Re: Question of sequence on frame-up restoration?????

Posted by Mike Flanagan on October 09, 1997 at 18:23:34

In Reply to: Question of sequence on frame-up restoration?????
posted by Fred Murphy on October 08, 1997 at 12:05:37

There is one cliche that comes to mind when talking about restoring Model A's. "Haste makes waste!" My advice to you would be to wait until the engine/chassis is completely assembled and has been test run, and test driven is better yet. I have a frame that bolts to the chassis that holds a small gas tank and a seat that clamps on and awaaaaay we go....
Once you are through, and I mean through, with the chassis then you can start to assemble the body in a logical and efficient manner. ESPECIALLY if you have already painted. Nothing compares with the sound of the profanity that comes from the mouth of a Model A Fool when he has just dropped a wrench on that shiny new cowl and chipped a nice flake of new paint into obscurity. If your body parts are painted the above is doubly important.
I believe a restoration project should have an advance plan written out, without regard to a timeline, and that plan should be followed. If you are waiting for parts and have absolutely nothing to do... you ain't really trying cause there is always something to do.
Get it all ready and assemble in a sequence and you will be rewarded with a car worthy of all the time, effort and expense.
That's the way the pros do it....
God Speed Under 50.
The Model A Fool.
:I"m sure some of you have been involved in complete restorations from bare frame-up .I am at the scarry stage of restoration,the family rooms full of restored parts,the body is sitting on one side of the garage ,the frame on the other,the engine is at the machine shop being rebuilt.My question is can I start re-assembling the frame without the engine in place? It may be a month or more before it is ready. Do I assemble in reverse order of disassembly? Is it ok to mount the flyweel housing with rear motor mount to frame in order to mount tranny,etc.etc.then remount to engine when it is ready .Sure could use some helpful hints at the stage!

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