This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
I started to shotblast some parts today, and strip down the head. Question
The rockers look worn? but can any of the mechanics out there tell me if they are too worn!
Should i replace the whole rocker assembly as i am reuilding the head.
second rocker from the left is fubar'ed! i think a new rocker assembley would be on the cards if it was my build, if that one has got that bad the hardened surface of the others will not be far behind so changing just the one would imho be a false economy
Anybody know if they do higher ratio rockers for a little extra lift?
MOSS seem to do the sort of thing you're asking about. But one thing leads to another, and you'd end up spending a lot of money when you could easily buy a ford duratec with gearbox for a lot less.
I am a bit bored today, so i thought i would look at how i will do the floors and bulkhead.
Andy, i have used one of your photos as it gave me all the points of reference. So its going to be 18mm ply with dropped foot/floor wells... it would be interesting to hear if the pedals are still ok? as when sitting i think your feet approach from a different angle, especially the throttle. The drop in the floors will be made up of complete panels routed to match the one above, basically laminated to the depth i want. Not sure hat to coat in or should i tape all the joints with fibreglass matting? Once the floors are in place, i will bolt the frame in and build the bulkhead to fit. So, what do you think?
Looks good! Although remember that the 'std' footwells attached to the bulkhead are recessed anyway so i can't see there being any pedal problems. Are you not going to reuse those front footwells?
MOSS seem to do the sort of thing you're asking about. But one thing leads to another, and you'd end up spending a lot of money when you could easily buy a ford duratec with gearbox for a lot less.
Swap my glorious straight six for a four cylinder Ford engine? Sorry, I think I need to go and sit down I feel so faint.
If you're planning to put sliders on the seat bases it'd be a good idea to slope the rear floorpans so they're level with the edge of the outrigger at the front. Otherwise the vertical face at the front will seriously limit the seat travel forwards.
Looks good! Although remember that the 'std' footwells attached to the bulkhead are recessed anyway so i can't see there being any pedal problems. Are you not going to reuse those front footwells?
Morning Dave, i am looking forward to doing some woodwork as i don't want to waste time on a rotten bulkhead. Also i could sell the 2 new footwells for more than a couple of sheets of marine ply, to make the box behind seats as others have done, plus a boot above rear outriggers.
I have finally finished patching up the rear outriggers, i know some of what i have done won't be needed, but i thought it was a good place to practise welding. Tomorrow i turn the chassis upside down and start on the passenger side main chassis rail, which seems to have rot all the way round.
Another good day in the garage, a couple more patches done and making up templates for the more complecated chassis rail
I can't believe that i might be able to paint the chassis soon. Well, once i have welded all of the chassis rails and outrigers back on...
That's the important thing! You're the same as me with welding, it may not look 'pro' but its structurally sound and with a bit of grinding it'll look fine!
I'm with you on this one. Cutting and shaping bits of metal when I spend my usual day sat at a computer is brilliantly rewarding. And, developing skills such as welding is a definite Sammio-dividend. My chassis may not be the smartest, but it could survive a nuclear strike.
Cheers Gary i won't for one minute say that I'm a 'good' welder as i've only been doing it for about 2 years. But i can stick bits of metal together and then set things on fire (hair, skin, coveralls etc.) grinding the welds to look good, so that'll do for now. Although hopefully with less fire as i get better.
oxford1360 wrote:
Cutting and shaping bits of metal when I spend my usual day sat at a computer is brilliantly rewarding.
COMPLETELY agree! During my build i even took the occasionally day off when i was really stressed and spent it at home in the garage as i found that making actual real, physical "stuff" was really rewarding and really stress relieving.
A year ago I was going to have to pay someone else to make a bonnet hoop for me because I couldn't weld. Then I found that my chassis was rotten and decided to have a go at repairing it myself. I'm so glad I did as it feels like I've worked a miracle and brought something back to life that was dying.
You can keep your bespoke space-frame chassis. For the proper car building experience give me a rusty old Triumph and a cheap arc welder any day.
i won't for one minute say that I'm a 'good' welder as i've only been doing it for about 2 years. But i can stick bits of metal together and then set things on fire (hair, skin, coveralls etc.) grinding the welds to look good, so that'll do for now. Although hopefully with less fire as i get better.
