The Willomet Charger

[1970RT]

Originally Posted by andrewb70

David,

The offset makes perfect sense, given your goals.

Can you elaborate more on the material used in the crossmember and why it was built the way it was, etc...?

Andrew

The frame mounts are .110 mild steel, so there’s a nice .220 bearing surface for the mounting bolts. The cradle is .180 aluminum.

The idea is straightforward enough - build an additional cradle for the engine so the frame mounts can resist both twist and the spreading force from the weight of the engine in place. I like to use overlay plates and a skeleton construction since it’s a good way to shed 15-20% of the mass. The cradle didn’t need to be steel, and was a good chance to use aluminum to get some added rigidity with a minimal weight penalty.

David

[1970RT]

Let's catch up.

The footwells are welded and blended, the engine frame mounts are built and welded, the Rev1 engine cradle is built and installed, and I finally got to start in on the inner chassis rails. Oh, and I'm also getting around to converting the TR6060 into a Magnum.

In order - welded up using regular 70S-2, and some silicone bronze smooths and blends the transition to from the foot well to the torque box and frame rail. I really like working with that stuff.












The first engine cradle design didn't work as I intended, so this is Rev1. I'll ditch a design that isn't working before making do. The purpose of this assembly is to tie the mounts and rails together and provide another integration point for the front shear plate.








My settings: 190A, 25% balance, 200Hz, ~22* 2% La grind, 20 cf, 1/8" 5356 filler, a slight preheat, hot cup of coffee:










David

[1970RT]

For workspace reasons, I had put off welding the inner chassis bits until the footwells and engine cradle were done.

Those sub-projects are done, and so we move on:




More lateral reinforcements coming:




Very close to stabbing the powertrain and beginning work on the trans mount:


But first - complete this conversion. The TR6060 bellhousing/front cover is removed and a Magnum cover is in its place along with the tail housing. The 3.01-related input shaft is 3/16" too long, but a 1/4" bellhousing spacer should correct that. I'll do a more detailed post once complete:


Lots of good evenings and weekends ahead.

David

[bkswede]

Amazing work and project!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[waynieZ]

Looking good!

[gofastwclass]

Nice work.

[214Chevy]

You've got some skills....nice!!

[1970RT]

Originally Posted by bkswede

Amazing work and project!

Thank you. It's been a long time in the making, and I'm pushing myself hard post-SEMA to make significant progress this year. Goals, not dreams.

Originally Posted by waynieZ

Looking good!

Thank you, sir.

Originally Posted by gofastwclass

Nice work.

Much appreciated. I've taken my unfair share of inspiration from the builds on here.

Originally Posted by 214Chevelle

You've got some skills....nice!!

Building them as I go. I have really good mentors, and that makes the difference between "self taught" and "coached."

David

[Cuttingedge]

Can’t believe I never noticed you had your build on here. I follow it on ck5 hah (classicstyle).

Works looking great, welding is really getting nice!

[1970RT]

Another good few weeks of work, and a decent series of milestones.

Lateral chassis bits are burned in.




Just about ready to stab the engine and trans.


First, need to keep the input shaft from an interference fit with the crank. Quicktime RM199 1/4" bellhousing spacer leaves only a minor amount of contact, and just requires some light clearancing.


Maybe 1/32" of interference remaining.




Next up in the conversion - shifter rail. Here's the shorter TR6060 rail.


Two position magnum takeoff.


Only thing really remaining to convert is the output shaft and pump mechanism, but it's setup enough for mockup purposes.

Maximum effort shifter cover.


Because a $4.95 stamped steel cover is boring.


Stabbed.


Just enough rear angle for the heads to drain.


You can clearly see the 5* angle built into the magnum bell and tail housing.


Engine cradle detail.


That's about 1" of clearance.


David