Projects My New New Ride

Ive just spent 4 weeks driving around outback OZ on holidays, not much progress on hotrod but I was still able to purchase some items to keep project moving along. I now have a complete ignition system. I also purchased a steel cowl vent panel, I plan to reproduce vent in fibreglass or attach to body as is - Im not sure witch way to go and am open to suggestions. A few pics. Glen

 

A few pics of recent progress, at this point in time I plan to glue steel panel in place ( although making one in fibreglass is still an option ), today I fabbed up a support frame that will hold panel in place and have provision to hinge vent. I still need to fab up handle assembly to open / close vent. I have a plan in place and hopefully will fab handle on next day off, Glen

 

Generally, fiberglass has about 1.5 times the thermal expansion coefficient of steel. In rough numbers on a 12" section and a 16°C (30°F) temperature swing, the steel will expand by about 2.8 thousandths of an inch, while the fiberglass would be more like 4.2 thousandths.

Its good news this way, as your steel shouldn't push on the fiberglass and cause body cracks, but you could get cracks over time in whatever filler and paint is over the connection between the steel and fiberglass. I'd use one of the fillers with fiberglass strand in it to help stabilize the connection. Otherwise everything else expands and contracts with temperature changes, so you should be fine to go with the steel lid and frame.

 

Thanks for this info, this is the reason I was planning to re produce panel in fibreglass but have now decided to glue steel panel in, as the car will have a distressed look anyway and if it cracks in the future a repair wont be an issue. Thanks again, Glen

 

I glued vent panel in place today, once set I will finish of with body filler and complete hinge / handle assembly, a few pics. Glen

 

I applied some fibreglass reinforced filler today, still need another skim coat but happy so far, Glen

 

Started fabbing hinge assembly today, only problem was there was no room for lever under dash as brake booster in the way so I decided to poke it out the dash, happy with the result. Still a lot to do - I may make a a nice surround around lever either riveted or bead rolled or both. I also have to work how to keep open and closed. Glen

 

I like the dash mount. You're missing some parts that would help with keeping it open and closed. My 46 GMC has kind of a cam where you pull the lever back to lock it down, and there are detents when you open it up to hold it. Usually these pieces connect to the cowl vent where you have connected your lever. You might need to get creative with that you have there.

 

I try not to be a safety freak in older cars, but I'd prefer a handle that doesn't look like a spear also.
I don't know how much leverage is needed to operate. Could it be bent down? I see it threads in and a bend would be a bother.
I realize the wheel isn't in place yet, but that design looks unfinished.

 

I have seen how the original rachet system works to open and close these vents on a 34, but I don't have one on hand to play with / modify. My plan at this stage is to fab up a fancy bezel / surround with slots at the top and bottom for the lever to go sideways into the slot, and possibly hinge lever horizontally and use a spring to hold in position. Hope I have explained it ok, I also plan to shorten lever and make it all look like it belongs there. Glen

 

You are correct, this design is totally unfinished, the finished product hopefully will look like its supposed to be there, there is very little leverage required to open and close vent so the lever will not be this long, watch this space. Glen

 

I can see your idea, it's just like the mowing height adjustment on my lawnmower. Good plan, that will save a lot of space under the dash.

 

I spent about 2 hours in shed today, this is what I came up with. I plan to make a little smaller and shape similar to center of dash and recess in by machining around the inside edges of bezel, a few pics, Glen

 

A few pics of todays progress, I now have a working vent. I'm not 100% sure if I love it but I do like it, I will wait until I have gauges, steering wheel, glove box etc. and then see how it looks. I will leave it for now and progress with other items such as fabricating headers, exhaust, windshield frame, trans tunnel, cover for rear crossmember in trunk etc. etc. etc. But my next job is to install some aluminum cylinder heads on my 31 coupe. Glen