Been busy working to fund project, no time left to work on car. Progress slow, here are some of the latest pics, just mounted fire bottles and new oil filter. Most tabs and brackets are welded on, next step is engine build / pre assembly. Glen
Needed a valve spring compressor so I made this unit, with a simple brace it converts to a valve spring tester. Heavy duty and works a treat. Glen
After recently installing a clutch on my sons car I decided to build a gearbox jack so it is a lot easier and a one man operation in the future, also made it foot operated. I have also been buying the tools necessary for my engine build and brought some metal fab gear for a future hot rod project. I have started my engine pre assembly now and have match ported heads and blower intake - no pics yet but will up load soon. Glen
Tell me about it, very time consuming, lucky the intake is magnesium and was relatively easy to grind using a die grinder and drill with metal burrs and sanding rolls. Glen
Haven't posted for a while. Started engine pre assembly, measuring everything as I go, set up oil pickup, made aluminium spacer to mount fuel pump drive spud, also made alloy adapter for degree wheel. Engine is 392 hemi with alloy rods, forged pistons, I have 3 cams to choose from, I plan to dial in all cams then choose which one to use - may start of with the mild one before I go to full race. Also setting up heads currently setting spring pressures. I am also looking for 392 alloy rods and forged pistons for spares - whats out there (prefer new but will look at all options). Thanks Glen
nice thread, great work too! your nearing the end of the tunnel on this, you should be seeing light at the end soon...an amber then a green light!LOL
Looking good! It appears you're running a roller cam - the only way to go. I don't know if you have lifters - if not, take a look at Crane 66542-16. They're a nice quality lifter - not cheap - but you don't want cheap anyway. If you're looking for aluminum rods, you might want to contact Fowler Engines in Columbus, OH - he'll make anything you want . . . very nice quality stuff and Jeff is one Hell of a smart dude. Everything he makes or does is top notch. I'm running Oliver steel rods in my 392 - but it is a blown street application. I'd never settle for a set of "used aluminum rods" - can't gamble on not knowing the number of cycles and whether they'll last or not. Sure looking forward to this car going down the track! B&S
Thanks for advice / comments guys, I have purchased new alloy rods and pistons from race car parts in Ca. I also made a valve spring pressure tester as my first attempt was inaccurate due to flex. I used an old arbor press I made at a engineering course I did 12 years ago that was under the bench gathering dust and rust, I cleaned and painted and modified it as seen in pics. Works well and I am now getting consistent / accurate spring pressures. Glen
Started dialing in my camshafts now. I have 3 to choose from and will check all 3 and decide which one will be best to start with. I'm learning so much about cams as I really new very little. Glen
No sorry, Topolino still on hold, my hotrod build is taking longer than anticipated but only about 6 months to go I hope. Glen
Topolino now out of storage as 31 coupe finished, I plan to continue with the Topolino while I save for my 34 5 window. As there is no track close to me Im in no hurry to finish this car. Glen
Started working on this car today after three years, not sure where to start (I have parts all over my shed for both cars) so I decided that I will start from a bare chassis and work up from there. First is to strip the paint of the chassis and clean up all the welds etc. Once chassis bare I will assemble fully to determine what is needed before chassis is painted. Glen
Spent the last 2 days striping the powder coat of the chassis, still need to go over frame with the wire wheel to finish the job. Glen
Finished chassis today ( 99% ), 12 hours with heat gun and scraper and 8 hours with wire wheel ( what else do you do when in strict lock down ). Anyway only a few items to go, I like the look of bare steel, may clear coat instead of black paint - what recommendations out there for clear coat. Glen
Thanks Milwscruffy, that Gibbs lubricant is very expensive here in Oz, I will need to decide to use this type of protection or just paint with clear. Anyone else with advice on this. A few pics of recent progress - I really love the bare metal look. Glen
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