Vernmotor
Well-known member
O wow you have a car too !.........
A Shed Downunder.
- Thread starter 1/2 Cup
- Start date
We may yet convert him.
Please do share more as that sounds very interesting.
The B engine is not a high priority at the moment but is always on the back burner and as I said I am just quietly chipping away at it as I can afford it.
This is my vision of what the engine build will be;
. Insert main bearing conversion.
. Pressure fed bottom end.
. New insert bearing con rod set.
. Chevrolet pistons.
. New high lift camshaft.
. Lightened fly wheel.
. Adjustable lifters.
. Stainless valves.
. OHV head if I can afford it.
. Period correct dual down draft induction either way.
And that is aside from the normal things you would do with any engine build, like balancing, bore sleeve, valve inserts etc etc.
The engine that is in the A at the moment is no lame duck either as I have done a number of mods to it as well, like lightened fly wheel, lumpy cam regrind, adjustable lifters, locally made cam and crank gears, reworked the intake ports and valve guides, Chev valves and spent a heap of time on valve spring and spring seating arrangement to get that right as I have done with the internal lube system.
To look at it and hear it idle you would not pick the difference.
The transmission has all brand new internals along with all the must do mods as well.
Similarly with the brakes ( still retaining a much modified mechanical setup ), suspension, steering and rear end. I have spent countless hours modifying and improving them in order to make it a very drivable car with out detracting from, visually any way, what Henry built in 1930.
I will revisit the cooling system as the new (transit damaged and cheap import) radiator I brought originally will not cut the mustard. I intend to replace it with a Berg or Brass works unit.
Cheers
HOTFR8
Banned
I like what I read, that 4 banger will be nice.
BBChevro
Well-known member
...The engine that is in the A at the moment is no lame duck either as I have done a number of mods to it as well, like lightened fly wheel, lumpy cam regrind, adjustable lifters, locally made cam and crank gears, reworked the intake ports and valve guides, Chev valves and spent a heap of time on valve spring and spring seating arrangement to get that right as I have done with the internal lube system.
To look at it and hear it idle you would not pick the difference.
The transmission has all brand new internals along with all the must do mods as well.
Similarly with the brakes ( still retaining a much modified mechanical setup ), suspension, steering and rear end. I have spent countless hours modifying and improving them in order to make it a very drivable car with out detracting from, visually any way, what Henry built in 1930...
SShhhhh! We won't tell
The A is looking pretty good 1/2 Cup.
Although I've always leaned more towards the "hot rodded" direction, I still appreciate a good restoration.
The shed & all your other various projects within it are all pretty neat too.
Mark
SShhhhh! We won't tell
The A is looking pretty good 1/2 Cup.
Although I've always leaned more towards the "hot rodded" direction, I still appreciate a good restoration.
The shed & all your other various projects within it are all pretty neat too.
Mark
Many thanks Mark, much appreciated.
metalhead140
Well-known member
A lot of updates here in the past couple of weeks! Thanks for your thoughts on my garage thread 1/2 Cup. Loving the Model A too, though generally I lean towards hot rods. Very nice indeed.
Looks like a very nice F, but the 1.8 K Series in it would be a whole lot more fun in a Midget/Sprite...
Looks like a very nice F, but the 1.8 K Series in it would be a whole lot more fun in a Midget/Sprite...
A lot of updates here in the past couple of weeks! Thanks for your thoughts on my garage thread 1/2 Cup. Loving the Model A too, though generally I lean towards hot rods. Very nice indeed.
Looks like a very nice F, but the 1.8 K Series in it would be a whole lot more fun in a Midget/Sprite...
That car is awesome to drive and will be a fairly steep learning curve for my son, his first event is likely to be at the sprints at Winton in March, we are looking forward to it.
metalhead140
Well-known member
Yeh looks like a good car. Looks like it has the larger 'Cup' or 'Trophy' brakes on it? They're a great bit of gear with the right parts (even if I prefer older MGs, older cars in general for that matter). My brother has an MG ZS actually, and it's a very nice car too for what it is.
I will post the spec on just what has been done a some point, it has had a lot spent on it, including big brakes.
The chap (and soon to be related to) he brought it off has about 9 MGs of nearly every marque from I think 1930s up, including a TC for his personal use when he is working in the UK.
metalhead140
Well-known member
Nice. I have an MG Midget, my brother as I said has an MG ZS, and my father has an MGA and an MGBGT. Of course my youngest brother has to be a traitor, he has an MX5 (actually we have a number of Mazdas in the family too, and I have a turbo rotary project that's been sitting a while myself)...
This was fathers day this year:
This was fathers day this year:
With our temperatures over the last couple of weekend well over the 100 F mark things have slowed down considerably in the Shed Downunder and I am hoping it will be a lot cooler this coming weekend and perhaps a little more productive for me as well.
Our garden and potted plants have really taken a beating with the heat and hot winds with even some of our more hardier plantings and hedging looking fairly sick. Its been a constant battle keeping the moisture up to them. As you may have read in other threads we have had a large number or bushfires burning across the state with 10s of thousands of hectares burnt and still burning over the last week or so and there has been a constant smoke haze over the state as well.
Our solar installation has performed very well averaging around 37 KWH per day up until we had some overcast days coupled with the smoke haze the output was reduced to some thing like 18 KWH which is only to be expected I guess but has had a cumulative output of 525 KWH since we flicked the switch, I am pretty happy with that I can tell you.
I received my new 5" bench clamps for the Fabrication Table during the week. They are new product made here in Australia by Dawn Tools who have been around for many years and make some top quality tools and equipment, including a range of vices. Some of their older stuff is very collectable down under.
http://www.dawntools.com.au/
The clamps will provide me with great flexibility and they will be like having a third hand on the table going where G Clamps will not normally reach.
View media item 37800
I had yet another EBAY win during the week. I had been looking around for an old and crusty fluorescent light fitting to compliment the Retro Industrial Table build.
The fitting is a single 4 ft. - 40 watt circa 1950 -60 era with a semi Industrial reflector with just the right amount of patina to match the table. It has some rather unique features about it including the rusty original suspension jack chain, rather rare black bakelite tombstone lamp holders and an aluminium encased starter circa 1947.
As an apprentice I recall replacing and scrapping many of these type of fittings.
It cost me the same price of a new batten unit. I intend to retro fit it with a new electronic ballast, internal cabling and 36 watt triphospher tube.
View media item 37799
1/2 Cup, have a great weekend and stay safe.
Our garden and potted plants have really taken a beating with the heat and hot winds with even some of our more hardier plantings and hedging looking fairly sick. Its been a constant battle keeping the moisture up to them. As you may have read in other threads we have had a large number or bushfires burning across the state with 10s of thousands of hectares burnt and still burning over the last week or so and there has been a constant smoke haze over the state as well.
Our solar installation has performed very well averaging around 37 KWH per day up until we had some overcast days coupled with the smoke haze the output was reduced to some thing like 18 KWH which is only to be expected I guess but has had a cumulative output of 525 KWH since we flicked the switch, I am pretty happy with that I can tell you.
I received my new 5" bench clamps for the Fabrication Table during the week. They are new product made here in Australia by Dawn Tools who have been around for many years and make some top quality tools and equipment, including a range of vices. Some of their older stuff is very collectable down under.
http://www.dawntools.com.au/
The clamps will provide me with great flexibility and they will be like having a third hand on the table going where G Clamps will not normally reach.
View media item 37800
I had yet another EBAY win during the week. I had been looking around for an old and crusty fluorescent light fitting to compliment the Retro Industrial Table build.
The fitting is a single 4 ft. - 40 watt circa 1950 -60 era with a semi Industrial reflector with just the right amount of patina to match the table. It has some rather unique features about it including the rusty original suspension jack chain, rather rare black bakelite tombstone lamp holders and an aluminium encased starter circa 1947.
As an apprentice I recall replacing and scrapping many of these type of fittings.
It cost me the same price of a new batten unit. I intend to retro fit it with a new electronic ballast, internal cabling and 36 watt triphospher tube.
View media item 37799
1/2 Cup, have a great weekend and stay safe.
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paranoid56
Well-known member
I removed several ceiling panels to give access to the roof space and made provision for cable entry to the sub switchboard. It should make the contractors job a little easier.
Around lunch time today my eldest son arrived home from Melbourne with his new acquisition, a race ready MG TF he intends to run in club events and hill climbs, the car was imported from Japan and prepared for the track in Melbourne. It is quite a well finished and maintained car and probably more roadworthy than many cars on our roads here today.
Its fully kited out and race ready with roll cage, big brakes, uprated suspension,the usual engine mods and new set of wets.
I have had a long association BMC, MG and BL vehicles, having raced a Mini Cooper S many years ago and owned several road going variants. So I can foresee some time under the bonnet of this beast into the future.
View media item 37411
I also spent a few hours at my dads, setting up his DVD player and repairing a sensor light as you do.
So that's was my Australia Day weekend in a nut shell, pretty lay back and relaxing really.
not sure why, but i find this picture awesome. I know here in the states people would yell at you and say you need a diesel dually to be pulling something of that size
is that something super common over there to pull a car with a estate?
not sure why, but i find this picture awesome. I know here in the states people would yell at you and say you need a diesel dually to be pulling something of that size
is that something super common over there to pull a car with a estate?
It is my sons 2005? Holden Commodore Station wagon, V6 nothing realy out of the ordinary here seeing them used to tow at all.
We still have diesel utes with heavier towing capacities but are fairly expensive out here.
Cheers
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onewaydave
Well-known member
Enjoyed the read.
I hear you on the Guardian. I've had a Belgin Malinois and a Belgin Tervuren. The Tervuren came from a breeder for the Memphis K-9 corp. Intense doesn't even begin to describe them.
Most recently, Border Collies.
All of them need a job. If you don't give them one, they make up their own, and not always to your liking.
She is a beautiful dog.
Dave.
I hear you on the Guardian. I've had a Belgin Malinois and a Belgin Tervuren. The Tervuren came from a breeder for the Memphis K-9 corp. Intense doesn't even begin to describe them.
Most recently, Border Collies.
All of them need a job. If you don't give them one, they make up their own, and not always to your liking.
She is a beautiful dog.
Dave.
We love her to bits, even though she is not at all sociable to others, being born with with a small hole in her palette she underwent many operations as a pup to correct it and as a result missed out on socializing at a young age.
We have even had her to an animal behavior specialist but I think it is us that need the behavioral retraining and in particular Mrs 1/2 Cup.
Many thanks for kind comments Dave.
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BBChevro
Well-known member
It my sons Holden Commodore Station wagon, V6 nothing realy out of the ordinary here seeing them used to tow at all.
We still have diesel utes with heavier towing capacities but are fairly expensive out here.
Cheers
What got my attention was the single-axle trailer, what weight can that legally carry in Vic. 1/2 Cup?
I don't know what the ruling is now, but in Qld. you had to have a minimum of tandem axles (with brakes) for a car-carrying trailer.
Although I used to know a few blokes who would skirt around the rules by registering them to carry furniture.
sandmanracing
Well-known member
Not sure on the weights, but I remember a discussion about car trailers with a senior CAMS official mate of mine from a few years ago.
When I asked about single vs dual axle setups, he mentioned that there were a number of single axle trailers around so that P platers (provisional road license holders for non-Aus) could trailer around their cars to tracks. Mostly for open wheelers, but there were some with Excels, Gemini's, etc. that would also be taken to competitions and track days.
This was all before P platers were banned from any form of towing.
When I asked about single vs dual axle setups, he mentioned that there were a number of single axle trailers around so that P platers (provisional road license holders for non-Aus) could trailer around their cars to tracks. Mostly for open wheelers, but there were some with Excels, Gemini's, etc. that would also be taken to competitions and track days.
This was all before P platers were banned from any form of towing.
What got my attention was the single-axle trailer, what weight can that legally carry in Vic. 1/2 Cup?
I don't know what the ruling is now, but in Qld. you had to have a minimum of tandem axles (with brakes) for a car-carrying trailer.
Although I used to know a few blokes who would skirt around the rules by registering them to carry furniture.
I am not real sure,
I will check that one out on the Vic Roads Web site. Interesting point moving forward.Fortunately or unfortunately the trailer was not in the deal with the car, but it is a tilt unit that has hydraulic brakes.
I will check out the compliance plate when it is here later this week.
Thanks guys
Up date, checked the trailer out tonite, the rego label states it is a car trailer , 1350 kg load.
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Nursepeter1973
Well-known member
I've only gotten to pg4 of this thread and I've had to jump to the end to say how amazing it is already!
Apologies for not updating for a while as things have been a little hectic at work, to say the least, as the end of the financial year looms ever closer and the pressure is on complete our capital works program on time and under budget, like the world ends July30.
Our geographical area covers about 1/3 of the state and can present some real logistical challenges so I have spent a fair bit of time travelling and doing long hours recently.
On a more positive note I will be undertaking some training on the Autodesk Inventor suite next week, I am really looking forward to it. thumbup:
The weather here has been a lot milder over the last few weeks with temperatures in the low 30s and cool overnight, very little rain however.
Summer officially ends here this weekend.
The first round of the V8 Supercars is on in Adelaide this weekend so the TV will be on in the shed, even Mrs 1/2 Cup enjoys the racing. This year we have Volvo entering into the mix, with Nissan last year it should make it an interesting series.
Our Solar has been ticking over nicely with a total of 930 KWHs generated thus far, the days are getting shorter here yet we are still averaging 35KWH per day. The final inspection and Certificated Of Electrical Safety were completed last week.
There has been not a lot happening in the Shed Downunder over the last few weekends, by my normal standards anyway. I have spent a fair bit of time detailing the garden and other domestic chores around the place as you do.
I have managed to totally rebuild the fluorescent fitting I brought with new wiring, electronic ballast and supply lead. I have tried not to destroy the original patina and IMHO has come up nice as it is one of the oldest I have seen in many years, pics to follow.
Next week I will be endeavouring to try my newly acquired AutoCAD skills in designing the stainless draw sections on the Fabrication Bench this will enable them to be knocked out on an NC machine with minimal fuss. The bench is working a treat as it is and has been a great addition to the shed.
This weekends focus will be the Red Gum timber top for the Retro Industrial Table which is rusting away and developing its own unique patina. Updated pics to follow.
As I mentioned some posts back, Mrs 1/2 Cup has actually given me tacit approval to build a Dining Room Table, similar in design to the others but using features from both of my previous builds with an all metal finish. Instead of using the 3 x 3 SHS for the top support all round, I intend to use I Beam with the 2 " holes.
I scored some nice planks of Jarrah some time back that I will be using on the top.
So the procurement process has begun.
I couldn't end a post with out a pic, so here is another EBAY score. Its the cast iron base from a Laundry Mangle, the seller claimed she paid $250 for it some years ago from an antique store an was downsizing and had to sell.
I scored it for $30!
View media item 38251
Another project, another day.
Have a good one, cheers...
Our geographical area covers about 1/3 of the state and can present some real logistical challenges so I have spent a fair bit of time travelling and doing long hours recently.
On a more positive note I will be undertaking some training on the Autodesk Inventor suite next week, I am really looking forward to it. thumbup:
The weather here has been a lot milder over the last few weeks with temperatures in the low 30s and cool overnight, very little rain however.
Summer officially ends here this weekend.
The first round of the V8 Supercars is on in Adelaide this weekend so the TV will be on in the shed, even Mrs 1/2 Cup enjoys the racing. This year we have Volvo entering into the mix, with Nissan last year it should make it an interesting series.
Our Solar has been ticking over nicely with a total of 930 KWHs generated thus far, the days are getting shorter here yet we are still averaging 35KWH per day. The final inspection and Certificated Of Electrical Safety were completed last week.
There has been not a lot happening in the Shed Downunder over the last few weekends, by my normal standards anyway. I have spent a fair bit of time detailing the garden and other domestic chores around the place as you do.
I have managed to totally rebuild the fluorescent fitting I brought with new wiring, electronic ballast and supply lead. I have tried not to destroy the original patina and IMHO has come up nice as it is one of the oldest I have seen in many years, pics to follow.
Next week I will be endeavouring to try my newly acquired AutoCAD skills in designing the stainless draw sections on the Fabrication Bench this will enable them to be knocked out on an NC machine with minimal fuss. The bench is working a treat as it is and has been a great addition to the shed.
This weekends focus will be the Red Gum timber top for the Retro Industrial Table which is rusting away and developing its own unique patina. Updated pics to follow.
As I mentioned some posts back, Mrs 1/2 Cup has actually given me tacit approval to build a Dining Room Table, similar in design to the others but using features from both of my previous builds with an all metal finish. Instead of using the 3 x 3 SHS for the top support all round, I intend to use I Beam with the 2 " holes.
I scored some nice planks of Jarrah some time back that I will be using on the top.
So the procurement process has begun.
I couldn't end a post with out a pic, so here is another EBAY score. Its the cast iron base from a Laundry Mangle, the seller claimed she paid $250 for it some years ago from an antique store an was downsizing and had to sell.
I scored it for $30!
View media item 38251
Another project, another day.
Have a good one, cheers...
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Nursepeter1973
Well-known member
I am planning on stealing this idea.. I just hadn't sat and thought how easy it would be.
Can I ask how you plan to do the drawers?
What size tubing did you use for the drops?
Where did you get the slides? (the ones I've seen at Bunnings didnt seem particularly strong)
With the draws, I have a couple of options, either make them from timber or I have some stainless sheet that I am looking at getting NC laser cut then folded.( depending on cost )
however I am leaning toward the stainless option at this point with a brushed finish.They will be about 300 mm deep x 400 wide x 125 high and similar in fill panels at each end of the bench to cover the draws. My sketch in Page 4, Post #77 details things a little better.
I used 25 x 50 x 1.6 SHS for the slide supports and basically tacked them in place, getting things all lined up and square took a bit of work but was well worth the effort.
I brought the slides of an EBAY store based in Melbourne, they are rated at 45 kg at $5.00 /pr. you could not go wrong and I am really happy with their quality. Here is the link.
http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/cjhardware
I also purchased some nice stainless draw handles from the same seller. Their service was great, ordered Sunday night and they were on my door step Tuesday morning.
Cheers.
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Just a quick update on the fluorescent fitting I bought a couple of weeks ago. I stripped out all the old electrics and replaced all the internals with modern parts, cabling, soft start electronic ballast, terminals, hardware and new 36 watt triphosper tube.
I tried to be very careful not to destroy any of the original patina just cleaning both the internal and external surfaces.
The fitting is intended to accompany the Retro Industrial Table when its finished.
View media item 38318
I even kept the rusted jack chain to hang it and the original aluminium starter cap.
Have a good one.
I tried to be very careful not to destroy any of the original patina just cleaning both the internal and external surfaces.
The fitting is intended to accompany the Retro Industrial Table when its finished.
View media item 38318
I even kept the rusted jack chain to hang it and the original aluminium starter cap.
Have a good one.
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HOTFR8
Banned
You have given me an idea as I have a couple of lights like that.
When this way next I have something (Insulators) you may like. Do not know if you can use them but I found them the other day still in the wooden crates. Yours if you want them as payment for the Xmas tree controller.
When this way next I have something (Insulators) you may like. Do not know if you can use them but I found them the other day still in the wooden crates. Yours if you want them as payment for the Xmas tree controller
.You have given me an idea as I have a couple of lights like that.
When this way next I have something (Insulators) you may like. Do not know if you can use them but I found them the other day still in the wooden crates. Yours if you want them as payment for the Xmas tree controller
The old lights come up well with all new internals, apart from the reflector not being all shiny and new they work surprisingly well.
You still have the option to powder coat them as well.
They don't make them like that any more that's for sure.
I will check the insulators out, sounds interesting.
Cheers..
Here is a couple of other desk lamps that I have retro fitted the electrics on as well.
View media item 38319
View media item 38320
Both these get used daily.
View media item 38319
View media item 38320
Both these get used daily.
HSpencer
ALLIANCE MEMBER
1/2 cup you have me drooling over those lamps in post number 390. Those are very hard to find here. I have been looking for a long time. I love the old style cord on the goose neck one.The black one (I can't quite read the name on it) would be priceless!!! Both lamps are super-cool!!!!
Best Regards
Herb
Best Regards
Herb
Herb, both lamps were separate antique store purchases and from memory I payed under $30 each for them.
The goose neck desk lamp is a feature on Mrs 1/2 Cups very early 1900 Oak roll top desk that came from a reading room in a Melbourne men's club/hotel, probably not really matched in terms of eras, but looks good any way. I fitted the cloth covered PVC flexible cord and Bakelite plug top just to be in keeping with the original. I also fitted an in line switch as the unit did not have one fitted at all.
The black lamp is from an Industrial Singer Sewing machine, although not shown in the pic. it has a built in switch. It never had a base as originally they were fitted straight onto the machine. I found the cast base at an antique store, luckily the threads matched and went together well.
I wasn't that fussed with the lead on this one however I could change it at some point, originally it was fitted with a rubber cable that had long since perished.
There was one on EBAY recently that sold for $170 AU.
Cheers
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rixtrix1
Well-known member
Nice retro redo. It's good to recycle, especially when it's neat stuff!
I guess that while we are on the topic of antiques here is a few more of our pieces that we have accrued over the years. There is also a number already littered through the thread.
The fan collection.
View media item 32272
GE fan
View media item 32270
Elcon fan
View media item 32267
Elcon 15 inch fan.
Odds and sods
View media item 33233
Radiola shop display light.
View media item 38316
Cast iron Laundry mangle.
View media item 38315
Old cast iron gas stove.
I will post some of my other stuff in due course.
I have to admit to being an antique tragic, literally.
1/2 Cup.
The fan collection.
View media item 32272
GE fan
View media item 32270
Elcon fan
View media item 32267
Elcon 15 inch fan.
Odds and sods
View media item 33233
Radiola shop display light.
View media item 38316
Cast iron Laundry mangle.
View media item 38315
Old cast iron gas stove.
I will post some of my other stuff in due course.
I have to admit to being an antique tragic, literally.
1/2 Cup.
HOTFR8
Banned
I will check the insulators out, sounds interesting.
Cheers..
Let me know when you will be this way next and they are yours to do with as you please.
Like many on the Forum I have an issue with not enough real estate to accommodate and store stuff properly.
Some 20 odd years ago I inherited my grand fathers horse drawn wagon circa 1910 when the family farm was sold, it has been stored under cover all its life and is in remarkable condition.
At the time my uncle rehoused all my grand fathers blacksmith shop equipment and set up a display in a local museum that replicates the original setup. I offered the wagon to the museum but they, like many in the district, appear to have a number of them in their collections.
The wagon has taken basically one car space under our carport ever since.
I have been pondering just what to do with the wagon for a while now my heart tells me to keep it but one the other side of the coin I have to be practical and take the emotive issues out of the equation and sell it???
View media item 31952
Cheers..
Some 20 odd years ago I inherited my grand fathers horse drawn wagon circa 1910 when the family farm was sold, it has been stored under cover all its life and is in remarkable condition.
At the time my uncle rehoused all my grand fathers blacksmith shop equipment and set up a display in a local museum that replicates the original setup. I offered the wagon to the museum but they, like many in the district, appear to have a number of them in their collections.
The wagon has taken basically one car space under our carport ever since.
I have been pondering just what to do with the wagon for a while now
my heart tells me to keep it but one the other side of the coin I have to be practical and take the emotive issues out of the equation and sell it???View media item 31952
Cheers..
Bib Overalls
Well-known member
Hard to put a price on something like that. Best way is an auction. Here in the States you can get a tax break if you can find a government agency or charity that will take it. For an item of significant value the IRS wants a qualified third party appraisal.
HOTFR8
Banned
That should bring big dollars with a collector. I had one and sold it about 16 or 17 years ago at Auction and was surprised by the final price.
I agree, it is certainly hard to price. There is not the scrutiny here from our taxation dept. ( IRS ) and no tax breaks either.
I have seen the wheels alone go for $1k each in an auction frenzy. From the research I have done the prices that sellers are asking for something like this can vary widely. At the end of the day it will be worth what some buyer is willing to pay.