Projects KIWI MADE 1927 T Lakes modified - Journey to the end of the road!

Could be worse, could be Chopper.

 

In todays episode we will take a look at the throttle and kickdown cable bracket.

Strictly speaking it is not a kickdown cable. The Dynaflow trans is a complicated beast and requires a signal from the throttle position to control pressures in the smoke and mirrors part. In the days when it was built they didn't have a lot of fly by wire signal setups so they used a linkage to tell the trans when to do what. I don't have the luxury of space to put in a linkage so have opted for a cable. as usual there isn't an off the shelf item available so I am getting one made specially.

Much the same applied with the throttle control. I didn't want to use a linkage so have been modifying parts to do the job. The small linkage ends I used had a 3/32 thread internally, but the cable ends supplied by the tech guys in town were 6mm. So it was off to Dads to use the lathe and bore for a 6mm tap to do its magic. I will put up some pictures of the cables when they are done this week.

But back to todays story........... the bracket to hold them all.

As always I started out by making a template from heavy card. Once happy with that it was onto something more solid.
After a thorough search in the resource bins I settled upon a bit of 5mm aluminium plate. I marked out and cut on the bandsaw. I am not sure what grade the alloy is, so I annealed it before trying to bend it to minimize the risk of cracking. This worked well and made it very malleable. result.....bends with no cracks!

Once happy with it I put it through the bead blaster and clear coated it to protect and make it match all the other alloy bits.

Check out the pictures and tune in for the next episode.....coming soon.....right here!

 

Today was another few little jobs out of the way, while I wait for the cables to be made in town.

A bracket for the licence tag on the back, a couple for the front one too.

I have been putting off doing the ID Tags on the headlights until I got some new bulbs. The ones that came with the lights when they arrived dip the wrong way, down to the right. I need them to go down to the left for our roads. To fasten the tags onto the headlight buckets I tracked down some solid aluminium rivets. These were the right size shank but I wasn't happy with the diameter of the head. To remedy this I put a few into my vertical lathe (Drill press) and re sized the heads down to the right size. Once happy with the new shape I put them through the bead blaster and trimmed them for length. Once fitted to the buckets they look real good and much better than a pop rivet. I will use these solid rivets on the fire wall for a couple of other tags too. Thanks Mike.

Tomorrow I pick up the cables and a flex line for the rear brakes.

Sorry about the shitty pictures! My phone doesn't do close ups too well!

 

Looking great, After getting the update email I sat here and went though the whole thread catching up on the photos. I marvel at the workmanship in that car every time I see more photos of it.

 

Thanks for that mate!

This week was more of he same with brakes and cables etc. I fitted a flex from chassis to diff and ran the hard lines out to either side. The throttle and kickdown cables are done. I started to assemble the rear brake shoes etc onto the backing plates, so I can measure for the park/emergency brake lengths.

I made some mounts for the mirrors. I don't really like them, but I can revisit these after it has all been made legal. They will do the job.

Looking forward to fire up shortly!

Back at work for a couple of days now, then back into it on Monday.

 

Code Blue, code blue! This patient needs some fluids......STAT!

The filler/dip tube for the trans is only 3/8" so to fill it I set up a drip to avoid spilling trans fluid everywhere.
Note to self.......don't fill drip bag and then leave the room! Yup you got it.....It spilled eveywhere!

 

I also ran a static timing light on the ignition today. I set it up at 8deg before TDC, which should be OK to fire up on when the time comes.

 

Holy Crap! 60 thousand views! Aiming for engine start up in early October. I can't wait. Won't be long soon!

 

More vital fluids today. Diff oil, coolant, brake fluid and sussed out some emergency brake cable bits.
Had a short day at work doing some fire training. Great fun lighting fires in an oil refinery......and putting them out. training for something I hope I never have to put into practice!

 

I poured in the coolant and topped it up with water and then went to work for a couple of days.
Back home again, into the shop, lo and behold there is a frikken great puddle under the car!! This time it wasn't bright red like trans fluid.......but flouro green....like coolant!!!!!!

Shit!

The rear heater hose flange that I put a blank over was weeping!

Drain the radiator into a bucket and sort the gasket and tighten, top up the coolant and back to work for a couple of days again. Here's hoping no more puddles on the floor when I get home!

 

I am heading over to Dads today to machine up some parts for the emergency brake cable ends and some longer steering stops, so the tires don't contact the wishbones. I have also started to fabricate a duct for a remote air filter. It has caused me headaches for some time, trying to nut out where to mount a filter element. I have about 1/2" of clearance above the carb to the hood underside! I don't want to have any holes through the hood or a bulge. I think what I am working on should do the trick. Pictures to follow.

 

Yes, pics please! Saw a really cool filter relocation in the TRJ ROG threads. Was on a blown, dual carb flatty. You may want to look for it for inspiration.



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

I had to grab these off of Instagram, but maybe they'll give you a neat idea.







'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

Here they are mate! I have just mocked it up at this stage, in heavy card, I will cut it from sheet metal and form it soon.

Thanks for your shots. I will be achieving something similar, but with the filter element underneath the ducting and behind the engine. The engine is set well ahead of the fire wall to keep the torque converter out of the footwell, so there is plenty of space. I can fit a 10" element in there with room to spare.

 

Wow man, that is really cool! Not that it surprises me at all, as the rest of your build is completely top shelf!

My '27 T Roadster build:  http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t= 734383

 

OH yea, that does look good. And it looks like it belongs there. Well done.

 

I guess I should not be surprised to see that the car was not really finished before it's big debut.

Lots of details to go but looks good.

 

I can never bring myself to put store bought parts on the car.......I find myself making everything.

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

I can relate, I try to build as many things as I can on my 26 RPU. I will admit that for some items I have taken the easy way out with available parts.

As much as I am enjoying the fabrication and creative process it can be almost overwhelming at times.

But I keep building away and maybe one day I can drive it

But the process is part of the journey

 

An update of progress today. I cut some steel and started pounding. This is the base so far. I also dropped off all the bits for the park brake to the shop for crimping. I also machine up some more steering stop nuts........the right length today....not like the ones I did yesterday.
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A trip into town this morning to grab some rubber brake lines for the front didn't amount to much success, so I found a 9" filter element to carry on with.
I cut the hole in the base plate and flanged the opening to stiffen things a bit. I have just finished the lid with a flanged edge and a depression for the retainer bolt.
Now for some lunch!

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Looking really good, love all the hand fabbed parts, Ive just started to really get into my Tudor and Im like you, not a real big fan of all the shop bought gear so most everything is getting made, Just made a jig and finished dropping a couple of A axles and built my steering column.
Far more satisfaction at the end of the day. Keep up the good work, and I hope to see the car in the flesh one day.

 

So,it was out with the sandbag and some mallets for a bit of a beating. I have not finished building my wheeling machine yet so I had to shoot down the road to smooth the bumps out. Now for some more trimming and maybe some welding. I am happy with progress so far though.

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Way cool!



'27 T Roadster build: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=734383

 

Update: welded, ground, primed and fitted.
I had to put a depression for the fastening bolt. There just wasn't enough clearance under the hood. The picture with the straight edge shows how much room I have to play with.
Now I need to have a big tidy up, the shop is a mess.
I still need to make a bracket to hold the filter element in position.
I also had to make some slight bulges in the front for the choke body and vent on the carb. They look like knuckles!

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

This morning I picked up the emergency brake cables and have fitted them. They should do the job. I made all the ends for the cables and had them crimped in town. The guy at the brake place is making up the front flex hoses because there are no off the shelf ones readily available. They will be ready this afternoon. I am going to play paint ball with the kids this afternoon for my 10 year olds birthday party, so will pick the hoses up then. I have been called into work tonight so plan a quiet day tomorrow!

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Air cleaner turned out great!

My '27 T Roadster build:  http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t= 734383

 

Cheers mate! I am pretty happy with it. A little time on paint will sort it. I was thinking of using it as a platform for some appropriate artwork, maybe a period correct logo for Buick or maybe a speedshop from the 40's? I dunno!

 

I struggled for a while today with the rear brake drums. Having clearance issues with drums, shoes and backing plates. A little trimming here and there seems to have sorted most of the issues.........I hope. Back to work for 4 days starting tomorrow, so there won't be much happening for a bit. The light at the end of the tunnel appears to be getting closer..........hopefully it ain't an oncoming train!

To do list.
Front brake slaves, swap sides to match ports to banjo fittings on brakes lines,
Fit front hoses. drums and wheels on.
Drain coolant and replace bolts for studs on blanking plate.
Remount coil
Alternator wiring
Rear brake bias valve, buy, fit and plumb
Rear slaves, shorter mounting bolts
Brake line clips on diff.
Clips for cockpit cover
Bleed brakes.
Fuel up
Start up


And on the seventh day, He did rest!......Ya think!!

 

Small request (hopefully) - can you make a video of the start up?