Rear Suspension install
 

Started installing some of the rear suspension components. I was going to polish the Heidts aluminum center section, but it was recommended to just do "chrome" powder coating. Sadly, that didn't turn out so well, but I'll live with it. Not really going to show under the car anyway. The powder coater felt really bad about it. He said it might happen (gassing). He cooked it in the oven for 5 hours, hoping to get the impurities out of it, but it still pitted. Just cheap dirty casting from the mfg. Nothing he could do. Only charged me $100, instead of the original $200 quote. I can't fault him, he tried. Even put several hours of prep into it before hand, to smooth it out.

Before

https://i.imgur.com/7tULSYT.jpg

After

https://i.imgur.com/TFlbN7O.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BU3azDt.jpg

Other stuff going in

https://i.imgur.com/i7XsqXH.jpg

$500 doesn't buy much in the quality paint scene these days. The color I chose is up to $880 a gallon. I bought it a year ago for $600 a gallon. This is 2 quarts of jet black, 1 quart of black primer, and 1 gallon of clear, and the catalysts to go with them

https://i.imgur.com/FsOnfPo.jpg

It works.

Yup!! If I was building a show car, it would be a different story, but for a driver, it's good enough. Mainly wanted protection from the elements.

Powder coating holds up really well. I'm glad I used it on my AME frame, rear suspension an diff. Also super easy to clean and keep looking nice. I think it's the smart move.

I agree 100%

looking good, you work really fast

8 years into a 2 year project, doesn't seem too fast to me :lol:

Got just a little bit more done before I got called to work. Was expecting to do more, but a plumbing leak at home, and getting called to work 11 hours earlier than expected, sorta changed things.
Got the third member installed into the housing, and got it all bolted up. Started installing the stub shafts, but that's as far as I got. I realized, after moving 3 different times, since I bought all this stuff, I am missing some hardware.
Don't have a brake caliper mounting bolts. Not sure what happened with those, so I'll have to find some.

Tried putting that heavy ass iron third member in with the housing in place...that's a negative ghost rider

https://i.imgur.com/FRBGZGB.jpg

This'll work

https://i.imgur.com/duQwGzs.jpg

There it is

https://i.imgur.com/asmkL8d.jpg

Just swing it up into place

https://i.imgur.com/kZls6CJ.jpg

Wheel Studs
 

For those contemplating a Heidt's setup, some of their stuff is kinda quirky. For instance, the front aluminum hubs are Willwood, and take a 1/2" wheel stud, but the rear hubs, are apparently Corvette hubs and have a 12mm wheel stud. Had to spend $100 for 10 new wheel studs from ARP. These are specific for converting C5 hubs to SAE 1/2" studs. Just drill out the hole with a 1/2" drill, and good to go.
Don't make fun of my spark plug socket on the press. As soon as the stud bottomed, I stopped. It was the perfect fit for what I needed to do. :)

Get out the BFH

https://i.imgur.com/07syfVN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dBGi8Ns.jpg

I made sure the table was level with the drill head. Don't want it to be angled

https://i.imgur.com/rUmT4OL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/zF55K4r.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/M55NXVp.jpg

Don't laugh, it worked

https://i.imgur.com/q3zBVAd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/HSYVjPS.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Cn5vmdr.jpg

Rear Suspension going in
 

Assembled more of the rear suspension stuff. Waiting on some Grade 8 fasteners to come in. Heidt's supplies Grade 5, which I'm sure is sufficient, but I like the pretty gold color of Grade 8:G-Dub::lol:

https://i.imgur.com/iFQMK4L.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/n5eSRCy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Kc593rw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MM9BpEH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/I7e1D2o.jpg

Almost time for wheel measuring!!345's babay!!

https://i.imgur.com/T9ZZoh6.jpg