NS F355 Project (Page 21/73)
Bloozberry APR 27, 02:56 PM
Muuuuch better.
Yarmouth Fiero MAY 04, 02:27 PM
Well, we got to stop by and visit with Blooz this morning. We also took along our new wheels and got to try them on his 355 body. I think they look pretty good. Whew......... the pressure to pick the right wheels and tires for a project car that is little more than a bare chassis. But I think we'll be safe with our selection. Here are a couple shots, although I am a terrible photographer. But in my defense, it's hard to focus on taking good pictures when you are surrounded by so many cool cars, engines and various parts. Its always a treat to visit his shop.





We also got to talk suspension options, body modifications and materials.
Yesterday we picked up our transverse frame from the welding shop so hopefully this weekend we'll start installing it and adding the vertical braces and such. Then get all the parts blasted and primed and then welded to the chassis for the final time. Then........ off with its head (roof)......
Bloozberry MAY 04, 09:20 PM
I see the photos are just dark enough to prevent anyone from seeing whether you have the tires on the correct sides of the car or not.

Those wheels are going to look great with an all black body.
Yarmouth Fiero MAY 20, 08:09 PM
So... I've been working on a suitable design for connecting the upper tranverse frame to the lower frame rail. The main issue is how to get it welded as securely as possible because having it up against the back of the firewall and against the sheet metal connecting the B pillar to the lower frame rail (not shown in the drawing), access for full perimeter welding is quite limited. In the end I opted for a simple angled plate that caps the lower end of the vertical support as well as provides a somewhat secure anchor between the vertical support and the top and inside face of the lower frame rail. With it all tacked together, the entire assembly can be removed for welding completely around the perimeter of each joint and then returned to the chassis for installation and welding were possible. If I had more nerve, I'd remove much of the firewall sheet metal to allow for structural welding and then return the firewall sheet metal afterwards.

While I spent most of the day crouched in the engine bay fitting and refitting steel, I also fitted some cosmetic sheet metal on the inside face of the lower frame rail. ( It's remained uncompleted since I did the frame stretch). I'll complete the final welding and finishing when I complete the final welding of the transverse frame and supports.

Its quite tiring climbing in and out of the engine bay with step ladders all day long with gloves and welding apron on. I think if I ever do another Fiero like this, I'll build a permanent patio around the entire car with proper stairs and then just lift the car out when its done. Then put a hot tub in the hole.

Here is the drawing of the vertical transverse frame support and a picture of the parts tacked together in place. The camera flash sure lights up the ugliness of the unfinished welding.





Not sure if this counts as "making progress" on the project, but I did buy a rack for the new wheels. May as well have a nice place to store them as its going to be a long time before they are rolling down the road.

Sage MAY 20, 08:34 PM

quote
I think if I ever do another Fiero like this, I'll build a permanent patio around the entire car with proper stairs and then just lift the car out when its done. Then put a hot tub in the hole.



LOL!

On your progress! Wish I could borrow you and Blooze for my upcoming project! I can handle the fiberglass aspect, but my days of machining and turning wrenches is very far in the past....guess I'll muddle through...albeit...slowly.

Looking great on the project. Tire rack makes for nice storage for the new shoes!

HAGO!

Bloozberry MAY 20, 10:04 PM
Just when I was going to post the need for an update! Glad to see some progress being reported... I'm sure it's happening all the time but there are some stages that take 80% of the work and yet show only 1%. Have you confirmed that if you tack it all together you'll be able to pull it out of the engine bay in one piece? Your design in that area is what I'm going to be using so I'm keeping a close eye on this part... letting you make all the mistakes first

I think it's time this thread got moved to the Construction Zone... I'll send Cliff a PM and see what he says.
Yarmouth Fiero MAY 21, 05:56 AM
Thanks for your support Blooz and to everyone taking the time to follow along. Its a huge boost to get comments and suggestions from the PFF community. I appreciate each and every post.

Ya... mistakes........ lets just say its time to empty the old scrap barrel. Its filling up fast with misguided attempts and cut offs.

As soon as I get the passenger side structure done I'll confirm that the entire assembly slides out for welding.
Bloozberry MAY 21, 08:02 AM
Hey! Welcome to the Construction Zone! This thread really deserves to be here. Great work!
Yarmouth Fiero MAY 26, 07:16 PM
We got the passenger side vertical support for the transverse firewall beam cut and tacked in place. It took a few attempts to get the right angles on each end together with the correct length. You wouldn't think it would be so hard to do but for some reason, when it was 1/8" too long, taking 1/8" off the end made it 1/8" too short. I think my boys are starting to understand why I always bring home twice the amount of steel we think we will need to do the job.

With it all tacked together, we tried removing the assembly in one piece and it worked well, even with the lower frame rail being unfinished and rough. This will allow us to remove it for full welding, sandblasting and priming before installing it permanently in the chassis. I think Blooz is considering a similar structure for his car to provide an anchor point for his dogbone and possibly the hinges for the rear deck.

I hope to have the rollover hoops made this week and then installed in the transverse beam and tacked in place prior to final welding and installation of the assembly.

Here are a few shots of the beam out, then lowered between the frame rails and then pushed forward against the firewall.







edit: remove photo of family member

[This message has been edited by Yarmouth Fiero (edited 02-23-2015).]

Bloozberry MAY 26, 07:58 PM