The Thunder Hawk Project is back on

[SilverHawkDan]

My Grandson came up with me on Tuesday and helped me work on the car. He took the fenders off and learned about the dreaded universal socket and air impact dangers.


Once the fenders were off we hoisted up the body and placed it on 2X4's and cinder blocks.

Rolled the chassis under the body and jacked it up to place it on stands. Then lowered the body onto the frame. Used medium stiffness Energy Suspension bushings instead of the tire sidewall cast offs.



Everything fit is it should except the forward body mounts. Although they lined up with the frame they were about an inch too long. So I cut them off and will shorten them and add a 1/2" pad.

Today was chemo day so no work but tonight I am feeling OK and if all goes well I will be back up to the barn tomorrow afternoon to get some more work done. After today I will need the "therapy" session.

[SilverHawkDan]

Got some work done on the Hawk today. Got the fenders to fit on the frame by cutting the bottom off of the core support and notching the fenders. Also cut out the inner fenders as I will be making a set of custom sheet metal replacements.


Rolled it outside to check the tire position in the wheel well. I like what I see.




So on to the transmission adapter which is just about finished and then back to finish the hood and scoop. Progress.
Dan

[Buzzard]

Great progress Dan. You are a true inspiration to us all. Keep the pics and descriptions coming. Continue with your therapy-it's obvious it's working.
Cheers, Bill

[SilverHawkDan]

Took a two day road trip and got some Studebaker stuff along the way. First was this very cool sign that my buddy Andy made for me:

Then we stopped by Dave Bloomberg's house and he loaded up some parts as he is taking his car to the museum next week and cleaning things out at his house:

That is a complete 289 short block, three hundred pounds of weights he removed from his car and two container worth of parts. Throw in a few wood blocks holding everything in place and all our stuff and it was heavy. Had to boost the air shocks to 100 pounds to keep the trailer hitch from dragging up driveways. Long trip home (160+ miles) in high winds with light steering made for some fun moments. Found a good place for the sign:

Thought this was a cool shot so here it is:

Shoulder started hurting after jacking up the car and getting it on stands so I had to call it a day. Have to wait two weeks to see the doctor about it so for now I just try to figure out what makes it hurt and avoid those activities. If all goes well I will get back up there and do some work tomorrow.

[SilverHawkDan]

Felt better today so I went up and cut out the bat wing which made a wave of nausea sweep over me. Darn chemo. So I set the engine and transmission in place.



Took the supercharger off and then set it on metal strap to hold it until I can get back up there. This time I will take my nausea meds with me. Made a similar strap for the trans and then snapped a few pics and bugged out.





So more next week if things go right for a change. Frustrating day but not like it was unexpected, its just that I have been on these meds since last July and this is the first time I had a nausea spell. Oh well not something to dwell on just make plans for next time.

[SilverHawkDan]

Got up to the barn on Saturday and got a lot of work done and the best part is no nausea problems. It was a good day. Started off by removing the power rack and pinion unit to fabricate the new mounting plates.

Got it roughed in but found I was one 16mm nut short of what I needed. So I Mc Gyvered it in so I could go forward with the engine mounts.

Fabricated the mounts and holding them with just the magnets lowered the engine on them to see if my stress points were right. Held the weight with no problems. Tacked them up and took them out to weld them.

Put them back in and welded them to the frame. So the mounts are down for now. Will add welds when the engine comes out again. Tomorrow the transmission mount with cross member gets made and then finish the steering rack mounts. Then on to the next project. Running against the clock now with only 16 working days (miss days with chemo) until La Palma. Not sure what will be done and left unfinished but whatever shape it is in it will be there if possible.

[t walgamuth]

Good work! Keep after it.

[S2Deluxe]

Felt better today so I went up and cut out the bat wing which made a wave of nausea sweep over me. Darn chemo. So I set the engine and transmission in place.

I'm sorry Dan, I'm just not sure, I'm correctly visualising what you're actually describing? Was it necessary because you're relocating the front body mounts, clearance issues with the new tranny or some other reason? Couldn't it have just been unbolted or were only certain sections removed?

Mark

[SilverHawkDan]

Mark,
The transmission is both larger and longer than the Studebaker. So I cut the bat wing but left a 1" piece sticking out and have a plan for connecting the new transmission crossmember to the bat wing to load it like the factory set up. Didn't want to cut it but it was necessary. Here is what happened today. Cut the main piece for the crossmember and then looked at the factory Dodge mount closely and discovered it was cracked. So I ordered a urethane replacement. Figured out the best way to attach the crossmember to the bat wing.

Since that part is waiting on parts I moved on to the hood. Did some sanding. Then some cutting and then put it in place to get a first look.
Clamped it in place and then looked it over. Will take it apart tomorrow and make some changes. Then if all looks good I will bolt them together and start working on the tilt hinges.

More tomorrow or Wednesday.

[S2Deluxe]

Looks like you're using a '57 - '58 Golden Hawk hood. Are you using the fiberglass overlay as well or do you have some other plan? It's great to see you making so much progress with it.

Mark

[DougHolverson]

OT, but the team for East Monona, my old defunct school district, was called the Thunderhawks.

[SilverHawkDan]

Mark,
I am making an all metal scoop of my own design. Will use the bolt holes that held the overlay to keep it simple. The hood came with the car and since I loved the louvers I just had to make it mine. I hope to get to work on the scoop next week.

Doug,
That's cool. You wouldn't happen to have anything like a banner or year book or other item with the school logo on it would you?

[SilverHawkDan]

Started work on the one piece tilt front end. Got the hood and fenders spaced for clearance. Clamped it all together and started drilling the holes for the bolts to bolt it all together. Will need to lift it off and finish drilling the holes but in the mean time I will work on the hinges.





So progress. Today was doctor day and got the word that I tore my rotator cuff. Got instructions on how to work without doing more damage. MRI to be scheduled and then will get the plan for the fix. Just another bump in the road.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Great day and a lot of work got done. The wife came up to give me a hand. She got to use power tools and even spent two hours cleaning parts and getting dirty. Then she got to have some fun:

Yes you are seeing the right. She loaded the sand in the blaster and got to work. Blasted some parts then primered them and started assembling the Jaguar rear suspension. She got it all back together. I still need to do my part by shortening the drive axles and assembling them. Then the whole thing can go back in the car.

Had a bunch of clean up projects to do and then worked on the Stude camper. While it dried out I got back on the grille lay back project. Followed the advice of a body guy and was still scared to death but I went for it anyway. Kathy came over after she finished the Jag set up and gave me some words of encouragement. She even had some suggestions that worked out great. So it is roughed in and now comes a couple of hours of welding. Then some more metal work and finish work but at least it is moving forward. This piece plays a big role in the coming show in Anaheim. You'll see what I mean later next week.


So much to do but it sure feels good to make up for losing work time yesterday doing doctor stuff for me and my dad. Look for more soon.
Dan

[R_David]

I been following this since you first started. I really appreciate two things: 1) the insane amount of fabrication skills you have. And 2) the fact that you are willing to take the time to share it all with us here! Hope your treatments keep going well, I really want to see this car and the owner in person someday.

[SilverHawkDan]

Got a little done on about five things today but nothing finished. Did get started on the seats and steering column mount. Looks like the factory dash support will line up for the Durango factory mount holes. Looks like drill two holes and then fab to brackets for the lower mount. Fab a plate for the firewall hole with holes for the shaft support. This thing fits in here almost like it was made for it. Transmission mount and Jag u-joints are in so pick them up tomorrow. Borrowed a mig welder tonight to make the hood project go faster and cleaner. So much to do and lots of things getting in the way the next three days.



So more as it happens. I am glad that there are people following this and enjoying the project progress. I wasn't sure it would be appreciated here but I am glad it is. Thanks for all the words of encouragement.

[SilverHawkDan]

I will just call this "Road Block Day". Got some stuff done but kept hitting road blocks. Started off ready to get welding on the hood with the mig welder I borrowed. Only to discover that it has a different plug than my welder. No big deal just go to the electrical box and get the one I need. Except I have six of them and not one matches the Chine made welder. So tomorrow I will go to the store and get one. With that on hold I went back to work on the steering column installation. Made the plate that attaches to both the top and bottom mount ears. Used extra long bolts for the upper mounts and will add nuts and washers to make it easy to set the installed height.
URL=http://s125.photobucket.com/user/dieselguy2006/media/The%20First%20Love%201959%20Silver%20Hawk/Work%20Day%205-16-17%20002_zpsa5pgos4r.jpg.html][/URL]
Made the plate for the firewall that will fill the hole and support the column shaft support bearing. But could not find (used it three days ago) my drill for making large holes. Need to make an 15/16" hole for the shaft to pass through. So that got put on hold. I know if I buy one tomorrow I will find the one I already have. So I moved on to the drivers seat. Took it out and connected a battery to it. Ran all the motors through there travel. Set everything in the middle position to start with. Cut and bent the front mounting ear and will weld it up when it comes out to be pre-wired in. Took the passenger seat out and made a new mounting tab for the front mount. Welded it up and just need to paint it.

With that done I moved on to the drive axles. Cut one of them and took out the 4.5" needed to make it fit. "V" ground the ends and clamped it in a piece of angle iron to square it up. Just need to weld it up.


By then the physical therapy evaluation I had today kicked in and kicked my butt. The pain meds wore off and I needed to eat before taking more so it was time to call it a day or should I say night as it was 8 PM. So tomorrow is chemo day so no work but I do hope to go shopping for the plug and bolts and steel I need to keep moving forward. If all goes well I will be back at it on Thursday. Check back late that night for more.
Dan

[Commander Eddie]

Dan, when Bill gets down there in July you may get a bit of help from him. You know he likes to get his hands dirty. Please take a picture of the two of you and post it. What fun! I wish I could join you guys.

[DougHolverson]

Here's only picture I could find my old school Thunderhawk mascot.

em.jpg

[Noxnabaker]

This is as interesting as a thread ever could be & I'm glad every time there's new text & pictures to take in!



But there's one thing that worries me a bit:
the grinded "V"-shape on the axle pieces... I did that once & it snapped! Lucky it wasn't much traffic at the time so I didn't have any accident.
Then I grinded down the broken ends to the middle so there was sharp points & started to build up welds.
& I had a bucket with cold water to shill it down between the welds so it wouldn't warp.
(Just trying to be helpful & if I was closer to you I would gladly do it for you! )

Keep up, it's such an inspiring thread ! ! !

[SilverHawkDan]

Doug,

Thanks. I like it. I picture it with a blue shirt to match the car and the name Studebaker across the chest in red letters. Then put a smoking tire where the feet are. I will pass this on to my artist wife to see what she thinks. Again, thank you for finding this and posting it.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Nox,

I agree with you on that one. If I was going to use these I would bore out the centers and insert a steel rod and weld that first and then build up welds with cooling like you suggested. I am only using these to set the car on the ground for the car show in two weeks. I am having a set of new axles built that will use tubing instead of forged steel. The yokes are common as they are used on all the late model diesel powered pick ups. So they just cut a piece of axle tubing the correct size and insert it into the tube and weld away. Then straighten and balance. I do appreciate your comments though and it is one of the reasons I post this project here and on Racing Studebakers. I figure some of you have "Been There and Done That" and can save me a lot of grief and trouble. By the way how is your Mo Stude coming along. Haven't seen a post since you moved. So if you see anything that you want to comment on feel free to post away. I am learning some of this stuff for the first time myself.
Dan

[Noxnabaker]

Thanx for the kind words Dan!
I don't think I'm more experienced than you, I just hoped you didn't overlook...
Josephine is in engine-swap at the moment but it takes time because there's way to much other stuff to do in the non-Studebaker life.
I also have serious trouble getting in on my favorite/the racing site & that's why I sometimes get helped by Jeff (a true hero!) to post for me.
& so it goes...
(I don't wanna hijack your thread but here's a picture from this eveningDSCN4127.jpg

[SilverHawkDan]

Nox,
Thanks for the photo. I bet you can't wait to see it back on the road again.

So I have been keeping myself busy in the evenings to help me get sleepy. I purchased a Studebaker Hawk model years ago and I decided to paint it in the paint scheme I have planned for the Thunder Hawk. I got he Silver applied. Then I taped off the Silver portions and this morning before the wind picked up I shot the Blue on it. Tonight I took off the tape. Got a little touch up to do and then apply the metal flake to the Silver areas. I think I am going to really like the look of our Hawk. The blue on the model is a little darker then the blue we purchased for the Hawk but it is close. This is going to be one eye grabbing car. I plan to take this model with me to La Palma and the Studebaker meet on Memorial weekend. SO here is some Studebaker eye candy for today.


Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Short work day after physical therapy (more like personal torture) but I got a few things done. Used the borrowed mig wleder and finished welding the hood. Then ground the welds and filled the holes.


I sure like that angle. Not too little and not too much. Just what I had envisioned.

Too a first look at how to shape the sheet metal for the upper half on the front end. Will build the frame with 3/16" rods then bend and shape the sheet metal.
Removed the hood and then the grille. Hammered out the worst of the high spots. Will need more hammer and dolly work but that will have to wait for another day as my shoulder did not like that work. So I switched to the transmission mount and cross member, Welded a plate to the factory trans mount plate. Then bolted on the urethane mount. Had to quit so no pictures but tomorrow I plan to finish it and will take pictures.


Dan

[Buzzard]

Dan, Are you sure you are NOT the EverReady Bunny?
Bill

[SilverHawkDan]

Bill,
I don't think so. I am having fun but things are slow going since I hurt my shoulder. Need to get this car done before my surgery in late June. I have waited 49 years to do this car so I want it finished. Of course as you can imagine with me there is no such thing as "finished". Just completed for now. I got a little work done today. Finished the temporary transmission mount and cross member.



Got one of the axles finished with new u-joints. Installed it and then it was 9 PM and figured I had better quit for today.

Hope to finish the other axles and get the assembly back under the car by Monday.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Well that took way to long. Finally finished the other project and got back on the Hawk. Got the Jag reaqr end set up assembled and ready to install.
Got it bolted in and the temp ride height set up shocks installed.


Ddin't get the news wheels so these will have to do for La Palma. Looks kinda goofy but its only temporary. Short list to finish tomorrow then load up and hit the road for Anaheim.

Dan

[Commander Eddie]

Dan, you have sure gotten a lot done for someone with so little time to work on it. I take it she will not be running for La Palma. Maybe next year.

[Noxnabaker]

Sure hope for pictures of it from La Palma...

& I've got a grill-question for you (or for any Hawk owner, just came to think of it now so...):
How wide is the grill before it curves to the top, at its widest point?
I'm get'n ideas... Studebaker ideas ofcourse...

[SilverHawkDan]

So the car did not make it to La Palma for lack of a trailer. Communication error. But I did go anyway and sold StudeJohn my whole lot of parts right when I got there so I didn't have to deal with that. I was just not feeling up to it. Thank you John for making my day better. Met some forum people I had never met face to face. Met some new people and got reconnected with others. Saw some great cars and got some good ideas for future projects. Here are two photos I took Saturday afternoon right before I discovered the trailer was not available. I will take some pictures with the hood on it and sitting outside this week.


Not the wheels of tires it will ride on but it was on the ground on tires for the first time in three years. Progress.

- - - Updated - - -

Nox,

I will take some pictures of the grille with a tape measure next to it to help you with your idea.
Dan

[Noxnabaker]

Thanx beforehand Dan!

[SilverHawkDan]

NOX hope these help.




If you need more or different shots just let me know.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Here are the pictures of the steering column mount set up with the firewall mount in place. Will rivet the plate top the firewall and seal it. Still have to make the two braces for the lower mounting plate.



Hope to take the car this weekend to a gathering for fun.
Dan

[Noxnabaker]

Neat install, looks especially nice from the engine side!
& thank you for the pictures!

[Commander Eddie]

Nox, I made the photo larger and it appears to be 26". Let's see what Dan says.
Ed

[SilverHawkDan]

In order of the pictures.
22
26
14.5
Dan

[Noxnabaker]

Yep, I also got 26!

[SilverHawkDan]

Took the car on the trailer to the Donut Derelicts gathering this morning. Lots of interest a positive comments. Two guys loved what I did to the grille. Others are not familiar enough with the cars to know what I did. Kathy said several guys came by and tapped on the body of the fins. Checking for Bondo and fiberglass I guess.


Came back and assembled the new shop addition. Robin bought it to help with the installation of the body on his Bronco. We figure to have to lift it off several times as we try to figure out the best fit for the monster engine.

Got some work done on the hinges for the tilt front end but no pictures as I ran out of energy and headed home early. As I was driving by the pond I spotted our mascot. He was kind enough to pose for a picture.

Horse, Turtle, Ducks (3), Fish, Deer, Bears, Quail and lots of Lizards and Stink Bugs. Oh and a big crop of Spiders this year. Fun place to work.
Dan

[Commander Eddie]

Dan, are you driving the Studebaker camper again? I thought you sold that.
Ed