[ehansen007]

Let the final assembly begin!

Body back on. I noticed with the carpet over the sills that it sets the body up about 1/8". Just enough to start throwing things off. Too late now though. Recommendation: just get some door sill covers and cut the carpet to the edge of the body.

Trunk metal in. Not so bad.

I decided to do the trunk and hood underneath with the SEM undercoat. Man, that stuff just flies out of the can at first but they tell you for a smoother coat to stay close. Lesson learned. Feather that stuff in from like 2 feet away!

 

[ehansen007]

A wild hair-Center Console

I wasn't liking the center piece I had made for the dash so I made the decision to design a new console and try my hand at Engine Turning (Thanks to John Cameron for showing me how on Car Warriors)

First, get your sheetmetal all clean and mark your piece to be cut but don't cut it! Cut edges will ruin what ever your turning with. Leave the overlap for now so you're on flat metal all the time.

Mark your grid for proper spacing and overlap. I decided to use a drill press with some Red scuff pad wrapped around a bolt with a zip tie. I thought I'd just test it and liked it so I kept going. But Craytex is much better. I checked my pattern on some scrap and adjusted the spacing accordingly. Mine is not even close to being perfect but it also looks hand done as well! Now get ready to be pretty bored and in the same position for the next few hours!

Using some clamps and a ruler I created a gate so my lines were perfect each time. Man I have some ugly hands, no wonder I never got those call backs for those Palmolive commercials....

Turning Turning Turning. For about 4 hours! Kept having to change the scuff pad out since I started with a used one.

 

[ehansen007]

Here's the console in place. I used 1/8" MDF so it's light and easy.

Test fit.

Finished product covered in black vinyl. Man I need to stop using my iphone to take pics. It's just so damn convenient.

Getting close!

 

[ehansen007]

Final Assembly

Getting down the wire now. Like I was saying, I've been busting ass this holiday season so I could get a fresh start to the year but it's dragging out!

I just got my "Novelty" license plate in so I'm not broadcasting in blue and white! So much better.

I like big butts and I cannot lie.....

I'm picking up some plexiglass so I can run the windshield this low. I call it the chopper version.

My hamster shooter poking out. I didn't want the hood hinges in there so I made my own front hood catch that holds under the grill and ordered some billet hood pins to hold down the back. Originally I ordered all black from EMS but they were out of stock and offered these "Highlight Series" which were $40 more at no extra cost.

I won't be running the hood all the time so I wanted to find a way to keep the the grill area clean along with the firewall and access panels, so this was it. A fully removable hood. More pics to come.

WHEW! That was a buttload of posts. Hope you guys enjoy em'!

e!

 

[arm7419]

Erik

Very nice. Love the console and hood.

chuck

 

[krh66must]

Erik, looks good. I like a lot of your unique touches especially the console.

 

[stack]

Sick man. You are working fast.

stack

 

[4wheelspin]

Congradulations on your great accomplishment you've made.

There isn't a better feeling that doing it yourself.

Great work and great pics.

 

[timdks]

Awesome Erik. Bet you can't wait to get it on the street.

 

[towman]

That's looks freekin sweet Erik love the black and the roll bars and the windsheld set up

 

[Cameron Autosports]

Looking good man!

 

[ehansen007]

And now, for my moment of zen.....

 

[Erik W. Treves]

Erik, NICE JOB on the car and the center console....really like how it came out!

 

[brett33]

Very nice Erik! Some pictures from underneath on how you mounted the hood would be great to see. Your posts have been very helpful and i know how much time it takes to post progress like you do.

I think i remember you saying in one of your posts that you had a trans leak. I have recently discovered that i have a slight leak also. I've only ever driven the car around the block! I was wondering if you have addressed yours and if so, did you have to pull the whole engine or ? I'm thinking i can maybe get the trans out from underneath with the car on jack stands.

 

[ehansen007]

Thanks Brett!

Yes, I've got a tranny leak. Of course I learned that it has to come out the top if you want to leave the motor in. I learned this right AFTER I carpeted the interior! I tried to start pulling up the carpet but it just destroyed it, so I patched it back up and decided I'll fix the tranny leak when I pull the engine next. THERE IS NO way to get it out the bottom without pulling the motor (Unless you want to cut the frame of course) which blows.

As for the hood. Here are some pics of how I did it.

I used some aluminum and formed a spring loaded system that will flex just enough to slide it in place.

As you can see, I also use the factory D Gasket as well as some of the rubber grommets to maintain the hood height.

Then I used the hood pins from EMS to mount the rear.

 

[ehansen007]

Windsheild cut down.

As you can see I'm running it pretty low. I bought some 3/8" plexiglass and had the top line polished. Then I cut the frame and rounded the edges down. It took a lot of effort to get it in down there and Ive put some good miles on it so far and it hasn't moved but I'm still going to use some 3M windshield glue to keep it in there. So far it works better than I thought. The wind just hits the top of my head and I thought it would be much worse and hit me in the eyes but nope.

 

[Tom Veale]

Zen Moments

Too bad these car's aren't any fun to drive...........................

And now, for my moment of zen.....

 

[geoffav]

Erik, is your windshield frame natural or have you done something to it?

The car looks nice. Any chance you could repair the leak without removing the tranny? After looking at that again, I might just buy a new clutch and TOB before closing things up. :icon18:

 

[ehansen007]

If you remember, I had cut the top windshield frame and left the top caps on to secure the windshield. This time I cut the entire male end off the frame and just rounded the edges. Much lower.

As for the tranny it's leaking from the front so it's probably the main seal. There is no way to get that thing out the bottom without moving the engine. For you builders out there make sure you make the tunnel removable!!!!!!!!!!! that is, if you're going to put in a tranny that leaks. :001_tongue:

 

[geoffav]

Got it. That really wouldn't be hard to do (making the tunnel or it's replacement removable). I think after playing with the tunnel this evening it might be time to build up a sheet metal trans cover. That way I can have foot room, cup holders, extinguisher mount, and make it removable with one mod. :w00t: