Factory Five Forums - Blogs - Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?3647-Dale-Claytor Builder community site for Factory Five Racing. en Sun, 03 May 2026 09:55:09 GMT vBulletin 10 https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/images/misc/rss.jpg Factory Five Forums - Blogs - Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/blog.php?3647-Dale-Claytor Roadster build is progressing https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?260-Roadster-build-is-progressing Sun, 23 Oct 2011 01:21:33 GMT Hi all,

Haven't posted in awhile, about 2 months, just getting around to an update. Since last post, have prepped and installed the motor (Tuff Dawg Ford 347 stroker), Ramforce HD clutch, MCleod universal steel bell housing, TKO 600 tranny, FFR driveshaft, headers, Holley mechanical fuel pump, Quickfuel 680 cfm four barrel carburetor, MSD electronic distributer/ignition system and spark plug wires, CNC aluminum triple hydraulic/brake fluid reservoirs, RAM internal hydraulic clutch throwout bearing and line, and brakes and lines front and rear. Have gotten a lot done, but still a lot left to do. . . . Just means more fun :). So far, so good. . . . Have the 17" Halibrand replica wheels, 9" fronts and 10.5" rears, and NITTO NT555 tires, 245/45-17 fronts, and 315/35-17 rears. Haven't gotten around to having them mounted yet, but itching to do so, maybe this coming week. Not far from having a rolling chassis (go cart), just need more time to work on it, but my job keeps getting in the way (a good problem to have now days) :). Anyways, there are several pictures below. Good luck to everyone.
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The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.
~Plato
Vote in 2012. . . .
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?260-Roadster-build-is-progressing Moving along on the roadster build (Metal Mistress) https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?188-Moving-along-on-the-roadster-build-(Metal-Mistress) Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:22:55 GMT Hi all again. Haven't been able to get much done on the roadster since last post due to work. But, have managed to install front and rear brake lines, heater/defroster core and motor, fuse box and have routed some of the wiring. I hope to have the wiring done by this weekend and then move on to trunk aluminum panel installation. After that, engine and tranny installation :). Ordered the 17" x 9" and 17" x 10.5" Vintage Halibrand Replica wheels from Factory Five last week, they say 6 - 8 weeks for delivery. Also ordered NITTO NT555 Extreme Performance Tires from American Muscle. Have 245/45 17s for the front and 315/35 17s for the rear coming. Did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews on the various tire brands and decided to go with the NITTOs. All of the NITTO reviews seem to indicate a good balance between ride, tire traction and mileage, plus the price was pretty good compared to some of the other brands of tires. I probably read more than 50 reviews on the NT555s and all were good. Ordered from American Muscle because they have a sale on plus a discount coupon and free shipping. There's not much to see, but there are a several pictures below. We have decided paint color, will be black with very fine silver metallic and silver stripes and a couple of coats of clear. My wife has dubbed the roadster the "Metal Mistress" because she seems to think that I spend more time with her (the Mistress) than her, lol. I'm sure many other wives in this community think the same. Go figure. . . Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?188-Moving-along-on-the-roadster-build-(Metal-Mistress) Pedal box, flywheel, clutch and bell housing are in https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?176-Pedal-box-flywheel-clutch-and-bell-housing-are-in Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:58:51 GMT Hi all. It's been a while since my last post and have accomplished a lot since then, I have included a few pictures below. The back ordered pedal box came in so was able to get the accelerator pedal, clutch and brake pedals, brake master cylinders and hydraulic clutch master cylinder installed. Also, installed a Ford racing pilot bearing, 28 oz. Ford Racing steel flywheel, Ram Powergrip HD clutch and pressure plate, and a Ford Racing (Mcleod) Universal Steel Bellhousing on the Tuff Dawg 347 stroker motor. Checked bellhousing alignment and was only out .0025", .005" is the max allowed. Pretty good for a "universal" bellhousing. I had read somewhere that the Mcleod bellhousing was usually a really good fit not requiring adjustment, can't say for all of them, but this one is good. Also installed the cockpit aluminum panels and fuel filter and ran fuel lines from fuel tank to engine bay. Picked up an MSD ignition kit, Holley chrome mechanical fuel pump, Quick Fuel 680 cfm carb with adjustable vacuum secondaries, braided fuel lines, Milodon aluminum water pump, CVS aluminum thermostat housing, March serpentine pulley system and belt, polished March alternator, Ram hydraulic clutch throwout bearing, and Wilwood hydraulic clutch master cylinder from Performance Automotive in Belleview, FL. Ron and Joey have been extremely helpful and friendly, both are good guys. After much research, decided to go with the hydraulic internal throwout bearing instead of the external hydraulic or cable clutch system. I've heard good and bad opinions about the internal hydraulic throwout bearings, but they have been used for years now as oem equipment on many cars and trucks so they must be pretty good. So for me, I guess it has come down to convenience and personal preference. I believe the internal system will have a cleaner look and I like the fact that all of the important parts are protected inside the bellhousing and not exposed to road debris and the elements. I'm sure from time to time the internal bearings may fail, but from all the research I've done failure is rare. Well, that's it for now. Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?176-Pedal-box-flywheel-clutch-and-bell-housing-are-in Christmas in July - Crate Motor Arrived Today https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?173-Christmas-in-July-Crate-Motor-Arrived-Today Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:11:57 GMT Hi again all. The Tuff Dawg small block Ford 347 stroker motor arrived today. When that Old Dominion tractor trailer pulled up to the driveway it... Hi again all. The Tuff Dawg small block Ford 347 stroker motor arrived today. When that Old Dominion tractor trailer pulled up to the driveway it was like Christmas in July :), there are a few pictures below. Have to get a carburetor, fuel pump, ignition system, water pump, alternator, pulley's and belts next. Thinking about a Quick Fuel 680 cfm carb; Holley mechanical fuel pump; MSD ignition and March water pump, alternator and pulleys. Got a quote from Joey at Performance Automotive in Belleview, FL and am about to order. Got a little more work done on the car since last post. Rear brakes and fuel tank are in and some of the aluminum panels in the cockpit are installed. I'll tell you those aluminum panels at times are not fun, well almost not. . . . A lot of work, but still fun. Still waiting on the pedal box to arrive so I can install the pedals, master cylinders, and finish the drivers side foot box. Hopefully it will arrive soon. Well, other than that, not much else going on. Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?173-Christmas-in-July-Crate-Motor-Arrived-Today <![CDATA[Moser 8.8" rear end is in]]> https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?170-Moser-8-8-quot-rear-end-is-in Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:29:23 GMT Hi all. Installed a Moser 8.8" solid axle rear end and Koni coil over shocks, there are a few pictures below. All went well except for one small problem (and it was just me). I initially installed the rear end under the panhard mount brace instead of over it. I didn't realize it had to go over until I tried to install the Koni coil over shocks and they wouldn't reach the lower shock mounts on the rear end. It only took about 5 minutes to disconnect the upper link and lower control arms from the rear end, left them connected to the frame mounts. With a little help from my wife, a jack and a couple of 2x4's, reinstalled it over the brace in no time at all. It went really quickly since I had done it once already and knew what to do. Live and learn. Next, I have the 11.5" rear disk brake kit from FFR and will install that this weekend. Got an email from Tuff Dawg Engines in Phoenix, AZ and a phone call from Old Dominion Freight Lines on Wednesday, the Ford stroker 347 small block motor is on it's way, will be here Monday the 25th, woo hoo. I already have a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed tranny, a steel bell housing, a 28 oz. flywheel and a Ramforce clutch. Still have to get an ignition system, carburetor, water pump, pulleys and belts to complete the motor. Thinking of having the motor dyno'ed, will see. Well, that's about it for this post. Will Post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?170-Moser-8-8-quot-rear-end-is-in Steering rack and passenger foot box installed https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?167-Steering-rack-and-passenger-foot-box-installed Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:37:54 GMT Well, it's Sunday evening, again, weekends go by so quickly. Installed the fire wall panel with heater/defroster cutouts, steering rack, tie rods, steering bearings and rod, and passenger foot box and floor since last post. Had to skip brake master cylinder and foot pedal installation due to pedal box back order. Skipped rear end installation because it won't be here until Tuesday the 19th. Installed the fill tube, fuel level sending unit, vent, and pickup tube in the fuel tank, but didn't mount on the car. Will wait until after the rear end is installed. There are a few pictures below. Visited Ron and Joey at Performance Automotive in Belleview, Florida on Friday afternoon. These guys are one of the Factory Five community vendors. When we arrived at their shop, Joey handed me a set of keys to one of their Mark III Roadsters, a red one with a cam'ed 302 Ford small block, a four barrel and a 5 speed. After strapping in and a short lesson on controls and switches, my wife and I were off. Can't tell you how thrilled we were driving down the highway in the open cockpit of one of these roadsters. We passed a construction site and noticed that most of the guys on the site had to stop and take a look at the "Cobra" as it went by. Didn't get down on it too much as this wasn't my car, but did manage to kick it in the butt up to about 80 after a u turn on Highway 301. All I can say is woo hoo! ! ! Can't wait to get mine on the road, but that is some time off. The Tuff Dawg 347 motor hasn't arrived yet, but that's ok. I'm not ready for it yet and besides, the warranty starts at delivery. Would just be sitting there under warranty until it's ready to be installed. Plus I have plenty more work to do. Well, that's about it for this post. Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?167-Steering-rack-and-passenger-foot-box-installed Front suspension is on https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?160-Front-suspension-is-on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:54:07 GMT Completed installation of front suspension, brakes and rotors, there are a couple of pics below. Ordered a Moser 8.8", 3 link solid axle rear end with 3:31 gears from Factory Five during a visit a couple of weeks ago. Should be here in a couple of weeks. Ford 347 stroker has not yet arrived, should be anytime now. Met Ron and Joey (Father and Son), owners of Performance Automotive in Belleview, Florida this past Friday. Only 20 minutes from my house. These guys have two MK3 Factory Five Roadsters of their own, and had three more in their shop belonging to customers. I met Joey on the forum and was invited to visit his shop. They have been building Factory Fives for several years and shared information and offered help freely. What a find, a wealth of information on Factory Five roadsters right near my house. Other than that, not much more to share at this time; that little thing called work keeps getting in the way :) :) :). Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?160-Front-suspension-is-on Received our Complete Roadster Kit on 6/24/11 https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?159-Received-our-Complete-Roadster-Kit-on-6-24-11 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:12:52 GMT Hi All. Thought I would blog about my experiences with purchasing and building this MK4 Roadster. This is my first entry, so I have some catching... Hi All. Thought I would blog about my experiences with purchasing and building this MK4 Roadster. This is my first entry, so I have some catching up to do. I ordered the complete MK4 Roadster Kit on April 26, 2011 and arranged for shipping to my home in Ocala, Florida through Stewart Transport. Completion date for the kit at Factory Five was June 18th. They were right on time. The kit was picked up by Stewart Transport on June 18th and arrived in my driveway on June 24th. The kit came with the frame and body in one piece and 25 boxes of parts. Can't tell you how excited I was to see that Stewart Transport 18 wheeler tractor trailer pull up to my driveway with Factory Five logos on the side of it. There are a couple of pictures below. I have already purchased a Tuff Dawg 347 stroker motor. This is a Ford 302 cubic inch bored and stroked to 347 cubic inches. The motor is rated at 430 hp and 430 lbs/ft of torque. The motor should arrive anytime now. I just picked up a new, RAM Performance Clutch kit (rated at 650 lbs/ft of torque), a 20 oz. flywheel, a steel bell housing and a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed transmission from Powered by Ford in Orlando, Florida. Haven't had much time to do anything with the kit except inventory some of the parts boxes. Went on vaction 2 days after receiving the roadster and just got back. Went to New England for a week and had the opportunity to visit Factory Five in Wareham, MA. There I met Rick, who gave my wife and I and a couple of other visitors a tour of the factory. Rick walked us through every step of the process of building and assembling the MK4 Roadster Kit, and he had plenty of tips. I also had the opportunity to meet Dave Smith, the owner, and he had plenty to say. He was on his way to to a video shoot to promote a "shoot out" between a real live Cobra S/C and a Factory Five Roadster (woops, was I supposed to say that? I guess it's ok). He said the video will come out sometime around November 2011 on one of the Speed Network Channels. At the end of the tour, Rick fired up one of the completed MK4 Roadsters on display in their showroom (the silver one (now red) that's featured on the Factory Five web site). The sound of it was awsome, especially since it was inside the showroom. After the factory tour, we spent the rest of the week touring around Cape Cod, MA; Conway, NH; and Woodstock, VT. We rented a 2010 Mustang convertible and had a blast, the weather was fantastic. As with all good things, they usually come to an end. And so now, we're back home, and the real fun begins - constructing the Roadster :) :) :). Will post more later.
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]]> Dale Claytor https://v1.thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?159-Received-our-Complete-Roadster-Kit-on-6-24-11