Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

Apologies for not commenting. Normally keep an eye out for your thread, but it must have scrolled through and I missed it.

Must not have been an easy call to cur the holes in the upper body section. Can always glass them back up, but still a big "now we are committed" call.

The photo down the body with the top on is cool. At first thought it looks like there is heaps or room around the engine. Then you imagine everything hot and angry and fuelly and sparky, and that room doesn't feel so big anymore.

Cheers,
Harv

 

Cheers, Harv, there is more room in the back than there is for me up front. The reason for all the cut outs in the top is so i can glass the fairing on to the body from both sides to make it more ridged for taking it on and off. More to show soon. JW

 

A small update of sorts, i tried my hand at glassing a brace in the upper rear body section and that turned to shit so i may go out to the shop tonight and have another go as i feel more confidant and maybe i will have learned from what didn't work before.....fingers crossed. JW

 

I’ve been doing the same- first try was pretty bad. Don’t give up!

 

No giving up here, will be back at it tonight with an adjusted plan.....it will not beat me! JW

 

Made a good attempt on the glassing of the braces today. I cut the mat wider, got some smaller brushes and a roller, it turned out how i expected it too....moving forward again. JW

 

Neat job.

I've got moulds at home to make FB/EK Holden doors, bonnet and bootlid. I'd really love to learn how to 'glass and have a go at it... just need to find some time.

Cheers,
Harv

 

I go by, ''If it was easy everyone would be doing it''. I believe a good tutor would be great but it's kinda fun working it out and doing an ''OK'' job of it. JW

 

Great build so far! After reading through your build a couple of times, as well as others builds and the rule books, I think it’s time I have a go at building one myself.

 

Thanks for stopping by and building your own sounds like a good plan. What body will you use? The Classglass fiberglass ones are the biggest you can get, mine was molded off one of there plus 20 inch bodies but they also have stock length. These were copied from the Famous Scotty's Mufflers Tank. JW

 

I will probably buy one from Classglass. I have a spare Flathead block in my stash, a banjo rear, and a seat. I need to mock it up to see if I need the 20” longer version. Otherwise, I would probably fabricate my own from aluminum to fit. However, I do like the idea of not needing to build a body from scratch.

 

Tried a small fiberglass job i needed to do tonight and thought about how i was going to tackle it and i ended up being rather disappointed so i have put the f-glassing stuff away and will now pull it apart finish a few jobs on the frame and lower firewall and paint the frame and all the parts, then put it back together for ''Chrome and Custom Show'', if i have any time left i may try some f-glassing. I have to have it on the trailer by Friday night (Oct 4th), drive 2 1/2 hour on the 5th for show setup for the show on the 6th. Stay tuned. JW

 

Took it off the stands in preparation to pull it apart, finish any small welding jobs, finish the lower section of the firewall and seal flange. Then clean all the frame, paint it and lots of parts and brackets the put it back together in time for Oct 4th. JW

 

About half the parts. JW

 

Took everything off the chassis except lower body, axles and gas tank. Will be in the shop every night this (and next) week getting the chassis prep'd for paint and painting. JW

 

The parts jigsaw got a lot bigger too. JW

 

That looks like quite the mess you have going there.

 

I know where it all goes..... I think. I have started painting brackets today. More soon! JW

 

There are no lazy days ahead for you, thats for sure.

 

I have had too many, running out of time but i want it done so this is giving me a good push. JW

 

Part 56 attaches to part 78 . Of course you know where they go you made them all.

 

Thanks Bryan, i did take lots of photos of the hydraulic lines but that's about it and being an ex mechanic from many years ago helps a bit. JW

 

I find out being a mechanic I never have time for my own stuff.

 

That's very true but since i'm an EX mechanic i only work on my stuff... problem solved. JW

 

The frame is now down to the rear axle and gas tank with most of the brackets painted, have tacked in the four pieced on the firewall. The axle and gas tank come off tomorrow and the weekend will be going over the frame, cleaning it then start painting it. JW

 

I am at a similar stage on my champ car build - disassembly for final weld and chassis paint. As the parts I removed piled up I was thankful for doing a detalied build thread on the HAMB so I can now go back and follow my build to help me remember where everything goes.

 

I,m at a good point there as it will be back together in two week from today and the longer it's apart the harder it is. Good luck. JW

 

Got the frame down to nothing more can come off stage and got out my make shift rotisserie and went over it all. JW

 

A different angle. Gave it a good clean and made a move on starting the paint process. JW

 

The primer is being brushed on as i don't have a spray system and i don't wont everything else getting painted as well, there will be brush marks but that's the vintage look. The top coat is to be machinery grey via rattle cans. JW