David's retirement Project! Building a Roadster.

Hi guys! I’m finally building a Roadster! This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. Newly retired and this is my first major project. I’m located in Colleyville Tx and would love to touch base with some builders in the area. Seem I fall in the demographics of a lot of builders with 5 grandchildren and another on the way! My Son will be helping me when an extra set of hands are needed.


I placed the order back in January and got it delivered June 15th.
Progress:
The body is removed and stowed away on the ceiling of my garage, and I’ve labeled and removed all the panels.
Mounted the first 2 panels on the front and installed the lower control arms.

This is where my issues start. There are so many missing parts do to Covid that I need to help on what I can steps I can work on. Or maybe I just wait.. I will post the missing parts later but they seem to be something from every critical group.

Build:
Complete Kit
Powdercoating
Hydraulic Clutch
Body cutouts
Standard Seats (I’m planning on upgrading to high back when I get there)
Power Steering
3-Link Rear
17.9/10.5 Halibrand Wheels (These were my free gift for just asking!)
Wind Wings
Sun Visor
Wiper Kit
Heater/Defroster
Right and Left Rollbars in black (My wife might disown me if I had not gotten them for her)

I am going with the black rollbars and side pipe look. I’ve see where guys had success with painting the side pipes with high temp paint but may do the ceramic coating instead.
At this point I’m planning on doing my own body work and possibly the paint as well, but we will see how that goes! Lol
I loved how Papa, in his build thread, painted the panels black and used the Thermo-Tec so I will be doing the same.



Mike Forte will be supplying my Moser 8.8 with brakes as well as building my Engine and Transmission package.
Boss Small Block 363 expected to get 440-450 HP
Holley Sniper EFI
AC/PS
TKX 2.87 / .68
His Mechanical Throttle Linkage

Mods:
Russ’s Trunk mod. Looks like it would cost as much or more building it myself as getting it from him/
Lots of stuff from Breese Automotive. Battery to front kit, radiator shroud, mounting kit ect.. Didn’t get the seat mount till I decide what seat ect.. May want to do sliding seat mount.

Looking forward to getting input from everyone as my build continues.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...7&d=1631665357

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1631665357

Congrats! I know back-ordered parts are not fun to wait for, but if you can't complete a mechanical system, start fitting and drilling all those aluminum panels. There are only about 1,200 holes to drill.

Welcome aboard, David! Congrats on your order. I know you'll get great advice from the seasoned builders, so I'll just offer moral support. Pretty exciting day! You're in for a lot of fun.

I'm also going with dual black roll bars and black exhaust (and black wheels).

Wow! I'm honored that my first reply was from Papa! I loved your build thread! And how are you enjoying your 427? Or should I say your 347 with the mislabel? LOL

So some of the key missing parts:
Front upper control arm, Spindles, Spring, front, rear lower control arm, rod ends, pedal box, outer tie rod ends.

This keeps me from working on the front end and the rear end, but still waiting on the Moser to get shipped back to me.

So what panels can I work on without causing issues with prior steps?

Also how did your black bed paint hold up? I got the Rust-Oleum Professional Grade Undercoating Spray. I'm also guessing if you are putting on Thermo-Tec you don't want to paint that side of the panel?

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Originally Posted by David_L

Wow! I'm honored that my first reply was from Papa! I loved your build thread! And how are you enjoying your 427? Or should I say your 347 with the mislabel? LOL

So some of the key missing parts:
Front upper control arm, Spindles, Spring, front, rear lower control arm, rod ends, pedal box, outer tie rod ends.

This keeps me from working on the front end and the rear end, but still waiting on the Moser to get shipped back to me.

So what panels can I work on without causing issues with prior steps?

Also how did your black bed paint hold up? I got the Rust-Oleum Professional Grade Undercoating Spray. I'm also guessing if you are putting on Thermo-Tec you don't want to paint that side of the panel?

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The 347 is a fun engine in one of these. You can fit and drill all the panels, just don't silicone and rivet them on yet. The spray on (rattle can bedliner is okay on the panels that don't get pelted with rocks, but useless everywhere that rocks hit it. I'd definitely not recommend using it the way I did. The Herculiner is perfect for the splash panels and everything exposed to the road. It has held up with no signs of wear.

Dave

Congrats

Congratulations and welcome. There may be some hiccups with missing parts but know that we are all jealous. We all wish we had another new kit sitting in the garage. Enjoy every rivet and keep us posted.
-Steve

Welcome aboard! Smart move with the suspended body buck--that is something I wish I had done. Instead, I lost an entire bay of my garage for a year. I look forward to following your build.

Congrats David! Welcome. Sounds like you have close to the same kind of build we’re doing. YES everybody I’m still alive and actually getting somewhere after almost three years lol
LOTS of helpful people out here David. And LOTS of great ideas!!
Keep us all posted!!

Thanks everyone for all the input! For my suspended body buck I used a couple of kayak pully storage systems I got off of Amazon. They both have locks and allows be to lower or raise each end.

Papa, thanks for the drilling rivet holes idea. That will keep me busy while I wait for parts! I also need to order some Herculiner. Also I did find a company near me in Arlington TX that will do the ceramic coating for the pipes!

So I guess I still need 17 more posts to graduate.. lol

Just PM David Hodgkins and ask to be granted full access. You have the kit, so you're obviously committed, or maybe should be like the rest of us. :p

Amazing how many projects come up that keeps me from working on the build! LOL

I'm making a little progress drilling holes in panels per Papa's suggestion. drilled the firewall and some of the passenger foot box. I'm wondering if there's anything keeping me from riveting in the passenger foot box?

I think I should be able to work on fitting the trunk drop when I get to marking and drilling those panels.Attachment 150909Attachment 150908

Papa I contacted David and he got me set up! Thanks again! Just watched the video on how to upload and post picture inline. Trying it now.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1626546402

Congrats and welcome! Your POL is likely similar to mine. I’ve been moving along pretty good and I’ve never run out of things to do. Came close once but that only counts in horse shoes and had grenades. If you get stuck reach out there will be plenty of directions we can help push you in

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Originally Posted by Blitzboy54

Congrats and welcome! Your POL is likely similar to mine. I’ve been moving along pretty good and I’ve never run out of things to do. Came close once but that only counts in horse shoes and had grenades. If you get stuck reach out there will be plenty of directions we can help push you in

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Thanks Blitzboy54! I'm wondering if there's any reason I can't go ahead and rivet in the passenger foot box? Would this get in the way of anything I haven't done yet?

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Originally Posted by David_L

Thanks Blitzboy54! I'm wondering if there's any reason I can't go ahead and rivet in the passenger foot box? Would this get in the way of anything I haven't done yet?

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No, not at all. You want to keep the top and outside of the driver open but you can certainly do the passenger foot box, F panels and even a chunk of the cockpit aluminum.

You'll love the Forte's 8.8.

I just received a bunch of back ordered parts! But doesn't look like the spindles were included so bummer.

I received my pipes but passenger side end is bent up quite a bit and I think I will need to ask for a replacement. The Driver side also has a dent but not sure it will show? Thoughts?

Passenger side
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1626717109

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1626717109

Driver side with the dent. Not sure it will show but do I want to have a dented pipe?
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1626717228

I would ask for both and would be surprised if you got any resistance what so ever.

Thanks for the input. I will do that. Once I get the replacements I get them ceramic coated black. I completed my inventory and have very few missing parts. Sent my email to partsales@ with inventory results about 3 weeks ago but not getting anyone at factory five to respond.

Quite a few updates to make! I've been working on fitting and drilling panels while waiting for parts. I've also been putting coatings on some of the panels. After much research hopefully I landed on the right combination for aluminum panels.

Sanding first then using 2 coats of etching primmer. Applying the topcoat after that. In the engine compartment I'm going to use a hammered black. Outside panels I'm using Herculiner .

I put together and fit/drilled the Russ Thompson Trunk Drop. Planning on using nut rivets for the access panel.
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...5&d=1631660674

Mike Forte completed my Engine and did the Dyno! More HP and Torque then a Gen 3! Still waiting for the shipping information.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...3&d=1631660209

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...2&d=1631659886

Also made progress on the Front after I got the upper control arms and spindles. Still waiting for the hub nut and coil spring and can't take it further yet.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1631660546

That engine is a thing of beauty! The dyno curve looks great!

Nice engine! That is one I am considering for my next build, the 363 is great choice! Funny thing about reading your thread got me feeling like I did when I first got mine and started to build. Now all I need to do is move to another house that has a garage!

Why don't you go ahead and shorten the rear link on the upper control arms? You will want the range of adjustment with power steering. Nice work.

Thanks guys! I'm very happy with the engine! It should be shipped any day now. I will be more happy when it's setting in my garage! lol But still be a while till it's installed.

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Originally Posted by Railroad

Why don't you go ahead and shorten the rear link on the upper control arms? You will want the range of adjustment with power steering. Nice work.

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Hi Railroad! Can you expand on the shortening the rear link? I did try doing the initial adjustment but wasn't able to bring in the rear link measurement the the required 7.375 This is with all the adjusters as pulled in as the can get. Best I could do was about 7.5 I would think there should be more adjustment or I'm missing something? see the picture.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...1&d=1631736571

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Railroad

Why don't you go ahead and shorten the rear link on the upper control arms? You will want the range of adjustment with power steering. Nice work.

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After doing a search I think I found what you were referring to and that might be why I wasn't able to adjust to that measurement. Pictures from boat737's post. He cut of the nubs on both sides of the rear sleeves. This looks like something I will need to do as well.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1631740775

Dave,

I reckon you have the steering arms installed on the opposite sides of the car. They should point outward with the large tapered hole pointing down.

Cheers Nigel

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Originally Posted by Nigel Allen

Dave,

I reckon you have the steering arms installed on the opposite sides of the car. They should point outward with the large tapered hole pointing down.

Cheers Nigel

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Great catch Nigel! Thanks! Another item to take care of.. lol

Shortened the rear sleeves and the steering arms reversed to the correct position. Still waiting on the hub nuts and front coils before I can proceed with the frontend.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...7&d=1632169309

Did the initial install of the rear-end. At this point I just have the 3 links connected, but hey it's starting to look more like a car! lol
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1632169333

Make sure front bolt on rear control arm will come out with body on frame. I run IRS, so not familiar with 3 link. Looks like the grease fitting is pointing up. Is that correct/accessible?
Nice work.

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Originally Posted by Railroad

Make sure front bolt on rear control arm will come out with body on frame. I run IRS, so not familiar with 3 link. Looks like the grease fitting is pointing up. Is that correct/accessible?
Nice work.

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Railroad, thanks for pointing out the grease fittings.. I made a point of putting them on correctly yet I got them wrong! lol I should be able to remove the lower control arms with the body on. I don't believe the bolt could go in from the other direction.

I am planning on painting the Calipers red next using VHT caliper paint with the VHT clear coat on top of the red paint.

Ok the rear end is now complete. I wasn't shipped the .25 spacers for the Panhard bar but made do using washers. I will need the spacers for the upper link so it's just on with out spacers until I get them shipped to me.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...0&d=1632355965
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...9&d=1632355965
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...8&d=1632355965

Nice looking engine and good progress. I've got a similar look with the black dress on the front (but with less oomph ... 347). Welcome, and it'll be fun following your progress. It's a great journey.

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Originally Posted by John Ibele

Nice looking engine and good progress. I've got a similar look with the black dress on the front (but with less oomph ... 347). Welcome, and it'll be fun following your progress. It's a great journey.

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Thanks John! I wasn't planning on getting this much engine when I started.. I just kind of evolved! LOL

I started on my pedal box and realized I have a couple of issues.

The 2 switches for brake and clutch are still on back order so will need to wait on them.

I originally was planning on a hydraulic clutch and I ordered that in this kit. Somehow after discussions with Mike Forte I decided to go with a manual clutch using his effort reducer. It appears that because I ordered the hydraulic clutch for the kit, the pedal box didn't come with the clutch cable quadrant kit (that I can find). So I'm assuming I will need to order this from Factory Five? Would this just be part 15613 what would include everything I need? Anything else I'm overlooking?

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...4&d=1632858584

I can't remember, is there an ordering option for manual vs hydraulic clutch? I thought the clutch quadrant assembly was included on all complete kits. Was this on your POL when you did your inventory or not included in your kit?

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Originally Posted by egchewy79

I can't remember, is there an ordering option for manual vs hydraulic clutch? I thought the clutch quadrant assembly was included on all complete kits. Was this on your POL when you did your inventory or not included in your kit?

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I don't see it listed anywhere in POL. Yes there was an ordering option for hydraulic clutch. I'm just assuming it's not needed when you order the Hydraulic Clutch master cylinder kit (Which I will be selling later. lol)

The good news is I found it in the listed parts for sale and should have it mailed to me shortly.

The other good news is I just got a FEDEX email that I have backorder parts on the way! Of course they don't tell me what's being shipped so it will be a surprise!

By the way, has anyone wished that the parts list was electronic so it could be searched on your PC?? LOL

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Originally Posted by David_L

By the way, has anyone wished that the parts list was electronic so it could be searched on your PC?? LOL

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Hi David,

I have a couple electronic versions I pulled down from the forum some time ago. I'm happy to email them to you. They won't exactly match your order, nor did they mine, but I still found them quite useful. Especially early on in my build. If you are interested, PM me your email address and I'll send them to you.