SWEET T INSPIRATION

A labor of love, Dan Stoner (owner) and Tim Conder (fabricator) have been in cahoots on this car for a long time.
One of its most unique features is the fact that its vertically sectioned to accentuate the tallness.
I can't wait to see it running.

Every T lover knows this car The Uncertain T.

The car that started it it all for me. Mercury Charlie's tall T with Von Franco flames. 

Beyond its many radical mods, I love one of its more subtle ones. Not the height of the header panel at the top of the windshield. It has been shaved to provide even more visability. Looks sweet, too.

T FRAME PROGRESS (NEW SHOT ADDED)

Charlie sent some progress shots of the frame today. 

All jigged up with nowhere to go. 

All jigged up with nowhere to go.

Off of the and jig and flipped over (12-28 update) 

Note the holes plumbed along crossmember,
for brake lines on one side and electrical on the other.
(12-28 update)

I

Note the gussets for added strength. (12/28 update)

INITIAL FRAME BUILD PHOTOS

Charlie has started the frame and snapped a few photos. It's a great feeling to see it starting to come together. The rear has yet to arrive but it should be arriving any day now. I'll keepposting shots as I get
'em.

CHARLIE'S GETTING THE PARTS

We've got a 9" ordered from John's Industries. It's going to have the 10" X2.25" brake package, the best choice for an un-boosted brake system. It will be narrowed to Charlie's exact specs, and have a 3.50 gear set/center section. Meanwhile, a Pete and Jakes triangulated rear ladder bar rear suspension and 40 Ford style traverse spring have already arrived at Charlie's. He'll be getting started on the frame any day now. Good times!

PARTS DELIVERED TO CHARLIE

Just got back to Denver from Austin. Went for the weekend to scrounge up all the parts Charlie is going to need in order to build my T's frame and get the suspension hung and the drivetrain installed. My 425 nailhead is now at his shop along with a Turbo 400, complete front end, wheels and tire, etc. He has ordered all the parts form Pete and Jakes to hang the rear end. The only problem is the 12-bolt I dropped off with the other parts is Waaaaaaayyyy toooooo wiiiiiiiiideeeee! Looks like we're going to have to go with a plan "B" scenario. prolly a 9".  Will keep you posted. Very excited to have all the parts with Charlie. Above is a schematic of the frame he's building for me.

THE NEW REAR IS COMING

Well, the trusty-- and crusty--12-bolt I'd purchased to replace the bent 12-bolt in my 29 Model A turned out to be a lousy benefactor for the Model T. It was no less than six inches too wide, and being well used not worth spending the time and effort of narrowing. So I've bitten the bullet and I'm buying a new 9" Ford unit from John's Industries. Mercury Charlie will be ordering it next week and the only unanswered question is what the rear end ratio should be. Seeing as the 425 Nailhead is a very torquey motor and the car is going to be well under 2500 lbs -- probably two thousand lbs. less than the car it came in -- I won't be needing a steep gear. The turbo 400 gives me three gears and no overdrive. So I need to get the rear gearing to where the RPM's are comfortable for cruising speeds, figure 65-70mph. I'd like to be taching between 2100-2300 at freeway speeds. I narrowed it down to 3.0, 3.25, or 3.50 as my options.  A quick post on the HAMB revealed the following feedback based on a 30.20" diameter rear tire (below):

2016 RPM @ 60 MPH with 3.00 gears

2184 RPM @ 60MPH with 3.25 gears

2352 RPM @ 60MPH with 3.50 gears

Considering the fact that the 425 Nailhead reaches maximumum torque at 2,800 RPM, we'll go with the 3.50 gear set which will provide the following RPM's at the speeds noted using a 30" tire:

2352 RPM @ 60MPH
2548 RPM @ 65MPH
2547 RPM @ 70MPH
2940 RPM @ 75MPH
3136 RPM @ 80MPH
3332 RPM @ 85MPH
3528 RPM @ 90MPH
3724 RPM @ 95MPH
3920 RPM @100MPH

While I'm on the subject of the rear, I've decided to go with a non-posi unit, as I'm not planning on doing any racing in it and feel that the single track nature of the rear end will be a more comfortable choice for the way I'll be using the car, which is primarily for casual cruising. It also saves on the overall cost, as a posi TruTrac would add about $900.

PARTS DELIVERED TO CHARLIE

Just got back to Denver from Austin. Went for the weekend to scrounge up all the parts Charlie is going to need in order to build my T's frame and get the suspension hung and the drivetrain installed. My 425 nailhead is now at his shop along with a Turbo 400, complete front end, wheels and tire, etc. He has ordered all the parts from Pete and Jakes to hang the rear end. The only problem is the 12-bolt I dropped off with the other parts is WAYYY TOOOO WIIIIIIIDE! Looks like we're going to have to go with a plan "B" scenario. prolly a 9".  Will keep you posted. Nonetheless, very excited to have all the parts with Charlie. More to come. Stay tuned.