Original Goal: Build a factory five roadster (Shelby Cobra Replica) in less than a year for $18,000. Then it was $24,000. Then it was $28,000. Then it was $32,000 when I ordered the kit. Now it's more like $35,000. And in reality I've given up on the budget.
Before Kit: Built Body Buck, Ordered Engine from Engine Factory, Ordered Donor/New Parts form AMP, Ordered Kit. Tore apart the front and rear suspension components, and started cleaning up the used parts. Of course, I didn't get everything cleaned before the big day.
After Kit(9/12): Removed body and got it up on the buck. Marked and removed all the aluminum panels from the frame. Painted the frame with POR-15 (What a pain in the butt). POR-15 on all brackets, and old donor suspension components. Cleaned/Painted gas tank, and donor pedal box. Except for the parts that are on order, everything is pretty much painted/preped for assembly (finally).
Front Suspension Mockup: I have the wrong IFS bracket, called FFR and am exchaning for the correct one. The pivot bolts on the upper control arms are too short for the nyloc nuts to grab enough threads. Got new bolts at lowes. My only concern now is that I have to mount the bolts upside down. If the nuts backs off, now the bolt will fall off. I will use some lock tite on these as well. The upper ball joints are missing their grease fittings, told factory five about this too. Needed to replace the bolts that connect the spindle to the caliper, ordered those from the local Ford dealership. I will pick those up today. The front suspension is on hold until the parts from factory five come in.
Steering Mockup: Missing steering rack bushings, ordered offset solid bushings from Breeze. So far it looks like that is the only thing holding up the steering installation. The parts are due to show up today.
IRS Mockup: Too few spacers, factory five is aware of this. Unfortunately I have no idea if/when these are being shipped. I should call and bug them about it. I need to fix the gears in the differential, and have the bearings/bushing pressed out/in, which I will do as soon as the replacements arrive (today?).
Aluminum Panels: Finally got something permanetly attached to the frame. The 2 F panels are rivitted on the frame!!! Pop rivits are pretty cool, I had never done it before and it is very easy to do. They look good, and they help cover up the average looking frame paint job. I also temporarilly drilled out the rivit holes for the dash area fire wall and used the cleco's to hold it up. I'm so glad I ordered the cleco's, I think I'll order some more so I can keep busy with the aluminum panels while I wait on all the parts I have ordered.
Things I need to do.
Before Kit: Built Body Buck, Ordered Engine from Engine Factory, Ordered Donor/New Parts form AMP, Ordered Kit. Tore apart the front and rear suspension components, and started cleaning up the used parts. Of course, I didn't get everything cleaned before the big day.
After Kit(9/12): Removed body and got it up on the buck. Marked and removed all the aluminum panels from the frame. Painted the frame with POR-15 (What a pain in the butt). POR-15 on all brackets, and old donor suspension components. Cleaned/Painted gas tank, and donor pedal box. Except for the parts that are on order, everything is pretty much painted/preped for assembly (finally).
Front Suspension Mockup: I have the wrong IFS bracket, called FFR and am exchaning for the correct one. The pivot bolts on the upper control arms are too short for the nyloc nuts to grab enough threads. Got new bolts at lowes. My only concern now is that I have to mount the bolts upside down. If the nuts backs off, now the bolt will fall off. I will use some lock tite on these as well. The upper ball joints are missing their grease fittings, told factory five about this too. Needed to replace the bolts that connect the spindle to the caliper, ordered those from the local Ford dealership. I will pick those up today. The front suspension is on hold until the parts from factory five come in.
Steering Mockup: Missing steering rack bushings, ordered offset solid bushings from Breeze. So far it looks like that is the only thing holding up the steering installation. The parts are due to show up today.
IRS Mockup: Too few spacers, factory five is aware of this. Unfortunately I have no idea if/when these are being shipped. I should call and bug them about it. I need to fix the gears in the differential, and have the bearings/bushing pressed out/in, which I will do as soon as the replacements arrive (today?).
Aluminum Panels: Finally got something permanetly attached to the frame. The 2 F panels are rivitted on the frame!!! Pop rivits are pretty cool, I had never done it before and it is very easy to do. They look good, and they help cover up the average looking frame paint job. I also temporarilly drilled out the rivit holes for the dash area fire wall and used the cleco's to hold it up. I'm so glad I ordered the cleco's, I think I'll order some more so I can keep busy with the aluminum panels while I wait on all the parts I have ordered.
Things I need to do.
Call Mac Tools to get the torque wrench calibrated.Figure out what type of grease I need for the IRSBuy new front RotorsBuy new Rear CalipersBuy more Cleco'sShorten Brake Pedal.- Research/Buy E-Brake Set-up.
- Wheels and Tires.
- Find a chrome/ceramic coating place
Find a place to press out old bearings, press in hubs/bearings/bushings, fix differential gears
posted by Monica Thibeau at 10:05 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home