Projects My '26 Roadster / Vintage photo search

...of course you found the only 2 connections I forgot to wrap in the cord

..guess I will have to fix that.

 

That's why we're here, isn't it? To spot things like alternators and plastic wiring ends.

 

Mom always said I had an eye for detail

 

You most certainly do

You are most certainly correct...and make more work for me

 

Okay, WHO didn't do it right the first time- and WHO's getting blamed for creating more work ?

(Sorry, now it's the teacher in me coming out )

 

whoa, whoa, WHOA! ..that was a little harsh don't ya think? I'm LEARNING from my mistakes through this rebuild and admitting them is half the battle...uncomfortable as it may be.

That said....I'm still not perfect

 

No one is. The trouble is you've created a really solid, correct hot rod and the deviations from the correctness (no matter how small they are) tend to get magnified.

For me, I just want to see it on the salt. Then I'll complain about the alternator to you in person... hahaha. I'm kidding, of course. I don't care how you generate electrical current to support you getting it there, it's one of my favorite early-type hot rods.

 

Sorry Mac but I think that's why you teachers gave us pensils with erasers so we could error.

Ron<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

 

Clayton, if all they can find wrong with your build is an alternator and two plastic covered electric connectors you are still miles ahead of the rest of us. Your attention to details and home built modification is amazing. Keep at it, you are an inspiration to us all.

The taillight is beautiful, even if the lens is cracked. (Sorry, I had to get my nit pick in there.)

 

wow great thread! nice work! what cord is that that you you use to wrap the end of your electrical connections, and then what do you put over them to keep them from unraveling?
I usually cut the plastic insulator off then crimp and sodder, then wrap with cloth tape.

 

Ummm, I was just kidding

youngster, you are right- I'm always telling the kiddies that making mistakes is a BIG part of learning.

Clayton, you're doing a FANTASTIC job- keep up the good work!

 

I know and happy with not being so...makes life fun

In reality, it's probably not AS CLOSE as I could get to "period correct" ....but it is as close as I could afford to it. I know it tends to be under the microscope, but that is a good thing....got all of you to make sure I do it right

Thank you as always, and you will see it on the salt VERY soon

Are you coming to Bonneville this year?

Agreed...this world would be an awful place if we didn't have erasers

Thank you as always. I think that is a pretty good track reacord too...still, there are some things I want to fix and can't before Bonneville. Just have to wait 'till I get home and tear it apart again...

I used a simple wax-coated cord (will have to see if I have any info on it, may even be old aircraft related) like what was used on the old British "Cross-Courtney" style wire connectors. Once tied and wrapped, they are sealed with simple aircraft dope, or Testor's Glosscote Lacquer as I used.

No harm done my friend....I can take the jabbing, I'm a big boy and it's all in good fun

...and that is who we learn

 

Of course I will be there! It's one thing I don't miss, it's a holiday - to me.

 

Sweet! If I lived closer I would be there every year......but this will be all the more epic of a trip.

 

*UPDATE*
Not a whole lot don last night, but still progress..

Made a little progress, but not as much as I would have liked. I am stuck between things...waiting on parts that are back ordered to finish the carb linkage and plumbing and still working away on the Chicago bearing adapter. Both leave me unable to make progress in either direction, or with the other things related to them....I also need these two elements finished in order to fire the engine

So in the mean time, I am knocking down the other little stuff like wiring, battery tray, seat riser, etc. Last night I dug out the new e-brake lever and pulled it apart (had to use heat) and bead blasted everything in preparation to make up the brackets, etc once the Chicago is in.



Also started laying out the throttle linkage..



stay tuned!
​

 

Clayton, Awesome update. Car is getting that much closer with each little tweek you do. This is one momentous build for both you and Chris. Quite the Deadly Duo (who's Batman and who is Robin - ? I bet Clayton is "Robin" !

Dave

 

Thanks Dave. Sadly though, I should be making more then just "little tweeks" right now...I have just 5 1/2 weeks until take off for Bonneville and I really don't want to be working on it until the 12th hour of the night before we leave

...I just hate being stuck.

 

Lookin good!

 

Thank you kindly Chris....starting to get worried though: We are both going to Bonneville with our cars, but I still haven't even heard my engine run yet....

..so far your in the lead.

 

Clayton, Just went back to see that tail light. It is magnificent ! Love the look for the running light and the brake light ! Looks very good my friend another good job done.

Dave

P.S - "The small jobs make the big job look all the better. . . . ." - -
41 Dave
24 June 2012

 

Thank you as always Dave! I wish I could share your optimism about the small jobs all of the time...but there are times when the small jobs just don't seem to affect the big picture much...and you just don't feel like you did anything at a ll, though you were in the shop all day.

..hate those days. I think I am due for a "progress spurt"

 

*UPDATE*
Actually got something done...but the day went to the birds..

I did get some decent and much needed progress made yesterday. I started off the day building the new battery tray...so I rolled her out for some welding work...




I wanted to conceal the battery under the seat this time around, so I built a battery tray to keep it tucked into the frame really nice. I built the thing out of steel plate and some really nasty angle iron....I think I might have over built it...







I also took the opportunity to cut out and replace the center body crossmember as mine had been hacked on pretty bad...



Fortunately I had saved this one as a replacement...



Also seized the moment while the cross member was out to install the u-joint and peen the u-joint pin..



Now, why the odd title? Well the morning (before I got started) went to the birds...a family of Red Breasted Robins to be exact. They have been nesting in the big oak tree in between the buildings and yesterday the little ones were learning to fly....well sorta. When I pulled in, I noticed one just standing in the middle of driveway and didn't move....so I got out of the car and he still didn't move......so I walked over to him and he still didn't move. Paralyzed with fear, he allowed me to get with in 2 or 3 inches of him....so I took his picture for his trouble.



Mainly, I found it unique that I was able to get so close. As I was taking his picture, Momma came down to voice her displeasure and attempted to act as a decoy and lead me away from her young chick (also neat to see). I shooed him from the road into the safety of the grass and watched for momma to come back which she did and finally got this little one off the ground and into the air.

Sorry for the randomness.

Stay tuned for more on the roadster!
​

 

Version 2 sits considerably lower, huh?

 

It does sit 1" inch lower in the front then before....but it actually sits 2 3/4" inch higher in the rear. I wanted more clearance in the back for the rear axle.

I just hated the way the battery looked hanging down below the body in clear view.

 

Clayton, the battery tray looks like it should support the battery with no problems. Just be sure that the top of the battery terminals and posts can't contact the seat springs. I recall of fires being started that way. Keep at it, you're doing fine. Like your bird picture, we had a hummingbird nest in our front yard last year. Fun to watch them grow.

 

That battery tray should support the weight of the entire car with no problems..

No springs in this car. The seats have to have a low profile, so just plywood and dense, springless upholstery foam.....and the '34 Rolls-Royce leather of course

 

Nice wildlife interlude David Attenborough.
I had a similar nature day coaxing a dozen odd duckling and a concerned but yet somewhat pompous mother off a busy road before they were made into duck paste by a passing lorry. Some 30 minutes later, trying to get to my job site, I had to distract a herd of cows that were trying to get through the same farm gate as my vehicle despite my best impersonation of a carnivorous Morris dancer. On my return I found them all happily licking my truck clean, or at least the bits at tongue level, that included my rear view mirrors and door handles which they rather took a fancy to. Frankly if I were going to lick a vehicle it wouldn't be a Nissan Terrano - Anyway I digress and before I start a thread on what car you would like to lick I just wanted to say that I Love the battery box - I may do the same with mine but am reluctant to modify the under seat panel which is in such good nick. There is always a compromise between trad originality and functionality which was my point about the alternator before your fan base roasted me.

Also (question guy talking now!) I was wondering where your benzene tank was. I note you have a benzene pressure pump on your dash. Did you stick your benzene tank in the boot (trunk) or are you still using a cowl tank - if so why do you need a pump? I dont think we have seen in your boot (trunk). Is it a classified secret
I might add, however, that if you spent more time in the your workshop rather than frolicking with the terrified local wildlife you might get to the the salt flats on time
Kume

 

That battery tray should give you a nice central jacking point!
As long as you are using non-conductive plywood you shouldn't have a problem.

 

Kume,

This entire thing gave me a great laugh, something very welcome on a Tuesday morning at the office. Thank you for the good words on the battery box! I find the under-seat location a much more user friendly place to keep the battery....rather then in the trunk under the gas tank....with no real access. This rebuild gave me the chance to move the battery. I would hate to cut a really nice under seat panel too...don't think I would if I had one myself. Your building a '26-'27 roadster too right? just had a major brain fart and can't remember.

I don't think it was a roasting....just a little playful jabbing I can see your point....I hate looking at that modern alternater amidst the sea of period accessories that is my engine bay as well, but at this point.....I just want the thing to run and actually charge my battery for once. That sacrifice was worth it to me.

Don't worry though....It will recieve a period facelift after Bonneville.

As for the tank location and the "classified" inside of the trunk (or boot )...you guys haven't seen it because there is nothing to show yet. I moved the tank on the original build from the original cowl location to the turtle deck just behind the drivers seat because I really didn't want that much fuel in the cowl, it left no room for gauges and I really didn't want to fuel up through the cowl vent. Eventually the tank will change locations one more time so that I can complete the rumble seat conversion of the trunk.

BTW....this also made me laugh "I might add, however, that if you spent more time in the your workshop rather than frolicking with the terrified local wildlife you might get to the the salt flats on time"

..very true.

Clayton

 

Clayton,
Hadn't checked on this in a while. I see that you've made a lot of progress in a lot of different areas!!

Hey...and some of your "Frolicking with the local wildlife" has really paid off!!!! CONGRATS to you and Julia!!!!!!!!!!!! That's great, Buddy!!!

Oh....and that old roadster that you mess around with on occasion is looking pretty OK too!!!