Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

And the front bit, just needs two short lines to complete the task. JW

 

Thanks for following along, Dean. JW

 

Those hydraulic lines run neat and parallel scream "aircraft" to me. Neat job.

I assume you followed correct practice and flared at least one BEFORE putting the tube nut on, and bend at least one 180-degrees out of plane ?

Cheers,
Harv

 

SCTA requires an inner "liner" or panels to keep your bits from going thru the cage/chassis structure in the event of an "event" you need something in that area where your hands, arms, legs and torso are. Also look at sharp edges in the if you are flailing around like a rag doll in there. I see a LOT of things I would not like to bounce my knuckles or elbows off in a pencil roll. Not trying to pile on but also look at the sharp edge on the bottom of your dash panel.

 

Thanks and i,m very fond of WWII aircraft plus i ''try'' to make things neat without going over the top. I will get them straighter on final assembly. Being an ex mechanic i haven't forgotten to put a nut on the line in a long time. Still need to run the fuel line and design the wire loom. JW

 

There will be paneling around those areas and padding in those areas too. I sit in it often and see what of me will make contact. Thanks, Trent. JW

 

I knew you get it and got it. So much to consider and think about.

 

News? Updates?

 

Soon, Dave, work around the property before winter has gotten in the way a tad. I have nearly finished the firewall template and i have designed the wiring, hope to do ''something'' this weekend. Thanks for asking. JW

 

Lots of progress..I love the hydraulic throttle...won't be long you'll be test drivin it.

 

Thanks, Jamie, but is so cold here these days i can't seem to drag my butt out to the shop and do anything along with other stuff sharing my time.
You must be heading off to Pendine this week with your Tank with its new set up... will be eagerly waiting for a report on that. Cheers JW

 

I think those of us in the northern hemisphere all forget the seasons are opposite for you guys down under. It's getting warmer here. So hang in there, your summer is only 5 months away...

 

I think the main reason is not wanting to get off my butt on cold nites now i'm well into my 60's, must try harder and leave the HAMB alone a bit more often. JW

 

Very small update, i had all the manifolds tubes tig'd and also worked out the mounting of the accelerator hydraulic cylinder and linkage. There will be two springs mounted on the push rod to return the piston and have separate dual springs on the carb. JW

 

Been very slack on this build of late but that will hopefully change now. Have started the wiring and now have the new steering arm (thanks Drew) and drag link. JW

 

One quick question: where did you get those front hubs? They look like billet steel and strong!

 

I believe they are cast iron, i had the discs machined off. They are new and for a Ford Falcon (Aussie model). JW

 

Thanks. I suppose I'll never see those over here... they look a lot beefier than what is available here. Do you remember what it took to adapt them to the old Ford spindles?

 

Drew, who made the steering arm also makes adapters that fit over the spindle and fit the Falcon bearings. JW

 

Same concept as Speedway's brake setup. That hub section tho is so much thicker than the mid 70's Chevy mid size rotors have. Thanks

 

I see me having some dealings with Drew in the future... all going well. I presume he custom makes those adapters for other hubs too?

Not sure if I mentioned it in our private messaging, but I went to a local swap meet a few months ago and got a pair of '42-'48 spindles that will be easier to get hubs for than the Model A ones I have. I also got a matching axle, although I think I'd prefer to use the Fordson one I have. Oh, and the thing I got that I was the most happy about was a fibreglass track nose... YAY!

Glen.

 

Drew is great to work in with on custom items and happy to change the CAD to make it work for you. Those bearing adapters will work on your new spindles.
All going well i start cutting my firewall today, made a new template for it yesterday. JW

 

Took my new firewall template to work and cut this out, it will need a very small trim on the lower half and will work on the top half soon. I want to test it before the top fairing is done so i will cut the top off and have it bolt on for now. Progress. JW

 

Finally got some time to try the firewall in the frame, two bits needed a wee trim and it fits. I have left the top half a tad big so i can focus on fitting one half at a time. JW

 

Also started laying wires out for the wiring loom, need to sort out what wires i need for the gauges to engine.. good fun. JW

 

Been very slack on this build, it's been a cold winter and had other things to do. I have done some more on the wiring. I have wrapped the loom and connected it all up and put some power on and it all worked, the gauges are still to do. There will be more to show soon.
I have pretty much decided it will not be making it to Bonneville due to time, escalated shipping costs and time frame to ship out of NZ, still some hope but dwindling. JW

 

Needed a distraction the other week so i designed an A Frame for the Tank.
JW

 

An it folds up for easy storage etc, easy to carry with one hand. It will only be for slow towing, pits and recovery type of stuff. JW

 

Don't give up. The things in life worth doing are never easy.