Jim's Build Thread

[progmgr1]

I found that using ordinary newspaper worked just as well as wax paper - back in the day when there were newspapers...
Keith HR #894

[j33ptj]

what are newspapers???

[33fromSD]

So the registration process begins......

SoDak actually changed how they do kit cars 6 months ago, so now I needed to fill in an application for Title & Registration as well as filled in a parts affidavit for a rebuild (they now consider Manufactured Kits as rebuilds) and had to send in my MSO paperwork from FFR and all receipts into the state. I feel little nervous handing all my receipts and MSO in without anything in return.

Then In 2-4 weeks they will contact me for a location to take the car for an inspection which will be interesting since they didn't give me a temp plate so I guess I'll trailer it there.

Once the inspection is done the state sends the paperwork through for a title and I can get my title & license. Thinking they make that sound way too smooth.

Interestingly enough though, one of the questions on the affidavit was engine serial number and proof of invoice (with S/N) listed if it wasn't pulled from another vehicle. Glad I had what I had from BP, they document it very well.

Guess I better get this car finished up in case the inspection place calls.

Jim

One step closer....The 33 is fully insured now (through Hagerty where I have my other classics). Guess I can check off the "proof of insurance" box now.

Jim

[33fromSD]

I finished up the vinyl install on the waterfall this morning before work...not perfect, but looks pretty good....hoping to install it tonight.

Jim

20210511_085251.jpg

[Blade]

I like how your waterfall came out.I'm about a week from doing the one on my car. I'm curious about the transitions at the top left and right and how they were accomplished. I planned on doing mine in three sections using Hidem double stitch to conceal the joint. What are your thoughts. Can the whole piece be covered with a single sheet of vinyl?

[33fromSD]

I got the Waterfall installed last night....I still need to figure out how I'm going to attached the padded trim around the waterfall. In the front (by the doors) I'm going use the rag top threaded mounts, just need to figure out the rear (probably will fasten it in 3 spots).

Next up is the trans tunnel....little bit of modifying needed for the hydraulic clutch salve cylinder (and I want to try to buy a little more foot room for the accelerator pedal).

Jim

20210512_073647.jpg 20210512_073631.jpg

[33fromSD]

Did you guys notice an expiration date on your Simpson Belts? I assume this is only for track inspection and not the road but interested in hearing other's opinions.

Jim

fullsizeoutput_56.jpeg

[33fromSD]

I like how your waterfall came out.I'm about a week from doing the one on my car. I'm curious about the transitions at the top left and right and how they were accomplished. I planned on doing mine in three sections using Hidem double stitch to conceal the joint. What are your thoughts. Can the whole piece be covered with a single sheet of vinyl?

The left & right panels are what I'll call cheater panels. I actually did cover the whole piece in one single sheet of vinyl (lots of effort / stretching) but the corners are really stretched and then with relief cuts in the upper lip corners that fastens to the body, some of the fiberglass was exposed so I made the left and right triangular cheater panels to cover that. With the padded trim piece on, you most likely would not have seen that but once that is removed for the rag top it would have been obvious so I made the triangular cheater panels to cover the exposed fiberglass so it's covered no matter what.

I just pulled vinyl around piping I had and hand stiched around piping in the front to give it a finish look and then the panel is glued in place (I roughed up the vinyl under it so the glue would bite; it's not going anywhere, can't even peel it up).

I was a better solution than paying a local upholstery shop $600 to do it (seemed really high to me).

Jim

[RoadRacer]

Next up is the trans tunnel....little bit of modifying needed for the hydraulic clutch salve cylinder (and I want to try to buy a little more foot room for the accelerator pedal).

I made up an aluminum tunnel to maximize foot room.. and got more than needed. You still want your right foot to be able to lean against something! So mock it up before deciding..

Did you guys notice an expiration date on your Simpson Belts? I assume this is only for track inspection and not the road but interested in hearing other's opinions.

Yes, track-only, and even then when "proper racing" with tech inspection, etc. In my experience, for fun track days and street use no-one cares.

[33fromSD]

I made up an aluminum tunnel to maximize foot room.. and got more than needed. You still want your right foot to be able to lean against something! So mock it up before deciding..



Yes, track-only, and even then when "proper racing" with tech inspection, etc. In my experience, for fun track days and street use no-one cares.

Thanks James

Jim

[33fromSD]

Trans tunnel modified and installed and sound dampening installed. The trans tunnel really transforms the inside. Looks like a normal interior now.

Carpet is next.....need to figure out all the various pieces they supplied.

Jim

20210513_090254.jpg 20210513_090300.jpg

20210513_090311.jpg 20210513_090318.jpg

[33fromSD]

Anyone know if someone produces sill plates for the Gen 2 body on the 33 HR? Gen 1s have the straight sill, Gen 2s have the slant for easier access.

Trying to figure out what to do there.

Jim

[33fromSD]

Busy weekend....carpet installed, belts installed, shifter boot installed, emergency brake book installed, floor mats installed, seats installed (with Breeze risers), center console cover installed and then I got both doors installed but I only got the exterior handle on the passenger door installed. Between all the above, and a bunch of yard work on two houses I ran out of gusto. I really like the way the interior turned out.

Next up I need to install the driver side exterior handle, both door panels (with pull handle and speaker), install carpet in the trunk, and fit the rage top to be sure nothing moved when I reinstalled the windshield. Getting very close to a completed car. May 25th will be exactly 8 months since I got my kit from FFR.

Discovered I suffered the Moser 8.8" rear end seal leak like many others.....I debated pulling the cover when I first installed it but talked myself out of it...oh well...guess I'll pull that some time this week / next weekend. Then I'll get the front tires balanced (did the rears a couple weeks ago; some of the weights from original mounting from FFR fell off in transit), do the alignment, do some tweaking to make sure everything is operating right and then I guess I'll cover it until the state calls for my inspection.

Having our home garage floor epoxied in the next 1-2 weeks so I want to make sure this thing is covered out of the dust. I have one neighbor who I'm guessing will call the police if I run it around the neighborhood a few times without plates on it. I got an earful in November when I go-Karted it so no sense taking a chance now that it's done.

By the way, I'm so glad I had the doors off for installing the interior, for those having interior coming up, I would suggest the same. Much easier.

Jim

20210516_125246.jpg 20210516_125320.jpg 20210516_125336.jpg

20210516_125543.jpg 20210516_125556.jpg 20210516_134334.jpg

20210516_163801.jpg 20210516_163812.jpg

[RoadRacer]

I have one neighbor who I'm guessing will call the police if I run it around the neighborhood a few times without plates on it. I got an earful in November when I go-Karted it so no sense taking a chance now that it's done.

Ugh that sucks. Neighbors are such a random crapshoot.

But on the plus side, you car is soon going to make a beautiful Picture Of the Month (POM); I can see it now!

[33fromSD]

Ugh that sucks. Neighbors are such a random crapshoot.

But on the plus side, you car is soon going to make a beautiful Picture Of the Month (POM); I can see it now!

Thanks James...I've had a blast building this thing...almost sad it's close to being done but fear not, then I will get back to my 67 mustang convertible that is waiting on final body prep and my 55 F100 which is in mid-restoration.

Jim

[33fromSD]

Before work this morning I got the Driver's side exterior handle and both door mirrors installed

Jim

20210517_092043.jpg 20210517_092034.jpg

[JimLev]

Looks great Jim.
Can you provide some info on the metal plate you have on the running boards?
Thanks.

[33fromSD]

Hi Jim

Thanks...here is the link I ordered it from. Sounds weird being a truck step plate but the size / placement worked out perfect for where the seats are mounted. On mine at least you step right out onto the plate.

https://www.raneystruckparts.com/cus...-iowa-customs/

I ordered the 6"x20" Billet aluminum, they have many options

Jim

[33fromSD]

Driver's side door panel fitted / installed last night...that was actually quite the PITA to do...probably the hardest part of the interior to this point and I'm almost done.

The problem is the Gen2 door panels (not sure if Gen1 is the same) are 1/8" thick aluminum so they are really stiff and the doors have a couple contours / angles in the design so they is not a flat surface to just lay the flat door panel in and fasten it. There is quite a bit of bending / shaping to do.

Had I known this I would have done this at the stage before my doors were painted so I could lay the doors flat on a surface and work the proper shape of the panel. Trying to do this with a door that is hung is a little challenging. Oh well.

looks good though. I'll hopefully tackle the passenger door tonight, not sure if we have other things to do yet or not.

Jim

20210519_084230.jpg 20210519_084250.jpg

[HotrodMike]

Driver's side door panel fitted / installed last night...that was actually quite the PITA to do...probably the hardest part of the interior to this point and I'm almost done.

The problem is the Gen2 door panels (not sure if Gen1 is the same) are 1/8" thick aluminum so they are really stiff and the doors have a couple contours / angles in the design so they is not a flat surface to just lay the flat door panel in and fasten it. There is quite a bit of bending / shaping to do.

Had I known this I would have done this at the stage before my doors were painted so I could lay the doors flat on a surface and work the proper shape of the panel. Trying to do this with a door that is hung is a little challenging. Oh well.

looks good though. I'll hopefully tackle the passenger door tonight, not sure if we have other things to do yet or not.

Jim

20210519_084230.jpg 20210519_084250.jpg

You have done an amazing job on this project, I start mine next month and I will be referring to your build thread in the future. Great work!!!

[33fromSD]

You have done an amazing job on this project, I start mine next month and I will be referring to your build thread in the future. Great work!!!

Thank You Mike....

Jim

[33fromSD]

Now that I knew where to bend the door panel the passenger side went much smoother. Excuse the darker sections on the panel, this was right after I wiped it down to remove the dust.

Sooooo close to finishing the interior, just need to mount the padded trim piece above the waterfall mount the rear view mirror, put the 2.5" plugs in the door to cover the hole for the exterior handle latch and find something for around the hinge holes.

Jim

20210519_192716.jpg 20210519_192737.jpg

[FF33rod]

Fantastic Job Jim, looks super.
Gen 1 door panels are the same, thick aluminum. One of my door panels looks like it will fit fine, the other doesn't fit well at all. Not sure if it's because they replaced my gen 1 doors with gen 2 or what. However, i'm going to do custom panels anyway - got some of the Hagan components to do that Not sure about you but the thought that the main part of the build will be done and that I will have built a fricking car feels rather surreal at the moment

Steve

[33fromSD]

Fantastic Job Jim, looks super.
Gen 1 door panels are the same, thick aluminum. One of my door panels looks like it will fit fine, the other doesn't fit well at all. Not sure if it's because they replaced my gen 1 doors with gen 2 or what. However, i'm going to do custom panels anyway - got some of the Hagan components to do that Not sure about you but the thought that the main part of the build will be done and that I will have built a fricking car feels rather surreal at the moment

Steve

Thanks Steve...yeah, I know what you mean, I went through all my google pics (more than what is on this forum) this past weekend and it was really wild to watch the transformation from bare frame to a complete car (some of it I already forgot).

I've done full restorations before so one could say I've built many cars but those were different, they were built and I tore them apart, so it wasn't like I was working with a blank slate. The 33 HR is even more special to me because we are given a frame, body panels and numerous boxes of parts and it's up to us to put these cars together from the ground up and modify them to our own personal preference.

Sure, there is a manual provided, but I think all of us who have built or are building a FFR project will agree, the manual doesn't come close to covering everything to build these cars.

Then there was working with fiberglass which was completely new to me but it was great, I learned a ton and added even more experience to wheel house. If there was anything that intimidated me on this project it was the fiberglass, but in the end, it all worked out fine. I've turned down helping a lot of friends in the past not knowing a lot about fiberglass, but now I'll help in an instant since I understand it and am comfortable with it.

Truly a special moment with great memories building this car, and I will always have a unique sense of pride on this car. My adult kids like it too ad are already heckling each other over who gets the 33 when Dad is no longer around.

Also fun to have neighbors stop by and ask a lot of questions on it. Can't wait to get the registration / titling done so I can get it out on the road.

Jim

[33fromSD]

Interior besides a good cleaning is 100% done....another big milestone reached.

Tonight I got the padded trim above the waterfall installed, I installed the plug caps in the doors, installed finish trim (just weather stripping) around the hinge holes and installed the rear view mirror on the windshield.

Next up is carpeting the trunk, then the build will be physically complete, I will also install the rag top to reverify fit. Can't wait to see the black top against the green.

I will then do things like fixing the leak in the moser 8.8 rear end, doing the alignment, going through and checking torque on all bolts, various system checks, etc., then I wait form my inspection.

Jim

20210520_162652.jpg 20210520_162745.jpg

20210520_162720.jpg 20210520_162820.jpg

20210520_162726.jpg 20210520_162829.jpg

20210520_162844.jpg

20210520_162957.jpg

[33fromSD]

Carpeting in trunk done...waiting on my battery cover to come in

Jim

20210521_075310.jpg

[33fromSD]

Rag Top & curtains installed to verify fit, all lined up nice.

I'll leave it on now until I get an appt for my inspection to cut down on dust on the inside.

Jim

20210521_084913.jpg 20210521_090934.jpg

[HotrodMike]

Rag Top & curtains installed to verify fit, all lined up nice.

I'll leave it on now until I get an appt for my inspection to cut down on dust on the inside.

Jim

20210521_084913.jpg 20210521_090934.jpg

Your build came out great, such attention to detail. I really love the accents you added to the exterior and the tail lights. That is one clean machine, stellar performance!!

[33fromSD]

Your build came out great, such attention to detail. I really love the accents you added to the exterior and the tail lights. That is one clean machine, stellar performance!!

Thanks Mike

Jim

[RoadRacer]

Your build came out great, such attention to detail. I really love the accents you added to the exterior and the tail lights. That is one clean machine, stellar performance!!

Yeah, I've never considered painting mine, but damn..

P.S. nice to finally see the whole car, I feel you've been teasing us with closeups

[33fromSD]

Yeah, I've never considered painting mine, but damn..

P.S. nice to finally see the whole car, I feel you've been teasing us with closeups

Thanks James

Next week after they finish up epoxying our garage floor I get this thing outside to get some better pics.

This weekend it's all about emptying the garage in preparation for that.

Jim

[cob427sc]

Great build. Picked up some ideas for mine already completed --- oh yea, these cars are never really done. I'm making a list of all the modifications I can do next winter based on yours and other cars. Just wish I'd thought of some of these earlier!

[33fromSD]

Hot damn..... just got a call from the state, my inspection is set up for 2:00 PM next Wednesday, June 2nd.

Fingers crossed. He noted all other paperwork (engine & transmission history) looks good.

Jim

Have a good holiday weekend everyone!!

[33fromSD]

The guy I talked to on the phone about the inspection said some things that were really odd to, that I cannot stop thinking about...

I asked if there was a hit list of things they are looking for so I can make sure I have those items covered like lights, horn, wiper, seatbelts, etc. so everything goes smoothly and he said they don't focus on the safety stuff at all, they are merely inspecting it making sure that two things are met....

#1) the car is complete and they are not registering / titling an unfinished car
and
#2) that I built the car which matches the paper work I submitted to the state (which was basically my FFR invoice and the BP engine invoices).

He also said it's up to me whether I want to drive it in (they are sending me a letter to give to my local office for a temporary plate) or trailer it in. He said either is fine with them and if I trailer it in, they may not even request for me to take it off, if they can see everything with the car on the trailer.

Very Odd.... guess I'll find out in a week

Jim

[McGuyver]

Looks like you have #1 & #2 covered with ease! Here’s to a successful inspection.

[33fromSD]

Now that the 33 is done I promised my wife no more huge messes is the main garage so I had the garage floor epoxy coated yesterday (the crew loved the 33 but hated working around and under the lift) and I painted it the garage today after the 12 hour waiting period.

Ignore the 2x4 shelves & the different color walls, I plan on remove all the stuff from the shelves this winter and painting it as a mini project. Key goal for today was getting the garge walls painted (used to be the tan you see in the shelves) so I can move all my stuff back in tomorrow. I need my trailer to move my son into his house tomorrow.....lots going on.

Turned out pretty good.

Jim

20210527_161350.jpg 20210527_161338.jpg 20210527_161232.jpg 20210527_161222.jpg

[FF33rod]

Far too clean, it's clear you need another project....

Steve

[33fromSD]

Far too clean, it's clear you need another project....

Steve

I hear ya Steve,

I have deck on the back of our house to resurface (getting rid of the old cedar decking and putting in maintenance free decking) and once that is done I'll pick back up on the 55 F100 build which is in process at the shop verses the home garage, but I may take the summer off to play with the rest of the toys. Latest pics of the 55 attached.....frame is refinished, new box is fitted, floor of the cab is sand blasted / painted, not I need to strip the cab.

Jim

20210306_061518.jpg 20201101_085803.jpg 20201127_102128.jpg

[33fromSD]

As mentioned previously my diff started leaking so I removed the diff cover on the Moser 8.8" rear end this morning & resealed it. Not surprising it leaked, Moser did not grind / sand off the chrome on the inside gasket surface and then applied a very thin (like thin enough to still see the chrome through it) before installing the gasket & fastening it.

Why bother even putting a gasket or sealer on then? A little surprising from Moser considering rear ends is a big portion of what they do.

Should be good to go now, I'll refill it tomorrow morning and then I'll go through everything in preparations for the inspection on Wednesday this week.

Jim

[sethmark]

Look up lube locker. Vastly superior.