Modified Murray: Mock-ups and templates

Haven't done a progress report for awhile because I simply haven't done much worth talking about. Today I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to do SOMETHING! ANYTHING! SOOO....



How's that for a start?

I haven't been able to do much because of power and space limitations at my place. Not to mention, most of my raw materials were still in Vegas. In addition to all that, I need to pick up a new torch for my Miller DVI so I can actually put things together. Yeah, yeah... excuses, execuses.... I'm doin' what I can for the time being with what I have. So here's what I did today...

For starters, a couple weeks ago I picked up a Mopar steering box from a '67 Cuda that I'll be using for my cowl steering. It's taped up just to make mocking up easier and also to protect the splines and threads.



And what's a good mock up without the use of a mock up steering wheel?



That's my imitation of a Limeworks 15", Bell style sprint wheel. I made a quick plywood seat to figure out what how I would be seated in the car and having the box helped me decide how the pedals would be shoved under the cowl with the box. Sorry, no mock up pics of that. Didn't get very far without my M/C's or other steering components. Hopefully soon. I have some sketches that I did after the mock up, but I don't have a scanner, so you'll have to wait.

Okay, the least I could do is figure out how the floor was going to be laid out. So I started making some templates from template paper.





Going to have to do a little shaving around the edges to cram that transmission under the floor and in the tunnel. Not using the ear, so it goes or at least gets trimmed.



This side will have some t******* to do as well, but no matter what I do, the p***enger side will have just a little bit less foot room because of the way the transmission case is configured.



Not much room between the seats, but enough to keep things realistic...



The 1x2 shown between the seats will get trimmed and a loop will be built in it's place to retain the regidity of the subfloor in that location.

Okay, on to the juicy stuff. Played with the Hemi a bit. Haven't been able to mock up the heads because I couldn't get the dowl pins out to put the 354 heads on. The 331 heads use a larger dowl pin, so the 354 heads wouldn't drop on. I took another whack at it with some vice grips and simpley twisted them loose. Broke two and popped them through the back side into the valley, but couldn't get one of them out, so I decided to wait. At least I was able to mock one side up with the head, Offy intake and my carb bodies.





Here's what I'll be seeing (or at least HALF of what I'll be seeing) over the dash:



How about some new profile shots now that the Hemi has some bulk to it...







That's about the most I could do for now until I get my Miller fixed. I did bring most of my raw materials home from Vegas over the Christmas weekend though, so now I can commence with getting the subfloor done and get the upper part of the body finished as well as the rear body supports and mounts. With that being said, here's the things on my mind that I would like to tackle over the next few months:

1) Purchase torch/gun for my Miller
2) Order door and cowl patch panels (I will use the rear door patch panels to get the lower bead started where the wheel wells were)
3) Get the new slant window header/visor panel from Druss32 in place
4) Finish the subfloor and rear body supports
5) Do the roof sheet metal work above the p***enger door
6) Finish the frame welds
7) Start mocking up the steering
8) Front and rear shock mounts
9) Chop the grille 4 inches
10) Strip the body

I guess that's it for now. I hope I can have something more than mock up pics for you guys next time. I'll do my best to keep you up to speed!

Cheers and happy new year to everyone! Hope everyone starts their year off just right.

Scooter

 

Dang Scooter, that thing is looking cool... I was wondering when you were going to do another update!

 

Oh yeah... I was going to comment on the trans tunnel situation.

I was going to put a removable section in my K-member for the transmission to drop straight out, but decided I liked the idea of having a fully welded crossmember section in there. SOOO... with that being said, I have to make some provisions in the transmission tunnel if I ever want to pull the engine and trans out. I'm going to make a removable top section that will allow the transmission to slide forward 8-inches. The trans can then drop straight down after that and clear the shifter in the tunnel. Another reason I decided to do it this way is so I can recalibrate the speedometer drive a little easier when I switch from street gears to highway gears in the quick change. Killing two birds with one stone. May even go so far as to have a quick release panel in the tunnel using dzeus fasteners just in the speedo drive area. The rest of the tunnel will be attached to some 1/4" tunnel loops using ****on head screws or something.

Thanks Chaddilac!

 

That thing is so bad ***!
I love this build.
Keep the updates coming.

Norton

 

looking good ,,

 

I love this thing. Can't wait to see it rumbling!! Please keep us posted.

 

I get the chills everytime I see this *****in' ride.......very cool man.

 

She's looking good!!!

 

YES! This is what I'm thinking also! ***us did a *****in' job on that floor too! Can't wait to see what you come up with man. Let me know when you do another update!

Thanks for the props guys! It's not much though. I hope I can get some REAL work in soon! I'm rearin' to go and hope 2008 will bring me some serious accomplishments (everyone RUN and knock on wood IMMEDIATELY). Should have a completed ch***is and virtually complete body by the end of the 2008 and will have started building one of the Hemis. Tons to do! Should be a BUSY BUSY BUSY YEAR!! Yet very exciting!

 

THAT lil brother, is FAR better then the bird NOT worth eating.

I'm SO excited! I've got my brain bucket and go fast googles ready.**bounce bounce bounce**

 

A++

 

sweet

 

Very nice work.I have the same body and have much the same plan.How much of a chop is that??

fitzee

 

Scoot lookin nasty my man - great stuff !! Pls keep the progress pix a comin.

Rat

 

I like it! Nice fabwork, good planning

 

Hey Scooter,

What's "template paper",, and, where do you buy it?
Looks a lot better than what I use.
Thanks,
Howard

 

Shoot! I knew someone was going to ask me that. LOL!

I honestly don't know where to get it. I used to work with a sheetmetal guy at my last job and he had a whole box of it. Thick and glossy, 24x36 sheets. It's basically the same material file folders are made from. It's GREAT!!! If you or anyone knows where to get it, I would like to know. At this rate it won't be long before I run out.

It's a 3-inch chop. Was VERY close to going 4-inches, but was concerned about the 4-inch channel job making it a pain to drive. I believe the 31 S/W Murray body is an 1-1/2" or 1-1/4" lower already. Biggest place you'll notice the shorter dimension is in the windshield.

 

Your running really close on that scrub line but other than that I still love this car and can't wait to see it on the road!

 

DAMN!!!!! That car just gets better & better, didn't know you were going to run a HEMI until this report. I don't know if the overall design is yours or if you are pulling ideas from European designs from the early 1930's but it sure works for me. If you plan to run a hood it needs wide loovers IMO. I've got my Top Three HAMB Builds, this one has been on the list since your first report. Happy New Year!

 

Yeah, I have to correct that. When I ordered that front spring from Posies, they only offered that particular size of "Heavy Duty" spring with the reversed eyes and it was an 8-week lead time for the standard eye main leaf (I have no idea why). Now that it's up and rolling I'm going to order the standard eye main leaf which should raise it up about 1-1/4 inch. I won't be able to drive the car like I want it if I leave it this low in the front. The good thing is the HD spring has not settled as much as I thought it would. Going with the HD spring with the Hemi up there seems to have really helped matters.

 

notpete...

I just thought about your comment some more and looked at the side profile view. LOL! Yeah, taking some risks with the scrub line. I'm just going to have to be attentive to things to make sure I don't put myself in a bad situation. I guess it wouldn't be hot rodding if we didn't take some risks, right?

 

Looking great, Scooter! Thanks for taking the time to walk us through your project and the way you think through things. It helps us more than you know!

Malcolm

 

i still think it looks better sitting in VEGAS !!!!

 

Great work Scootermcrad. I just finished my T-5 trans tunnel in my model A. I made the tunnel in 2 pieces, from 18gage steel. It's removeable for access to the trans as it sits up high into the interior due to the low body. He's some pics.

 

I know, I know... It misses my family and hopes my family comes to visit it soon.

Thanks for posting those man! I appreciate it!

Speaking of E-brakes, it's looking like I'll be puting mine between the seats on the trans tunnel. Probably one of those mini Lokar or Genie units. Should be nice and clean that way as well as reasonably convenient to grab if I need it. Not much room, but I figured since I would have just a little bit of vacant realestate between the seats and none to spare on the p***enger side, I should put it there. I will make a guard to protect the cables and cable blocks to they won't get too boogered up from debris coming off the road or driveshaft.

 

Thanks for posting those man! I appreciate it!

Speaking of E-brakes, it's looking like I'll be puting mine between the seats on the trans tunnel. Probably one of those mini Lokar or Genie units. Should be nice and clean that way as well as reasonably convenient to grab if I need it. Not much room, but I figured since I would have just a little bit of vacant realestate between the seats and none to spare on the p***enger side, I should put it there. I will make a guard to protect the cables and cable blocks to they won't get too boogered up from debris coming off the road or driveshaft.[/quote]


E BRAKES? E BRAKES ARE FOR PUSSIES !! LOL

 

LOL! Oh man! I miss havin' you around to help the build progress! HAHA!!

 

Scooter... This is why take your advice man!!! Very nice!!! I did not have any time to build on my car this holiday season. I did make stuff for the shop to make more room to work in it though. I'm ready to build like a mad man as soon as i get that 4 bar in. Thanks for all the great updates on your build!
Jay

 

Thanks Jay! You're makin' me blush man! Knock it off!

I was hoping you got your 4-bars over the holidays. Sorry that didn't work out for you. Hope you get that all squared away and I HOPE YOU GOT THAT POLLY MOTOR AS WELL!!!!!

 

I love this car. Can't wait to see it done.

JH