New project.

[Dollisdad]

For the last 7-8 years I gathered parts in hope of building a Torpedo. So I thought it’s time to put the chassis together and we’ll think about a body later. So for now I brought what I have to the shop and started with riveting brackets to the frame, straightening and aligning said brackets and priming as I go.

[Dollisdad]

I have a pr. of housings, so I bought a donor rear end. Turns out the guts were very nice. Put tha axles in the lathe and arrow straight. Ring and pinion very nice also. Axles are centered, so no bent housings. The usual thrust washers and pins were replaced. I’m waiting for a driveshaft to set the pinion, but so far so good.

[Dollisdad]

Torpedo column with a loose gear case on top, so I reset the rivets and silver soldered the joint. Now to clean the mess off.

[Kevin Pharis]

Paint is barely dry on the speedster, and yur on to building a torpedo… I’m jealous! Good luck with your project, looking forward to seeing pics of the progress

[Allan]

Nice work Tom! If there is anybody out there who thinks the diff centres and axle tubes on the earl diff are interchangeable, check out the rivet spacings on Tom's photo of the inside of one of his housings. That ought to convince anyone they are individual assemblies.

Allan from down under.

[AdminJeff]

Looks great Tom. A ton of work, for sure, but fun! I've been thinking of replacing my lathe. Now you make me want to get an even larger one. Why is it every time I read a post like this it costs me money?!!

Jeff

[Rich P. Bingham]

It’s great to follow your progress on these projects Tom, thank you ! (you do such fine work, it’s an inspiration !)

[Ed Fuller]

Thanks for sharing Tom. I always enjoy seeing the progress on your latest projects.

[J1MGOLDEN]

I have four frames I don't need if anyone want to try Ed's plan.

[KWTownsend]

Cool, Tom.
Are those original torpedo dash brackets?

[Dollisdad]

Thanks for the words of encouragement, they mean a lot from fellow builders. Jeff, I love machines that do stuff also. And Keith the brackets came from Tom Manochi probably 7 yrs. ago.
When I begin to gather parts I like to put together subassemblies to see if the parts fit, if there worn out and beyond repair and need replacing. If they are good I will sometimes rebuild pieces. Such is the case with the front end. I had it pretty much rebuilt but still rusty, so today I disassembled it.

[Dollisdad]

I used a new front spring and I didn’t care for the taper on the end of the leaves, so I reshaped and cleaned up the edges. Then took all the pieces to the sandblaster and then shot the parts with a sealer to keep them from rusting.

[Dollisdad]

Then reassemble the front end. Dry, no grease. It will come all apart for paint later and that’s when I will nit pick the finish on all the parts.

[Dollisdad]

Put in new D/S collar bushing, while waiting for other parts.

Made new brake release rod after straightening hand brake lever.

[Dollisdad]

I think the frame was a farm trailer at some point. I welded up holes that shouldn’t be there.