Einstein's Mark V Roadster Build

[Ejzajac]

What type of modified system/dolly are you using to put the frame on the 4 poster lift with enough height clearance to put tires on the car?
Even moving the lift ramps to the "narrow" configuration it will be short of the Cobra frame width. With your mini-steer, you could probably could position/drop the frame on the modified lift from the side!
Stay healthy!

[cv2065]

Looks like a great build and look forward to following along. I was going to go with a Godzilla myself, but FFR did not really have it worked out for an MKIV. One comment on the upgraded half shafts. The stock half shafts are rated up to 600HP, and that is at the wheels. At a 15% loss factor, you'd have to be tipping a little over 700HP at max output.

Also, these cars are light and can rarely use the power that we put into them. As many will say, anything over 400HP is for show and 'bragging rights' at a show. Unless you are drag racing the car, I'm not sure that you would need an additional $2300 investment, but of course, you build it as you think you need it.

I've only seen one other building with the Godzilla but not stacks. Should be awesome!!

[Aleinsteingenius]

The four post lift came with rolling jacks that slide back and forth and can extend out to various widths. I will show pictures of how it works, if it does, when we put it on the lift later today.

I agree about the half shafts. If I am stupid enough to put over 600 hp to the ground I hope the shafts break before I get killed lol.

[Mike.Bray]

Hi everybody. I apologize for the lack of posting for the last 3 months. I got very sick. I developed a Cerebral Spinal Fluid leak, which made my brain work even worse than it normally does. The doctor, knowing I am a car nut, explained it as "You have low oil pressure. Your check engine light is coming on". They managed to plug the leak. I asked where the leak was. He said, "It doesn't matter. It's like putting Stop Leak in your radiator, it just goes to where the leak is and plugs it". He spoke my language. I got out of the hospital mid July and decided to enjoy what was left of the summer here on Long Island fishing, sailing, etc with the grandkids.

Glad you're okay!!

[Aleinsteingenius]

Thanks Mike! I will be asking you a lot about Tilton vs Willwood MCs soon.

Ejcajac, Here is picture of the rolling jacks on the lift with one raised and one down.

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[Ejzajac]

TWO rolling jacks! Great, but expensive solution. Thanks.

[Aleinsteingenius]

My Garage Supply had a deal on Atlas four post lifts that included two rolling jacks free.

[Aleinsteingenius]

We got the body off and onto the body buck. Next we put the frame on the four post lift. So far so good.IMG_5545 (1).jpgIMG_5544.jpg

[rickster991]

Glad you’re back at it.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Man! That sounds like an ordeal; glad you're back!

Jeff

[PNWTim]

Glad to hear you are healed up and ready to get back at it. Enjoying those outdoor activities in the summer are what heaters in the shop are for in the winters. Looking forward to your build.

[Aleinsteingenius]

Any of you who have been reading this "build" thread from the beginning may be shocked by this. Today I ACTUALLY installed an ACTUAL part on the ACTUAL car! It was just the steering rack, and it was pretty easy. I didn't find anything to screw up, but there is always tomorrow. Stay tuned.IMG_5548.jpg

[ticopow]

Congrats on the first piece installed!

[Aleinsteingenius]

I can't remember who in here said this, but I was laughing about it as I worked on aluminum. "Drilling all the holes is boring, but the next step is riveting". Credit to whoever said it. All the airplane work I have done helps with this stage.

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[Ray from Long Island]

Hi Rickster and sorry Mr. Einstein,

I had the same concern, I wanted blue, not a blue with a purplish tint to it. Indigo blue is just that Blue, yes, kind of navy a bit but with the (I believe) "Mica metallic's" in it it is amazing in the Sun, shade and under my LED garage lights.

Ray

[Aleinsteingenius]

I am having a wonderful time locating all the aluminum panels and drilling the holes in both them and the frame. I had a big argument between my cheap Scottish half and my stubborn OCD Welsh half. (I am Scwelsh?). In the end, I decided to powder coat everything. It's only money (gulp). Does anybody have a decent picture of the Upper and Lower Inside Splash Panels? I think I have them right but the instructions are not too clear.

In other news I found out my engine should be done next week. That was the only major thing we are missing. Stay tuned

[edwardb]

Does anybody have a decent picture of the Upper and Lower Inside Splash Panels? I think I have them right but the instructions are not too clear.

If these are the parts you're asking about, decent diagram in the build manual.

Screenshot 2025-09-18 070230.jpg

I also showed them in my build thread: https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/show...l=1#post589960

Just in case you're asking about the splash guards that go behind the wheels front and back (aka elephant ears) those you want to fit after the body is on.

[Aleinsteingenius]

Credit where credit is due. "All day I drill holes in metal. At first it's boring and then it's riveting." Rickster991

[Aleinsteingenius]

Thanks Paul,

Somehow I missed that picture in the manual. I was concerned about the front of the top piece rubbing on the vertical frame piece. I ended up leaving it about 1/4" away.

[rickster991]

Credit where credit is due. "All day I drill holes in metal. At first it's boring and then it's riveting." Rickster991

Not sure where I got it from.. ��

[Aleinsteingenius]

More drilling and Cleecos. Thanks for the pictures in your build thread Paul. I think I missed the pics because they were on page 500 something in the manual. On to the cockpit aluminum.

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[Aleinsteingenius]

God I hate drilling. I am glad I didn't go to dentistry school. No real issues to report. I am just working my way though all the panels. My wife has offered to de-burr all the holes before I send them off to the powder coater. I don't think she realizes how many holes there are lol.

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[Mike.Bray]

My wife volunteered to help pull the rivets, she ended up probably pulling more than half. With my manual rivet gun. Guys that think they need power rivet guns crack us up.

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[egchewy79]

My wife volunteered to help pull the rivets, she ended up probably pulling more than half. With my manual rivet gun. Guys that think they need power rivet guns crack us up.

20220811_163636 (Medium) Rotated.jpg

All fun and games until you give yourself a hernia trying to hand pull some of the stainless steel 3/8” rivets that Breeze sends with their battery box

[Mike.Bray]

All fun and games until you give yourself a hernia trying to hand pull some of the stainless steel 3/8” rivets that Breeze sends with their battery box

They're actually 3/16" SS rivets, 3/8" would be a hell of a pop rivet. But I digress, we didn't have any issue with them at all with our rivet gun

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[Aleinsteingenius]

I will get my wife doing forearm exercises in preparation for manual riveting lol.

[egchewy79]

They're actually 3/16" SS rivets, 3/8" would be a hell of a pop rivet. But I digress, we didn't have any issue with them at all with our rivet gun

20250920_162713.jpg

My mistake. You are correct. Your riveter has a lot more leverage than my HF POS

[Ejzajac]

They're actually 3/16" SS rivets, 3/8" would be a hell of a pop rivet. But I digress, we didn't have any issue with them at all with our rivet gun

20250920_162713.jpg

What is the manufacturer of this rivet gun? It should get the job done .
Ed

[Mike.Bray]

What is the manufacturer of this rivet gun? It should get the job done .
Ed

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/po...lind-rivets-7/

[Aleinsteingenius]

Generally, the aluminum panels fit pretty well. It would be a significant task to create them all from scratch, as we used to do with some of the antique airplanes. Trimming some of them here and there, while probably not essential, can give a better fit.

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[Aleinsteingenius]

I wish I had some great wisdom or even screw ups to warn others about but I am just tweaking aluminum pieces and drilling holes. My wife showed up and worked all afternoon de-burring holes in the panels. You may remember her and her sun hat from the FFR Open House videos on You Tube. Now if I can just get her to do all the rivets lol. Sheet metal bending pliers are helpful for slightly adjusting the bends.IMG_5618.jpgIMG_2248.jpgIMG_5614.jpgIMG_5621.jpg

[Ejzajac]

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/po...lind-rivets-7/

Thanks.
YOU show me how to spend money with the best of them!

[Mike.Bray]

IMG_5618.jpg

Everything in your shop looks so shiny and new, that bench vice......

[Aleinsteingenius]

Yes that is why it took me so long to get started. First I had to build the shop. now, finally I am working on the car.

[Aleinsteingenius]

That one huge old bench vise was in my grandfather's shop. I am pretty sure the other one Noah used while building the ark.

[Mike.Bray]

Thanks.
YOU show me how to spend money with the best of them!

Always glad to help out.

To be fair, I've had that rivet gun for a long time and it was for another project, not car related.

[Aleinsteingenius]

My ancient bench vises. Good for banging on with large hammers.

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[PNWTim]

Those old vises are worth their weight in gold. Nice to keep them in the family.

[Aleinsteingenius]

I wish I had something more exciting to report to this build thread. I spent the day drilling and clecoing aluminum again. Tomorrow I should be done with all of it and there was much rejoicing. Then they go off to the powdercoater, and I can start installing stuff on the car finally.

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[Jeff Kleiner]

I wish I had something more exciting to report to this build thread...

That actually IS exciting and a significant milestone!

Jeff