2 Attachment(s)
Final reverse lockout cable
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...0&d=1584488435
My first cable was a choke cable and had too much internal friction to work. My second cable was a tractor PTO cable. It worked but was large and clunky. My final cable is from McMaster-Carr and is a braided cable like a bicycle brake cable and lever. It works super smooth and the return spring built into the lockout mechanism is more than strong enough to return the lever when you let go of it.
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Hope my early mistakes help someone get there in one step :)
7 Attachment(s)
Custom composite transmission cooler ducting
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...7&d=1593897691
I needed a custom air duct to direct air from the side vents to the transmission cooler, so I decided to try my hand at making a custom mold for a wet fiberglass layup. I have never really done a complete fiberglass part, from mold to finished part. I marvel at the skill of some of the people here like aquillen who make entire manifolds in carbon fiber! But here is my simple part.
I mocked up what I needed in wood as the sizes were easy and I have lots of scrap laying about. I then used automotive body filler to fill the gaps and sanded it out to get a smooth finish. To make it easier to get the mold out I separated it into two sections so in theory I could just pop each piece out.
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After waxing the mold twice and then coating everything in PVA release agent I laid up a total of three layers. First layer was cloth followed by mat and a final layer of cloth. When it came time to pull the mold out it would not come out, even after unscrewing the two separate sections. I ended up destroying the mold by digging out the wood layer by layer. I drilled many large holes with a large forstner bit to hog out as much wood as I could before going at it with a wood chisel. Eventually I got it all out and the part was actually a great fit.
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Once I get it mounted to the cooler and the air piped to it from the side vent I'll post more pics.
6 Attachment(s)
Composite Trans Cooler Ducting Complete
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/atta...0&d=1594064990
I completed the transmission cooler ducting that grabs air from the driver's side vent and forces it through the transmission cooler. I trimmed the short ends of the fiberglass duct so that the long edges seal up against the cooler body forming a tight seal. The end caps are short and only need a small piece of foam to completely seal the edges. I made two small aluminum brackets to affix the duct to the cooler mount and then routed the hose.
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I ended up using a 4" hose made for dust collection systems in a wood shop. I'm not sure about it's heat rating but it is not real close to anything hot, fingers crossed that it holds up. If it doesn't I'll have to use automotive silicone hose, but that's $$$.
Until I get a chance to take the body off again and mold a nice piece to fit the driver's vent, I made an aluminum arm that holds the hose end in place just inside the side vent. That should suffice for now.
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All in all I'm happy with how it turned out. I'll do testing next week at my first track event this season. I'll report back on how it works.