New build thread - My son's first car

I would love to work on a model t but i got me a 49 ford, and i love her! this is a really fun business to go into. and the guys on here will help you out! keep on keepin on with the T. I love seeing kids in my generation getting into the classic restoration business. i never see kids these days working on and restoring old vintage cars! keep us updated!
 
Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. So far he's enjoying it, and I have to say that he's been a really good sport to be able to work with two generations of stubborn old guys on the project, but I'm sure there have been times he wanted to clobber us both. :o It's amazing how much more enthusiasm (and energy) he has compared to me or Dad! Ahhh, youth....

Today we took a break from body building (Model T body, that is...) to fiddle with the engine a bit. We had the local speed shop surface the head and picked it up yesterday, so today he cleaned the deck surface of the block and learned how to lap valves. The valve stems are severely worn so I don't expect miracles, but if it'll get us to next summer without a rebuild then great. I really didn't budget for an engine rebuild this summer, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when we come to it... :rolleyes:

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Running, or running well? :D

Hopefully he can get the head back on this week, and then the misc. other parts that he's removed. I think the only big item that hasn't been addressed is having the radiator checked for leaks which we should be able to get done this week. Hopefully next week we'll know if it's going to run well enough to get him by until next summer.


Deron
 
Awesome project!

My 9 year old son and I are working on a model A chassis. I am sure he will get a kick out of this thread this evening.

Subscribed and looking forward to the progress.
 
Thats utterly fantastic. Lapping valves brought back a lot of memories!! I just know that as he learns this youre explaining what the valves do plus timing etc. Sometimes that may not make sense to a beginner, but thats where we all learned from. Best to you and the boy! ws

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Me and dad in 1968 ( I was 13 and pops was 46) before a 1000 mile tour around lake Michigan from Chicago to the Soo to Door County and home.
 
This brings back many memories - my dad bought me my Model A pickup when I was 14
He'll learn skills that no one teaches in schools anymore
(ask your local auto 'tech' about valve lapping - and see what kind of look you get)
 
First the tech gas to don the blue nitril epidermis protection, if he's NOT latex allergic, then plug in the anylizer after he puts down a seat protector to keep his white shirt looking crisp! ws
 
The presence of a water pump suggests that the radiator may not be up to snuff. It could be that decades of vibration have separated the fins from the tubes so it won't cool. That would call for replacement. Or if you're lucky it may just need a good cleaning.
 
We dropped the radiator off this morning to be cleaned and checked, so we should know in a couple days. It's an old honeycomb radiator, so no danger of the fins seperating from the tubes but the downside is there's no way to rod it out. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I can see that water pump ending up in my box full of other water pumps.... :cool:


Deron
 
Well, the last couple days have been busy with other craziness and Daniel hasn't had much time to work on his speedster but tomorrow should be a bit more productive. The three of us decided that in order to locate the next bulkhead in the body, the seat position needed to be figured out a little better than the makeshift cardboard one already onboard so Dad showed Daniel how to measure for it and allow for the thickness of the body sills (which are yet to be made). They got their dimensions figured out and roughed in a plywood seat, and tomorrow we're going to put it on the chassis to figure out where it needs to be relative to the pedals. Once that's determined he can clamp it down on the frame that's being used to build the body and figure out where the next bulkhead needs to go. Hopefully this weekend we'll make some good progress!

Sanding seat parts (without the ventillation fan running...:rolleyes:):
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Oh, and a preview of the planned paint scheme :D. War Eagle!!!!!!
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Deron
 
Dang! You're doing a great job there buddy. I can see that and man-o-man I hope my son; he's four; takes to the older cars as you are. Yer doin a great job.
 
That is an AWESOME build. It is great to see younger guys getting into classic cars. It helps so much when you have family that fosters the passion!

Good luck!
 
1949FORD said:
I love seeing kids in my generation getting into the classic restoration business. i never see kids these days working on and restoring old vintage cars! keep us updated!
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I'm with ya Bro, Even since Im 23, I love seeing kids and young people working on old cars and trucks myself ;-).. Keep up the great work guys...
Cody :D:D:D
 
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