Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => Build Diaries => Topic started by: hotschue on February 19, 2008, 10:10:38 AM
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Started new project will post progress from time to time. Thanks to Sum for the inspiration and my friends who helped get the project moving. Objective is Maxton for sure, Bonneville a stretch (2008). Will post photo's from time to time, class Modified Sports, engine yet to be determined.
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Well you are past the hard part.
A couple of "all nighters", and you are set. :wink:
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Is that a cowl for a Sprite I see?
I'm thinking a Speedwell Sebring front clip might be legal in your class.
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Yes it is, I will be using a modified cowl and stock rear clip. Cowl forward will be fabricated aluminium nose and side panels.
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Today is a big day. Main frame rails cut and fit ready to weld. First fit of the rear body section, starting to look like a car. Will begin design of roll cage, narrow the rear and build the front axle.....Sounds easy enough!!!!
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Progress!
You thinking SBC, or just using it to dummy up for location?
This could be very frightening when you're done.
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Today is a big day. Main frame rails cut and fit ready to weld. First fit of the rear body section, starting to look like a car. Will begin design of roll cage, narrow the rear and build the front axle.....Sounds easy enough!!!!
Looks good!! Don't let anyone give you a hard time about the "flat" wooden tires/wheels like they did about my wood frame 8-). I like the build table,
Sum
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Today is a big day. Main frame rails cut and fit ready to weld. First fit of the rear body section, starting to look like a car. Will begin design of roll cage, narrow the rear and build the front axle.....Sounds easy enough!!!!
Looks good!! Don't let anyone give you a hard time about the "flat" wooden tires/wheels like they did about my wood frame 8-). I like the build table,
Sum
Car looks good and I love the build table..........oh, nice wheels!!
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The table is great, don't have to bend over to work on it. SBC power, class somewhere between AA and D. Had to take the rear tires off to set the body on. I guess I'll have to down size'em with a router.
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Have added front and rear frame sections and all suspension mounts. Started going vertical today hope to have roll cage pretty well under way by next week. Material arrived for the bodywork, wishful thinking, maybe in 2 or 3 weeks. Want to make this a roller as some as possible. Pic as of today......
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Finished welding the main frame, the chassis is back on the table at ride height. Next week the roll cage and suspension. It's coming together. I fitted a dragster seat and can finally sit in the car. Will have BB sitting on its wheels shortly.......
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Nice work - curious as to your front suspension, but I'll wait and see.
It's easy to lose perspective on this with the cowl and rear section removed. How long's your wheelbase?
Cheers!
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Nice split window!
Carl Johansson
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Why are you so high out of the car?
DW
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Wheelbase is 129 inches. The shoulder hoop is 4 inches below the body shell. Less than 12" of roll bar will be outside the body lines. Sitting in the car the line of sight will be the top of the cowl. Body height is 25 inches + 4 inches ground clearance.
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OK, Udo - I projected the body being lower than you say.
DW
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Finished fitting and tack welding the roll cage. Mounted rear body section, fabricated future aluminium bulkheads out of plywood to check fit. Body and nose cone will begin next week. After sitting in the Sprite with full safety gear I decided to add a few inches of height to the rollbar. Plenty of helmet clearance. Construction on a table top sometime distorted the scale, everything looks larger than it really is. The front bulkhead is 24x48 it looks like its 6 ft long. I'll climb onto the table and look down at the chassis and then appears what I expected. Hope to have body done by the end of June.
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The rear section in place puts it all together in my mind's eye - tight and tidy - very nice.
Cheers!
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25" PLUS 4"?
Udo that seems HIGH... by 3"... lower it if you can...
K
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K
The 25" is measured at the center of the cowl which is a number I can't change per rule, I'm open for suggestions. I can however lower the ride height and will experiment once the BB is sitting on the floor. The 4" dimension is a starting point only. The rollbar height was a compromise, in that the plan, after the initial build with a V-8, there will be multiple drivers and engines, me being the shortest at 5-10 with enough room for a 6-2 driver. I'm doing the least amount of substructure to mount the body, then wt test, and see is we have to rethink the design. Nothing written in stone at this time.
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From looking at the picture, it looks like the front hoop down bar ends at the top rail. Is there any reason the bar can not continue down to the frame rail? IMHO A bar should never end in an unsupported span of another bar if at all possible even if it can not be in a straight line.
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Hi Doug, I haven't finished the cage/drivers compartment yet, the will be X members and support for both sides. I'm concentrating on hanging the body panels before finishing the frame detail.
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Started on a plug for the nose cone today. Bought some "How To" books on Amazon hope to have it done by weeks end. Making a mold?? Cross that bridge when I get to it. Might have to seek professional help!!
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Might have to seek professional help!!
Not to worry, about everyone on the site probably needs professional help... right Dr. Freud :|
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Hello All - Took a year off to build another car! Back on this project to completion will be at B'ville "10!!! "FOR SURE" Just a few photo's of front end build, needs some fine tuning but will work fine. Next working on engine plates and bulkheads.....nose cone plug almost complete ready for fab shop...more photo's to follow.
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Another Picture of f/e
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Very impressive bit of fabrication. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.
Still thinking SBC?
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Installing motor mounts for a 2 liter & SBC....(2 liter normally aspirate motor ran 170+ in 3200 lbs 88 Firebird at B'ville last Aug.)
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Great build. Engineering looks great. Taking time off helps you to "mentally" put the car together while you are working on other projects. Keep up the good work! Bill
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"Trailing LADDER BAR" front suspension is interesting.
Looks like you've attached the rack and pinion to the axle to keep from encountering unimaginable bump steer.
I'm gathering that your steering column will have two U-joints in it with provision for "plunge" as the axle goes thru it's motions- in other words anticipating the steering wheel moving away from you on bump and droop, (or sliding splines in the column).
Real nice work!
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I agree , very interesting front suspension.
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Hello IB - Photo a little misleading rack will be welded to frame. Have not determined steering column angle yet. Bumpsteer should not be an issue since suspension travel will be less than 2". Horizontal shock is a result of not having vertical clearance for a coilover shock, body will clear horizontal shock by 1/2".
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With the rack being that wide, the tie rods will be very short, before you weld it all up, run the suspension through its range of motion, I think you will have a lot more bump and roll steer than you think. The rack mounted on the axle will eliminate a lot of that but rack placement will need to be looked at to ensure the tie rods don't sideload the rack. A sliding column is really quite easy and only has to more about a 1/2 an inch to follow the front end.
While you are checking the bump, take note of the lateral motion as well, that is also uncommanded steering input.
Great project, good luck with it :cheers:
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Thanks all, SS great idea will certainly look at that option when I get back to the steering. Finished bulkhead/motorplate everything fit on the first try, wish all my fab worked that way. Next, fab V-8 mounts, finish front and rear bulkheads install cowl. Then the fun begins, having made my wooden bucks, will start to fab alum body. Hope to make major strides in the next two weeks.....
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FREE TO A GOOD HOME......My build table will be replaced by corner stands in about a month.....It breaks down into (2) 8' sections easily transported in PU truck. Less than 1 degree deflection in 16' length very sturdy, got the idea from fellow LSR racers. Great for a one off build! Could not have done build without it. - Downside it's in Annapolis, Md. Send PM... got to be some east coast builders!
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If I lived closer, I would come over, but I'm in KC. I built my own airplane and still miss my build table that I gave away to another airplane builder. Sound leveled tables make for a easier job building the frame and so on. Good Luck with the car.....keep up the posts. You are doing a great job! Bill
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Another day working on bulkheads, couldn't resist had to install a set of heads and headers......It's starting to look like a race car!
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Looking good Udo! Keep up the great work! Keep the pics coming!
Jeff
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Spent the weekend mounting cowl to center bulkhead and locating rear body shell. Cowl is the base for mounting and locating body front to rear. Now for the inner structure and front alum body fab...
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Hotschue,
It is "starting" to look like a race car but don't start thinking you are close to being done. As you know doing the details, wiring, brakes, fuel lines etc will probably take as much time or more than the initial fabrication. Looking good though! keep us posted.
Rex
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Last couple of days working on motor mounts and rear body mount. Lift off rear mount no tools required.....tomorrow finalize mid plate mounts and start to hang rear sheet metal.
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Hmmm......guess I'm going to need a second U joint.
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Hmmm......guess I'm going to need a second U joint.
naw... a couple of synthetic straws and high speed duct tape will be fine for a flex joint there
:evil:
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Finally....front end is conquered....moving to the rear assy. Did a dry run today located shock/track bar mounts...ordered axles from Moser, hopefully straight forward no surprised. Will keep me busy for a few days.
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Got the rearend hung, except for final welding, everything as planned no surprises....fun begins tomorrow....start to hang the body....
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The body has arrived........I guess assembly required!
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Any good reason that you put the dog leg in your panard rod? Looks like it could be a straight rod and then you could adjust it without having to disconnect one end from the chassis or rear end. Also the bend makes it much less stiff in compression and tension so it will not do as good a job of locating the rear end as a straight rod would.
Just wondering.
Rex
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Hello Rex, Straight bar will not clear rear cover and girdle. Suspension travel will be less than 1" so I'm hopeful dog leg won't be an issue.
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HS,, I was thinking your rear travel would be in the 1 to 2 inch range, thus the arc'd panhard is not as big a problem as could/would have been with more travel. I too agree with using as long as possible and straight panhard, but as your pic shows, sometime you have to adapt and improvise,,, good job.
Build looks first class,,,, keep the update and pics coming.
Charles
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Charles, You see who's unloading the body, John (Md Stude), helped cut and bend substructure panels and picked up aluminium sheets for the body. He will be the extra set of hands when we start forming body panels. Hope to have cowl back mounted before Thanksgiving, will start on nose and cowl forward in December..
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HS,, glad you have some close by help.. I thought you and John lived in the same general area. Heck, MD is not that big,,, I am sure it's nice to have some extra help and encouragement nearby. John is a good guy,,, make sure he gets his Stude at least done enough to pass tech and a shakedown run at Maxton in April...
Will you be ready in April as well ? You going to come down too ?
Charles
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And also, keeping in mind how light this car will probably be, I'm thinking a curved panhard rod as substantial as this one shouldn't be an issue - just keep the car in a straight line.
Got any sketches as to what the nose is going to look like?
I'm absolutely digging this build.
Chris
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Again my real "challenge" with the dog leg panard is that you absolutely have to disconnect it from the chassis to adjust. A straight rod only needs the lock nuts loosened and a turn. It also makes the smallest adjustment what ever 1/2 of the rod end thread pitch is.
Just kibizing, I also am anxious to see the body!!
Great project!
Rex
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CK, John lives about a one minute walk from the garage, we spend a lot of time sitting and talking engineering and how to make the design better. Sometime more sitting than working! Our schedule, (tentitive) have the rolling body ready for A2 wind tunnel early January, test power train in Jack Iliff's '88 Firebird in April and then assemble BB and do some test runs at Maxton in May. Hopefully we can gain enough information for the B'ville setup.
MM - Thanks for your comments over the years, nose cone buck is complete will post a pick next few days....trying to find someone local to make a mold for me, don't have the time to do it and don't want to screw it up to many hours invested....
Rex - I hope I'll only have to adjust the panhard bar once.....
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I could be a day late and a dollar short but.... if less than 1/2 a turn is required, a cam type bushing could be incorporated as is sometimes used in front suspensions for wheel alignment.
Love the build too and am awaiting each development.
Cheers,
Rob
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Hi Rob, Thanks for your interest.....I'm hoping the track bar adjustment isn't that critical....am away on holiday for another week then back on the project....being away gives me time to plan or rethink the next moves....finished mounting the rear body section on hinges before I left....will mount cowl when I return and fabricate door skins....posting some pictures when I return....
Thanks again,
U.
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Rear body mounts installed...moving to cowl to attach dzus flange plate to support for forward body panels (yet to be fabricated), also early stage of nose cone plug fab, will finish shortly and post pic.
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I'm always impressed by somebody who can weld vintage British tin without creating a huge slag pile on the floor! :-D
Great progress. Earlier you mentioned that you're setting this up for both a two-litre and a SBC, and that it ran in a Firebird. Curious as to what make the two-litre is?
:cheers:
Chris
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Hi Chris, For 2010 we've decided on a 2 liter (120 CI) Iron Duke, normally aspirated which ran over 170 last August in a 3200 lb. Firebird (G/GC record 169.++) ..... for 2011 have not mad a decision on engine class (sbc).
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another pic
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Sunday morning, got a few more things done. Final mount of cowl, installed dzus fasteners....made template for door skin....alum body forward next. BB has a much lower profile when you stand next to it. Will be on wheels before you know it!!
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Started building doors and dzus mounting tabs today. Will finish cowl back this week then onto front end. Moser promised rear before end of year BB maybe down and rolling. Lot of small side jobs going on, need to build a set of front wheels, "Ballistic Fabrication" Tucson Az. supplied lazer cut centers, ebay supplied 2 VW wheels just need to put some time into them. Working on rear spoiler design with a little help should have that under control. A2 still a possibility by end of Jan.
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Nice progress. This going to be a killer car.
Robbie
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Hello All!!!!! Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year.....Final progress for 2009.....We finished today working on the body, rear spoiler templet and tonnue cover....also now have narrowed rear in hand ready to bolt in. We will start 2010 with completion of the body from the cowl back and getting BB on wheels. Jan. should be an exciting month....will keep you posted. Some pics from earlier today.
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Early in the build you mentioned there would be less than 12" bar outside the lines. I am not sure but it looks like there is more than 12. If this is so, I am wondering what your motivation was for changing this design point.
Just wondering.
~JH
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HS, let me know if/when you come down to A2.....
I can show you around if you have time. Grab some lunch or dinner ?
Charles
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Thanks Charles, will definitely keep you in mind. JH, taller bar for taller (2nd) driver....
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Early in the build you mentioned there would be less than 12" bar outside the lines. I am not sure but it looks like there is more than 12. If this is so, I am wondering what your motivation was for changing this design point.
Just wondering.
~JH
If you look at the photos at top of this page with HS standing next to car, 2nd driver in seat. There is no padding on seat and it is not firm in position. No helmet. With helmet there is the 3'" and maybe a bit more of required clearance to the cage which does not yet have the required SFI padding. I think will be just right. HS is a bit shorter so will have some extra. Yes in this case, less is more but I've driven a 270mph streamliner with about 1" clearance over my head to the cage and was not totally happy camper. Now of course not legal but I'd rather have the extra room and give up the aero. :-)
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Quote from: Jonny Hotnuts on December 30, 2009, 10:41:06 PM
Early in the build you mentioned there would be less than 12" bar outside the lines. I am not sure but it looks like there is more than 12. If this is so, I am wondering what your motivation was for changing this design point.
Just wondering.
~JH
If you look at the photos at top of this page with HS standing next to car, 2nd driver in seat. There is no padding on seat and it is not firm in position. No helmet. With helmet there is the 3'" and maybe a bit more of required clearance to the cage which does not yet have the required SFI padding. I think will be just right. HS is a bit shorter so will have some extra. Yes in this case, less is more but I've driven a 270mph streamliner with about 1" clearance over my head to the cage and was not totally happy camper. Now of course not legal but I'd rather have the extra room and give up the aero
I am not happy with our current cars arrangement regarding head clearance to bar-roof. One of this years projects (about to start) is to move the forward firewall (mid engine so theres not much to move forward) forward 10+" and build a seat with higher degree lay back to facilitate more head room and easier evacuation egress. This was something I should of done from the get go.
~JH
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What is the wheel base of this Sprite?
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Posted by: doug odom
Insert Quote
What is the wheel base of this Sprite?
Doug, I read this on page one:
Wheelbase is 129 inches. The shoulder hoop is 4 inches below the body shell. Less than 12" of roll bar will be outside the body lines. Sitting in the car the line of sight will be the top of the cowl. Body height is 25 inches + 4 inches ground clearance.
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New Year, time to get back to work.....Sunday morning decided to put time into rear spoiler. Photo shows basic design we have in mind. Plan is to test BB at A2 without spoiler, then rivet mockup on as shown. We will have some quick mods we can install to change configuration.
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You folks probably knew I'd respond to the challenge of "only" 28" of snow in December. We've had that much since Christmas.
Here's Nancy standing by the front doorway.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/IMG_1080.jpg)
Better photo. Note how deep is the snow just outside the door. Not just what's p9iled against the door, but the tummy-high pile a foot or so farther out. Don't worry about a path of egress in case of emergency -- we've got a useable back door and also the basement entrance.
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/IMG_1081.jpg)
And here's the back yard showing the wood boiler (well insulated, note) and the stairs leading down from the front deck. There's a good part of all this weather, though -- no mosquitoes!
(http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii147/SeldomSeenSlim/IMG_1082.jpg)
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Your doing a fine job of stopping the snow befor it gets here to the East. Keep up the good work.
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Beautiful snow pic HS. As someone who despite travelling the globe, has never seen snow, I would like just once to spend a white christmas .
Slim, you're going over the top, are those stairs solid snow?? and is the weight an issue?
Sorry to be off topic, still watching and enjoying the Bugeye.
Cheers,
Rob
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Hey Rob, Thanks for your interest, plan is to have cowl back finalized by end of the week, finishing up door skins today...installing Dzus fasteners and welding some seams. Finally progress is starting to show its face!
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Weight of snow isn't nearly the issue that many folks think it is. Four feet of snow weighs about what 4-8 inches of water would weigh -- not all that much. The deck is pretty-well built. As for what is on the rooftop -- well, again, roof trusses are engineered for local conditions, so I don't worry when there's only four or five feet of snow up top -- and that doesn't happen very often.
As for the old wive's tale about the snow needing shoveling when the temperatures get up to where the snow would melt -- wait a minute -- the snow is turning to water but the total amount of weight remains the same. Yes -- a partial meltdown followed by more feet of snow might be a bother -- but we don't usually lose much of the snowfall 'til it's all about to go for spring -- usually by May.
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wow Nancy looks bummed out, what do you do when its like that outside?? its going to be 80 there today. looks like salt to me
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Mike, if you've got to ask -- you wouldn't understand. Let's just say we manage to enjoy ourselves all year long.
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Yep Slim, I had to bite my computer mouse to keep from answering that one. LOL :-D :-D :-D
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Me too!!! 8-)
Fred
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wow Nancy looks bummed out, what do you do when its like that outside?? its going to be 80 there today. looks like salt to me
Mike,,, why do you think Jon's alias is Seldom "Seen" Slim ???
:evil: :evil: :evil:
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Charles
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What thread is this again? Left turn Clyde. :wink:
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Seems my Build Diary has taken a LEFT TURN will post some update to get it back on message!
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Couple of random pics..... high tech axle build....state of the art jig!....Nose cone BUCK doesn't look like much but there's about a weeks worth or work....soon as cowl back finished will get on finishing buck and work on mold.
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This is a better view of the front axle gig........Jegs Spl.
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Nose cone BUCK doesn't look like much but there's about a weeks worth or work
Dont sell yourself short, anyone that has made one of these know the effort it takes to put one together by hand.
Yours is looking great!
~JH
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It's cleaning up that damn foam. Especially the stuff you end up wearing. :evil: :evil: :roll:
Pete
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Buy a pair of cheap paper overalls (coveralls?) or two. I'm guessing from a paint supplier or?? Bad in summer but fine in winter.
Cheers,
Rob
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Did you notice, I didn't grind on or sand the plug in my garage at home....
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Did you notice, I didn't grind on or sand the plug in my garage at home....
\
:-D :cheers:
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Thought I'd have some fun this morning, Wanted to see what a windscreen would look like, this will be the starting configuration then figure out if we want to shorten it......definitely a maybe..
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Thought I'd have some fun this morning, Wanted to see what a windscreen would look like, this will be the starting configuration then figure out if we want to shorten it......definitely a maybe..
Ahhhhhh....... unless made of something approaching chrome moly its going to go away first time I step on it trying to get in and out of the car. :-o :? Other than that looks fine. :cheers:
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Ditto.
And no reason not to extend it down the sides of the cage.
Stan
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Jack, Just need to be careful when you get in.......more room than you think.
Stan, windscreen extention considered.....might it be "streamliining or ??"...have to make that determination. Still just throwing some stuff out there for comment...
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Another productive weekend.....finished mounting cowl back including doors will send to the bodyshop.....moved on to front suspension, did the layout and tack welded everything in place for final weld.....tomorrow will strip frame bare and take it off the build table to install belly pan....end of week hope to have chassis back up on build stands, rather than table, re-install front suspension and rear assy and it will sit on its WHEELS. Then take a 2 week vacation in a WARM climate to celebrate!!!! TABLE FREE to good home must pickup in Annapolis Maryland....
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Your build is looking good! How thick is the material that you had your wheel centers made from? Did you have them water jet cut? and did they cut in the center pilot dia and the bolt pattern? Who did them?
Rex
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Hello Rex, Wheel center was cut by Lazer Jet, .250 thick. I sent them a schetch of what I wanted and within an hour I received CAD print for my approval. It included the kidney bean design, 4 3/4 " bolt pattern with 45 degree taper for 1" lug nuts and center locating hole. Had the parts in less than a week! If you can draw it the can make it. Contact person Alan Godard, Tucson, Az......www.ballisticfabrication.com.
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It's cleaning up that Dodge foam. Especially the stuff you end up wearing. :evil: :evil: :roll:
Pete
Had to make a set for a play, it was a rock face about 10feet long and five feet high...we made it out of polystyrene foam, man o man did that make a mess.........we did it in the kitchen , so we didn't get it all over our yard, down the street wherever.........it was really hard work, and made no small mess.
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Finally. It's coming off the table! Next.... belly pan......
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Sounds like a milestone to me, well done.
Cheers,
Rob
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Well.....It's bottoms up, time for the belly pan......Body on the dolly.....ready for a facelift!
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You have mad skills, chief. Nice progress. Are you going to be welding the wheels yourself? Curious as to what the wheel center outside diameter is to fit the Bug wheels? It's an idea I'd like to steal from you.
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Hello Chris, I'm actually using 4" wide VW rims, they're easy to remove the centers (4 small stitch welds). I"ll build a jig, tack the centers and let a more experienced welder finish the job. Ballistic Fabrication, Tucson, Az provided the lazer cut centers. Send them a sketch they can make it, great people to work with....thanks for your interest looks like your project is on the roll.
Udo
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Starting on the belly pan, fairly straight forward....... Will not fit chassis diagonals or rollbar supports until body is mounted.
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What aluminum alloy and type of rivets are you using?
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Neil has a very good question regarding the quality of the rivets or bolts that you use also the number of that you use . You may want to do some stiffening of the belly pan in the large sections between where you have clecos. With this large of a flat area under your car you have potential to generate some large amounts of down force which is really just low pressure on the bottom of the car. What can happen is you start going fast, generate some low pressure on the bottom of the belly pan the pan deflects and closes off the air flow so the low pressure goes away and the belly pan snaps back into place and it starts all over again, and all of this happens pretty fast, so it is really important that the belly pan be well fasten and stiff. Ride height and rake are going to be important to make your car handle well.
Any thoughts of doing a diffuser on the back of the car to recover some of the energy from the flat bottom?? Probably would help the aero.
Rex
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Neil/Rex.....I'm using 2024 sheet .065.....rivets are 1/8" spaced at 2" intervals with four rows equally spaced running front to rear of chassis, six cross members with equally spaced rivets from side to side.....should be plenty strong. Was going to use general purpose rivets with proper grip however open to suggestions. Photo doesn't show all the holes we drilled. Thanks for watching always looking for help......Udo
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Rex, There is a diffuser in the design....we will test with/without....
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Udo;
If you can find some CherryMax rivets of the proper diameter & grip length on eBay or the surplus market those would be preferable. Another alternative is the Avex rivet (see Aircraft Spruce); they are good and have a wide grip range. With that many rivets to pull you'll be ahead to buy a pneumatic rivet puller. You can find cheap ones around $40. I built an aluminum structure with a hand operated puller and it was murder.
Monel pop rivets aren't bad but they don't retain their stems like the previous two.
I'd suggest using a phosphoric acid cleaner and a passivation such as Alodine on your aluminum. A zinc chromate (or the ersatz stuff they sell these days) will provide even more corrosion protection. Good luck with your build-- see you on the salt!
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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Vacation is over back to work!! Yesterday painted bottom of frame with the worst smelling never rust in a 100 years, salt proof forever sealer paint/primer. Whew, glad thats over with! I stink, the garage stinks!!!! Today we attached belly pan, installed front and rear suspension and BB is sitting on its own springs/tires "for the first time". We have reached a mildstone. This week will finish nose cone buck and misc mounting tabs on chassis......hope to finish body soooon maybe next two weeks??? Pics todays progress.
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Thought I'd put a couple of hours in on BB today. Making some front frame extensions, that need to be removeable, so I can install/remove front tires. Drill some holes for plug welds to attach brackets to extensions. Also finalized steering joints and supports and rough in windscreen mounting flange. Little steps but time consuming.....
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Today we are starting the process of building the nose cone. The buck (plug) has been done for some time ( about a year) and we're going to get on with making the mold and then the actual nose. It dawned on me this morning that I built the chassis and nose cone buck from schetches that were fairly close to scale over 2 years ago. However, when the frame was done never really checked to see if it really would fit. Thought I would check fitment with the original cardboard patterns.....Surprise, it didn't fit!! Seems through the building process, a mode here, a mode there, and it picked up 3/16" in width over 16' run, and I did not adjusting the plug dimension. Soooo...... My choice modify nose or frame.....decided to remake front frame mounting points.....it's just time......add another week to the project. We'll geter done!!!!
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Seems through the building process, a mode here, a mode there, and it picked up 3/16" in width over 16' run, and I did not adjusting the plug dimension. Soooo...... My choice modify nose or frame.....decided to remake front frame mounting points.....it's just time......add another week to the project. We'll geter done!!!!
Time tends to play into stacked tolerances. It wasn't the 16 feet - it was the two years.
I've no doubt you'll geter done. If this is the biggest headache you've had, you have NO PROBLEMS. :cheers:
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Chris, Think your right.......minor panel adjustments, as I worked my way forward from the rear clip, attributed to the mis-alignment. I've decided to finish nose cone before I finish front mounts and redesign cone attachment points.
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Alright!.....back to the dirty work.....original nose cone was to be a single piece....change in plan, two halves, upper will be dzus to the lower, which will be bolted to the frame....figured out is was easier to build two halves vs. one whole, that really didn't influence my decision did it, you bet it did!! I decided it would be a disaster if I couldn't get the plug out of the mold.....Found a piece of SS wire, some dowls and built a two man SS buck saw.....Worked out pretty well, did some trim work, sealed "pink stuff" with latex paint and put first coat bondo to smooth plug surface....I see a week of sanding and painting ahead, then gel coat/fiberglass and pull mold.....have all materials in hand, need to find a spray gun to shoot gel coat, tomorrows project....Next update hopefully to have pics of completed molds.....
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UDO, keep it up, every build has a glich somewhere along the process. BTW, it's looking real good.
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Udo,
Not really clear on why you cut the plug in two? It certainly looks like it has enough "draft" so that it would come out of the mold easy. If you wanted to make and upper and lower piece I would think you would make the mold with a split line and then have an upper and lower mold that would make a single part and then you would cut the part into two pieces. But as the saying goes "you are fornicating this cat, I am merely holding it's head" .
Great to see your progress!
Rex
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Rex, a little off subject but I stopped by Jim Rhodans last Friday for a visit. We had a great time and caught up on a lot. Talked about the shops on Signal Hill. Good old days for sure.
:cheers:
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Hello Rex.....Having never made a mold, inexpience was the problem. Biggest question was how to evenly spread the gel coat inside a one piece mold and them lay the reinforcement fiberglass without affixiating myself and getting f/g resin in my hair, arm, etc.. I have a history when I get near fiberglass/bondo of getting it all over me when I'm near it, like a fly on fly paper. If that happen the project would go down hill very fast. I found that two piece was much more comfortable for me to manage, I will mount each half on a backer with a four inch lip so I could bolt the mold halves. I maintained the nose split lines very carefully so they will fit together. Would have been nice to have someone standing over my shoulder giving some direction (courage). Well, we will see how it turns out!!!!
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Udo,
I know what you mean about fiberglass, I cannot work with it without getting it all over me and anything close. I watched one of the very best fiber glass guys that ever made a glass part, Wayne Hartman, make a fender mold once and he never got resin above the first joint on his fingers! never broke a sweat, never got anything on his shirt or pants! By shear luck I do remember some of his methods but never was able to be as "neat" as he was.
I know your mold will turn out good parts, it may take some sweat and swearing but my guess is that they will look great. As my favorite saying goes, "When you learn by experience the test comes first and the lesson comes afterward."
Rex
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You could always join the two halves again once out of the mold, there by losing the join line completely.
Cheers,
Rob
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Thanks Rob, That's certainly an option. The air intake will be located in the nose as well as the intercooler. Two halves would give us access, although one piece would look slick. Will consider both options once I have parts in hand.
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Udo,
Are you planning to run an air to air intercooler?
Rex
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Rex, Yes, we've run air to air with the 2 liter good results. Air intake will be on the leading edge of the nose. We're going to try several designs.
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Hmmm, engine guy and car guy not communicating well. I think is air to water intercooler. :cheers:
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Udo,
Look in one of Carol Smith's books, I think it is Engineer to Win, and there are some parameters on doing inlets and ducts for coolers, if you do it right it can actually provide some additional thrust. This is because the heat exchanger adds heat (energy) to the air. I am not a big fan of air to air coolers on Bonneville cars, air to water I think is easier and more efficient but if you do the air to air you can at least cancel or greatly reduce the drag of the air going thru the cooler if you do the ducts right.
Rex
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Rex, I stand corrected..... air to water......what was I thinking....to much bondo dust!!!
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Plug finally DONE ready for gelcoat and fab mold.....more hours/material than I ever imagined. Plan to fab mold midweek weather permitting then fab actual nose....
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Need to make a transition from full belly pan to rear body panel. In my spare time.... how many days to August?....I figured I'd start to tack weld the the bottom pieces while I was waiting for the fiberglass/bondo to dry....never a dull moment! Couple of pics then back to nose plug....
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Finalizing the nose cone....pic shows gelcoat.... the first coat of fiberglass mat....then reinforcement to keep mold from distorting.......yesterday attempted to remove plug from the new mold....obviously the release agent didn't quite work....had to dig it out, what a mess....mold turned out very well and thats what counts!!!!....this morning we will prepare mold to make the nose cone.....finally it was a long road!
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This is the actual mold....
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The mold looks great Udo. Good luck with the actual piece.
Is that an Allard in the background? I'd be interested in hearing a little about that car.
Pete
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The mold looks great Udo. Good luck with the actual piece.
Is that an Allard in the background? I'd be interested in hearing a little about that car.
Pete
It is. Nice pick up. Hemi powered. Friend of Udo's and he might give some additional info.
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looks GREAT, I know of a Z car that could use something like that :cheers:
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Udo: It has been great reading about your build. I can't add much to the collective wisdom that has posted here but I want to thank you for your contribution and sharing. I had a few semi-topic questions :wink:
(1) Why the sharp bevel on the bottom of some of your table legs?
(2) Why didn't you stay with the VW "wide five" BC which is a circle track standard?
(3) What is the name of the ugly smelling primer you used? Did you spray or brush it?
(4) Some welds are TIG and MIG. Did you do all of them?
(5) Are you going to put drain holes in your pan so flammables will drain out?
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Hello Saltfever....To answer your questions....(1)Table legs were easier to level with smaller contact area....(2)Already had spindles needed to build 4" wheel with 4" backspace....(3) Baddest primer paint on the planet, PM Industries, oblivious to salt, gas, etc. www.nomorerust.com Master series coating line, warning do not paint in your garage at home your wife will throw you out!!....(4) I did the mig welding, Tig (rollbar and drivers compartment) will be done by someone with alot more experience than me....(5)Yes, will put holes in bellypan, firewall will be totally sealed....
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Thanks, Udo. I checked out the primer link and it looks like killer stuff. Hope to be near you in line this summer because I would like to discuss another project.
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Looking forward to it...
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The molds are finally done....more work than you could ever imagine.....OK, cold and rain for the next couple of days not good for laying up parts....will wait until end of week when weather warms....hopefully next post will have nose cone in hand.....taken about a month more than anticipated!!!
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Oh, I can absolutely imagine...... I've made over 6000 molds....
Kent
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More power to you Kent......I've come close to telling myself I've bitten off more than I can chew.....more than once!!!!
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"It's always easier and better the second time!" :mrgreen:
Mike
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.........................NEXT...................
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Have reached a major mildstone......removed nose cone halves from the mold this morning without incident.....This was a year plus in the making! Plan to start hanging fiberglass nose immediately having made most of the attachment provisions in advance. Prepared the rear Bugeye body, which has already been mounted to the chassis, to accept the main body panels.... soooo the fabrication of the aluminum body panels begin.......Next update should have nose on the car and then some...........
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rock on Udo ! its always a cool feeling when ya pull the first article out of a tool.....
Kent
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Could not help myself.....after dinner armed with saw horse, clamps and racers tape......... had to see what it looked like sitting on the chassis. Tomorrow, will get to work!!
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Looking good Udo, :cheers:
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Thanks Glen, the nose is the "over the hump" project, hopefully the rest of the build is straight forward mechanical stuff......
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Kudos, Udo! :cheers:
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HS,,, LOOKING GOOD
Charles
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Now that I have the nose cone done, I need front wheels to align wheel opening through base of cone. As it happened they were finished this week, took six months to make it happen, timing is everything. After three wheel vendors let me down I made my own.... Did a little prep work on rear body, tonnue cover roughed in, then remount to frame. Next week will fab aluminum body panels should look like a complete car soooooon....keep you posted!
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Started to mount lower nose cone, need to make a couple of steel plates then finalize. Lower cone will be bolted to the chassis. Will get a start on the upper shell mount tomorrow, attachment by dzuz fasteners, might take a little more finess to make it all fit......and more fiberglass ugh!!!...tired of fiberglass!
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Don't worry about the glass, Udo - looks like you've got a handle on it. This is turning out REALLY nice! :cheers:
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Just a little update......Sunday.....made some wooden bucks for alum panels, took some measurements and will start panel fab tomorrow.....will use some heavy rosin paper and make template see how that works.....if not plan B, C, etc.....a pic of where I am.
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Sunday....Big day at the garage......After paper templates, transferred to alum., cut the material, it was time to form the radius. Since the body has a top and side taper the alum was slightly irregular......Couldn't find a shop with the proper roller to do the radius bends, it was off to Home Depot, Harbor freight and the junk pile to build my own.....spent a full day building it....spent all day Sat. doing test bends to build up the courage to commit to the final bend. Took about 4 hours this morning with the crew and we achieved SUCCESS.....Another mildstone. Movin on!!!!
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Awesome work,,, nice sheet bender ( PVC ?? )
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Congratulations on a job well done. Really like the bender! :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Be sure and post your bender & buck picts in the tools and how to sections---great job..
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Brilliant! Looking at the reflections of the lights, it looks spot-on straight. I agree with Sparky - this is a must-see how-to.
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Fantastic build diary, good luck this year.
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Love the ingenuity of the bender. What do you have in the center of the PVC, square tubing?
Tom G.
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Thanks guys....... Yes, it's PVC... 6" pipe with 4" pipe inside with heavy wall alum sq. to prevent deflection in the middle of the tube and provide a point to connect bar clamps. It took approximately 8 pulls per radius to achieve the proper angle.....Will start with dzus this week....
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Where is the actual pulling located. It looks like the pipe clamps are for holding only. I also see the clamp pipes go thru the table but are not attached to anything. Very interesting and neat piece of backyard engineering.
:cheers:
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It looks like you don't have a pull handle,, looks like you crank down and press the roller down on the sheet between the V boards, thereby making the radius in the sheet ?? Very creative, more like a press concept,, if I am seeing in correctly ??
Or the bords the alum sheet are resting on are hinged and you pull them up as you would on a bending brake, sheet then forming around the PVC,,,,
Either way would work?
Which is it ?
Charles
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Hey Glen/CK...I drew down the material with the bar clamp through the table, then shortening the bar clamp until the tube bottomed into the V boards, released and moved the material 1/2" at a time (8 moves) per side. 1st side took about 2 hours, second side less than 1 hour. Practice makes perfect, actually LUCK....It fit..
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Hey Glen/CK...I drew down the material with the bar clamp through the table, then shortening the bar clamp until the tube bottomed into the V boards, released and moved the material 1/2" at a time (8 moves) per side. 1st side took about 2 hours, second side less than 1 hour. Practice makes perfect, actually LUCK....It fit..
I will say also, that even with the double pipe and the square alum tube there is a bit of flex in the midde. Some further stiffening or something might be necessary to get a true perfect radius in the center of the sheet. It is very good though and this would be fine for a shorter sheet. The problem Udo ran into was that this sheet is 6.5ft long and no roller we could find could accomodate it. Shorter sheets I think would be no problem with this jig, but then regular slip rollers might be available too. Anyway, we are really happy with the outcome. Hope to have it sitting on wheels mid/end of week and I am sure will have more photos up.
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Great, keep the pics and updates coming
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No problems, only solutions! Great work guys, love the backyard bender.
Cheers,
Rob
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Progress report......picture of bender with test piece, one of many before actual attempt to bend body panel radius, better photo of bender operation.....mounted nose to check wheel clearance, everything looks good..... cleco'ed on new body panels then transfer body seams to layout panel ends for nose alignment....Another full day of progress....jump on it again tomorrow....think I have about 100 days left to finish!!
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HS,
WOW,,, that nose and body panels fit up and look nice,,,,
The 2x4 frame,, is it .120 wall ?
What do you think the car will weigh race ready with driver ?
Charles
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Udo -
I just took a few minutes and went back to the beginning of this build, and thumbed through it front to back.
One word -
Wow.
:cheers:
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CK, Yes it's 2 x 4 x .120, weight...depends who's driving...at this point best guess 2600 lbs....I'll scale BB when we near completion to balance everything out.
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HS,, such a nice thought out build,,, I wish I could fit in that ride,,, I would love to drive an open car too...
Charles
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It's May..... We have reached a MAJOR mildstone......Car came off the blocks and rolled out the door on its own suspension for the first time..... we mounted the body work....won't say anymore, picture is worth a thousand words and two years of construction. We are in high gear to finish the car....this week will schedule some time in the A2 in Charlotte, NC......see if all the bench racing paid off....had a lot of help from my friends!!!
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Udo,, WOW.... Congrats,,, I know it is a great feeling,,, nice pics, looks fast just sitting still.
I know you can see the finish line,,, take a deep breath and get back to work....
Charles
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Looking like a real race car now, great fab job. Looking forward to seeing it go down the course.
:cheers:
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I'll be interested to see what that nose does to the air in the tunnel.
FREUD
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thats so cool isnt, the first time out of the shop. neat car
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Well done guys, definitely a big milestone achieved.
Cheers,
Rob
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I'll be interested to see what that nose does to the air in the tunnel.
FREUD
I'm curious too, is it based on a successful similar weight car ?
it it attempt to not load the front excessively?
Did you decide against a parabolic curve for any specific reason?
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Dr G.....We looked at a lot of nose design from existing lsr cars.....we put alot of thought in the design and decided early on that we would test it at A2.....yes, most of the cars we looked were heavier and more powerful, we scaled BB down to our speed projections and power as a starting point (G eng. class, normally aspirated for SW '10). Larger engine combinations are a possibility in the future.
Udo
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Update......Spent past weekend trying to figure a few things out....wanted to bolt in SBC to scale car....pan was to deep, so we did the next best thing, and NO it's not a sidewinder....will bolt in real engine next week. Body fabrication about 99%, will do body work on rear section this weekend. BB body will be in final form and finished within the week. Couple of random pics. Next week will be busy, A2.
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This is just awesome. Well done!
Don't want to get the cart too far before the horse, but I think you're close enough to done to ask . . .
Color? :roll:
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Well since Udo's first Bonneville car was yellow and my car is yellow and he wants to do second best to a black carbon fiber nose so paint the nose black...... no, is not going to be yellow so it gets called pencil! Tired of yellow.....Gonna have to hoist a few to figure that one out. :cheers:
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Its been a busy week, plan to load car and head for Mooresville, N.C. tomorrow. Thursday we have a date with A2 Wind Tunnel see if the last years work was worthwhile. Have a long list of things we're going to try and hope for a positive result.
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Lookin' good Udo. No tufts on the nose?
Pete
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PJ, Soon as I wash the fiberglass release agent off the nose tape will stick.....
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ooooh that has to be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D
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The wind tunnel wil be for sure. Wish I was there. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Just returned from A2 Wind Tunnel, Mooresville, N.C.. Had to be one of the rewarding and eye opening experiences I've had. In anticipation of the test, we ran 26 of them in 4 1/2 hrs., I prepared wicker bills, gurney flaps, spoiler extensions and lower air deflectors. One by one they all ended up in the dumpster....we fabricated a lot of stuff on the fly with fiber board. Thanks to Keith T., "The wizard of the razor knife, fiber board and racer tape"......all I heard in the background was "OK! What's next". To make a long story short the BB body was very well balanced with no lift or drag issues we couldn't correct with a little bit here or there. Absolute "Hats Off" to Dave at A2, my friends who really worked their buts off, Charles (Cajun Kid) and K. Turk (ECTA) and Jack Iliff who coordinated the numbers from the control room. Jack called the changes and data logged all the information. It will take us a week to digest what we have learned.....a couple of random pics, once the action started I did not have a lot of time to shoot pictures. There were plenty of cameras present hope to cordinate album.
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Glad to hear your tests got you good and usable results, and it's good to see this car with somebody standing next to it for scale. Yeah - this one is going to rock.
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Keith looooves to go to the tunnel...plus, he has good ideas and is quality help. He came up to play at A2 when we ran our new RMR through there last year. Good to see you broke Charles in; it'll make things easier for him when he takes the 'Stude (and easier for me if I go there to help him). We sure are fortunate to have this facility available to us on the East Coast; it's some of the best $$ you can spend on your LSR project. The Bugeye looks good. vic
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Udo,
Thanks again for allowing me to assist in the tunnel. I sure learned alot and it was a pleasure to be there to assist in some small way. TURK is the man,,, what a work-a-holic... he was taping the headrest fairing on twice as fast as I was,,, I wanted my part to LOOK good,,, he wanted it DONE,... great to be there and glad you got all that good data,,,, Jack was a slave driver,,, great day .
See ya soon.
Charles
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"Jack was a slave driver"
Well we were up to the $500/hr time so wanted to move things along....... :cheers:
Thanks for your suggestions and help, Charles.
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Udo and Jack,
I have a few pics from tunnel day,,, would you like me to email them to you or upload here for you ?
Thanks again for allowing and including me on the BB's big day.
Charles
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Charles post them here for all to enjoy.
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We had 3 people in the tunnel with cameras and video. I'll post some additional pics when they send them to me. The action is in the control room where Jack and Dave monitored the information and bark orders.
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Here a few pics I took on tunnel day for Udo.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1160.jpg)
A few of the first base runs
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1139.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1138.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1140.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1141.jpg)
Me adjusting the drivers head... lol
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1157.jpg)
Jack on the control panel
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1146.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1145.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1142.jpg)
Udo in action
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1153.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1150-1.jpg)
Turk in a compromising position LOL
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1154.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1155.jpg)
More help on the nose
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii43/cajunkid5690/IMG_1151.jpg)
Well thats all I have from tunnel day for now.
Charles
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Super cool, Charles! The development and build of this car have been an inspiration.
Thanks for posting. Go get 'em, Udo!
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CK Thanks for posting the pics, 4 hours of non stop action, didn't have time to pickup my camera. Looks like the control room guys had the "kush" job, sitting in the AC, barking orders over the PA.......
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Udo, yes and when Jack came over the PA and would bark out orders it sounded like God giving out the 10 commandments.... "Thou Shalt Remove that Rear Spolier NOW !!!" LOL You guys then looked like a bunch of busy beavers working feverishly around the car. What a great day..
Charles
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Short update....spent week finalizing dzus and panel fitment....today started hanging operating systems, pedals and anything else that we had the materials to do......next step disassemble BB, finalize welding, paint chassis.... soooon. Sounds easy but probably another couple of weeks.......
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26 blows in 4.5 hours.... crap you guys were humpin! that's some really good work and it sounds like ya learned somethin'... good job!
Kent
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What differences did you see going from your original nose configureation to the air dam configuration?
Rex
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From the optimum configuration, the big nose, when first installed, showed worsening of total lift and front and rear lift as well as moderate increase in Cd (30-40 counts). Dave Salazar suggested that was screwy and we checked and found that indeed the install crew had made minor error with the bottom of the splitter not parallel to the floor. With that corrected, there was slight improvement in the Cd (but not to optimum level) and much improvement in front downforce. Rear lift was slightly improved but did not go negative ( ie still lift, not downforce)
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Udo: What is the gear split in the Jerico? Thanx :-)
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Splits....1:50...1:28...1:08...1:00
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Splits....1:50...1:28...1:08...1:00
Annnndddd we figure 1-2 shift at about 150mph at the mile...... :-P :-o
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Nice! Thanks so much for sharing everything you are doing. Jerico is a strong trans that gives you close ratios selection. My 2.20 Muncie is just not close enough. I have been lusting after a Jerico for a while. :wink:
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Do you plan to run the air dam configuration? and if so do you plan to put a floor in it? Probably add some front down force.
Rex
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The test piece had a floor with a 1" splitter. Current plan is not to use it with a "G" motor. Down the road, when we move up to a larger engine class, will consider it.
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Update.....Today seemed like "Make a Header Day"..... just another thing that has to be done sooner or later. Took two tries to come up with the proper length and fit to get it where I wanted them to exit.....Tacked together......ran out of argon.....guessssss I'll take the rest of the day off....hot one today anyway.
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Made a little more progress this week, finished header, hung pumps, filter mounts and pedals.....Will finish all add on mounts and brackets by end of week.
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Udo,, it sure looks like you may make it to Maxton for tech and maybe even a few shakedown passes.
Charles
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Yes it is looking good, do you have a race your trying debut it at? :cheers:
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Speedweek, but we will not be ready for Maxton. Cage and frame still need welding and some bars. With minor exceptions pretty much parts in hand and think the mechanicals will go together fairly quickly. Udo is still, grudgingly, messing with the body. Not his favorite pastime. And I have to fininsh the engine, which is sitting in the bay for positioning of systems. Still to do, but we plan to have a shakedown somewhere and be on the trailer 8/10.
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Today, beginning of final stretch.....disassemble car....final weld main frame.....then off to chassis shop to tig weld rollcage. Still a long way to go.
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Udo, we all understand about the time frame. We are sorta in the same boat with the Vesco liner. Will be putting in some long hours.
Glen
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Glen..... 3 hours to disassemble......three weeks to put it back together again!!
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Udo, make sure to keep a good photo log of the reassembly.
Good luck, maybe I will see you this weekend if you are able to take a break and come to Maxton to relax in the 97 degree fun......
Charles
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Update....Thanks to Steve, Kramer Bros. Chassis, Pasadena, Md......He is final tig welding the Chrome moly rollcage and supporting members....also looking over what welding I have done....needless to say "I should keep my day job"......Hope to finish tomorrow and start preparing for paint.....we're gettin there!!!!
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And there's another one of those Studebakers in the background. I think that every one that was ever built is becoming a hot rod.
Pete
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PJ,
I saw that Stude in the background as well,,,, I wonder who's it is ? Could it be John's ?
Charles
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PJ,
I saw that Stude in the background as well,,,, I wonder who's it is ? Could it be John's ?
Charles
Good pick up, it is indeed John's.
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It's 7:30... time to call it a day. Pics make it look like a total disaster in the garage...just to tired to clean it up, buts it's under control. Finished all major welding, tomorrow some final fitting, make cardboard templates for inner fender skirts that I'll fabricate later this week... and BB frame is ready for paint. Progress!!
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Udo,
Keep up the good work my friend,,,, looking good.
Charles
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Doing some tin work.....as usual more time than anticipated. Finished front wheelhouse panels ended up with a good fit. Made all pieces out of cardboard then transferred to aluminum. Decided to add inner skins in drivers compartment, an aditional days work but worth it. Will finish rear wheelhouse over weekend......then paint the chassis. Clocks ticking....
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Looking real good Udo, best of luck to ya! Can't wait to hear how fast you went!
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Looking great Udo!!!
I really hope you make it, but at the same time remember that there are more events to follow, so don't sacrifice quality or safety just to make a certain event. If it starts to loose the "fun factor" because of the stress to get it finished sit back and look at the overall goals and reset them if necessary to keep the enjoyment in the project. After all this is supposed to be fun first and if it isn't, it's not being what it's supposed to be. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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Looking great Udo!!!
I really hope you make it, but at the same time remember that there are more events to follow, so don't sacrifice quality or safety just to make a certain event. If it starts to loose the "fun factor" because of the stress to get it finished sit back and look at the overall goals and reset them if necessary to keep the enjoyment in the project. After all this is supposed to be fun first and if it isn't, it's not being what it's supposed to be. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
Amen Pete,
We sure don't want the stress to give Udo the Shingles !!!!
Udo, I am sure I know how you are feeling and I agree with Pete, don't lose sight of the reason your doing this.
I know there are many reasons and Fun is just one of them... keep up the good work, but enjoy the build and don't let stress take the fun away...
Trust me I know what stress can do,,,, OUCH !! I am still in pain..
See ya soon and keep up the good work.
Charles
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before you paint the chassis, were's your gussets on the cage and mounts for the head impact padding?
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Good Call Mr Kilger...Was thinking the same thing....
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I'm painting the chassis so I can start assembly.....will paint rollbar after head restaints are fitted and choice of gusset is made....
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Finished painting chassis....installed floor pan...paint accessories....TOMORROW.... install drivetrain and everything else....hope to be on the ground and rolling sometime next week....really want to test within two weeks. Then to Chassis shop for final items...........
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You know, I just thumbed through this build from the beginning. There was a little down time, but to have put this together from a cowl and a pickup full of steel in a little over two years - a build of this quality and this unique - this is really an achievement.
Well done, chief!
Go get 'em! :cheers:
Chris
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Hmmm.... same paint booth I use. Look forward to seeing this car ( and you) at Bonneville. vic
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It's Sunday, we accomplished our goal.....the "heart of the beast" was implanted in the car.....Now it's time to make it all work...Yes, we are going to make it! Easy for me to say, Jack has to hook up all the "stuff", electronics, fuel, wiring.....I will installing front suspension tomorrow, build a rear by mid week and roll out by the weekend......hmmmm....did somebody say body work and paint?
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Looks great, do you have your fire system set up yet?
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Thanks BV, I have (2) 10lbs. Firefox bottles, brackets made..... need to do the plumbing.....one of many things yet to do this week.
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To quote myself:
" Ever notice that as you seem to be getting closer to being done
the list of "details" just keeps getting longer! "
Rex Schimmer
Looks like you're getting close keep up the pressure!!
Rex
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To quote myself:
" Ever notice that as you seem to be getting closer to being done
the list of "details" just keeps getting longer! "
Rex Schimmer
Looks like you're getting close keep up the pressure!!
Rex
Yes Rex I agree with your quote.
I have been 99% done with my 16 month Studebaker Build for 3 weeks now.
Hope to be 100% done for testing in the next few days.
Charles
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You guys are flying--three years ago, Art Danby told me he was five years into his two year plan. Of course he has shown up with a different car and taken a few records with it.
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To quote myself:
" Ever notice that as you seem to be getting closer to being done
the list of "details" just keeps getting longer! "
Rex Schimmer
Looks like you're getting close keep up the pressure!!
Rex
Ut Oh--- Ya'll know about elecricity, right? Just smoke retained in some wires and battery, right? Pretty much always bad when you let the smoke out right? Been working on wiring harness 3 days. Was checking starter motor circuit and some other wire seemed to be grounded. Udo hasn't moved so fast in weeks fanning the smoke. Fortunately neither computer was connected to anything. Minor setback. :? :roll: :-(
Not yet sitting on wheels, but hope to try to start it this weekend. The list still not much shorter as Rex suggests.
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Jack and Udo,
Stay at it,, check once, check twice, then add power !!!
Good luck and keep up the good work.
Charles
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Update...pics as of today...ten days until we leave...who's counting...just a few loose ends...make that a lot of loose ends. We have oil pressure, fuel pump that hums, water pump the vibrates and no apparent leaks, So we're going to have at it tomorrow...sorry neighbors... it's going to be a Sunday morning WAKEUP CALL!!!!
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Udo, it's looking like a race car and ready to run down the salt.
:cheers:
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Thanks Glen, 12 hour days are getting old!
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All of your hard work is about to pay off. There's nothing better than the first sound of the engine firing up. Looks great. :-D
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It RUNS!!!!!! only 8 days to finish and load......still a lot of loose ends.
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:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Lynda
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This post started Feb. 19, 2008. Quality takes time. Best wishes and have a great time.
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Udo, looks race ready.
:cheers:
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Udo, the car looks great. You guys are going to have some fun! GOOD LUCK!! :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Pete
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Nobody asks the obvious -
WHAT COLOR!?!?
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Nobody asks the obvious -
WHAT COLOR!?!?
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Hah- one of those loose ends and might be the last addressed. Just have to see it in line. :-D
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I thought the obvious question was "when are you going to mount the bugeyes?" :cheers:
Mike
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Thanks all.....Well.......paint, probably not going to happen..... Bugeye's, doubt it! With the time constraints and the list of "to do's" the non essentials just might not get done this time around.
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Nobody asks the obvious -
WHAT COLOR!?!?
:cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
Hmm any guesses on my thoughts ????
Satin Black with Red and White !!!
Go Udo (you too Jack)
Great Job guys,, I know you must be so Proud,,,
I love the BB
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Close Charles, right now nose is black, body natural aluminum and the tail the spray can primer you saw in the tunnel. Might be as it goes, will see. Udo is thrashing, I am in California for a wedding. :-)
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were about in Calf are you ??
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Paso Robles, Central coast wine country. Both the reception and rehersal party are at wineries. :cheers:
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Paso Robles, Central coast wine country. Both the reception and rehersal party are at wineries. :cheers:
Drink up my friend,,,,wish I was there,,, some good wine and a rest would help me now.
Take care,
Charles
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I'm 50 miles south of Paso in the cool coast air if you want to come down and help me get the race car ready for Bonneville.
Doug in Big Ditch AKA Arroyo Grande
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From the Speed Week SCTA Saturday August 14 run logs
"3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 149.902 139.038 154.664 "
The record is 163.441. The puts their first run within 9 mph of the record.
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From the Speed Week SCTA Saturday August 14 run logs
"3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 149.902 139.038 154.664 "
The record is 163.441. The puts their first run within 9 mph of the record.
Udo, Jack and team... we are all pulling for you,,, turn up the tune and bring back that record.
Great Job guys just making it on time.
Have fun...
YOU DID IT !!!!
Charles
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Awesome news guys!!!
I love your build diary and hope you guys can get the record.
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From the Speed Week SCTA Sunday August 15 run logs
"3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 0.000 0.000 Turn Out
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 147.612 150.684"
No details. The record is 163.441
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From the Speed Week SCTA Monday August 16 run logs
"3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 110.330 116.793
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 172.714 178.079 "
No details. The record is 163.441
Can we assume they went to impound last night? Go Udo and Jack!!
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Anyone have pictures? I wasn't able to find a picture in race trim. Following the build and then hearing it is in impound is like reading a book and then skipping to all but the final pages!
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I want PICTURES,,, Did UDO and Team get the Record ? It is not posted on SCTA site yet, but the run logs look like he at least made it to impound.
Man Udo, Jack and Team,,, I am so proud of you guys...
See you soon.
Charles
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Just heard you guys got the record, well done!
Cheers,
Rob
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How about video? :cheers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpVjlbNvgG8
Well done BB Bugeye! :-D
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Looks like a 178.xxx qualifying run and I know they backed it up for a new record,, anyone get the final record info ?
Charles
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Looks like a 178.xxx qualifying run and I know they backed it up for a new record,, anyone get the final record info ?
Charles
per SCTA site -
Number Engine Body Entry Name OldRec NewRec Name
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 163.441 178.835 Jack Iliff
Got er done!!!!
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Who was driving ?
Jack or Udo ?
Whomever was it was a GREAT TEAM EFFORT,,,, Congrats a 15mph bump on the record with a brand new car on her maiden race.... WOW !!!
Charles
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After setting the record it looks like they made two down runs on Tuesday the 17th. One on short course and one on long course. Can't tell from the results which run was made first.
Down run on long course shows them a bit slower. No other info . . . .
Number Engine Body Entry Name Quarter Mile1 Mile2 Mile3 Exit Comment
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 143.462 145.833 150.984 154.323 151.260 no chute sticker
Down run on short course . . .
Number Engine Body Entry Name Quarter Mile1 Mile2 Comment
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 176.903 0.000 0.000
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Who was driving ? Jack or Udo ?
Charles, last time I spoke with Udo I was under the impression that Jack would be driving. Ofcourse that was a while back. I think it was before they went to wind tunnel so maybe you have more current info since you were with them during the tunnel testing. Anyway, the SCTA results list Jack as driver on the record run. Art
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I was thinking Jack would be driving, but since they got the record early on, I was wondering if Udo would jump in and give it a go as well ??
Charles
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could be driver change?
Shake down/ licensing run at 150?
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That would be cool if Jack drove and set the record on the cars first visit to the salt (first runs on the new car too) then Udo gets in, makes a few license passes, gets comfy and then ups the record Jack set ... to cool.. but who knows if they made a driver change ?
Charles
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hmmmm, or just switch to fuel. G FMS record = 159.112.
Should be doable, but needs a class switch.
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That would be cool if Jack drove and set the record on the cars first visit to the salt (first runs on the new car too) then Udo gets in, makes a few license passes, gets comfy and then ups the record Jack set ... to cool.. but who knows if they made a driver change ?
Charles
As you know (but others may not) - that unlike me these guys are not novices. Jack and Udo are both long time 200mph club members. Udo got his Red Hat on his first visit to the salt with a new D/CGC. Jack got a Red Hat in his streamliner. That liner is still running and still getting records but with different owners and drivers. In fact I think Udo's Monza is still competing.
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I was lookin backwards for some pictures and WOW,,,,,,those front wheels caught my eye. With the recent discovery of 'scrub radius' (for some of us), those wheels may be what I'm looking for. Where did they come from? Who makes 'em? How do I get some? What do they cost? How soon can I have 'em? What size are they? etc?
Sorry, Got a little over excited,,,, Any info on those wheels would be appreciated.
thanks, RICK
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Rick,
It's buried kind of deep in his build thread, but Udo made them. He made the center sections (waterjet, machine shop?) and welded them in other rims. They do look neat don't they? Much better than our space saver rims.
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After setting the record it looks like they made two down runs on Tuesday the 17th. One on short course and one on long course. Can't tell from the results which run was made first.
Down run on long course shows them a bit slower. No other info . . . .
Number Engine Body Entry Name Quarter Mile1 Mile2 Mile3 Exit Comment
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 143.462 145.833 150.984 154.323 151.260 no chute sticker
Down run on short course . . .
Number Engine Body Entry Name Quarter Mile1 Mile2 Comment
3201 G GMS Bonneville Bugeye 176.903 0.000 0.000
Just quick note. Sorry for little contact. We had no wifi all week. I did the driving, Udo loaded me in and did the push off duties. The above quarter speed of 176.903 was on the short course and qualified us for the long course. Best run of the week. We had been chasing engine gremlins at the start, got it together for 3 decent runs, first 2 set the record and then pushed harder to get the better time iin the 1/4 to qualify for the long course. We had high hopes but something was off from the start, thus the slow long course time. Long story short embarrasing long course time with something wrong. Oil temp spiked and on pulling the filter found some metal shavings and clear specks of bearing material so hurt the motor somewhere and we are on way home. Will get some photos up when get back. Thanks for allt he support.
JACK
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man what a neat story all around. I have been reading the build up since the start and to see you made it to the salt this year was just the iceing on the cake. Glad tech went well and it looked like you guys did what you wanted to do with a new car you guys did well. have safe trip home best of luck.
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Hello All! Thank you for your interest......It's Friday night just walked in the door from B'ville 2300 miles since Weds......very excited with the results....will post some pics in the up coming days to update.....even with BB trip to the salt the "build" is not over...still body to be finished and a "new" list of to do's..... Udo
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Welcome home - VERY impressive outing, and congratulations.
And the saga will continue - excellent.
Do tell, do tell! :lol:
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Udo, Jack and Team, Glad you made it back safe and sound.
You have much to be proud of !!!! Now you have to tear down, clean up, do some body work and then spray on that nice Satin Black, Red and White Paint !!!! :cheers: :cheers: I will be glad to lend some brain time on the paint scheme :cheers:
See ya soon, you should bring the BB to Maton ?
Charles
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Sorry, couldn't keep up with build photo's at the end, camera batteries quit, had to keep working on the car. Finally finished leaving for SW a day late. 36 hours driving time with a few short stops in between we arrived in Wendover Friday nite after midnight.....Car passed tech with no issues, definitely a tense moment with inspectors looking at every detail. Even after arrival the work never ended, had some minor tuning issues, fabricated a plenum extension thought that would help (hammer/ tailgate break and racers tape). Even though we still have to sort out the gearing and other minor issues we mananged to qualify for the record. The morning of the backup run was the first moment of quiet time I've had in over a month. Took the time to take a few photo's, B'ville is awesum when the sun rises!!!! We backed up our qualifying and reset the record by 15+ mph to 178.835 that's what this was all about.....Returning home a few pics of what was accomplished prior to SW, as you can see the salt was very hard on the car.....Now that I've taken a week to unwind I will disassemble BB down to the last rivet, repaint, rebuild and make "like new" and next year we will have the body and paint work completed. Thanks to all the people who stopped by to say hello who had been following the build since the beginning.
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Udo, you did good, I am really impressed with the build, feels like I was there helping everyday last year. Congrats on the great build and the record first time out. You for sure have salt fever and a forever memory. You have the time to do the changes for next year without the pressure and deadline like this year. Congrats again.
:cheers:
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Congrats Udo, it's been a real pleasure following your build :cheers:
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Big time congrats!!! First time at Bonneville and you have a new record! Great job!! Just show you what a well designed , engineered and fabricated car can do. I saw you car several time and made a note to try to get by your pits but never made it, my loss.
Rex
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I wasn't lucky enough to see BB run, but, Bless Udo's heart!! he stopped at Land's End on the way out and let me see upclose what I've been seeing long distance on his build diary!! Gotta just Love the racers who do that for me!!!! Anyway, that Bonneville Bugeye will be absolutely gorgeous when painted...(watch out for Charles and his black/red/white :roll: )
Thank you for sharing!! and again, Congratulations on the records!!!
Lynda
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Big time congrats!!! First time at Bonneville and you have a new record! Great job!! Just show you what a well designed , engineered and fabricated car can do. I saw you car several time and made a note to try to get by your pits but never made it, my loss.
Rex
Ha, hardly first time. Don't you see the red hat (on the Lister- not a bonneville car though) in his signature. However, on his first time he was off the trailer ovder the record and in the 2 club ( as soon as licensing passes were under belt). Knows what is about. Now we just have to get the bugs out of the engine- :? :cry: systems ( my problem)
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Three weeks ago I was still building the car, now, i'm in reverse mode. The Salt was hard on the car especially the bare metal... I tried to cover with a shaker can paint....paint was no match for the salt. Yesterday spent day taking the car apart, which seems like a tedious job, but needs to get done. Should have it complete by next weekend. Some of the detail I didn't post prior to leaving for SW, a Polaris Snow Mobile swaybar, totally enclosed driveshaft cover........ Garage is full again.....need more room!
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Yes a very interesting car, it will be a good looking car when all painted up.
Here is a quick shot of the car at speed near the 2 mile post.
Larry
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Larry, Thank you for your post!
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Yes a very interesting car, it will be a good looking car when all painted up.
Here is a quick shot of the car at speed near the 2 mile post.
Larry
Yes and Udo I think a cool scallop design on that awesome headrest fairing would just finish the paint job nicely.
Charles
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Charles, Had a good pattern to work with on the fairing....
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Rex pointed this thread out to me (about how you built your wheels) and I have to say thanks and wow. Very neat car with good documentation for a beginner like me. :cheers: