Finale Roadster, The Build (Page 6/49)
MinnGreenGT AUG 20, 04:28 PM

quote
Originally posted by KissMySSFiero:

Finale Apex = Finish at the top


Ooo... I like that

KitKar AUG 20, 06:01 PM
Veloce sounds good.
I still kinda like FRO though. "I gotta get me a FRO!"

------------------
Rick Lord
http://www.KingdomCustoms.com

Archie AUG 20, 10:13 PM
Hi Guys, We only were able to work on the car for a few hours today had a few other things we had to do.

We finished up the welding of the plates I showed you yesterday & then we took some measurements & made the 1st roof cut to see how stiff it is.

I should note right now that I had originally intended to use all these steel plates & the box tubing IN ADDITION to the under car "X" bracing like I mentioned yesterday. After all the welding was done today, we decided that the "X" frame wasn't going to be needed.

So we made the 1st 2 cuts. We made these cuts in such a way that we would be able to see immediately if the chassis sagged. We also took before & after measurements.

Here is Rob making the initial cut on the drivers'side.....

We made a similar single cut on the right side too. Then we made a 2nd cut on each side about 1/4 from the 1ts cut.

I then set-up a dial indicator on a magnetic base & indicated on the highest point on the back bulkhead from the console. Then all 3 of us stood up in the car (wish I had a picture of that ) & bounced up & down together. The total deflection was less than 1/16".

I'm very happy with this, & it passed the test.

I'm kinda glad that we found the bent rocker area (shown below).... Because it made us put the box tubing in that area rather than in the coolant line area as we had originally planned.

Ok that's it for this week. Monday We will becutting the rest of the roof off & start mounting the body. That's gonna be fun.

Archie

[This message has been edited by Archie (edited 08-20-2004).]

LZeitgeist AUG 20, 10:47 PM
I remember that first cut on my car... *grin* I also remember not being worried about what happened, 'cuz I knew you guys would figure out how to make it better. ::chuckle::

Only 1/16" deflection??? Wow! That's better than mine... mine seems to sit fine on the wheels, but when I jack it up, the door spacing changes a bit at the top... I'll have to remember to loosen the roof panels before changing a tire...

Archie AUG 20, 10:59 PM

quote
Originally posted by LZeitgeist:

I remember that first cut on my car... *grin* I also remember not being worried about what happened, 'cuz I knew you guys would figure out how to make it better. ::chuckle::

Only 1/16" deflection??? Wow! That's better than mine... mine seems to sit fine on the wheels, but when I jack it up, the door spacing changes a bit at the top... I'll have to remember to loosen the roof panels before changing a tire...


Did that guy who did your frame stiffener ever fix it up?

Archie

LZeitgeist AUG 20, 11:07 PM
I went back and had an X-brace put in to get rid of the torsion it had when you drove it - it solved all of that problem perfectly.

Everything lines up fine when not on the jack - the chassis just flexes up a bit when strange/uneven stresses are enacted on it. Seems fine when sitting still or being driven.

Archie AUG 21, 12:29 AM

quote
Originally posted by LZeitgeist:

I went back and had an X-brace put in to get rid of the torsion it had when you drove it - it solved all of that problem perfectly.

Everything lines up fine when not on the jack - the chassis just flexes up a bit when strange/uneven stresses are enacted on it. Seems fine when sitting still or being driven.


Very Good.

Archie

grathke AUG 21, 06:50 AM
Wondering if the new body will sport a removeable hardtop?

Thanks
grathke

Crow AUG 21, 07:36 AM
I think that putting the steel in the rockers is the way to go. When I cut the roof It only moved around 1/16". I did notice on really bumpy roads (edens expy) that the windshield vibrates pretty good. you might want to stiffen the windshield area. definitely do it if you are going to lay the windshield back.
Archie AUG 21, 08:00 AM

quote
Originally posted by grathke:

Wondering if the new body will sport a removeable hardtop?

Thanks
grathke


Nope: Way too many $$$ to develope to the point where it will stay on the car under all conditions & if it isn't perfect, way too easy to sue the guy that sold it to you.


quote
Originally posted by Crow:

I think that putting the steel in the rockers is the way to go. When I cut the roof It only moved around 1/16". I did notice on really bumpy roads (edens expy) that the windshield vibrates pretty good. you might want to stiffen the windshield area. definitely do it if you are going to lay the windshield back.


Yes, we have big plans for the windshield posts.

Archie