Close But No Cigar

I am so close to finishing this project.  All I need to do is finish mounting the new disc brakes, install the new brake cylinder, run some brake lines, and bleed the brakes.  Unfortunately though, work and school are keeping me busy during the week and I am busy over the next two weekends.  So far, I have spent about two full weekends working on the car.  The first weekend was spent pretty much disassembling everything and getting together just a few basic things.

This past weekend was a lot better.  I spent about 15 hours in the garage this past weekend.  I was able to get everything apart and put all the suspension and steering parts together.  I also was able to find a place to order new rear tires.  The 245/60R14 tire size is pretty unique, but I was able to find them.  I also started installing the brake parts.  I had some trouble removing the brake cylinder, but once I was able to get that apart, everything started going together pretty well, until of course I look up and it is 10:00 at night on Sunday and I needed to stop.

It was a pain to remove, but it finally came out

Steering and spindle together ready for the brake parts

Dust shield and caliper mount installed

Rotors and Calipers installed and ready to go

Man I wish I had time to finish this.  It is killing me to not have the time and know that is so close to being done.  I want to get the car back on the road and drive it again!

Steering and Suspension Rebuild - Days 2 & 3

Day 2


Day 1 was exhausting, but day 2 started out better.  After running some errands, I was able to complete what took 8 hours the day before in about 2 hours.  Sounds about right?  It takes for ever to figure something out and then takes about 1/4 of the time when you do it the second time.  Well I knew it was too good to be true, because after I was able to get all the suspension components off the car, it was all downhill trying to get all the steering components free.  Removing the steering components was extremely tough and exhausting.  I tried everything: pullers, pickle forks, heat, and BFH.  Finally I had some success with the BFH.  And after about 3 hours, I finally had a steering linkage out of the car, but still attached and I needed everything off because I need to reuse the center link.  Frustrated I called it a night....

Why won't you come apart???
...and no, the rubber mallet in the picture is not the BFH I was trying to use to get everything apart.

Will this ever be finished?

Suspension and Steering Rebuild - Day 1

Finally got started on the suspension rebuild yesterday.  After about six trips to the different parts stores throughout the past couple of days, I was finally ready to start the work.

The Goods:

I got everything I needed from Shari and John over at Opentracker Racing Products.  I highly recommend them if you are looking to rebuilt the suspension and steering of your early Ford.  What I like is they offer vintage racing equipment that has been updated and improved over what was originally offered in the 60's.  It fits very well with my goal of updating the car but trying to retain that stock look from the outside.

• Standard upper control arms
• Standard lower control arms
• Roller spring perches 
• 1 1/8" front sway bar kit 
• 560lb 1" drop coil springs
• Poly coil spring insulators
• Manual steering kit with roller idler arm
• Strut rod bushings
• CSRP disc brake swap kit

Giggity

Rear Suspension Work

It seems like work, school, and life have been getting in the way of me getting out to the garage to get some work done.  This is an update about six weeks late (sorry).  My goal for this year is to work on the suspension and tighten up the steering.  Back in March I was able to work on the rear suspension.  The goal is to install new Koni shocks and I also wanted to get rid of the traction bars (I am not a big fan of them).

Before:  Worn Shocks and Traction Bars