3/26/10 -- Updates

Engine is now mounted in the frame; front end, suspension, and power steering are in. Great work to Papa Mike and Jerry!
You can see the beginning of the March Performance Systems serpentine belt/pulley system... the rest of the components will begin to be bolted on in the next week or so.

This is the March pulley system that we'll be installing on the front of the engine:

Wheels!

These are all "Billet Specialties" wheels... cast your votes for which ones you like the best (or maybe you don't like any of them?)...

Street Smart Series, "Qualifier"

Profile Series, "Magnitude" Profile Series, "Rail"

GTX Series, "GTX 02"

This blog is supposed to be interactive!

You guys know that you can add your own comments in this blog, right? At the bottom of each posting, there's a little orange link that says "comments"--if you click on that, it will give you the option of creating a "Google account"... if you create one, you'll be able to use that account to post your comments.

So... if you have something to say, get it in there! Let's make this an interactive thing!

Chris

Radiator

From Sacramento Vintage Ford. Original had some dings in the fins on the other side, so we had to send it back and we're waiting for the replacement. SVF customer service was very good.

Updated photos

Leaf springs installed:

Front end suspension components being installed:

Engine re-painted (used to be blue):

Transmission painted aluminum:

Rear-end pieces. Drum brakes will probably be replaced with disk. Ford 9" rear with all new internals.

More updates...

Well, it's been a little while since my last update (sorry!). We've been waiting for some parts to come in, some work to be completed (press-fittings installed, etc). As the old saying goes, "Hurry up and wait!"

Things are definitely moving, though. Some of the big parts that have been ordered include the serpentine belt/pulley system (March Systems), the radiator/fan assembly (Sacramento Vintage Ford), both of which should come in in the next week or two.

We're also looking at a disk brake upgrade for the back.

The engine block has been re-painted (black, from its original blue), as has the transmission (aluminum).

Once all the parts are in, everything will start getting bolted together.

More pics to come... stay tuned...

Chris & Mike

People involved in the project

We'd like to acknowledge some of the awesome, talented, and wise people that have been helping us with this project:

• Jim Aylward and Jerry Hackett. Man, these guys know how to get things done! Two true car guys that have been instrumental in helping make decisions, figure out the technical stuff, develop contacts, and actually get some work done. Their attention to detail is incredible--they do things the right way, and the project would not be where it is without them.
• Larry Freeman. Larry built up our engine for us almost 20 years ago (the engine rebuild was one of the first things we did when we took the truck apart)... and the engine has been sitting on the engine stand in the garage ever since!
• Chet Wood. Chet and his shop crew was instrumental in getting the project going again by doing the welding and fabrication needed for the engine mounts, mounting the fuel tank on a removable slide between the frame rails, reloacting the leaf springs from the inside to the outside of the frame, etc. Very good people, very good work.
• Don Stebleton and Glendale Powdercoating. They took a frame that was 57 years old and a front end that was 32 years old, and made them look better than something that had just come off an assembly line... so clean, you literally could eat off it!
• Jerry at Driveline Service. Custom-made our drive-shaft.
• John Pierce. Rebuilt the Ford 9" rear end with 3:73 gear ratio, limited slip, etc.
• Mike Leslie. An expert on the Volare front-end, who's given us valuable advice and has done much of the work in getting the front-end completed.
• Jody and Becky Andersen. To do a project like this you have to have an extremely supportive and understanding wife! We love you!
• Bryce and Caleb Andersen. They're only 7 and 5 years old now, but they love tinkering in the garage... and besides, someday this truck will belong to them!

Thanks to all who are following and helping on this project... we'll add to our list as more people help us get this thing finished!