[ ... snip ... ] I don't think my x frame is doing much other than losing ground clearance which I want. [ ... snip ... ]
That's what I was saying before.. the only thing good about that X frame that Chester got stuck with (and it was Chester's idea to being with not B&B) was to cap off the ends with A&N fittings and use them as coolant tubes (which actually works pretty well).
The rat has a lot of potential.. With the proper car and attention to detail, I'm positive that you can turn it back around into the way it was supposed to be, if not more.. wishing you the best of luck!
Sorry Sound...that was before Pennock days...I made some good buys...and am pretty handy with tools...car with a 372 hp 383 ran me right at 2300 when I was done...my only troubles to date are axles. Thanks for the luck! I'll probably need it!!
Got the Rat pulled apart the past few days. Checked out the rust...not too bad, and started scoping out where the chassis reinforcements will be going. Here are some update pics for all to see
Little update on The Rat...Got 1/4 inch gusset plated burned in ala Archie. Flex went from 11/16 from full compression to droop to just a hair over 1/8. Also there is almost no twisting flex now either. Car is very stiff now but I still plan on adding a couple more plates...stay tuned for Rat updates...coming to a forum near you!
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
Little update on The Rat...Got 1/4 inch gusset plated burned in ala Archie. Flex went from 11/16 from full compression to droop to just a hair over 1/8. Also there is almost no twisting flex now either. Car is very stiff now but I still plan on adding a couple more plates...stay tuned for Rat updates...coming to a forum near you!
It was that much? With the weight of the power-train in the car, was it even possible to open/close the doors?
You do have it in a jig of some type to hold the chassis in the place you WANT it to be for stiffening it up don't you? You certainly don't want to weld everything up only to find you have your dimensions off. Tolerances are +/- 3mm
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 08-29-2012).]
Yes Fierosound I made a rack to hold it straight and square while welding the frame. When testing for flex I slipped my engine and tranny combo in her...put 320 pounds of concrete in the floor and raised it at the rear of the cradle...this is what I call compression...then I raised it just under rear of door and put 160 of crete in trunk to see how far it opened. It was just under 11/16. Now all I have is an 1/8 even when I stand in the car also and bounce...pretty good no? Twisting is almost non existant. I'm going to add more plates under the door just for kicks and I'm welding 16 gauge sheet in between the rails on the sides...gonna start on cleanup of the bay...she's getting smoothed and paint like my last one, plus I'm doing a double firewall for heat and sound as I wished I'd done on my other. Will be one hell of a car when done...hoping to make Daytona with it next year...I guess we'll see on that.
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
Just an update for all. The Rat has a smooth and shiny engine bay now...no connectors to show anymore. I've finished reinforcement for now, since last time I added 1/4 plates in front of doors also. Shes coming together..I want to be at the 30th
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
Was a pretty good weekend...spent sunday installing sound deadening in the front of the car...a note to all...home depot sells a butyl based peea and seal that works great...lot cheaper than dynamat also. Stay tuned...the 30th is coming
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
I have sent pics of some of the rust I started with and a pic of my 383 which I'm sliding into the Rat to exoticse. I'll be sending more of the update stuff in the next day or so....thanx all for being patient.
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
I have sent pics of some of the rust I started with and a pic of my 383 which I'm sliding into the Rat to exoticse. I'll be sending more of the update stuff in the next day or so....thanx all for being patient.
[This message has been edited by exoticse (edited 11-07-2012).]
Had some time for the girl this weekend...pulled and repainted all the front subframe and underhood stuff....replacing brake lines and cleaning the whole front end up...when I'm finished there won't be more than a dozen bolts on her that I haven't pulled. Still shooting for the 30th in Indy. Will be updating with more pics in day or two
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
To all who wonder......every....EVERY bolt on the Rat has been removed...cleaned.....polished....painted . I came up with...i must say myself, ingenious idea for the targa top and am presently working on body mods. When finished the car will be truly in a league of its' own.....stay tuned.
Really pleased to hear you're still working on this project. This is one of those cars that is part of the lore of the forum. Thanks for keeping at it.
One of these days I need to make a trip to Lousiville to check out your progress. Last time I saw the car was when I picked up the MERA that was at Rob's and the 383 that was in the Dirty Rat.
Anytime guru....I'm in shelbyville...only about 25 miles from Chester. Did you ever get my pm about the mirrors you wanted? I still have them. The Rat is turning into what it always should have been. I'm shaving trim right now and doing a few other mods I'lldiscuss later. Thanks for the interest...I'll try to update more.
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
Anytime guru....I'm in shelbyville...only about 25 miles from Chester. Did you ever get my pm about the mirrors you wanted? I still have them. The Rat is turning into what it always should have been. I'm shaving trim right now and doing a few other mods I'lldiscuss later. Thanks for the interest...I'll try to update more.
That's even better, only 57 miles from me!
I am good on the side mirrors, purchased an 86 GT parts car that had some good ones.
Well folks....at some point this weekend I'm going to pass two milestones...today I topped the 4000 mark building the car. Sometime this weekend I'll also top 1300 hours of labor on it. It's been a long road but I think I see the end coming.
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
Hey rob...sent a pm, don't think it went through...will try to call you this week. I've done many many things to the old girl. Honestly it seems like most here have lost interest in old school stuff except for a couple people who I also need to pm...sorry exot and guru...I've been a little busy. But the rat is looking more bad a** every day.
------------------ 87 GT....SBC...fast as hell... Proud new owner of....THE DIRTY RAT
It was that much? With the weight of the power-train in the car, was it even possible to open/close the doors?.jpg)
