Moving to the front

With the rear end installed we moved to the front. I think the front is in worst shape than the rear was! This thing is covered in years of gunk, that will be a pain to get off.

We started by getting the axle out from under, then stepped back and looked at all the cleaning we had ahead of us

When we pulled the hubs off we found a surprise. The bearings were shot and had ruined the spindle on the drivers side. But a quick call to Owens Salvage and a new one was on it's way.

I see a orange wheel and want paint it black...

Anybody get the Rolling Stone reference? It's been stuck in my head since I did this little project....

Anyway, I liked the orange wheels on the 46 fine, but couldn't help thinking they would look better black. So with that in mind they came apart, was sanded down, painted and put back together. I think I was right.

Rear end

Yesterday we got back to the Apache. The rear end now all gone through and cleaned up is installed under the truck. A simple thing really but it is good to see it there.

I have stayed tight lipped for three long weeks, but now it's time to let the cat out of the bag. There has come a new horse to the Slick's Speed Shop stables!

I spotted this little jewel while cruizing the For Sale section on the HAMB, and it instantly lit a fire in me. After talking to the owner I was even more convinced it had to be mine.

It has just been put back on the road and the PO had only 25 miles on it. So if I got it, it would be me that would get to do the shake down run, and finish it out. So a deal was struck and plans were made and all I had to do was wait. My friend Ben with T&A transport picked it up in Kansas City, MO and brought it to Owens salvage. Next my son drove me the 250 miles up to get it, and then followed me yesterday on it's maiden voyage home.

Not knowing what to expect, we headed out slow and steady, but before long confidence grew and we were trucking along at 70mph through the plains of Texas headed for our desert home in the west. When we hit the interstate I poured a little more coal to the fire and rolled in holding 75-80.

The truck performed great and drove like a dream, except for a oil leak showing up. It shakes, it rattles, it squeaks, it smells like oil and gas, it's perfect!

So here is our newest ride!
1946 Ford F-1
Mustang II front with 88 explorer rear
302 with a 5 speed

REady to head home at Owen's Salvage

A stop at Swenson, the 46 and my son's 95

Shackles

The big news is still coming, but meanwhile work continues. Our new shackles from LMC arrived and we installed them yesterday.

What should have been a 30 minute job turned into more. The new shackles are nothing like the originals. Where the there are nuts on each pin the new ones have none, just a center bolt through the shackle to hold things together. The pins are meant to wedge into the shackle, the holes pre-drilled are to small. We put the first one together and found about a 1/8 inch gap on either side of the rubber. This after running them up to the point of bending one shackle.

Water and dirt could enter, while grease could get out. So we took everything apart and re-drilled the shackles. Now everything works. But I can't recommend buying your shackles from LMC.

The new shackles

Modified and installed

BIG changes are a comin'

I don't want to jinx anything, so I won't go into detail, but.... There are some changes coming to Slick's Speed Shop, and I can barely wait!

Should all take place within the next 2 to 3 weeks, so stay tuned!

More cleaning

I have put this off as long as I can and I guess I should just get it over with. Time to clean the under side. It's really not so bad and I am surprised just how good the floors are. Here is what I'm starting with.

From the drivers side

From the passenger side