Project: Recycle

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You've been hard working, the Camino looks good, congratulations on the sale.
It's nice that you got the Model A on the road,
I've now found time to continue working on mine,
I'm currently replacing the roof wooden construction with steel in order to install the sliding ragtop

Nice. I ultimately want a Coupe. I like the rareness of the Cabriolet but I'd like to do more mods & the Cabriolet is still mostly unmolested (everything done so far can easily be reversed). I'd like to go a little lower in the rear which requires cutting into the body. Coupes are more plentiful so that's the direction we'll go.

Not sure if a coupe will stay 4-banger or if I'll opt for a mid-50's hotrod vibe & utilize a newer V8 for the simplicity/power per dollar invested. The Cabriolet has the OE non-synchronized 3spd w/a Mitchell OD. It works well & allows you to go 65-70mph w/o much fuss but after enough miles I know a later 5spd would yield a much better driving experience.

I have an early 60's high-nickel content 350 block w/virgin bores that I bought from N2billet so it will likely be that sbc w/the NV3500 out of my old '90 (since it got a 5.3/4l60e swap).

[Braunschweiger]

Ford T170 RTS transmission from 1984-1987 would be what I'm looking for, it was installed in the F150 and probably also in the Broncos.
But it's not available here in Germany.
My coupe retains the 4Banger and also has its 3-speed transmission. The engine is currently being converted to bearing inserts and gets a few speed parts,
front axle from the 32er with drop spring and 16inch rims from the 35er.
At the beginning I wanted to ride without fenders, but now I like this drop fender style.
This one drove in the beach race on Rømø in Denmark last year, that's pretty much my style.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

Ford T170 RTS transmission from 1984-1987 would be what I'm looking for, it was installed in the F150 and probably also in the Broncos.
But it's not available here in Germany.
My coupe retains the 4Banger and also has its 3-speed transmission. The engine is currently being converted to bearing inserts and gets a few speed parts,
front axle from the 32er with drop spring and 16inch rims from the 35er.
At the beginning I wanted to ride without fenders, but now I like this drop fender style.
This one drove in the beach race on Rømø in Denmark last year, that's pretty much my style.

That look but lower for me

I have & was going to use a drilled '32 axle but went w/a 4" dropped/narrow unit instead w/the Posies dropped SuperSlide. Reversed the eyes on the main leaf for the rears & did 7-leafs.

The Ford 4spd (3spd + OD) are the common swap & what is used in all 3 of my buddy's family cars (31 Coupe; 30 Sedan, 29 Tudor). While very nice set-ups, the gear splits are outdated vs newer transmissions. This seems especially noticeable w/the 4-bangers when touring back roads w/hills. It was VERY obvious when we were in the Coupe driving from Breckenridge to Denver last June. Third was geared to low while 4th was too tall going up & down certain highway passes. The motor (inserted 4-banger) didn't like it @ all. I recall we used 7qts of oil for the trip from Dallas to Colorado (uphill) vs. <1qt for the drive back home (iron-butt drive back only stopping for fuel/water top-off/pee breaks). Now.... Add a Mitchell so you can split the gears & that 4spd would be an improvement. But now you have the more expensive 4spd + the cost of a Mitchell.

We got my Mitchell new but dusty & 2nd hand @ an estate sale. Last I looked, they were ~$3200. At the same sale, we purchased 18qty '35 16" spokes (got 3 good sets on them & extras for art deco or hose reels) & snagged 3qty '39 synchronized 3spds. Plan was to build one of those '39 trannys using the best ratios of what was available & putting the Mitchell behind it. But timing had us punt & just put the non-sync'd unit in to be able to drive (the $800 adapter kit to install the '39 trans is still sitting in the box waiting to be used).

Cool little rides but just as expensive as these trucks.

[Braunschweiger]

You've already experienced a lot with the Fords, I'm at the beginning,
but it's true, the transmission is the winner, I experienced that with my '68 Mustang, with the 5-speed, a new car.
The Mitchell would be great, but it's not accessible.
The 5-speed from an S10 would probably be the right way, but it is also very complex. Sorry for hijacking your thread.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Braunschweiger

You've already experienced a lot with the Fords, I'm at the beginning,
but it's true, the transmission is the winner, I experienced that with my '68 Mustang, with the 5-speed, a new car.
The Mitchell would be great, but it's not accessible.
The 5-speed from an S10 would probably be the right way, but it is also very complex. Sorry for hijacking your thread.

No worries. Our cars & shared passion for the industry are why we're on these forums. We both share similar likes so it's relevant to me.

[hewittca]

All this Ford talk is cool and all, but I have a few questions that are back on topic!

What tire size are you running on that 15x10 wheel? And what wheel/tire will you run up front?

I'm thinking about putting a 10" wheel on the back of my truck and absolutely love the look of your setup. Problem is, I don't think it will fit with the stock rear in my '72. Wheel Vintiques only sells the 15x10 w/ a 4.5" backspace now. I am currently contemplating cutting up brand new wheels to change the backspace!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by hewittca

All this Ford talk is cool and all, but I have a few questions that are back on topic!

What tire size are you running on that 15x10 wheel? And what wheel/tire will you run up front?

I'm thinking about putting a 10" wheel on the back of my truck and absolutely love the look of your setup. Problem is, I don't think it will fit with the stock rear in my '72. Wheel Vintiques only sells the 15x10 w/ a 4.5" backspace now. I am currently contemplating cutting up brand new wheels to change the backspace!

They're actually 16x10's & with the discontinued 285/60-16. They have a 5.5"BS & barely fit under the uncut bedsides w/the narrower 65-70 width 12bolt. They were problematic @ the targeted/current ride height as far as install/removal.

Fronts were 15x6 with 215/70-15's.