Model A Ford garage

[bolensboneyard]

This is my 18 X 24 foot garage. More info if the pictures go through. Bobby
The first picture on the left is a view of the back of the garage. Bench is made from an old machine base with 1/4 inch plate for a top. It is set with 3 inch red oak blocks milled and made from a tree removed from the property. I set it up to build front and rear model A Ford suspensions. The front support spins for adaptability. It is also removable to allow for more room when larger cars are being worked on. It is currently off as I am restoring a 66 Mustang GT fastback. The bench is also set up with two jigs I made up to rebuild Model A shocks and rebuild differential and axel assemblies. The second jig doubles as a station to rebuild shift towers. Add another jig to the front extension and you can rebuild bell housing then use that to rebuild transmission. All can then be installed into the vehicle from the bench using the overhead chain fall without manhandling!
Tools on the wall behind the bench and on it are all vintage KR Wilson or copies manufactured by me. Some are special tooling and one of a kind.
The cabinet (yellow) to the left is Weatherhead brake and gas fittings. The legs have been removed and stored to allow for it to fit. Above that on the top is a tool for pressurizing engine blocks after weld repair to test for leaks. The shelves above hold surplus rebuilt and use parts for my personal toy collection.
The second picture looks to the left as viewed from the front of the garage. The red cabinet is a home made engine tear down stand to drain and disassemble mostly model A engines. The machine to its left is a vintage brake relining machine for arching new brakes and removing and replacing shoes on early cars.
The picture on the right looks to the right of the bench. Main view is my rollaway with a vintage Black and Decker valve grinding machine on it for salvaging old style model A valves and others. My main workbench can be seen in the right side of the picture. All shelves contain mostly engine parts and special tools. Most of the tools are vintage.
I will attempt to identify some of these tools at a later date if there is enough interest. I have more pictures of the rest of the shop which I will post if I can still figure out how. Meanwhile I will field any questions and help if I can to explain how to get the most out of a little room space. I am not an interior designer but spent many years as an aircraft mechanic and Quality Control specialist on nuclear submarines so I guess it is imbedded in my brain. Bobby

 

[Mavawreck]

I have a huge place in my heart for Model As, subscribed. Cant wait to see more pics.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Bobby, I like what I see very much. My only comment is that for an old time Model A garage it may be too white, too neat, lol. There's always someone on Craigslist giving away old lumber that you might use as paneling on a wall to give you garage the old shade tree mechanic feel that (in my mind) goes along with Model A's.

I'll post links to Nimrod's garage. A guy with your interests oughta get a charge out of it. I've saved all the photos and look at them all the time. I always find new details I like. Enjoy!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3740

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5322

 

[bolensboneyard]

Here are some more pictures of the shop/garage.
The picture on the left is going down the left side of the shop just to the left of the brake machine. On the engine stand is a model B Ford engine that has just been built sitting on a KRW engine stand with a front chassis end on the floor behind it for fabricating front fenders being restored.
To the left of that and centered in the middle picture is the starter generator test bench. On the bench is a 12V test for generators, mica saw for comutators and a growler for testing armatures. On the front of the bench is a magnetizer for model A speedometer magnets. Other test equipment on the bench include standard coil, condenser, volt and ammeter testers as well as original KRW coil and condenser for testing in the car and KRW amp. gage. Above the bench on the wall is a Zenith mileage tester. All the wall tools in this area are for internal engine work such as pour and bore main bearings and cylinders as well as caps. Babbitt can be groved also right here.
The last picture on the right is a KRW combination machine for boring mains and cylinders. The orange machine in the corner is a Bear wheel straightning machine and other Bear front end alignment tools from back in the day.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Thanks. Love to be able to have the wood floor but ground water and termites here prohibit it. Have a machine shop on the other side of the main barn the Model A shop is in the back. Like the hot rod too. Have to post some pictures of the 31 pickup with Banger engine I built last year when I get a chance. Bobby

 

[bolensboneyard]

Sure does go with the look Dan but my eyes need all the light they can get to see what I'm working on any more. My brain also needs the organization or I would never get anything done. The outside of the shop/garage/barn is rustic as it gets complete with old gas pumps and air station. Get young girls stopping by all the time to take pictures for collage photography classes. If I knew all I had to do was build an old barn when I was younger and single I could have saved enough money to build anything I wanted. Who knew? Bobby

 

[1/2 Cup]

Firstly welcome to the GJ from another Model A enthusiast and thanks for posting.

Subscribed.

You have a great setup.

I have a 30 Roadster that I am restoring and a spare B engine that I waiting for the treatment as well. ( pics in my thread A Shed Downunder if you are interested )

 

[bolensboneyard]

Next we take the right side from the back corner. The far end of the main workbench which is two six foot benches shows a 1940's vintage piston knurling machine that came from a vintage Indian motorcycle shop. In front of that is a hand cranked machine for making speedometer cables. In the foreground is a Stewart Warner calibration machine for calibrating speedometers. This is the left picture

 

[madoc1]

nice shop. would love to see a pic of the barn. had a mod. a p/u that I attempted to hot rod. wish I still had it!

 

[Vieux]

Excellent garage! I like it!

 

[bolensboneyard]

Center picture shows length of workbench with Mig welder and plasma cutter in the foreground. The object in the front is a spot cool air conditioner like the ones used in hospitals, in fact, I have a friend who buys surplus hospital equipment. The last picture is my cutting torch and an old towel dispenser with mirror for when I am not wearing glasses. The only other item on the front wall is shelves and draws floor to ceiling for small parts.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Here are a couple of pictures of my 1930 pickup tow truck. I built this a few years ago. The boom is a Manley and was original to the truck from the 30's. Henry did not sell them of course. Pictures were taken at a local mall. We had a show there for charity.
The other picture is of what's under the long bench; more draws and another magnetizer and calibration machine for speedometers. This one is a Sun Electric and has a better magnetizer.
I will try to post pictures of the outside and also my Rat Rod pickup four banger. That was last years project. I try to keep moving so no one can throw dirt on me. The box beam and square tubing under the bench is a model A frame straightning machine I designed and built to break down and store inside the shop. It works with an old screw jack and does a wonderful job. I will eventually show a picture of it set up.Bobby

 

[Sunbimmer]

Oh man your tow truck is simply gorgeous Thanks for sharing.

 

[bolensboneyard]

OK so here is one picture of the front of the barn/garage/shop with my last build a 1931 model A with hard cab and wide bed indented firewall. The shop is in the back of the barn but attached. I designed and built the barn/shop myself and restored the gas pump and let it weather for appearance. It is made out of T 111 pressure treated and only around 15 years old. When I bought this property nothing was on it but one pecan tree; not even grass. No kidding! Don't let the truck fool you it has a B four banger with cyclone aluminum head 8.5 to 1 compression ratio, bored .125 over, domed pistons, diamond block with factory balanced crankshaft and high lift cam, Stromberg 97 with Scott top velocity stacks. Upper end is inverse oiled with vintage Marvel Mystery Oil oiler. All is vintage or stock A/B. Mallory duel point distributor the is mechanical advance. Only changes are Scalded dog manifold, Aries stainless exhaust, and I am changing over to 12 volt alt. built inside model A generator as I cannot start the engine when it is too hot. Compression is too high hot for the 6 volt system. Transmission is B model Ford . Driveline is topped off with a model AA duel under drive turned backward and made into an overdrive. Rear is stock model A. In high gear, switched with the original floor pedal, I can run 60 MPH and only turn 1700 RPM. Bearings are stock Babbitt. I have had this truck up to 70 MPH but it is hard to keep on the road at that speed. Brakes are stock mechanical as is the steering. Shocks are also stock. Bobby

 

[1/2 Cup]

Wow, just awesome and thanks again for posting..

 

[Mavawreck]

OK so here is one picture of the front of the barn/garage/shop with my last build a 1931 model A with hard cab and wide bed indented firewall. The shop is in the back of the barn but attached. I designed and built the barn/shop myself and restored the gas pump and let it weather for appearance. It is made out of T 111 pressure treated and only around 15 years old. When I bought this property nothing was on it but one pecan tree; not even grass. No kidding! Don't let the truck fool you it has a B four banger with cyclone aluminum head 8.5 to 1 compression ratio, bored .125 over, domed pistons, diamond block with factory balanced crankshaft and high lift cam, Stromberg 97 with Scott top velocity stacks. Upper end is inverse oiled with vintage Marvel Mystery Oil oiler. All is vintage or stock A/B. Mallory duel point distributor the is mechanical advance. Only changes are Scalded dog manifold, Aries stainless exhaust, and I am changing over to 12 volt alt. built inside model A generator as I cannot start the engine when it is too hot. Compression is too high hot for the 6 volt system. Transmission is B model Ford . Driveline is topped off with a model AA duel under drive turned backward and made into an overdrive. Rear is stock model A. In high gear, switched with the original floor pedal, I can run 60 MPH and only turn 1700 RPM. Bearings are stock Babbitt. I have had this truck up to 70 MPH but it is hard to keep on the road at that speed. Brakes are stock mechanical as is the steering. Shocks are also stock. Bobby

Awesome, that is pretty much in line with my dream project. I've been wondering for awhile what a 4bt cummins/5spd would be like in a fordor as well though.

We have a 29 closed cab, bone stock. I love it, wouldn't change a thing, but she can be a tad stressful to drive in heavy traffic.

 

[WillyKJr]

Recently put an A pickup in my garage. Not sure of the future but the banger runs like a top and the truck is pretty solid so I may just make her road worthy and enjoy it for a while.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Great shop. I'm assuming you do a bit of Model A motor building for other enthusiasts. Can't imagine anyone setting up to do babbit bearings for one or two home builds. Can you add your location to your avatar?

 

[bolensboneyard]

Sorry not familiar with avatar????

 

[bolensboneyard]

Keep them old looking. The kids that are allowed to climb on them now will be the ones who will buy them when we can no longer drive!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[madoc1]

can you show a pic of the engine in the p/u? where are you located? with that set up, have you ever thought about going to the Race of Gentlemen ?

 

[Bib Overalls]

Sorry not familiar with avatar????

Avatar is actually the picture you use to personalize your threads. What I was really asking was for you to update your information to include your location. To do this click on "User CP" above. Then click on "Edit Your Details." There is a place for you to add your location near the bottom of the page. This is, of course, optional. But most of us include it because sometimes discussions have a local element ans some of us a just curious. Quite a community with folks from all corners of the Earth.

The Race of Gentlemen would be a great place for you to take your tow truck. You could take a position along the beach track and tow out anyone who got too close to the surf.

 

[bolensboneyard]

bump

 

[-Brent-]

Cool! I am glad you bumped this. As a Model A owner, I appreciate this garage. Where are you located? I've got a banger I'd like to have hopped up.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Home built Model A Ford frame straightening machine I designed and built. It breaks down and stores under the bench and I use it as a foot rest when not in use. Utilizes a screw jack from back in the day. Works like a dream Enjoy!

 

[bolensboneyard]

Sorry for the delay I am still learning how to navigate this website. I didn't even know that all replies would not show up in the last post. Just decided to add some pictures to the original. I will get some pictures taken of the engine that are updated. Where is the race of gentleman?

 

[-Brent-]

ROG is on the Jersey shore.

 

[Bib Overalls]

Everyone and everything has a web site these days.

http://www.theraceofgentlemen.com/

On my bucket list.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Here are a few pictures of the engine in my Rat Rod. Original Scott top for the Stromberg 97 velocity stacks. The inverse oiler is an original Marvel Mystery Oil oiler and works great. I get about five more MPH just from that I figure. This truck will cruise at 60 MPH and only turn 1700 RPM at that speed. At 70 MPH it starts to become hard to keep on the road. Like to take it out on the salt flats to see what it could do. Babbitt on Model B can take up to 2500 RPM I been told before the Babbitt starts to get hammered. Bobby

 

[Mavawreck]

Here are a few pictures of the engine in my Rat Rod. Original Scott top for the Stromberg 97 velocity stacks. The inverse oiler is an original Marvel Mystery Oil oiler and works great. I get about five more MPH just from that I figure. This truck will cruise at 60 MPH and only turn 1700 RPM at that speed. At 70 MPH it starts to become hard to keep on the road. Like to take it out on the salt flats to see what it could do. Babbitt on Model B can take up to 2500 RPM I been told before the Babbitt starts to get hammered. Bobby

That looks like fun!

We're headed to the race of gentlemen this year, I've been wanting to go for a bit.

 

[patent pending]

Bobby, love the garage and the A model trucks! You are doing some great work. We're out on Johns Island...hope to see you around town sometime!

Jeremy

 

[madoc1]

that banger is sweet! what does the oiler do and how does it work? never seen one.
jim

 

[Arps]

so cool!

 

[TractorJeff]

I have the truck that belonged to my Great Uncle, then it was sold to my Grandfather. A 1929 Ford Truck!
When my dad was 12, him and his brother cut the top off the cab. Then eventually it ended up as a farm power unit that ran till the mid-70's!
I have been slowly returning it back to a Truck!
Right now it is kind of a rat rod!
I have a shed full of parts and old Ford related stuff to aid in the re-assembly process!

 

[bolensboneyard]

Oiler drips mystery oil into intake by vacuum and lubricates valves, rings. It also enables burning gasoline without lead additive. Keeps from burning valves I've been told.

 

[bolensboneyard]

Should be at the car show Marchant Chev. coming up this summer sometime, not sure when. Probable have the wrecker. Brought the Rat Rod last year and only a few people knew what they were looking at when it came to the drive train. Sign of the times I guess.

 

[madoc1]

have an inlaw just outside of Charleston. across the awesome bridge. been awhile, may have to come visit. love the bars on iop. isle of pines. is that correct?

 

[bolensboneyard]

Isle of Palms

 

[bolensboneyard]

bump

 

[1/2 Cup]

I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a spare B engine that I would like to rebuild for my A Roadster.
It has a counterweight crank.
I am considering the following for a good all round touring engine;
. Insert main bearings.
. new con rods - insert.
. New, not reground cam.
. adjustable lifters.
. sleeved block.
. insert valve seats.
. pressure fed bottom end.
. new pistons.
. oil pump
and all the standard stuff that you would do in normal rebuild.

From your experience what are the best brands in terms of parts you would use. There appears to be heaps of stuff on the market nowadays, each dividing peoples opinions as to whats good and what is no good.

Many thanks in advance.