Projects Progress on the Treit and Davenport liner

Due to uncontrollable circumstances, our regular post is a bit late...but it's good. There's a lotta stuff covered here, like the water tank heaters. Way trick stuff. Every week it gets a little closer.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/87_altered_water_tanks_heater_elements_composite_parts_panels/index.html

 

Better late than never, right??

This one shows the detail of one of the body skins. When ya hear or read about cars that are clean enough to eat from...well, this is what the picture in the dictionary for that phrase looks like. The shots start with a large view, then work down to very small details. It's just gorgeous.
http://www.target550.com/gallery/88_inside_detail_of_body_panel_&_special_screws/index.html

 

I have a mid-week surprise. Jason sent me some photos of "the master practicing his craft", that is, he shot photos of Freud while Doc was shooting photos of the liner. Jason said he didn't get much co-operation, but I think Doc was just "in the zone," getting the great photos he provides so frequently.

In this post, you'll get a look from the other side of the camera. Btw, Doc has a new Nikon 700D that's just fantastic and has such a sensitive sensor that he hasn't had to use a flash at all. He asked if it made me consider switching camps...from the Canonites to the Nikonians. If I had unlimited funds, I might consider it...but since I don't...well, I'll stick to my guns (cannons...er...Canons) But that Nikon sure does a great job...as does Freud.

I hope you enjoy a different look at things.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/89_freud_at_work/index.html

 

This week's update covers the plastic inserts that plug the holes for the liner's lift pins...the place where they can be lifted with the car carrier. They're awesome...but some adjustments had to be made. There's also a bit on the "plumbing tunnels" and having to make new rear units. More expert craftsmanship from the guys at the Skunk Works.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/90_lift_hole_plastic_aero_inserts/index.html

 

Saltman,
What happens when the wet salt builds up inside your wheel enclosures at speed?
Are you going to use pam or some type of coating?

 

Update 91. Subject: Throttle and fuel shutoff cables, Oil tank drains and the new oil scavenge pumps.

As Freud says, the empty spaces are getting smaller and smaller. Next weeks post will include the plumbing for the water tanks.

They just keep doing it. More beautiful craftsmanship from the guys at the Skunk Works.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/91_throttle-fuel_cables_oil_drains_new_oil_pumps/index.html

 

If you're asking about the T&D liner, I think the answer is "E: all of the above." First, they're making every effort to keep salt from entering the enclosures. Second, there are the quick-release clamps so that the halves can be separated quickly. This would be real important during an FIA 1 hour turnaround. 3rd, I'm not sure about an anti-stick compound like PAM, but it seems like a good idea to me. I'll pass the question along.

 

Theoretically if you go fast enough it can't stick! OK, I made that one up

 

Might be able to use Teflon, or some other high tech coating.

 

Quick answer on the insides of the wheel enclosures. They're gonna spray 'em with something slippery...like ATF. I'll prolly try that on my own car. It's a lot cheaper than Pam or other cooking products.

 

Update 92. It's Friday and that means another Target 550 update. In this one it appears that the boys at the Skunk Works have concentrated on plumbing. Mainly the water lines from the tanks to the motors. You gotta see how they dealt with an awkward radius bend.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/92_its_all_plumbing/index.html

 

When is the car scheduled to hit the salt? I was never much interested in Bonneville utill I seen this one in person in 09.I only Met Jim,but what a craftsman he is.

 

I heart plumbing

 

@ Ironpile: The official word is that the liner will run on the salt flats when its completed. I know that doesn't tell ya much, but my guess is next year. Don't try to take that to the bank, though. It's just a SWAG based on a little inside info. Btw, I have to disagree with yer tag line. I'm supposedly retired and I've never worked harder in my life.

In other "News" I just made this update: A recent Granite Falls Herald Newspaper article "Praise for Granite Falls' car-building ShopGirls" is highlighted in the Target 550 News section. The Target 550 team supports the ShopGirls and the Urban Autos teams in their fuel-efficiency vehicle construction program. It's on the News page of the T-550 site: http://www.target550.com /news.html

 

Sometimes there are images that just don't fit that day's post. These seem to be in that area. Guessing regarding them is your privilege. As time passes they will all fall into place.
http://www.target550.com/gallery/93_%20images_that_can%27t_be_overlooked/index.html

 

We're a little late, but the wait is worth it. This post shows the incredible lengths to which the guys in the shop will go to make a part when they can't buy one. Just a simple 90-degree elbow for the water lines. It's unreel!
http://www.target550.com/gallery/94_its_so_simple/index.html

There's a new section called, "Unsung Heroes." There's an introduction by Marlo and Mike Zwickard is the first of the heroes:
http://www.target550.com/unsungheroes.html
Mike's no longer with and this is a fitting tribute.

 

I think I remember Mikes car from SRM?

 

We were a little late last week, so we're early this week to make up for it. Well, the Bonneville NW Reunion starts tomorrow so Freud and I will be a little busy...and as a result, here's the update. It ties up a buncha loose ends on the water hoses from the tanks to both motors. Just needs a few hose clamps. One item that can be checked off the list. Check it out.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/95_water_lines_are_just_about_finished/index.html

 

http://www.target550.com/gallery/96_oil_filter_drain_hose_clamps_rat_view/index.html

Oil filter drain, hose clamps and Ray Therat's view from Down Under.

He lived up to his heritage of The Rat and immediately was crawling around looking up at what the Gods have created. He survived because he avoided the traps.

That's Doc Freud's Description. He got a coupla photos of me crawlin around on the floor gettin photos from a "rat's-eye" view.



I thought that trap got me cuz I lost 200 images from my camera's memory card...but I musta wriggled out of it cuz I found a program to retrieve 'em...now I just gotta sort 'em all out.

 

Thanks for the hose clamp tidbit! That and the fact they back up the existing fittings is SMART. Lots of thought into this rocket.

 

A Rat's Eye View Part 1. When I was in Washington a few days ago, I had a chance to do a shoot at the shop where the streamliner's being built. First thing I did was to ignore the "No Cameras" sign (rats can't read all that well) and then began crawling around on the floor looking for the other rats (no, they don'...t have a rat problem...'cept for me.) Check out what I saw down there, especially the ventilation in the dummy engine block. It provided some extra illumination for my camera.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/97_rats_eye_view_1/index.html

 

Rat's Eye View, Part 2. This is the 2nd (and, thankfully, last) "Rat's Eye view" post. The Rat stood up and shot some photos from a different angle. Don't tell Marlo there was a rat in the cockpit of his liner, k?

http://www.target550.com/gallery/98_rats_eye_view_2/index.html

 

Are Orville and Wilbur both engines or is one the driver?

 

Orville and Wilbur are the knobs for the Mag kill switches. I have no idea what prompted Bob Harris to come up with those names. They may be, as you suggest, his names for the motors. <shrug>

 

There's a new chapter in Target 550's "Unsung Heroes" section. Marlo wrote up a bit on Capt. Cress Baxter...quite an interesting piece. Check it out.

http://www.target550.com/unsungheroes.html#bax

 

That is a very good write-up. Sounds like quite the man

 

Update 99: http://www.target550.com/gallery/99_finishing_oil_system_beginning_composite_components/index.html

We ran a little late on this one but still managed to get it done on Friday. This post covers the completion of the oil drain and the beginning of the Kevlar wheel fairings. Why Kevlar and not metal? Read the post and find out. Just more magic from the Skunk Works.

This is a shot of the aluminum prototype pieces for the front wheel fairing:

 

The detail and effort on those carpet fiber pieces is pretty amazing. This thread is so over the top I am amazed it does not get more comments...................or is it over teh top of the Board?

Comon guys, I challenge you to get involved! There are so many cool details posted here weekly that translate into your hotrods it is not even funny. There is a reason Cole Foster made his own thread on this, history boys and girls, history in the making.

 

Stainless Steel oil pans. There is still another post regarding the pans and it may be posted before next Friday.

This shoot has been over at least 2 months and sorting out the images turned out to be a bigger chore than Freud or I anticipated.

http://www.target550.com/gallery/100_oil_pans/index.html

Enjoy

 

So what's Cole's thread? I can't find it.