63 Biscayne

[WSSix]

Good job, and good tip using machining dye to find low spots.

[renegade6]

Time for another update. Took a bit of time off of work for the holidays and managed to get a bit accomplished. I'm really close on the body where I have all of the rough metal work finished and need to spray some epoxy before I start using the filler. But, with this unbelievably cold weather it will take me forever to heat up the garage.

For this update, I've done the following:

-Fabricated brackets for the fuel cell cage and mounted it to the frame. When doing this, there was really one thing I wish I had...A good working knowledge of geometry. I guess there is a reason that I wasn't a mathematician . Even with my weak skills I had just enough metal for fabricate the brackets. I planned on using a fuel cell remote filler but, when I received it, figured out it was just too big to fit in the original filler pocket so, I'll make the original filler neck work.

-Made a cover for the fuel cell to replace the metal I had to cut out of the trunk. Surprisingly, I did it correctly on the first time and didn't waste half a sheet of steel like I've done a time or two before.

-Lastly, I mounted my throttle pedal. I was originally planning on welding some studs to the firewall but, with the tight clearances, it made more sense to attach it to the master cylinder and steering column backing plate.

Next step is to mount the vintage air mock up unit and install the rivnuts for the fuel cell cover.

[renegade6]

More pictures

[renegade6]

I haven't gotten much accomplished. I really need to shoot some primer and lay down some filler but, with the daytime high temps in the teens, that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

So, in the interim I decided to go ahead and plumb in my fuel cell. I shopped around a bit for lines and was going to go with the lines from Pegasus racing but, a bit too pricey for me. Instead I went with Aeroquip Starlite hose and fittings connecting the fuel cell to the Corvette filter/regulator. I will run one -6 line to the frame and it will connect to stainless hardline from there to the engine compartment.

The Starlite hose is very easy to work with. It cuts easily and the fittings are easy to install...Much more so than my last experience with doing hydraulic fittings with a crescent wrench and a vice.

The one change I will probably make is getting rid of the vent line and going with one of these PPM fuel cell vents http://pitstopusa.com/i-5081296-ppm-...l-vent-08.html

[Schwartz Perf]

I enjoy seeing the updates Brandon, keep up the good work! Everything is looking good so far, and you're becoming quite the sheet metal fabber

-Dale

[renegade6]

Thanks!

I've had a lot of help for the majority of it and one of these days I'll figure out the cut twice and measure once, I mean measure twice and cut once.

[waynieZ]

Nice job it looks good.

[renegade6]

Let me try this again.

I've been gone so much with work trips I haven't had time to post an update. I didn't think I accomplished much until I started looking at all of the pictures. I would have had it in primer sooner but, until recently, it's been too cold to put any paint down.

For this update I've done the following:

-With some help, built the center console out of household foam insulation and laid it up in fiberglass. I don't have a final picture but, should have one soon. Because of the size of the planned head unit, I had to make a spot in the tunnel for the radio to fit in.

-Installed the front bracket for the AC condenser.

-When I finally put the transmission in, I saw a few problems. The cross-member didn't go back far enough for the 6L80E to fit in so, I had to move the cross member back, weld some nuts to the frame and put some pass thrus in the cross-member for the exhaust. I really appreciate Dale Schwart's help with figuring this out.

-I took it off of the frame for the last time so I can get the frame powder coated. Additionally, I started laying out the brake lines. Once I get them installed I'll drop the body on the frame for hopefully the last time. If anyone is interested in an Auto Twirler rotisserie, PM me. I expect that it will be up for sale in the next two or three weeks.

-Installed front and rear seat belt mounts.

-Also,I seam sealed everything under the car and put SPI bedliner underneath the body to act as the undercoating. One thing I wish I would have done differently is use some black primer. I ended up using just shy of three gallons to coat the entire bottom of the car!

-Last accomplishment was getting it covered in epoxy primer. I still need to prime the trunk lid and one door but, I should be able to knock that out soon. I need to get everything covered before I have to move in six weeks. I would hate to get more rust on it than it already had.

[renegade6]

More pictures

[slamdimpala]

It's looking good!!