Better than summer weekends.....spring weekends. Hopefully I can get a lot done before 100* weather sets in.Quote:
Originally Posted by firebird77clone
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Better than summer weekends.....spring weekends. Hopefully I can get a lot done before 100* weather sets in.Quote:
Originally Posted by firebird77clone
I got my other spring box put together and started looking at how to anchor the top links and came to the conclusion that I needed more beef in my framework. I am adding some 1.5 x 1.5 front to back in a more conventional frame like position. I am also installing a 1.5 x 1.5 crossmember ahead of the forward spring support to provide additional support.
Here are the pics....this about where I thought I was going to get to last weekend.
I feel a lot more comfortable with the extra beef.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0762.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0761.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0768.jpg
Since I am not sure exactly what spring rate I have, I built some adjustability in for the top links.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0759.jpg
Looks good and should work good.:3dSMILE:
You can change the spring rate by deleting or adding leaves to the springs. I would guess this car will be substantially lighter than the original Jag, so you may need to remove a leaf or two.:cool:
Next weekend, I will add a diagonal for the link mounts and mount the spring boxes (verticle wall at back, angled wall at front and tied to the frame sideways down low).
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0770.jpg
Hopefully after that, the pace will pick back up.
Using the jag suspension has been a little bit of a headache, but I think it will make the end product neater.Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Robinson
A lot of my build details have just been guesses, but I think I have allowed for adjustability by being able to remove leaves if it is too tall and stiff or jacking up the front mount if it is too low.
As is, my spring box is higher in the car and the front support area is lower. I tried to account for less weight mashing the rear of the spring flat. I have the spring rotated down at the front compared to a MK2.
I am anxious to get weight in the car and set it on wheels.
I jumped in with both feet today. I started wleding the spring boxes in solid. First though, I tapered the front edge of the boxes down for a little more butt room.
Mounting these things is like putting a puzzle together. It is hard trying to figure out how to weld it all together such that you can actually get to where you need to weld and then be able to add the next piece and get it fully welded in.
I got them welded in enough that I was able to put a jack under the rear axle and cycle the suspension. My spring boxes work as intended....as the rear goes up, the front of the spring pushes down.
I will try to remember to take pics tomorrow and post them.
Here are the pics of the boxes getting welded in.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0775.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0776.jpg
The link mount needs support. I will also tie the boxes in to these.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0778.jpg
Stuff is too crowded to get to all seams. I cut the tube apart. Some of the welds are on the inside. After these welds are done, the tube gets put back together. Fun!
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0779.jpg
Tubes put back together
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0786.jpg
Boxes tied to the diagonal
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0787.jpg
Pics of loading the suspension
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0792.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0793.jpg
1952 Mercedes gas tank looks like it will work for this car.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0782.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0784.jpg
It should clear the links OK and has a little bit of clearance for the diff. Fuel inlet will work with a racecar style cap on the top of the boattail.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0783.jpg
This is where I ended the day. I plated in the opening above the boxes. I feels really solid.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0797.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0796.jpg
With any luck, I will re-hang the rear quarters and decide on what the next build step.
Not sure exactly what to do next.
I think I need to start the rearmost frame section/trunk floor. I think I need to start the upwards taper of the boattail at the rear axle...similar to this car.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...mal_4748-2.jpg
Today was a fun day. I finished up a little welding on the passenger side spring box and then started trying to mount the body side.
It was more difficult than last time. There is an axle there.
I started by mocking the body up on top of the axle and blocks of wood to see where stuff lined up.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0798.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0801.jpg
I am glad that I thought to draw a reference line last time it was mocked up.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0800.jpg
First set of dimensions....end cut out was WAY different.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0802.jpg
The first cuts were barely a good starting point. I am glad I started slow and snuck up on the shape. The axle moves rearward as it compresses.....really moves rearward! That parking brake cable was kind of a pain too.
Lots of jacking and drawing, then triming and re-instalation.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0803.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0805.jpg
Final shape. I think.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0808.jpg
I know the tail sticks way out there and will drag everything, but I can not make myself cut the heck out of it for clearance. I think I am just going to beef up the tail so it can handle being dragged. I may even add a caster back there.
Here is the current idea. Slight sweep with a radius at the bottom.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0823.jpg
Right now the whole back end is an almost clean sheet to work with
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0815.jpg
Playing with cop car roll bars and a harbor freight pipe bender
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0818.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0820.jpg
I trimmed the tube. kinda hard to do just by eyeballing it. Still needs a little fine tuning....but I think it will work.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0824.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0825.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0828.jpg
Close enough that I made another one for the other side.
The new rear frame rails will be on the same level as the current 1x1. I just haven't cut out the old stuff yet.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0831.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0832.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0837.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0838.jpg
I am using more cop car roll bar parts to complete the rear frame rails. Using a couple of bends, I will be able to clear the shock mounts and tie into the 1.5 x 1.5 that runs below the upper link mounts. The joint will be mitered.
This will also gime me a "crumple zone" for the rear frame rails. Heaven forbid I take a hit or spin out in it, the 90 degree bends should fold.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0835.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0834.jpg
Imagine this one slammed to about a couple inches off the ground. That is really close to my latest vision.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...2&d=1242940568
I'm SOOOO glad I'm not the only one building a boat-tail speedster. I sure wish I had your sheet metal skills, I really didn't want to go fiberglass on mine, but I don't have the ability with sheet metal, or the room for the proper tools. I really like the Jag engine, it really goes with the style!
GOOD LUCK!! and please keep the pictures coming.
Marty
I don't have sheet metal skills, I have sheetmetal determination :LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by 41plymouth
This is my first "real" sheetmetal project. I did some relatively simple stuff on my 48 chevy flatbed build....but nothing like this.
As far as sheetmetal tools go, I have a harbor fright shrinker/stretcher and a 36" HF sheetmetal brake. Not a huge investment, but they work OK for my current skill level.
Seeing all of the cool builds posted on various rod sites pushed me over the edge. It is not perfect by any means, but it should be decent after bodyfiller and paint. .....and it is one hell of a learning experience.
What do you guys think about adding a rumble seat in the boat-tail? Gas tank would be mounted behind the rear end.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...rumbleseat.jpg
I'd keep it a 2 seater, thats my 2 cents :)
I agree. Unless, you could build it so that the seat lid was so unnoticeable when closed that no one knew it was there. This build has the potential to be a real head turner due to the style and more so due to the way in which you're building it (the Caddy roof. I love that). A rumble seat might be a little over the top for a speedster.
IMO you should not include the rumble seat. You are building a "replica" of a race car, and even two seats is probably stretching the envelope a bit (although some of the very early racers did have a second seat.) Keep it "pure" and you will have an outstanding car.
I was thinking from the stanpoint of handling and weight distribution, it might make you feel your driving an overloaded pickup if you get another person that far back on the body. I too like the sleek old time racing look with just the driver's cockpit. Maybe a small wire rack to carry stuff? What ever you choose it is a fun build for me to follow, keep up the good work. Steve.
I did more work on the rear of the body. It took a lot of fitting, but I finally got the tubes ready to weld.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0860.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0859.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0868.jpg
And trimmed the other quarter so that it will fit over the axle.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0870.jpg
I also played around with the rumble seat idea some more. There is room to do it.
The thought behind the rumble seat is so that both kids can ride around with me at car shows. It would also serve as a trunk when there was not a 2nd passenger.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0855.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0872.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0873.jpg
He does look beat doesn't he? But hey, building a cool race car from a '54 Caddy roof must take a mental toll on one's body :)
More work on the rear framework today. I added some diagonals. They hug the body really nice.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0875.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0876.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0879.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0881.jpg
Played around with sticking a 8 gallon fuel cell in the back (so I could do a 3rd seat). It fits pretty good. If I don't add the seat, I will still have one heck of a trunk back there. Not 100% sure 8 gallons will be enough though.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0882.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0894.jpg
I also added some diagonals to the passenger compartment to help support the rear diagonals. This thing is slowly turning into a battleship.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0887.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0893.jpg
I also got around to trimming the passenger side door opening.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0898.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0897.jpg
....and played with adding a wheel under the tail.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0886.jpg
...and trimed the tail a little more. Not 100% there, but closer. I'm sneaking up on it.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0890.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0891.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0892.jpg
I have a little bit more to do to the rear frame. I want to add a second horizontal tube at the very end. It will be lighter weight material than the cop car stuff.
I would have done it this weekend, but I wanted to put more thought into the vertical piece at the very rear. It needs to have a neat way to mount the sheetmetal ...and maybe the ability to mount a "push bar" type bumper.
Anybody have suggestions for making the vertical?
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n..._1938/rear.jpg
I realized I forgot a pic. I didn't have room to get full spline engagement, it hits the table. It is just hanging on the threads.
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...8/HPIM0901.jpg
This thing is turning out lower and sleeker than I had first imagined. I think the front end sheetmetal needs to be swoopier than the first cars I pictured.
Would a nose kinda like this Alfa be too far of a stretch? a clash of eras/styles?
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...meo-308C_1.jpg
I don't think it's necessarily a clash of eras. Take a look at the Miller-Ford cars from 1935. They used a tail similar to what you have built and have a modified '35 Ford grille laid back at a pretty swoopy angle. They look really cool.:cool: If I could come up with a set of wheels, I'd be tempted to clone one of them...:HMMM:
I think that Alpha is way cool!Quote:
Originally Posted by Flipper_1938
quick chopping of caddy hood
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...1938/slice.jpg
Nothing like ready made, precurved american sheet metal!:LOL: