Projects Prefect / Willys /Kadett Gasser Build.

Well today didn't go as well. The pin in the hinge crumbled/ and the mandrel in the hinge press broke off. I chucked the mandrel up in the lathe but ran out of time. So I am down to one pin / as soon as I get the lather work done so I can get the hinge press back up I'll finish. If all else fails I'll drill it but to prefer not to. Think I will quick pin the trunk hinges also

 

Had the same thing happen, last door hinge pin on my coupe. Could not get it out to replace it, soaked it with lube for a day or two, and after a struggle and some loud bitching and yelling I got it out

 

Today didn’t go much better. Apparently my lathe selector switch decided to die. Until I get a switch it’s doa. So I’ll just get another grade 8 1/2 inch fine thread and try to drill the end for another mandrel. I hope. Lol

 

Holy crap, I'd hate to see what you did before you retired! Those are some nice builds but that Willys is a work of art.

 

Thanks for the kind words. Fact is that we are able to do what / where / when we do because of the collective group. We were once many( 10) - now down to 3. Wes is one of the few formally educated engineers that I've ever seen that could back up every thing he ever said or implied( as in he could actually do it NOT just talk about it ) . Micky like so many is self taught and built many a chassis ( SFI spec no less/ NHRA / IHRA/ dirt etc) and did it for a living for many years after running Bryan Foods Truck/ Motor Fleet for many years.( We have made more than one trip to Monroe LA to get Wesley Robinson to inspect a car - And he gets his fee wether you pass or not lol).
I was in way over my head and we were usually just barely keeping a car on the track using everyone else's cast offs. We were just happy to be there.( A kid that didnt know how much we didnt know) but we were always entertaining according to Mike Franks and Bear Watts.
The story of how I was Adopted by this group is a funny one. ( there is a decade between Mick and I / and damn near two between Wes and I ) The dirt track wars here in the south during the early years kinda set the stage. When it got to where you had to have a store bought car to compete we bailed. Mick , John L, and Wes were the last of the hold outs. We then went to the Drag Strip. That was even funnier at times. Its been a Journey. And I am thankful everyday for it ( even the bad shop days lol). Living the Dream so to speak. Build All You Can While You Can.

 

Ok success. Both on the prefect hinge and the lathe.
Tried heating hinge and a new mandrel press on hinge. Still NO MOVE. So I simply used the cut off wheel and cut the pin. Then the fun began. Drilling the pin out of the door hinges went slow but steady. Small to large until I was able to drive the remains out. All good now. I was suprised to find brass shims.
The lathe kinda gave a hint. Now I have to learn to read Chinese. So I can match the switch. Not a single number or label. Maybe Mac master Car/or Grainger - anyone recognize it? The switch literally came apart.

 

All I am going to say is the switch is back together and working /lathe is up and running. But this epoxy weld stuff is bad to the bone. I would have never dreamed it was this good.

 

Decided to start working on the tilt body and interior changes for the Kadett. Wes came over and we actually removed the body and planned the tilt mechanisms and other issues.

 

Ok. Have the body /rear tilt laid out and designed. It will allow me to use the rear bumper and body mount to line up until I have the cross bolt hole for the rod ends drilled ( will also mill out the bottom of the frame tubing so it can rotate a full 90 degree/vertical if needed).
after that I can trim the frame ( 90 degree tabs ) and will leave that extra layer for wall thickness. The female heim ends ( 1/2) will bolt through the bumper plate /and body panel. It will line up perfectly /and be centered. The body lift mechanism will be an electric actuator. Have designed one before for a truck puller using an electric trailer jack. Used a z link to give enough travel.
The body tilt on the puller ( full size ford pick up ) was at about 65 degree. I don’t think it will be an issue. And again this is the plan. We will see.

 

Ok plan got changed. The female heim ends are thicker than the inside width of the tubing so they got changed to male. Lined up drilled holes and welded a nut on inside of bumper/body bracket. Dropped a plum Bob and figured the pivot angle and drilled. Pretty simple.
The bumper will still bolt on the body panel but now the back panel/bumper will pivot as one. The outside tab was left on to be able to bolt bumper back to original frame base mount and guarantee that everything lined up. And it did. That out side tab will be cut off next session. That was simply the fastest way I knew to check if it was true and level.
I will sand and radius all the bottom cut away edges and make the uniform later this week.

 

Spent some time on Prefect today. Got every one of the rear fender bolts to loosen and not strip out.
This will allow me to literally take it apart and paint. Which is the next step.

 

It’s official. The Kadett is now a flip/tilt body. It will be a spring lock system so if it’s any one other than Wes you just use the doors like normal.

 

Wes and I clearanced the front rocker supports so I can weld in the top side of the lower rocker support. It will literally drop into place like a knife lock. We also worked on an idea for the new injector system for the blown motor. I gotta get a few more coins or get ready to go to night school so I am not in over my head. My mill is 100 times more capable than the operator.

 

Back body braces cut and fitted. Need to do final welding and one more diagonal brace then start fitting rear wheel tubs / body latches.

 

Tabs /and cross braces for the rear of the tilt body tacked in. Nothing special to look at. Made all the difference in the world.

 

Cleaned the bottom edges of the inner rear panels up ( area where wheel tubs will go). Wes and I bent the tubing that will be spot welded inside so there is strength /yet not much weight. ( 1/2 X1/2 square tubbing). This being a tilt body ( rear qrter area must be stiff). I’ve got to get this finished so I can sand /clean up frame and finish welding.
Removed tires and wheels for access. You begin to appreciate the true physical size of this combo. 15 X 15 sprints.

 

Awesome thread and as with all of your other projects I am loving the Kadett

 

Thanks for the kind words. Been trying to get more done. Again my advice to anyone on the HAMB. Build all you can while you can time is precious. And even the Billionaires are learning you can’t BUY one single second back. Again build all you can while you can.

 

May have found new driver. I ain’t as fast as I used to be. Maybe never was. Lol

 

Yeah... Judging from the look in his eye's, He's already laid claim to it, and you're gonna play hell changing his mind! LOL!!!

 

It was mentioned to me earlier to figure out how to put a rev limiter on a vertex. Like real soon.

 

Got a chance to look at the last major issue on Prefect today. Like most fiberglass front caps is has a bow in the midline. I want it flat and level.
Gonna make a truss out of aluminum Probobly .040-.060. Use the brake to make a 2 C channels and punch holes and flare them. Then rivet them together. Light and strong. Use a truss from the top side to pull into place ( flat -level ) rivet /bolt in place. Use either fiberglass /epoxy/or my favorite body seam / door skin adhesive. ( bottom truss will be permanent )
After it sets release the top side truss /remove bolts /rivets and then fill in the holes.
That’s the plan. Here is the starting point.

 

Kadett today. Finished the inner bracing for the rear quarters. Two other small tabs and that’s it. Take body and cap off and start laying the hand controls and seat /tracks for Wes. I know it doesn’t look like much but it got rid of all rear quarter flex and that’s what I wanted - also time to start the rear wheel tubs. Experience has taught us to mount the wheel tubs as high as practical . Better safe than sorry