Hot Rods The "Whatever" project

Good luck with the back pain. Looking forward to future progress updates.

 

I'm ~3 hours closer now, so once we're more moved in I can probably take a weekend to run over and help out with some of the things you don't want to do (wiring, possibly?). Likely not available until after the new year, but plan accordingly and keep me up to date on what you need. We'll make something work!

 

Sounds like a plan.

 

Thanks to Stretch, aka ssffnomad, my aluminum tread plate decking is now nice and shiny. Stretch recommended a young lad, Christian Alvord AMPolishing, located in Saratoga Springs NY. His business specializes in polishing aluminum and stainless steel. He took my stuff to his shop for polishing, and he also can come to your location. I'm really happy with the results.

So now I have to just finish up on my trailer and get it out of the way so I can focus on the Whatever project. I keep tinkering with little stuff that ultimately needs to be done, but nothing that is picture worthy, hence nothing to really talk about. Soon however...

 

You sir, are on a good path .
Stretch

 

Got the trailer 2/3rds painted today, and should be able to finish it off tomorrow. The wiring is close to being finished and can then be fastened to it. And as I was painting it today it suddenly occurred to me that 90 percent of the stuff being painted doesn't show when the deck plates are bolted down. Took the pressure off of making it look good once again. I'm just painting it in reality for corrosion resistance. So I painted it with a brush! Go ahead laugh! I can take it! Hey, it's just a 26 year old trailer and for its age, still in good shape.

Now a problem with getting sidetracked by another project. It gives me time to think about the design of the Whatever project. Cogitating and ruminating over the front of the car, I have decided to replace the buggy spring and its big ugly mount with coilovers. I'm putting a set of Konis on the back, freeing up the current rear ones for the front. Since the actual shocks front and rear are the same, that part is a bolt on.

2 new crossmembers, 1.5 inch tubing, one on the lower tube structure and one strategically placed on the upper structure somewhere in the nose area, and I'll be able to gas ax the 2.5 inch crossmember out, and at the same time move the front axle ahead around an inch. Measurements show that this should provide some much needed room for a few items. Also make it work a little bit better. After adding a panhard bar that is...

 

Does the crossmember / suspension change give you any extra space for your alternator? Or was that not a contributing factor?

 

Mostly the radiator. That crossmember and the buggy spring weight jacker takes up some valuable real estate up there. I'm thinking that I can move the radiator or at least the bottom of the radiator in front of the steering box, making it no longer needing the jog to clear the steering box. And I might even get an engine driven fan in there with a shroud.

 

Trailer update: painting is done! Wiring is half done! Decking is polished and ready to bolt down. I think I'll be able to get it finished tomorrow, god willing and the creek don't rise!

Just a few needed things, some sealant, a couple of special bolts, and some self sealing tape. It's looking okay and it's just a 26 year old trailer... Tuesday, the Whatever project!

 

Phooie! Got the rest of the needed stuff, excepting some wire loom, but didn't get the round tuit out. Yeah another day I guess...

Did move stuff around in the garage at least. The Whatever project is now in the build bay!

 

Man I'm slowing down these days. Didn't get the trailer wiring completed today. Passenger side (American passenger side for our UK denizens) is done and tested out. As I was getting tired of wiring, I put some of the decking back on over the parts that are finished. Looking forward to the end of this project.

Did a little bit on the Whatever project. Got a fine thread 3/4 inch coupling nut to mount part of the steering column with. I have an oversized 3/4 rod end for steering shaft support that needs a bracket to mount to the frame. Now I could have turned it out on the lathe, but being basically lazy, I figured I'd save a lot of time using the coupling nut. And I was right. Worked just fine...

I saw that in Marty Strode's project, so I plaigerized again. Thanks Marty!

 

Lookin Good Buddy!

 

Thanks Don. I'll text you tomorrow. I'll send a picture or 2

 

Trailer is done! It's outside waiting for snow now. And a new plate! But it's out of the garage! Another project in the way of progress on the Whatever project done. Now back to work on the Whatever project.

 

Wow Just in time for snow?? You did a great job on her!!

 

Hey we both know that it's just around the corner. There's already been snow up in the Adirondacks. You and I are in the path of lake effects storms, so I'm just saying, and I got the snowblower in the garage and ready to go. The engine hoist is inside as well as the Equinox and the trailer is out of snowblower range.

So let it snow!

 

No Snow yet ! Still quality miles to put on before Upstate N.Y. DOT plasters the road and turns it white.
I drive them until the very end of season.
55’ heat .
39’ next to no heat. . Currently 6 Volt , we take care of that issue over the ❄️ Winter.
Stretch
Trailer is done . Nice

 

Thanks Stretch. Yes it looks great looking out the front window at it sitting 20 feet away. I may have to make a pivoting tong for it over the winter. It was sitting out near the end of the driveway this am, and I noticed that the back of the trailer certainly sits a lot higher with the new axle and tires. Oh well, I'll see the next time I have to move my ot mini.

 

Nothing big, just little stuff. Putting Konis on the back of the Whatever project, moving the current rears to the front as dicussed above. So making another pair of coil spring substitute spacers to set ride height. Measured up front to see if I can make the panhard bar the same length as the drag link. Probably not but it's going to be close.

Also remembered that I was going to order the clutch disc and pressure plate for the T5. Forgot about it until tonight. Be calling tomorrow. Been absent minded since I was a kid, why change now?

BTW plastic electrical conduit works great for making coil spring substitute spacers. Depending on the schedule it may need to be opened up a little bit to fit the spring seats on the coilovers, but it's more than strong enough.

 

Got those 2 coilover spacers made today. Did the machining if you can call it that, using my old Delta Double Duty lathe. What a cluge! But it worked and I still have my fingers and eyes!

 

I hate it when I do that! Hit the post instead of the upload button... oh well it's supper time so time to quit for a few minutes. Back later

 

Okay back to the Whatever project report. So after making 2 new coilover spacers I swapped out the rears and moved them to the front, taking the buggy spring and its big ugly mount out. Since the actual shocks front and rear are the same except for the coilover kits, it was an easy swap. However I had not welded the upper shock mounts to the frame. So I was able to set the front ride height with blocks and will weld the uppers tomorrow.

I had preset the rear shocks to the correct length so the rear ride height was set when I set it back down. Tomorrow I'll be making a panhard bar and mounts for the front and a couple of spacers for the bottom of the front shocks. Then back to moving the radius rod/hairpin mounts lower in the frame front and rear to get better geometry in the suspension. I'm thinking that I will have that all done this week.

It's good having the time drains done for a while. Hopefully nothing else will creep in to disrupt me again! Pictures tomorrow

 

Pumpkin pie, that's how easy it was to make spacers today.
That's it between the axle and bottom of the coilover. I know, really exciting isn't it? And here's the Konis on the back Not bad after turkey and all the fixings followed by pumpkin pie. And before you ask, I cooked it all. I actually like to cook, I found it was a good way to relax for a few minutes after class when I was in college. I've gotten pretty good at it over the last 40 odd years.

So I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving today.

 

Steering is started. Got a thought on how the bracket for the intermediate shaft will be built. Also I have a plan for the under cowl support hoop. But I used up all of the 1 inch tube making new runners for last year's sled project. I have just enough to make a layout hoop. So this week I'll order some more of the 1 inch tube. And in the meantime work on the pedals.

So some machine time and welding tomorrow and see where I get to.

 

Dave
If I remember right you have a tubing bender, thought I'd show what I did for my roadsters' steering shaft/rod end mount, you see them welded directly to the frame many times but I liked having the option of unbolting it.



In hiding.

 

I hadn't thought of doing it like that. I like it! And since I am the prophet of plaigerizm, if you don't mind, I'm going to rethink the way I was going.

Thanks, I'll post pictures of whatever (that's bad...) I come up with.

And did you make those engine mounts as well? I'm thinking about a similar design. Mine right now look bulky and ugly.

 

I did the tube fitting, prep, etc, a friend did the TIG welding.

 

Yup, I'm copying them! I'll probably make 3, 1 to practice welding and 2 for good. And a fixture to hold it in alignment for welding.

 

Be sure to keep your test piece of the engine mount handy, it might be a good template for the 400 if it ever finds a home...

 

What do you mean if??? When! We both know of a 1930 Sport Coupe. Sooner or later that could be a good home for it.