The Roach - Page 5 - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

1slo3 · December 26th, 2020, 03:55 PM

The wifey decided, rightfully so, that I should no longer be under heavy and awkward things alone. So, today I picked up a lift table and a 48" LED lamp and Thursday I picked up a pair of 6 ton 2" tall jack stands. I am set to "safely" finish pulling the rear subframe and installing the new one. No more hokey balancing...

**V8Transporter** · December 26th, 2020, 06:34 PM

Back when I’d bought the t-boned ‘55 Buick Super. I thought I was being smart by using three old bumper jacks to lift the front end so I could crawl underneath to pull the engine mount, tranny mount and exhaust pipe bolts so I could finish pulling the engine with my home made hoist setup. With everything in place I headed into the house for lunch. When I came back out into the backyard, I found the Buick had collapsed onto the ground. My next move was to buy a pair of jack stands at the local parts store. And borrowed a hydraulic jack from a neighbor, who also taught me how to place the stands. I was 15 at the time.

SCOTTRODS · December 27th, 2020, 04:28 AM

I have a friend who worked for VW back in the 60's and 70's, who has some pretty unique tools and equipment for VW's... He has a Floor jack with a ball and socket type set-up, that has cradle points for the normal VW beetle engine. The arms have small adjustment pins for adaptability to various set-ups from early to late models. The ball and socket thing actually help with the teetering of an engine to get it away from the Transaxle and allow you to dip it down once clear and totter the other direction to level things back up as you clear the rear panel of the bugs... pretty cool tool. Dangerous damn thing, but really cool how it works if you have 2-3 people to work it together. He always had a lift available while removing engines, so the clearance of 3 feet to remove the engine was no issue, but being too high can also be a problem. This "jack" was pretty awesome last time I worked with it... 15-17 years ago now I guess... All this talk of safely working on cars brings back a ton of memories of Jacking Beetles up on an inclined driveway, high enough to pull an engine by myself while the car was suspended by that single point in the center of the bug. That was all before I met the guy with the cool tools...

1slo3 · December 29th, 2020, 12:10 PM

I used a ratchet strap last night to put tensio on the set up. This morning, it had released! Woot!!! Next is to unbolt the pivot pins and then start fitting it all to the updates subframe.

1slo3 · December 31st, 2020, 09:22 PM

Oh the joys of custom things...

I was hoping to get the new subframe mounted to the IRS transmission tonight, but...

1slo3 · December 31st, 2020, 11:03 PM

My goal was to have my subframe together, before New Years... 14 minutes to spare! Nothing is torqued, tightened or cleaned up, but it is installed!
Good night!

**V8Transporter** · January 1st, 2021, 06:51 AM

Well done and here’s to ‘a lots of progress on projects New Year!‘😃😃

1slo3 · January 3rd, 2021, 05:10 PM

Never, ever, live in a house while it is a construction zone AND try and build a VW.

That is all...

SCOTTRODS · January 4th, 2021, 03:02 AM

Preacher,... Meet the choir.

Been there done that and more. Living in the home under construction is something that seems to drag out longer than expected.

**V8Transporter** · January 4th, 2021, 02:25 PM

“Seems to drag out longer than expected?” I’ve never done or seen a project that didn’t take longer.🤔🤔

1slo3 · January 11th, 2021, 09:12 PM

So, my shocks didnt fit the lower shock mounts... panic! After hours of complicated or expensive or both solutions... doh!!! Raise the bolt holes in the mounts. Doh! Doh! Doh! That with shorter springs should let my rear ride height as wanted.

**alykat** · January 13th, 2021, 05:08 AM

Sometimes the simple solutions are the hardest ones to think of. Project just keeps looking better.

**V8Transporter** · January 13th, 2021, 01:07 PM

Well put and lookin’ good!

1slo3 · January 16th, 2021, 08:10 PM

Did you know that a t3 IRS transmission does NOT have mount holes in it to mount it to frame horns?
I do now! Doh!!!

**alykat** · January 17th, 2021, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1slo3

Did you know that a t3 IRS transmission does NOT have mount holes in it to mount it to frame horns?
I do now! Doh!!!

One more item for the "Well **** !" list.

**V8Transporter** · January 17th, 2021, 07:49 AM

No holes? How ‘bout duct tape and some heavy duty bungee cords?🤔🤔😁

1slo3 · January 24th, 2021, 02:59 PM

While trying to leave as much material as possible vs the picture above of an aftermarket unit, after an hour of careful cutting, i finally have a coilover shock in place. Now to match it on the otherside. Progress... sort of.

1slo3 · February 6th, 2021, 07:53 PM

After spending time at a buddy's place with his skill on the lathe, my new smaller coil springs fit the end caps on the shocks. So, they went onto the assembly and everything clears! Tomorrow I hope to have the transmission mounts, well... mounted to the bellhousing.

metalmaster1766 · February 8th, 2021, 08:01 AM

Mmmm fresh chips

**V8Transporter** · February 9th, 2021, 07:26 AM

Your lathe reminds me of my ancient Craftsman 6” lathe. It’s nice having tools like that. Your IRS setup is looking good!

Timbo · February 11th, 2021, 03:18 AM

Nice. Having the shock mounted that way makes for quick adjustments at the track.

Tim

1slo3 · February 13th, 2021, 04:28 PM

I finally got my new valves and support parts installed in my heads. 48x38 should allow some air movement.

Timbo · February 13th, 2021, 05:44 PM

Same size valves I ran in my Autocraft heads. The ports look much nicer than mine did.

Tim

1slo3 · February 13th, 2021, 05:45 PM

Full cosworth style and bigger than the cnc version. I hope it isn't too lazy down low.

1slo3 · February 14th, 2021, 09:39 PM

I think, tomorrow, the rear end might go back into the car.