My concept for the general Vee - Page 6 - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

Palepainter · February 7th, 2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTinMan

I might have to take you up on that

I'm really diggin the way this is turning out and I hope to see it someday (I'm only in S Denver). Seems like some pretty badass rods are popping up here in CO, I think when it gets to warming up, not that this winter has been very bad so far I've seen much worse, we should cruise or not cruise and do some drinkin!

PM me or email me any time. Mike@mikelearn.com

Palepainter · February 8th, 2010, 08:03 PM

Finished all the welding and grinding on the sail panel and chop. Cut the inner supports so I can get in and work on inner roof and the new dash. I will be quite busy on it this week, at least 3-4 hours an eve if possible. The weekend I am going shooting one day. Got to dial in my old Enfield Mk4.

Did some more work on the bumper. It has become a major time sucker. Cut off the remainder of the front valance. I thought it may be a good idea to save it but will be in the way to work on the front end. So it is gone and am now making the brackets for the bumper that mount to the lower beam bolts and will triangulate up to the factory body mount on the beam. Then I will set into position the stock catch mechanism with a release in the immediate area. No release in the cab.

I will post pics of the progress tomorrow. Almost done, forgot camera tonight. Not going back out in the snow.. HEHEHEHE.

**purplemyth** · February 9th, 2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

I will post pics of the progress tomorrow.

Well? We're waiting~ *tapping fingers*

That bumper taking time, so? it's gonna be so worth all the head turns and ooos and ahhhs later

now go get the pics~

hey, it's my job~

Palepainter · February 9th, 2010, 08:20 AM

Here ya go Carlene,

I still have to add the upper supports at this point and I will attach the latch to that part of the entire operation. The top part will attach to the the old upper body mount brackets.

**purplemyth** · February 9th, 2010, 08:30 AM

ooooo that first shot, why do I hear it heeheeheeing in an evilish tone? lol!

Looking good!

Palepainter · February 9th, 2010, 08:35 AM

It is a bit menacing. I have spindles on order. It will get her down to comfy height. My years of scraping are over. I have to go to the junk yard and find a superbeetle steering column link too.

Palepainter · February 9th, 2010, 05:53 PM

Finished up the bracing for the bumper and got the hood latch support started. Will this bumper ever end? AHHAHAHA. Damn this thing is a time sucker. It is sturdy as hell and will handle the largest of roadkill that Colorado has to offer.

**purplemyth** · February 9th, 2010, 06:19 PM

heeheehee >:)

Looks sturdy enough to me!

Palepainter · February 10th, 2010, 03:10 PM

I got the hood latch mounted up today. Took a bit of fudging, but now I can take it all apart and weld it up solid. The snow was melting away so I took the opportunity to pull it outside and get a better perspective on the project. Now I see I need to roll the bumper up a bit. It has a bit of a smile.

I also clear out the sheet metal around the tie rods and such. I will be finishing up the rest of the inside of the front end next. Here are a few shots from this afternoon and maybe more later tonight.

Palepainter · February 14th, 2010, 10:02 AM

This weekend I got the dash and wiring completely torn down on the car. I am seeing some 12 v components mixed with 6v stuff. Should be interesting. But none the less, the car will have only a small amount of electronics compared to what it came with stock. It had one of those huge ass gas heaters under there too. I have a bunch of holes to stitch back up.

I have another wiring harness in another car when it comes time to putting it all back, but I have a feeling I will be simply hardwiring it from scratch.

I ordered the spun aluminum gas tank and am preparing the steering connector. I am going to keep the front section removable under the hood to access the master cylinder and steering easily with out having to crawl behind a wheel.

I will get some pics later after Valentines Day date with my wife and daughter. Not much to look at.

**purplemyth** · February 14th, 2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

I will get some pics later after Valentines Day date with my wife and daughter.

Hope you have a great day out too! Cuz man you deserve a break!

Palepainter · February 16th, 2010, 05:38 PM

Well after a weekend of getting rid of the dash components and the rest of the electrical wiring, I contemplated how I was going to attack the finishing of the front end. I wanted to have easy access to the master cylinder from above as well as the linkage and other goodies that would only be accessed through the side of the wheel well. More than likely with the wheels off. This also gives me more options on how I want to finish up the sides.

I measured equal distance from the back edge of the old gas tank support frame. Then I ran 1" boxed tubing across from that point. Then I cut 1/8 in steel with plasma cutter and fit it in that area. I used that thickness so I could support the gas tank at a later time with out causing any stress or fatigue failures. Then I welded it in. I tacked it at first then added 1" stitches to secure it. Welding this thick stuff is fun for a change.

After the horizontal support and the plate for the tank mount were in, I started off with a center section made of 1/16th " steel. It was a bitch to roll out. I Had to put a bend at the end where it attaches to the horizontal bar added in the tank support area. I made the bend in a vise with two pieces of angle iron and a bit of finessing with the hammer. Later I will use the plasma cutter and guides to cut in an access hatch that will seal up nicely.

After mounting the centered arch piece, I used a piece of steel that I sharpened to a point on the ends to follow the odd profile on the inner fender wells. This worked great to save alot of trimming and guessing. Doing this all in one piece didint look fun to me. I then trimmed out the inner fender well, making room for the next piece. The outer section being added between the center section and the wheel well is only 18 gauge, so it is much easier to form. Then I made a cardboard template to get the shape close then used the cardboard as a template with the plasma cutter.

I am going to pull the entire front beam next and finish up things underneath and also add adjusters to the beam.

Here are some pics from the past few days.

This part of the job has been quite tedious and required so much more thought than chopping the car actually. But I think it is these details that really make a differrence in the build. I do not mind obsessing these little details too much.

Palepainter · February 17th, 2010, 05:52 PM

Tonight I finished up the front end work. Man that seems like it took forever. AHAHHA. So, I am going to torture you guys with just a couple more pics of the front end. I am going to hold off on the hatch and access until I get the adjusters on the front end. I am going to finish up getting rid of the fender bolt holes next and cut out a few more rust areas in preparation for slicing up my parts car.

I also have the front bumper and hood latch assembly off the car for final welding. I may add a gusset or two to really over kill it. :)

Shot of the inside. Just a bit of final welding in the gas tank tray area. Sad to report I lost my ebay auction on a used spun tank. I know one of you guys got it. lol

And for the last time........ The bumper. I know there were a few threads on getting the hood latched. Hopefully this helps a bit for those who need some ideas.

detroit73super · February 17th, 2010, 06:26 PM

Dig the bumper. What's your final plans with it...is the seam welded ?? looks like a clean joint...sorry if I missed earlier info...

Palepainter · February 17th, 2010, 06:57 PM

Yeah, the seam is welded up on the curved section. I have to weld up the future gas tank support tray yet. I am going to be cutting an access panel in the center section of the inner trunk area. I am also considering welding the bumperettes to the bumper and smoothing it out nicely. Everything will be paint. There will be no chrome on the car at all.

I also shaved the hood latch too. I am going to be adding an inner support to the bulkhead too when I pull the body off the pan. I have to do a few more things before that happens, which includes stocking up on beer for a few buddies to come over and give me a hand.

**purplemyth** · February 18th, 2010, 03:32 AM

Very nice wok there mr CBotM

now back to work~ :D

Palepainter · February 19th, 2010, 09:37 PM

Spent the after noon welding up all those damn holes from the heater. I am going to keep going on the front. I found an old Sportster tank I am going to widen to make my gas tank. I have not been lucky on my ebay efforts finding a reasonable priced tank. BUDGET>>>BUDGET>>>>BUDGET!

Palepainter · February 22nd, 2010, 01:45 PM

Here are some shots from over the weekend. I spent most of my Saturday at the regional Spelling Bee championship that my 9 year old was competing in. She was the youngest there and got through 3 rounds before being stumped. We are extremely proud of her. She has 4 more years of competition ahead of her.

I started capping off the door window area. It took for ever to fill every damn hole left behind by the gas heater. I worked my way through some minor rust repair as well while I was in the wheel well area.

Palepainter · February 22nd, 2010, 01:51 PM

Oh ya,
I picked this up at a gun show this weekend. It is going to be the console between the front seats. I am going to elevate it so I can still use the emergency brake. I plan on mounting a piece of contoured MDF to it, then have it padded and upholstered. I may airbrush it too. Dunno yet.

Palepainter · February 22nd, 2010, 02:13 PM

Damn,
Just went out to fire it up for the eve, and I am out of welding wire. :( Looks like a trip into town for the am.

**V8Transporter** · February 22nd, 2010, 02:40 PM

Very nice! The bumper and lights on the guards are slick!

Palepainter · February 23rd, 2010, 05:30 PM

Thanks V8,

I went to the welding supply today and got 12lbs more of .025 and some gas for the Mig. Weeee. I also picked up some 40 gt flapper wheels for the electric grinder. Much faster than the airtools.

I finished up the top of the passenger door. Considering leaving the handles intact, but just powdercoating them to match the car. Banged out some dents in the rear quarter on that side. Then welded up the fender bolt holes on the rear passenger side as well. I am going to tack the upper door frame welding next.

As soon as I can get a hand moving a 58 from around back, I am going to tack the the cowl conversion. I am considering peaking it while I am there. Not sure.

Palepainter · February 23rd, 2010, 05:46 PM

Oh ya, I went throught a box of parts I got years ago when I bought a shell of a car. I found a 3000 RPM VDO tach. It looks VW. Any clues as to what it belongs on. I plan on being able to do more than 3k. :)

Palepainter · February 25th, 2010, 12:51 PM

I brought around the old carcass I had in the back of the shop. Pretty solid car. i feel bad chopping it up for a few scraps. It is 59 I believe. I am going to chop out the cowl and windshield, wheel well chassis mounts, and the forward sections of the drivers side heater channel. If anyone in the CO area needs something off of it or if you want something shipped out, let me know. The aprons are not bad shape.

Palepainter · February 25th, 2010, 12:55 PM

A couple of VDO guages I found in a box. I have never seen a 3k RPM tach before.