Projects Nasty Habit Willys....part 2. Rearend, firewall structure,engine mts + misc".

I have made some progress on my Willys coupe project. Here is a link to part one. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236716
Here is some of the stuff I got done....Rearend housing in, firewall structure done, front of frame boxed, engine mounts, Steering box moved back, made trunk hinges, front tank mount plus more.






Here are some pics of the rearend setup. 57 Olds on original leaf springs. The ladder bars are from the 60's. I put new ends on them and made some brackets that double up as wheelie bar mounts. The rear fenders I had centered the wheels further back than stock 37 rearend so I made some lowering blocks to get the ride height I want and made them relocate the housing, they also have shock mounts added that line up with the stock ones on the frame. I have a 4.56 posi 3rd member for it and will buy some aftermarket axles later. The brakes are 62 Pontiac. I had to grind a flat spot on top of the housing flange to make them fit.






lowering block...

 

I made some structure in the firewall out of 1" sq tubing. I made it like this to support the Ansen swing pedals as you can't just mount them to sheetmetal. Also so I can have a clean aluminum panel on each side. Some of it that just supports the panels is real light tubing.

 

Go MAN Go!!!!

thats going to be a good time..

 

Here are some of the parts I recently aquired for it......

Got a hood from Hamber LB.............



Cragar gas pedal........



The perfect lic plate frame , it was hanging in a shed in New Zealand since the 70's and I found it on my trip. Thanks Mal! (fellow Scroungers member).......



Got a 'glass trunk lid for $25 at the L A Roadster show swapmeet. I already had one but it needed many repairs so that $25 saved me alot of work.....



Got a sbc magneto at the same swap meet for $200. I've always wanted one but that was the first one that I could afford. I got the sbc Hilborn setup in a trade locally. Maybe one day I will put it on the Willys.



I have had one of these GT breathers for a few years and finally found it a partner at the same swapmeet.....

 

Yesssssss!!! HAMB heaven and that Willys is so freakin' cool! When are you gonna race Skip??

 

Dammmm Kev that coupe is looking fucking mean. Great job.

 

Here are the engine mounts. I am running it solid mounted. The mounts were given to me by a friend who said they are from a boat. I drilled the lightening holes. The front of the frame is boxed and I will be building some new stucture in the middle of the frame that includes trans crossmember that ties into the front ladder bar mounts. Also some removable mounts that tie the scattershield to the boxing plates. Also some subrails and drive shaft loop. I am trying to keep this car very basic and simple. I could take more time tig welding everything and try to make it all perfect but that is not the goal of this build, I just want this thing running at the next Dragfest! That is why I am not removing the body. I have a mental block that says that will add a year to the build.

 

Here are the new trunk hinges made from aluminum. They are bolted to brackets that are welded to the expanded metal, the expanded metal is riveted to the inside of the decklid and will later be fibeglassed on. The rivets that protrude on the other side will be ground down below the surface and minor fiberglass repair will finish the installation.




Here is the beginning of finishing the cowl where the firewall was cut off.....



Here is the Eelco tank mount. Tank was given to me by Hamber, friend and co-worker Hot Rod Willie. Tank brackets are home made. Tanks are so overdone lately but they will always be a pure item on a 60's style drag/street car.



I love the no grill competition look of this car so I hope to end up with something similar.....

 

looking good

 

Got my seating position figured out. I moved the steering box back a couple of inches and made a wedge to go under it and bring the wheel down a little. Bent the shifter until it was in a comfortable position, come on Dragfest!!.........

 

i'm lovin the look of this car! and as always, sweet garage!

 

Looking good! I see you found a CRAGAR pedal (I had mine first ).

 

Kev,

That photo is GREAT ! Keep up the good work.


CBB

 

man o man!

 

Looking good Kevin! Man you're making me look like a SLACKER !! I wish I had as much drive as you, my OL 55 would be back on the road in no time !!

 

Looks great Kev! Let me know when you need a driveshaft. I'd love to contribute something to your Willys!

 

Looking good Kev. See you at Bonneville.
Russell

 

Thumbs UP!

 

lookin good!! nice work kev

 

nice job you and royel should start a willys resto shop you both would clean up.car looks great.

 

Loks great Kev!
Awesome work!
Mike, Dyan & Peanut were over before and me and Mike got talking about this car and wondered how you were going!
Looks awesome!

 

I really like the way this is going together...some day I hope we line up for a grudge match...Don

 

hell yeah

 

Awesome willy project. Alway lookin for one of those at the end of the rainbow. I need the gold to buy a hull

 

You clever bastard

 

way cool

 

Oh man! This is gettin good!

 

Wicked!

 

Always look forward to your posts Kev. That car is really coming along, you make it look easy. Love the plate frame with the Willys on it, it's perfect for your car. They must be rare if you didn't already have one? I tried to buy one on ebay, big $$

 

Sweet !!!