Tim Whittaker 33 Hot Rod Build Page

[Tim Whittaker]

Flush mounted some teardrop tail lights. They are LED lit and have about a brazillion lights in them. Should be cool.

[Tim Whittaker]

[j33ptj]

Cool!!! Another twist on the rear lights theme!!!

How many is a brazilian BTW?

[Tim Whittaker]

Another version of side panel venting. I haven't abandoned my louvers yet though. I will install the louvers on the hood soon as well. The screen in the teardrops is straight and true, but the tape makes them look larger as well.

[Tim Whittaker]

I broke my micro router bit before I got all the louvers mounted, but you get the idea. I louvers are mounted flush and reverse. There are two more per side.

The FFR hood doesn't lens itself well to louvers, but it can be done. I didn't want to compromise the structural ribs on the hood inner skin, so the louvers will have to be arranged as the routed out paths show. Being reversed, I think they will look well when painted and will actually make the hood stronger as the inner and outer skins have to be bonded together at the perimeter of the individual louvered panels.

[Tim Whittaker]

Routing is mostly completed but no bonding has been done yet. The last two louvers on the outer row and the last one in the middle row ( toward the back ) are not set yet. These will not be functional due to not wanting to compromise the inner skin rib. A row will be added down the middle and this row will also not be functional. However, there will be plenty of venting with the ones that are.

[j33ptj]

I think I like the look with the louvres out better....

RJ

[Tim Whittaker]

Doesn't fit the theme of the rest of the car that way. Smoooooothe ......... look.

[Tim Whittaker]

Had to cut and glass the rear waterfall cover to get it to fit right. Was about 1/2" too narrow and didn't lay flat.

[Racer 28]

We have had to do that on every car Tim... Sucks!

[Mike D]

Cool either way but I definitely prefer 'outtie' louvers.

[Tim Whittaker]

I'm not a big fan of louvers actually. I'm doing it for the venting.

[LETSGO33]

I like the look of the louvers, Where did you get the louvers?

[Tim Whittaker]

I have the louvers available. Please PM me for details.

The louver installation is pretty time consuming. The inner and outer skin on the hood don't make this a simple task. Once the material is removed for the louvers, the hood needs to be reinforced in that area to regain rigidity. Additional glassing has to be done to make them functional.

[geoffav]

Originally Posted by Tim Whittaker

I'm not a big fan of louvers actually. I'm doing it for the venting.

I'm not crazy about them either. I was surprised at how well Ford did with the 2013 GT.

[Tim Whittaker]

Maeir Racing makes one almost identical to that. It would make a nice alternative to the traditional. It's glass and would make the install easier as well.

[Tim Whittaker]

I modified the factory supplied brackets to allow the strut to be flush with the inside of the fender so it didn't show. The final trim and mounting holes need to be done next.

[MK4]

Hello Tim

Very good thread to follow really enjoy it!

Where can I get the louvers you are using on your hood to vent it out?

They would do wonders on my project.

thanks in advance for your help

MK4

[Tim Whittaker]

Final mount and trim complete on fenders. This picture also shows how far off the side panels are from left to right. The drivers side panel is 1/2" higher than the left ( both front and rear) with the body level on the frame. I had to set the elevation of the teardrop cutouts in the side panel with my laser level.

[hrfarmsia@msn.com]

Tim - where did you source the outside rear view mirrors you mounted on the windshield frame ?
Harold

[Tim Whittaker]

Hagan Street Rods. Get out your wallet though.

They are really nice. High quality and they are called "fatties" because they have extreme field of view.

[hrfarmsia@msn.com]

Tim , thank you - I appreciate your prompt response - you project looks great .
Harold

[Tim Whittaker]

I now have two hoods and two sets of side panels to run. The new hood ( and the old, with louvers ) use the "flush" Mini latch system that get rid of all the FFR stuff and is cleaner, doesn't want to hit the grill when opening and gets rid of the cable stuff. It will basically disappear when the hood is painted. My spreader bar will correct the hood width issue at the grill sides. Gaps have not been finalized yet, but will be a close fit as there's no reason for a huge gap since the grill, side panels and nose cone won't move on the body.

[Tim Whittaker]

Widened out my extra set of rear fenders 2". I'll be able to run 345's or so now in addition to the 295's and other fenders I have.

[Tim Whittaker]

I bonded some steel tubes into the cowl for support for the soft top. The windshield frame offer lateral support but reports are that the soft top places tension on the cowl in the longitudinal so the supports are needed. Large area washers were also bonded for the windshield frame bolts.

[Tim Whittaker]

I made some epoxy platforms for the windshield post bolts as the bolts run vertical and into a curved surface, so the nuts and washers don't sit on a flat surface.

[jmann]

Tim,

just a quick note to let you know that I read your posts whenever they come out. I have take a much more simplified approach on 33Coyote, but it is inspiring to see your attention to detail as you continue to raise the bar.

[Tim Whittaker]

Jmann,

Thanks so much for the comment. I appreciate it and your following along with the build.

[Tim Whittaker]

Glassed in some washers for the rear body mount so the mounting bolt doesn't just go through glass. There was also a space between the body and the frame mounts, so I filled it with washers bonded in as well.

The bottom side of the fuel door was glassed in. You can see what a nice job the s glass does in small areas like this. The box will have a small drain line attached.

Had to grind a "platform" for the light box to sit for the teardrop tail lights. The body glass was close to 7/16" in some spots in this area. Note the seams have been roughed up from the inside. I will add some thin layers of S glass in this are.

[geoffav]

Nice. I hate the thought of working on the body but the few things I've done so far went well. It sure helps having guys who post illustrations and how to details. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, I wish more builders shared tips.