Another build thread? Yep, my track-style T

[J. Robinson]

Next step was to find the center of the round stock and tack weld the collar in place. Then I heated the round stock and formed it around the collar. After a couple more tack-welds on the collar to stabilize things, I heated a couple more spots a few inches from each end and shaped the arm so it would fit into the holes in the spindle. I installed the inner and outer nuts and tightened it in place.

The next step was to further massage the arm to achieve the desired shape. I did the heating and bending with the arm installed on the spindle so that the ends would stay in their necessary locations. After the arm was bent to my satisfaction and cooled enough I could work with it, I used a piece of poster board to make a pattern for the gusset plate. Then I transferred the pattern to a piece of 3/16" steel and, using a cut-off wheel and a couple of grinders, cut and shaped the gusset plate.

The next step was to weld the gusset plate in place. I did the initial welding with the arm bolted in place to eliminate warping. Then I took it off, welded the back side, finished the front, and then ground it to final shape.

[J. Robinson]

Here is the final product in place on the car with the drag link in place. Notice that the drag link is much more parallel to the ground than before and with the wheels turned all the way to left lock, the tire clears by about 1/2 inch (and these are wider than the the tires I'll be using). The old steering arm is still there (I'll cut it off later) and is visible in some of the pics. Notice that the new arm is about 2 1/2" higher and about 3/4" longer than the old one - exactly want I was aiming for.

[J. Robinson]

I finally took it apart for finishing. Living proof that a car is just a pile of parts...

[Itoldyouso]

My favorite kind of two car garage........filled with two hot rods. Blowing it apart already? Wow, you really are coming along well. Billetproof looks like a certainty for you having a new car to drive.

Tough life, isn't it...........trying to figure out which one to drive on any given day.

Don

[Funderburg]

This is a really cool thread,J. Robinson you doing a great job.Looks like have done this before.

[stovens]

Wow, that was fast JR. What are your plans for the body and the chasis?

[J. Robinson]

Don - I had hoped to be at this point during the summer while school was out, but other things got in the way. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Billetproof. As for which one to drive when the roadster is done, that's an easy decision - coupe when the weather is questionable; roadster when it's nice out.

Funderbug - Thank you. Glad you're enjoying my build. Yeah, I've "been there, done that" a few times.

Stovens - Well, actually I've been working on this thing now for 19 months. When I built my coupe, I drove it around the block 14 months after I started, so this one feels like I am lagging behind. As for plans - I have to do a bunch of finish welding. It's all the stuff that I couldn't reach while the car was all together. When that's done, I will sandblast and grind as necessary. Then the frame, engine, and most of the chassis parts will be painted metallic red (it's a 2007 GMC Envoy color). The body will be off-white with a big metallic red scallop on the nose & sides (sort of like the So-Cal cars in reverse). Lettering and numbers will be done in gold leaf. Finally, I will add a little light patina so the car will not look brand new and a little bit of fake rust to replicate a steel body.

[stovens]

Should look pretty slick when it's done. You guys will have to send some group shots from billet proof!

[OFT]

Is it ready yet????

Looking forward to the "paint and chrome" view. This is when the time/money start to be justifed. Keep up the great work-ideas and thread.

Earl

[Itoldyouso]

Should look pretty slick when it's done. You guys will have to send some group shots from billet proof!

We will do that for sure. We did the group shot thing at Daytona last year, and are going to have to recreate it again. Might need a wider angle lens, because Don will have his T there, and we have gained some members who will probably show up too.

Here is last year's group shot. Jim with his A, Bill (Gastrick) with his Deuce (which just got a quickchange and is getting a 392 hemi soon ) and me with my T. That is Bill on the left, Jim in the middle, and me on the right. And then the cars had to pose and do a "Christine" kind of shot.

Don

[stovens]

I like the head light shot! It's cool to do the night photos. Even with you guys all hunched down, your still taller that you T.
That car sure sits low! I bet it really messes with your perception of how fast your going. Kind of like driving one of those racing go carts, two inches off the ground!
You didn't mention Dan on the next trip. Does this mean he won't be going, or that the RPU won't quite be ready by then(which I totaly understand given my current progress)?

[J. Robinson]

Heh, heh... Not yet Earl. I wish it was ready, but not yet... There won't be much chrome on my school teacher budget, but lots of paint. Everything but the rod ends and some bolts gets painted.

OK, no pics to post, but just a quick update. I spent all day yesterday (Saturday) finish welding everything on the frame. All I have left to finish weld is the radius rod brackets on the rear axle housing. Then it's grind and sandblast time... I have to admit this is the part of the build that I hate. Once I get everything in primer so I can start painting, it gets to be fun again.

I won't get much done for the next two weeks, however. Next weekend (Oct 17 - 19) I will be in Daytona for Biketoberfest and the following weekend (Oct 25 - 26) I will be in Daytona again for the Dream Cruise.

[Gastrick]

I know what ya mean Jim I hate the grinding, smoothing, polishing, plating, and painting stage. I sure do love putting it back together for that last time though.

No hemi for Daytona. I'm going to pull the sbc right after the Turkey Run and start the swap. I still need a few things that cost money.

I'll see you and Don at the Turkey Run again.

[FMXhellraiser]

I haven't been on in a while but I have to say, great work! It's comming along nicely. I wish I could make Turkey Run but unfortunately I wont. I really want to see this T and Dons T in person.

[Itoldyouso]

I won't get much done for the next two weeks, however. Next weekend (Oct 17 - 19) I will be in Daytona for Biketoberfest and the following weekend (Oct 25 - 26) I will be in Daytona again for the Dream Cruise. [/QUOTE]


Geez Jim, you might as well just move to Daytona..........oh, that's right, you ALMOST do live in Daytona. You don't even have time to get your A warmed up and there you are.

Don