Howdy, It's been a while since I did a post. This is due to the fact I've been doing some of the same type work on the 33, as mentioned in my previous post, which is still trying to make sure the gaps between the hood, engine side covers, inner fender panels, rear deck cover or tonneau cover, doors and body are all correct. Cut and weld, add some spacers etc. Didn't want to bore you with the same old stuff.
But we've also been doing other things this summer that have eaten into our time. A camping trip with our sons and their families, car shows which were absolutely necessary this year since I've been trying to sell our 37 Ford and a little work around our home.
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| Success, it's been sold |
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| ZZ4, 350, TPI |
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| Tacoma Dome "Mild to Wild" |
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Just for fun.
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| 8 way power seats |
Now on to the project at hand.
The fit of the tonneau cover had to be improved. The leading edge gap had to be reduced about 5/16" and gap at the lower edge had to be reduced about 1/8".
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| Here is an older photo showing the gap between the inner fender panel and the body prior to any refit. |
After many many hours of work the inner fender panels are now fitting the body. It is very important to get the body in this exact position during the final assembly and to keep the body in this position so this gap doesn't change. |
As can be seen in this photo, the hole for the cowl light, which was just above the beltline on the body between the door and the hood, has been filled. I thought it would be better to see the car finished without the cowl light installed because the door handles, rearview mirrors and the cowl lights would all be located in a very small area. Three items in one small area may give a rather cluttered look. Therefore, the cowl lights are on hold for time being. They can always be added at a later time since the backings (heavier steel plates) are now installed and the light placements can easily be see from under the dash.
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| Here is an example of what I'm talking about. Although, I'd never place the mirror and the cowl lites this close together, you get the point. The placement of the mirror on the cowl is desirable since it eliminates any movement of the mirror when closing the doors. I tried to do this but with the American Speed 33 body the mirror ended up centered behind the windshield post on the passenger side. Since this car is going to be a driver the passenger mirror is essential for safety. Let's hear it for Ralph Nader. |
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| Finally, it's time to take the car apart, for what I'm hoping is the last time. You can see that the spot welds around the engine compartment have been filled with weld and the seam between the firewall and the cowl has been completely welded closed. This should help keep dust and fumes from entering the cabin. Just doing my part for cleaner air, thank you very much Al Gore. |
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| Now, completely taken apart the frame is getting some final improvements. In the center of the frame where the x braces come together you can see where I had to raise the lateral cross member to allow for the extra large transmission yoke. Since I had to enlarge this opening, cutting into the top cross member instead of the lower also allows me to raise the transmission for greater ground clearance. |
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| I've added a piece of angle iron to each side of the frame, at the rear. This angle iron will have an adjustment bolt which will also be attached to the rear body mounts. The body will be entirely rubber mounted and any movement of the body to the rear, during extreme acceleration, will cause that gap, up front, between the body and the inner fender panel to enlarge. This bolt will aid in prevention of rear body movement and allow for small readjustments of the body forward or to the rear during the final placement of the body on the frame. |
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| Finally, Phase #2. Apply some paint. |
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| Will, not all is paint. Some will be powder coated. |
