Lancelot
08-05-2020, 08:03 PM
Ok, so my ambitious plan went the way of many ambitious plans.... down the toilet! But, even with its unexpected challenges, my life has been blessed beyond MY plans! :)
I received my Type 65 Coupe Gen 2 in June 2017, as expected. I did attend the Build School in July 2017, which I HIGHLY recommend; but a completed replica '58 Porsche RSK came on the market, as well as a rolling kit of a '65 Porsche 904 GTS, both of which I've REALLY desired to build/own so I purchased those instead of the MkIV I was planning on buying and building prior to the Coupe.
As far as my 65 Coupe: I ordered the complete kit with powder coated frame, the cutouts of the body done, IRS, Wilwood Brakes, Halibrand knock-off wheels, A/C, etc. Some front and rear suspension parts were on backorder, so I didn't get started on this build until Nov/Dec 2017. Got the front suspension installed, but couldn't find the rear center or rear spindles/hubs. Unfortunately, my other purchases were parked in front of my storage shelves with all my Coupe boxes, and I got busy schooling my kids and doing life so the project sat untouched.
A lot has happened on the personal/family fronts in the past few years and a couple months ago I was finally able to clean/organize my hangar/shop enough to get at my Coupe boxes and have space to work. Dug through all my Factory Five boxes and confirmed I never received the rear center or rear spindles/hubs. Factory Five was real responsive and had my missing parts delivered pretty quickly.... grateful for their integrity!!
Used a motorcycle jack to singlehandedly mount the rear center... installing from the bottom, angling it up, and getting it in place were hard, but WOW the tolerances are tight!!! Getting all the holes properly aligned and angled accurately took some encouraging... Can't build a car without a heavy rubber mallet!! I've mounted the rear suspension arms and bar and have drilled out the 5/8" upper hole in each of the spindles, but I'm a bit nervous about lopping off the ears. One picture in the manual (p.107) seemed to indicate the cutting line was between the two holes on the top of the spindle, but other drawings/pictures in the manual (pgs. 122&123) as well as other pics posted here by other community members seem to show that the cut line is beyond both the little holes on top (so that the spindle retains them both). Unless someone on the forum warns me otherwise I'll be cutting at this wider position.
***ADVICE NEEDED*** What is the best tool to use to cut the ear of the spindles off? I have a Sawzall, but I'm concerned it won't be very precise as the blade vibrates back and forth quite a bit. Moreover, what blade would be best? I know the manual recommends wood blades, but what size works best? Is there a better recommendation than using the Sawzall? Advice appreciated!!
I received my Type 65 Coupe Gen 2 in June 2017, as expected. I did attend the Build School in July 2017, which I HIGHLY recommend; but a completed replica '58 Porsche RSK came on the market, as well as a rolling kit of a '65 Porsche 904 GTS, both of which I've REALLY desired to build/own so I purchased those instead of the MkIV I was planning on buying and building prior to the Coupe.
As far as my 65 Coupe: I ordered the complete kit with powder coated frame, the cutouts of the body done, IRS, Wilwood Brakes, Halibrand knock-off wheels, A/C, etc. Some front and rear suspension parts were on backorder, so I didn't get started on this build until Nov/Dec 2017. Got the front suspension installed, but couldn't find the rear center or rear spindles/hubs. Unfortunately, my other purchases were parked in front of my storage shelves with all my Coupe boxes, and I got busy schooling my kids and doing life so the project sat untouched.
A lot has happened on the personal/family fronts in the past few years and a couple months ago I was finally able to clean/organize my hangar/shop enough to get at my Coupe boxes and have space to work. Dug through all my Factory Five boxes and confirmed I never received the rear center or rear spindles/hubs. Factory Five was real responsive and had my missing parts delivered pretty quickly.... grateful for their integrity!!
Used a motorcycle jack to singlehandedly mount the rear center... installing from the bottom, angling it up, and getting it in place were hard, but WOW the tolerances are tight!!! Getting all the holes properly aligned and angled accurately took some encouraging... Can't build a car without a heavy rubber mallet!! I've mounted the rear suspension arms and bar and have drilled out the 5/8" upper hole in each of the spindles, but I'm a bit nervous about lopping off the ears. One picture in the manual (p.107) seemed to indicate the cutting line was between the two holes on the top of the spindle, but other drawings/pictures in the manual (pgs. 122&123) as well as other pics posted here by other community members seem to show that the cut line is beyond both the little holes on top (so that the spindle retains them both). Unless someone on the forum warns me otherwise I'll be cutting at this wider position.
***ADVICE NEEDED*** What is the best tool to use to cut the ear of the spindles off? I have a Sawzall, but I'm concerned it won't be very precise as the blade vibrates back and forth quite a bit. Moreover, what blade would be best? I know the manual recommends wood blades, but what size works best? Is there a better recommendation than using the Sawzall? Advice appreciated!!