NS F355 Project (Page 6/73)
Yarmouth Fiero OCT 17, 08:51 PM
Well the extended windshields are finally home safe and sound. It was certainly a group effort starting with 355Fiero and Steve from PA together with ALLTRBO, Bloozberry and myself. But 2800 km round trip as 30 hours of highway driving plus a 3 hour ferry ride across the Bay of Fundy each way got them from MD to rural Nova Scotia intact. They are in safe keeping with Blooz for now.

4 extended 355 windshields


Crated and ready to load


Loaded and ready for the 1400 km ride to Nova Scotia


Now that the little road trip is over, it's time to get back to the chassis modifications.
The 3" x 3" x 1/8" HSS is cut and fitted along the rocker and up to the upper rear frame rail. There will be gussets fitted at the corner and a 1/8" thick mounting plate at the intersection of the new tubing and the frame rail. There will also be a bracket to the lower frame rail eventually.

Hopefully when we do the passenger side, I can work on my right side tan.

With this fitted temporarily, we'll start work on the A pillar connection next.


When its done, it should look very much like the 3D image posted above.

edit: remove photo of family member

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

Yarmouth Fiero OCT 20, 03:38 PM
As I stated earlier, following the 3" chassis stretch I completed a 3" stretch of the engine cradle. I cut the cradle just forward of the front cross member and the cut was made vertical with the cradle level on the table. Each 3" extension was fabricated from two pieces of 1/8" plate that were bent so that they interlock in the same manner as the actual cradle construction. With the extensions inserted in the 3" gap in the cradle, the cradle bushings moved forward without raising or lowering the center of the bushings. I also decided to add fish plates ( doubler plates) on the top and outside surface of each cradle extension, just for added strength.

3D Model showing proposed extensions with doubler plates



We double checked all measurements while on the jig before final welding.


The extensions were given a coat of primer for now as I suspect there will be more cradle modifications later once I finalize the engine / transmission choice.
Bloozberry OCT 20, 04:55 PM
Great looking work! In fact, I'd like to see more of it... as in more pictures and bigger pictures! Are you using PIP? If so, you can upload photos up to 1000 pixels wide, by any height, as long as they don't exceed 300K. Give us more!
Yarmouth Fiero OCT 20, 05:37 PM
Thanks Blooz for the vote of confidence. I am using PIP and I have alot more pictures but I am having a hard time getting the maximum picture dimensions allowable without going over on the max file size. And when I turn down the resolution to reduce the file size, then the pictures don't look so good. Is there a secret to getting the maximum quality on the posts? I'm using photoshop and I know I should probably crop more. I figure by page 5 or 6 I'll have it down pat.

[This message has been edited by Yarmouth Fiero (edited 10-20-2012).]

Sage OCT 20, 05:38 PM

quote
Give us more!



I'll second that motion. Very nice work. Well thought out, planned and executed!

HAGO!
fieroguru OCT 20, 07:10 PM
Looking good!

One recommendation while you are cutting/welding on the cradle... Weld in solid bushing sleeves. In the front you can use some 1/2" ID tube and large washers and in the rear you just need to weld in some spacers.

[This message has been edited by fieroguru (edited 10-20-2012).]

Yarmouth Fiero OCT 20, 07:37 PM
Thanks for the support Sage and Fieroguru. Do you have a photo or a link showing the solid bushings as you describe?
fieroguru OCT 20, 07:42 PM

quote
Originally posted by Yarmouth Fiero:

Thanks for the support Sage and Fieroguru. Do you have a photo or a link showing the solid bushings as you describe?



Sorry, no pics. A friend of mine did the weld in bushing mod 7 or 8 years ago but I didn't take any pictures.
RCR OCT 20, 07:50 PM

quote
Originally posted by Yarmouth Fiero:

Thanks Blooz for the vote of confidence. I am using PIP and I have alot more pictures but I am having a hard time getting the maximum picture dimensions allowable without going over on the max file size. And when I turn down the resolution to reduce the file size, then the pictures don't look so good. Is there a secret to getting the maximum quality on the posts? I'm using photoshop and I know I should probably crop more. I figure by page 5 or 6 I'll have it down pat.




I use ACDSee to shrink and resize my files, but should be similar on PS. When saving images, you should be able to change the compression rate (for jpeg). I usually change it to about 65%. Plenty of resolution for forum and the files are usually less than 100k.

Bob

PS cool build..More pictures needed
Yarmouth Fiero OCT 20, 08:14 PM
Thanks Fieroguru. I'll do up a drawing and see what I can scrounge up for material at work. I never really considered solid bushings on this project. I know earlier I mentioned still being undecided about engine/ trans set up but reading and rereading your thread sure makes the decision easier. Great documentation for us " less experienced" builders.

I'll keep trying with your suggested file compression RCR. I think my biggest problem is I have 3 different cameras on the go ( mine, son, daughter) and they all have different aspect ratios I think. I should really just settle on one camera and stick with it.