69 GTO Build

[Fastmonty]

Gus,

Agreed. I read the mixed reviews... but, I found this kit on Amazon... http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Scratch-...X9NP8QXQMSV0FX worth a shot, and I get it tomorrow. If it doesn't work, I'll get new glass. Will let you all know.

Mike

['71cutlasluvr]

Good choice Mike. Way to go. $20 cheaper so not much of a gamble. Hope it works for you. I'd like to know 'cause I'm in the same boat and will have to do the same thing eventually.

Good luck!

[67speedfreak]

Fire wall and tunnel look awesome. Nice work.
I hope to be fitting .my floor real soon.

[ekmxryda]

Mike I like your custom valance work, how did the glass polish work? I need to do the same thing in a few years when I get to that point.
Gus any mini tub updates?
Thanks Brian, hope your floors go in easier than the patchwork job I did!

Glad to say that I finished welding the new trans tunnel in, finished all the braces too.




Still playing with bead roller

['71cutlasluvr]

Hey Eric,
Man that looks factory... even BETTER than factory.. ! Seamless. Nice work... you've been a busy guy!

I have made some progress on the frame job/mini tubs. I actually tack welded a guide along the frame arch over the diff so I could just pull the plasma torch over it with a set of guide rollers i got from a guy on the welders web forum. Worked like a charm! Measure 50 times, cut once... that's my moto. I took some pics then the battery died in my camera but have since charged it back up. Measuring/prep/test takes a long time before I can do the actual cut, but its worth it. The straighter the cut the easier welding the replacement panels will be. Been nuts at work lately. Will try to post the pics today or tomorrow.

Man I wish I could afford a roadster shop chassis, but I do get a sense of accomplishment when I do something like this and it comes out good.

will post pics soon.

[Fastmonty]

Eric and Gus,

This post is for the glass scratch repair experiment. You'll see below, my before and "during" pictures... there is no after, because I decided to spend the $100 for a new window. My findings are, that if your finger nail catches across the scratch, it's too deep to fix with the kit. My scratch was too deep. But, it is repairable. I sourced some diamond pads, which range in grit from 50 to 3000... I used the 200 grit to grind down low enough to remove the scratch. (That took four hours!) It'll take another four hours to slowly go up in grit through 3000, and then use the polish in the kit to make it look brand new. Well, I assume so... Therefore, 8+ hours is not worth my time to fix this. So, I bought the glass. I'll most likely be doing the same for my passenger door window. But, that can done any time in the future.

[Fastmonty]

Eric,

Back to fun stuff... Your metal work is absolutely amazing! Any plans to move out to San Diego? I might need help on the next project, in 10 years. Ha, ha... Thanks for noticing the valance panel work, as you know, only 68/69 GTO owners would even know there's something amiss. I'm most proud of that piece... anyway, the little work I've completed the last two weeks are.. installing carpet. Installing Rear Bumper. And, installing a chin spoiler. I love it...

Hopefully I'll be hanging the headliner this weekend... as long as I get my chores completed first. Ha, ha... Enjoy!

Enjoy!

['71cutlasluvr]

Eric and Gus,

This post is for the glass scratch repair experiment. You'll see below, my before and "during" pictures... there is no after, because I decided to spend the $100 for a new window. My findings are, that if your finger nail catches across the scratch, it's too deep to fix with the kit. My scratch was too deep. But, it is repairable. I sourced some diamond pads, which range in grit from 50 to 3000... I used the 200 grit to grind down low enough to remove the scratch. (That took four hours!) It'll take another four hours to slowly go up in grit through 3000, and then use the polish in the kit to make it look brand new. Well, I assume so... Therefore, 8+ hours is not worth my time to fix this. So, I bought the glass. I'll most likely be doing the same for my passenger door window. But, that can done any time in the future.

Hey Mike, you gave it the old college try. Kudo's. But yeah, 8 hours is a bit much. Good call. I have some shallow scratches from a sanding wheel or d/a on the rear roll up windows from an overzealous body guy when the car was painted back in the 90's so I may get lucky since they are quite shallow. Thanks a bunch for the progress report.. Much appreciated.

You getting any sleep or has the little guy settled down a bit??

['71cutlasluvr]

Eric,

Back to fun stuff... Your metal work is absolutely amazing! Any plans to move out to San Diego? I might need help on the next project, in 10 years. Ha, ha... Thanks for noticing the valance panel work, as you know, only 68/69 GTO owners would even know there's something amiss. I'm most proud of that piece... anyway, the little work I've completed the last two weeks are.. installing carpet. Installing Rear Bumper. And, installing a chin spoiler. I love it...

Hopefully I'll be hanging the headliner this weekend... as long as I get my chores completed first. Ha, ha... Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Lovin' it Mike! Man she is really coming along. Shiney bumper... nice! And those wheel's/tires... perfect! Keep up the momentum bud!

['71cutlasluvr]

Well, after seeing Mike's and Eric's post, I'm almost embarrassed to post my progress pics but here they are anyway... dang I Got a long way to go ... Unfortunately, I pulled a ligament in my left foot on a bike ride monday and have been fighting the swelling all week, wearing a Herman Munster boot to provide protection and support. Finally got some prednisone (steroid) from my foot doctor today as he just returned from vaca. Pray to the autocross gods' that I can make my second autocross at Thompson Sunday. If the swelling doesn't go down enough so I can wear my driving shoes (read: white sneakers) then I will be a spectator AGAIN!!

But I digress...

Here is the result of a couple of hours of measuring, tacking, breaking the tacks, measuring again, tacking, cutting a few inches, tacking, cutting a few more inches, then tacking a looooooonnggg guide strip to make the loooooonggg cut over the diff arch with the plasma cutter. Scarey how fast the metal goes away, but man is it a work saver! I can't imagine doing all this cutting with cutoff wheels. I was feeling mighty comfortable after that final cut so hopefully it will go faster now.

Enjoy the weekend guys.





Attachment 100201

['71cutlasluvr]

Hey Guys. Haven't heard much since my last post so thought I'd share a bit of good news. After deciding that I need more room in my garages so I can keep working on konekilr over the winter, I realized an enclosed trailer would allow me to store the miata out of harms way of all the other heavy stuff and give me that much needed space. Looked at the 28 year old 8' x 20' a club member was selling, but it was showing it's age and would be fine if I was going to sell it later and get a better one, but that's a step I don't want to take, so with the Mrs. blessings, I bought this!

http://www.cttrailers.com/new/Bravo/...391c91156a.htm

The sale price got me out the door for just over $8k, which is a bit below the going rate for this size trailer in my neck of the woods. End of month with the 2015's coming out, and the fact that it was in stock and on sale helped us make the decision to go for it, but the deal maker was I was able to put off payments for six months after delivery.... some breathing room to help us pay off the wedding, then we can pay off the trailer. Sheesh it gets complicated but now I have a nice storage place for "Mia" and a brandy new trailer waiting to take her to the track. I know, I probably should have got a 24' jobber so I can haul the cutlass when it's done, but the cutlass will fit in a 20', but it will be tight. Plus my son in laws 2002 f150 4x4 is only up to the task of a Miata, tools, tires, and trailer, not much more.

Wish I could afford a tow vehicle, but trucks are crazy expensive so the first step is getting a good basic trailer. Next year I hope to use my son in laws ford to haul the miata to some distant events, like limerock, pocono, etc. . I have lots of time to research trucks for towing. I like Toyota reliability, but GMC and Ford have some great deals and 5 year no interest financing. My son in laws family are die hard ford fans. Not sure why since they have not had perfectly reliable trucks, but perhaps the options/price point makes up for that.

Eric, Mike, (or anyone else who follows this thread) you guys have been around the hobby for quite a while. Could you share your thoughts on best bang for the buck for a tow vehicle when you have a moment? Although a 1/2 ton truck would do the maita no problem, I eventually want to tow my cutlass PT project also, which is quite a bit heavier than the miata so a 3/4 tonner may be the way to go. This will be a one time purchase since it will be a low use pleasure vehicle. Only used for racing while I'm still working, then my main vehicle when I retire, so comfort, power and durability for the $ is paramount.

Thanks for your time guys. Hope your projects are moving along faster than mine!

[ekmxryda]

Hey guys been busy with summer family stuff, finally was able to get a couple days in on the car.

Mike thanks, I'm just learning on the job. I would love to move out to Cali someday I hate snow! Nice panel gaps on the trunk, so jealous. Mine will take me a while to get close to how perfect you got it.
Gus I like the progress on the frame cuts, looks like you are doing good work. Are you going to modify the rear shock towers for coil overs?
Cool trailer storage, don't let the wife fill it with clothes like my friends wife did to him!
Oh the truck debate! I have always been a Chevy (GM) fan and my old 2002 Chevy 2500HD Crew has seen a lot of abuse, but it is still holding up well. The only weak point on it is the front end, I have gone through a couple sets of wheel bearings since I run larger than stock tires. If you could find a nice 2006 -07 low milage Chevy Diesel that would be my pick.

Finished welding all the seams on the tunnel, wonder how many feet of mig wire I used?


Rebuilt 327 going into 61 Apache for my friend Bob who has been in the Hospital for the last few weeks, we hope to have it running when he comes home.


Found a good Craigslist deal on Vette Grand Sport rims, thanks Pete!


Been treating the surface rust on the frame with that Eastwood After Blast, can't wait to be done with mock up so I can finally paint it.




After I spray them black they will look OK for now, maybe someone will sponsor me someday and throw some cooler rims on it? Haha


I think a 1" spacer will get me real close.

['71cutlasluvr]

Hi Eric,
Thanks for the input on the truck. I had a 2008 gmc sierra 1/2 ton, black, posi rear extra cab briefly while I was between jobs with a company car. 5.3 liter. She went real good for a truck! Was going to keep it for my retirement truck but just ran out of room and need, so sold her back in 2010. Rode real nice too. A diesel may be overkill for my needs but perhaps a 3/4 ton would be enough to for any future needs, i.e. 24' hauler or even a 5th wheel if I decide to travel a bit. But I hear the 3/4 ton jobs are so heavy duty that they are difficult to live with when not towing, which will be the case when I retire (I hope) someday. No one else has weighed in here so guess there's no real ford/chevy/gmc/tundra/ etc fans following this thread. Still more research to do. But that's the distant future. Found out my son in laws 2002 f150 has the biggest engine available in the day, a 5.4 liter 8, so we should be ok pulling the 20 footer as well as the cutlass until I can get my own. If he didn't have the truck, the trailer would be just another wanna have.

Thanks for the kind words on the frame cuts. Hope to do more this weekend. Some driveway prep to lay stone down for the new trailer, which is coming next saturday is a priority, but I get stoked when I see how much you and Mike are getting done,........... even if it doesn't seem like much to you guys, it's a ton of progress to me.

Man, I'm loving those rims! So wide. And I like the pic showing just the chassis with the wheels on.. an amazing piece of engineering! And your attention to detail on door/panel fit is extraordinary. You must be getting pumped as you get closer to actual paint and less mockup time!

Alas, I am stuck with my OE frame and a 12 bolt with 3.08 gears, probably too tall for a viable track day or autocrosser, but hoping the big block torque will pull me up to speed faster. gotta admit though, that rear end looks stout. The panhard bar setup is cool too, should be real solid in the twisty's. btw: What gear ratio you running Eric? Wonder if I should save the 12 bolt for the 'vert restoration (if I ever get to it) and spring for a similar rear with lower gears.... I have decided to go the th2004r route rather that building up the 4l80e I bought to save on the electronics required and to minimize complexity but still getting the OD..... going the a 200 built one from one of the well know vendors. That rear is probably overkill for me, but I think I"m gonna need more gear to get up to speed faster.... Ah, more research. Relying (again) on your experience, what rear end would you recommend i look into considering I have the 2004r and the big block olds? about 420 rwhp. Just for something to ponder...

Your friend is lucky to have a bud like you.. that 327 looks awesome. Good luck with the install.

kk

[Fastmonty]

Gus,

Congrats on the new carriage. And, excellent job on the frame cutting. After seeing that, I almost went out and bought a plasma cutter, just to have one. Ha, ha... Your truck question is funny... most of us Californian's don't have room for a truck and trailer. Well, I certainly don't. So, the Goat will be driven everywhere it needs to go.

Eric,

Congrats on your recent engagement... the frame to the body, that is. Hurry up and get the frame painted already, so they can get married. I love the pick where you're standing and welding in the middle of the car, through the driver door. Classic. Lastly, are you sure the rear wheels are wide enough? Ha, ha... ridiculousness!

As for me, spending a lot of time growing the baby, and hosting visitors, non-stop. In my little spare time, I was able to finish off the headliner... I also got all of the side windows installed, but they're not aligned yet. Which will take some more time and patience. The bitch of my interior are all of the little plastic pieces typically come in black. I had to source the correct paint to get them to match. Thank god the paint came out perfect. For example, the visor holder in the center, and the front headliner trim, were black. I guess my next project will have a black interior.

Any way, great to see progress on all levels... have a great weekend!

Mike

['71cutlasluvr]

Gus,

Congrats on the new carriage. And, excellent job on the frame cutting. After seeing that, I almost went out and bought a plasma cutter, just to have one. Ha, ha... Your truck question is funny... most of us Californian's don't have room for a truck and trailer. Well, I certainly don't. So, the Goat will be driven everywhere it needs to go.

Hey Mike. Welcome back. Kinda figured raisin' the youngun was cutting into your project time. Yes, EVERYONE wants to see the new baby... and if you're withing a reasonable driving distance from friends and relatives?...... yup, never ending...

Yeah, the trailer is going to be a great piece to have. Stopped by the dealer Thursday and completed the paperwork and dropped off the trailer plates from the little trailer the Miata owner threw in. (Giving that trailer to a club member who has a need... FREE!) I was thinking of doing Monstaliner but the company rep said it would take 4 gallons plus tint to completely cover it. That's about $700! Guess it's great stuff but I'm thinking just using a wood sealer for now. Moving stone and gravel today preparing for the "carriage" arrival next saturday. Will show some pics when the Miata is in it.

The plasma cutter is a Hypertherm 45. Pricey but not one bad report on this one no matter where I looked. Since this is my first "frame job", I didn't want substandard equipment to blame if I messed up, so went with the 45 as it is a dedicated 240vac model, which my mig and tig's run on. The 30 model probably would have been ok, but most recommended the 45 if you have the 240vac. Overkill is good to have when you need it. The eastwood stuff seemed ok, but just like most cut rate plasma cutters that aren't made here, there is a gamble with longevity, so I pulled the trigger and glad I did. Cut's like butter. The guide wheel you see in one of the pics can also be used to cut circles. Very nice combo when the cuts have to be clean. Here's a link if you're curious about the cutter. Gotta say this.... using a cut off wheel for the whole job would have been torture! While the investment may not be worth it for this one job, I'm sure it will get much more use over the years, so the cost is justified.

http://www.hypertherm.com/en-us/Prod...powermax45.jsp

Love the headliner. Good job! When I took mine apart last year, I thought to myself "Crap, now I gotta put it back someday.. " Yours looks perfect.

Understood on the truck. Yeah, I see many posters lamenting they don't have the room for just a trailer, let alone the full tow rig. Californian's like yourself have the blessing of good weather and no snow, so guess there are compromises no matter where we live. No rush on the truck, just part of the research so thought I'd get yours and Erics opinion. Will be a couple of years before I get serious about the purchase. Thanks for the input though. btw: Found out my son in laws truck has the biggest v8 for 2002 ford f150, a 5.4 liter with 260 hp, 350 lb ft tq, so will handle the miata and trailer easily, and probably even the cutlass but should have my own before the 442 is done.

Enjoy the weekend guys. Weather is wonderful here (I think Eric will concur), warm days, cool night, no humidity. Gonna get some serious yard work done AND will continue the frame work. Keep the updates comin'. I really rely on you guys to keep me motivated.

['71cutlasluvr]

Hey guys been busy with summer family stuff, finally was able to get a couple days in on the car.

Gus I like the progress on the frame cuts, looks like you are doing good work. Are you going to modify the rear shock towers for coil overs?
Cool trailer storage, don't let the wife fill it with clothes like my friends wife did to him!

Thanks for the kind words Eric. Nothing has fallen off yet due to the plasma cutter, so I'm still winning! Yes, I will be cutting out the rear shock pad/towers once the arches are done. A round bar and brackets was included in the kit from ABC to allow a coilover conversion. I am also going to install coil over range extenders in the front from either UMI or Global west. Another poster (buryingthesun) is doing a '67 firebird and has installed them. They look killer and give quite a bit more travel range for his coilovers.

Enjoy your weekend.

[ekmxryda]

Gus, I am running a 3.70 ring gear. Get any frame plates welded in over the weekend?
Mike, nice job on the interior and I have thought about going with different colors, but like you said black is so much easier.

Some test fitting on the main hoop, trying to line it up with the quarter window molding.


3/16" pads that I will weld to frame first.


Looking through rulebooks as I go, any words of wisdom would be appreciated before I weld!
Plan on tack welding (12 Point) cage for test fit, then pull it out so I can paint the body and frame.

[Fastmonty]

Gus,

Thanks for the details on the Plasma cutter. Luckily, I have 220 too, for my TIG. (I still have to get a MiG) Thanks for the compliments on the headliner, I was fortunate enough to have labeled the bows, from front to rear. Otherwise the other trick is to use binder clips and weatherstrip adhesive. You can see the binder clips in my post above... but, during the install, I had one about every inch.... so, like 250 of them? They're cheap, from McMaster.

Eric,

Holy Crazy wide Tires Batman! That looks insane! Send us a rear shot, when you can. The roll bar is crazy too... Have you thought about a removable roll bar? I'm guessing your frame will be plenty stiff, so you just need it for roll over protection, right? Not sure what the rule is on that though...

No real progress for me this last weekend... had to pull the steering column, to re-paint it, for the THIRD time. (I was trying to test fit the dash and didn't lower the column enough, so I scratched it.) Otherwise, I was successful with installing the Side Window Upper Rails and Weatherstripping. Hopefully this week I'll be able to line up the windows...

Have a good one!

[ekmxryda]

Hey Mike, Here is the shot of the back tires, I still need to space them out more maybe another inch, not sure yet.
Been distracted by the cage work. I will have a removable harness bar for back seat access for those family trips to local shows.
My plans have always been to make it a street-able track car. Would be much easier if I were to pick one or the other!




Roughing out locations through floor. Not welding anything yet.

['71cutlasluvr]

Thanks for the gear ratio Eric. I probably should consider a lower ratio for those quick starts out of the gates. 3.08's are great for the highway but even with all that big block Oldsmoible torque, they won't be as quick as those 3.73's.

Nah, no luck on working on the frame. Son in law came over.. needed help to remove the hitch pin on his inherited 2002 f150. I burned the pin off with the plasma cutter (should've seen his face!) but the hitch is literally "welded" to the receiver with rust so the reciever/hitch must go.

I then did some digging with the tractor to improve drainage during rainstorms as well as spread 1.25" stone where the new trailer will be parked.
If I didn't do the digging now, the water will pool and come into my walk out basement. We got a gully washer comin' tonight so had to do it. If the water comes in the rec room, it's 2 hours of wet vacuming and running fans overnight. Not what I want to do in my spare time. Ah the joys of home ownership and country living!

Here's a few pics so you know I ain't makin' this up.



I had hoped to do the frame stuff after but I have to lift big rocks that won't slide into the loader by hand and it just kicked my a#@....man I just don't have the stamina I used to, but gotta admit, I felt pretty good the next day.. Slept like baby (no pun intended Mike!) Good exercise.

Next saturday I'll be helping with the old receiver removal with the plasma cutter AND installing a new one. It's kinda self serving since I'll be using his truck to drag my Miata to track days eventually, so I'm springing for the new receiver. AND, I'll be preparing for my second autocross at the Mohegan sun casino turtle lot. Hoping to snatch first in Novice, but win or lose, I'll have a ball no matter what.

btw: Great Progress Eric. coming together nicely. What a work and time saver buying the completed chassis. It's paying dividends now in fabrication time savings.
Keep the updates coming. Luvin' it!!