Thread: Thames Update 7/12/2010

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.... the boring stuff .......... mock-up, mock-up, mock-up ......

... running brake lines







... a good look at the battery box, which will also be the mounting point for the "hideaway" license plate mechanism





... we have decided to use a proportioning valve with a built-in brake light switch ..... that alleviates the necessity to fabricate a housing for a standard switch attached to the brake pedal ....... the electric fuel pump will be attached to the right rear of the chassis and the fuel lines will come up the right side ...... the regulator and gauge will be attached to the right frame rail ......... the fuel line will be a combination of hard line and flex line .... the chrome 2-groove pulleys have arrived (going to use 2 belts for safety sake .... that way we have a double set around the water pump) ...... alternator bracket has also arrived ......... mufflers, tips, and 2-1/2" tubing have been ordered

We will have to take a step backwards however and correct more problems generated by the first shop ........ we discovered that when they installed the firewall, they didn't weld the top of the firewall to the cowl of the body, so we have a gap that needs to be sealed ......... plus when welding the mounts onto the body, they didn't get them square to the chassis ..... the front mounts will have to be cut off and moved ...





... hopefully we can have all the mock-up done in the next couple of weeks and can be in a position to paint the chassis and start reinstalling all the goodies (including the engine, transmission, and drive shaft)

Sure does take a lot longer to rebuild things correctly then it does to do them right the first time!!! Going through one of them deals myself right now...don't know where some of these hacks get off calling themselves builders!!!! At least it's all getting done right this time Coyote!!! Some very nice work!

..... another week and some additional progress

... the engine and transmission are back in the chassis to allow for final clearance checks and as a mock-up for fuel lines, radiator hoses, and transmission cooling lines, etc



... brake lines have all been routed ......... waiting on short flex lines to come in for front brake connections



... the proportioning valve is in place ........ contains the brake light switch and will allow us to control the brake bias from inside the car



... because of the cramped quarters inside a Thames, we are using a clutch pedal for a brake pedal



... fuel lines have been run from the electric pump in the rear (which will sit beneath the 15 gallon fuel cell) .......... down the right hand side of the chassis .......... fuel pressure regulator, gauge, and in-line filter will be attached to the inside of the right frame rail







... positioning of the radiator hoses, clearance checking the water pump, alternator, dual groove pulleys, electric fan, and associated parts has been completed



... all the exhaust system parts have been ordered .... collectors, tubing, mufflers, and tips, exhaust will exit to the sides right in front of the rear fender flares, (we're going to run a 2-1/2" system) ..... also all the AN fittings of different angles .........

... another week to finish up all the connections and then the body goes back on ........ C-Clamps on the wheelie bars will be cut off so the bars can be welded in place .................. then final clearance checking ............ engine and transmission wil come out ............ tranny will go to a specialist for converter install and basic checkup (I don't do little balls well) ............ engine will be prepped for paint ........... then the chassis will be totally disassembled, media blasted, and prepared for paint ............. hoping to have the chassis painted and ready for full rebuild by the second week in August

We're still on schedule to see a late September completion

Lookin like she's coming together nicely! I admire your neat clean work!

Looking good Coyote and you must be getting excited to see your little baby come together finally. Keep us posted as we are all excited for you too.

.... into the final stages of mockup ..........

... brake line routes on the firewall ......... the center and right paths are to the brake proportioning adjustment knob under the left corner of the dashboard ....... will be able to adjust the bias from inside the car ........ the left path will go to the remote brake reservoir



... we have changed our minds about the placement of the fuel filter ........ it will be mounted at the rear in front of the fuel pump (see mark on frame rail) ...... that way the filter will the first item in the flow from the fuel cell ...... just a little better when the pump receives filtered fuel



... the wheelie bars have been tack welded to the rear axle housing ..... the measurement will put the upper bar 1" below the roll pan and the casters 8" above the ground



... the exhaust system is being put in place ...... 2-1/2" system ..... other than bolting the collectors to the headers, the entire system will be welded in place ....... no clamps ......... even the hangers will be welded to the pipes ........ slash chrome tips will exit just in front of the rear wheel flares





... the fuel pressure regulator and gauge have been mounted to the right frame ........ and the fuel line has been run to the intake ......... braided transmission cooler lines will attach to the frame ..... and then hard lines will take the transmission fluid the rest of the way to the attachments in the radiator



... Lokar transmission tube, fuel lines, and brake lines can be seen from this angle ........ the rear end has been moved back 3/4" by adjustments on the four link ..... will allow for proper tire clearance with the body



... still waiting on a few parts ......... body will go back on this Wednesday for its final mockup along with the repositioning of the body mounts, fuel cell positioning and line (and vent) attachments ........... hopefully all mockup will be completed this week .......... then starts the complete chassis tear down in preparation for paint ........ we hope to have the chassis totally painted, re-assembled, and with totally functioning engine, tranny, and rear end by this time next month ......... that will leave us over a month to finish the body mods, prime, paint, and upholster

Very interesting, I'm also doing a Fordson (thames) for a customer at the moment.