Let's call it 54 hours in now.
Clearanced the plate, and fitted it. I took some shots showing the spacers I'll need to add.
Left is the 8mm side
Right is the 5mm side (though I might have to add just a small washer to both on this side since the head casting interferes...
I'm pretty sure the motor plate is parallel with the output sprocket...
I got a new toy! So I wasted no time doing a bit of cleanup and prepping some cuts.
I marked a line about 5 inches longer than I think I'll need. Cross your fingers it's not too short. Haha.
Quick mock-up of new frame on frame table.
Sweet grind.
Squared up my cuts, checked all measurements twice, cleaned metal, and:
Tacked! It's amazing how much a simple tack can make things move. I swear this measurement was 18.5 before, now it's 18.
First thing I did today was to straighten out the changes my tacks made. I had to wedge the frame under something heavy and bolted to the wall in order to square it up. Hey, at least I know the tacks were strong.
Next I decided to up my clamp game so the frame wouldn't move around anymore while welding.
Next do a double check on my measurements to make sure the rear suspension will fit. Looking good.
Next I did a bunch more tacks and was really anal to check squareness and all my measurements after each tack. Once I was confident I had it good, I welded er all up! Some welding porn (ok not all are attractive but if it's naked it's still porn technically):
Here's the new frame, all welded up! By the way, it weighs about 32lbs and the old one weighed about 28... So this should be a huge strength improvement for 4lbs.
And now you can see my plan for re-attaching the front:
Simply cut the pink off to the correct length, then weld.
With yesterday and this morning, I'm at the 60hr mark.
I think you should paint the frame pink to stand out. They want more color remember.
With it being a roadster with no windshield, a pink frame would be a nice nod to the Pink Panther MGB build.
What shade of pink is that?
In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :
Cherry pepto bismol
Dusterbd13-michael said:What shade of pink is that?
If not Pepto, it is the "mild steel pink" at the local metal supermarket. They had a few different colors for Ms, cm, alum, Dom, etc tubes to help quickly identify what was what. Smart!
A pink frame would be a cool nod to both pink panther and to radwood.
Here's the old frame vs the new frame just for comparison sake.
With the frame "done" for now it was time to get back to work on the engine mounting. I spent quite some time just sitting and looking, measuring this, checking that, etc. But I think I'm honing in on the final location. I did a bit more trimming as well, getting close to final shape. I think I'm going to call these my "Sid plates":
Finally, I started in on making a rear engine mount. These bosses are far from the plates, so I want some extra reinforcement (not to mention I may have chain interference on the left side if I go all the way out to the plate).
Here's a piece of angle that was a bracket on the car when I got it.
Yes, let's start here.
Another hour on the bracket this morning, up to 63 total.
Little cutty, little drilly, little grindy, getting there.
Looking great! Welds look very nice too! I also just got one of those Porta-bands, haven't gotten to try it out yet though, they look nice!
AWSX1686 said:Looking great! Welds look very nice too! I also just got one of those Porta-bands, haven't gotten to try it out yet though, they look nice!
Thanks! Yeah I have not been welding long, and right now what I struggle with most is having patience right at the beginning of the weld. My tendency is to GO! but I need to remember to relax and let the puddle develop. Also it takes a moment to figure out where you need to be looking. Svrex - this welding stuff is definitely something you CAN do.
The portaband is way nicer to cut with in terms of noise and general mechanical anger. In reality I got it so I can make a vertical stand for it for cutting brackets and such. But I thought I'd give it a try freehand too.
I have seen the next body that is coming to your house. It actually almost looks too nice to cut up.
Ug, another hour this morning on this dumb bracket. It turns out the bending wasn't a great idea. Just cutting the tang off and then rewelding in position would have been a lot faster, and I'll still have to do that anyway. Oh well. Hooray learning!
Dusterbd13-michael said:I have seen the next body that is coming to your house. It actually almost looks too nice to cut up.
I am supposed to get it tonight, and I'm very excited. If it is too nice to cut up I have some tricks up my sleeve.
I Maybe wrong it was on a trailer and dark. But entirely up to you when it gets there.
Robbie said:AWSX1686 said:Looking great! Welds look very nice too! I also just got one of those Porta-bands, haven't gotten to try it out yet though, they look nice!
Thanks! Yeah I have not been welding long, and right now what I struggle with most is having patience right at the beginning of the weld. My tendency is to GO! but I need to remember to relax and let the puddle develop. Also it takes a moment to figure out where you need to be looking. Svrex - this welding stuff is definitely something you CAN do.
The portaband is way nicer to cut with in terms of noise and general mechanical anger. In reality I got it so I can make a vertical stand for it for cutting brackets and such. But I thought I'd give it a try freehand too.
Tried out my porta-band last night, and I agree with your sentiment. A lot quieter and less angry. Takes some adjustment getting used to how you have to use it freehand, but it cut through the metal I was cutting like butter. (And doesn't ruin sweatshirts with constant sparks like a grinder.)
Do you have an idea how how you're going to make your vertical stand? I'd like to make one for mine as well, preferably a removable setup so I can freehand when necessary.
In reply to Robbie :
Looking good!
I have no doubt I could do it... it might help if I had a welder! (Other than my crappy 110V wire feed)
SVreX said:In reply to Robbie :
Looking good!
I have no doubt I could do it... it might help if I had a welder! (Other than my crappy 110V wire feed)
Mine's a 1-step-up-from-crappy 110v wire feed...
Actually I just checked and my Eastwood 110v MIG is cheaper than the harbor freight 110v MIG. Hf sells a 220v MIG cheaper though.
I just checked back in on this thread after a few weeks off. Things have developed! I love the drawings that were shared recently. Kind of reminded me of a Porsche 550, like Jame Dean's. Good luck on continued progress.
In reply to AWSX1686 :
Here's what I'm thinking for the stand. Either make or just buy something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00LBFQBB0/ref=psdcmw_552912_t2_B00LBFQNHM?th=1&psc=1
I do have a large sheet of thick aluminum that would probably make a great table top. But hard to argue with $75.
In reply to Robbie :
Gotcha, so it's really just using those two small screws that hold the stock guide on. I wasn't sure if that would be enough strength. I'll probably be stubborn (I mean creative) and decide to make my own.
That stand is way cool. I'll have to look at mine to see if its strong enough, but I think the one a friend had additional support. His was home made, and prolly had $7.50 in it. Mounted on a roiling stand with a foot switch. The one I got from my dad is on a Rigid Pipe vise stand... Pivot bolts in place of one of the handles. Since I have a bandsaw for that, I'll prolly find a handle to use it "freehand". Come to think of it, I could prolly be talked out of the stand. I'll have to dig it out and get it cleaned up. Anyway I def. recommend building one, as opposed to paying $75. The vice thing is a good plan to build from though!
Robbie said:Dusterbd13-michael said:I have seen the next body that is coming to your house. It actually almost looks too nice to cut up.
I am supposed to get it tonight, and I'm very excited. If it is too nice to cut up I have some tricks up my sleeve.
The biscuit was in the basket at 11:59 central. Detailed report tomorrow. Apparently the car didn't want to come up to the cold Midwest without a fight!
Here's the rest of the story:
I heard last night that this car cut two straps on its journey here. So it almost fell off the trailer twice! Joe says he ties knots for a living, and here is some proof.
The car is also not perfect, but as noted really probably as close to rust free as exists in a 55 year old roadster body.
And one unfortunate spot:
The roll bar is nice, as it does look like 1.75 tube. But I'm not sure it meets the 5 inch rule for the top of the rear supports to the top of the roll bar.
Bottoms of doors are nice. Bottoms of front fenders are good (not perfect, but good). Dash looks good. Floors look very nice. Rockers are great.
Overall, I am very happy.
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