Friday, October 4, 2024

Interior Sheet Metal

 While we wait for delivery of the springs and shocks, some progress was made on the interior. Specifically, the tunnel sheet metal cover was fabbed. It will be held in place with a series of small screws that will tie into nutserts on the frame. The shifter will get a leather boot at some point in the near future. (And yes, the seats are in desparate need of re-upholstery/re-covering....)




Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Keeping Cool

 Overflow catch-can is now complete; Joe created a work of art. Radiator shroud is next up in the queue. Southern Arizona is a friggin' hot place to live, so anything/everything we can do to keep the engine temps in check are worth the effort.






Friday, September 27, 2024

HUGE Milestone!

 Well, she scoots under her own power! Huge milestone today!

She still needs actual springs and shocks; we're currently running hard steel pipe in place of springs while we order the actual units. Also needs a dozen odds and ends, most notably a proper tune, some body panel fitment issues, interior work, and various electrical wiring stuff (horn, front lights and signals...). But I don't care! She runs!






Thursday, September 26, 2024

Brakes, Shafts, and Tanks...

 Replacement Wilwood master cylinders arrived, were installed, and the system bled. Still need some plumbing done on the clutch, but the brakes are working! Woot! Also, we got the custom driveshaft built and installed. And the trick custom overflow tank that is tucked down in the passenger-side wheel well is nearing completion. Big week for the car...






Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Weighing the Frog

The car was put on scales today. The reason for doing the weight now (besides pure curiosity) is to help size the springs and shocks, which will be ordered ASAP.

Total weight (sans springs/shocks and driveshaft) is 1,846lbs, with a 48:52 Front:Rear balance. A little heavier than I expected, but still not too bad. The rear-bias is also preferred to front bias, but regardless, it's pretty close to the perfect 50:50 goal. When I pull out the current beefy steel strut bars and replace them with proper springs and shocks, plus add weight of the 11-inch long driveshaft, I'll probably be around 1,925lbs.




Wednesday, September 18, 2024

One Step Forward, One Step Back

 First the bad news: the master cylinders we're using are NLA... and mine are not functioning correctly. No problem, right? Just get a rebuild kit, and... uh, you can't get a rebuild kit anymore. Long story writ short, we're going to have to convert from my current CNC M/Cs to Wilwood units. Worse, this means we're going to have to get creative with packaging, as the Wilwoods are taller, and (of course) hit the bonnet when it's closed. Sigh. 

In good news: we got the transmission driveline adapter installed, and the driveshaft measured up. Next up is to get the driveshaft builder to, well, build a tiny little drive shaft for us. About 12-inches in length, total.



Thursday, September 12, 2024

Small but meaningful progress

Brakes lines nearing completion. Fuel tank fully installed and plumbed up. Next up will be driveshaft fab and then springs and shocks. Lots of other little things in the works, too, like radiator shroud, catch-can, headlights, horn, and such. Goal is to get her "drivable" within a few weeks. Woot!