Barn raising

[Captainfab]

I really like the work you have been doing on your truck.

I don't like to buy something when I can fabricate it myself either. I'm anxious to hear your engine when you get it running.

[Mike Bradbury]

Thanks for the encouragement, I often find it therapeutic to fab my own stuff, even if I can afford it, it is much more fun to make it as I am sure you have experienced. Much more to come but life has gotten busy recently.

[Mike Bradbury]

Over the past several months I have been developing a set of hood hinges that utilize the same bracketry from the original hood hinges but are dressed up for the new century. Here is a progress image of the hinge so far.
It is not done yet, and the main frame of the hinge still needs to be powder coated.
All of the joints have replaceable bronze bushings in them so he aluminum does not get eaten away.
This has been a fun project but not too hard if you would like to attempt it. Aluminum is soft and easy to work with. it takes some doing to get it to a shine like this but a mat finish doesn't look bad either.

I re worked the stops on the hinge and some of the geometry so that it will open about 8 inches further than stock.

Really what it came down to is cost, I could not afford to buy these even if I wanted to but I liked the way it dresses up the engine bay. I'm having some issues with the gas strut being strong enough to hold the hood up so I might have to change some things to accomodate a stronger strut.



Here it is next to the OEM version. You can see how much further it will open.

[fakerwade]

Dang dude, that's pretty sweet!! (I want some,,,)

[Mike Bradbury]

I just used the pieces from the original hinge to trace out the aluminum. then I just ground off the meat that did not matter to the structure of the arm and to make them a little sexier. The cool thing is since I used the original brackets and the original geometry I know that they will fit, the big question is will they hold open?

[Captainfab]

Wow! nice work on those hinges

[fakerwade]

What opening struts did you use? (what is their normal application). ...If they don't hold it open,, could you double them (the struts) up?

[hgs_notes]

They look good. I know its hard to justify spending $600 on hood hinges right? Biggest question for me is will it pull the back of the hood down to be even with the cowl? Thats where the original ones have problems when they wear and get loose.

[67cheby]

SUPER SLICK !! nice work !

[brn agn]

Great work! How many hours do you think you have in them?

[crakarjax]

Where/how did you find the bushings? I ask because I am interested in the process you use to figure out the bits and pieces to make something like this... I mean, do you bring your stuff to Ace Hardware and chill in their parts section until you find the right bushing, or do you have an online source with reasonable shipping? Stuff like that.

[Mike Bradbury]

Originally Posted by crakarjax

Where/how did you find the bushings? I ask because I am interested in the process you use to figure out the bits and pieces to make something like this... I mean, do you bring your stuff to Ace Hardware and chill in their parts section until you find the right bushing, or do you have an online source with reasonable shipping? Stuff like that.

You are exactly right. I just went to an industrial hardware store and shopped until I had all the pieces I needed. I will do a right up on the build process soon.

Originally Posted by brn agn

Great work! How many hours do you think you have in them?

Hard to tell. Only have one 3/4 done and I have only been doing it in my spare time. The next one will go quicker. I probably have 25 solid hours in R&D

Originally Posted by hgs_notes

They look good. I know its hard to justify spending $600 on hood hinges right? Biggest question for me is will it pull the back of the hood down to be even with the cowl? Thats where the original ones have problems when they wear and get loose.

That is a big question of mine too. I won't know until I get them on

Originally Posted by fakerwade

What opening struts did you use? (what is their normal application). ...If they don't hold it open,, could you double them (the struts) up?

They came off of the biggest 80's Chrysler I could find in the junkyard. They are 10" open 6.5" closed. I believe they are around 80# struts, but the leverage of the arms makes it a bit easier to pul than the original spring.
Posted via Mobile Device

[69gmcc10]

Mike, the transformation of this truck is amazing! you do top notch work! that hinge looks amazing

[Mike Bradbury]

Thanks, definitely learning as I go. The transformation has changed in my mind several times since I bought it, What I had in mind when I started is not how it turned out thankfully. This board is to blame for that, I have had many inspirations through the members here. I had a much different look and stance in mind but due to finances being slim I had to go slow which allowed me to contemplate different styles over time.

[Mike Bradbury]

Seems like forever since I have been able to work on the truck, it has been rainy on the weekends and I have had house projects to complete. I am going a bit crazy with all of the money i have put into the project and it is still not running, I don't need to spend much more to get there but the parts are all in the bed waiting to be installed.
My dad is in the middle of a frame off custom '29 Ford and I have spent several days over at his house welding on the frame getting it ready for powder coat. I just need the sun to stand still for a couple of days.

[54Caddy]

looking good Mike stay on it still cant wait till hear that beast roar! maybe you just wont rev out on the way out like every one last year a little smoke will look good ahahha.

[Mike Bradbury]

H Ha yeah mine did not sound to good trying to limp out of the parking lot. This year will be different.

[54Caddy]

man that really sucked last year i tryed the hardest i could to get it too run good so you could peg leg home but never thought a push rod was bad. Oh well i will be loaded with tools again this year so we are ready for what ever happens man.

[Mike Bradbury]

Finding the bent push rod like that I thought that if we had pulled the valve cover and taken the exhaust and the bent intake push rod out of that cylinder, in essence making a 7 cylinder engine if that could have gotten me home under my own power. Since the engine was shot anyway, it would have run really crappy and unbalanced but at least it would not have been using that cylinder.
But in the end I am glad I towed it home, saving what was left of my block and crank.

[54Caddy]

just to be safe you should upgrade your AAA. i upgraded my brothers when his truck broke down in fullerton. With the 200 mile tow it got it to tulare at my grandpas house not bad at all. So i will be upgrading mine as well for them Oh $h*t just in case reasons ahahah

[FrankieD]

FYI per site anyway you look at it it is a good deal:


How many miles of free towing do I receive with my membership?
Answer/Article

AAA will travel any distance to get to a stranded member. Your vehicle will be towed to either the service provider’s repair shop or up to the following number of miles without charge in any direction from the place of disablement to a destination of your choice. Of course, any repairs or additional towing for the same breakdown will be at your own expense.

The following provides the towing miles for each available membership level:

AAA Basic: We’ll tow you anywhere within 5 miles of where you broke down.

AAA Plus RV: We’ll tow you without charge up to 100 miles in any direction from where you broke down.

AAA Premier RV: You’re entitled to one tow (per membership term) of up to 200 miles in any direction from where your vehicle broke down. Any remaining qualified tows may be used for up to 100 miles.

If you need towing beyond the limit of your membership level, you will be charged for the extra miles at the service provider’s prevailing private rate.



What is the limit for roadside assistance calls under my AAA Membership?
Answer/Article

In fairness to all members, roadside assistance is not to be used as a substitute for proper vehicle maintenance. To help control membership dues, AAA has a four-call limit on roadside assistance usage. Each member is eligible for four (4) service calls per membership year. After the fourth call, the member may continue to call AAA for service, but must be prepared to pay the service provider for services rendered. These service limits enable AAA to continue providing reliable, high-quality, cost-effective roadside assistance.

Please note that Primary and Associate Members within the same household have different membership numbers and each is eligible for four calls. The membership number used when requesting services will be the account charged with the service call. Multiple service calls for the same problem will be counted separately on your service record. Consult the membership handbook for more details.

There may be instances when the road service date is different than the membership renewal date on your membership card. When there may have been a lapse in membership, the membership renewal date may change and road service date may not. This may impact the total number of roadside assistance calls within a specific timeframe.

[Mike Bradbury]

I made sure I upgraded last summer to the premium plan. It is one 200 mile tow or three 100 mile tows. Also plans before I get it driving again is to have it appraised for insurance. I have heard horror stories of guys getting in wrecks and the insurance gives them $2000 for their $15,000 truck!

[suspect]

you've got a sweet ride. engine looks bada**. subscribed......some good ideas i may not want to miss

[mcbassin]

Hey Mike, I love the hinge design! Killer idea. I am going to attempt some one off hinges for my truck too. My friend Kyle (screamincheyypickup) just got some custom billet hinges for his. I was hoping to look at them close and get some ideas then just model them in Solidworks. Our new version can do stress analysis and motion real easy on assemblies. It may take more than 25 hours r and d though. This is the kind parts I really get a kick out of making.
You did a great job on yours and I may just copy your idea too. Looking forward to seeing how they work for you.

[FrankieD]

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I made sure I upgraded last summer to the premium plan. It is one 200 mile tow or three 100 mile tows. Also plans before I get it driving again is to have it appraised for insurance. I have heard horror stories of guys getting in wrecks and the insurance gives them $2000 for their $15,000 truck!

I hear ya on the insurance I think I would go with an agreed value policy then you know what you will be getting no matter what. Do you have or going to install an alarm or a switch to disable the ignition?