78kingcab Posted August 25, 2010 Report Share Posted August 25, 2010 holly s%#t, this is soooo sik, the best build ive came across yet....nice work....i cant wait for a video.....ride height is perfect... Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted August 29, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2010 this shows the monocoque rear section where the curved part of the frame floor tubes are skinned with steel. I also cut down the driveshaft loops a bit - weight is the enemy and that steel strap is heavy! Due to driveshaft proximity to the driver, and due in part to drag-race chassis builder influence, these hoops form the tunnel frame but also act as protection in case of driveshaft (u-joint) failure. I'm just starting on the Aluminum skin for the tunnel - it alone wouldn't offer much protection! The aluminum floors won't be riveted in until EVERYTHING is taken back out and all the framework cleaned up and painted. Quote Link to comment
Yakuza Posted August 29, 2010 Report Share Posted August 29, 2010 This thing is sick..great work....i love it... :D Quote Link to comment
NCRmtrsprts510 Posted August 29, 2010 Report Share Posted August 29, 2010 this thing is sex :P Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2010 more interior 0.040 aluminum. The pieces are not fully fastened and the seams will tighten up at that time, but this gives a rough idea of what the front 2/3 of the interior will look like - until it's covered with carpet!!! Quote Link to comment
]2eDeYe Posted September 1, 2010 Report Share Posted September 1, 2010 Damn nice sheet metal work. :cool: Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2010 this view gives an idead of the (gasp!) assymetry that resulted from covering the structures underneath as efficiently as possible. Room is tight in a 510, and driver's room was given priority over passenger room. Quote Link to comment
sssr20det510 Posted September 1, 2010 Report Share Posted September 1, 2010 That is sick, keep the pics coming Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2010 Inner wheel tubs are next - here's a pic of the "high tech metalwork" in progress - hammer forming a flange over a wood form to make the inner tub walls Quote Link to comment
hessianben Posted September 5, 2010 Report Share Posted September 5, 2010 man, i love this build!!! Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted September 5, 2010 Report Share Posted September 5, 2010 Awww man all the bead rolling is just sick! (And structurally appropriate of course.) But on the trans cover, it is a thing of beauty! Did you roll it then form it or form it and then roll it? Man I wish I had friends like you guys locally!!! Quote Link to comment
NCRmtrsprts510 Posted September 5, 2010 Report Share Posted September 5, 2010 more pics of the inner wheel tub process, i gotta do it on mine too! lol Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 More pics will come of the inner wheel wells when they are made - it's pretty much up to date as of this morning! As for the trans tunnel, it was formed, then beads rolled. I think the proper way is to roll beads early, but the "test fitting" of the aluminum (versus the posterboard template) kinda happened first. It's always neat how stiff and strong the flimsy sheet becomes once it's bent into compound shapes -- that can work for us or against us!! There are some "die marks" where the roller contacted the sheet since there was already a good bit of curvaciousness to the part - that's the downside to bead rolling after... Really, the only reason to bead roll early is because you CAN'T roll the metal through the bead roller after it's been formed into much of a shape. This is DEFITNITELY a "practice" thing - and two people help. Bead rollers don't cost much, but sharing EQUIPMENT is the best thing. My friend has the bead roller. I have the paint booth. We both use both - if you don't need to own both it's all good. It seems to me like living in Portland would be the best!!! Well, the grass is always greener on the other side. Anyway, it's posted now- anyone within reasonable distance is welcome to come and make Datsuns here in Alexander NC if they want. I just saw Steve who's heading up to N.J. with a few old bits and pieces that he needs to save his 4-dr shell from being lost under the falling barn.... and he traded me some pointers about TIG'ing that he's learned from experience and from making some DAMN FINE bicycles. If you haven't yet, you must check out Steve's bikes. His last name is Stickel. His bikes are BYSTICKEL Methinks the barter system is our only salvation in the "current economy" Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 Fisch! - Belchertown MA can't be too far - let me know what you want in trade for some of your sweet artwork!!! Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted September 6, 2010 Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 Fisch! - Belchertown MA can't be too far - let me know what you want in trade for some of your sweet artwork!!! Nice! This I will remember! Most of my projects are a while out from needing fab work, but you have my mind turning!! Like, if I ever went with a bigger engine in the '59, I'd need a new trans tunnel! And I forgot you were East Coast! I guess when I see an amazing Datsun build I always think west coast! Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 more pics of the inner wheel tub process, i gotta do it on mine too! lol NCRmtrsprts510- -check out posts #53 and 54 for pics of how the outer wheelwell housings were sectioned for the outer tubs - the inner "halves" of the tubs will be more straight- forward but I'll try to post a few pics of this next process when I get to it - it's really quite simple as long as you're patient and careful when making templates(out of carboard and/or posterboard). Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 look at the space and IMAGINE what you want to be there... You want to be in a happy, calm mood for this.... Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 then cut lots of carboard or posterboard to make a template Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 this is the piece that was sandwiched between two pieces of plywood in the earlier post.. Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 the metal never quite fits exactly like paper, so "sneak up" on a good fit. By the way, it never hurts to write yourself reminders, especially since you COULD be rudely interrupted at any time by forces of REALITY and it could be WEEKS before you get back to the project.... Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2010 OK, so REPEAT for the other side, and if you're lucky enough to be taught by a fabricator with OCD, both sides will be a perfect mirror image, so you can use the same template for the other side, reversing bends appropriately. Wifey got 2 hours in the garden and I got 2 hours in the shop, so this is far as got today - more in a day or two, I hope.... The tub "roofs" are next, of course! Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2010 -today's progress Quote Link to comment
blueridgespeed Posted September 8, 2010 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2010 and the "wheel's eye view" of today's progress. Once fully welded and seam-sealed, the plan is to apply a 'schultz' -type or bedliner-type material inside here for a little sound insulation and rock protection. As always, all input appreciated and most ridicule deserved! Quote Link to comment
bonvo Posted September 8, 2010 Report Share Posted September 8, 2010 :drool: i wish i had the skills to do this Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted September 8, 2010 Report Share Posted September 8, 2010 Heh I was almost disappointed when the inner wheel well wall wasn't bead rolled, but today's post of the rolled arch made up for it!!! Quote Link to comment
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