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That did not take as long as I thought it would....
In progress: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0969.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0970.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0971.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0972.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0974.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0976.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_0977.jpg I will metal finish the weld and prep the Bell Housing for paint. We mounted the bell housing to the block and made a shaft to align the torque tube front bearing race to the crankshaft center line. It was probably more work that it was really worth but it was fun none the less! |
Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone might know where I can get some BFG tires for mockup purposes??? I am looking for 275-35-R18 for the front and 335-30-18 for the rear. I will be running BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KDW 2. I am in northern Ohio but if you have something and would be willing to ship please let me know! The perfect deal would be tires that are worn out and being replaced. As I said they would only be for mock up. Thanks! Chris |
Chris,
Check your local tire shops, especially the ones that sell used tires. Someone who removed a set from a vette or mustang, etc might come close. These guys have to pay for tire disposal, so...... And even if you have to pay a few $ for a junk set its still probably gonna be cheaper than shipping. |
Thanks for that Aaron. I was planning on calling Gateway and Conrads tomorrow!
Chris |
I scored a diff today! I will not be home until later this week so I cannot post an pics. Very exciting. I can now start drawing the chassis since I can determine the pickup points.
Chris |
Well it's been some time since I updated this thread. Been busy with other things until last weekend...
I started building an English Wheel for the Sheet Metal work in my future. Here are some pics. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1186sm.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1187sm.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1189sm.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1190sm.jpg for those of you that Browse the Metal shaping forums you will recognize this style an Imperial machine. Kerry is very helpful over a All Metal Shaping. Thanks for looking, Chris |
I'm jealous Chris....not only do you now have an english wheel which I'd love to have, but you also have a bottle/reg for your welder. I need one! lol.
Now start working on your car!.....mine is getting pulled apart for major changes. |
Hey Aaron,
Not to make you more Jealous but technically I have two bottles and two regulator, one for the MIG and one for the TIG.... but who's counting! LOL :P I saw over on PT that you are starting to work on your car too, sounds good! I hope to have the E-wheel done this weekend and then the sheet metal will begin! I will put a build thread over there too once I get rolling on the car itself. Stay tuned... Chris |
I'm jelous Chris, always wanted an English wheel..... along with skills to use it! Nice bell housing repair!
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Hey John,
Thanks for the comments, as far as the skills to use it we'll see :rofl: Building it might just be the easy part! As for the bell housing I probably should have just bought a used one but I had fun repairing it. Until I started working on it I had not picked up a TIG torch in about 5 or so years. It's been really enjoyable to get back into working on cars! I.T pays the bills better but it is NO WHERE near as fun! :( I'll post up some sheet metal shaping pics as soon as I have them. Chris |
Little more progress on the E-Wheel today...
Upper Anvil Holder: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1191sm.jpg Anvil axle: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1192sm.jpg And the Axle in the Holder: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1193sm.jpg I was able to get some machine time at the shop I used to work at. If any of you guys are in the Northern Ohio Area and need good quality engine machine work look up Medina Mountain Motors in Creston! Jodi will take care of you. Chris |
I think it should be very soon that I can actually start working on my car! :)
E-wheel progress.... http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1199.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1200.jpg Almost done! http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1201.jpg |
First metal I have ever shaped on an E-Wheel...
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1202.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1203.jpg Guys like Lasse make the E-wheel look easy... that whole "tracking pattern" deal is not as easy as they make it look! I'm sure with enough practice I will get better at it though. Thanks for looking. Chris |
Wow Chris....I'm really jealous. Thats one hell of an english wheel....not your cheapie version thats for sure. What did it cost to build if you dont mind me asking? From what I can see....there's plenty of room to pull my car in there too...:D
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Hey Aron,
Thanks man! It was a a great project. Kinda "knocked the rust off" the ol' fabricating skills. It's been a little while since I have done this type of thing. As for cost I will have to get a final tally but it wasn't too bad. Probably a little less than the same thing from HF. But... add about 30-35 hours of time and it is pretty "expensive". LOL But like I said it was a fun project so the time investment is not a big deal to me. I'll get you a total as soon as I can. Oh, as for the space, my wife's and my car are outside when I am working. As soon as the Firebird is inside my car will be outside full time. Hopefully under a temporary car port! :) But the more the merrier... :) That panel took me about 10-15 minutes to wheel up. I am sure once I get used to the tracking movements and pressure I need it will shape even faster. Chris |
I almost forgot, I got the frame cleaned up and coated with etching primer too...
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1207.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1206.jpg |
Ok cost break down for the wheel look like:
Steel 135.36 Hardware 14.80 My bolt selection isn't what it used to be! Axle and Adjuster Material 9.00 Upper Anvil 41.54 Lower Anvils 95.85 Total 296.55 That does not include any consumables and such. But even if you add the Propane I used for heating the garage and the little bit of Argon, sawzall blades and such it is still pretty in expensive for a good quality wheel. Chris |
Really cool Chris, and thats not bad price-wise really. I know so little about how to use the english wheel other than knowing WHAT it is used for. But just that is enough that I'd love to have one. I have walked past the ones at Harbor Freight many times and wondered if they'd be useful enough to even get started with.
But as of right now I have too many projects going to even think about making one. My TA is in a million pieces, and if I have any hope of getting her on the road by spring I'd better just concentrate on what I have going on already..........lol. Not to mention that funds are super tight right now. I also still need an argon tank and regulator for my mig. In addition, I've given thought to POSSIBLY trying to paint her myself perhaps once the weather warms up. Probably wont unless I get someone with experience to help though....lol. P.S. - Its NOT that I dont like lateral g net...the opposite in fact, but I still think you should bring a copy of this thread over to pro-touring.com....I think lots of guys over there would be inspired by the stuff you've done, whether its repairing that bellhousing or building your E-wheel. In fact, they have a section over there for fabrication stuff and I think lots of guys would really be intrigued. |
Looks great Chris.
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Thanks guys,
Aron I did not realize you needed the tank too.... that will set you back a little! I asked last time I was at my local Airgas and I think it was $220 out the door for a 80 sized bottle. Add around $85-125 for a reg and that hurts! As for Pro Touring... I plan to start a thread over there. I was going to wait until I got rolling a little more but what the heck! I have a goo amount of progress so far... sort of.... :willy: (that's me going in circles FYI) I am hoping to started on the first "true" car project tonight (if I don't end up having to working late). But like you said $$$ is tight so extra hours at work are not a bad thing. After adding up the total investment I am pretty happy. The HF wheel goes for 349.99 (minus 20% with a coupon) then you have to add the lower anvils for another $119 (again minus 20% if you have another coupon) so the total minus the 20% is 375.96 plus tax. Sure you get the 2" radius lower anvil that I don't have but.... Talk to you soon, Chris |
Thats why I'm trying to find a used setup cheap......lol. Hey, if you start a thread over there let me know......I dont look at all the knew ones so I miss a lot.
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Hey Aron,
I put a thread on the fab forum for the E-wheel. Nothing that is not already in here but I thought is fit well over there. Check it out if you get a chance. Chris |
Well I am out of town this week but I did have a chance to work on the nose a bit. I filled in the area where the front license plate would go. I wanted to get an idea of the shape I needed before I began working on any patterns.
Anyway, Styro foam in place: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1208.jpg Close up: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1209.jpg I decided to use drywall joint compound since I had it and this will not be going on the car ever... http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1210.jpg All mudded up: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1213.jpg I think I will post the final shaped pics in another post here. |
Final shaped pics, I used a razor blade as the joint compound was setting up to get a rough shape. Less sanding that way! Notice I am using the tape trick I picked up on here to make sure the body line is straight....
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1215.jpg After a little sanding: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1216.jpg And another: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1217.jpg Now I can start making the patterns I need. Sorry the white does not have better contrast to show the shape but hopefully you get the idea. Stay tuned. |
Hey! I was wondering where my container of cool whip went! Had a piece of pie ready to go and looked all over the fridge.......
:lol: So................what are you making a pattern for? Interesting that you are filling in the license plate area because I am likely filling in the openings for the fake valence on my new one piece fiberglass front end. Might have to follow your lead and fill in that plate area too! |
That's funny right there.... :rofl: As a matter of fact I stole the container from the cupboard and my wife was like do you want the lid? I said sure throw it down (not really knowing why I would need it). Anyway, I ended up citting it up for may "bondo spreader". :lol:
As for what I need the patterns for well.... stay tuned for that one. I really like the way filling in that area makes the nose look more "finished". Anvil did the same thing on there nose which is beautiful! Chris |
Hmmm....guess I didnt notice Anvil's change. Good catch on the detail. Part of me probably said......oh........a $1000 fiberglass nose with a layer of carbon fiber? Next item to look at..........
Still their stuff is beautifully executed. That formula hood looks like glass. Even if I could afford it though I wouldnt buy.......think the carbon fiber exposed exterior panels on a muscle car.....even pro-touring.....looks sorta passe. |
Yeah I thought the same thing, a Fiberglass nose with a layer of carbon I will be paining over. They really should offer the nose in non carbon too. Who knows maybe since I looked they have not sure.
I think the exposed carbon look done right is OK. Not my cup of tea but two that come to mind are Ty's Freedom Bird and Mary Posey's 2nd gen Camaro. Both have a small amount of carbon showing. Very tastefully done. Chris |
I keep saying the same...they are missing the boat by not offering those excellent parts in just fiberglass too. Maybe they think they wont appear as exclusive. I feel the same....I like Ty's bird, BUT.....not my thing. I'd much rather have the nice carbon fiber dash panel NOT A TA made for him. If you havent seen it he did a thread on that dash buildover on pro-touring.
I am DYING to make a custom console with gauge pods and cup holders built in. Something sleek and stylish. Heck, make one and use it as a mold and I could probably sell copies to tons of camaro and bird owners. Its a badly needed custom item NOBODY is making. Wish I knew more about how to make fiberglass molds/parts. I understand how its done, but dont have the experience to really do it. |
Chris.......cant remember what powerplant you are going to run, but wanted to key you in on this sale in case it interests you. I ordered one, and my friend said there were 30 or so left the other day.
http://www.pro-touring.com/showthrea...-Edelbrock-169 |
Thanks Aron,
I am actually going the LS engine route. "Main Stream" I know but you just can't beat 'em for ease of getting power and/or parts! The thought has crossed my mind to go all Pontiac and it may happen (doubtful but maybe). If I do I will be fabbing my own intake for the EFI system for sure. I probably will fab my own for the LS too but time will tell. Thanks again for the heads up. Chris Now if you know anyone offing a 6.0 LS engine with a rod knock or something let me know! :thumbsup: |
I should probably start a thread over on the project updates thread, maybe soon. Until then here is a teaser for what I need the patterns for...
Started the first layer of the FSP. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...DSC_1224-1.jpg First layer of the FSP complete: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1231.jpg Starting the first layer of strapping tape: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1232.jpg First layer of strapping tape done: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1239.jpg Second layer of strapping tape: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1237.jpg |
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Started shaping the templates.
First one: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1248.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/DSC_1249.jpg I have quite a few more to make but all it takes is time.... Thanks for looking. Chris |
Nice !!!!
:cool: Nice Work !
You have some skills......made your own English wheel....now making the front nose ! Where did you learn all this ? I have a 76 T/A that needs some body work.....I want to learn but I don't know if I can do much. Some day......it's nice to see your project ! Good luck ! |
Hmmm.....still scratching my head...lol. But I am curious and waiting to see more....lol
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87ss I really haven't done all that much yet.
But as for my background, Growing up my Dad was a carpenter so I started working with my hands at a very young age. In High School I took various wood and metal working classes and also went to the local trade school for auto mechanics. Jr year I got a job at the local machine shop (Medina Auto Parts) and I worked as an automotive machinist for about 15 years. I worked for other shops too including Mark Pawuk racing where I was Head Engine builder for a short time. During that time I also worked part time at Pro Street Chassis in Norton. I got the job at Pro Street because of the Drag car I had built in my Dad's garage. So I have pretty much done most anything car related at one point or another... except upholstery. Fabrication just comes naturally to me. I can "see" what I want to build in my mind then build it. I would say it is a God given talent. Not that I have not had to practice and work at things but fabrication comes easier to me then other things do. Aron, I have to keep you guessing man! :) Stay tuned. Chris |
Ohhhh...so I have seen nothing yet!
So I was wrong...you have alot more skills....and I bet your work will be fun to watch. I may even learn some stuff from you :unibrow:
I just wish you were my neighbor....ha ha.....that way I can get you to help me on my t/a..... Keep up the good work ! I will be watching ! |
Well I hope to live up to those "skills" you talk about.
Stay tuned. Chris |
Nice work man. I love those 2nd gens, look forward to seeing what all you do.
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