Brand new A hoods

[Ron LaDow]

Mike,
In the '30s, Ford small trucks had hoods, doors, radiator surrounds, etc the same as the autos from one or two earlier year-models.
The claim was that the trucks' panels didn't fit as well as the autos, since they were stamped from worn-out auto dies.
Sounds like it might be true.

[Mike DeJonge]

Ford was probably trying to save money by continuing to use old model dies, and they probably did, but the cost was poor fitting parts, extra man hours trying to fit and assemble etc. I would like to know how many times the assembly line was stopped or how many trucks were pushed off so the fit could be adjusted. Maybe that is why there are so many 356 cars that did not come off the line sequentially, and we wonder about the VIN numbers, and the mixup of parts on the cars

[Mike DeJonge]

up date pictures of the one half of the die being hand polished. very tiring on the arms

[Mike DeJonge]

up close picture

[Mike DeJonge]

the other half just finished with one of the rough cut bits. we will change the bit and the mill will run over the weekend

[Ron LaDow]

Mike,
Had a discussion with a local buddy regarding CR vs quench clearance. I pointed out that his best alternative was to spend another several hours or so maintaining the tight quench clearance and unshrouding the intake valve with a Dremel tool. Kit's no dummy, and he's willing to do what accomplishes what he wants. I'd like to believe I'm patient enough to do so.
But, HOLY COW! You got that guy working on steel with sandpaper? I hope he's paid well.

[Mike DeJonge]

mimimum wages, but I gave him a nice incentive if he gets the whole thing done in 4 weeks. The incentive is making him sweat now. Tough job, makes the arms tingle at the end of the day. He has to work his way up from coarse to fine sanding blocks

[Adam Wright]

Mike-
Let's just hope this doesn't backfire and when the guy loses his mind after three weeks, he will now have super human arm strength to quicker strangle you. Make sure you are buying him nice lunches.

[Mike DeJonge]

he will get Popeye arms. He won't strangle me, I'm too nice of a guy

[Mike DeJonge]

1st half of the inner structure turned out really nice. Polishing was done in under 4 weeks and the guy is looking forward to doing the next half (must be because of the incentive) he has stronger arms now.

[Mike DeJonge]

another picture of the whole die

[Ron LaDow]

Mike,
Ya GOTTA bring that to the Lit Meet!
Seriously, it looks like there are two lines at 45* near the front; illusion?

[Mike DeJonge]

10 guys would not be able to carry that, and a forklift will not fit thru the doors there, but I am bringing something real special, pictured below, supposedly it should fit thru the doors sideways. the V shape is just the 2 plates of steel, converging together

[Vic Skirmants]

You're going to start selling Mary Kay cosmetics??!!

[Mike DeJonge]

Thats our version of the 917 pink pig. If you want me to bring some make up so nobody will recognize you I can do that, but then you might have to watch out for Adam