The First Love Project can begin 1959 Silver Hawk

[SilverHawkDan]

Ed,
It was just a little scrape. Very little blood. I don't know anyone with a rotisserie that isn't using it right now. So we will improvise. Yesterday felt a little like Mc Gyver. Lots of improvising and doing things two or three times. I am really excited but at the same time a little overwhelmed by all the projects that need to be done on the car. But at the same time I am OK as long as I am making progress. As long as I am moving forward than it is all OK. I hope to start taking the rear end and suspension out the back of the car in the next day or two.
Dan

[swvalcon]

Dan I tried to post a picture of a cheap way to build a rottisery for your body but this silly thing wont let me post a picture anymore for some reason.

[SilverHawkDan]

swvalcon,
If you are referring to the wood one that another member built I am seriously think of doing it with a twist. I do have access to four large rubber inflatable tires on swivel mounts that would work and as you can see in some of the pictures access to a lot of wood. My buddy and I are thinking through that process now. If you were referring to a different rotisserie please keep trying to post the pictures or at least a link. All help is greatly appreciated.

[SilverHawkDan]

So today after chemo I took a nap. Woke up and felt like doing something so I went outside intending to make a better support for the back of the car. I was just not happy with my buddies idea of using the workmate. My wife was wondering where I went until she heard the tractor fire up and then she knew I was out "playing" with the Stude as she puts it. I made a new support system for the rear of the car:


Much better and while I don't plan on working under the car I might have to go under it to take measurements ect. Then I decided to role the frame over to the PODS work shop/storage bin. I had to move the Jag rear suspension out of the way and then rolled the frame into place.

The jag set up you see in the background will be finding its way into the Stude frame shortly. I got out the tubing I bought to fashion the cross member to mount the Jag set up and set it in place to see how it will work:

It will be cut to fit between the frame rails and then welded in. Next I set the tubes that will support to four shock in place:

Looking good so far. I will take about 50 measurements and then set the frame on blocks and make it level before beginning the change over. I am so glad to be moving forward again and this is what I call therapy. More later as it happens.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Today I had a couple of hours to play and so I striped the frame of all the bolt on stuff. Brake lines and master cylinder with pedal assembly, fuel line, exhaust hangers, emergency brake assembly and all the wire clips. took off the shocks and the nuts off the spring hangers and spun the bolts to make sure they will come out. All is good. This is the pile of parts I took off:

Then I bolted the Torqueflight to the 259 block and dropped it in the frame:


Now I have to take a lot of measurements and then block up the frame and remove the rear end and springs. Then I can roll the Jag unit under it. Progress is good.
Dan

[SilverHawkDan]

Got a chance to work on the Hawk. Yesterday I took the Dana 44 out of the frame. Sold it and can now deliver it.

Rolled the Jag set up under it to start the fab work.


It got dark so had to wait until today to continue. It has been so hot I can't work on it until after 5PM. Tonight I started making the cross member and the mount to bolt the rear end to.


Hope to get the mount started soon. The rear end will be about three inches lower than in the last photos. The mount will use two urethane bushings to limit vibrations. More as it happens.

[Jessie J.]

Then I bolted the Torqueflight to the 259 block....

A Mopar Torqueflight simply bolts up to a Studebaker V-8?

[SilverHawkDan]

Jessie,
Well you can get four bolts in but the alignment is off for the crank centerline. I am in the process of making adapters that will allow the Torqueflight to be used behind the Stude V8. I happen to love the TQ and since the one I plan to use is a four speed with overdrive and a lock up convertor I feel I will have the best of both worlds. I started building TQ's in the sixties and have always found them to be very programmable and you can custom tailor your shift points and lock up and make it just the way you want it. Look for more on that project soon. Just waiting on the time to finish the model to send to get the first adapter made. I will post it on SDC so all can see.
Dan

[Jessie J.]

Cool. Love those Torqueflights. In fact I have a 727 attached to a 360 sitting in the bed of my M-5 right now. Also have a complete 833 4 gear o/d setup with a couple of spare trannys.
Been planning of installing an 833 in my '64 Daytona on the stock Stude bellhousing ( has a 'Ford' pattern bell, and I've also obtained a 'truck' bell)

Now you got me wondering whether a redrilled SB Mopar scattershield would be a practical possibility. I'll certainly be watching for more details on this swap.

[SilverHawkDan]

Was not happy with the set up for mounting the rear axle to the frame. Did some research and checked with some people who had installed a Jag in their hot rod. Found a mount that I liked and it works with up to 800 HP with no vibration transfer. So I flipped the cross member and made the plate that will hold the tubes for the mounts. One will be in front of the cross member and the other will be behind it. Ordered the tubes and urethane bushings. Should be in later this week. Here are a few pics from today's efforts.



Looks like I will be able to use the Studebaker rear axle bump stops. They will align with the spindle housings when the axles are shortened. That is where Jag had then contact so it works for me.


So I will post more as it happens. Hope to make the mounting arms in the next day or two. Will be short work week as I have chemo on Wednesday and a scan with yummy barium shakes on Friday. Hope to feel good enough to get some work done on the mounts. We shall see.

[evilhawk]

I really like where this is going..

[SilverHawkDan]

Still waiting on the bushings but I did have a few minutes to fab the wood model for the mounting plate. Decided to increase the plate thickness to 1/2" and I really like this design. Simple and strong. As soon as the bushings arrive I can finish the fab work and weld it all up. More as it happens. Here are todays pics:



Can't wait to finish this part so I can start the shortening project. Must learn patience.

[Commander Eddie]

Dan,
I'll be down your way in a couple of weeks. Can't wait to see all of this in person.

[SilverHawkDan]

Hard to believe it has been 10 months since I posted about this car. I did post some pics and story about the conversion to a Jag Sedan rear suspension. That project is about 90% done so I will update that post soon. On the cancer front I was on a chemo regime from November until ten weeks ago when it stopped working. I decided to switch to a different chemo regime and it is working. I had a scan recently and the tumors in my lung did not even show up so that means they are at the cellular level. The two tumors in my neck have shrunk significantly. So I will do three more rounds (nine weeks) of chemo and then scan again. I all goes well I hope to have a clear scan and remission for six to twelve months. That should give me time to work on the Hawk.
Dan

[pbrown]

Sounds like pretty good news on both the Hawk and health fronts - glad to hear it!

Keep us posted on both!