Project 'Too Much': 1969 P1800S - soon to be P1800 GT

[DETON8R]

Originally Posted by daemon2

I was holding out for a Volvo B8444S V8, but they are running over 5k for a well used engine. I can run an LSX376 for close to that price and not have the headaches of creating my own bellhousing, etc.

Time will tell...

I've wondered what it would take to get a Volvo V8-32 valve engine into a project, and there just isn't the support for modified engines like the LS series of engines. Complexity, cost and availability just make it too hard for anybody who has a budget. The 60 degree V8 from the Volvo block might have been a benefit for fitment between the fenders, and it would allow you to race in certain sanctioning body classes with an "all factory" car, but that really isn't my objective. It really would be "nice to have" but not for my budget. and abilities...........

Good progress, keep the photos coming!!

[daemon2]

I was very excited about the suspension so I tried to push forward with a few things I have been thinking over.

Like everything with this project so far I have to do a little more work that I had planned at the beginning. I have started a lot of fab on the front end, cutting out rust and making filler panels. I have started to plan the core support as well, I will need a much larger radiator for the V8.

This is just a few quick pics of the front with wheels, I will also start the metal around the new wheel arches to tuck these babies away without rubbing. These are .25 inch above ride height:





The core support will be a lot of work but the new rad opening will likely be twice the size of the old one.

[WSSix]

Looking good!

[Ryguy442]

Awesome project! I love cars that are out side of the box.

I got a suggestion for you that make things alittle easyier when doing sheetmetal work. I noticed the panle clamps you are using, iv been doing sheetmetal work for 10 years, iv tried using those and I wasn't happy with them. They left a gap that was a little to wide for me, they were kinda bulky, and messing the square peg was a pain. So I just made my own out of some scap I had laying around. They were very simple to make



Mine used just a thin strip of sheet metal to make the gap tighter, and also they just use a piece of tig wire instead of the big square beg. This way if you can't get behind it then you can just let the wire fall out. Make fitting panels easyier because you and slide the clamp on one side of the panel and slide the panle into the other side. Anyways thought it might be a helpful tip. If you have any questions just ask! Keep up the good work

Ryan

[daemon2]

Thanks for this! - I was finding the square peg on the back of mine hard to work with.

Originally Posted by Ryguy442

Awesome project! I love cars that are out side of the box.

I got a suggestion for you that make things alittle easyier when doing sheetmetal work. I noticed the panle clamps you are using, iv been doing sheetmetal work for 10 years, iv tried using those and I wasn't happy with them. They left a gap that was a little to wide for me, they were kinda bulky, and messing the square peg was a pain. So I just made my own out of some scap I had laying around. They were very simple to make


Mine used just a thin strip of sheet metal to make the gap tighter, and also they just use a piece of tig wire instead of the big square beg. This way if you can't get behind it then you can just let the wire fall out. Make fitting panels easyier because you and slide the clamp on one side of the panel and slide the panle into the other side. Anyways thought it might be a helpful tip. If you have any questions just ask! Keep up the good work

Ryan

[Ryguy442]

It's no problem, I might do a thread in the body and paint forum to show how I made them. They are pretty simple I'm sure you won't have a problem figuring them out. But I made my before I bought any, I bought a few and ended up getting frustrated and threw them in the scrap pile.

Ryan

[daemon2]

Still plugging away.

I like the way the front wheels are looking but they have to come back off so I can weld in the upper coilover mounts and work on the core support.

Just a few more pics with them on:






This weekend was eaten up by a bit of spring cleaning. I did get the drivers side floor panel in. But that's all for this weekend...

[daemon2]

I'm working in the back of the car now, the frame is complete front to rear and I have to add some cross braces in a few places.
I have been looking for a good place for the Optima battery and tray. The fuel tank is not centred so I think passenger side rear will be good for balance.





I have started fabricating the new wheel tubs, all the old material I don't need is gone now.


Still lots of work on the passenger wheel well


and bringing the body back together with the frame.