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Part Six: Count on These Mounts
This is the story of the '40 Chev raffled off in '08. Reprinted with the kind permission of Michael Clark.
You've probably heard the carpenter's mantra at some point; "Measure twice, cut once". When it comes to welding in new motor mounts for the Wheels of Dreams 1940 Chevrolet project car, you can't possibly measure enough. "You don't guess," said Don Park, Head Wrench at the Hillbilly Garage. Park has just completed the finishing touches on the motor mounts, which will firmly grasp the cast iron goodness of a brand new 350 cubic-inch GM Performance crate V-8, donated by Vickar Community Chevrolet.
To find the proper position for the engine and transmission team, Park used a semi-complete small block mill, with a slightly-abused Turbo 350 Hydramatic transmission attached. This mock-up assists in determining what height the engine will reside at. Park has placed plenty of hot rod mills in these engine bays over the years. "The position varies from car to car," said Park. The first engine mounts that are fabricated are not torch-friendly. "The patterns are made out of cardboard," said Park. Square tubing is used to build the mounts, which are attached to the frame rails with heavy-duty welds. "It's stronger than any factory mount," said Park.
Upon further inspection, the motor mounts have grinds of their own. The driver's side mount has a passage to allow the steering linkage from the future steering column to access the rack and pinion. To get the right fit, Park used the linkage from a similar Mustang II-style suspension, which currently resides underneath a '39 Ford project owned by fellow Hillbilly Garage staffer Jamie Johnston. The folks at MacGyvers Suspension in Edmonton, who donated the entire front suspension, are looking into the possibility of a freebie steering column for the Wheels of Dreams Chevy, from one of their supplier relationships.
The rear axle housing has returned to Precision Transmission for assembly, after a visit to Winnipeg Sandblasting. Once it's re-assembled, it will be mounted on the Chevy's rear leaf springs temporarily. The new spring perches can't be welded onto the axle housing, until the body shell is back on the frame. "You have to set the pinion angles at the proper height," said Park. The pinion angle refers to the angle of the rear axle pinion in relation to the driveshaft. The goal is to achieve as straight a line as possible from the engine to the axle, when the vehicle is under load. If the angles are too great, the universal joints that connect the driveshaft to the transmission and the rear axle can hyperextend, which could end up in a driveshaft dragging on the ground.
To find the proper position for the engine and transmission team, Park used a semi-complete small block mill, with a slightly-abused Turbo 350 Hydramatic transmission attached. This mock-up assists in determining what height the engine will reside at. Park has placed plenty of hot rod mills in these engine bays over the years. "The position varies from car to car," said Park. The first engine mounts that are fabricated are not torch-friendly. "The patterns are made out of cardboard," said Park. Square tubing is used to build the mounts, which are attached to the frame rails with heavy-duty welds. "It's stronger than any factory mount," said Park.
Upon further inspection, the motor mounts have grinds of their own. The driver's side mount has a passage to allow the steering linkage from the future steering column to access the rack and pinion. To get the right fit, Park used the linkage from a similar Mustang II-style suspension, which currently resides underneath a '39 Ford project owned by fellow Hillbilly Garage staffer Jamie Johnston. The folks at MacGyvers Suspension in Edmonton, who donated the entire front suspension, are looking into the possibility of a freebie steering column for the Wheels of Dreams Chevy, from one of their supplier relationships.
The rear axle housing has returned to Precision Transmission for assembly, after a visit to Winnipeg Sandblasting. Once it's re-assembled, it will be mounted on the Chevy's rear leaf springs temporarily. The new spring perches can't be welded onto the axle housing, until the body shell is back on the frame. "You have to set the pinion angles at the proper height," said Park. The pinion angle refers to the angle of the rear axle pinion in relation to the driveshaft. The goal is to achieve as straight a line as possible from the engine to the axle, when the vehicle is under load. If the angles are too great, the universal joints that connect the driveshaft to the transmission and the rear axle can hyperextend, which could end up in a driveshaft dragging on the ground.
When the rear axle is in place, it will be treated to new brake parts from Piston Ring. The measuring tape will come out once again, to determine which size of American Racing Torq-Thrust II's will fit underneath the fenders. The wheels and Cooper tires are being donated by Sturgeon Tire. Speaking of donating, it's time to welcome a new member to the Wheels of Dreams team. Lloyd Gering will be supplying his auto upholstery expertise, with custom interior door panels, as well as a new headliner which will smell far better than the original.
Something borrowed, something renewed. The Wheels of Dreams Chevy has started chewing at one of my cars; an early-Eighties Impala wagon parts-mobile, for my own street rod project which will be named later. (Much later.) The Impala's brake pedal assembly isn't something that wears out too often. It's also required, to properly engage the new-age master cylinder. The Chevy is equipped with the original heater/defrost system, which will be upgraded from 6 volt electrics to a 12 volt motor. (It gets chilly at cruise events in May and September.) A heater/defroster is required for a modified vehicle, in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act.
There has been additional inquiries as to the donation of cash, instead of parts. To keep everything on the up-and-up, any such donations will be detailed in the regular coverage of the Wheels of Dreams project, as well as the parts purchased. Any overage will be donated to our Wheels of Dreams charity partner; The Rainbow Society, which grants wishes to Manitoba children suffering from a life-threatening illness. On the parts list this week is the search for a custom-made driveshaft, a set of blockhugger-style exhaust headers, or a pair of good old fashioned "Ram's Horns" swept-back Chevy small block exhaust manifolds. "The manifolds are quiet, they don't leak, and they last forever," said Park. They also fit tight and snug to the engine block. Check the extra-dusty corners of your garages!
Something borrowed, something renewed. The Wheels of Dreams Chevy has started chewing at one of my cars; an early-Eighties Impala wagon parts-mobile, for my own street rod project which will be named later. (Much later.) The Impala's brake pedal assembly isn't something that wears out too often. It's also required, to properly engage the new-age master cylinder. The Chevy is equipped with the original heater/defrost system, which will be upgraded from 6 volt electrics to a 12 volt motor. (It gets chilly at cruise events in May and September.) A heater/defroster is required for a modified vehicle, in accordance with the Highway Traffic Act.
There has been additional inquiries as to the donation of cash, instead of parts. To keep everything on the up-and-up, any such donations will be detailed in the regular coverage of the Wheels of Dreams project, as well as the parts purchased. Any overage will be donated to our Wheels of Dreams charity partner; The Rainbow Society, which grants wishes to Manitoba children suffering from a life-threatening illness. On the parts list this week is the search for a custom-made driveshaft, a set of blockhugger-style exhaust headers, or a pair of good old fashioned "Ram's Horns" swept-back Chevy small block exhaust manifolds. "The manifolds are quiet, they don't leak, and they last forever," said Park. They also fit tight and snug to the engine block. Check the extra-dusty corners of your garages!
Previous portions of this story can be found here.
Find out how you can get involved with the next 'Wheel of Dreams' project. Email Michael Clark today!
michaelclark@mts.net.
michaelclark@mts.net.