Small Update

I've been going over the electrical a bit more (read: ripped it all out and started over LOL!)

I didn't like the way I had it all run. It would have made the carpet uneven in a few spots, and I just wanted it to be neat and tidy. So, I've started over. I used an old drill bit box as a fuse box and will be mounting it more securely in the rear "cargo" area. I've also remounted my master kill switch to a more remote area that will be somewhat difficult for the nafarious to find.

Today is the first day that I might actually be able to go out there. I've been traveling all over the place over the last 3 weeks.

There, Happy, Ken? I've actually updated my blog.

FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!!

We have ignition!!! Ran like a champ! Plenty of oil pressure, temp was good, sounded AWESOME!!!!

I have a few small issues to go over, but I'm very pleased!

Down to the wire....

Wiring is currently being done. Hopefully after today, I'll be in a position to fire the motor.

I need to install the gauges, wire them, and finish the starting/ignition system. I have a few things to re-check on the engine before hitting the go button, but I'm CLOSE. REALLY CLOSE!

I can almost smell the octane!

Body and Frame UNITE!!

The body is back in my shop, and on the frame. Now the fun stuff can begin!

Coming home in a few hours....

Wet Sanding

The paint wasn't up to Ricky's standards. It had a bit of orange peel due to the insane heat we're having here in Ohio. So, we started wet-sanding last night to get it ready to spray on Thursday morning. With any luck, it should be back in my shop on Friday to begin assembly.

Flat Black IS a Color!!!!

Primer

Wet sanding and color will be next....

Thanks Ricky!

Ricky got A LOT done the past few days. We're trying out the Summit Racing brand paints. Here we are using the 2K primer.

Paint

Got a lot done this weekend. The body is off at Ricky's and is coming along great! I should have more pictures of it tomorrow.

Anyway, here are some progress shots.

Frame

The car is now being disassembled. Each individual part now needs cleaned and painted. The first step was the frame. The body is now over at Ricky's for the final bodywork and paint.

I used satin black VHT Rollbar and Chassis paint for the Frame.

I'm starting to get the hang of this

FAR from done, but at least I have a good start. Ricky lent me some good tools to use, and that made all the difference.

Litte Things...

Too tired to type out the whole thing, so here ya go....

More Control Work

I don't have any pics, but I've been working on the steering column mount the past few days. I'm using an idea I saw in Street Rodder during their T-Bucket build they did last year. The column I'm using is out of a late model GM 3/4 ton pickup. The bottom of the tube is about 2" in outside diameter. So, I went to the local Home Depot and got some 2" ID PVC pipe.

This weekend I'll glass this pipe into position from the angled part of the toe board out through the bottom of the firewall. I'll cut the pipe on an angle flat with the firewall, and glass it in on both sides.

I'll post pics as soon as I have some....

Storage

Since I plan to drive this car A LOT, I needed some storage space. I also used it as a place to mount the upright portion of my seats. The battery and fuse box will also be mounted there.

This is a work in progress, and I am by no means a carpenter. All I can tell you is that it is VERY stout.

I will be adding hinges for the opening I cut, and most likely some dzuse fastners for latches. Then it will be upholstered.

Next on the list is getting the carpet in, and covering the seats. I still haven't decided what I'm going to do with the inside, but it will be very simple for sure.

Pedals

I've finally got the pedals roughed in, and the position of the steering column as well. This should give me plenty of things to do over the next few weeks. With the major controls where they need to be, the next step is getting the seating position correct. I still have to get some materials to build the lower half of the seat, but it shouldn't be to difficult.

I also started the rear storage area. I'll have pics of that soon as well.

Windshield and Mufflers

I stopped at my good friend Ken's house on the way back from the Detroit Autorama this weekend. He hooked me up with some new parts: a windshield and some header mufflers.

Of course, the first chance I got after work today I had to see what I was up against. I still need to make some more brackets to support the windshield, but I think this is going to work. Basically, this is the top of a T windshield. I flipped it upside down. I'm going to make some brackets to fill in the curved edges at the bottom and more securely mount the windshield and fill in the dead space.

I'll figure that one out later.

It's official: I smell like fiberglass.

I did more glassing this morning into this afternoon. The firewall is back in one piece, and some more glass is curing on the trans tunnel.

I'll be making a trip up to the Autorama this weekend in Detroit, so not much more will be done until next week. I will, however, be picking up a little something from Ken on the way back.

Percy's Hyperfiber

I found a product that I just have to talk about. It's called Percy's Hyperfiber. It's a pre-preg fiberglass woven mat that you can get with, or without wire. The wire, of course, it much easier to mold into various shapes.

I needed to make a base to start glassing the transmission tunnel. I thought of various methods, but started poking around the Summit Racing website for fiberglass and found this. It's truly amazing stuff.

What is so amazing about it? It's UV light curable. As long as you don't expose it to sunlight while you are molding it, the work time is almost limitless. You can cure it with a high power UV light or a black light (takes longer) or by placing it in sunlight.

I must say, I am very impressed. Here's a couple rough pics so you can get an idea...


I'll post some more pics after it cures. After that, traditional fiberglass layers will be placed on top of it.

More and More Glassing

It's official. I'm immune to the smell of curing fiberglass.

I still have a lot more to do. When I get it roughed in, I'll get some pics. There really isn't much to show at the moment.

The largest hurdle is near the firewall. I have to maintain the basic recess to allow for the bellhousing. I still haven't figured out how I'm going to do it. Looks like I'll have to do some more carpentry to make a mold. I may use expanding foam like I did to make the basic shape of where the body was channeled. I haven't decided.

More Glass

Glassed in part of the floor today. Sorry, no pics. I still have a TON of glassing to do. I have to make a run up to work to get some more cloth in the morning. The body is currently off the chassis again to finish the glass in side and out. Hopefully the body will be ready soon to head over to Ricky's shop to begin the final body work.

Once it gets back to my shop, I'll continue with mounting the controls, seats, gauges, and shifter.

I also hope to get the brackets made for the fuel tank soon. As soon as I get that going, I hope to fire the motor.

Lots more to come. However, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope to post some more pics tomorrow.

More mock-up

Started mocking up the headlights and the gas tank tonight.

Looks like I have to finally break down and get my own welder. It sucks to have to borrow one. I need to fab up some mounts for the fuel tank straps. I want the tank to sit higher, and have the mounts more inward. The tank isn't quite wide enough to bolt the straps right to the frame.

Anyway, on with the 2 crappy low-light pics....

OK, so the blog has been dead...

Sorry that there haven't been any progress pics. There really hasn't been that much progress until lately to report. Here are some interior mock-up pics.

I just got the grill shell and fuel tank in. I'll have some pics of that mockup soon. I promise!