Mslone Build Progress

[Mslone]

Hey, I'm not very good at keeping up on prgress posts but figured I would toss out a few pics.

I have been working on the car like 7 hrs a week for the past 5 or 6 weeks, I'm happy with the progress so far! Having a ton of fun building and I'm learning a ton! And will surely be confident I can translate some of this new knowledge to my daily driver maintence!

Few of quick observations so far:

A well organized, very detailed Inventory is proubably the most important part of this build, I have been very detailed as others suggested and it has made tracking down missing and backordered parts so much easier! Life is easier when your organized! This one can not be stressed enough!!!

Another thing I will say is I'm so glad I built the Chassy Dolly at standing height and on rollers, it has been dragged all over the garage, spinned around... pushed asside... Been really nice, I will need to lower it to Jack stands once I get ready to Drop the engine but still have plenty I can do the dolly.

Also regarding SharkHide, I decided to go this route with my panels, I know there some debates on how hard it was to apply... It's Not! Super Easy, Clean Panels, and Take a MicroFiber towel from autozone and fold into square, soak it with Sharhide and wide panel in quick overlapping strokes and your good! Key is go quick and do not try to apply second coat it drys really quick and will start gumming up on you. But works like a charm and panels look great! I like the Raw Aluminum racy look!

Anyway here are some pics of the progress:

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Cheers, I'll try to be better about updates... I'll shot for at least once a month!

Michael

[Gmcole92]

Wow...you are flying. I keep running into problems with the rear end/brakes that have slowed me down drastically. Knowing what I know now, I would have avoided the IRS...it's been one curve ball after another. I have a similar chassis dolley that rolls and adjusts. It's been a huge help as I can move the car around the garage with little effort. Good luck!!

[chopthebass]

I like the idea of working at standing height. Might have to steal your idea! How will you get it off the dolly? Did you put the rear end on while at height?

[Mslone]

I like the idea of working at standing height. Might have to steal your idea! How will you get it off the dolly? Did you put the rear end on while at height?

Yea, working at standing height has been awesome, real back saver! I have plans I posted out here on my Dolly Design and Materials needed, just search my posts or Chassis Dolly.

Yes I put the rearend in on the dolly, I have a Ceiling electric hoist, I just strapped it up and rolled the Chassis around and hoisted it up and bolted it in! Easy...

As far as getting it off the dolly I will just remove tires and use my ceiling hoist to pull it up and then lower to Jack Stands. The Hoist is rated for 1300lbs I figure the Chassis with Suspension and aluminum is 700lbs??? But I could also get 6 guys 3 on a side and it would be fairly easy to pull off.

I plan to do as much as I possibly can on the Dolly, then lower to install the engine.

[MPTech]

Cool build, like the dolly. Bending over to work on it gets old fast. If you like the flexibility of moving it around and/or out of the way, Harbor Freight sells some inexpensive tire dollies. I borrowed a set from a friend and liked them so much I bought my own. Great during the build.

I also went with the brushed aluminum look and Sharkhide. Like the look, easy to clean. Just be careful you don't scratch it during he build (protect it with some temporary cardboard).

One suggestion, look at expanding the passenger FB, your passenger will really appreciate it. I think Dave Hodges has a newer/bigger design, even better than what I used. Not that hard to do and takes advantage of some wasted space (unless you're planning a BBF or Mod Motor).
David's MKIV BIG BOX passenger footbox mod (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?15638-David-s-MKIV-BIG-BOX-passenger-footbox-mod)

7 hours a week is a good pace, stick with it and you'll be done before you know it. Now if you can squeeze in an all-day Saturday and/or Sunday with a buddy, you'll really show some progress (although I did end up talking more about designs and dreams, than working :eek:)
X2 on staying organized, I tried, but still spent time searching for parts I removed from the box and misplacing tools when I really got into building!

Good luck!

[2bking]

Good idea on the working height. I used my hoist several times to put my build on its side for working under it. Judging from the hoist control I see in one of the pictures, I probably have the same one. Be careful about the 1300# and make sure it is well attached to the ceiling. When I tested mine at rated load, the cheap cable that came with it would flatten on the drum and bind making it exciting when trying to lower the load. I replaced my cable with a high strength synthetic rope and it works much better.

[Mslone]

Good idea on the working height. I used my hoist several times to put my build on its side for working under it. Judging from the hoist control I see in one of the pictures, I probably have the same one. Be careful about the 1300# and make sure it is well attached to the ceiling. When I tested mine at rated load, the cheap cable that came with it would flatten on the drum and bind making it exciting when trying to lower the load. I replaced my cable with a high strength synthetic rope and it works much better.

HaHa Yea, I never plan to push the hoist to 1300lbs... I think 700lbs is about all I would try, I have it pretty secured with a welded bracket and some heavy duty hardware I made to bolt to the 2x12 Ceiling joists.

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[Tom Mauldin]

I like the winch. May have to put one in the center and end bays of the garage. Looks like your moving along quite well. By the way, I checked out the engine info you sent me. I think it's a great deal.