made some progress since my last post!

First off, lets quickly talk about headlights and brass just as an update. I went to Princess Auto and purchased metal cleaner and low and behold was able to get the brass from the headlights nice and shiny.

Now as you can see, from this picture the top has come out fairly decent. The next step is to actually boil the entire lamp in hot water and baking soda. Brass is a soft metal so the heat from the water will expand the metal allowing the residual paint that won't come off with the metal cleaner to peel right off (hopefully). Once that is done I can take a metal polish to even out so the tiny nicks and scratches that have accumulated over the years. I have been going to thrift shops trying to find an old pot to buy so I can boil this metal, but have had no luck. I think I will just buy one from Wal-Mart I think they are only like $20 bucks.

Let's talk Suspension!

As stated in my first post, the goal for 2012 is to get the car mobile. I am not going to worry about the body and everything else that goes with it until 2013. The first order of business is to get the original wood body kit off the frame of the car. This is very important because the suspension, drive shaft etc are heavy items so you need to be able to move the frame with ease. The body kit that came with the car is an additional 100 plus lbs at least, so this will make things easier once it's off the frame. 

Here is the before picture (with body kit):

Here is today's picture (just the frame):

If you look at the rear of the frame you will see to U joints that actually hold the rear suspension in place.

Below is a better picture, the screws hold the plates to the U joints and that's what  holds the entire back end of the car. Very simple, the only thing is that the leaf has to line up perfectly in the frame or you won't have your wheels aligned correctly. The leaf is surprisingly heavy and fitting it to the the frame is difficult. The Ford Model T handbook says the best way to get it in is using a jack, so stay tuned. 

The front suspension is less difficult, it only has one U joint in the centre of the leaf. At this time I don't have that U joint so I am going to need to make some purchases. 

Next month I am going to take my family down to Buffalo, NY for dinner at Cracker Barrel and to make a stop at Mac's Antique Auto Parts. This place sells everything Model T. I can buy any part I need (remanufactured of course) to complete this project. What's great is they use the original Ford part numbers on their website, so I have been able to tag the parts I have with part numbers. I am in the process of coming up with a list of parts I need, but it's a bit tricky because they sell individual parts and kits. In some cases the kits are better and cheaper than trying to use pieces I already have. This trip to Mac's I plan purchasing the parts I need for the suspension to be completed (front and rear) as well as hub assemblies so I can get the wheels attached to the car. 

All I want for Christmas this year is to get the wheels and suspension on the frame, this will put me ahead of schedule in 2012.

http://macsautoparts.com/

Tks Adam