HB_Ryan Roadster Build Thread

[HB_Ryan]

Hey Guys, first time builder of the Mark IV Roadster. I live in Huntington Beach, CA married with 3 kids. Below is my order i placed with FFR

Order Date: 4/4/16
Delivery Date: 4/30/16

Mark IV Complete Kit
Powder Coated chassis
Body cut outs
Black Leather Seats
8.8 3 link rear end
Stainless side exhaust
Chrome Roll bar (driver side)
302 Headers
28 Spline 10.625" Driveshaft
18" Halibrand Wheels
Nitto Tires
Hood Scoop
302 350 HP Engine Factory
T 5 manual

Tony at FFR snapped this pic as they are loading up the FFR 18 wheeler

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Engine Factory Build pics

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[Mtnest]

Congrats Ryan! Enjoy it!!!! My delivery date is the 26th so my kit is probably on the same truck! Everyone is very helpful here as well as the other site ffcars. Com. Don't hesitate to ask questions. Good luck! Ken

[HB_Ryan]

Thanks Ken. FFR is coming to a show in Huntington Beach and put the roadster on their 18 wheeler. I bypassed Stewart transportation and get mine a few weeks early :D

[Mtnest]

That worked out good!!

[HB_Ryan]

Engine Factory completed my engine build today. Here is a link to their Facebook page for the engine run.

https://www.facebook.com/MuscleCarEngines/videos/10153661126658990/

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[2bking]

Congratulations on your choice and welcome to the fun of building. That engine sounds sweet and looks good too. Keep the pictures coming!

[HB_Ryan]

Congratulations on your choice and welcome to the fun of building. That engine sounds sweet and looks good too. Keep the pictures coming!

Thanks!

[GoDadGo]

Congratulations & Welcome To The Factory Five Family!

[carlewms]

Ryan,

Congratulations on the delivery of the roadster and the start of your build ... the process is a fantastic experience and the help of all the folks on this forum and the other one really are a brain trust of lessons learned, skills and experience that will help you along the way.

Carl

[HB_Ryan]

DELIVERY DAY!
My family and I attended the HB cruise in and the Factory Five Big rig stopped by my house right after the show. Unfortunately Scott from FFR could not pull that beast onto my street so we had to offload and push the chassis a block to get to my house. Inventory is done. Missing items that were checked off as complete. Is this a common thing?
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[David Hodgkins]

Missing items checked as complete? Not completely unheard of, but rare. Give the factory a call and they will make it right and add those items to the backlog list.

Let me know if you want to get together to compare notes or look at a few completed cars. I have a lift, so you can check out how some stuff was done from underneath.

Congratulations!!

:)

[HB_Ryan]

Missing items checked as complete? Not completely unheard of, but rare. Give the factory a call and they will make it right and add those items to the backlog list.

Let me know if you want to get together to compare notes or look at a few completed cars. I have a lift, so you can check out how some stuff was done from underneath.

Congratulations!!

:)

Thanks David for having me over at your house. I hope to have my car completed by next year for the next BBQ and Cruise.

[WIS89]

Ryan-

Congratulations on your decision, and getting the car delivered. Also looks like a great engine choice!

I had one or two items marked off as present in my kit, but were not in my inventory. It happens; simply managing the number of parts and orders, getting momentarily distracted, or make a mistake in transcription, it is pretty amazing how few mistakes really get made. FFR does a pretty good job, and I have never heard of them not making things right, and have with the few issues I have had. Give them a shout.

Best of luck as you get started. Please feel free to keep us updated. We look forward to watching your progress!

Regards,

Steve

[bansheekev]

Hey Ryan,

Great meeting you at Dave's and at the show. I am proof that these cars can be successfully built with small children in the picture. We had a lot of that in common going on! Yes, its a simple equation - you sleep less to make progress on the car. As long as the kids and the wife are actually sleeping and you escape to the garage its all good. Whatever it takes....

Keep in touch.

Kevin

[68GT500MAN]

Ryan, I missed meeting you at the show (I was a little busy) but glad that you had a good time. Double check your list as sometimes a part is checked that is attached to the frame or not what you think it should be. Enjoy your build and I will look for your roadster at next years show.
Doug

[ehansen007]

DELIVERY DAY!
My family and I attended the HB cruise in and the Factory Five Big rig stopped by my house right after the show. Unfortunately Scott from FFR could not pull that beast onto my street so we had to offload and push the chassis a block to get to my house. How did she handle? :)


Inventory is done. Missing items that were checked off as complete. Is Told ya. Yes it is common. It was pretty bad with my car. I think some of them spend time in the fiberglass curing area during lunchtime for some free uptime if you know what I mean. :cool:

[HB_Ryan]

Told ya. Yes it is common. It was pretty bad with my car. I think some of them spend time in the fiberglass curing area during lunchtime for some free uptime if you know what I mean. :cool:

Haha I hear ya. I don't envy the guy packing parts all day!

[HB_Ryan]

Weekend build update-

All panels were taken off and labeled. F panels were held in place with cleco's as my rivet package from FFR was not in any box during inventory however it was marked as complete.

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Upper and Lower control arms were installed. I couldn't finish because my Front Koni shocks are on back order. I did notice if you follow the torque settings outlined in the manual, if virtually impossible to rotate the arms. It seems like the UCA and LCA boots get stuck during rotation.

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I will probably tackle the fuel tank and pedal box assembly this week. Unfortunately I'm bouncing around to different items as I'm missing parts that were checked off or they are on backorder. Any suggestions on what i should work on next?

[wallace18]

I would mark and drill all the aluminum panels, then fuel tank and pedal stuff. Paint or powder coat all parts that need to be. That way when your other stuff arrives you can really move along.

[HB_Ryan]

I would mark and drill all the aluminum panels, then fuel tank and pedal stuff. Paint or powder coat all parts that need to be. That way when your other stuff arrives you can really move along.

Awesome thanks. Ive been following your build, looks great!

[cnutting]

Hi Ryan,
You may want to check your upper control arms. A number of us received them assembled incorrectly. I think yours may need to be flipped as well.
Chris

[HB_Ryan]

Hi Ryan,
You may want to check your upper control arms. A number of us received them assembled incorrectly. I think yours may need to be flipped as well.
Chris

Are the zerks facing up or down for correct install?

[cnutting]

Hi Ryan,
The zerks face up, but the balljoint needs to angle out. From the pictures, it looks like yours are angling in. Take a look again at the picture in the manual. I think you need to disassemble the UCAs and swap the plates around. You will need to remove the balljoints and reinstall once the plates are correct.
Chris

[HB_Ryan]

Hi Ryan,
The zerks face up, but the balljoint needs to angle out. From the pictures, it looks like yours are angling in. Take a look again at the picture in the manual. I think you need to disassemble the UCAs and swap the plates around. You will need to remove the balljoints and reinstall once the plates are correct.
Chris

Thanks Chris. I think your right. What a pain in the *** to get the ball joint out. I guess its good that we caught that problem now and not later.

[cnutting]

Best catch it now. I have a nice long list of things to fix this weekend. I think when all is said and done I will have assembled this car 3-4 times...
;)

[dmoran]

Weekend build update-

Upper and Lower control arms were installed. I couldn't finish because my Front Koni shocks are on back order. I did notice if you follow the torque settings outlined in the manual, if virtually impossible to rotate the arms. It seems like the UCA and LCA boots get stuck during rotation.



If you are talking about the arms not rotating with the spindles on, it may be the inward facing ball joint on the UCA causing a geometry problem (discussed below).

If you are saying that the LCA is not moving before attaching the spindle then make sure the rubber bushings are okay and not binding. One recommendation from build school is to cut grooves in the rubber face that contacts the frame brackets and line the grooves up with the grooves on the inside of the hole. This will help get lube to the outside. Check out the rubber on the UCA's which has them cut in from the factory. Here is a picture of mine:

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They recommend doing this on the rear LCA's too.

I'm only about 7 weeks into my first build and one thing I learned from the school and these forums is; before doing a section in the book, search the forums and read about any gotchas, options, design issues or steps missing/unclear from the book. I think every assembly step and associated issue have been discussed and likely beaten to death. It really gets you ready for what to expect and adds immeasurable confidence when something doesn't seem right. Lot's of great stuff on ffcars.com too.

Good luck
Doug

[HB_Ryan]

Doug,

Thank you for the reply. My UCA bracket was assembled wrong and when i put it on (without my knowledge) that caused the lack of rotation. Chris (Cnutting) caught the error in one of my pics. Removed the ball joint and flipped the plate and now i have free rotation. Thanks!

[HB_Ryan]

Build Update

Engine aluminum panels were powder coated
Front Suspension complete
Wilwood brakes and rotors installed
Engine and transmission installed
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[edwardb]

Looking good! Great progress. Nothing better than an engine install party. One hint. It's hard to tell if you've permanently installed it yet, but the tabs for the inside and top DS footbox panels should go underneath the footbox front panel. Looks better, plus that's how they're intended to be installed.

[HB_Ryan]

Looking good! Great progress. Nothing better than an engine install party. One hint. It's hard to tell if you've permanently installed it yet, but the tabs for the inside and top DS footbox panels should go underneath the footbox front panel. Looks better, plus that's how they're intended to be installed.

Thanks edwardb. Everything is mocked up with cleco's right now. Im doing the final fitment this week.

[frankeeski]

Ryan, You may want to check out this thread for the proper assembly and lubing of all of the front suspension parts.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19907-Front-Suspension-Just-a-Friendly-Reminder&highlight=frankeeski+grease

Also, you should keep an eye out on the SoCal forum for our next breakfast, which should be the first week of August. You just missed the one we had this past Saturday.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?21133-Breakfast-Saturday-June-4-2016

[HB_Ryan]

Ryan, You may want to check out this thread for the proper assembly and lubing of all of the front suspension parts.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?19907-Front-Suspension-Just-a-Friendly-Reminder&highlight=frankeeski+grease

Also, you should keep an eye out on the SoCal forum for our next breakfast, which should be the first week of August. You just missed the one we had this past Saturday.

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?21133-Breakfast-Saturday-June-4-2016

Thank you. Great thread! I will definitely checkout the next breakfast

[HB_Ryan]

Rear Wilwood Brakes-

I'm installing the rear brakes and I'm getting some conflicting info from the youtube build video and the installation instructions from Wilwood. Should the caliper be facing the cockpit or are they going towards the rear of the vehicle? When I received the box from Wilwood, they are the small parking brake/ combo caliper. Is this normal? I am comparing them to the front calipers.... Any help would be appreciated!! HB Ryan

[carlewms]

I am not sure that this applies since I have the old version of the IRS rear end instead of the 3 link .... but mine are on the aft side ... looking at the hub from the side they are between the 12 and 3 o'clock position. Mine is also the one that uses the main caliper for the parking brake ... no separate parking brake.

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[HB_Ryan]

I am not sure that this applies since I have the old version of the IRS rear end instead of the 3 link .... but mine are on the aft side ... looking at the hub from the side they are between the 12 and 3 o'clock position. Mine is also the one that uses the main caliper for the parking brake ... no separate parking brake.

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Thanks Carl. I was pretty sure that they face forward but the directions were unclear. Does your main caliper have 1 piston? Mine looks similar to yours, definitely on the smaller side?55262

[HB_Ryan]

Build Update-

Headers installed
Clutch pedal notch for clearance
Mount and Balanced tire and wheels
Waiting on lower control arms for rear end install
Riveting and boom mat install for the cockpit this weekend556045560555606556075560855609

[David Hodgkins]

Looks Great Ryan! You are making stellar progress! I like those wheels man!

:)

[bluse]

Great build, looking forward to watching this through.

[HB_Ryan]

Go Kart yesterday

Yesterday was a good day! Started the engine for the first time and went go karting. Off to the "Bat Cave" next week for paint

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[ehansen007]

Was just there today. He's waiting for you. Color scheme?

[David Hodgkins]

3 months and your ready for paint?!? Holy-moly! Are you working on this full time??? You're FAST!

:)

[HB_Ryan]

Was just there today. He's waiting for you. Color scheme?

Black with white stripe

[HB_Ryan]

3 months and your ready for paint?!? Holy-moly! Are you working on this full time??? You're FAST!

:)

Haha I'm trying to hustle, closing escrow on a house at the end of this month so I wanted to make sure i was able to go kart and send the body off to paint.

[HB_Ryan]

Went to the "Bat Cave", Jeff Miller Customs yesterday for paint prep. Should be ready in about 6 weeks. Thanks Jeff for making the time!57405

[David Hodgkins]

Haha I'm trying to hustle, closing escrow on a house at the end of this month so I wanted to make sure i was able to go kart and send the body off to paint.

Will you still be in HB?

Congrats on dropping the build off at Da Bat. You'll be very happy with the metamorphosis!

:)

[HB_Ryan]

Will you still be in HB?

Congrats on dropping the build off at Da Bat. You'll be very happy with the metamorphosis!

:)

Ya still in HB. About a mile from my current house.

[HB_Ryan]

Build Update- Interior is done and waiting for the call from "da bat" to pick up the body from paint. Almost there!5829158292

[HB_Ryan]

Back from the BAT CAVE..... Jeff did an awesome job! 6068760688606896069060691

[Patrick O]

Looking FANTASTIC

[WIS89]

Ryan-

Car looks great! Jeff did an amazing job; but frankly, I think he only knows amazing!!

I look forward to watching the last few loose ends come together.

Regards,

Steve

[HB_Ryan]

Thats a wrap! #8862 is done! I will post better pics for graduation :)

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[ehansen007]

Sweet! Well under a year is pretty good for your first build! Can't wait to see it.