Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

The other side. I used a large regular wiring grommet and made a long slot so not to have a shape bend in the tube. JW

 

A better shot of the hinged front bit and also seeing where i may place louvers. JW

 

And where i think they will go on the back bit. Will fit some on the lower section also. JW

 

Picked up two 16''Subaru space saver wheels yesterday (the only 16'' they had) and removed the centers and the 39 Willys centers are a nice snug fit. They had bead welds not spot welds so were easy to separate with on holes to weld up. Will need to travel way out of town to a bigger yard to find two more. They seem to be in high demand here for Jappa's that only have a Pando type and no real spare. JW

 

Nice fix!

 

Traveled to the big Pick A part an hour away and spent a couple hours searching for more 16'' space savers. Turns out the correct ones come from Subaru Legacy's. One of the two i got before was a little wider across meaning the Willys centre was loose and would have needed a lot of work to be any good so today i had a rod to check them so i only got matching wheels. I found four at $22 each so i have a spare. Will finish taking the tires off and drilling out the rivets on the Willys wheels. Progress again. JW

 

Also got the latches for the cockpit and six over centre latches for the rear body.
At present i'm trying to finish the fuel tap operation, more on that when i have conquered it. JW

 

There are alot of clever enginering on this build.

 

Thanks, i still look at it and can't believe i did it.
I have a date for it to be race ready, March 21 with Land speed NZ. Race ready may be safe to run but not ''pretty finished'' everywhere. Will be looking for tires next week, may take some time to find what i need/want in "H" series. JW

 

Should you ever need more latches ...... SOUTHCO brand latches have a good range of different configurations and loadings. I was working for a gaming (poker) machine company and they were what we used exclusively for cabinet security. I've also used them for assorted hot rod applications.
There's a distributor in Melbourne AU.
https://media.southco.com/media/sta...*1eqsc5c*_gcl_au*MTYwNTU4NDQ3OS4xNzUwMzIxMDEy

 

Thanks, we have a supplier that my work deals with and the catalog is about the size of a Sydney phone book. I used those door latches on several things i have made at work and they are great, just at around $70 each is not great but i can live with that as i don't want anything coming loose. JW

 

What's a phone book?

 

Spent some time on the fuel tap mechanism today after much measuring i made up some bits. JW

 

The other side, will make proper spring mounts soon. It works well so that pleases me. JW

 

Will tidy it up by reducing any extra bulk. Been a long time in the design corner of my head. JW

 

I just re read most of this build, whatever happened to all those followers in the first half of the build as now it's getting to the pointy end i feel i'm just doing a Journal! JW

 

I’m still interested. I keep getting ideas for the whatever from all the threads I’m following. After all, what is it about imitation is the greatest form of compliment… I’m not proud, I’ll plaigerize anything from anybody!

 

Thanks Dave and very few things are original ideas by now, you may think something up only to be told someone else has already done it or similar. I get many ideas from not doing things a way i didn't like the way it was done and i'm sure that will work both ways. JW

 

I'm still following with great interest in the outcome of your build! I always enjoy seeing how you approach any problems and the solutions you come up with to make it work.

 

Oh I am definitely watching. I am still in the planning phase of my build. It’s very inspiring and congratulations on nearing the end!

 

Thanks guys, i appreciate it. JW

 

I’m still here as well! Just living vicariously through you as my tank is still in the rafters

 

Still watching, but will only comment if I have something that I feel is constructive to say.

 

I'm still in. Been enjoying the prosses.

 

Tidied up all the parts and painted. Need to play with some spring combos and spring attachment points. As it is it works ok but i want it better. It's in the tap closed position JW

 

Activation lever in closed position. JW

 

And in open, just need a bump forward and it snaps shut... quick an easy. JW

 

Is the threaded rod retained in the steel guide at all?

The reason I ask is could they move out of the slot on a rough track or beach and cause any issues?

The car's a credit to you.

 

They are and the slots are long enough to keep the rods retained and due to the springs holding tension on the nut stops and the slight angle of the slots it can't come out, i tried it and all's good. I thought of that at the beginning. Cheers. JW