Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

The new engine parts have arrived now and will be sending the reciprocating m*** out for balancing this week all going to plan, then the block for hone and new valve guide fitting, also shave the head a little to get some extra squeeze. More soon. JW

 

Have a local show to take it to on the 16th of November so getting the rear body sorted and blend the louvers in etc and fit the rear latches. JW

 

I hate body work and about over sanding Bondo getting the louvers blended in. Did i mention i'm over sanding! Almost got it done, well this piece, maybe tomorrow. JW

 

I have that same problem, apply filler, sand to far and apply filler again and sand to far again. I think body work is a black art.

 

No, it’s a black hole for time! It just ****s up time like a sponge

 

It is an art form like Plastering dry wall, that why it's a trade.... looks easy till you try it and yes most ends up on the floor and over everything else that's why i took it outside. Drop all the engine parts off in the morning so that will be an engine again before Christmas. I.m looking at increasing the oil pan capacity so will put my 39 Willys block in it and see how much room thereis as well me***ure engine mount spacers as i have decided to go solid mounts. More soon. JW

 

And that’s another thing I don’t tackle. Uggh! It’s another black hole of time…

Have you thought about using a Mecca Accusump ac***ulator for your oiling system? Easy to plumb in ***uming you have room to mount it. Also great for preoiling the engine before every startup. The last time I used one was on an Austin A-series and it worked perfectly.

 

There are lots of things i would like to have but none fit the budget for this. It had a partial flow oil filter which i could have going to a remote oil reservoir. It's just to keep the oil cooler for longer, will see how it all goes and i have an oil temp gauge, i will have a year for any remedies needed. Cheers the the interest. JW

 

Got the rear section in primer today and fairly happy with it, will be a 3 to 6 foot paint job at this stage..... room for improvement for sure. Off to a show in the morning so fairly excited about that. Dropped it off at a friends place in the town the show is at and will A Frame it to the show behind the RPU. Coverage of that tomorrow. JW

 

Trying the A Frame for the first time to make sure it goes around corners OK... all worked as i wanted. JW

 

The A Frame has wheels to run on the track for recovery. JW

 

Now we talking. Thats the way to tow a bellytank racer.
A clever touch with the wheels on the A-frame.

 

Very sharp looking great. Like the flag marker also. Great combination.

 

Actually, the flag reminds me of the 'Chopper Guard Safety Flags' we had on our bicycles as kids!

Hope the show went well.

Glen.

 

Thanks, the road surface is rather smooth so the little wheels will work well ( have a spare pair just in case) and saves time from taking the A Frame on and off the tow car and stuffing it in the tow car which will be the RPU for Land speed NZ and today. Its a year since the Tank was at a show and the next showing will be race day.
''Should'' have all the engine parts back this or next week so cane get busy with that. JW

 

Looking good!

 

Thanks, James. JW

 

Towing the Tank with the RPU, all went very well and the ride was better than i expected even with 40 psi on all corners and our **** roads, lots of bangs and things but the back had only two bolts holding it on and a couple of items loose in the back also. It had so much interest all day.
A few pics of it today. JW

 

Tracked well and followed well on al corners. My son Philip on driving duties..... he loves it. JW

 

Our trio. JW

 

Thanks for the photos, looks great!

Glen.

 

Still waiting for my engine parts to be done so got the block from my old 39 Willys out of the storage (i have had this engine for coming up 50 yrs) and bolted the the gear box up and the mounts i'm using and put it in. The purpose is to align the drive shaft and drive and driven flanges, i cut a number of metal pieces of many thicknesses to shim it to mate with no interference. Got it fairly fast and used a few spirit levels to keep things parallel. Now i can turn up some solid mounts, another finishing step. JW

 

All bolted up and moves very freely, i like it when a plan comes together. JW

 

Nice. Did you have room for a double joint, or would that be extra drag on the drivetrain?

 

Not enough room for a double yoke, if i was to do it again i may have used two motor cycle sprockets and a chain but this was in my plan so i went with it, i could have also just bolted the two flanges together as the Willy G-box flange fits exactly over the English Ford Zephyr pinion flange and the offset bolt pattern is an exact match also. The drive shaft is only 2 1/2 inches long and it was intended to take up any drive line angle discrepancy (1 degree max) horizontally and get it 100% vertically which was not possible with side valve Ford mounts, hence now going with solids. These are the things you find out when building and planning as you go, no plan to follow, just make it up. JW

 

Did some measuring and worked out how much i could deepen the oil pan, 40mm (1 9/16''). Found the best place to cut it and presto in two. Cut some 2mm sheet and made a start on bending the corners, will get one of our ace TIGers at work to weld it. JW

 

The filler piece just needs t******* to length and some tacks to hold in place. This will ad 2.1 litres of oil. JW

 

The OE drain plug will go and i have a new 1/2'' one to go at the front and will cut a hole in the body for access. JW

 

Found this on WEB from the recent show. JW

 

Got the oil pan tacked up and ready for TIGing, also fitting a new drain plug. JW