Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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I know that if it CAN happen it will. I remember on time trying to adjust the steering valve on a vett. I thought I had it centered. Got in had my hand on the wheel started the engine That wheel took of so fast that if I'd had my hand anywhere but loose on top I'd have broke somthing. I try not to leave anything to chance any more.

Today I got more done, and didn't spend a penny. My favorite kind of day.

The first thing I did was weld the 3rd wall to the master cylinder bracket, and clamp it to the frame rail for a trial fit. It also dawned on me that I still have the stick tranny in place, and maybe I had better put the turbo 350 in there to make sure everything is going to clear. Rather than use the rebuilt one I just got, I used the dummy case so that I can drip fiberglass and stuff all over it without causing any harm to my good one. After it was in place I was kind of relieved to see that it took up no more space on the drivers side than the stick trans, so I am going to be ok there for pedal room and foot room.

The next thing I needed to do was finish up the cowl roll bar skeleton that will be the backbone of the dash. I finished welding the part that goes under the dash to the roll bar with 3 short lengths of 1 x 1 tubing. When it was all done it really is strong, and will give me a great mounting place for my steering and my windshield. In fact, I could actually drive the car with only the skeleton in place, because the body will only be a skin to dress this framework up.

Here are some shots of how it turned out.


Don

PS: The little wing on the drivers side is smaller than the passenger side by design. My ignition switch comes through the dash there, and it had to be smaller to clear that.

To give some idea of how the windshield bolts through the dash and into these wings on the skeleton, here are a couple of shots. I will weld some plates to the top of the frame and tap threads into these so the roll bar can be removed when needed.

When I got the windshield bolted on the skeleton I tried shaking it and it didn't move. When the body is also in place it should be even stiffer.


Thanks for looking,



Don