Arrowhead's 33' Hot Rod Build

[Arrowhead]

Thought I'd re-post my build thread from the "other" site. I took the opportunity to fix some things and correct some spelling errors.


I figured it was about time to start a build thread of my own. I will be working on the '33 sporadically so I waited till I had something accomplished before posting. I'm kind of going about my build a little differently than the manual. I'm mocking up all the "hard" parts so I can make sure (hopefully) there won't need to be any welding or cutting done after the frame is painted. I'm using a transmission that is not supported by FFR, so modifications will need to be made for that too.

The assembly has been going pretty well, with the all the minor issues that have been brought up on the board here (grind down the large nut on the steering rack, trim some of the shock spacers, sand down the spindles so the hubs slide on, cut the steering shafts down - more on this later)

I first installed the motor to get a feel for what things might not fit:

I'm using a Mark VIII 4.6 DOHC with a custom blower and Megasquirt EFI and ignition system. The transmission is a 4R70W also from a Mark VIII. I'm using a Baumann aftermarket controller for the transmission. I had built this motor a couple years ago and ran it in another car. It's kind of unique so I wanted to use it for this build.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SjhSlPzHioI/AAAAAAAADDw/O0r4xf0tmE0/100_9140.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SjhVstLbw1I/AAAAAAAADFw/ZMliT9Hd6M8/100_9145.jpg


I got the front suspension mocked up and the brake hardware installed.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SkgaR1gEtuI/AAAAAAAADc0/x881o-fbYNQ/s640/100_9365.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SkgaYqh_TVI/AAAAAAAADc4/4xnUhNHrtcU/s640/100_9366.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWcJp58HI/AAAAAAAADvM/cygpwNjqr84/100_9455.jpg


I got the rear axle hung. It's from a '96 GT so it has the 5 lug axles, limited slip, 3.73 gears and disc brakes. One thing that became obvious after hanging the rear axle was there are a bunch of extra brackets for the optional three link welded to the frame and shock mounts. I think I will be cutting them off and or filling any extra holes just to clean it up a bit.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWPy6ienI/AAAAAAAADuw/4vyPIH0wLvc/100_9389.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWMGTEaiI/AAAAAAAADuk/3YBpmL8fZDU/100_9390.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Of course to mock up the steering system, I had to install the firewall and foot boxes. I lined up the body and the firewall and trimmed and ground welds down (minimal) as necessary to have a good fit. I drilled all the holes in the aluminum, but only fastened with a few rivets as it will all come apart for paint anyway. But that set my alignment for the steering system.

I got the steering rack, column, shafts and u joints mounted. The cad drawing in the manual for the steering shafts lists the corrected shaft lengths, but the shafts I got were still the original length. I cut the shafts to the specified length on the revised cad drawing and they lined up perfectly.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWi2XMzUI/AAAAAAAADvs/HnzdKe1Mv-s/100_9493.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWiETXlzI/AAAAAAAADvo/nHyurRrw7DU/100_9492.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9495.jpg


I selected the AOD option for the transmission, but the FFR driveshaft needs to be shortened a bit. I also located an AOD tail shaft housing as the 4R70W in the Mark VIII uses a larger slip yoke.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWdzhF1XI/AAAAAAAADvU/-Fa43PvsfMk/100_9457.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWer7LEiI/AAAAAAAADvY/B0gIjVNO7dI/100_9458.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I've heard a lot of horror stories about fiberglass bodies that warped after being painted and driven a while. Since it's a good idea to post cure the glass body and FFR recommends it, I built a body buck that rolls over the top of the chassis. That way I can roll the body out when I'm working on the chassis and the body can get good exposure to the sun. Plus I can roll it indoors to protect it from any storms that pop up.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWNfmA5hI/AAAAAAAADuo/zZw0y4rztEM/100_9387.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SlqWOm9N5cI/AAAAAAAADus/ROnXtBQHmdA/100_9388.jpg


Got the driveshaft shortened and installed. Have the brake lines mostly run. I got my headers the other day (thanks Max!) so I installed the exhaust tonight. I'm welding all my brackets on instead of rivet or screwing them. Just tacking them in for now, I'll go back and finish weld them, trim and smooth later.

The exhaust is a work of art, very nice pieces. I think I want to run the exhaust out the back. Even though the LK setup is a great value, I think I want to try and do something different.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9650.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9652.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9653.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I finally started my own build website. Never did a website before so it's pretty simple, but it serves the purpose. I will probably only post highlights here from now on, but you can check my build site for more info.

http://sites.google.com/site/arrowheadshotrodsite/Home

I picked up wheels at the Syracuse Nationals and I got tires mounted from Firestone. I put them on tonight and rolled it outside for a look.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9674.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9676.jpg


I taped the body panels on the get a feel for a completed hot rod.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9682.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9683.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_9700.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I was originally going to paint chassis and suspension, so I set off to media blast everything while the weather was nice in October. Well after about 1,000#'s of media and many hours, I can to the conclusion I might go powder coat instead. Partly for the durability, but mostly I needed to concentrate on the T bird project and I had already lost a few weeks working on it ( I need to get it out of my garage for the extra work space). The added time it would take to paint everything, I could be working on the T bird making money. So I dropped it all off at the coaters to get a price first and pick out a color. I went with a candy blue over silver which added a lot of expense, but came out real nice. There were 45 parts including front and rear suspension, rear axle, drive shaft, etc. plus the frame. I got some extra powder so I can do some small parts myself that weren't ready like the rear calipers and some small brackets. Basically, every metal part will be powder coated. (on the fence with the engine and transmission)

Hopefully in another week or so the Tbird will be "flying south for the winter" and I can kick the 33 into high gear.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyBgKYI_R4I/AAAAAAAAEOk/XLrNy8TBe0Y/100_0445.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyBgKgMkQTI/AAAAAAAAEOs/m_4kFpZSgGo/100_0446.jpg

I was very nervous about the upper control arms as they are readily seen and there are the issue with the permanent ball joints. They did a great job.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyBgK4POinI/AAAAAAAAEO0/V_vMO8xOKss/100_0447.jpg


http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/arrowhead300/33%20hot%20rod/100_0448.jpg?t=1259802518


I unwrapped all the small parts the other night. They did a really good job on the powder coating. I like to do everything myself, but I have no regrets with having the powder coating done instead of painting it myself. It's candy blue over silver.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyBgLnyap0I/AAAAAAAAEPE/By-yL10nNz0/100_0522.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Things are moving along now. The T Bird project is out of my garage and I have the week off so I'm hoping to get a lot done.

I've updated my site with a bunch of new pages, but I’ll post some pic here too.

Polished and clear coated hardware

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzWAAPnJqmI/AAAAAAAAETg/8Qs2c-NbvD8/100_0411.JPG

Polished Firewall

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyjGL1XUXcI/AAAAAAAAERc/u9CqpAHaBD8/100_0529.jpg

Polished footbox

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SyjGNJxU2UI/AAAAAAAAERw/OgiMRjrSCKs/100_0533.jpg

Fuel Lines

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzV81P_kSbI/AAAAAAAAETE/9qFmM2DhDso/100_0544.jpg



Brake Lines

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzV815D8p6I/AAAAAAAAETM/3RNf5kuQ--E/100_0543.jpg

Front Suspension

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzV82cISCAI/AAAAAAAAETU/GoyjGtEE_mo/100_0557.jpg

Paint Test panels

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SveSWb9oGaI/AAAAAAAAD-k/xHmA0FH291Q/100_0383.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Had the last week off so I got to spend a lot of time in the garage. Got a lot done, but thought I would have gotten even further along.

Painted parts that couldn't be powder coated (shocks, tie rod ends, steering rack)

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzuBZFvyUlI/AAAAAAAAEUo/kx0YPTx4mUo/100_0559.jpg

Assembled Rear axle

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzuBZnJ7SuI/AAAAAAAAEUw/eddsPQxKwcQ/100_0565.jpg


Hung axle from frame

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/SzuBZTH1s-I/AAAAAAAAEUs/Eq8oHxv5jkw/100_0567.jpg


Installed brakes w/ powder coated hubs and rotors

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S0EyqinFLkI/AAAAAAAAEXI/-Itzf9BVSJk/100_0586.jpg


Installed steering rack, shafts and joints

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S0EyrmVxCII/AAAAAAAAEXQ/_Gd3Raz60lY/100_0585.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Disassembled engine and inspected

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S0EyqVVS3SI/AAAAAAAAEXE/tlD-Brx2_PU/100_0582.jpg


Got a lot done this month actually. Rear end buttoned up, just needs oil:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uisTBNAMI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/cur7rstk5vk/s512/100_0680.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uisBesADI/AAAAAAAAEZM/gGIBYOL2q9I/s512/100_0679.jpg


Finished polishing firewall and coated with Everbrite spray on coating, supposed to be good for 5 years.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uis_d2XnI/AAAAAAAAEZU/C4bQHHCJAmc/s512/100_0684.jpg

The engine had a lot of carbon buildup, so I disassembled the heads for a good cleaning and new valve seals.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uihkzk9jI/AAAAAAAAEZA/zzGVs5oSCB4/s512/100_0669.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uiiS_3ybI/AAAAAAAAEZI/2Fv5qfu-q_w/s512/100_0674.jpg

[Arrowhead]

The engine was in good shape, but I put in new rings, bearings, oil pump and of course replaced all 50 torque to yield head, main and rod bolts. No, I didn't go w/ ARP studs - that's another discussion. Finished up with epoxy / base coat / clear coat.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S1uihYIfOhI/AAAAAAAAEY8/xUxzb2-nLt0/s512/100_0677.jpg



I had intended on rebuilding the 4R70W from the Mark VIII, but all the information I was finding indicated that there are a lot of weak points in these transmissions that were corrected by later years. So I searched around and happened upon a smokin deal on a low mileage 4R from an '02 Mustang GT. So I snapped it up, threw a coat of paint on it and it should be good to go.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S2ZJ15yrbFI/AAAAAAAAEaw/MVQnwDSWYrc/s512/100_0698.jpg

Started dressing out the engine. not sure about the valve covers. I love the wrinkle powder coat, but it's kind of dark with the blue.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S2ZJ2KsC3rI/AAAAAAAAEa0/1bvjY21N6os/s512/100_0702.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Been playing around with colors for the body. I had an orange picked out, but it was a candy over silver that might be real difficult to spray. My body supply guy tried mixing up a base coat to match and it was way off. BUT, I think I like it better anyway.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S2ZJ2d0mR-I/AAAAAAAAEa4/kDKuCG1a8no/s512/100_0708.jpg

VERY rough rendering:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24ePeE_YzI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/IZPsVAsAYjs/s640/test9.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Here is the Lokar shifter replacement selector shaft on the 4R70W transmission. It's a nice piece and allows lots of adjustment.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S2eBs1fI_rI/AAAAAAAAEbU/O984uIk138c/100_0711.jpg

"Bench" bleeding the brakes

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24d9SS7eGI/AAAAAAAAEb4/Q5N43rI3GCQ/100_0715.jpg

Engine/trans ready to go in

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24d93LqNqI/AAAAAAAAEb8/1HZEvjASWgU/100_0717.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Had some of the local FFR Cobra guys interested in seeing the '33 in progress. so I setup a "garage night" and bunch came over. Figured with all the hands, we could set the drive train in place.

Thanks to everyone for lending a hand.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24d-yaKSoI/AAAAAAAAEcE/gDgm3dp90Ro/100_0718.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24d_ZxQIwI/AAAAAAAAEcI/tKG3cKVll8o/100_0719.jpg

Just had to throw the wheels on and take a look.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S24d-ZO085I/AAAAAAAAEcA/AQ_xSMFrYLI/100_0720.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Got the exhaust installed last night. Man, it's a pretty tight fit. I'm surprised there have been no complaints of the pipes hitting the frame, I mean the engine is going to twist a little in the mounts under aggressive driving conditions - guess I'll find out.

Wasn't sure what to do about the hangers and ubolts. I just powder coated them silver except the threads and nuts.

I'm planning on running the exhaust out the back, but I’m running out the side for now for testing purposes. (Unless I get lazy and it might just stay that way ;) )

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S3IOqS-9tLI/AAAAAAAAEc8/BwLwrDALxu0/s512/100_0724.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S3IOpQsAXMI/AAAAAAAAEcw/BKwG69Ny9dA/s512/100_0725.jpg


I took a couple days at the kitchen table assembling the Megasquirt computer. Got everything put together including the relay panel and harness. It was actually easier to setup the laptop with the manual right there instead of printing the pages. This is about halfway point.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S3lv1HiyxoI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/SVekWx5VBY4/100_0727.jpg


http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S3lv1YefycI/AAAAAAAAEeU/yh8F3UA5miA/100_0729.jpg

Now the trick is to fit everything.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S4R1XHrVdqI/AAAAAAAAEgM/yFdKm8MrrN8/100_0756.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I got the emergency brake cables and lever installed. Also made up a mount for the shifter and installed it.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S4R1ZATtMbI/AAAAAAAAEgc/53d5Gn96Arw/100_0747.jpg

I had mounted the ignition coils on the back of the firewall thinking I had plenty of room. But the more I thought about it, I really want to have room for a heat and A/C unit. Plus the wires were just to bulky to run though the tunnel. I have been playing with this for the last couple days and since found a better solution. I mounted them to the front of the fire wall, but recessed so there would be enough room.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S4R1YfcJY5I/AAAAAAAAEgY/_GZ-geXhyQQ/100_0746.jpg



I relocated the coils to the front of the firewall, but recessed them so I had more room in the engine compartment. Still a tight fit, I'll probably upgrade to coil on plug at some point, but this will get me going.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuOwZs8bI/AAAAAAAAEhs/Tr85xapCdBY/100_0759.jpg


The Lokar shifter comes with a new shift shaft and an ajustable lever. The problem is it goes on the outside of the selector switch and has to be mounted in the up position. This takes away from leg room quite a bit.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuPAbPzvI/AAAAAAAAEhw/wxgiODugmtY/100_0763.jpg


I didn't like how far it stuck out so I flipped the Selector switch upside down and modified the mounting holes a bit for the bolts. Then I was able to bend the selector lever over quite a bit which opens up my leg room a lot.


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MwHKt0cvI/AAAAAAAAEiM/L8Ex1rcLU8k/100_0767.jpg


Engine harness roughed in.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuPUVwinI/AAAAAAAAEh0/BxITC0xNqmI/100_0764.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Fuel lines run

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuPwTsYXI/AAAAAAAAEh4/_BIJy-bpHuE/100_0770.jpg


Fuel tank final installed (except filler, which I think I'm going to put on the outside of the body)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuP8VhxEI/AAAAAAAAEh8/MvjGmaoN6TI/100_0771.jpg



New horn button

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuQR7XoUI/AAAAAAAAEiA/Q4UK0taAAL0/100_0772.jpg


Radiator/grille installed temporarily, it will have to come apart for the a/c condenser to be installed. Scoop is just sitting there, I have to do some modifications before I can bolt it down. Going to remote locate the TPS to keep the engine compartment clean.


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5MuQp8F8gI/AAAAAAAAEiE/ZucdPOqr4Uk/100_0775.jpg



I spent some late nights this week working on the wiring. I mounted a flip down panel for the computers and junction blocks. This will fold up even with the dash (There’s nothing I hate more than working on wiring under a dash) I still have some "loose ends" ha ha because I'm waiting for the heat & A/C unit to show up in case I have to move something.

Everything dry tested good, the engine and transmission computers are communicating with the laptop and all the sensors are operating as they should.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S5nGnx2PeTI/AAAAAAAAEjk/3Rm9769md74/100_0785.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S52MGaW6wqI/AAAAAAAAEj4/n-8zNjW8oI4/Picture%20002.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I rerouted my exhaust under the frame and out the side just to see how it looks. I think this is a viable alternative until I fabricate a rear exit exhaust, plus there are no holes in the body to deal with.

As a side note, I took the pipes off last week and flattened them down a little where they go through the frame. I just put them in a vise with a towel wrapped around them and they compressed pretty easy.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S52MGs73plI/AAAAAAAAEj8/InTzwfc5MJM/Picture%20007.jpg

I fabricated a bell crank for my throttle linkage today. Nothing is final, but it's hooked up and works good.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S52MHMHakJI/AAAAAAAAEkA/u6ph-MINqr0/Picture%20006.jpg


Had another nice day today so I rolled the chassis outside to run it a while and check everything out.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S6bN5oPsDoI/AAAAAAAAEks/B-L1-u4hSjU/100_0815.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S6bN6NVOy0I/AAAAAAAAEkw/whsfVExgMHs/100_0816.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S6bN4K5rsKI/AAAAAAAAEkc/-YjFrsgw3FU/100_0812.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S6bN3u6P_ZI/AAAAAAAAEkY/nxk6KrS5UKU/100_0811.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Here's a little better video of it running:

<object style="height: 344px; width: 425px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yxZSSwFJxxI"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yxZSSwFJxxI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></object>



I know I posted my test drive on another thread, but i'll repost it here to keep my build thread up to date:

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_cm3Vsbtbcg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_cm3Vsbtbcg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[Arrowhead]

I got the floors and tunnel installed. My kids lent a hand drilling and riviting the floors.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S6riBqD-NDI/AAAAAAAAElQ/kXHSCqo8HmU/100_0820.jpg

I had to make some modifications to the tunnel. Since I'm using a 4R70W, it's a little bigger than what the transmission tunnel was designed for. I just kept trimming the tunnel till it fit good and then fiber glassed in some bump outs where there were parts sticking out like the shifter. I also dished in the area by the throttle get more foot room.


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7JfXxrtRJI/AAAAAAAAEmM/z6e54fGwCdE/100_0823.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7iU4y1w3JI/AAAAAAAAEnE/eKRbWFrYN2o/100_0843.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7iU5fqfHaI/AAAAAAAAEnI/wn_mJY7vTn4/100_0844.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I thought I had it figured out, but after I got the A/C unit and installed it, the fold down electrical panel wouldn't fold up, it was hitting. i cut the panel to fit and rewired the harness.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7JfY-pvE0I/AAAAAAAAEmU/kespMYR7U00/100_0828.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7JfXjXmeEI/AAAAAAAAEmI/GFchCJYfkTU/100_0830.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7JfYXmcz4I/AAAAAAAAEmQ/tIEonbV1f8M/100_0826.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7Kci4q-QRI/AAAAAAAAEmg/5OgSA3kERsc/100_0841.jpg


The condenser mounting was pretty tricky. I have to put 1/2" spacers to move grille away from the radiator to have enough room for the condenser.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7iU4vFWhUI/AAAAAAAAEnA/cDj6rE0U7aM/100_0842.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Installed the body to start aligning the panels

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S7iU4UOVGMI/AAAAAAAAEm8/jKfsR2vm6Lo/100_0853.jpg



Got the passenger door installed so I rolled it out side take a look. This is first time I've seen it with the hardtop on with the body on the chassis.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S8PcWtjAceI/AAAAAAAAEog/dGXDOOwqXYc/100_0872.jpg

Fitted the roadster windshield.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S8PcfIybsHI/AAAAAAAAEos/W9AObrDd9i0/100_0886.jpg

I decided to install the gas fill on the rear deck instead of inside the trunk. It looks cleaner with it hidden away in the trunk, but there have been problems with the tanks slow filling that way unless you do major modifications to the tank. This way I don't have to worry about water getting in the trunk if it's raining and it should fill pretty quick because it's not going uphill.


http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S8PcgLoTsbI/AAAAAAAAEo4/lJeyCUnsOp4/100_0883.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Installed the gauges and A/C vents in the dash.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S8us9synVlI/AAAAAAAAEqk/6y8NVxFmcNg/100_0903.jpg

I got everything mounted for my DMV pictures (bumpers, wiper, mirrors, backup light, visors, license plate light, etc.) Had to add a couple of front directional as FFR couldn't provide me with any SAE numbers for the built in ones.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S87Sg9pIyDI/AAAAAAAAErI/QBQpy0QO0cE/100_0917.jpg


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S87SgFf2Z1I/AAAAAAAAErA/RImN_4nYePY/100_0908.jpg


Well after a 3 month detour, I have actually gotten back to having fun working on the hot rod. I don't want to clog this build thread down with the saga, but here are the threads recounting the travesty of loosing the engine to DMV:

http://ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249351

http://ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250888

http://ffcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252748

[Arrowhead]

One of the things I was on the fence about was the truck lid, the curvature just wasn't right. It didn't meet the bottom of the bottom of the opening correctly and the latch attachment was weak.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S9a8_QY05-I/AAAAAAAAEtM/4tAD5J-7W3A/100_0949.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/S9a8_OW1lPI/AAAAAAAAEtI/dFyWWbBxslo/100_0950.jpg




I took the trunk lid and made some cuts to the inner shell so it would flex better. I used some tie downs to hold the curvature in place and adjust it to where I wanted it and then fiber glassed the cuts. Now the lid fits perfect and will need minimal filler work. I also fiber glassed in a length of 3/8" square tubing to the back side of the lower trunk. This helps stiffens where the latch attaches and was also able to pull that area in a bit so it meets the trunk lid better.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobe1HJSII/AAAAAAAAFHc/yfTdKFatazY/100_1476.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobdgS3v6I/AAAAAAAAFHQ/knAKRbE26sM/100_1485.jpg



Make sure you have the trunk seal installed before you do anything, it makes a huge difference how it lines up.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobhnF5PaI/AAAAAAAAFH0/e-CJ_K-UiEs/100_1483.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobhyB1AMI/AAAAAAAAFH4/FGMAoalLOD4/100_1484.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobhFWbY7I/AAAAAAAAFHw/zBoB1NgJpJ4/100_1482.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I'm using early Corvette tail lights, so I cut away the old recesses, glassed over the holes and made recesses for the new lights with paint cans.


Old light sockets cut out and backed up with cardboard and wax paper
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobd0HSEHI/AAAAAAAAFHU/Q14oY6g8v5M/100_1474.jpg


First of three fiberglass layers
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobeAcijfI/AAAAAAAAFHY/nrAcr18pLfU/100_1475.jpg


Holes cut for paint cans and bonded in place front and back
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobgghLWQI/AAAAAAAAFHo/ZI-bzouEk_s/100_1479.jpg


Excess cut away and lenses mocked up
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFobg3H7ntI/AAAAAAAAFHs/W_1Y8eryFak/100_1481.jpg


Got the bodywork around the tail lights in fair shape and spayed some rattle can flat just to cover the filler work. Finished off with the LED lights.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFzAgv5R5GI/AAAAAAAAFIE/lJNJx8BKfPs/100_1489.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TFzAg80vdtI/AAAAAAAAFII/rkAqNlf6pZw/100_1486.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Got to do some cruisin in the hot rod. Took it to a big cruise last Monday night, over 1,000 cars show up every month. Had a great time and had a lot of interest in the car. Maybe have the blower on it for next month????

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TGCktYslB4I/AAAAAAAAFJg/17QBjCTU1cg/100_1530.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TGCktrEavKI/AAAAAAAAFJk/rdOejoPNhzE/100_1531.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TGCkvOwlKQI/AAAAAAAAFJ0/eS94IPOnlM4/100_1535.jpg


I lost a bunch of custom parts with the DMV fiasco for the blower setup, so I've had to reacquire and custom make the parts again. I have just about everything I need now. It's not ready yet, probably another week or so, but here's a sneak peek of the drivers view with hard top on. It actually doesn't stick up as high as I thought it would.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/THHD-HaghLI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/5Cf6SbSA-vc/100_1551.jpg


I've had the blower on for a couple weeks and got some of the bugs worked out. Still have a lot of work to finish the car, but it's drivable and I have about 500 miles on it. It's to the point where I can jump in and go.


I drove it Fri & Sat about 45 miles each way to the Adirondack Nationals in Lake George NY. Beautiful setting and lots of cars and people. I'm probably not going to do much more to it for a while. I have another car to work on until I can get back to work on the '33. Body work and paint and lots of little detail stuff left to do. Hopefully it will be really done by next summer so I can enjoy it.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TIz1LPQBNNI/AAAAAAAAFSk/NnAJ7XS61t0/10%20adirondack%20nats%20038.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TIz1LmlA7MI/AAAAAAAAFSo/6RDcppgW31w/10%20adirondack%20nats%20040.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TIz1LyKF1UI/AAAAAAAAFSs/x6kBsA8oKOI/10%20adirondack%20nats%20056.jpg

[Olli]

Great job in posting your build.

Olli

[geoffav]

Haha, I remember the temp bumper posts. That was sad and funny at once.

Good start George. What's the story behind "Arrowhead"???

[UpstateCobraGuy]

Haha, I remember the temp bumper posts. That was sad and funny at once.

Good start George. What's the story behind "Arrowhead"???

He's a HUGE Kansas City Chief's Fan!!! :D:D

[Arrowhead]

Haha, I remember the temp bumper posts. That was sad and funny at once.

Good start George. What's the story behind "Arrowhead"???

Actually I've had a lot of hobbies over the years like ATV's, snowmobiles, archery and I had different handles for each. I got Arrowhead on the archery forum and decided I'd let it stick no matter what forum I was on. Unless your on an archery forum, not many people use Arrowhead :)

[Arrowhead]

He's a HUGE Kansas City Chief's Fan!!! :D:D

Ugh! I thought you new I was a sport illiterate?

[geoffav]

Actually I've had a lot of hobbies over the years like ATV's, snowmobiles, archery and I had different handles for each. I got Arrowhead on the archery forum and decided I'd let it stick no matter what forum I was on. Unless your on an archery forum, not many people use Arrowhead :)

I'm glad it won't something embarrassing. :cool:

[UpstateCobraGuy]

Ugh! I thought you new I was a sport illiterate?

I kid because I care!!!:D:D:D

[geoffav]

I kid because I care!!!:D:D:D

Well actually if it had been something embarrassing that would have been funnier. I care too. :D

[Arrowhead]

Well I finally finished up the Thunderbird I was working on for my friend. It took a bit longer than I thought, but it turned out really good and we were both very happy with it. So now the hot rod is back in the garage and I've started to do some body work. It's already the end of April so there's not much time to get every thing done I wanted to. It would be nice to have it painted by summer though but it's not looking good.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TZpBQ4KHjMI/AAAAAAAAGPw/N4JJEqVabCo/IMG_6488.jpg

One of the issues I have is the Factory Five hood hinge design wouldn't work with the super charger sticking through the hood. The hood slides forward several inches and then flips forward. Theres not enough room under the cowl area to do a regular type hinge setup, so I have been thinking of a hinge that would attach to the firewall. I came up with an articulating hinge setup that allows it to swing up and away. It works pretty good, but it was a lot of work to get the hood reinforced to handle the stress - especially with the giant hole in it. I origianlly started w/ strips of cardboard and stick pins on the kitchen table just to see how a hinge like this would work. Then I made a mockup out of paint stir sticks with lots of holes in them and used rivets as hinge pins. That allowed me to switch the pivot points around until I got the hinge action I needed.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUOAM33CI/AAAAAAAAGYo/6Qcyzfh0QOo/100_2236.jpg


Then I made prototype out of some scrap aluminum just to verify the pivot points before I made the final product.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUOFAbwCI/AAAAAAAAGYs/lRIRaJZEYmE/100_2238.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUOk0BpmI/AAAAAAAAGY0/iC2iWmn2r4Q/100_2240.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I got aluminum bar stock, angle, shoulder bolts and spacers. The curved piece I hogged out of a chunk of 1/2" aluminum I had laying around.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUPXD9EaI/AAAAAAAAGZA/QvpQfPV5pK0/100_2243.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUPusYttI/AAAAAAAAGZI/T_ngslSmAME/100_2244.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUQCQav2I/AAAAAAAAGZQ/BoimOw2u904/100_2247.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUQn4bZEI/AAAAAAAAGZc/5wJbm7rsEt4/100_2250.jpg

I added mounts to the frame to anchor the struts. It works pretty good but it took a lot work.

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HftniNR3JM?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HftniNR3JM?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

[Arrowhead]

When I had bolted on the roadster windshield and then hardtop, I noticed the cowl was being warped becuase the bottom of the hard top and the roadster windshield frame weren't the same curvature as the cowl. This could lead to cracking of the fiberglass as there would be stress on the fiberglass where the bolts were. Also, you could see the top of the cowl was "dished" between the bolts because of the stress. I had to do some reshaping anyway beciuse of the hood modifications, so I built up the area w/ duraglass. I didn't want it super thick, so I spent a lot of time shaping the hardtop so it fit as tight as possible before adding filler. It was pretty tricky as the shape of the hardtop and the aluminum windshield frame are a little different. If I got the hard top to fit good, the roadster frame was off and vice versa. I finally got it narrowed down to where they both fit very good and here will be no distortion when I bolt either of them on. This how they sit in thier natural state without tightening the nuts on the studs.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TbzLtPTJaII/AAAAAAAAGcw/fvHvYJU3J8k/100_2290.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TbzLsoF9vHI/AAAAAAAAGck/j8izSsnlsjM/100_2291.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TbzLsqlYV3I/AAAAAAAAGcs/ZJyELPs6Uwc/100_2287.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TbzLsmh-zZI/AAAAAAAAGco/CJTgyvmhHJc/100_2288.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Been working a lot on the bodywork, big push to hopefully get the bodywork and paint done before summer is over.

Even though the exterior bodyline lines up perfectly, the area where the door and cowl meet need some work - on both doors.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TcMzOtJh21I/AAAAAAAAGdM/SwCQB--FyQo/100_2296.jpg

I had solved my grille/sidepanel/hood alignment problems a little different than most. I pie sliced the leg of the body and brought it up to where the other panels were sitting. A little fiberglass and it saved me a lot of fooling around w/ the side panels and nose cone.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTydJeP-bI/AAAAAAAAGeE/tWEUR4EDKbM/100_2310.jpg

I've spent some time getting the gaps around the grille as consistent as possible.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTynrdNVFI/AAAAAAAAGeM/jNLPtMiFLec/100_2322.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTyn3DkpCI/AAAAAAAAGeU/XNqR6iYhXqM/100_2324.jpg

Last year I was kind of hasty in getting everything put together as I had lost 3 months because of the DMV hassle. So I needed to go back and tighten up some of the panel gaps.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTyoqeECdI/AAAAAAAAGeg/j-G0_cYk9dM/100_2327.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdcJMVyo2qI/AAAAAAAAGhA/-u7L7BcDf0g/100_2339.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Better now

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTyoA1HZtI/AAAAAAAAGeY/Er2Aq9jQfWk/100_2325.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTyoIysB3I/AAAAAAAAGec/NdbdlTO9Xlw/100_2326.jpg

I thought the panels were pretty good until I really started to feel them and I was noticing a lot of highs and lows. The doors in particular are not curved very smoothly from top to bottom around middle.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdTynntPRkI/AAAAAAAAGeQ/3YZICpvglos/102_2334.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdcJM3uXmgI/AAAAAAAAGhI/b8Ac1wtCUtU/100_2342.jpg

I've tried to make the transitions from the door to the body nice and smooth. I had to feather the transitions quite a ways to make them flow. The curvature of the doors and the body don't always match either so that helps. The area around the wheel wells was pretty lumpy also

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdcJNPA9DLI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/Rrv5VMaARgA/100_2344.jpg

The trunk also needed a lot of smoothing

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TdcJNBZq7iI/AAAAAAAAGhM/qKMuuWFpnQs/100_2343.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I reconfigured the transition from the doors to the cowl so they line up better. It was a lot of work because there are no straight edges and it's hard to block sand. I also filled in the holes I had made for the inside door handles since they didn't work very good and I have a different idea for the interior door handles.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BzR9c-vdChw/TeWc-kDS-sI/AAAAAAAAGnE/_KMh9Hccp_8/100_2362.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-97BMhzKcDps/TeWc9INX29I/AAAAAAAAGmk/4tvaVAvWojY/100_2353.jpg




I also finished off the rear of the doors a little different so there is a smoother thansition from the door to the jamb.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-b20Ml40mlB0/TeWc9Pkq35I/AAAAAAAAGmo/ANoV7gggLp4/100_2355.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtajEPn_qJk/TeWc9rMfsLI/AAAAAAAAGms/oeEA5GW2wXA/100_2356.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5oI2VX6Njv8/TeWc9nVHqGI/AAAAAAAAGmw/KmHXCPjZdPM/100_2357.jpg



Since the top of the doors and the cowl didn't line up very well, I had to reform that area too.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mlvQ7dFMYis/TeWc-a48uqI/AAAAAAAAGnA/8STzS5SLkec/100_2360.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AOJ99uqThEw/TeWc9LEozpI/AAAAAAAAGmg/OPAhSjv6rE0/100_2354.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Finally got the body off the chassis. My son helped me out and reconfigured the cart so it would hold the body up in the air without anything sticking out on the sides.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E0xg5GeqmI0/TeWc-hXQXgI/AAAAAAAAGnI/il-N8fNjeO8/100_2363.jpg


This is the first time I've ssen the completed chassis with the blower on the engine. It's pretty dusty but it will clean up fine with the pressure washer.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZLWkwGpJlIc/TeWc_r95CUI/AAAAAAAAGnU/32enOXmLTek/100_2365.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ehkxGAZPSQU/TeWc_nnNgpI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/wb9vshjFhsA/100_2366.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3DPAY2euUPA/TeWc8hnrdNI/AAAAAAAAGmU/FjGSQuRQd_k/100_2368.jpg


I finally got to a point where I could shoot some primer. I didn't have all the panels ready, but I needed a break from doing filler work.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gK4lkkkq3dA/TehBczKRwUI/AAAAAAAAGoA/dS7MSqqNEn4/2011-06-02_15-42-20_583.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CuW_l_b33ZA/TehBc4AIMdI/AAAAAAAAGoE/wxWGgyj6-_I/2011-06-02_15-42-33_456.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fwIqb33Lj94/TehBdQUUdsI/AAAAAAAAGoM/-gy-XInmX-I/2011-06-02_15-42-43_134.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I've spent a lot of time on the hood reinforcing it and making it work with the firewall mounted hinges. The unerside took a bit of smoothing because of that.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wClawG7IsEE/TeWc_A7gCeI/AAAAAAAAGnM/x-XfsI2zXtM/100_2364.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I spent a lot of tim getting the filler work blocked pretty smooth so hopefully the primer blocking will go well. I put on three good coats of high build primer so there should be enough on there to get it nice and smooth.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coPogvob1eQ/TehBdYqxfBI/AAAAAAAAGoQ/TkENyla1qL0/2011-06-02_20-08-18_932.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YqTB2mhtVog/TehBdk2kUGI/AAAAAAAAGoU/rtjET0UK-Ms/2011-06-02_20-08-40_9.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jF1v0PjoNyk/TehBd_aS5vI/AAAAAAAAGoY/WVe8IycOu38/2011-06-02_20-08-46_485.jpg


One thing that disturbs me is the rough finish on the inside of the side panels. I know no one will see it, but I just don't like rough finish of the backside of the fiberglass. So I thought I'd try an experiment. I ground down the surface w/ a flap wheel. Not too much, just to knock off the high spots and the fiberglass pattern. Then I sprayed a few heavy coats of slick sand. I let that cure and see how it sands and if it's comes out smooth enough, I'll paint the backsides bodycolor.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YRU9ZBJnn8k/TeWc2Jya4pI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/04qCWXH6pPU/2011-05-25_21-20-21_656.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-hYM1qdu941E/TehBdHlfBvI/AAAAAAAAGoI/F2aR3Xd0w-I/2011-06-02_21-54-24_310.jpg

[Olli]

You can spray some 3M rocker guard to cover the fiberglass texture. Then spray your color/clear. Trust me, it looks good on the visble back sides of the panels.

Olli

[Arrowhead]

Thanks Olli, I have done that before and didn;t think to use it here. I think I'll try it.

[Arrowhead]

I set the body and panels out in th sun to get a good look and found lots of pinholes. Some from the filler, but a lot were in the fiberglass where the gel coat had been sanded through. I spent almost a whole day filling the pin holes and sanding smooth again.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-mxRi4lxW-l8/TfQouxGoYII/AAAAAAAAGvM/h-dVYcGHC84/2011-06-03_10-36-30_958.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-j8qofrnlrd8/TfQou9V4XiI/AAAAAAAAGvU/_ENLu0oRIFU/2011-06-03_10-36-45_805.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HVLyYiM4RlI/TfQou-fO08I/AAAAAAAAGvQ/b4wzQwvnVzk/s1600/2011-06-03_14-52-41_787.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zdqpvv7QuEU/TfQovb29czI/AAAAAAAAGvY/8t2RXh3KmRQ/s1600/2011-06-03_14-52-28_885.jpg

Got the body and the panels block sanded, need to do the hard top, hood sides and nose cone yet.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uJRjo_Iq8ow/TfLFBGf2KvI/AAAAAAAAGsk/PZ2aaexi4eQ/2011-06-10_17-49-52_17.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-d3YZz2hVDXE/TfLFBqphPxI/AAAAAAAAGss/PLzHOK7BCZE/2011-06-10_17-49-43_328.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9fK7fytUAD0/TfLFB963aJI/AAAAAAAAGsw/KIxaE1Mjf20/2011-06-10_17-50-07_891.jpg

[Arrowhead]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yVMZorZagIQ/TfLFB8ew-UI/AAAAAAAAGs0/2aXsk058zl4/s1600/2011-06-10_17-50-21_163.jpg


The bottom edge of the hardtop had a lot of large voids that had to be filled.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SeYWnxBz2JU/TfLFCAUeyzI/AAAAAAAAGs4/AkBJ49G2huY/2011-06-10_17-50-41_639.jpg


One thing I didn't like was how large the flange was around the edge of the door opening. It wasn't cut straight anyway so I took the opportunity to cut the edge down so the gasket would sit up close to the body.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-pZWOGghGtIg/TfLFCtU_tHI/AAAAAAAAGtA/h0R3w35kLk8/s1600/2011-06-10_17-56-26_780.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ISlpSNEyP7Y/TfLFDAOUdKI/AAAAAAAAGtE/eWlihMukE48/2011-06-10_18-02-21_129.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-unoLWv7FmXg/TfLFBZV4b0I/AAAAAAAAGso/blOGfOgKS2k/2011-06-10_18-06-28_361.jpg


I had already started smoothing over the seams on the hard top. I finally got serious and tried blocking with the long sanding boards. The more I added filler and sanded, the worse it got. It was very decieving as the top panel seemed smooth, but it was almost cupped down the center. It didn't have any curvature, it was mostly flat if not too low. So I had to skim coat the whole top and work the panel to build up the center so it had a nice curvature from side to side.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7iplI9siXGk/TfQkDnjGtZI/AAAAAAAAGuc/SnQWia-4nKo/s1600/2011-06-10_22-00-15_479.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YRNTYVDhuTY/TfQkDpn3gfI/AAAAAAAAGug/qIPAT6ckWRg/2011-06-10_22-23-55_324.jpg

[Arrowhead]

After finally getting the shape I wanted and filling a lot of little imperfections, it was ready for primer. I was able to prime the hood sides and nose cone too. Even then, there are a lot of pinholes to fix.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ZXp1ouKO-KI/TfQkELQgP1I/AAAAAAAAGuo/R-lCfoK_Bts/s1600/2011-06-11_18-26-09_989.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BSMIhrt3VAE/TfQkDtG33NI/AAAAAAAAGuk/8Q_DEdMSnfE/2011-06-11_22-06-41_553.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Pulled the body off again for another round of primer and blocking. Everything was in real good shape, but with that many sand throughs, it needed another couple of coats. Oddly enough, with the removable hard top, there are quite a few panels to paint and it's tricky to get everything setup up so there is room to move around,and that's with no fenders.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xw7tCoLxTtM/Tf6iq12zcSI/AAAAAAAAG0A/Z2RldE4GM8E/s640/2011-06-19_09-53-34_598.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OG4Nh9xLFXo/Tf6iY_ATBCI/AAAAAAAAG0E/bmc6dLt1ubM/s576/2011-06-19_09-52-50_144.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-X5K9BoXLtc8/Tf6iwtI0_SI/AAAAAAAAG2Y/af8Ulor3WJQ/s640/2011-06-19_09-53-42_23.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I block sanded again and I just sprayed two coats of reduced epoxy on as a sealer. Since I'm using a metallic base, I'll wet sand the epoxy w/ 600. Maybe get some color on this weekend????

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QXoHELCt-Hg/TgPvsbi-cKI/AAAAAAAAG44/5sixflNpTLY/000_0080.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xVyeJzwLQiY/TgPvu1vRLhI/AAAAAAAAG48/Ml_wfx5RJRg/000_0082.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Wet sanding the epoxy was a drag, took a lot of elbow grease. But I got it all sanded, cleaned the garage, put plastic up and seal up around the doors. Got 4 coats of color on, the silver was slow to cover, need to clear coat tonight.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GRk96Pr8OJg/TgfzTOEI_PI/AAAAAAAAG7U/k97MmbYSzaA/s640/2011-06-26_19-15-52_543.jpg

This is the first coat so it's a little blotchy, but after four coats it's pretty even. You can't tell from the picture, but it's really bright mettalic silver.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y-fG-qZ73Qg/TgfzVk06U-I/AAAAAAAAG7Y/Vi-cZYKSaxg/s576/2011-06-26_19-16-17_426.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Got everything clear coated last night. Came out pretty good but had a few runs, no big deal. Very little orange peel so I'm happy.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-TSQ_NWZEU/TgkYO7Ei5II/AAAAAAAAG8g/PjzixdlbZ3I/s576/2011-06-27_19-08-15_850.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CmUSHqStuOI/TgkYVM8eUcI/AAAAAAAAG8k/Wcf8ZRhutiI/s640/2011-06-27_19-08-33_916.jpg


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oCnCEKK20Yg/TgkzGFaIctI/AAAAAAAAG9k/gzN6ct9Fod8/s576/2011-06-27_21-42-56_703.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HVUL3060uMg/TgkzKL6KEnI/AAAAAAAAG9o/05S5e1WGPiw/s576/2011-06-27_21-43-04_629.jpg

[Arrowhead]

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lHihSn9UUc4/TgkzPind8-I/AAAAAAAAG9s/w1GwUpSXeeg/s640/2011-06-27_21-43-21_187.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MRtRwSUimhU/Tgkzaec5FlI/AAAAAAAAG90/XI8sh89jCDY/s576/2011-06-27_21-44-09_249.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FW9WjqIZOpk/TgkzeGn3d0I/AAAAAAAAG94/JPJj27OQUec/s576/2011-06-27_21-44-27_160.jpg


https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S44JNIgpMcg/TgkziqyjetI/AAAAAAAAG98/kMkOwO6VcUM/s576/2011-06-27_21-44-36_196.jpg

[Jeff Collins]

Looking good, almost there, sand, buff, sand buff. Nice job!

[Arrowhead]

Thanks, luckily I upgaded to a DA w/ 1500 and 3000 sanding discs so that will take some of the pain out of it.

[Scott Meyer]

Great results! Metallic Silver is a tough color to get even (I used a Honda Metallic Silver on my roadster).

[Olli]

That looks great!

Olli

[ClemsonS197]

Looks great. Can't wait to see it in the sunlight.

[geoffav]

Great job. I liked it in primer so this is going to be over the top when done.

[5speed]

looking great.

[riptide motorsport]

Very nice, I feel all warm inside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sweet color.

[Arrowhead]

Got the loose ends finished up on the chassis and most of the body parts sanded and buffed so it was time to put the body shell on.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cxRtt-RBiQY/ThJbylfMwnI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/nJYosUhFHKA/s640/2011-07-02_16-06-33_612.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lWO8tKV1CJQ/ThJcE-y8EZI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/HPkQCjYEsI0/s640/2011-07-02_17-34-15_790.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-DMtrXU6aUX8/ThJcJ_aj7uI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/Zg2zuGtepCY/s640/2011-07-02_17-34-31_779.jpg

I broke the front suspension down to install the new suspension bolts and to cut he rear lower control arm so I could get less caster.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AoBya93mAzo/ThJcPQ9juYI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/BLl71YxI5XE/s640/2011-07-03_08-32-21_897.jpg


I took a different approach with the insulation and used the foil faced bubble wrap type insulation - I have my reasons and it's not all about price.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_0JgF_d5M_o/ThJcVCxIi6I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/hOULcfgNhVE/s640/2011-07-03_20-58-03_355.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1J6kV4sUOpg/ThJcaagb1oI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/41DELZbUHfg/s640/2011-07-03_20-58-09_63.jpg



https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_0JgF_d5M_o/ThJcVCxIi6I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/hOULcfgNhVE/s640/2011-07-03_20-58-03_355.jpg

[Arrowhead]

One cool thing I figured out was the A/C vents unscrew so you can attach the tubing to the vent and then stick it though the hole in the dash from he back and then screw the face plate on. Makes it a lot easier than trying to push the duct on with the vent already installed.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H1pqMvPnqDg/ThJcf2byLXI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/1Gz6Hz1ogI4/s640/2011-07-04_08-22-23_291.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JxXVOVAVC4M/ThJckC9ciWI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/y26X8--PY3M/s640/2011-07-04_08-22-47_985.jpg

Installed the carpet and boots.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xlnmO3tWeIw/ThJdkq_fL3I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/NS3Zh-JqRcU/s640/2011-07-04_18-03-07_460.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7HGEpWW9JUo/ThJdomWqWoI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/gDWazP5F_DM/s640/2011-07-04_18-03-13_726.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sml7ZCcje9U/ThJdxZTuXOI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/OILRcK7TR2M/s640/2011-07-04_18-03-36_308.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Installed the door panels and used "Neat Knobs" from Watson Street works for the interior latch. After messing with the cable setup, I came up with a rod setup that connects the exterior handle directly to the latch. It work pretty slick and is fully adjustable. The only issue now is I have to push down really hard on the interior knob to release the latch. I'm also not sure if the rod setup will clear the windows when I install them so I might have to change it around again.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--zO3cdgAQyc/Thr2qWiWOTI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/NCKc6LJo7wA/s576/2011-07-09_17-38-44_629.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jMwgDuh-MW8/Thr2sW-eCvI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/W-L_7EuyPsA/s576/2011-07-09_17-39-04_401.jpg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BHbWqK_0z4Q/Thb_JdRR3QI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/8WkMYBwLmpQ/s576/2011-07-07_22-35-56_958.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rY5hwLHhyDk/Thb_JrWPZbI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/mNLZDyj6eIc/s576/2011-07-07_22-36-29_448.jpg


My solution for the poor fitting water fall was to just cut it off and trim it with windlace.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ORUkQNXgFnk/Thb_J0y5RhI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/cZR2t7UX5zw/s576/2011-07-07_22-36-13_869.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I wanted to install the roll bar but wasn't sure how to go about drilling the holes. I think towman posted something about taping around the outline of the rollbar and then using the hole in the tape as a template to locate the holes in the waterfall. I put the rollbar in place and taped around the holes. I removed the roll bar and then carefully slid the waterfall into place without disturbing the tape. Then I could sight down inside the tape and draw the hole locations on the water fall and cut them out. Worked pretty good.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MhiHjRKpxoE/Thr2QVIyIiI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/BecJN_q6jjU/s576/2011-07-08_20-17-50_835.jpg

I remeber reading or hearing that you should paint the flange black where the glass sits or the body color will show through so I taped it off and did that.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ev3el8yf0Vk/Thr2ToGmhjI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/LRC89l_URb4/s576/2011-07-09_09-20-32_455.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jRHOPmPY6m8/Thr2Vn3HFjI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/Al7hSad-hhI/s576/2011-07-09_09-20-45_123.jpg


I also made a headliner out of regular auto headliner material and 1/4" poster board. I used velcro to hold it up and I think it came out pretty good. I make a pattern out of paper and then transferred it to the posterboard. Then I used 1/4" tape to make the outline smaller so there would be room for the headliner material to wrap around the board.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7jSDBxWd8RY/Thr2X9QIhfI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/Y4KP4Qz1mpw/s576/2011-07-09_09-30-00_358.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JCZCLwr1U0k/Thr2cYoU1KI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/OF1Bii1YTmU/s576/2011-07-09_09-41-07_912.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QrELviFKK9k/Thr2g0IPD5I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/uRGMIlLJ2ss/s576/2011-07-09_11-08-08_630.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ceipSIkVh5o/Thr2i88JtcI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/6QThX5wsmI0/s576/2011-07-09_11-09-35_511.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Redneck powder coating.

I had not sent the rollbar out for powder coating when I had the chassis done, can't remember why now. But now I had to either powder coat it, paint it or cover it with some thing. I tried covering it with the extra black vinyl that came with the kit, but that turned out horrible. I could have painted it, but that would be process of sanding, priming, blue base, blue candy and clear - it's a formula I had worked out that matches the powder coat color.

It was too big to fit in my oven so power coat at home was out - or was it? I know from powder coating a bunch of small parts that the powder actaully will melt at a pretty low temperature. So I had a redneck moment and got out my torches. Now the powdr is flamable so you can't have an open flame around - but if I can preheat the part, shut off the flame, than I can spray the powder.

So I took about 15 minutes with my torch and heated up the bar evenly to about 200 degrees. I shut the torch off and quick grabbed my powder gun loaded with silver, dusted it on and sure enough it melted right down. I then swapped the blue in quick and dusted that on and it melted just fine too. It didn't flow out nice and smooth, it has more orange peel texture than if it was in an oven, but it looks fine and I'm happy with it.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yNeKQ2zDv5o/Thr2uN_jhhI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/X-xnxkpjHZw/s576/2011-07-09_23-03-30_285.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I got the hood and side panels mounted so I roleld it outside and stuck the roadster windshield on for a couple of pictures. I think the hard top will be let on most of the time so I figured I see what it looks like with out it.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zJea04ROtw8/Thr21UZjUuI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/-nwLuqvfoCk/s576/2011-07-10_16-01-38_727.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ULkQt-FnvmA/Thr234JxNhI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/vUkBQWT4n3w/s576/2011-07-10_16-01-56_558.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qsZYD4W2ZhY/Thr2_XM-OnI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/rRj2gSIgfSM/s576/2011-07-10_16-04-00_80.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-AjpMJuxG21I/Thr3B3gKypI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/vd0nMWFKxhU/s576/2011-07-10_16-04-09_437.jpg


Still had to sand and buff the hardtop, that was a lot of work.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mKYYePwzbs4/Thr3MqqWb0I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/j-K9A6wkVYY/s576/2011-07-10_17-23-27_152.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Got it done just in time to make a big local cruise in. Still have a few loose ends t owrap up. Need to install the side windows, final connect the A/C hose and charge and run the exhaust out the rear. Have a few paint blemishes to touch up also. I had a pretty elaborate flame job planned but now I'm not so sure.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Of03yVXkNvE/Thuo778uy8I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/jNfRNZKUM0o/s576/2011-07-11_14-44-40_3.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s_SLdGDJ-Po/ThupBJp9JVI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/m3x0D5GgE9o/s576/2011-07-11_14-44-50_6.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--5Fu4wPkt3Y/ThupGRgCjAI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/lmK24wkViPU/s576/2011-07-11_14-45-00_709.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XrTTutV8cro/ThupZON0btI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/U6u8ZM5irxI/s576/2011-07-11_14-45-44_870.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5U_7XWMS8fc/ThupfHjps5I/AAAAAAAAHHQ/EaMi6ScU3fU/s576/2011-07-11_14-46-00_810.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ferX8DPAnE0/ThupkO8QTdI/AAAAAAAAHHQ/qX0ZVXO1iEw/s576/2011-07-11_14-46-09_639.jpg

[Racer 28]

Looks Great love the blower!! Drive it and fix things as you see them or when they come up!!!

[timdks]

Awesome.

[DaveBoyd]

That thing turned out SWEET!!! Good Job!

[blacktavert]

looks great, love the blue frame

[Arrowhead]

Thanks, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Have a few loose ends to finish up though.

A couple weeks before I was done, I heard Factory Five was looking for a customers car for the Good Guys Columbus show. I contacted them and told them I would not be done in time, but I was planning being at the Syracuse Nationals if they needed a car for that show. They contacted me a week later and said they would like to have it at thier booth so we made the arrangements and I drove it the 3 hrs to Syracuse and it was on display for the whole show. They were a great bunch and I had an awesome time.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wDkmKlaFc68/TiWu2-VHK1I/AAAAAAAAHR8/yJ0WPrpcQdg/s576/2011-07-14_19-58-41_337.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pV5_PP8hzWA/TiWu27xN4GI/AAAAAAAAHR8/1jowx4d213k/s576/2011-07-14_19-59-43_596.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BAzVGx2Irrk/TiWu2-zR3EI/AAAAAAAAHR8/AQWExPsgzZE/s576/2011-07-15_17-13-12_276.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yr3PLr2SoLw/TiWu2_Edi4I/AAAAAAAAHR8/1Z6gOx9F0pQ/s576/2011-07-15_15-50-30_849.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_rckcEkfbiQ/TiWu22A0FqI/AAAAAAAAHR8/u4piQWMj52w/s576/2011-07-16_14-56-26_463.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Wow, been almost a year since I updated this thread - and a lot has happened. Even though the build is "done", I still have a bunch of things to finish up. I had every intention of tearing it down over the winter, but it kind of made a detour.

After the Syracuse show last summer, FFR seemed to take a liking to how I built the car and wanted to take it to another show - the SEMA show in Las Vegas!!!!!!!!! There were some things I really wanted to do to spruce it up, so I spent the month of October getting it ready.

The engine compartment was looking a little sad, so I pulled it apart and got new polished pullies and painted the engine.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CU1TTKD1mOM/Ts5kRWJUd3I/AAAAAAAAInU/P40DUo2XVoo/s640/2011-09-24_11-02-50_963.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z0_hA3GCUTc/Ts5qwoQcRGI/AAAAAAAAIpM/kecEgItr0oA/s640/2011-10-12_19-26-35_263.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xqTmNRHWZ8E/Tq3k_XTnLPI/AAAAAAAAIAU/NZhww_Um2bw/s640/2011-10-15_11-43-52_749.jpg

[Arrowhead]

The hood hinges I made worked out great, but I never had time to finish them. They were just kind of raw aluminum and I wanted to clean them up. I drilled them out to add a little detail and then polished them.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0V_onVq4RSA/TawUPusYttI/AAAAAAAAGZI/4fWBlK_y3MY/s600/100_2244.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9CZnJLz3a2Q/Tq3knl8Lp6I/AAAAAAAAH_0/fCKu2zPkrYI/s640/2011-10-15_11-43-20_411.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4leJ1EapDjw/Tq3kho9OzBI/AAAAAAAAH_s/dzQDbqCe-aU/s576/2011-10-15_11-43-14_280.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xmEs_4bnF-w/Tq3lLb_VQ7I/AAAAAAAAIAc/TG_FMwvOaIo/s576/2011-10-15_13-00-54_604.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z11EL6Ys6UI/T7JM3fvypQI/AAAAAAAAK80/NhQ_6xFV5xc/s640/2012-05-11_14-14-24_894.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sWrIHLdkUKk/T7JNEm8a1mI/AAAAAAAAK88/Ske3_dPP9DQ/s640/2012-05-11_14-14-42_641.jpg

I also added the polished CNC resivoirs on the firewall.

[Arrowhead]

All polished up and ready to go.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ihHB6eO-VW4/TqAOTKs5qmI/AAAAAAAAH5o/iiPSSq-fO4w/s640/2011-10-19_20-12-20_721.jpg

Here it is at the FFR showroom ready to go to SEMA.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q7PbimKv07Q/Tq3mqovwdII/AAAAAAAAICk/udWdovB1OUI/s576/robitaille1.jpg


It was in this spot in the Ford racing area for the whole week. The show was awesome and got to meet a bunch of fellow FFR builders.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sYYzTw2flSA/Ts-_r5VyfNI/AAAAAAAAIpY/I5kmBd5zVFY/s576/2011-11-03_17-50-54_731.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-0OHKDeFVSfw/T7JXS4oKeYI/AAAAAAAAK9s/ec_67Hh_be8/s576/33%252520Builders%252520at%2525202011%252520SEMA.j pg


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HvwYyIgbnV0/Ts_BPf9AmaI/AAAAAAAAIpw/cjaKwf2Q64U/s640/2011-11-03_10-16-26_507.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-k9iwsiFTitg/Ts_B16oR8AI/AAAAAAAAIp4/6eBpKc4y_7M/s640/2011-11-03_13-42-56_448.jpg





On the way back from Vegas, they stopped off in the Nevada desert for a photo shoot. Pretty cool.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZNb9xGYiI8o/Ts_WDvZmCaI/AAAAAAAAIqQ/87nyYrcA28s/s576/DSC_2795.jpg

[Arrowhead]

If that wasn't awesome enough, they called me when I got back home and aksed "would you be ok with us sending it on tour with World of Wheels?" Well yaa!

It went to ten shows from November to March.

Houston

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1JHJh4Cms28/T7JMHB-XpnI/AAAAAAAAK7w/lh_Guxd2He0/s576/100_0208.jpg


Cincinati

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nb8yXREgZgM/T7JMHDyp2EI/AAAAAAAAK7w/sjMmz7Cr3j0/s576/Cincinnati_2012_%2528184%2529.JPG


New Orleans

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJrOtrHr0es/T7JMHHzAetI/AAAAAAAAK7w/yHgAtqYNGbc/s576/401095_10151244980285048_185887725047_22637112_206 1242744_n.jpg


Kansas City

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7HErE7AqKI/T7JMHO18YCI/AAAAAAAAK7w/VnWeZ0Prj3c/s512/kansas.jpg


Dallas

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OClG0cFYvT0/T7JMHBvZIPI/AAAAAAAAK7w/3wZ8ZC_6Y6A/s576/12-02-17%2520Dallas.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Even went to the Detroit Autorama

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-zKJOmSmaLpU/T7JMHCmDZ_I/AAAAAAAAK7w/mn4HmZ5se_k/s576/12-2-24%2520Detroit.jpg


Salt Lake City

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T1_3zDlrlHc/T7JMHI9WM9I/AAAAAAAAK7w/y_mOqpiSoSk/s576/471762be.jpg


Winnipeg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BLq0Nne37t4/T7JMHPbIEJI/AAAAAAAAK7w/PMltrbTFJrw/s576/winnipeg2.jpg


Omaha

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-abnieBYq9M4/T7JMHHM2gII/AAAAAAAAK7w/9mCBc8AXg-c/s576/omaha1.jpg


Boston

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DUPfcHcFU4w/T7JXhjhfrqI/AAAAAAAAK-M/T-agSiWhxr4/s576/100_0107.JPG

[Arrowhead]

Well the hot rod came back last week, almost three years to the day of when I first placed the order for the kit.

I aquired a full fender set over the winter and I wanted to try them on. I didn't think they would fit with the over sized tires and they didn't fit at all. It looks cool, but you could never turn the front wheels and there's no room for suspension travel. I like the look of the fenders in general, but I think it looks better with no fenders the way mine is setup anyway.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WBdSxR9Qak0/T7JK-0EOVvI/AAAAAAAAK7I/P4Cai4Qs5qI/s640/2012-05-11_13-49-32_674.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-domT5AURPrY/T7JLMFZPGvI/AAAAAAAAK7Q/FmbNRPAQzfA/s640/2012-05-11_13-49-49_49.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1kC7J02DoVU/T7JLaCcIa2I/AAAAAAAAK7Y/wPVzGa9k0qc/s640/2012-05-11_13-51-36_578.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Q1NSKXHE16U/T7JL82XfqNI/AAAAAAAAK7o/jE8SoEXOe3M/s640/2012-05-11_13-50-19_108.jpg

[timdks]

Very outstanding. Quite a well deserved recognition of your talents. Saw your car in KC in all its glory. Looks better in person, even though you've got some great glamor pics.

[ehansen007]

I got aluminum bar stock, angle, shoulder bolts and spacers. The curved piece I hogged out of a chunk of 1/2" aluminum I had laying around.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUPXD9EaI/AAAAAAAAGZA/QvpQfPV5pK0/100_2243.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUPusYttI/AAAAAAAAGZI/T_ngslSmAME/100_2244.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUQCQav2I/AAAAAAAAGZQ/BoimOw2u904/100_2247.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_kuP4Y8SHU2c/TawUQn4bZEI/AAAAAAAAGZc/5wJbm7rsEt4/100_2250.jpg

I added mounts to the frame to anchor the struts. It works pretty good but it took a lot work.

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HftniNR3JM?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1HftniNR3JM?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

This has to be one of the best examples of ingenuity that I've seen on this forum. Exceptional work George.

[Arrowhead]

Very outstanding. Quite a well deserved recognition of your talents. Saw your car in KC in all its glory. Looks better in person, even though you've got some great glamor pics.

Thanks Tim, wish I could have gone to more of the shows.


This has to be one of the best examples of ingenuity that I've seen on this forum. Exceptional work George.

Thanks Erik, it took quite a bit of trial and error to figure out how to make them work.



I pulled the body off becuase I have a bunch of upgrades I want to do and some wouldn't be possible with the body on. I replaced the rear master cylinder with a 5/8" bore. That seems to be good candidate for getting a better pedal feel - we'll see. I also added a line lock - probabaly never use it, but it's there when I want it :)

I also needed to reduce the heat comming in. Between inadequate insulation and air gaps, it was very uncomfortable if the outside temperature was above 80 degress.

I first started by pulling the inner panel and insulating the firewall better. All I had before was the insulation under the carpet. Now the entire firewall is backed by 1/2" foam. Even so, the heat can transmit from the firewall to the meatal frame. So I covered the frame rails with foam tape where the inner panel attaches. This will help provide a thermal barrier. Before, the entire firewall and inner panel were just a giant radiator.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ww5Od_z5Uyg/T7RXW4JvXII/AAAAAAAAK-k/LNHMe6Vjbm8/s576/2012-05-16_19-08-38_702.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Nbc1qYXhotc/T7RXd23Y0CI/AAAAAAAAK-s/mG1RB36Smt8/s640/2012-05-16_19-28-41_997.jpg


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iqeThJNGU68/T7RXlL5zmGI/AAAAAAAAK-0/kJ14v2dahSE/s640/2012-05-16_19-39-35_530.jpg

[Arrowhead]

5/8" master cylinder insalled for rear brakes, line lock plumbed for the front.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cMGi6Iz3o9o/T7WiuhonVRI/AAAAAAAAK_I/UY-nhqaeJlw/s640/2012-05-17_14-02-23_271.jpg


Bit the bullet and got a Fastrax caster/camber gauge and did a complete alignment. I set the caster for 6 degrees to go along with the power steering I'm going to install.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p3diDfwsSQs/T7Wiz3cSTJI/AAAAAAAAK_Q/3U8vhafpCPE/s640/2012-05-17_19-02-06_189.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Since the controller for the electric steer unit is not weather proof, it needs to be sealed or mounted inside, but of course the harness is not long enough to reach into the cabin. So I had to extend the harness.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SiP8Fgcgcms/T7gP-deDzfI/AAAAAAAALAg/kIuknAnKIg4/s576/2012-05-19_11-22-03_686.jpg


Electric steer unit installed and harness extended.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wvGWGYABn1M/T7ov463w_XI/AAAAAAAALBQ/G0ORpnjDReI/s640/2012-05-19_11-22-09_861.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7oK55bdtxG8/T7owynZtUsI/AAAAAAAALBY/NZTbKMeRCgI/s640/2012-05-19_12-30-02_549.jpg


Mounting the controller was a PIA becuse the bolts have to go in from the back - so you can't mount on a flat surface with no access from behind. Soooo I had to make a bracket to mount it on.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3P5jNBxt3EU/T7oxAp6EIjI/AAAAAAAALBg/lbLbVOFMV18/s640/2012-05-19_17-27-03_54.jpg


Finally got around to finishing the A/C hose layout. I had most of the hoses cut and fittings in place, but never got around to the final connections to the compressor. Now I just need to take to a shop and have hte ends crimped. I'm not too thrilled at the layout, it's not very pretty, but it will be mostly hidden by the side cover.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GahAWXXgu0E/T7oxkvAj_vI/AAAAAAAALBw/3ngw_H9uW3M/s640/2012-05-20_19-24-52_138.jpg

[ehansen007]

I plan on weatherproofing my unit with this stuff. :) Supposed to be out by mid 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqGkC5uJ0yM&feature=related

['33 BOD]

Great choice of wheels. I've been looking at those also. What size did you settle on? I'm still bending fuel lines.

[timdks]

I plan on weatherproofing my unit with this stuff. :) Supposed to be out by mid 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqGkC5uJ0yM&feature=related

Good old nanotechnology. That should keep it dry enough.

[Arrowhead]

UPDATE AS OF OCTOBER 4, 2014

Well it's confession time. It's been three years today since the hot rod went on the "rock star" tour to SEMA and World of wheels car show circuit of winter 2011-12'. I drove the car quite a bit that following summer, did some autocross and a bunch of car shows. But things kind of stalled out after that.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1rw_ebHAhtc/UBp0-NE69tI/AAAAAAAALLQ/JSyZmV3FAhw/w640-h422-no/7508370412_b8131eff75_z%2B3.JPG

[Arrowhead]

The winter of 2012 I decided it was time to finish up some loose ends line install the power windows. The more I thought about it, the engine was in need to freshening up so it would be a good time to do a rebuild. It was a salvage yard engine and the oil pressure was getting low. I had no other projects going on so I tore it apart with the intent of having it back together for summer.

How to tear down a hot rod in a weekend:
(sorry for the crappy pictures)

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-8HmE0wbYH5g/URK0MZCejFI/AAAAAAAALiA/F3DSUR4lawE/w830-h620-no/2013-01-19_12-06-10_467.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v40kKjQuTlo/URK0VsWC-4I/AAAAAAAALiM/Q_3-QOHFCno/w830-h620-no/2013-01-19_13-04-51_993.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9RnbT9Wmx2M/URK1GBvdHqI/AAAAAAAALic/Ds-Npkk44JA/w830-h620-no/2013-01-20_10-50-01_137.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cVAlHIk2rZE/URK1VC9xgDI/AAAAAAAALik/R-R1XLlaRfQ/w830-h620-no/2013-01-20_11-18-28_614.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KOa0gfvBY34/URK2PZSfaMI/AAAAAAAALi0/kx9N7vZ9JeE/w830-h620-no/2013-01-22_20-02-19_100.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bn9-F4-GrQk/URK2c6xcCtI/AAAAAAAALi8/htzmIMIYCFc/w830-h620-no/2013-01-22_20-02-27_569.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WkUdxRLwSA4/URK28I_1VFI/AAAAAAAALjE/rTsrD97HPwg/w830-h620-no/2013-01-23_20-13-07_987.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So while I waited on parts, there were a few other things I wanted/needed to do.

The steering seemed a little sloppy and traced it to the rack had lateral play in it. The is no support bushing on the drivers side so I could see the rack rock back and forth which translates into play in the steering. Sent the rack to Unisterer and they said it was fine, but I had emailed them a video showing them the movement so they tried to tighten it up after they saw the video.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AU8bj65qzlc/URK3IpXavSI/AAAAAAAALjM/I22B30AGZks/w830-h620-no/2013-01-30_20-26-26_163.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I also notices about 1/32" play in the top ball joints. Since I was getting some parts powder coated, I figured I might as well replace the joints now and have everything powder coated at once.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zH-NK6k5QYQ/USuSlk1o1qI/AAAAAAAALng/4qXXPk5RNBE/w830-h623-no/2013-02-23_16-23-30_385.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QV99jiTOfKU/USuSwuoum9I/AAAAAAAALno/3XRmg373Eas/w830-h623-no/2013-02-23_19-41-30_734.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6pjy08mYLqU/USuS8XiCaEI/AAAAAAAALnw/tZX6jXejauI/w830-h623-no/2013-02-23_19-47-48_633.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9b6lNZHMz3s/USuTQJiC3TI/AAAAAAAALoA/qZGG3jn67yw/w830-h623-no/2013-02-23_19-48-54_456.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-qTVeTsBgijc/USuTd9T0ovI/AAAAAAAALoI/X6SDEqkrS94/w830-h623-no/2013-02-24_10-40-52_957.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rcDtrZ8KDOA/UTFN3h_9JzI/AAAAAAAALo0/5JzE4O5uyds/w830-h623-no/2013-02-28_06-53-06_238.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I also wanted to make the rear suspension adjustable. So I got four heim joints and bungs to fit the existing control arms.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SVqM8cu6Vww/USuTxP7VQqI/AAAAAAAALoQ/hjHqOk5Z4HA/w830-h623-no/2013-02-24_13-49-36_300.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1e9Jo1jFBTQ/UU7qI_Qs58I/AAAAAAAALqc/PibOmsYH7JY/w830-h623-no/2013-03-13_19-31-00_35.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nRUK09MWXvk/UTFNzRqi4QI/AAAAAAAALos/t_-yC7LJHIM/w830-h623-no/2013-02-28_06-52-16_805.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I originally had polished the firewall and foot boxes and grew to hate having to try and keep them clean and polished. So I removed them while the engine was out and put them in the pile of parts to powder coated.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HUC55nRXYo/UTFN6wKJkiI/AAAAAAAALo8/o2GRsuznguM/w830-h623-no/2013-02-28_06-53-57_47.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HM19rdqX42E/UVXB0EbvoKI/AAAAAAAALrU/qoFVCaSzqxc/w830-h623-no/2013-03-28_15-04-33_350.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n5sC0E7y6MQ/UVXB0_Yu_tI/AAAAAAAALrU/_0fdj-y514I/w830-h623-no/2013-03-28_15-04-48_834.jpg

[Arrowhead]

The new parts came for the engine so I put that back together. Forged pistons and rods, new rings, bearings oil pump gaskets and seals of course. Even reconditioned all 32 valves with new seals and relapped the valves.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tsM3_EQGqCc/UU7qI38kJGI/AAAAAAAALqc/YlBZBagIqog/w830-h623-no/2013-03-23_14-14-46_886.jpg

Spirolocs are fun:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nXuw8E05N1E/UU7qI_fFycI/AAAAAAAALqc/Z3YHG8xf-ts/w830-h623-no/2013-03-23_14-17-57_340.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O4OXtG5EJOM/UU7qPbdC8xI/AAAAAAAALqc/6UuTXirbjC0/w830-h623-no/2013-03-23_14-18-36_827.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kh215-rw9sE/UU7qOKC0zwI/AAAAAAAALqc/LTSaC-4X-uk/w830-h623-no/2013-03-23_18-55-16_346.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-aQttFf9Pl8U/UU7qQF6j77I/AAAAAAAALqc/yMwWghsZc-o/w830-h623-no/2013-03-23_18-55-48_608.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5NVd73OyGM/UVXB-eXB6fI/AAAAAAAALrU/1_ei6HeMcXY/w830-h623-no/2013-03-29_10-31-05_415.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So another issue I wanted to address was a small transmission fluid leak. I wasn't the torque converter seal, so I assumed it was the pump to case. Simple right? So I removed the pump, and replaced the gasket and oring around the pump. No problem. BUT, in reinstalling the pump, things didn't line up right and while trying to maneuver the parts together "PING" a small metal clip pops out! No idea what it's for or where it goes. So after some researching found it's some vibration dampener or something and clips between the pack and housing. So, out the tranny comes and on the the bench, pan has to come off and pistons out to release the bands, etc. What a nightmare for a stupid little clip.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-U-XCWlWIvT0/UWm6UUN55TI/AAAAAAAALsk/6xqsWKcv7cw/w830-h623-no/2013-04-13_15-22-57_95.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-naw9MGWzk10/UXgkAEZidBI/AAAAAAAALtU/TJBvEg3ymes/w830-h623-no/2013-04-14_15-53-26_403.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_3YWnMp3N4/UXgkAGWmFuI/AAAAAAAALtU/K8JATbZYXXk/w830-h623-no/2013-04-14_19-31-31_916.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NVq4vledG4g/UXgkBB4M6kI/AAAAAAAALtU/M6_WZXZfAWc/w830-h623-no/2013-04-16_21-01-27_891.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So now it's around March 2013 and the engine and chassis are back together but the engine is not installed. some how the stars and planets align and the wife says "You need to build a garage". You don't need to hit me over the head with a tire tool to get me to act on that. So basically I put the hot rod on hold for the next eight months to build a new shop.

My son and I did all the work ourselves except for the slab. He had a buddy give us a hand with some of the bigger jobs like trusses, roofing and siding. Ironically, the building went up in no time. The rest of the work like electrical, insulation, heat, A/C (YUP!) took me most of the summer to finish.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Exy-lmDqZ-s/UX5ecSSpR0I/AAAAAAAALuw/cDogz2b7Kxs/w830-h623-no/2013-04-25_15-49-28_397.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5BcpZbmB9GtpFN_HL9nSd3A0IlF4zuP-xeDfP48CynU=w242-h181-p-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cVoHMFdWTIw/UayZMcT0aMI/AAAAAAAAL28/cqift5onXJk/w830-h467-no/IMG_20130602_192802_190.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gBP8kwi-Wek/UdQ-Cct9VfI/AAAAAAAAL-w/Wnu_G9JjYJE/w367-h652-no/IMG_20130622_152750_463.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LLRcBU_xov0/UjsJQDRr1iI/AAAAAAAAMDU/JRKAOA9AvSk/w830-h467-no/IMG_20130719_071314_075.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dNWztqaP6rU/UjsJb0amStI/AAAAAAAAMDo/JQS1XuVIlps/w830-h467-no/IMG_20130719_071255_319.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So finally, with the shop done, I could get back on the hot rod (well at least for a little while).

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-rHh4-nxU8mI/UnzuNLuAJ8I/AAAAAAAAMSQ/O0roZK9LPEc/w830-h467-no/IMG_20131104_192556_330.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VrGvOOSCvrw/UnzuQmRHDeI/AAAAAAAAMSg/TUL7KmAtpwo/w830-h467-no/IMG_20131104_192608_554.jpg


One thing I splurged on was a Canton oil pan. The problem was it was warped like a banana. Not happy for what it cost, sent it back and got another one with the same problem. I was in the middle of the garage build at the time so I just didn't deal with it and thought I could make it work. Got the engine buttoned up and installed.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-E1mXgL_ricg/UnzuPPOiH3I/AAAAAAAAMSY/IBatRWSB8zg/w830-h467-no/IMG_20131106_195334_146.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-MKoz-xgXOF0/UoN_P6qaR8I/AAAAAAAAMUE/06mWdxnlP_4/w830-h467-no/IMG_20131109_162802_486.jpg

[Arrowhead]

And that's how it sat for another seven months. Over the winter had an opportunity to do bodywork and paint on a FFR MkIV. Figured hey, can get my car fished up in the spring.


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-n_DIXnhqiJU/Uva60sDMWYI/AAAAAAAAM1g/foIlSg0CjT8/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140208_160923_665.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q55KkiotQ7o/Uy5Ecrps44I/AAAAAAAANCY/fXh7nNtuXIQ/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140322_193325_219.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--u4-N7DkY1I/Uz9kgfer4vI/AAAAAAAANLU/rm3PyfX_Af8/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140404_202333_495.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wHRCi1hl0Oo/Uz9ksI7931I/AAAAAAAANLc/Yq5X2iqVM7A/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140404_202217_737.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Then I had another opportunity to do body and paint on a '65 Chevelle SS, so I took that on also. I knew it was pushing out getting my hot rod back on the road for the summer, but it was worth it.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3ElOh49ieH4/U0KSVurC3eI/AAAAAAAANMY/Fkq9CBk82L0/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140405_134644_643.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bCkLhTJ264Y/U4E36Apn_UI/AAAAAAAANeU/O9HywCMWrG4/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140524_143746_084.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7EnSgsfdlzg/U69GHWI39zI/AAAAAAAANrc/BmjamXVqmNE/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140628_164253_966.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-BhGg1Q3mXrM/U7n2szaaHUI/AAAAAAAANzo/NSx9d3JJtk4/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140706_211219_734.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Being that the hot rod had sat so long I really want to at least get it running. So I took a couple weeks out of the Chevelle to at least finish assembling it and run the engine.

I also relocated the brake fluid reservoirs to behind the firewall. There just wasn't any room up front for them and it was cramped. I did open up the hole in the cowl so I can still get my hand in there to bolt on the hard top.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-agxvDwYYDlM/U4vnObn7xsI/AAAAAAAANhs/ohGpTkINFjg/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140530_224514_237.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EoLmdG49lrg/U4kjA7_GlpI/AAAAAAAANhc/BwnTYEKVJnk/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140526_141113_998.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7oSKNTv0d3A/U5UES-ZrmgI/AAAAAAAANjQ/FwWPBHm3xmw/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140604_162014_917.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x3wfrWIBt3Y/U5UENzmDe1I/AAAAAAAANjI/iX7ArMFuyrs/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140604_204636_021.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So engine was running good, excellent oil pressure and no funny noises. EXCEPT, I kept hearing a "ting" noise coming from the blower. I also had a coolant leak in the heater hose buried under the intake. So after the Chevelle was done, I pulled the blower off and rebuilt it with new seals, bearings, etc. BUT, the front cover got busted up removing so had to get another one. I just painted it wrinkle black for now.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lSNvIJBrKag/U_PIl4hvYnI/AAAAAAAAN-4/4NYrj6UVDh0/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140805_192654_654.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekxf9bRyyL0/U_PLp1EDdLI/AAAAAAAAOAI/nEjLbSG4MB8/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140813_202319_545.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Qj0gctRtKuc/U_u94a1nc0I/AAAAAAAAOBY/YdrYsQ6Znlk/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140824_140110_668.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I also had been wanting to completely redo the cooling system. I had made up new cooling tubing and hoses when I first built the car, but used the stock thermostat location which is AFTER the radiator. So I wanted to revamp it into a more conventional routing and also tap into the rear cooling ports on the heads. To do this I got AN hose adapters for the heads and a Canton catch can. I had my son weld AN bungs for the lines from the heads on the tank and a thermostat housing on the top of the tank. We also fabbed up a stainless return pipe for the radiator outlet.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TD5PLY0AGnM/U_PKjhcjqVI/AAAAAAAAN_o/_VKhpgYKpOs/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140818_212047_607.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gjQUDsq-fn0/VAcBbpVRZ-I/AAAAAAAAOWA/G88uVjfYf3I/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140903_064929_505.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yQbU3OT6Tys/VAcBeMShxrI/AAAAAAAAOWI/dYZZpfvTXRg/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140903_064953_960.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PazoXE7R4Vc/U_u98lYeFHI/AAAAAAAAOBg/qd1K0fjUFkc/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140824_140054_126.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6AWz_CdxE98/VAXaMy9EFqI/AAAAAAAAOQg/UTMsGTjKdWM/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140831_112006_667.jpg


Also figured while I had it all apart, I wanted to move the regulator from behind the blower to the firewall. It was cleaner install but I couldn't get to the regulator and you couldn't install a gauge on it where it was.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KOITR5kaUJc/U_PHbXzKYhI/AAAAAAAAN-g/5jJqTouX07o/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140818_212054_871.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1hIpZZWbOxg/U_PH3O6IWQI/AAAAAAAAN-w/075ffeIpJtY/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140818_212108_606.jpg

[Arrowhead]

I also wanted to replace the crooked grille shell with the newer updated version from FFR. And of course with the square grille, the hood and side panels don't fit right (which I knew wouldn't). But I'm OK with that as I want to do some other mods anyway.

While I was at it, I replaced the radiator. I had a put a small hole in it and repaired it but was not confident it would hold. I also though it might be contaminated and not cooling effectively. (Had used stop leak at one point to fix the pinhole)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xlqseOqwcmY/VAXaPXHZcDI/AAAAAAAAOQo/CByHijfXo24/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140831_111909_463.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Also had wanted to update the sprigs so I did the rear to front spring swap and got the softer rear springs from Breeze. Defiantly made an improvements, not so harsh a ride.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-8FubkyyWmis/VBlkpeCyuvI/AAAAAAAAOYU/Bqd84NazIZY/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140913_203910_487.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vpYp7V8PUhw/VBlkF5QN79I/AAAAAAAAOXU/Kolwx0-xYxg/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140916_190521_754.jpg

[Arrowhead]

Finally got around to addressing the oil pan also (had put the stock one back on temporarily). You can see how badly it was warped. I removed the reinforcing rails and then cut along pan along the edge of the rail. Then I was able to straighten the rail and reweld.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-V1hRDYHwSAw/VBlkkKyeqGI/AAAAAAAAOYM/7PjgLpft5q4/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140916_190455_588.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cX2IZOUaXI8/VBlkbWDwUDI/AAAAAAAAOX8/3d4FW-yIn8I/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140916_190407_967.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TO8MGdMnoAI/VBlkgOlVvHI/AAAAAAAAOYE/dim357LViaE/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140916_204137_395.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gWs2LhKyTcU/VCM3hCARDrI/AAAAAAAAOes/4z7IGWFfQpk/w490-h653-no/IMG_20140922_195731_322.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O9BHir7Lk_0/VCdOIOR-bOI/AAAAAAAAOfg/UsqGgAsBz7s/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140927_194606_821.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I8iH3nPnCW8/VCqZlMk2THI/AAAAAAAAOfw/i4JsihRiBGg/w830-h623-no/IMG_20140927_201211_850.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5CEcNaX1KDs/VC293kmEEeI/AAAAAAAAOgo/PLGx5qDDW7A/w830-h623-no/IMG_20141001_154604_902.jpg

[Arrowhead]

So I was able to get out and get a couple hundred miles on it and hit some shows. But, now on to another project for a friend of mine so it will be a while before I can get back to the hot rod, there are still more upgrades I want to do before next summer.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MSLkf9sCR_c/VDHonxlzWAI/AAAAAAAAOlg/mPXhiXdQDVk/w830-h623-no/IMG_20141005_122215_372.jpg

Doing body and paint on a '69 Cutlass now.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BEg6fYKpzIg/VDNS2duP1fI/AAAAAAAAOoc/FU8XT-_o5HM/w830-h623-no/IMG_20141006_201833_589.jpg




So that's my update. I kept thinking I would update my build thread when I got everything done, but things kept getting in the way so I figured now was as good a time as any.