Project "TTTA"

[aronhk_md]

duplicate....sorry

[aronhk_md]

The small block chevy pump is a better pump, period. A definite improvement. Not to mention 4 bolts and easy to change out. I would have gone this route if I hadnt already purchased the March Track Serpentine system. Doug.....we need to get your car and mine together for pics when done. We both have an AWFUL lot of shiny stuff. lol

[1977TRANSAM]

I meant how efficient the sbc pump was compared to the pontiac

[Ripper]

is this project still active?

[fletcherscustoms]

yes. I am downsizing my shop and the amount of customer work I'm doing basically do to family and time. So Doug, myself and Dan Hollohan decided to move the car to Dan's shop

[LUV2XLR8]

build looks great man.. love the rendering...

[Doug1]

Well, as with all such projects, this one is taking a long and winding road to get to completion. The car is back at my home now as Chad was unable to finish the car. Took it to Dan Holohan for an assessment and he gave me the unvarnished truth. Basically, I have a lot of really cool parts and a lot of problems to solve.

So at first I decided to just sell it off for parts and start over but since then I have had a change of heart and decided to do this as a general contractor type job. I'll sub out the stuff I don't feel comfortable doing and do the rest myself.

Here are some "as it sits" photos...

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Way to hang in there Doug. You'll get 'er done!

[Doug1]

One of Dan's suggestions that I liked was to make this a full frame car so the body can be removed in order to powdercoat the chassis. I'll get rid of the round tube stuff that was added in which I highlighted in the large blue oval and tie the front and back chassis together with the same tubing used by AME. The tie in within the small blue oval will be left though I prefer to use something other than round tubing since it just doesn't fit well visually with rest of the frame.


Then we'll cut the frame loose from the body in the only other point it is welded in, which is where the cross member hits the rockers. See area highlighted in red.

I'll put plates on the ends of the frame crossmembers and matching plates in the rockers and have it bolt in there.

Then we'll cut the fuel cell "basket" that was fabricated loose and move it forward a few inches in order to trim the rear frame rails to the proper length and move the cross rail back so it can sit behind the rear pan without interfering with the bumper mounts as it does now.


Once these are located properly, I'll put end plates in place with bolt holes that will allow the endplates, body and bumper supports to all be held together with the same 4 bolts on each side.

[Daren]

A poncho power plant relocated further (significantly) back so as to reduce unsprung weight = Super cool build.

Is that crank pully readily available on the AM or is that a custom job? The Vintage AC bracket does not make AC belt selection easy if the vintage belt is lost or broken.

[Doug1]

A poncho power plant relocated further (significantly) back so as to reduce unsprung weight = Super cool build.

Is that crank pully readily available on the AM or is that a custom job? The Vintage AC bracket does not make AC belt selection easy if the vintage belt is lost or broken.

It is readily available. This one came from SD Performance, though I know Butler Performance and several other places have them as well.

[Doug1]

Duplicate

[Doug1]

Okay, I've met with multiple local fabricators now and have a pretty good plan in place. After so many people have advised, I am considering moving the engine forward closer to the stock position, but still have not decided on that.

I'm definitely going to make the car a solid frame with a bolt on body. I'll contact Art Morrison Enterprises and see if they have any suggestions to do this a different way other than what I have planned. Currently we have 4 bolt on areas planned for each side and will build an structural cage welded to the inside of the body shell. Since there will be numerous places in the top from which the car could be lifted using the cage, I am going to look for some sort of inserts that can be popped out and then have eye hooks that screw into permanently welded in attachement points. Just need to figure out how to make that look good.

So the tenative date to start fabrication will be in February, if the fabricator finishes up his current work by then. We have a few other interesting things going into this interior fabrication including a removable rear panel than will allow access to the 4 link area which will have a matching panel with a lexan insert to use for shows.

Going to be a different car for sure.

While I am waiting on the fabricator to get to the frame changes and interior sheetmetal, I will now go in search of a body guy capable of stretching the fenders to allow room for the big tires to sit more flush with the sides.

[LeighP]

Good to see your ideas progressing, Doug....it'll all come good in the end.

[syborg tt]

Hi Doug

Any updates on the car ??

[GregWeld]

Hi Doug

Any updates on the car ??

Marty -- Like anything Chad Fletcher touched --- he managed to mangle another project (I call it "fletchered" now around my shop). Pretty hard to recover from stuff like that. Kinda takes the wind out of your sails.

[syborg tt]

Marty -- Like anything Chad Fletcher touched --- he managed to mangle another project (I call it "fletchered" now around my shop). Pretty hard to recover from stuff like that. Kinda takes the wind out of your sails.

I feel bad for Ty also as he is still fixing all of the problems with his car. It almost needs to be on Overhaulin to get redone.

[cknautz]

Any updates lately?